Should Workman and/or De La Rosa remain in the rotation?

[mabrowndog]

Per Farrell yesterday:
 

Buchholz flew to Oakland after Thursday's start to rejoin the big league team. His Red Sox return will likely come next week, though Farrell is not yet sure what day.
 
"We've got a number of things that are kind of moving parts, and I think as we get through this weekend, those decisions will become more clear," Farrell said.

 
With Doubront returning from rehab tonight, Buchholz traveling with the club, and Workman's suspension ending after Monday's game, here's the schedule for the next week and a half. I've included the pitchers whose regular starting slots would line up with the rest of the West Coast swing:
 
Fri 6/20 @ OAK - Doubront
Sat 6/21 @ OAK - De La Rosa
Sun 6/22 @ OAK- Lester
Mon 6/23 @ SEA - Lackey
Tue 6/24 @ SEA - Peavy / Buchholz
Wed 6/25 @ SEA - Doubront / Workman
Thur 6/26 - OFF
Fri 6/27 - @ NYY - Lester / De La Rosa
Sat 6/28 - @ NYY - Lackey
Sun 6/29 - @ NYY - Peavy / Buchholz
 
The simplest answer to the thread title, and one many of us might expect from this front office, is "No", along with with their typical "conservation of assets" reasoning that since Workman and De La Rosa still have options remaining, they should simply be sent down to AAA. But to quote Kevin Bacon in A Few Good Men, these are the facts of the case -- and they are undisputed:
 
* Workman has made 5 starts since May 25, averaging 5.8 IP with a 3.21 ERA, 1.91 K/BB, and a .190/.277/.290/.567 opponents' batting line. He's shown both composure and consistency.
 
* De La Rosa has made 4 starts since May 31, averaging 6.3 IP with a 2.84 ERA, 3.29 K/BB, and a .231/.283/.363/.645 opp's line. He's displayed much-improved control and command, and there's really no debate about his potential ceiling when he throws strikes.
 
* Jake Peavy made 10 starts through May 24, averaging 6.0 IP with a 4.65 ERA, 1.75 K/BB, and a .270/.345/.478/.823 opp's line. Since then he's made 5 starts with improved results, averaging 6.6 IP with a 4.28 ERA, 2.88 K/BB, and a .275/.326/.427/.754 opp's line.
 
What if the two most obvious "moving parts" this weekend, Doubront and De La Rosa, both turn in solid starts? Does it "become more clear" to Farrell and Cherington that Felix is back and Rubby deserves to stay? And if so, where does that leave Workman? With all the anticipation we've had about how the next crop of young pitchers would develop, and how they'd do once arriving on the scene, does the club really want to disrupt the solid results Workman and RDLR have shown over the past month?
 
Peavy hasn't been awful, especially in his last 5 outings, and he certainly hasn't gotten much run support (43rd out of 44 AL qualifiers; only Ubaldo Jimenez has had less). But control issues and ill-timed gopher balls have hurt his fortunes. Given the roster crunch, does he still merit a rotation spot? Should he be moved to the bullpen, and if so what's his likely response attitude-wise and how would he perform in that role? As far as trading him, should they try to? (Any specific proposals & rumors should probably go in the Trade Rumors thread, and I'm surely not expecting much in return, but the Braves -- who just lost Gavin Floyd for the season -- strike me as one possible destination.)
 
I'm not advocating punting the season yet, and I'm not so sure that dealing Peavy or moving him to the pen means you're waving the white flag. Rather, you'd be going with the better-performing option(s). But you have to wonder if Cherington is going to approach this conundrum with some creativity instead of defaulting to the choice dictated by procedural protocol and contract status. It's clear that at least one of Workman or RDLR is destined to be optioned, but I'd hate to see both getting sent down when the development work the club has invested seems to finally be paying off.
 
So who stays, who goes, and how?

