Boston Red Sox Rumors: 10 Trade Targets Who Could Spell World Series in 2011
The Boston Red Sox missed the postseason this year for the first time since 2006, after injuries to key players like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Josh Beckett derailed their chances at a good season.
But despite plugging up their lineup with an assortment of minor league veterans (Darnell McDonald, Eric Patterson) and rookies (Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish), the Red Sox still managed 89 wins.
Not good enough for Red Sox Nation.
Boston's owners took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe on Monday apologizing to fans for the disappointing season and promising more success in 2011.
"We can do better. We will do better. We are committed to winning. For you, for us, for the whole of Red Sox Nation."
Red Sox management faces several big question marks going into the offseason. Three of the team's top four hitters are free agents with Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez, and David Ortiz all potentially on their way out of Boston. The bullpen is in shambles. The top of the starting rotation is as good as any in baseball, but what to expect from Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and Daisuke Matsuzaka?
If the Red Sox simply keep their team together and avoid any major injuries they could probably guarantee themselves a playoff berth. But that's not exactly what GM Theo Epstein or Boston fans had in mind for a team with definite championship aspirations.
Here are 15 offseason trade targets that could make the Boston Red Sox the 2011 World Series Champions. Share your thoughts below.
Other Ideas
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Miguel Cabrera
Do the Tigers really want to keep paying him $20+ million when they can't even beat the Minnesota Twins?
Zack Greinke
It's obvious he wants out of Kansas City. The Red Sox could do him a favor.
Bronson Arroyo
The Reds rotation is loaded and the odd man out may be Arroyo. Everyone would love to see him back in Boston.
10. Colby Rasmus
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Rasmus reportedly requested a trade last month after voicing concerns about his playing time, but unless he forces his way out of St. Louis this is also a long shot.
Rasmus is only 23 years old and signed to a team-friendly deal. He won't be eligible for arbitration until 2011 after making only $418,000 in 2010—a bargain considering what he can do with a bat.
The left-handed Rasmus batted .276 with 23 home runs and an .859 OPS as the third big bat in the Cardinals lineup after Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday.
The Red Sox would have to trade multiple prospects and major league players (Jacoby Ellsbury at minimum) to pry Rasmus away. He would fit in nicely as Boston's center fielder or left fielder and a middle-of-the-order bat.
9. Ichiro Suzuki
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It might seem foolish for the Mariners to trade their best offensive player after Seattle's collective failure to hit the ball all season. But it might not be such a bad idea.
Ichiro is owed $34 million over the next two years on a team going no where, fast. The Mariners could speed up the rebuilding process by parting ways with the 36-year old Ichiro and surrounding Felix Hernandez with young talent.
There is no shortage of teams that would compete for Ichiro's services, and the Red Sox would be at the top of the list. He would immediately replace Ellsbury as both the center fielder and the leadoff hitter, giving Boston their most complete player at the top of the order since Johnny Damon. Then after 2011 Ichiro could return to his natural position in right field after JD Drew departs as a free agent.
What would it take to get the deal done?
A package of superstar prospect Casey Kelley, future right fielder Josh Reddick, infielder Jed Lowrie, first basemen Lars Anderson, and a low level pitching prospect should do the trick. The Red Sox have enough depth in their farm system to give up that much talent. But they have to be serious about winning it all now.
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8. Jonathan Broxton
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Broxton was a disaster in 2010.
He only converted 22 saves and blew seven, eventually losing his closer job to lefty Jong-Chih Kuo in August. The big right-hander had a 4.04 ERA and his strikeout numbers plummeted to a career-worst 10.5 SO/9 IP.
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is still struggling with an ugly divorce proceeding, and will likely have to cut down on Los Angeles' $102 million payroll in 2010. If Broxton can't regain his past form then the Dodgers may be motivated to move him. After all, $7 million is a lot to pay a set-up man.
Broxton is one of the hardest throwing righties in the game and would supplement Boston's power righties, Daniel Bard and Jon Papelbon. The Red Sox bullpen would then be able to safely secure the last three innings of any game, taking pressure off the starting rotation.
The Dodgers would want Bard or Papelbon in return, but maybe Theo can convince them to take a couple of prospects instead.
7. Russell Martin
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If Boston can't agree on a deal with Victor Martinez, then they will be in the market for a catcher. Martin would be an excellent replacement.
He's 27 years old, and though he's fallen off offensively since his rookie campaign in 2006, he's still one of the best hitting catchers in the game. In 2008 he hit .280 with a .781 OPS and 18 steals. He's also considered one of the better defensive catchers in baseball.
The Red Sox may be able to buy low on Martin if the Dodgers decide they want to reduce payroll. Martin made just over $5 million in 2010 and is arbitration eligible through 2012.
The Dodgers would want one of Boston's catching prospects in return (either Ryan Lavarnway or Luis Exposito) in addition to a pitching prospect or two.
6. Andre Ethier
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Ethier admitted last month that he would "love" to play for the Boston Red Sox.
Well, it's time for his dream to come true.
