Wait, What’s the Problem?
The Red Sox third base vacancy and outfield log jam have been popular topics of conversation. I’ve had more than a few discussions around the water cooler about A-Rod versus Cabrera, Lowell’s value in two years, and handing centerfield to a rookie. This is strange, because few have noticed the actual situation. There is no hole to fill, the Red Sox only move this offseason is to do nothing at all.
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH Manny Ramirez
1B David Ortiz
3B Kevin Youkilis
RF J.D. Drew
C Jason Varitek
CF Coco Crisp
SS Julio Lugo
This lineup works pretty well and transforms the outfield defense. The infield is downgraded, but assuming it won’t be a playable unit is jumping to a conclusion. Figure out what you’ve got and address the need. Worst case scenario? Cris Carter builds on his .398/.423/.581 line from the Venezuelan Winter League while a suitable ML talent is found.
The benefit is cost. Save some cash and give Johan a blank check in a year. Santana/Beckett/Matsuzaka/Buchholz/Lester wins 95 with a little league team behind them.
1). Ortiz’s numbers would go way way down playing in the field every day.
2). You want him to field every day the year after knee surgery, when he’s already a huge guy, and we have him under contract for several more years?
3). I assume nobody actually thinks Chris Carter’s going to ever have a starting role with a decent team. He’s headed for either the Hinske role or the Royals.
4). Do NOT resign Lowell. We don’t need that ridiculous contract constricting us. I’d rather sign Michael freaking Barrett at third next year.
I WANT MY LOWELL BACK!!!!
Dear Big John,
I should probably be insulted, but I know its just ’cause you love me so.
xoxo,
Zach
Ok, assuming they can’t/don’t re-sign Lowell…
While I agree they have very little to do this offseason, they DO have to do a few things.
No way in hell they hand 1B over to Ortiz. He wouldn’t want it anyway. He enjoys being a “professional hitter”.
Your lineup leaves a couple questions:
- You flipped Manny and Ortiz in the batting order? Why?
- You expect Crisp to still start CF next year (or even BE in Boston)?
If nothing else, Crisp can be packaged and traded somewhere for a serviceable First Baseman. (That is, if nothing in the Sox organization appeals to you.) Hell, you could even sign Sean Casey for a couple years and put Youk back at 3B.
So….
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
3B Kevin Youkilis
RF J.D. Drew
C Jason Varitek
1B Sean Casey
SS Julio Lugo
It could work…Casey much cheaper than Lowell, 1 year younger, and would probably take a 2 year deal with the chance to win a World Series.
Yeah, but Sean Casey sucks.
If the organization is positive that Ortiz can’t handle first for 120 games, then yes, something must be done.
Throwing $10 million away on a league average 1B is not the right move. Someone within the org can get it done at an acceptable level for the league minimum. I’m not saying its Cris Carter, but it might be. He’s 25 and tearing the cover off the ball.
Trading Coco at his present value is selling low. Maybe Coco+Bowden for Kevin Kouzmanoff?
Re: Manny over Ortiz, with Ellsbury leading off I like a right handed power hitter nearby, but its likely a non-factor.
how about this?
coco crisp for adam dunn.
the reds are looking to move dunn and his 13 million dollar contract. if they make this deal, they can move josh hamilton to LF, and put coco in center. the sox would move youkilis to third and put dunn at first. dunn’s slg and obp are just what the sox crave. i know the sox might have to throw in a second tier prospect with coco to get this done, but i like it more than giving lowell a three year deal.
projected lineup:
Ellsbury(L), CF
Pedroia(R), 2B
Ortiz(L), DH
Ramirez(R), LF
Dunn(L), 1B
Youkilis(R), 3B
Drew(L), RF
Varitek(S), C
Lugo(R), SS
this lineup give the sox a nice balance of L-R throught the order. they also have good speed at the top and bottom as well as tremendous power in the middle. dunn gives them the young(28)power hitter that they don’t currently have in the minors.
Dunn would cost Ellsbury at minimum, I would think.
I’d love to see him here, but the cost would be much higher than Coco Crisp.
Coco Crisp:
8.4 WARP
Adam Dunn:
5.9 WARP
Dunn’s a great player in the NL, but I shudder to think what would happen to him in the AL East. He could only handle being a DH, and even then he might get to 250 k’s along with a power drop.
I used to want Dunn, but now, no way.