 

[BosRedSox5]

IMO Workman should absolutely remain in the rotation. He's done a fantastic job and his secondary pitches have greatly improved. Allowing him to continue working in an MLB rotation is the best thing for him. De La Rosa may end up being better than Workman someday, but he's got a lot of work to do IMO. 

 

[luckysox]

Peavy is not going o the bullpen. He's a lifelong starter, former Cy Young winner, veteran mentor to the pitching staff; and more importantly, he has not earned a demotion from the rotation to the BP . Of course neither Wokman nor DLR have warned a demotion, either. But the Sox will trade him or keep him as a starter unless he gets injured or simply implodes over the course of a month of starts.

Doobie could go to the pen - he'd complain, but we know he can pitch there and take some pressure off of Taz/Miller/Koji. And let's not pretend that Clay might not still suck. Even if both are optioned, we will more likely than not see one back sooner than later. It is the nature of pitching.

 

[MakMan44]

Both of them have out pitched Peavy by just about every metric. I think Peavy stays in the rotation until they find a trade partner but yes, I think that both players have earned the chance to stay in the rotation. 

 

[RedOctober3829]

My solution would be to trade Peavy to an NL team.  In 20 interleague innings this season, he has pitched to a 3.60 ERA.  Last season in 58 interleague innings he pitched to a 3.84 ERA and a record of 6-2.  He can still be an average to slightly above average pitcher in the National League. 
 
That way your rotation would consist of Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Doubront, and Workman.  I'd rather not have to move one of Breslow, Miller, or Capuano out at the moment to give Doubront a spot on the team.  The easiest thing would be to send RDLR back down and slide Doubront back into the rotation.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

Rubby pitched 110 innings in 2010. Since then: 100, 13, & 91
 
Workman: 131 in 2011. Since then: 138 & 143
 
If there are 90 games remaining, estimate 16 starts @ 6 ip/ea, say 100 more ip
 
That would put Workman at 173 ip for 2014 and Rubby at 178
 
Doable?

 

[MakMan44]

Rubby pitched 110 innings in 2010. Since then: 100, 13, & 91
 
Workman: 131 in 2011. Since then: 138 & 143
 
If there are 90 games remaining, estimate 16 starts @ 6 ip/ea, say 100 more ip
 
That would put Workman at 173 ip for 2014 and Rubby at 178
 
Doable?

Rubby, maybe not but I'd say Workman could, easily. 

 

[HillysLastWalk]

I've been beating this drum for a few days now, unfortunately these posts find themselves in random threads because this thread didn't exist previously (maybe I should have started one!).
 
I'll just re-post something here:
 
With the ineptitude of this offense, and the hole they dug for themselves, I do think that they should start looking to move Peavy.  I think he has some value. Though it may be too soon (teams may be trying internal options before the trade market).  And I don't think this compromises this season at all.
 
Jake Peavy has a 4.73 FIP.  He had a 3.96 FIP last year.  Brandon Workman sits at a career FIP of 3.40.  Brandon Workman gives the Red Sox a better chance to win.  And if Peavy gives us something that helps shore up the outfield, it balances competing this year with integrating the new, young guys.
 
Basically, RDLR gets a promotion to depth option #1.  Unfortunately you might have to send him down, but at some point, you may find a way to get him into the bullpen. Lets him face major league hitters. Again, trying to integrate.

The Red Sox need to start seeing what these young guys have - and with the depth of options it may be the perfect time to do it.  Webster, Wright, and Ranaudo are available.  Plus, if you can get RDLR up here, it opens up a spot in AAA to move Owens up.  The bullpen has been so good (minus Mujica), it's hard.  Are the Sox going to pick up Breslow's option next year?  Does he have value as well?

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Workman stays in the rotation
Doubront goes to the 'pen
RDLR heads back to AAA and you keep an eye on his innings.
 
