Are the Sox looking to pull off a Green Monster-sized trade before the clock strikes four on Friday? The rumors are flying faster than fly balls out of the new Yankee Stadium. Everyone loves to play GM at this time of the season and I'm no exception. Here's my $.02 on some of these rumors:
1. The Sox may be trying to pull off a trade for both V-Mart and Cliff Lee: It would take a lot to pull off such a blockbuster, but if the Sox could swing it, it would solve two big needs on the team right now. Those needs would be an impact bat and a middle-to-top of the rotation pitcher. With the offense being the way it's been lately, a bat like V-Mart would be a huge help. If he can learn to catch the knuckler, all the better. Cliff Lee may not be Roy Halladay, but acquiring him would be like having another Beckett or Lester and three of those high-quality starters is better than two. Why do we need another starter? After Beckett and Lester, all the Sox have are a bunch of question marks, especially when you consider the post-season. Penny has made a significant contribution this season, but he's a 5-6 inning starter and a #5 on a contending team like the Red Sox. Wake's on the DL and historically has struggled in October. Smoltz--I'm just not convinced he's the solution the front office had hoped he'd be. Buchholz is still finding his way at the major league level and may get dealt in a trade. And Dice-K, he's the biggest question mark of all!
2. The Sox are in the mix for Roy Halladay: Getting a premier pitcher like Roy Halladay would be awesome. However, the haul the Jays would require for him would make getting another bat all but impossible. If the Sox are willing to live with Adam LaRoche as a power bat off the bench--and his career second-half numbers suggest he could be a big contributor--then they could go all out for Halladay. It's possible a salary-dump bat could be had in addition to Doc, possibly Rios, Wells, Rolen, or Scutaro. Scutaro is particularly appealing, given his success as a leadoff hitter.
3. The Sox are knocking down the doors in San Diego in pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez is a guy who can help the club both now and in the future. He's just 27 and he's hitting balls out of the cavernous Petco Park to the tune of 26 so far this year. The snag in the plan is whether or not the Padres are willing to deal a franchise player and risk alienating their fanbase.
4. The Sox are on the lookout for a right-handed outfielder: With the loss of Kotsay and with Baldelli's health issues, that might not be such a bad idea. The names being kicked around are Cody Ross and Willie Bloomquist. Their batting averages are almost identical, but Ross has the power while Bloomquist can steal some bases. How about Josh Willingham? Those two grand salamis last night were pretty awesome, weren't they? He bats just a shade under .300 and has 16 HR and 39 RBI on the season. Only drawback with him is he's a left fielder and I believe the Sox are looking more to shore up right and possibly center field. That and will the Nats move him?
The next few days are going to be verrrrry interesting...
LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!!!
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