Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007
| jeff__Guest_ | Nick, do you think the Sox will make a serious attempt to obtain Johan Santana? What kind of players would it take? | | Nick_Cafardo | Hard to read. I think they'll explore it. It seems to me they won't give up both Lester and Buchholz and certainly not Ellsbury. The interesting thing is I believe the Twins would want one young pitcher, but they do have some decent young arms. With Liriano coming back, their need is more at CF, 2B and 3B. If you can satisfy those
needs, you might be able to make a deal without the two star young pitchers. |
| jaikey__Guest_ | What are the BoSox plans for youngster Brandon Moss?
Fourth outfielder? Will his emergence help ease the trade of Coco? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I think they'd like Moss to be their fourth outfielder/backup first baseman (the new Eric Hinske). He's not a CF so I'm not sure he has much to do with Coco being dealt. |
| jaikey__Guest_ | In your opinion, how
successful would a 6-man starting rotation be in '08? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I'm not buying it yet. You'd have to explain to me how it works with Beckett. I need him to go as often as possible, in a regular 5-man rotation. I understand it helps Schilling, Wakefield, Dice-K. I could
foresee a six-man on occasion where you might plug in the sixth starter before the All-Star break or during the dog days in August. I'm just not sure it works all season. |
| jaikey__Guest_ | We're all familiar with youngsters Lester,
Buchholz, Ellsbury, Moss, and Kotteras but who else is on the horizon? |
| Nick_Cafardo | One guy to watch for is Jed Lowrie. He could be the next emerging kid from the system. Catcher Dusty Brown has also made real strides and should be in camp and at Triple-A this coming season. Justin Masterson is another arm who could soon be ready for Boston. |
| SoxFanatic456__Guest_ | What are the chances that the Sox land Kerry Wood in the near future? |
| Nick_Cafardo | He's one of several arms they're looking for the bullpen. I think he'd rather stay with the Cubs, but if things don't work out he'll get a lot of play including from the Red Sox. |
| blynchfb50__Guest_ | What about Eric Hinske? I know he was not often used off the bench in the playoffs but I feel like he's the type of
versatile corner infielder/outfielder that's not selfish and can fill many holes from the bench. Or is there someone else the Sox have on the radar to fill the utility bench spot? |
| Nick_Cafardo | As I wrote earlier, Brandon Moss could be his replacement. I think the Sox might be thinking about bringing back Bobby Kielty as well. They might look into free-agency for a left-handed hitting corner infielder. |
| Steveorino__Guest_ | Nick, there has been a lot of speculation lately that the Sox would like to move Coco Crisp given Jacoby Ellsbury's great play at the end of the season. My question is this: Wouldn't it make sense to keep Coco in case one of the three starters slumps, gets hurt or for use as a defensive replacement for Manny in the late innings? It seems to me that if someone has to go, maybe it should be Hinske, who had some key hits and one great catch but didn't perform very well overall. |
| Nick_Cafardo | Theo has come out and said
that he's willing to keep Coco around. It does make sense to have him because I think he would be a terrific fourth outfielder. Theo has already received a lot of interest from teams on Coco. I might be misreading this, but I get the feeling he'll hear an offer at the winter meetings he can't refuse. Hinske, as I wrote, probably won't be back. |
| kris__Guest_ | Nick, with Schill and Lowell in the fold for next year where do we go next. The biggest need that I see now is the relief group, but even that is fairly solid. There are trade rumors for Coco...so what are the possible returns on him? Top minor leaguers? Also, off and on there have been rumors of Lugo being replaced? Have you heard anything about that recently? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I'm guessing that Coco will be used as a major piece of a bigger trade. He could be used to acquire a catcher like a Gerald Laird in Texas. In relief, Timlin should
back for one year. I'm guessing that Delcarmen will be given a chance to be that right-handed set-up man, but they'll probably add one more power right-handed arm to replace Eric Gagne. We mentioned Kerry Wood and I'm sure they have other guys on their radar. |
| Cooker__Guest_ | Now that Orlando Cabrera is out of the clutches of the Angels, is there any chance we could unload Crisp and Lugo in a trade with the White Sox? |
| Nick_Cafardo | If you're suggesting the Sox get Juan Uribe, I would think you're better off with Lugo. |
| Gregg__Guest_ | Hi Nick. With the core team solidly in place, a strong 4th outfielder could add a lot. He might be a bit
expensive, but what do you think of Mike Cameron? Decent power, great speed, a superb outfielder, great clubhouse guy... |
| Nick_Cafardo | I think, though you said the magic word: expensive. He's also got that 25-game suspension hanging over him. |
| mikey__Guest_ | Can Lowell play for 3 years at his present level. or will he drop? |
| Nick_Cafardo | At Fenway, he might be able to keep it up. The perception of Mike is that he will decline, but he might surprise everybody just as he did when he came to Boston after his bad year in Florida. |
| NS__Guest_ | Even though the third base position is now filled, do you think Epstein would still try to pursue a deal for a young prospect at that position, such as Andy LaRoche? While it might seem redundant on the surface, such prospects could always be moved to different positions (LaRoche once played shortstop), and with Lowell now signed it would seem the Sox would be in a better bargaining position to get such a player (in other words, one that they want rather than need). |
| Nick_Cafardo | They've always like LaRoche but with Lowell here for three years and the possibility Lowrie could play third in the future, I doubt it. I think they would need to use their resources toward catching or relief pitching. |
| craig_hansen__Guest_ | Seen my slider anywhere Nick? Think I'll be given the opportunity to win a spot in the pen during spring training? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I think we started to feel better about you Craig over the second half of the Pawtucket season. I think we'll give you a good look in spring training. |
| chris__Guest_ | What relievers might the Red Sox be looking at to strengthen their bullpen? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Some think Scott
Linebrink might be a possibility, though his game seems better suited in a bigger ballpark.