You can always flip Workman and Doubront if need be, or bring Felix back in the rotation for Lackey and Lester's summer vacations

 

[lexrageorge]

Right now, Peavy does provide insurance for the latter end of the rotation, guarding against the possibility of either Doubront or Buchholz struggling to get back into form.  
 
For now, I would give Doubront a couple of starts, figure out a way to get Workman in for another start.  Then decide between the two who goes to the pen and who starts.  De La Rosa goes to AAA, but becomes the first call up if a starter or bullpen arm is needed. 
 
Peavy likely has some trade value and is unlikely to be back next year anyway.  But I would wait a bit longer for the market to shape up.

 

[Toe Nash]

Rubby pitched 110 innings in 2010. Since then: 100, 13, & 91
 
Workman: 131 in 2011. Since then: 138 & 143
 
If there are 90 games remaining, estimate 16 starts @ 6 ip/ea, say 100 more ip
 
That would put Workman at 173 ip for 2014 and Rubby at 178
 
Doable?

That's a very big jump for RDLR. I would think they would want to limit him to 140 or so. For that reason I think he would probably move to the pen at some point (that could be now), or maybe they would shut him down early if they were out of the race. Or, you could give him a few weeks off midseason, though that can be tough to do without a real injury or if RDLR doesn't want to.
 
Workman should stay in the rotation right now over Peavy. Who knows if he will. But if not, as often happens, the problem will work itself out either through another injury, or a trade sooner or later. Workman has clearly cemented himself as a good option.

 

[Rasputin]

Trade Peavy for whatever they can get. My preference would be a lottery ticket OF.
 
Keep Workman in the rotation.
 
RLDR back to AAA as the first depth option and probably to the bullpen later to keep innings down.

 

[Darnell's Son]

Trade Peavy for whatever they can get. My preference would be a lottery ticket OF.
 
Keep Workman in the rotation.
 
RLDR back to AAA as the first depth option and probably to the bullpen later to keep innings down.

I had made this suggestion when talking to Makman the other day. Both RLDR and Workman are better than Peavy is now so I don't get the point of keeping him. They can afford to subsidize the trade to actually get something of value back if they have to. I honestly don't care what they get back. The team is better with one of the kids pitching every fifth day than it is with Peavy pitching.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Surely some team would be willing to part with some good power bat with plate discipline for a short term pitching boost (Peavy) and some long term pitching (Webster?  Ranaudo?  Both? along with some other middling prospects... no?  
Unfortunately I have very little clue as to what's happening on any other team so I can't even consider trade partners and the logistics of it all.
But if Peavy gets dealt for a solid bat, I'd bump Workman into his after the suspension and keep Rubby up as the long relief guy.  Losing Webster and Ranaudo would hurt, but we still have Owens (who could then promote up to AAA) and Barnes in the system.
 
EDIT-  would gladly "sweeten" the deal by adding Mujica to it to make room for RDL in the rotation also

 

[BosRedSox5]

Trade Peavy for whatever they can get. My preference would be a lottery ticket OF.
 
Keep Workman in the rotation.
 
RLDR back to AAA as the first depth option and probably to the bullpen later to keep innings down.

 
I know that Jake Peavy isn't the same guy who won the NL Cy Young in 2007, but is he really only worth a lottery ticket OF? 
 
Last summer, depending on how you look at it, he was either worth the Tigers' #2 prospect or the Red Sox's #9 prospect. Has that much really changed? 

 

[Darnell's Son]

 
I know that Jake Peavy isn't the same guy who won the NL Cy Young in 2007, but is he really only worth a lottery ticket OF? 
 
Last summer, depending on how you look at it, he was either worth the Tigers' #2 prospect or the Red Sox's #9 prospect. Has that much really changed? 

He has a full year less on his contract. He would be a strict half year rental for the team that acquires him.

 

[MakMan44]

 
I know that Jake Peavy isn't the same guy who won the NL Cy Young in 2007, but is he really only worth a lottery ticket OF? 
 
