Red Sox Hot Stove Rumors

[opes]

I'm not sure Harper is a fan favorite but could be wrong.  He and Matt Williams have clashed and he was benched last year.  He also hasn't yet produced like a superstar.  I'm not saying it's likely to happen, but who else could the Sox move for Betts who could be pried away?
Thought of a different way:  What if Bogaerts produced below superstar levels and clashed with John Farrell?  Wouldn't we want him moved by then to see what we could get?  He's only through year one and there were several people around here who were down on his production already.

 
also hes 22, and you are expecting him to produce like a superstar?   He's doing pretty decent for a 22yr old.  Expecting him to jack 40 hrs and bat .400 is crazy.  Regardless, hes not even being considered trade bait, so its a moot point.

 

[Drek717]

Nobody. The people we'd want to move Betts for don't get moved, even for a guy like Betts.

This is the point I made a day or two ago.  It's like the suggestion to trade Pedroia some on this forum keep throwing out.  No matter how much baseball sense it makes teams will not trade relatively young face of the franchise types unless they're willing to suffer the consequences with their fans.  The only time teams are ok with that is when they're going full rebuild, and often times not even then.
 
Zimmerman is available only because he beat expected performance levels and is expected to leave after this season.  Strasburg and Harper are untouchable because they are the identity of the Washington Nationals.  They've built their marketing campaigns around those two from the first day each was drafted.

 

[Wingack]

And here I was thinking that you were going to say that the Sox would be giving up way too much.

 
Definitely not.
 
 

Strasburg and Harper are untouchable because they are the identity of the Washington Nationals.  They've built their marketing campaigns around those two from the first day each was drafted.

 
This.
 
And when folks come up with wild offers, think about how the offer actually makes the other team better off than with what they are giving up. The Nationals have no reason to take a step back, or even to move laterally, they want to win it all now and are a lot closer to doing it than the Red Sox are. 

 

[4-6-3]

Jake is at it again on twitter:
 
Jake Wesley MLB ‏@mlb_nl_al  3m
3 minutes ago
BREAKING: Yoenis Cespedes traded to the Cincinatti Reds, not sure of rest of the details

 

[RedOctober3829]

Cespedes and change for Cueto? One can dream.

 

[MakMan44]

Well, this should be interesting. 

 

[thehitcat]

Jake is at it again on twitter:
 
Jake Wesley MLB ‏@mlb_nl_al  3m
3 minutes ago
BREAKING: Yoenis Cespedes traded to the Cincinatti Reds, not sure of rest of the details

Go kid Go!! And for the record this reeks of Latos not Cueto.

 

[soxhop411]

if he is right we should hear more before midnight

 

[E5 Yaz]

if he is right we should hear more before midnight

 
If he's wrong people will stop posting him

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Jake is at it again on twitter:
 
Jake Wesley MLB ‏@mlb_nl_al   [URL="https://twitter.com/mlb_nl_al/status/537787296918278145

https://twitter.com/mlb_nl_al/status/537787296918278145"]3m

link to tweet[/url]
[/COLOR][URL="https://twitter.com/mlb_nl_al/status/537787296918278145

https://twitter.com/mlb_nl_al/status/537787296918278145"]3

link to tweet minutes ago[/url]
BREAKING: Yoenis Cespedes traded to the Cincinatti Reds, not sure of rest of the details

If this is true then it means two things.

1) It's probably for Leake or Cingrani (please God not Simon)

2) Bruce is probably getting traded at some point.

 

[soxhop411]

 
If he's wrong people will stop posting him

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
 
RT @mlb_nl_al: UPDATE: Reds acquiring Cespedes is not yet official, something preventing the deal from becoming official,

 

[burstnbloom]

Obvious "hope he isn't full of it" caveat,  but this does scream Latos.  

 

[4-6-3]

I think the kid's source just hung him out to dry with this one.

 

[MakMan44]

Lol

 

[Ed Hillel]

Jake Wesley MLB ‏@mlb_nl_al
Update: both teams agree on Cespedes deal, but something is preventing it from happening, don't know what. Very strange.

 
ALIVE?

 

[MartyBarrettMVP]

This is all very Frank Underwood/Zoe on House of Cards

 

[Harry Hooper]

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
 
RT @mlb_nl_al: UPDATE: Reds acquiring Cespedes is not yet official, something preventing the deal from becoming official,

 
 
Yeah, the MLB offices closed hours ago.

 

[MedfieldFan]

Incarcerated Bob has three teams in the hunt :
 
https://twitter.com/incarceratedbob/status/537814963981918208
 
**BREAKING MLB NEWS** Cespedes talks 3 teams (Mariners / Padres /DBacks) source says close. NO REDS! go drink your milk n cookies #14yearold


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[ScubaSteveAvery]

I think it might be time to nuke this thread. Some 14 year old and now incarcerated bob. C'mon people. 