New England guy we're forgetting is Bryan Corey, who I thought pitched very well and probably could have been on the post-season roster. |
| JK__Guest_ | Nick, this could be a quiet winter for the Sox with the exception of Coco most likely being dealt, your thoughts on what we might get - Gerald Laird? Righty Setup? or Johan Santana for Coco (they need a CF), Lester (frees a spot in our rotation), Craig Hansen (maybe a change will do him
good) and a solid AA pitching prospect not named Masterson or Bowden. Would that get it done? |
| Nick_Cafardo | The Red Sox are not in any desperate state so they don't need to do anything if they don't want to. Theo does like to keep things moving forward though so he'll explore it. He'll be in competition with Yanks, Mets, Dodgers, and others who have the prospects they're
willing to give up. As I said earlier Lester or Buchholz would go, but not both. Definitely not Ellsbury. In the end do they have enough to give or are willing to give? I'd say not. |
| stillmisspedro__Guest_ | Nick, will the new
Yankee stadium have the same right field porch. If so, I'd love to get Santana. In '04 Theo built a team with seven left-handed batters, (including
Doug Mientkiewicz) and all the Yankees could do in game 7 was trot out a bunch of righties, that got clobbered. The road to the series goes through the
Bronx and lefties like Santana and Lester are keys. How about some left bullpen help, too?
Mahan? |
| Nick_Cafardo | From what I'm told the dimensions will be similar. |
| memphisredsox__Guest_ | Is it a foregone conclusion that the Sox will refuse to pick up Manny's option after this year? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Not a forgone conclusion. They'll see how he looks this season and whether he's the Manny who hit very well late in the season and in the post-season or the Manny who struggled (probably a poor choice of words) at times earlier in the season. He's still a very difficult guy to replace. Personally, I don't think he's reached a point of declining yet. |
| Caroline__Guest_ | Any way the Sox can pry Jarrod Saltalamacchia loose from the Red Sox? He'd be a great apprentice/successor for Tek, could play 1B in the meantime, and his name is awfully fun to say. |
| Nick_Cafardo | The Sox tried desperately to get Salty before he was dealt to Atlanta. They could try again, but I think Laird would be more available. |
| bosoxmal__Guest_ | Please tell me why many fans are ready to Buchholz and/or Lester and/or Ellsbury off to the hinterland in exchange for Santana? I, for one, wouldn't even go for a one-on-one with any one of the three for a 15 - 13 pitcher with 1 SO and 1 CG!!! |
| Nick_Cafardo | Santana is no doubt a great pitcher who didn't have his normally dominating season. I think the Red Sox go into any trade talks feeling exactly the way you do. Maybe they feel Lester could be a
dominating lefty in the league. As I said earlier, they don't have to do anything.
