Dealing Arroyo BIG MISTAKE
If this is true and the Red Sox actually shipped Arroyo to Cincinnati, I’d have to say that’s the stupidest move they’ve made all season. Arroyo isn’t just affordable, he’s incredibly versatile. Dealing him to get a platoon outfielder who strikes out just as much as Bellhorn is not the smartest move. Theo is definitely back and wanting to make more Renteria and Clement like deals.
Arroyo had 29 and signed for 3 years at a home-team discount was awesome. What will the Sox do after the all-star break when Clement sucks again and Wells or Schilling is hurt? Who will they go to if Foulke drops out of the closer position, and Seanaz and Taveraz can’t find home plata?
The Reds are getting a helluva deal here. Arroyo led the rotation last season in quality starts, and he can bounce out of the bullpen if necessary. He’s an all around team player that’s always willing to take it to guys like A-Rod. I firmly believe he was still progressing as a pitcher and wouldn’t have been surprised to see him win 16 or 17 games this season with the Sox.
I can’t help but be against this move. I think it was a poor decision on the front office’s part. This move doesn’t make the Sox any better, the only thing it makes them is a little younger and a little cheaper. Where else are you ever going to get a pitcher as versatile, experienced, and affordable as Arroyo with still plenty of seasons left in his career?
Certainly not where you get a career .248 hitter who will serve as a backup outfielder.
March 20th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
We all saw this coming. Arroyo taking a small dollar contract against his agent’s advise. I don’t see this as a mistake. We still have 6 starting pitchers not counting Papelbon and Lester (who is projected to be called up by July 31).
Trot Nixon is in his last year as a Sox (or even his last half year). Wily Mo is 24 and is now looking to be the future RF. He has a decent glove and is a serious HR threat. (A big difference between him and Bellhorn is power) He will supply good power in the 5-7 hole.
Arroyo was good in Boston and I do like him, but to me this deal makes sense. Our pitching staff (major and minor) looks better than 04′ and keeping BA around “just in case” is not a good reason to keep from getting a Wily Mo type of player. We are much thinner in the OF and Trot has a better chance of injury than the pitchers do. Besides, if Trot has a career season in his walk year Pena is a huge plus.
March 20th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Does this mean Wells is sticking around, you think? I do.
March 20th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Why do i have the feeling shawn will like pena as much as he liked bellhorn…..
March 21st, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Bellhorn= K’s+E+ No Power
Pena= K’s+HR+RBI+24yrs old +contract thru 2008 @ a low price
I have no problem with 150 Ks as long as there is some production on the other side of it. Right now we can only hope for the best, but with Bellhorn you knew what you were getting.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and that was equivolent to Papa Jack trying to teach Bellhorn something. But Pena, being a young pup with a lot of raw power may just become Papa Jack’s pet project. Maybe even the Dominican duo of Papi and Manny will take Wily Mo under thier wing (Pena is from the DR) and help him grow into a monster.