 

[ivanvamp]

I can't take any twitter post seriously.  But if this is remotely true, it's good for the Sox to have multiple teams in on Cespedes.  Just like it's not good for the Sox to have multiple teams in on Lester.

 

[Lynchie]

That is how to find a leak.

 

[FredCDobbs]

My God, this is like chasing lines at 4 AM.  One more will do the trick!

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Well, after apologizing profusely, Jake Wesley is doubling down on Cespedes to the Reds, claiming that his Sox source is feeding it to him this time.

Edit: He's said they're in advanced talks, not that it's done.

 

[soxhop411]

Well, after apologizing profusely, Jake Wesley is doubling down on Cespedes to the Reds, claiming that his Sox source is feeding it to him this time.

Edit: He's said they're in advanced talks, not that it's done.

Yay?

 

[BeantownIdaho]

 

Jake Wesley MLB ‏@mlb_nl_al

Red and Red Sox still in advanced talks regarding trade of Yoenis Cespedes

 

[DJnVa]

He claims he's dumped his Cincy source, now the rumor is coming from Boston.
 
 
ALIVE.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I think it might be time to nuke this thread. Some 14 year old and now incarcerated bob. C'mon people. 

I think Bob has gotten one thing right over the last 6 years (gholston to Tampa)

 

[Reverend]

I've moved all of the recent meta discussion as to what constitutes a legitimate rumor to this thread in backwash. It might be noted that that includes the entire last page of this thread up to now.
 
It's a legitimate and even important discussion in a lot of ways. But it's crowding out the actual rumors--especially with all the snark--so now there's a place for the discussion and a place for people who want to be able to find rumors without rolling up their sleeves and panning for them.
 
Edit: And the discussion of 14 year old boys has been moved to its appropriate thread in P&G Our Errors Are Mistakes. Let's try and stay on target here, yeah?

 

[soxhop411]

“@clarkspencer: Add Allen Craig to the list of first basemen the #marlins are looking at as a potential trade target.”

 

[Harry Hooper]

“@clarkspencer: Add Allen Craig to the list of first basemen the #marlins are looking at as a potential trade target.”

John Henry will
settle for getting the bus back from the Millar episode.

 

[E5 Yaz]

“@clarkspencer: Add Allen Craig to the list of first basemen the #marlins are looking at as a potential trade target.”

 
That would be an interesting fit, actually. Barring injury, Craig doesn't figure to get many at-bats in Boston. Return would likely depend on whether the Sox eat some salary or the deal is expanded.

 

[67WasBest]

 
That would be an interesting fit, actually. Barring injury, Craig doesn't figure to get many at-bats in Boston. Return would likely depend on whether the Sox eat some salary or the deal is expanded.

Agreed, at worst it gains another piece to use as a sweetener for a deal you want. I can see them eating most of 2015 salary to get it done

 

[MakMan44]

Even if salary is picked up, the return is going to be minimal. It's frustrating because Craig fits in so perfectly in 2016 if he bounces back.

 

[67WasBest]

Even if salary is picked up, the return is going to be minimal. It's frustrating because Craig fits in so perfectly in 2016 if he bounces back.

Thing is, there are many iterations of what I would consider an acceptable lineup.  Hard to believe they were so bad last year and hold so much promise for this year.  I expected them to be in position to compete in 2016, but they are clearly trying to setup a team that has as much talent as any other.

 

[MakMan44]

Yeah, Craig doesn't fit in here this season because clearly not going to get many ABs. It's just slightly that we have a cheap in house option to replace Napoli after the season but we've basically forced to trade him at his lowest value.

 

[67WasBest]

Agreed, if the return was critical to their success, that would be a harder pill to swallow.  We go on measuring the value of the Lackey deal with Kelly's production alone.

 

[turnthe2]

https://mobile.twitter.com/clarkspencer/status/538070060750082048

View attachment 675

 

[grimshaw]

Allen Craig and Garrett Jones.  How do you game plan against that mine fiield?

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

If the Red Sox could trade Craig and his entire contract to the Marlins (or Royals for that matter who have an opening at DH) for a B prospect, I think they have to do it.  True, if Craig returns to form, he would be a nice fit at 1b in 2016, but it shouldn't be hard to find a 1b to replace Napoli.  And if Craig doesn't return to form, his contract is a total waste of resources.  If the Red Sox can eliminate that risk now, without picking up any portion of the contract, I think they should jump at the opportunity even if it doesn't bring a real prospect (or player) in return.

 

[CaskNFappin]

If the Red Sox could trade Craig and his entire contract to the Marlins (or Royals for that matter who have an opening at DH) for a B prospect, I think they have to do it.  True, if Craig returns to form, he would be a nice fit at 1b in 2016, but it shouldn't be hard to find a 1b to replace Napoli.  And if Craig doesn't return to form, his contract is a total waste of resources.  If the Red Sox can eliminate that risk now, without picking up any portion of the contract, I think they should jump at the opportunity even if it doesn't bring a real prospect (or player) in return.