Last summer, depending on how you look at it, he was either worth the Tigers' #2 prospect or the Red Sox's #9 prospect. Has that much really changed? 

What DS said, plus his skills have eroded. His FIP and xFIP are basically in line with his ERA, teams are not going to give up much for him even if the Red Sox pay the rest of his contract.

 

[Rasputin]

 
I know that Jake Peavy isn't the same guy who won the NL Cy Young in 2007, but is he really only worth a lottery ticket OF? 
 
Last summer, depending on how you look at it, he was either worth the Tigers' #2 prospect or the Red Sox's #9 prospect. Has that much really changed? 

 
In addition to having a one fewer year on his contract and being one year older, we want to get rid of him now to make room for something else so we are going to have to accept the first decent offer we get. 
 
And, by the way, if it's more than a lottery ticket, I'm totally okay with that.

 

[BosRedSox5]

 
In addition to having a one fewer year on his contract and being one year older, we want to get rid of him now to make room for something else so we are going to have to accept the first decent offer we get. 
 
And, by the way, if it's more than a lottery ticket, I'm totally okay with that.

 
Don't misunderstand, I agree with you, dealing Peavy in a hurry is a good move, but it's wild how far his perceived value has gone. I wouldn't be upset at all if we dealt him for a Wily Mo Pena type, it just seems like his value was so much higher last year. 

 

[dbn]

I like Jake Peavey and want to see him succeed in a Red Sox uniform. I do think, though, that trading him would be best for the Red Sox long-term and probably short-term. I only say "probably" because we could wind up with a bunch of injuries, or Clay and/or Felix not perform well, or something else unforeseen. 

 

[Rasputin]

 
Don't misunderstand, I agree with you, dealing Peavy in a hurry is a good move, but it's wild how far his perceived value has gone. I wouldn't be upset at all if we dealt him for a Wily Mo Pena type, it just seems like his value was so much higher last year. 

 
Keep in mind that I just pulled it out of my ass. I didn't consult GMs around the league.

 

[BosRedSox5]

I like Jake Peavey and want to see him succeed in a Red Sox uniform. I do think, though, that trading him would be best for the Red Sox long-term and probably short-term. I only say "probably" because we could wind up with a bunch of injuries, or Clay and/or Felix not perform well, or something else unforeseen. 

 

 
I don't understand that fear. This season is already pretty much a sunk cost, so if we need to go get some warm body off the street then so be it. It'd be like when the Sox got Jason Johnson except the stakes are much lower. There's lots of innings eaters out there. Billy Beane only pays a dollar for his. 

 

[Darnell's Son]

 
 
 
I don't understand that fear. This season is already pretty much a sunk cost, so if we need to go get some warm body off the street then so be it. It'd be like when the Sox got Jason Johnson except the stakes are much lower. There's lots of innings eaters out there. Billy Beane only pays a dollar for his. 
 

I think dbn's concern is a 2012-esque disaster of a season.

 

[chrisfont9]

My solution would be to trade Peavy to an NL team.  In 20 interleague innings this season, he has pitched to a 3.60 ERA.  Last season in 58 interleague innings he pitched to a 3.84 ERA and a record of 6-2.  He can still be an average to slightly above average pitcher in the National League. 
 
That way your rotation would consist of Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Doubront, and Workman.  I'd rather not have to move one of Breslow, Miller, or Capuano out at the moment to give Doubront a spot on the team.  The easiest thing would be to send RDLR back down and slide Doubront back into the rotation.

This. He has definite trade value, everyone in the NL knows exactly what they can expect with him, and there's always a market for the Jake Peavy's of the world. Perhaps it's a matter of taking their time and waiting for better offers, which probably don't happen til closer to the deadline. Which is too bad because I'd love him out of the rotation now. But the kids (one of them at least) can wait another month before the next phase of their lives begins.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I think dbn's concern is a 2012-esque disaster of a season.

