| 1997 | Gained: | Lost: |
Not since 1997 have we seen such roster upheaval. But this year? Talk about roster upheaval on July 31st, 2004, which will go down as a very important date in Red Sox history.
| July 31, 2004 | Gained: | Lost: |
Not even spanning a full year, the 2004 trade should shake up the roster even more than all the 1997 deals. For good or for bad? Theo Epstein says he believes this will give us a better chance to win a World Series. Note he said “win a World Series,” not “get to a World Series.”
For all my hating on Nomar, I can say with 100% seriousness that I will miss him. Don’t worry, I’m not flip-flopping like a certain presidental candidate we hear about these days. I don’t miss Nomar’s sullen attitude, I don’t miss his GarciaPop-Ups, I don’t miss his first-pitch hacking, I don’t. But I’ll tell you what I miss – already. I miss his face, the familiarity of seeing him in a Boston Red Sox uniform. When is the last time we traded a star of this magnitude? He is spoken of in the same breath as Williams, Yaz, Fisk, Doerr, Pesky. Pesky was traded late in his career, when he wasn’t a star anymore. Fisk left as a free agent. So it seems safe to say that the last time we traded a player of this magnitude was back when Babe Ruth changed into pinstripes. I believe we are improved by this trade, but I think this team is going to have to find it’s identity again. Not on how to win games, but what face will replace Nomar. I always thought that Pedro or Ortiz was Mr. Red Sox but I realize now it was Nomar. Who will step up?
So I bid you adieu, Number 5, and I move on.
So, the trade. I think it was a good trade, personally. I mean, I advocated not getting Mientkiewicz, but we did. The answer is clear – defense at first base. We also acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera from Montreal to fill the spot vacated by Nomar, and then we grabbed Dave Roberts from LA to act as a backup outfielder with Trot Nixon out. Figure in Kevin Millar and Gabe Kapler, and we’ve got a lot of platooning going on. The following table is the AVG, OBP, and SLG of Mientkiewicz, Roberts, Millar, and Kapler versus righties and lefties. I want to get a better idea of who should start when. I am not including Orlando Cabrera in this because his playing time is not an issue.
| Player | BA v. R | OBP v. R | SLG v. R | BA v. L | OBP v. L | SLG v. L |
| Mientkiewicz | .257 | .350 | .372 | .226 | .321 | .344 |
| Roberts | .267 | .356 | .379 | .184 | .256 | .237 |
| Millar | .290 | .366 | .450 | .316 | .385 | .480 |
| Kapler | .261 | .303 | .339 | .313 | .338 | .537 |
Based on that information, this is what I propose for our little merry-go-round of first base and right field.
vs. RHP
1B – Doug Mientkiewicz/Kevin Millar
RF – Kevin Millar/Dave Roberts
vs. LHP
1B – Kevin Millar
RF – Gabe Kapler
We need to have Dave Roberts become the primary pinch-runner, and righty pinch-hitter, with Gabe being the lefty pinch-hitter. I wouldn’t be surprised to see David McCarty be cut, as his job is basically taken up by other people now. It would be a shame to see McCarty cut, but he should be. But I think Youkilis will be sent down – he needs to get regular playing time. If I was Theo (which, clearly, I am not) I would send Youkilis down and cut McCarty when Pokey Reese returns – if it’s before August 31.
When Trot Nixon comes back, then the field will really be crowded. But I’d rather have it be crowded then be sparse – that is how you win ballgames, by having depth.
Doug Mientkiewicz is signed through 2005. making $2.80 million this year, $3.75 million next year with a $3.75 option for 2006 or a buyout of $0.45 million. This ties up a good amount of money in Millar and Mientkiewicz for next year, so I would expect one of the two to be traded in the winter – most likely Millar. Unless Millar wins us the World Series. Mientkiewicz is going to give us a good glove at first, and is a decent runner. Our infield is going to appreciate the addition of Mientkiewicz.
