The Annual Winter Meetings of MLB will be taking place this week. The free agent signings have begun, but the biggest fish remain to be caught. A few minor trades have taken place, but there may be some big ones to emerge as GMs and agents converge.
Going into the meetings, the Red Sox have lost 2 players from last season. Billy Wagner and Saito have both shifted to the formerly of Boston now Atlanta Braves. Losing Wagner, a type-A free agent, freed up the possibility of solving Theo’s perpetual SS dilemma by signing free agent Marco Scutaro.
Some people have been critical of this move. But Theo did not pull another Lugo (or Renteria). The deal was for only 2 years (not 4), and is affordable by baseball standards.
This allows for one of two things to happen. Either, Jed Lowrie proves he can stay healthy and productive, or more importantly international free agent signee Iglesias proves he can hit as well as field. The Red Sox have a solid defender who can get on base and score runs in Scutaro. Though 2009 was his best year he may benefit from being in a better line up and seeing better pitches. One of the main needs for the Red Sox has been addressed.
That leaves left field as the biggest problem to be addressed. Jason Bay, in the eyes of some, is their best bet. I beg to differ. Yes, Holliday will cost more money. But his average production is better than Jason Bay’s. Even when you look at this past year, Holliday is a better hitter. Holliday strikes out considerably less than Bay. This means he puts the ball in play more often which means that runners can advance instead of stifling the offense. He does hit, on average, into 2 more double plays per season than Bay. He also hits for a bit more power. His defense is also better than Bay’s. Bigger bat, and so is his glove. Theo should be willing to pay a little more to get a better player.
Much has been made about a possible trade for Padres’ first baseman Adrian Gonazalez. The Red Sox have some chips in major league ready players that could make it possible. They can offer Lowrie and Casey Kotchman in addition to a few prospects. Hoyer’s past with the Red Sox can work for him in this regard. He knows the best players the Red Sox have in their system.
If they were able to pull that off (thereby getting a 2nd big bat to make it a lethal offense) it would make Lowell expendable. I hate saying that. He’s, by all accounts, a great guy and has played well for the Red Sox. But Youk could shift back to 3rd, improving our defense.
This could be an important series of meetings. I don’t expect the Red Sox to sign a left fielder, but I do expect that a lot of the groundwork for that signing and any important trades should be laid. It should be a busy week for Theo.
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