I see many threads about trading this or that Red Sox player who is underperforming, or they should get so and so, but I can see a scenario where the Red Sox sit tight and don't trade for anybody noteworthy as they may be just fine as it is.  This, of course, is contingent on a number of things like health and performances over the next month and three quarters, so the situation is always fluid.  One of the wait and see situations is with Jenks and Wheeler.  If Wake and Lackey perform well enough in the rotation, and Aceves gets to stay in the bullpen, then having two of the three between Jenks, Wheeler, and Aceves perform up to expectations should be more than enough to fit the bill.  There is also a wait and see situation with a lefty specialist, as the next several weeks will continue to be an audition for Tommy Hottovy to see if he can handle this role over time.  Of course, another starter for insurance wouldn't hurt, but it may be more prudent to look at the in-house options.

A lot of fans gripe about rightfield and shortstop.  Sure, they could use an improvement in the field at short and better offensive production from rightfield, but I don't think these areas are going to hold the team back that much, and replacements that are marginally better in these areas are probably not worth the cost in extra salary or what the team may have to give up in trade.  The rightfielders are already paid for through the season at a price that nobody else would pay, so I say root for them while they're here and hope they pick it up some.  If not, Reddick, another minor leaguer, or somebody that might be available on waivers might be enough to fit the bill.  Defense is more of the concern here.

The other area of concern may be catcher, but Salty seems to coming along and the combination of Salty/Tek may be enough, although we will have to live with the grimacing as runners steal on them.  For now, the Red Sox will stockpile defensive catchers who have options and can be moved up from the minors when needed.

For the most part, I like this team pretty much as it is.  The grass seems green enough on this side of the fence.

NO TRADES?!?!!? BLASPHEMY!!!!  

Good takes.

And unless problem areas are crippling weaknesses trading in season can be a costly way to go, if and when you can find a clear upgrade. The RS aren't exactly loaded in the minors right now to the point where they are anxious to trade more top prospects.

The bullpen is like many bullpens, in flux. The RS wisely came into the season with an abundance of options and they will sort through every one of those IMO before they go to a trade market short on supply - high on demand. Wheeler hasn't allowed a run since returning from the DL, Jenks hasn't been back long enough to see if his ST and 2011 start was a mirage. Hottovy looks like he can be a situational LH reliever. Bard's been up and down but if you look at what he does with inherited runners, when he is bad he is pretty good.

The RS certainly are scoring enough. The starting rotation has to get it done, there is a lot of money invested there and it is rare situation where really quality can be had mid season IMO. Scutaro likely gets a shot at platooning with Lowrie which will still give the RS pedestrian defense at SS but if the guys produce enough runs the RS can live with that. And RF? Only on MB do folks obsess about the #8 hitter.

The catches better work out because with the current supply and demand in MLB that is not going to get fixed if it breaks. 

I see only positive for the team going forward, Pedrioa will probably improve, our bullpen appears to be improving, with Wheeler starting to do what we signed him for, and Jenks becoming viable to actually pitch. If Hottovy can be our lefty, and Bard and Paps can be Bard and Paps, then we'll have little to worry about.

No trades.

The areas to improve a massive payroll team that is already a contender remains the same as it was this winter:

1. Acquire a solid young RH OF'er

2. Acquire a solid young MLB proven defensive catcher

These weaknesses will remain open because the GM doesn't have a clue except to set or near a record on the total budget spent during a season.

The areas to improve a massive payroll team that is already a contender remains the same as it was this winter:

1. Acquire a solid young RH OF'er

Ryan Kalish?  Not available this year, but already here, and doesn't require that they expand their "massive payroll."

2. Acquire a solid young MLB proven defensive catcher

How many are available, and what team gives these players up? 

These weaknesses will remain open because the GM doesn't have a clue except to set or near a record on the total budget spent during a season.

Blah, blah, blah...

In Response to Re: How about no trades? At least major ones.:

Gotta go with the OP and fivekatz.  The catcher is Saltalamacchia/Varitek and is doing fine in my book.  SS ain't great, but ain't a disaster either.  Lineup is good.  Rotation needs to step up--except for Beckett, who already has.  Bullpen is a concern, but that's normal for the Sox.  Theoretically, Pap, Bard, Wheeler, and Jenks should be a good nucleus.  The new lefty looks decent.  Albers ain't bad.  And so on. 

Did anyone else notice the report that Kevin Millwood went 6.2 innings and gave up 1 run for Pawtucket?  Ridiculous.  But good news. 