Despite struggling with injuries in 2010, Ethier still put together a stellar season. He hit .292 with an .857 OPS, blasting 23 home runs and 33 doubles. He's emerged as one of the best power hitters in the game.
He's due $9.25 million in 2011, and for the same reasons as Broxton and Martin, the Dodgers may be tempted to move him.
The Red Sox would have to part with several top prospects, but it's not often they get a chance to acquire a power-hitting 28-year-old outfielder.
Ethier would likely replace JD Drew in right field and allow Drew to either move to center field or DH. A blockbuster deal of Ethier and Martin or Broxton is also a possibility. Would Los Angeles take Matsuzaka?
5. Joakim Soria
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This may be wishful thinking.
After all, the Kansas City Royal is signed to a team-friendly deal ($26.74 million through 2014). He's young (26 years old) and immensely talented.
This season the righty saved 43 games with a 1.78 ERA. He made his second All-Star appearance as well.
The Royals have no reason to trade their best pitcher after Zack Greinke, but they have no reason to hold on to him later.
Teams who are used as floor mats don't need $6 million closers. It's a waste of resources. If Kansas City wants to join the ranks of legitimate baseball teams they need an infusion of talent. Lots of it.
Soria could be used as a trade chip to help bring the Royals a young package of players to build around. Like Broxton, he could be a third power righty for the Boston bullpen. He could also open up the possibility for the Red Sox to trade Papelbon for a bat.
4. Michael Young
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Young has spent his entire career with the Texas Rangers. The six-time All-Star has accomplished just about everything a major leaguer would want to accomplish. Except for one thing—win a World Series.
If the Rangers get knocked out of the postseason Young will be again left waiting.
This is a proposed trade that has been on and off for several years. Young is a very good hitter, but at $16 million a year through 2014 the Rangers could be eager to get him off their books.
The Red Sox could absorb Young's contract and play him at third base to replace Beltre.
The 33-year old righty hit .284 this season with 21 home runs and 36 doubles. He's been a consistent producer since 2002 and is a strong defender. He's also played in at least 155 games in eight of his last nine seasons, something the Red Sox brass will definitely like.
The Rangers will ask for pitching in return and Boston has enough to spare. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
3. David Wright
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Another third baseman, but with different circumstances.
Unlike Young, Wright is only 27 years old and is signed to a reasonable contract. He's due $14 million in 2011, $15 million in 2012, and the Mets have a $16 million club option on him for 2013.
That's not a cheap salary, but Wright is not a cheap player.
The five-time All-Star smacked 29 home runs and drove in 103. He also hit .283 and slugged over .500. He strikes out a lot (161 times in 2010), but he's an elite defender and has plus speed.
It would take a blockbuster deal to convince the Mets to trade one of their franchise players, but Wright could be the same cornerstone in Boston that he is New York.
2. Prince Fielder
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Prince Fielder is in basically the same situation as the only player ahead of him on this list. He's a young, power-hitting, left-handed first baseman. He's signed to a relatively team-friendly deal for $11 million this season, and he's due to become a free agent in 2012.
So what to do?
The Brewers would like to keep Fielder, obviously. But with Scott Boras as his agent, that's highly unlikely. Milwaukee needs help with its entire roster and Fielder is its best trade chip.
The Red Sox would be more than happy to do the Brewers a favor and take the slugger off their hands. Boston has the pitching depth and prospects to meet Milwaukee's demands, and the financial flexibility to give Fielder the long-term deal he's looking for. A package of Casey Kelley, Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden, and Drake Britton should be enough to get the two sides at least talking.
Fielder has twice posted an OPS of over 1.000 (1.013 in 2007, 1.014 in 2009) and is generally considered one of the best power hitters in the game (190 home runs in his last five seasons). He's second on this list only because of his tendency to strike out and his size, which will force him to be a designated hitter later in his career.
Still, the Red Sox would be thrilled with Fielder or the next name on the list.
1. Adrian Gonzalez
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Gonzalez has been a wet dream for Boston fans since the New York Yankees snatched Mark Teixeira away from the Red Sox. He did an admirable job keeping the Padres competitive all season, but his days in southern California are numbered.
San Diego has zero chance of resigning Gonzo. The team payroll in 2010 was just shy of $38 million. Gonzalez was the second-highest paid player at $4.875 million, about a third of what he would earn on the open market.
The Padres hold a $5.5 million option on Gonzalez for 2011, which will surely be exercised. But if they want anything for the slugger before he leaves via free agency, they have to trade him now.
The Red Sox could open up first base for Gonzalez and give him the long-term deal he wants and deserves. Gonzalez, meanwhile, could give Boston a power-hitting lefty bat to complement Youkilis.
Gonzalez is only 28 years old and just entering his prime. He hit 31 home runs this season with a .904 OPS. Last season his OPS was .958. He's also won two consecutive Gold Gloves and is an annual MVP candidate.
Gonzalez is without a doubt the prize of the offseason trade market. With him in the lineup, and on the field, the Red Sox would be able to go toe-to-toe with the Yankees and compete with any other team in baseball.
It wouldn't be a guaranteed World Series in Beantown. But it's as close as Theo can get.
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