Santana is attractive because he's a proven great pitcher and he'll be 29, I think when he pitches this season. Still in his prime. It would hard to crack a Beckett-Santana 1-2 punch. |
| steve1918__Guest_ | With the lineup all but set, wouldn't you think the offseason priority has to be the bullpen? I'd like to see them get deeper in the bullpen because you can't expect the same dominance out of Okajima next season. What do you think? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Bullpen is a huge priority. They'll over-sign a couple or three guys. Last year they signed
J.C. Romero, Brendan Donnelly and Joel Pineiro for depth. They'll likely do the same. |
| nobody__Guest_ | Any idea when an official Lowell announcement will be made? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Maybe later today. |
| Jeffsox__Guest_ | Nick - Is there any interest in resigning Mike Timlin? |
| Nick_Cafardo | He's been offered a 1-year deal. Not sure if it's a straight major league contract or a minor league deal with a major league invite. |
| Brett__Guest_ | Which prospect do you think has the greatest chance to make the club this season? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I'm guessing you don't mean Buchholz or Ellsbury. Beyond that, I'd say Moss. I think you might see Dusty Brown or Lowrie up at some point. |
| sockick__Guest_ | are the sox going to be more careful with Crisp so they do not make another mistake like they did with
Bronson Arroyo? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I think that's part of the thinking. They have Drew who can protect them in center if they make the move, but I would guess they'd try to acquire a fourth outfielder who can play center if they do move Coco. |
| stewy__Guest_ | Nick-at some point are the Red Sox going to lock up
Pedroia and Ellsbury to similar deals as Wright and Reyes got from the Mets as a way of forestalling their free agency down the road |
| Nick_Cafardo | Yes, but I think Youkilis and Papelbon would be first. Maybe this year. The other guys might be signed next season. |
| Cooper__Guest_ | Hey Nick, Thanks for your time. What new faces would you like to see on the Sox next year, and who should we say farewell to? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I'd love to see Santana or Dan Haren. Otherwise this
team will look pretty much as it looks right now. |
| Janna__Guest_ | Were the Sox at all interested in getting Cabrera back? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Didn't hear that at all. |
| Bushie__Guest_ | Are the Red Sox done with Doug Mirabelli? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Never say never with Doug. I think they liked the way Kevin Cash caught the knuckleball and there's a lot of sentiment on the team for bringing Cash back. |
| Catch_On__Guest_ | Nick, do you think that part of the Sox' interest in resigning Schilling stems from the possibility that he could be a future pitching coach (esp. given that someone could snag John Farrell as a manager)? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Well, I don't think they were thinking that way, but Curt could definitely do that if he wanted to. I'm guessing that once Curt is done playing he wouldn't want to be traveling around 162 games a year as a coach. I could see him being a spring training instructor or a special assignment type pitching coach. |
| Jeffsox__Guest_ | Is there any thought to picking up Manny's option(s) now? |
| Nick_Cafardo | I don't think so, but that's something I haven't explored with the Sox management. |
| nicktony__Guest_ | Hey Nick, Would you give up Crisp,
Buchholtz and Lester for Santana? |
| Nick_Cafardo | No. I can't give up both young pitchers. |
| Bucko__Guest_ | Nick, what do you see other playoff teams doing to improve? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Yankees need to get another starting pitcher so I'm sure they'll be in on Santana and Haren, if he becomes available. The Angels need a big bat (maybe they're loading up on starting pitchers to make a deal for Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada). The Indians need another reliever and would love to get another middle-rotation starter. They could also use a left-fielder with power. The Tigers have done
their thing with Renteria, but may try to upgrade in left field. The Mariners need another starter or two. The Jays won't do much
of anything unless they can move A.J. Burnett for a boatload of players. |
| trotfan__Guest_ | Where will Trot Nixon end up? |
| Nick_Cafardo | He has to have some value to a team as a platoon guy and left-handed bat off the bench. Detroit, maybe? |
| Champion__Guest_ | Do you think
Coco's value diminished with his poor showing in the playoffs |
| Nick_Cafardo | No. Coco's value was shown with his great defensive ability. Teams like him as a cheaper alternative to Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand and Andruw Jones. |
| CoreyWillix__Guest_ | Hey Nick - have you seen any
in-depth research about the wear-n-tear of World Series pitchers & their subsequent breakdown the following season (see White Sox as latest example). This frightens me. Do the Sox Brass take this seriously...or are they only really looking at a potential 6man rotation just b/c of the young/old age of the pitchers? Grazie! |
| Nick_Cafardo | They're definitely looking at the innings. No doubt. They do want to find a way to make sure these guys get a break or two during the season. Which is why they're exploring the 6-man. |
| Seth__Guest_ | Hey Nick, do you see Lowell or Drew in the five hole this year? |
| Nick_Cafardo | They would want it to be Drew. |
| soxin2008__Guest_ | If the Angels don't get a bat, will the sox entertain a Manny trade to them? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Wow. Interesting. Haven't even thought about that. I'm not sure whether Manny is going to be out in the trade market this year for the first time in a few years. |
| boo__Guest_ | It seems like all the national media are saying that the ChiSox stole O-Cab from the Angels. Since when is a 28 year old pitcher who averages over 200 quality IP a season considered damaged goods. Will they lock Garland up on a long term deal? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Yeah, I'm guessing they're tying him up unless they're flipping him someplace else. |
| Soxborough__MA__Guest_ | Any chance of another Japanese reliever for Beantown? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Always a possibility. There's four or five decent right-handers available that the Sox have been looking at, who can be or already are free-agents. |
| rich__Guest_ | Do you think Schill will ask for another year if he wins 14 or so games, so he can possibly reach the 250 win mark and get in the Hall of Fame? |
| Nick_Cafardo | Perhaps. I think if he has a solid year you'd have to consider him for HOF anyway. I keep telling him he's going to get in but he doesn't believe me. He's Catfish Hunter. |
| jeff__Guest_ | Will the Red Sox offer Francona a contract extension and is there a chance he would turn it down for health or family reasons? |
| Nick_Cafardo | That extension should come, or at least be talked about, next week sometime. He will accept it.
Thanks everyone for your time and great questions. Have a great holiday. |
