A rudderless ship
The good news: we can finally put the Troy Glaus talk to rest. The bad news: He signed with division-rival Toronto. The Toronto Star reports that the Blue Jays' Glaus is full
I'll say. The Jays have added a legitimate closer, BJ Ryan (arguably the best on the market), AJ Burnett to the rotation (a rotation that includes Cy Young winner Roy Halladay) and slugger Lyle Overbay to cover first.
By adding the two corner men, they also have Erik Hinske and Corey Koskie available to offer in trade for some outfield assistance or more pitching.
Toronto is putting my fantasy strategy to work. Power at the corners, speed in the outfield, two No. 1s and a power closer. Hmm. It works in fantasy, however in the real world they weakened the team "D" by losing Hudson, Hinske and even Koskie.
How I wish the Red Sox would implement a similar plan or ANY plan for that matter. If one did exist, certainly they are in need of Plan B, C and D.
With all the movement around them, Boston may be entering panic mode before the first pitch of the season has been thrown.
The Baltimore Sun reports Boston has offered the Orioles Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement for Miguel Tejeda.
The deal in a word - SUCKS. The best right-handed hitter in the game and a legit, solid No. 3 (For the Orioles, maybe a No. 1-2) for a SS coming off a down year in which speculation of steroid use has been brought to the foreground. Tejeda has indeed denied such use and I believe, passed at least four drug tests last season, but his close ties to Jason Giambi (known steroid user) and Rafeal Palmiero (known steroid user) has raised some eyebrows.
Moving Edgar Renteria is already beginning to take its toll. Losing the "King of the Idiots" added salt to the open wound. Now Boston appears to want to amputate in order to save a season.
Perhaps it's time to take alook at some cheaper options.
How about Preston Wilson? He is the only legitimate free-agent centerfielder available. He has had a history of injuries but has some pop. Last year, he proved he can play outside of Coors Field, belting 25 home runs for the Nationals. However, I would still favor moving some spare pitching (if there is such a thing) for Coco Crisp.
Surprise, surprise there's not much out there for shortstops. The Sox should pull the trigger on the Julio Lugo deal with Tampa Bay and see if 1B Aubrey Huff is available too. If they can't do that then Alex Gonzalez would fill the whole for a short stint. Hopefully a very short stint.
It is believed Kevin Youkilis will be take over at first, but J.T. Snow maybe a good insurance policy. The New York Yankees also have some interest, so the Sox will probably lose here. The Boston Herald writes about the possibilities.
For the sake that someone in the Red Sox front office missed my ealier pleas: Forget Tejeda, it is still my belief that the Angels would part with Orlando Cabrera, Casey Kotchman and a prospect for Manny Ramirez - filling two holes and some farm depth.
Better yet, don't trade Manny!
How else could the Sox recover?
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Face it Ed, no team in baseball wants Manny's 20 million/yr salary. There are only 4 teams in all of baseball that could afford that type of salary, and none of them are interested in Manny.
Trading him to the O's for Tejada would be a good deal. Adding Clement will help the Sox by subtraction, he wasn't that good a pitcher last year, he tanked the 2nd half, and he was horrible in the post season where it really counts!
After June his numbers were garbage. 4-5 in 16 starts with a 6.01 ERA. He is hardly a #3 on any team he will be decent on the O's, but he is pretty worthless as a starter on any team that has any post season aspirations.
The Sox may get itchy fingers. All of the teams in their league are improving their position. They need help in teh IF as well as the OF with the departure of Damon.
In my opinion, the Sox are going down the tubes for the next year or two and that stinks from my perspective asa die hard Yankee fan. I really have enjoyed the heated rivalry the last 7 years. Even though the Yanks got the short end of the stick last year, I still enjoyed the season and post season. It won't be the same with the Sox not making the post season!!!
Posted by
chrisDecember 28, 2005 04:43 PM