People think I am kidding when I say we need to fake an injury with David Ortiz.
I couldn't be more serious. At this point, if he knicks himself shaving, I want Papi on the 60 Day DL!
Papi on the disabled list I think will start a great domino effect for the Red Sox that could put the Sox in great shape for the long haul.
STEP ONE:
David Ortiz, one of the great sports heroes in Boston history, is on the 60 Day Disabled List.
Official reason:
He had a bad dream last night.
STEP TWO:
Clay Buchholz (Remember him? Our next ace?) is summoned from Pawtucket where he is 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA.
He is inserted into the rotation.
(I always have to check if it is two C's or two H's!)
He is inserted into the rotation.
(I always have to check if it is two C's or two H's!)
STEP THREE:
Brad Penny is dealt. Yes his 5-1 record looks sexy but his 5.96 ERA and Larry Bowa's rant about his work ethic paint an uglier picture.
However the Sox are in a unique position. His last few starts haven't been bad and it seems like every single team is drooling for pitching.
Peavy is out there (but he's evidently a smidge picky.)
And there is Cliff Lee as well.
Other than those two, who else is really up for grabs? How many people have a pitcher that in 2007 finished third in the Cy Young vote available?
Plus with Peavy not going to an East Coast team, maybe the Red Sox can get the Phillies and Mets scared of each other and pry away a quality minor leaguer.
(Brad Penny is better than Victor Zambrano. I wonder if they have another Scott Kazmir down there!)
STEP FOUR:
Trade for a young position player.
Imagine swiping a good young position player from, say, the Mets.
Let's say a young third baseman... or a swift outfielder...
Then imagine that player joining the young nucleus with Ellsbury and Pedroia et al.
And then imagine shifting Mike Lowell or J. D. Drew to the DH slot where they can just concentrate on hitting rather than risking injury in the field.
STEP FIVE:Activate John Smoltz and have him scare the Bejesus out of the young pitchers.
It's always a good thing to have a future Hall of Famer hanging around who was a Cy Young caliber starter AND reliever.
Boom!
You've shored up the rotation, the line up and keep either Drew or Lowell healthy all year.
And all you need is Big Papi to pretend he's hurt!
Come on! The checks will still clear!
Wow..that was like Nutsville. It's Lidsville, but with nuts.
ReplyDeleteStep One: Okay.
Step Two: Who is Clay taking starts from? Because Step 3 ain't happening (more on that in a sec), and don't forget you're activating Smoltz.
Step 3: No. I know Penny was basically acquired as a 'fixer-upper' and then to resell. But unfortunatly we're living in that Fixer-Upper right now and really can't afford to trade him for less than something realllly attractive. Besides, I don't think he can be traded until June 15th. That gives some time for some things to settle out.
Step 4: We don't need a 3rd baseman or a RF. Drew is a B/B+ defender and Lowell is still decent though he *is* going to get a Christmas card from Jim Rice when he sets the MLB record for GIDP. It'll be much easier to find a DH only type like Dunn
Step 5: I'm pretty sure Smoltz is around when he isn't rehabbing.
i totally agree. they'd do well trading penny. they have more depth than most. they could get a good return. maybe buckholz or smoltz will work.
ReplyDeletebut they really need a SS. jhonny peralta?
And carry Lugo and Lowrie on the bench?
ReplyDeleteBtw...Peralta's OPS+ is *worse* than Lugo and his Defense is below average.
I like your thought process of dh'ing JD/Lowell. But I'm not sure we can get much for Penny. I wonder who we could get for Penny and Bucholz. We would still have Smoltz and Bowden. I really think Ortiz is done for. A fake injury is worth trying, but ultimately we'll need to replace his bat in its entirety. I can't wait to see what Theo does! We know he won't be sentimental.
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