A Sox trade brewing....

[beck72]

BHAMBarons posted last night [seeing how he seems to know more about our AA team then most reporters do, I'll take his word for it] that a lot of Phillies scouts [10?] were at the Barons game when Sean Tracey threw the other night. Some may question trading Tracey [with his poor control, and Liotta and Gio coming on strong in high A, Tracey wouldn't likely be close to AAA even this yr], I can see Tracey being expendable. The Sox want SP's who don't beat themselves with walks. Tracey will give up a lot of walks, esp in the majors as players lay off his close pitches.

 

With that many scouts at a AA game in May, I don't see this as a deadline deal [for a Billy Wagner type player]. The Phils must want to make a move now, and aren't going to get rid of a guy who they think can help them get back into the NL east race. That said, a guy like Placido Polanco could be available. The Phils didn't even want to re-sign him, as they had Chase Utley for 2b. This would mean addition by subtraction. Get a good prospect in Tracey, get a guy for the Phils roster [Timo Perez, who has played in the NL east and had good success vs ATL, MON/ WA and FLA, who can play solid late inning defense at all 3 OF spots], maybe a bullpen arm in a AAA type guy like Arnie Munoz, and get rid of a guy making $4 mill who they didn't want in the first place, the Phils get an offer they can't refuse.

 

Where could Polanco fit on the sox? Seeing how Crede and Uribe often look horrible for long stretches at a time [and are both in the midst of a second slump after starting the season slow], getting a guy who can play both spots [as well as 2b, and the OF] to give these guys some days off, makes sense. Their inconsistencies may necessitate the Sox making a trade for a veteran pretty soon.

 

A move for Polanco would be to help the Sox be more competitive, esp. against the good teams. Polanco is a versatile dependable fielder at the IF spots [his career numbers at 3b are even better than CRede--fielding %, .981 to joe's .961; RF: 2.97 to 2.48; and ZR: .825 to joe's .768; #2 type hitter, who can handle the bat, makes solid contact, a doubles hitter, in essence he could help the club without hurting it. And when the sox face tough, playoff type pitchers, having both Crede and Uribe in the lineup going 0 fer and looking horrible doing it, doesn't leave the Sox with any margin for error with the 7 other guys.

 

Crede's and Uribe's recent slide could be a sign of things to come. Maybe not. Yet the Sox wouldn't replace either guy. Both would have the opportunity to battle and get back on track, even while the Sox make a push for the playoffs. Polanco would take Timo's spot, and either Ozuna or Willie could move down to AAA when Frank comes back. Walker would likely go down when Gload is ready to return.

If Polanco shows he's solid at 3b, then Crede could be expendable at the deadline.

Thoughts?

[YASNY]

Is Polanco that much of an upgrade over Ozuna at this point?

[southsider17]

BHAMBarons posted last night [seeing how he seems to know more about our AA team then most reporters do, I'll take his word for it] that a lot of Phillies scouts [10?] were at the Barons game when Sean Tracey threw the other night. Some may question trading Tracey [with his poor control, and Liotta and Gio coming on strong in high A, Tracey wouldn't likely be close to AAA even this yr], I can see Tracey being expendable. The Sox want SP's who don't beat themselves with walks. Tracey will give up a lot of walks, esp in the majors as players lay off his close pitches.

 

With that many scouts at a AA game in May, I don't see this as a deadline deal [for a Billy Wagner type player]. The Phils must want to make a move now, and aren't going to get rid of a guy who they think can help them get back into the NL east race. That said, a guy like Placido Polanco could be available. The Phils didn't even want to re-sign him, as they had Chase Utley for 2b. This would mean addition by subtraction. Get a good prospect in Tracey, get a guy for the Phils roster [Timo Perez, who has played in the NL east and had good success vs ATL, MON/ WA and FLA, who can play solid late inning defense at all 3 OF spots], maybe a bullpen arm in a AAA type guy like Arnie Munoz, and get rid of a guy making $4 mill who they didn't want in the first place, the Phils get an offer they can't refuse.

