Blockbuster Move -- Boston & Florida

[fathom]

Blalock's work ethic and adjustment ability is very poorly thought of by MLB scouts.

[redandwhite]

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 19, 2005 -> 12:55 PM)

We aren't speculating.  Its the report going around throughout the media.  It sounds like its got a lot of backing too and there are some baseball people quoting that its looking like a likely deal.

 

That said, its not a done deal.  Even if the Fish deal for Blalock, am I the only one that wouldn't be shocked to see him moved again.  Florida isn't going to want him, I assume he's due a pretty big raise/long term deal and if he is already signed to a long term deal I'm guessing they won't want to pay him.

 

If they trade Beckett for a bat they are idiots.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

my freind's take who is interning with the Marlins as we speak and has been for the last year:

LOL! That is hilarious. Let's just say the Palm Beach Post has printed more than one retraction about a Marlins story it has written this season. Beckett still has two more arbitration years left before he reaches free agency. There is no way in hell the Marlins trade Beckett. Besides, with Miguel Cabrera slotted to play third next season, the team has been courting corner outfielders (i.e. Reggie Sanders) to man left next year with Jeremy Hermida taking over in right. I really don't see this happening and if it does, it will come as a complete shock to me.

[Chisoxfn]

Blalock's work ethic and adjustment ability is very poorly thought of by MLB scouts.

I am a Blalock fan, but he has regressed the past couple seasons. Basically starting after his strong 1st half two years ago. He really struggled that 2nd half and was nothing special this past year.

 

The guy has all the tools though and has put up the numbers at the major league level.

 

Good to know about his work ethic though, it explains a lot.

[Chisoxfn]

my freind's take who is interning with the Marlins as we speak and has been for the last year:

Thanks for the info. Like I say, the deal would stink from the Marlins perspective. It would be a sheer salary dump (they would get talent) but the key is they get Lowell's contract off the books, but also give up Beckett.

 

They could than swing Blalock for more prospects and cut more payroll. Thats if there is truth to the Fish wanting to cut there payroll in half. If thats the case, I could definately see some "fire" to this deal.

[redandwhite]

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Nov 19, 2005 -> 01:01 PM)

Thanks for the info.  Like I say, the deal would stink from the Marlins perspective.  It would be a sheer salary dump (they would get talent) but the key is they get Lowell's contract off the books, but also give up Beckett.

 

They could than swing Blalock for more prospects and cut more payroll.  Thats if there is truth to the Fish wanting to cut there payroll in half.  If thats the case, I could definately see some "fire" to this deal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

its certainly interesting, jas, but i can't imagine if they are truly willing to give up Beckett for Lowell that some team wouldn't take him. Sure he's overpaid, but when you have a chance to get a cornerstone of your franchise for the next ten years, you take on that contract.

 

if some team was willing, they could completely revamp there pitching staff. Imagine if some team was willing to do so and acquired Beckett, Vazquez, and Pavano. That would be interesting.

[Chisoxfn]

its certainly interesting, jas, but i can't imagine if they are truly willing to give up Beckett for Lowell that some team wouldn't take him.  Sure he's overpaid, but when you have a chance to get a cornerstone of your franchise for the next ten years, you take on that contract.

 

if some team was willing, they could completely revamp there pitching staff.  Imagine if some team was willing to do so and acquired Beckett, Vazquez, and Pavano.  That would be interesting.

I'd totally pass on Vazquez. I think he's incredibly over-rated. He's had back to back mediocre seasons and is paid as if he were a very good pitcher. However, Pavano and Beckett would be quality pick-ups for any pitching staff.

 

In my mind, this is going to be the most interesting off-season in a long long time. Simply because I think your going to see more trades than every before. Without a strong FA class, its going to force teams to adjust there rosters via the trade market.

[redandwhite]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2229919

 

Right now, the two teams hottest on Beckett are Texas and Boston. The Rangers would deal third baseman Hank Blalock, but thus far have balked at dealing either of their two prize pitchers, John Danks or Thomas Diamond. From the Red Sox, the Marlins want shortstop Hanley Ramirez and a young pitcher, either Jon Lester or Anibel Sanchez.

 

***

 

well im excited.