Here's the list of potential free agents. Given the certainty that Encarnacions option will be picked up, it's verrrrrry slim pickings. In fact I'd bet on better production out of Craig than the field.


Jeff Baker (35)
Kyle Blanks (29)
Chris Davis (30)
Edwin Encarnacion (33) – $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Garrett Jones (35)
Justin Morneau (35) – $9MM mutual option with a $750K buyout
Mike Napoli (34)
Sean Rodriguez (31)
Gaby Sanchez (32)

 

[sackamano]

I think Allen Craig is going to get back to raking.

The guy's a proven really good big league hitter. The most fearsome hitter in the 2013 Cardinal lineup.

He's not just going to fall off the face of the earth.

 

[E5 Yaz]

He's not just going to fall off the face of the earth.

 
He will if he plays in Miami

 

[Drek717]

Here's the list of potential free agents. Given the certainty that Encarnacions option will be picked up, it's verrrrrry slim pickings. In fact I'd bet on better production out of Craig than the field.


Jeff Baker (35)
Kyle Blanks (29)
Chris Davis (30)
Edwin Encarnacion (33) – $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Garrett Jones (35)
Justin Morneau (35) – $9MM mutual option with a $750K buyout
Mike Napoli (34)
Sean Rodriguez (31)
Gaby Sanchez (32)

And with the possibility that Ortiz retires means they'll be looking for more than just Napoli's replacement after next season.
 
Craig has real value in the near term, just not 2015.  They managed to carry Mike Carp for one and a half seasons, I think they should be able to carry Craig for one.

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

 
He will if he plays in Miami

I was going to make a joke about Craig being Jeff Conine for the new millenium and then I looked at Conine's #s.  Conine had a similar drop in hitting starting his age 31 season but 2 seasons later he started hitting again and putting up strong seasons.  Of course, this was the Steroid Era so I'm not sure you can learn much from it but the two players have a lot of similarities.  I'd stat up a little bit more but my belly is full of turkey and cheap wine.
 
Conine
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/coninje01.shtml
 
Craig
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/craigal01.shtml

 

[CaskNFappin]

And with the possibility that Ortiz retires means they'll be looking for more than just Napoli's replacement after next season.
 
Craig has real value in the near term, just not 2015.  They managed to carry Mike Carp for one and a half seasons, I think they should be able to carry Craig for one.

One option I overlooked is signing Alex Gordon. Much like Hanley he can play 3rd or LF as well. There's also the chance Chris Davis bounces back....but, yeah....trading Napoli is probably a worse option than extending him.

 

[Snoop Soxy Dogg]

I think Allen Craig is going to get back to raking.

The guy's a proven really good big league hitter. The most fearsome hitter in the 2013 Cardinal lineup.

He's not just going to fall off the face of the earth.

 
I totally agree with this. The guy looked lost, but I'm a believer. I wouldn't trade him at such a low point; and I think the value in the Lackey deal isn't just Kelly, as has been repeatedly suggested. It's the upside of Craig too. 

 

[TigerBlood]

If the Red Sox could trade Craig and his entire contract to the Marlins (or Royals for that matter who have an opening at DH) for a B prospect, I think they have to do it.  True, if Craig returns to form, he would be a nice fit at 1b in 2016, but it shouldn't be hard to find a 1b to replace Napoli.  And if Craig doesn't return to form, his contract is a total waste of resources.  If the Red Sox can eliminate that risk now, without picking up any portion of the contract, I think they should jump at the opportunity even if it doesn't bring a real prospect (or player) in return.

I can't help but ask why you see this level of urgency with getting rid of Craig? It seems reckless. You're right, IF he doesn't return to any sort of form his contract is worthless, but that's not anything we didn't already know, is it? This is a large market team that's clearly not restrained by stingy owners or the luxury tax, so it's hard to say that holding onto Craig is a waste of resources. Talent is a much scarcer resource than dollars for us, and Craig is potentially an impact talent for cheap who doesn't even require a Major League roster spot until he proves healthy and effective.

Not to mention I have no idea what you mean by it shouldn't be hard to find a 1b to replace Nap. It's not hard to find a warm body have at that position, but finding a Napoli-caliber player is an entirely different story.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don't see any compelling reason to move Craig just to move him. I doubt his $21M over two years is any real hardship for the team, and there are reasons to think he might go back to being a really good hitter with health and some work on his swing. With several of the guys (including Craig) fighting for the last spots on the 25 having options left, I think you only make a move if you can get something you want back.

 

[mBiferi]

I think the only way you trade Craig is if someone's willing to pay for the whole remaining contract, otherwise just keep him and have a backup 1B-OF who, if regains form, is a 130 OPS+ guy.

 

[EvilEmpire]

A reason to move Craig now is if the Sox have seen enough to think the nature of his injury will prevent him from ever regaining his previous form.  If they have such concerns, better to trade him now instead of during or after next season when he's had enough ABs to demonstrate to potential trade partners that he is well and truly cooked.