 
The fortunate difference between now and 2012 (or even 2006) is the depth at Pawtucket.  They've got not only Workman and De la Rosa who've already been up and contributing, but Webster, Ranaudo and Wright on the 40-man plus Barnes and Owens who could be added if it came down to it.  They'd have to go through a bunch of those guys before they'd have to go digging in the scrap heap for Aaron Cook/Jason Johnson/Kevin Jarvis types.
 
Basically, I don't think depth and what-if-three-guys-go-down-at-once concerns should at all be a hindrance to moving Peavy if the opportunity arises.

 

[Plympton91]

What contending team needs a veteran starting pitcher on a half-year rental and perhaps also needs a LH hitting first baseman but also has a spare righthanded hitting fourth outfielder? Or has enough depth in their outfield pipeline that they'd trade a prospect who is in AA or AAA and is at least better than Bryce Brentz.

Would the Brewers want to replace Estrada and Overbay? What would they give up?

Would the Phillies be dumb enough to be buyers one more time? He'd be better than the artist formerly known as Carmona.

Do the Angels want to put Peavy in the rotation and wait another year on Skaggs and Santiago? Enough to give up Cargill or Calhoun?

Would the Marlins go for the veteran presence?

 

[Plympton91]

Then again, there's absolutely no evidence that they should prefer Doubront to Peavy, now or going forward.

 

[Plympton91]

He's actually been good if you take out the brain farts by Farrell inexplicably trying to steal innings with him. Another month of quality starts and attrition among contenders might boost his value to at least recoup something on the level of the single-a pitcher they gave up in the deal to get him.

 

[Rasputin]

I don't understand that fear. This season is already pretty much a sunk cost, so if we need to go get some warm body off the street then so be it. It'd be like when the Sox got Jason Johnson except the stakes are much lower. There's lots of innings eaters out there. Billy Beane only pays a dollar for his. 

It is far too early to be giving up on this team.

 

[dbn]

Let me clarify the ideas behind my post.
 
I have only little hope that the 2014 Red Sox will reach the post-season, but baseball isn't like basketball where tanking for the draft pick is a good idea. I want them to do what is best for the team both for the future and for this season. More the former than the latter, because I don't think they are winning anything this year, but for both, nonetheless. As others have said, it is too early to give up on this season. 
 
With all that in mind, I think a good gambit would be to trade Peavey, so as to give a rotation spot to Workman and the first-subtitute starter position to Rubby. I think they are better pitchers than Peavey now, and giving them experience in the majors now may pay off long term. I use the term "gambit" because there is some risk involved with that decision. As I said in my earlier post, a lot of things can happen and they could wind up regretting such a trade. Nonetheless, I think it would be the right decision, even if it does wind up not working out.

 

[Toe Nash]

He's actually been good if you take out the brain farts by Farrell inexplicably trying to steal innings with him. Another month of quality starts and attrition among contenders might boost his value to at least recoup something on the level of the single-a pitcher they gave up in the deal to get him.

I dunno, define "good."
 
Peavy / League average:
1st time through the order: .843 OPS allowed / .694
2nd: .734 / .730
3rd: .838 / .751
 
Pitches 1-25: .782 / .702
Pitches 26-50: 1.074 / .720
Pitches 51-75: .623 / .723
Pitches 76-100: .710 / .729

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Keep in mind that I just pulled it out of my ass. I didn't consult GMs around the league.

Nick Cafardo, is that you?

 

[Mike F]

Trade Peavy for whatever they can get. My preference would be a lottery ticket OF.
 
Keep Workman in the rotation.
 
RLDR back to AAA as the first depth option and probably to the bullpen later to keep innings down.

Agree, but I'm very happy to accept some Int Slot money for Peavy. Before this year's signings

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

I'm very much in the camp of dumping Peavy .. Just getting him off the roster is a positive thing .. Getting something for him is just gravy.

