Trade Deadline Special - Manny on the Move?
UPDATE, 4:53 PM:
It's apparently a done deal. Manny's heading to the Dodgers and Bay is coming to Boston.
Initial reaction - the Pirates and Dodgers make out like crazy in this deal (and depending on your point of view, that was somewhat expected). LA gets a bona fide cleanup hitter with playoff experience (both of which they'd been lacking to some degree), while Pittsburgh gets a handful (4, to be exact) of solid prospects. Hansen's struggled throughout his Boston career but had a few flashes of dominance this season (if he finds his command and is able to get out of the spotlight in Pittsburgh, he could approach closer-status given the lack of arms in their bullpen). Moss has been solid this season but likely never would have been much more than a fourth outfielder in Boston (plus he became expendable as a fourth outfielder when the Sox decided to hold on to Crisp, similar to David Murphy last year). Laroche was heralded by many as the Dodgers' third basemen of the future heading into this season, but the Dodgers' recent acquisition of Casey Blake made his services unnecessary for this year (clearly the Dodgers are in win-now mode). Finally, Morris is a 21-year old A-level pitcher who's currently sporting a 2-4 record with a 3.39 ERA (and may or may not ever have an impact in the big leagues). For a more in depth breakdown of the prospects changing hands, check out Boston.com.
The Sox certainly gave up a lot to facilitate this deal (which became necessary when Manny started - and decided to keep on - running his mouth), but they're definitely getting a very solid player in return. Bay is just 29-years old and has another year remaining on his contract for relatively cheap (he signed a 4-year, $18.25 million deal prior to the 2006 season and is expected to earn $7.5 million next year). He's got a good arm and is batting .282 with a .375 OBP, .519 SLG, 22 HR, 64 RBI and 72 R. He clearly isn't of the same caliber as Manny Ramirez, a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer, but given the fact that the Sox basically had their hands forced in this whole thing, they could have made out a lot worse.
Bay will take over Manny's left field duties (although he can play all 3 OF positions) but it's not yet known where he'll bat; he's capable of batting anywhere 3-6, so taking over the cleanup spot is not out of the question. The Sox may also ask Ortiz or Youk to slide into the 4-hole initially (or permanently), so I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow night to know for sure.
UPDATE, 4:24 PM:
Apparently there's a new three-team trade in the mix; it's being reported that it's between the Dodgers, Pirates and Red Sox. Early speculation has Manny going to LA, Bay coming to Boston, and either Kemp or Ethier going to Pittsburgh. It's believed that the Sox had to "sweeten the pot" (according to Nick Cafardo on NESN) in order to facilitate a deal. The "sweetening of the pot" apparently represents the inclusion of Craig Hansen, Brandon Moss and cash in the deal. If it's true, the Sox are giving up quite a lot just to send their disgruntled slugger away.
ORIGINAL, 4:00 PM:
In spite of a last minute attempt to resurrect the three-team deal that would have sent Manny to the Marlins and put Jason Bay in a Sox uniform (and in spite of Manny's most recent attempts at having himself run out of town), the Red Sox didn't make a major move prior to this year's 4 PM trading deadline. It appears that the Sox ultimately were unhappy with the demanded inclusion of several top prospects, including Michael Bowden. According to most published reports, the Sox would have had to give up Manny, 2 prospects and cash (the remainder of Manny's contract) just to land the Pirates' Jason Bay (and possibly his teammate, reliever John Grabow). You don't have to be a baseball insider to realize that that's a pretty lopsided deal from Boston's position.
Even if you were rooting for Manny to be replaced, the fact remains that the alternative (Manny staying in Boston, batting 4th and playing left) isn't exactly a negative thing from a production standpoint. Manny's been a Grade A dick lately, but even amid all his bashing of the front office, he has still remained loyal to we fans. His production out of the 4-hole for the rest of the year will be just as good as (if not better than) any of the other options out there via trade.
It's apparently a done deal. Manny's heading to the Dodgers and Bay is coming to Boston.
Initial reaction - the Pirates and Dodgers make out like crazy in this deal (and depending on your point of view, that was somewhat expected). LA gets a bona fide cleanup hitter with playoff experience (both of which they'd been lacking to some degree), while Pittsburgh gets a handful (4, to be exact) of solid prospects. Hansen's struggled throughout his Boston career but had a few flashes of dominance this season (if he finds his command and is able to get out of the spotlight in Pittsburgh, he could approach closer-status given the lack of arms in their bullpen). Moss has been solid this season but likely never would have been much more than a fourth outfielder in Boston (plus he became expendable as a fourth outfielder when the Sox decided to hold on to Crisp, similar to David Murphy last year). Laroche was heralded by many as the Dodgers' third basemen of the future heading into this season, but the Dodgers' recent acquisition of Casey Blake made his services unnecessary for this year (clearly the Dodgers are in win-now mode). Finally, Morris is a 21-year old A-level pitcher who's currently sporting a 2-4 record with a 3.39 ERA (and may or may not ever have an impact in the big leagues). For a more in depth breakdown of the prospects changing hands, check out Boston.com.
The Sox certainly gave up a lot to facilitate this deal (which became necessary when Manny started - and decided to keep on - running his mouth), but they're definitely getting a very solid player in return. Bay is just 29-years old and has another year remaining on his contract for relatively cheap (he signed a 4-year, $18.25 million deal prior to the 2006 season and is expected to earn $7.5 million next year). He's got a good arm and is batting .282 with a .375 OBP, .519 SLG, 22 HR, 64 RBI and 72 R. He clearly isn't of the same caliber as Manny Ramirez, a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer, but given the fact that the Sox basically had their hands forced in this whole thing, they could have made out a lot worse.
Bay will take over Manny's left field duties (although he can play all 3 OF positions) but it's not yet known where he'll bat; he's capable of batting anywhere 3-6, so taking over the cleanup spot is not out of the question. The Sox may also ask Ortiz or Youk to slide into the 4-hole initially (or permanently), so I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow night to know for sure.
UPDATE, 4:24 PM:
Apparently there's a new three-team trade in the mix; it's being reported that it's between the Dodgers, Pirates and Red Sox. Early speculation has Manny going to LA, Bay coming to Boston, and either Kemp or Ethier going to Pittsburgh. It's believed that the Sox had to "sweeten the pot" (according to Nick Cafardo on NESN) in order to facilitate a deal. The "sweetening of the pot" apparently represents the inclusion of Craig Hansen, Brandon Moss and cash in the deal. If it's true, the Sox are giving up quite a lot just to send their disgruntled slugger away.
ORIGINAL, 4:00 PM:
In spite of a last minute attempt to resurrect the three-team deal that would have sent Manny to the Marlins and put Jason Bay in a Sox uniform (and in spite of Manny's most recent attempts at having himself run out of town), the Red Sox didn't make a major move prior to this year's 4 PM trading deadline. It appears that the Sox ultimately were unhappy with the demanded inclusion of several top prospects, including Michael Bowden. According to most published reports, the Sox would have had to give up Manny, 2 prospects and cash (the remainder of Manny's contract) just to land the Pirates' Jason Bay (and possibly his teammate, reliever John Grabow). You don't have to be a baseball insider to realize that that's a pretty lopsided deal from Boston's position.
Even if you were rooting for Manny to be replaced, the fact remains that the alternative (Manny staying in Boston, batting 4th and playing left) isn't exactly a negative thing from a production standpoint. Manny's been a Grade A dick lately, but even amid all his bashing of the front office, he has still remained loyal to we fans. His production out of the 4-hole for the rest of the year will be just as good as (if not better than) any of the other options out there via trade.
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