 

Where could Polanco fit on the sox? Seeing how Crede and Uribe often look horrible for long stretches at a time [and are both in the midst of a second slump after starting the season slow], getting a guy who can play both spots [as well as 2b, and the OF] to give these guys some days off, makes sense. Their inconsistencies may necessitate the Sox making a trade for a veteran pretty soon.

 

A move for Polanco would be to help the Sox be more competitive, esp. against the good teams. Polanco is a versatile dependable fielder at the IF spots [his career numbers at 3b are even better than CRede--fielding %, .981 to joe's .961; RF: 2.97 to 2.48; and ZR: .825 to joe's .768; #2 type hitter, who can handle the bat, makes solid contact, a doubles hitter, in essence he could help the club without hurting it. And when the sox face tough, playoff type pitchers, having both Crede and Uribe in the lineup going 0 fer and looking horrible doing it, doesn't leave the Sox with any margin for error with the 7 other guys.

 

Crede's and Uribe's recent slide could be a sign of things to come. Maybe not. Yet the Sox wouldn't replace either guy. Both would have the opportunity to battle and get back on track, even while the Sox make a push for the playoffs. Polanco would take Timo's spot, and either Ozuna or Willie could move down to AAA when Frank comes back. Walker would likely go down when Gload is ready to return.

If Polanco shows he's solid at 3b, then Crede could be expendable at the deadline.

Thoughts?

 

I like.

[Jabroni]

Anyone that could be a decent replacement for Cruddy's horrible ass in the lineup would be fine with me. Polanco is a career .293 AVG / .338 OBP hitter. That blows away anything Cruddy could do. He can also steal a few bags and isn't a base-clogger like Cruddy is. Polanco can even lay down a goddamn bunt. If he can play a good 3rd base, he would definately fit the team concept of speed and defense.

[Jabroni]

Is Polanco that much of an upgrade over Ozuna at this point?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Offensive and defensively at 3rd base? Of course, look at Polanco's career stats. I wouldn't feel safe with Ozuna defensively at 3rd base.

[Harry Chappas]

Let's F'ing go for it and get Wagner and Polanco.

[southsider17]

Anyone that could be a decent replacement for Cruddy's horrible ass in the lineup would be fine with me.  Polanco is a career .293 AVG / .338 OBP hitter.  That blows away anything Cruddy could do.  He can also steal a few bags and isn't a base-clogger like Cruddy is.  Polanco can even lay down a goddamn bunt.  If he can play a good 3rd base, he would definately fit the team concept of speed and defense.

 

 

Exactly.

[YASNY]

Offensive and defensively at 3rd base?  Of course, look at Polanco's career stats.  I wouldn't feel safe with Ozuna defensively at 3rd base.

 

I'm looking at Polanco as a replacement. I don't think they'll bench Crede for him, permanently. Polanco is decent, but he's on the downside of his career, so his career stats are not what you expect in the future. I know Ozuna is 30 or so years old, but I just don't believe Polanco would be enough of an upgrade to justify trading 3 players and adding his salary.

 

Getting rid of Timo would be a bonus though.

[aboz56]

Is Polanco that much of an upgrade over Ozuna at this point?

Yes, hell I could see them benching Crede and going with Polanco.

[AddisonStSox]

 

I thought Polanco talk was done-for after the off-season.

 

Remember how many people were in love with this guy before the aquisition of Iguchi?

 

Gimme Polanco anyday over MVP and let's get his ass some starts giving the trio of Crede-Uribe-Iguchi some much needed days off.

 

The Phils are really looking for a way to get Utley some more at-bats and that may have lowered the asking price for Polanco in and of itself.

 

Bring him in Kenny!

[Jabroni]

Yes, hell I could see them benching Crede and going with Polanco.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope no one would even question benching Crede for Polanco.

[Dick Allen]

If it was this past weekend, Birmingham was playing West Tennessee, a Cub affiliate. Levine has said the Cubs were close to a trade. Bruce Wolf mentioned this morning the Cubs may be going after Wagner and Polanco. These Phillies scouts may have been scouting Cub prospects.