This is probably the worst BP we've had in several years, and the lack of LHP, both starting and relieving, will hurt us down the stretch unless it's addressed.
The catching is not fine, it is mediocre at best, and the offensive side of RF remains dismal.
The bench is one of the weakest in the league, and God forbid we suffer the injury bug like we did last year.
We are playing on a wing and a prayer!

Sox need a Lefty out of the Bullpen...as least what I can gather...

Sox are built for the World Series...

I'm hoping they get a AAAA type of catcher to keep in Pawtucket if Varitek or Saltalamachia is injured.If either of them get hurt for any length of time,the Sox are in real trouble. 

In Response to Re: How about no trades? At least major ones.:


He can platoon with a righty when the time comes.  They may be able to trade Reddick for comparable right handed talent when the time comes. 

i was just going say that kalish is a lefty. he is not at all the type of player we need to replace drew. he does not have much power and is left handed. we already have 2 outfielders that fit that description we do not need a third. what we do need is a righthanded outfielder who can hit for power. Some guys who we could target are justin upton(not likely as the dbacks are contending), matt kemp(would cost alot but worth it), delmon young(underperforming this year, but still has solid upside and would cost less than kemp or upton). If we had to go the lefthanded route, the best option would be andre ethier. (cost would be less than young and kemp but more than delmon young). 

Los, tried to pretend he knew that, when he didn't. Such is the live of a comedian and baseball commentator wannabe.

In Response to Re: How about no trades? At least major ones.:


I don't see your point in trying to berate me when I wasn't pretending anything.  If I didn't know Kalish was a lefty, I would thank you for informing me in spite of any vitriolic tone you might choose to address me with and acknowledge that I made a mistake as such.  I do realize that such a concept is foreign to you, admitting a mistake that is, so I'll cut the Great Guaridian of Morality some slack.  As far as trades go, I was also addressing matters as they apply to the this year's deadline.   

And thanks for the complement of refering to me as a comedian.  As far as being a baseball commentator wannabe is concerned, sure, that might be somewhat true.  I wouldn't mind getting paid to be a talking head on NESN or something like that if anybody would want to hire me for it. 

Since Tito refuses to sit CC vs LHPs, keeping Cam and DMac on the 25 man roster is duplicitous. I doubt we could get anything of much value for either one even if we paid 90% of their salary.

I suppose we could pick up a defensive catcher, bring up a defensive IF'er, or get a "jack-of-all trades" guy. 

The danger of an OF injury might make whatever slight gain we might get, a loss if we cut one loose.

I don't see any major deal happening unless a major injury occurs.

I would have to consider rolling the dice on Beltran if the price was right and the Mets go into salary dump mode.

In Response to Re: How about no trades? At least major ones.:


Yes. That was a nice compliment.
I'm sure glad this Softlaw isn't the bully the last Softlaw was.

The Sox should look to trade Cameron and Scuturo. If they could get a loogy and a corner IF/OF for depth. Mac will be fine as a 4th.

depends on what is available and what it would cost. I doubt too many teams will be willing to give up young, solid catchers.

BoJo, there is no way the Red Sox are paying millions for final contract years for two old guys like Cameron and Drew to play for another MLB team. Get used to it, and pay attention to how bad Bellsbury is defending CF.

red just schooled los .... Hey lostardos how about 9 starting lefties?  Will that work?

Mike Cameron is useless and should be traded, or perhaps even released. The Red Sox have better options within the organization, let alone outside of it. Darnell Macdonald, Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish, and maybe even Che-Hsuan Lin would all be more valuable at this point.

The Red Sox should hold onto Scutaro. Jed Lowrie never stays healthy, is only averarge, at best, defensively, and appears to be a very streaky hitter. Marco Scutaro, while also not a plus defender, is at least replacement level in every category. He's tough, he plays through injuries, and he's consistent. On a deep team, he's good enough as a starter, and certainly a worthy utility player. I don't foresee how the Red Sox could turn Scutaro into something better. You don't need All-Stars at every position. Epstein should maintain the current depth at shortstop. I like Drew Sutton and Yamaico Navarro as third and fourth options, not as potential starters when Lowrie inevitably sustains an injury. And Jose Iglesias just isn't a major league hitter yet, maybe next year.

In Response to Re: How about no trades? At least no major ones:


Again, BurritoT either misunderstood or misrepresented the post.  You're either stupid or slimy.  Maybe a bit of both. 

He's all of that, and well-lubricated.
This is the criteria one must have to bootlick the likes of...



I forgot his latest handle...


Oh, yes: Betterredthandead - better known to the board as


                       Softlaw