[fathom]

Redandwhite...in no way is this directed at you. However, which trade rumor wouldn't be complete without the Yankees or Red Sox being involved. Next thing you know, we'll hear the Cubs are involved also!

[redandwhite]

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 19, 2005 -> 01:47 PM)

Redandwhite...in no way is this directed at you.  However, which trade rumor wouldn't be complete without the Yankees or Red Sox being involved.  Next thing you know, we'll hear the Cubs are involved also!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the offer reported there by the Red Sox is better than the one from Texas.

[Chisoxfn]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2229919

 

Right now, the two teams hottest on Beckett are Texas and Boston. The Rangers would deal third baseman Hank Blalock, but thus far have balked at dealing either of their two prize pitchers, John Danks or Thomas Diamond. From the Red Sox, the Marlins want shortstop Hanley Ramirez and a young pitcher, either Jon Lester or Anibel Sanchez.

 

***

 

well im excited.

If I were the BoSox I'd make either of those trades. Lester has a good arm and Sanchez is pretty highly toubted and we've all heard plenty about Hanley (I assume him and the Greek God will be fighting in spring for 3rd) but to give up those two for a young pitcher like Beckett is a no brainer, imo. The Red Sox have money, yet they'd be getting an affordable pitcher who will be in there control for a couple more years.

 

Of course Beckett does have injury issues and part of me never thinks he'll get over them.

[redandwhite]

Lester is going to be a top 20-25 pitcher in baseball, I feel. A perennial 15-20 game winner.

[fathom]

Lester is going to be a top 20-25 pitcher in baseball, I feel.  A perennial 15-20 game winner.

 

Until they prove anything in the majors, it's too hard to tell. A top 20-25 pitcher in baseball is extremly high praise. I don't even think McCarthy will reach that status, and he's already shown he can do well in the majors.

[Chisoxfn]

I don't know in regards to Lester. He has a power arm but I don't know if he'll make a good starter or not. I do think he has the ability to be a very good closer in time.

[redandwhite]

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 19, 2005 -> 01:55 PM)

Until they prove anything in the majors, it's too hard to tell.  A top 20-25 pitcher in baseball is extremly high praise.  I don't even think McCarthy will reach that status, and he's already shown he can do well in the majors.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

my dads best freind is Ace Adams, pitching coach for the Red Sox affiliate Wilmington Blue Rocks, and he seems to believe that he's the best pitcher he's ever coached slash seen and that there really is no ceiling for him.

 

of course the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you're right that without any major league service time its too hard to tell.

[nitetrain8601]

I think the offer reported there by the Red Sox is better than the one from Texas.

 

Both are mediocre. I think Hanley Ramirez is overrated as well as Anibal Sanchez. I would say it's slightly better unless the Marlins could get either pitching prospect from Texas.

[Chisoxfn]

Both are mediocre. I think Hanley Ramirez is overrated as well as Anibal Sanchez. I would say it's slightly better unless the Marlins could get either pitching prospect from Texas.

Its something I give the Yanks and Red Sox credit for. There prospects end up getting talked up in the media a lot and they use it to help drive up there prospects value in trades. People here there names and most good baseball fans will be familiar with them and since they've heard there names in the past so often they just assume they are awesome prospects.

 

That said both have the ability and I don't think they are much of a case of being overhyped (for once). Hell, Borchard was the last Sox prospect to get overhyped by the media and had the Sox pulled a trigger on a deal using him they would have been able to great value thanks to that hypage (he also had all the tools though).

[aboz56]

WOW, you people are wild on Josh Beckett.

 

This past season is the only time he's ever won 10 games.

 

He is a walking blister. This is a chronic problem.

 

The 2003 World Series has come and gone.

 

He's never even thrown 200 innings.

 

I just don't get it. Of course you do the deal if you are Florida and cutting payroll. Willis is your horse, not Beckett. Lowell is way overpriced.

 

I mean I'm not too hot on Blalock, but this deal isn't as bad as you make it out to be.

 

If Beckett ever reaches 200+ innings in a year I'd be shocked.

[AddisonStSox]

WOW, you people are wild on Josh Beckett.

 

This past season is the only time he's ever won 10 games.

 

He is a walking blister.  This is a chronic problem.

 

The 2003 World Series has come and gone.