One of the trickier aspects of this year has been , IMO, auditioning the AAA starters. One could argue they all could equal Peavy's contribution. But the Sox don't have room or opportunity to be holding tryouts.

So ..

Trade Peavy for whatever you can get
Move Doubront to the bullpen (or back to the DL .. He looked awful last night)
Keep Workman in the rotation
Keep RDLR in the rotation until he nears his Innings limit and then send him to the pen (in Pawtucket)
Then bring up Webster or Ranaudo for the 5th spot

I'd leave Barnes in AAA and promote Owens and Johnson in early July to Pawtucket.

So we would have rotation of
Lester
Buchholz
Lackey
Workman
RDLR/Webster/Ranaudo

You still have Doubront on the 25 man roster for long man / spot starts

With Barnes , Owens and Johnson providing deep depth.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

there is no reason for Jake Peavy to remain on this team. HE should be traded to the Braves or Dodgers or any other NL team in need of a fifth starter by the end of the day today

 

[Plympton91]

If the Red Sox aren't contending, I don't see the value in yo-yoing De La Rosa between the rotation and the bullpen. I'd just leave him as a starter until he hits whatever innings limit they have in mind and then shut him down completely. I think 150-160 would probably be fine; he didn't throw a lot of innings last year but that was because they moved him to the bullpen, so it wasn't like his arm got a rest.

If they do get back into contention, then I suppose you'd want him to be an option to make the playoff roster as a reliever. But, with the depth out there currently (famous last words) I'm not sure they really need to. So, maybe just focus on consolidating his progress as a starter, and reassess next spring.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Rubby needs to stay and start, period

 

[Darnell's Son]

Ok, why? If they win their next 7, they'll be a .500 team halfway through the year. What about this team suggests they are ready to contend? They cannot hit at all.

Their pitching suggests they can contend. They have the third best team ERA in the AL and are tied for the second most QS. I know those aren't perfect stats, but it's tough to argue that they don't have the pitching to contend. They need to do something with the offense, and they have chips to make that happen. I'll agree that they need to do something sooner than later, but giving up on the season is silly.

 

[dbn]

Todays start is a good example of why I'm enjoying this season very much even though they are below 0.500.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Todays start is a good example of why I'm enjoying this season very much even though they are below 0.500.

You must be thinking beyond this year, although how is the offense getting better next year? Great pitching by itself won't do it, unless you're the 1965 - 1966 Dodgers. 

 

[Plympton91]

And next year they'll get outbid for Lester, Uehara, Badenhop, and Miller, so even if Ruby keeps pitching like an ace he'll only help them tread water.

 

[GreenMonsterVsGodzilla]

What would it take for Farrell to consider a six-man rotation like the Orioles have been doing? It would let keep either Workman or RDLR up while simultaneously limiting innings somewhat. You'd lose a bullpen arm but would DFAing Mujica really hurt much?

I don't know what the current thinking is, but I found at least one article suggesting that Japan's use of 6-man rotations might limit the need for TJ surgery: http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/76156074/major-league-baseball-six-man-starting-pitcher-rotations-tommy-john-elbow-injuries#!18scC

 

[geoduck no quahog]

Their pitching suggests they can contend. They have the third best team ERA in the AL and are tied for the second most QS. I know those aren't perfect stats, but it's tough to argue that they don't have the pitching to contend. They need to do something with the offense, and they have chips to make that happen. I'll agree that they need to do something sooner than later, but giving up on the season is silly.

The way I see it, there's more reason to be optimistic about a good pitching team in a hitting slump than vice versa.

I mean, there is a greater possibility that these guys will find their bats during the summer, yes?

 

[Rasputin]

Ok, why? If they win their next 7, they'll be a .500 team halfway through the year. What about this team suggests they are ready to contend? They cannot hit at all.

 
You act like contending is a magical thing that only super special teams are allowed to do. There are two wild cards now and every team above .500 is going to be contending at least through August.
 
