Trade Rumors Go From Stir To Boil
The Rameriz/Sanchez for Beckett/Lowell trade seems to be happening. Word on the street the only element remaining is physicals for the players involved. What does this mean if it happens? A lot.
Looking at the bright side, the Sox would not lose any of their major league roster in this trade. Hanley is the top prospect, but perhaps the signing of Edgar Renteria to a 4 year/$40 million contract put the notion that Hanley would probably never see the diamond at Fenway as a Red Sock. Annibel Sanchez could be very promising, but most likely wasn’t going to hit the majors in 2006, except for maybe a spot start here or there.
So, in that end, the trade looks unbelievable. If Josh Beckett can continue to prosper and develop, and hopefully exceed 200 innings per season without injury or blisters, than we may just have one of the most formiddable starting rotations in the game should Schilling return to form. It would be very nice to have a Beckett, Wakefield, Schilling, Papelbon, Clement rotation. It would be nice not having to rely on Clement to be anything more than a number 4 starter, even if his salary far exceeds that role.
But, the what ifs can always come back to haunt you. Rameriz and Sanches are young, and not necessarily proven. What if they basically explode, become dominant players at their positions. Should Rameriz turn into an incredibly athletic SS and produce .300/25/100 stat seasons, we might look back and say, what if…..?
November 22nd, 2005 at 8:35 am
I’m glad that you are coming around to this deal. I thought I was going to have to hit you over the head with a hammer repeatably to soften up to this! HAHA!
When I saw the scroll I was very excited this morning. Hanley was 2 years away from the majors in the Red Sox system. As much as he was herald, he never really got better or at least better as fast as the Sox thought he would. He may be a good player one day, but as far as putting up Tejada like numbers, I don’t see it. Sanchez was was also 2 years away in our system, but he would only be a long relief/ spot starter in Boston.
Now imagine this for a 07′ or an 08′ rotation: Paplebon, Beckett and Lester. Our 1-2-3 will look like Oakland’s rotation when they had Hudson, Mulder and Zito, providing Lester is the second coming that everyone has predicted. Peter Gammons has said that Paps will be the ace this year and he is stoked over this trade and what Boston will look like for the next few seasons. Beckett is a proven winner. He can win in NY when the pressure is high. I do say he should talk to Mirabelli about toughening up those hands ( blisters) but we look like we got the good end of the deal.
I would also say that Mike Lowell (Gold Glove winner) moves to 1B allowing either the Sox to resign Mueller or play Youkillis at 3rd. A change of scenery may be good for him also. He hit 32 HRs in 03′ and 27 in 04′. Maybe that 37 foot green thing in left field will help him get back on track after a dismal season in 05′.
Over all I’m pleased. See…..the Sox CAN operate without Theo. ( Not necessarily directed at you Mike)
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:42 am
I think one way the deal could truly benefit the Sox is if they can hold on to Arroyo and move him into the bullpen. It most likely won’t be the greatest adjustment for Arroyo who would like to be a starter, but he can add a lot of flexibility and performance to an under-performing relief staff.