A Chance For Prospects?
With most likely an inevitable trade of David Wells coming, the Red Sox will have only 3 starting pitchers under contract for 2006 (Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, and Matt Clement). Whether the Sox offer arbitration to Wade Miller and/or Bronson Arroyo, or go after free agents and trades, is anyone’s guess.
On the other hand, I’d like to see some opportunity for the prospects in the organization. Without devestating the health of the farm system, why not allow the talented ball players that the Sox have a chance to step up and perform. From Papelbon to Lester, the starters are a potential crop of high caliber performers. Even in the bullpen we may find some “expected” surprises. I’m not one to push for our prospects to be used solely as trading bate, but I also hate seeing a player like Youkilis bounce back and forth for 2 years when he could’ve been playing everyday somewhere.