 

He's never even thrown 200 innings.

 

I just don't get it.  Of course you do the deal if you are Florida and cutting payroll.  Willis is your horse, not Beckett.  Lowell is way overpriced.

 

I mean I'm not too hot on Blalock, but this deal isn't as bad as you make it out to be.

 

If Beckett ever reaches 200+ innings in a year I'd be shocked.

 

 

I was starting to worry I was the only one to think this wouldn't be a crippling move for the Fish.

 

Beckett reminds me of Wood with all these injuries and phantom injuries. That bilster-issue is a serious problem.

 

If you can get either Danks, who is a very highly touted prospect, or Diamond--two, young promising pitchers--in a move to cut salary and obtain Hank's bat, I like the move.

 

Well said, bozley.

[Rowand44]

   

 

I was starting to worry I was the only one to think this wouldn't be a crippling move for the Fish.

 

Beckett reminds me of Wood with all these injuries and phantom injuries.  That bilster-issue is a serious problem.

 

If you can get either Danks, who is a very highly touted prospect, or Diamond--two, young promising pitchers--in a move to cut salary and obtain Hank's bat, I like the move.

 

Well said, bozley.

Here's the thing, if they went through with this in the last two years they would have lost Pavano, Burnett and Beckett. I wouldn't consider either of those 3 aces and they all seem to have injury problems, however when they were in there they were productive. All the sudden they go from having a very solid rotation to having Dontrelle and a bunch of youngins in there. The Marlins are pretty much screwed this season if they go through with that deal...now if they're just trying to rebuild then that's a whole different story.

[DukeNukeEm]

terrific trade for Florida.

[witesoxfan]

terrific trade for Florida.

 

Gaining a .750 OPS bat in the best hitters park in the AL at the most premium offensive position in the majors who is due $3 mill next year, $4.75 mill in 2007, and $5.95M in 2008, along with a prospect, for a 12-20 game winner, depending upon health, and a player coming off his worst year ever who is normally a very?

 

Horrible trade for Florida. Beckett, even as injury prone as he is, has much more value than that.

[SSH2005]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...e.7867bd30.html

Sources: Rangers set to deal Blalock, Danks

Trade with Marlins would bring ace Beckett, third baseman Lowell

 

The Rangers were on the verge Saturday of dealing for a long-desired No. 1 starting pitcher, Florida ace Josh Beckett, in a four-player trade involving All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock, major league sources confirmed.

 

Rangers sources said Saturday that a deal, which has reached ownership level, would likely be done by Monday. The trade would send Blalock and top left-handed pitching prospect John Danks to the Marlins for Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell, team sources said.

[SSH2005]

I wonder if the Sox could be involved in this trade?

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...rlins_1120.html

The original proposal also called for Texas to send Florida one of two pitching prospects — John Danks or Thomas Diamond, both first-round draft picks. But the Rangers' front office has balked at losing either pitcher and is now trying to find a way to finish the deal. One option is for Texas to dangle first baseman Adrian Gonzalez as trade bait to a third team for pitchers to flip to Florida.

 

The Rangers and Marlins also have discussed scenarios that include Pierre in the deal.

Marlins get Hank Blalock, Damaso Marte, Aaron Rowand, & a pitching prospect from the White Sox

 

Rangers get Josh Beckett & Mike Lowell

 

White Sox get Adrian Gonzalez & Juan Pierre

[ZoomSlowik]

There are six major differences between Josh Beckett and Kerry Wood that are in Beckett's favor: 1) Beckett has a ring 2) Beckett has won 15 games in a season 3) Beckett pitched extremely well in elimination and playoff games for the Marlins, while Wood laid a giant egg when they needed him most 4) Beckett is 3 years younger 5) Beckett has not had major arm problems or surgeries to the best of my knowledge 6) Beckett is considerably cheaper than Wood

 

You will not find a pitcher that is available with a higher ceiling than Beckett. Combine that with the fact that he has playoff experience and succeeded, he's a very rare pitcher that any team should be willing to kill for, especially when he will be relatively cheap for two years. Someone that is as desperate for pitching as Texas should be thrilled to get a guy like Beckett, although their rotation needs more help than just him.

[knightni]

The Marlins would want a SP back.