[aboz56]

Anyone that could be a decent replacement for Cruddy's horrible ass in the lineup would be fine with me.  Polanco is a career .293 AVG / .338 OBP hitter.  That blows away anything Cruddy could do.  He can also steal a few bags and isn't a base-clogger like Cruddy is.  Polanco can even lay down a goddamn bunt.  If he can play a good 3rd base, he would definately fit the team concept of speed and defense.

[Jabroni]

If it was this past weekend, Birmingham was playing West Tennessee, a Cub affiliate. Levine has said the Cubs were close to a trade. Bruce Wolf mentioned this morning the Cubs may be going after Wagner and Polanco. These Phillies scouts may have been scouting Cub prospects.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, indeed.

[AddisonStSox]

If it was this past weekend, Birmingham was playing West Tennessee, a Cub affiliate. Levine has said the Cubs were close to a trade. Bruce Wolf mentioned this morning the Cubs may be going after Wagner and Polanco. These Phillies scouts may have been scouting Cub prospects.

 

Ah, yes.

 

That makes much more sense. The Cubs are in a bad spot in the MI and need to make something happen. I think you pretty much figured this one out.

[YASNY]

Ok ... I've been looking at Polanco. He would be an upgrade over Ozuna.

[Jabroni]

Ok ... I've been looking at Polanco.  He would be an upgrade over Ozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Isn't it sad when the true debate is whether or not Ozuna would be an upgrade over Cruddy at 3rd base? Kill me now...

[Leonard Zelig]

While PP does have a higher average than both Uribe & Crede, he isn't exactly tearing the cover off the ball. I don't want to give up 2 prospects & a roster player to get him, we need to give Pablo a few more starts to see what he can do before we make a move for PP.

[beck72]

Is Polanco that much of an upgrade over Ozuna at this point?

 

Ozuna hasn't played much at either 3b or SS. I know he's been hurt a bit. But Polanco would be a vet I'd like playing in the playoffs over Ozuna

[AddisonStSox]

Fellas, go back one page and read Dick Allen's post.

[YASNY]

Polanco is only hitting .256 this year. But at 29 years old (I thought he was much older.) and with averages of .288, .289, .298 the past three years, that's a reasonable gamble.

[shakes]

   

 

I thought Polanco talk was done-for after the off-season.

 

Remember how many people were in love with this guy before the aquisition of Iguchi?

 

Gimme Polanco anyday over MVP and let's get his ass some starts giving the trio of Crede-Uribe-Iguchi some much needed days off.

 

The Phils are really looking for a way to get Utley some more at-bats and that may have lowered the asking price for Polanco in and of itself.

 

Bring him in Kenny!

 

There was a Polanco thread every day this offseason!!!

 

Bring him in. I heard this morning on Fox news the Cubs are also after Polanco.

[aboz56]

But Polanco would be a vet I'd like playing in the playoffs over Ozuna

 

Playoffs? We can't even win a fricking series on the west coast and this guy is talking about the playoffs? Playoffs?

 

[beck72]

I'm looking at Polanco as a replacement.  I don't think they'll bench Crede for him, permanently.  Polanco is decent, but he's on the downside of his career, so his career stats are not what you expect in the future.  I know Ozuna is 30 or so years old, but I just don't believe Polanco would be enough of an upgrade to justify trading 3 players and adding his salary. 

 

Getting rid of Timo would be a bonus though.

 

I also don't think the sox would bench Crede permanently. Yet. But they have never lit a fire under his ass, by getting someone in who could conceivably take over his spot at 3b. That's about the only thing the sox haven't tried doing in getting to Joe.

 

Getting rid of Timo's salary means taking on some of Polanco's extra salary, and/ or additional prospects.

[YASNY]

I also don't think the sox would bench Crede permanently. Yet. But they have never lit a fire under his ass, by getting someone in who could conceivably take over his spot at 3b. That's about the only thing the sox haven't tried doing in getting to Joe.

 

Getting rid of Timo's salary means taking on some of Polanco's extra salary, and/ or additional prospects.

 

Actually, that should have read, "I'm not looking at Polanco as a replacement."