In a perfect world, Theo Epstein would have preferred to see where Mark Texiera lands in the free agency process before trading Coco Crisp. But, knowing Scott Boras' tactics and game-plan, the final outcome may not be decided until after the new year.
That would leave the Sox little time to address other issues. And the 25-or-so other teams not involved in the Texiera bidding won't be waiting around to act; they'll be busy addressing their own needs. As a result, critical pieces will be coming off the table in short order. So, Epstein felt compelled to act.
The conventional wisdom says that the acquisition of Ramon Ramirez means that Justin Masterson is headed into the Red Sox rotation. The speculation is that Ramirez will fill the spot otherwise held by Masterson in the bullpen. But, there is another possibility.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The acquisition of Ramirez may well be a precursor to a trade with Texas for a catcher. In any such deal, the Sox will likely be compelled to trade a young pitcher, generally anticipated to be either Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden.
But it shouldn't be the least bit surprising if Masterson is the pitcher involved in any such deal. In that event, the Ramirez/Crisp deal takes on a different significance. After showing that he can start or come out of the pen, and showing a steely confidence as a rookie in high pressure playoff situations, Masterson's value has skyrocketed. Lots of teams would like to have him on their roster right now.
It all comes down to which young pitcher the Sox value more -- Buchholz or Masterson -- and who they think has greater Major League potential and value -- as a starter. Some scouts have said that they don't think that Masterson's arm angle makes him an ideal starter; they believe he'll eventually begin to break down.
Bowden has just one Major League start, so he's a completely unproven commodity. It's hard to imagine Texas agreeing to take him over Buchholz, who's already thrown a no-hitter in the Bigs, or Masterson. Yet, scouts say Bowden, who is presently projecting as a solid third starter at the Major League level, has a "top of the rotation ceiling."
It's said that pitching wins championships, but right now quality catching is much harder to find. To land either Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden, the Sox will have to part with a promising young pitcher. Thank goodness they've got three of them on hand.
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about 1 month ago
solid write up. i think it's getting out of hand how overvalued teagarden and saltalamacchia are getting, tea swings for the fences with his eyes closed every at bat and salty is horrible behind the plate and will end up playing first base where his offensive upside is then far less impressive. i am fairly confident that theo understands playing kottaras or brown and keeping the young stable of pitching is a FAR better option than trading one for one of the texas frauds.
great trade today too by the front office, the market for young nasty RP is nearly non-existant and when they hit the market thier cost is amazing. having ramirez under our control for 4-years is mint while coco can get all the playing time he wants down in baseball purgatory.
about 1 month ago
i wouldnt trade to get an unprove cather for a young pitcher like masternson or bowen but maybe clay but that cather must be martin or no go. i know we need soem catcher hlp but not at that price plus we dont want to amek thwe same mistake that the yankkess did with posade because when posade got hurt his offense went down and posada's offense is the only reason why the yankees overpaid for him. i just dont wnat the redsox to pay too much for an unproven cather is sucha pressure packed place as boston
from about 1 month ago
i don't know what is more nauseating, your spelling and grammar or wanting to trade buchholz before bowden.
about 1 month ago
Ryan, you're funny.
about 1 month ago
New to this site, and I'm not sure where my comments are actually posted. But lets try here. I think the Sox should trade for the best, smartest, young catcher out there. If Tek doesn't wake up and understand how badly he's being represented by Boros, here's how the Red Sox should procede: Without Tek (I can't even image the current team without him) is the possibility of Youk catching. Farfetched? Not really. He caught a game I saw in Portland a few years ago. He knows AL hitters being a corner infielder and has a rifle for an arm. Just a thought. If anyone can help me navigate this site, your help wouuld be appreciated. Thanks, Steve
about 1 month ago
It's impossible to imagine Youk catching. You can file that in the "science fiction" category. Catchers become first baseman, not the other way around.
And moving Youkilis, a Gold Glove winner at first, to any position other than third, where he traditionally played and began his career, would be a very unwise move. That's why it won't happen.
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