20 Jul 2015 23:58:01
With the surprising emergence of 22 yr.old E.Rodriquez as a blossoming #2 or #1 pitcher, and with their hitting department hanging in there with Betts, Bogaerts, and Company, the Red Sox just may forego any further attempts to acquire C.Hamels or even J.Cueto to serve as a solidifying Ace for the near future. I believe they will be both sellers and buyers as the trade 2015 deadline approaches and attempt to solidify the Starting and Relief pitching that they already have on hand in house.

Their 2015 season still has an outside chance of turning around for the better to make the playoffs as a possible wildcard. Even though it's still an outside chance the R.Sox may have a rare opportunity to get involved big package trade that they have the ability to pull off. It surely could improve this year's bleak playoff chances and also provide a big boost for next year's chances to also contend with the present players on the staff. Figuring the Padres will go into a somewhat continued makeover/rebuild mode this offseason, the deal to tempt them could go as follows.


Padres get: -M.Margot or R.Castillo
-B.Johnson
-J.Guerra
-M.Barnes
-another minor chip, maybe?


Red Sox get: -T.Ross
-C.Kimbrel


* Understandably though, the Padres will most likely want separate deals if they were to deal either Ross or Kimbrel, but ya never know, it is worth a stab with the offerings the R.Sox have in their farm system.

1.) 21 Jul 2015
21 Jul 2015 13:35:57
Bob, I am a Sox fan too, but their moves this past winter were terrible. They signed no frontline SPs, which was the biggest need, and signed two defensively deficient players (HanRam and Panda) with questionable work ethics. Ross is better than anyone on the Boston staff, but this trade is not the answer.

2.) 21 Jul 2015
21 Jul 2015 13:44:19
Red Sox are clearly Sellers.

3.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 02:25:40
Understandable.The above mentioned trade for T.Ross and C.Kimbrel was only a start.although I may correct myself and now hold back offering R.Castillo and just keep M.Margot as the centerpiece of trade.

So onward. FA's to be: Victorino,Napoli,Breslow,and Masterson will very tough to move in trades. These guys will bring minimal return if any at all,nevertheless still shop them.
Though not a FA next year,A.Craig may be hard to give away also,he would be worthwhile to keep around for another chance until the Farm OF'ers develope further.

Other key moves I would recommend the R.Sox Front Office to consider and follow through with are as follows:


*D.Ortiz has got to go. His contract $$$ on the books just don't provide enough of a return to have him kept around any longer with his options for the 2 yrs. His legacy will never be forgotten,but it's time move on.

*H.Ramirez to the DH is a must, so his Fielding can be removed from play permanently once and for all. A major decrease in injury is most likely too.

*P.Sandoval at 3B is OK for now.if he continues to flounder in the field,then the F.O. should consider moving him to 1B.he may argue that notion but I think he will agree it's what's best for the team in the near future if that may be the case. He is a talented enough hitter to improve himself for next season, so I am not concerned with him in that regard.

*The Sox should resign A.DeAza with a 3yr./18-20M deal. He and B.Holt have proven their worth this season and both should be rewarded for their spark and efforts when the team needed guys to step up.

*Offer B.Holt a raise and restructure his Contract.
I would give a 3-4yr./15-16M deal for being the Super UTIL he is and away from the Marketplace,even though He and DeAza could reap a decent return as trade bait.

*I was on the C.Hamels train for as long as it lasted,but until recently. no more.
The team should pursue J.Zimmerman in FA at season's end.like immediately! He is not an Ace per say but would blend well with the Staff with his proven consistency like that of an Ace in both In-season and Post-season play. Of course only if was willing to take a chance signing with the Sox. If so. I have a feeling the F.O. will be able to offer another Lester-type contract at him.a front-loaded 4yr/125-130M +1yr.Opt. Even though he would be offered much more by other teams,Boston's recent titles,present staff,and future stars coming up from the farm might be enough to encourage him to play his part in putting this back on track. He obviously would have his chance to step out the shadows playing behind the likes of Scherzer and Strasburg,just as would most anywhere else. A chance to be the Go-To Guy the Sox desperately need.

*Lastly, the Bullpen is in dire need of reconditioning for the future,it should begin immediately as mentioned in the above trade. The Sox need to be all over C.Kimbrel. That's where the overhaul needs to start. For now and until 2015 season's end, the farm should also be given more PT to get more of a taste of what they have hand for next season.

After Kimbrel.I'm going after LH relief to compliment T.Layne.

Ideal Moves to compliment the T.Ross/C.Kimbrel trade:

-Trade any 2 of T.Ball/M.Chavis/S.Travis/W.Rijo/T.Buttrey/ and G.Cecchini
to MIL for W.Smith.

-Shop C.Buchholz to any team offering any decent,or the Sox just buy him out.

-Shop K.Uehara to any team also offering any fair return.



*Only another armchair GM's ideas at play,so we will see.


_____________2016 Lineup/Bench______________
#1-rhb M.Betts CF -R.Hanigan C
#2-rhb D.Pedroia 2B -B.Holt 2B,3B,SS,OF
#3-rhb X.Bogaerts SS -J.Bradley OF
#4-rhb H.Ramirez DH -A.Craig 1B/OF
#5-lhb P.Sandoval 3B -or-
#6-lhb A.DeAza RF D.Nava
#7-rhb R.Castillo LF
#8-lhb T.Shaw 1B
#9-lhb B.Swihart C
**Shaw and Craig platoon
at 1B only if A.Craig clears
waivers.

*D.Nava,D.Marrero,C.Vazquez start 2016 in AAA until needed.



_______Starters________ ________Bullpen________
#1-RH- J.Zimmerman CL.-RH- C.Kimbrel
#2-RH- R.Porcello SR.-LH- W.Smith
#3-RH- T.Ross SR.-RH- Uehara/Tazawa/Kelly
#4-LH- W.Miley LR.-RH- Ogando/Kelly
#5-LH- E.Rodriquez LR.-LH- Layne

*S.Wright,B.Workman,R.Ross and others on standby in AAA until needed.

*I think most of the Players will learn from their underachievements this year and 2016 will look even more promising with Pitching overhaul. I believe B.Cherington will still be the GM and J.Farrell will remain as the HC.

*Financially speaking,the Red Sox should also fall under the Salary Cap by about $5M according to my approximate calculations. They will be able to handle the huge signing of J.Zimmerman. Offer new deals to B.Holt,A.DeAza,handle the approx. $10-12M in Arb. deals to take place,and approx.$12M for Med. Insurance that all teams pay. The available $$$$ will be available from the 4 FA's on their way out,the possible buyout of Buchholz,and declining the option to Ortiz. $$$$ that will also be able to afford the other fairly young cost/team controlled additions of T.Ross,C.Kimbrel,and W.Smith. All 3 that also fit the ideals that the Sox F.O. is looking for.

*Looks like a pretty picture for 2016 and beyond folks.