A Welcome Distraction
Ever since Jonathan Papelbon threw the final pitch of the 2007 season, the Red Sox community has been obsessing over trade discussions with the Minnesota Twins regarding pitcher Johan Santana. The next few days will likely be quiet in terms of news; if a deal were to be done it would be a surprise akin to the Vietcong attack during the Tet ceasefire.
So, while we take a day or two off from the constant waiting and reading of tea leaves, let us consider this: regardless of how this goes down, the Red Sox and their fans can’t really lose. One of two things will happen this offseason:
1) the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox will be returning every key player from last season, and will retain one of the best minor league systems in baseball, or…
2) the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox will be adding the best pitcher in baseball to an already elite roster.
Although I prefer the latter scenario, I don’t think I’ll have any major gripes with the former.
Happy Holidays.
I agree that we’re in good shape either way. If we don’t trade for Santana, we still have Crisp, Lester, Masterson and Lowrie. Lester and MAYBE Masterson provide the Red Sox with great pitching depth. Crisp can be dealt elsewhere for a valuable piece in return, possibly Gerald Laird. And Lowrie could likely provide the Red Sox with a longterm upgrade over Lugo.
I’ll be happy as long as the Yankees don’t land Santana. Because I think that would immediately make them seriously threats to the Red Sox.