You also don't seem to understand the difference between poor performance due to talent being unavailable and poor performance due to the random ups and downs of a baseball season.
 
We're not dealing with Sizemore in the OF anymore. We're not dealing with Alex Hassan, Ryan Roberts, and guys like that. 
 
We're still dealing with Bradley and likely will for the season but if the rest of the guys perform, we can live with that.
 
And here's the thing. Over the past two weeks the team OPS is .584 and over the last week, it's .511 and over the season it's .687.
 
The team is going to hit better than it has the past couple weeks. And when it does, some of those one and two run losses are going to turn into wins.

 

[Rasputin]

AJ Pierzynski .659 .422
Mike Napoli, .793 .536
Dustin Pedroia, .722 .638
Xander Bogaerts, .755 .322
Brock Holt, .817 .734
Jonny Gomes, .691 .452
Jackie Bradley, .593 .676
David Ortiz .820 .650
Daniel Nava .595 .864
 
That's our starting lineup, their OPS for the season, and their OPS for the past two weeks. You'll note that only two of them have a higher number for the past two weeks than the season as a whole.
 
85 games is only four games better than .500. That means the Sox would only have to win eleven more games than they lose over the next 87. That's 49-38 and that should put them in the mix. It might not win dick, but it would mean there would be meaningful games in September.
 
Do you really think that's out of reach?

 

[Larry Gardner]

I just skimmed through the thread...has anyone thrown out Peavy for Ethier yet?  He's been pretty much a bum also, but still is outhitting JBJ.....

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

I just skimmed through the thread...has anyone thrown out Peavy for Ethier yet?  He's been pretty much a bum also, but still is outhitting JBJ.....

 
Except Ethier has a hideous contract .. maybe if LA subsidized him at .75 cents on the dollar

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I just skimmed through the thread...has anyone thrown out Peavy for Ethier yet?  He's been pretty much a bum also, but still is outhitting JBJ.....

 
Haven't we already established that the Dodgers, at least at present, aren't in need of another starter?  Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Beckett, Haren...that's a full rotation right there.  Unless they think Peavy can be good out of the pen, he's not pushing any of those five out of their spot.  Now if one of them suffered an injury, that changes things.  I mean, just such a thing is what facilitated Peavy coming to Boston in the first place (Peralta being suspended making Detroit desperate for a SS).
 
Can we try to take a bit more care when trade wishcasting?  At the very least, go beyond just scanning rosters for players that you think fit a Sox need and see if those teams actually have a need the Sox can fill?

 

[absintheofmalaise]

 
Except Ethier has a hideous contract .. maybe if LA subsidized him at .75 cents on the dollar

And is another LH hitter and is 32. 

 

[KillerBs]

The need RHB platoon mate for JBJ has been apparent, but I wonder with Victorino's return and Betts at AAA, whether that solution could be in house. If so a LH who can play RF, to spell Victorino and provide some insurance in the event of his re-injury, could work too.
 
Maybe Nava or Holt is this guy, but I am still dubious re their defense as a semi-starter in RF, tho it does look like Holt may have the arm for the position.
 
For example:
 
vs. RHPer: LF Betts, with some Holt mixed in?
                   CF Bradley, with Victorino rarely perhaps?
                   RF Victorino and lefty hitting new guy
 
vs LHP:      LF Gomes
                   CF Betts
                   RF Victorino
 
This assumes Holt can hold the fort as the UI, allowing for 5 OFers and also assumes the departure of Nava, Herrera and Drew.
 
I do think Nava deserves at least to the trade deadline to rehabilitate himself, and justify a claim on his 2013 job. Nava/Betts/Bradley, left to right vs. RHPers, would be an option if Nava sticks around and returns to form.
 
You would think with 18 to 20 marketable ptichers, we should be able to land someone who can be at least league average vs RHPers to play RF, if not a bit of Cf too.