Another fielder the pitchers will appreciate the addition of is Orlando Cabrera. This year, Nomar Garciaparra had a .957 fielding percentage while Cabrera had a .982 FP to go along with a 4.53 Range Factor and a .835 Zone Rating. Nomar, on the other hand, had a 3.84 RF and a .694 ZR.
Jason Stark wrote an article today on the Biggest Winners and Losers of Trades (we were the 3rd biggest winner), where he quoted an NL executive who said on Orlando Cabrera that,
“I think he’ll be great there. He’s an every-day player who plays every day. He loves to play. He’s the type of guy who wants to stay in the game even if he’s losing, 10-0. He’s a very good player who wasn’t hitting very well. But he’s still a very good player. He plays hard. He hustles. And he’s a very good shortstop. Put him in front of those 34,000 people in Fenway every day, and I bet he’ll be energized by the whole experience. And it won’t hurt that he’s playing for a contract.”
Pokey Reese’s fielding statistics are found here - and check out Orlando Cabrera. We’ve found another Pokey Reese that can hit. He hasn’t hit very well in 2004, but if he can return to his 2003 (I’d even settle for 2001) ways, we’ve got a good shortstop that we can lock up rather cheaply. Orlando Cabrera, Pokey Reese, Doug Mientkiewicz … that is fielding at it’s finest, ladies and gentlemen. He is making $6 million this year, and should resign for around the same amount. I have a feeling he is going to enjoy the attention and energy of the fans and want to stay.
Dave Roberts is making a well earned $0.98 million (and is arbitration eligible, I believe), and in my opinion, is earning every cent. This is one of the guys I love. I mean, look at this:
YEAR -GMS–AB—SB—CS
2002–127—422—45—10
2003–107—388—40—14
2004–68—233—33—1
In other words, although he doesn’t play a full season’s worth of games and only gets about half as much at-bats as a regular player does, the guy is a speed demon. 40 stolen bases in 2003 with 388 at-bats? You have got to be kidding me. This guy is going to wreak havoc for us. A great, great pickup by Theo Epstein at a cheap price (Henri Stanley). He will have no problem being a fourth outfielder and we will throw him in the game as a late defensive replacement and pinch-runner. This guy has the ability to change the outcome of a game in the late innings. He is going to be a valuable addition to the club.
Let’s add up Mientkiewicz, Cabrera, and Roberts. Total, this year, they are making $12.55 million – a hair over what Nomar cost. Yeah, I think I like these additions.
I believe the clubhouse will be uplifted now that Nomar is no longer around. Roberts is a sunny guy, Cabrera will be glad to get out of Montreal, and Mientkiewicz will be happy he was traded (and he was a popular guy in the Minnesota clubhouse before). Defensively, we should vault into one of the best defensive teams in the game, and I believe we did not sacrifice too much in the offense to be noticeable. We also gain speed what with Dave Roberts, Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera (12 SB, 3 CS), who will not have an Achilles’ heel to be affected by. Dave Roberts should take the place of Gabe Kapler’s role next year on the club and I’m sure we are banking on Cabrera enjoying Boston a lot and enjoying a second-half renaissance and resigning.
Mr. Red Sox may be gone, but the Boston Red Sox look as if they will get on just fine, indeed.
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“He
He’s been my favorite player ever since I saw him in Pawtucket in 1996. The
first time I laid eyes on him I told everybody that gave a damn that this
kid would be a player. Eight years later…the rest is history.
I never thought I’d see the day where he got traded. I thought Nomar was
the type of guy that would be a Red Sox lifer. Guy has been nothing but
class from day one…even through the A-Rod fiasco this past off-season. I
wish him nothing but the best.
At the same time, I understand that baseball is a business. It’s so hard
nowadays to get attached to one or any certain player. Nomar was a guy that
fell under that category. He was a guy that was fun to root for. Guy went
all out all the time. Unmatched work ethic. Class guy all the way…
Having said that, I think the Sox needed to make this trade. We both know
our defense was not up to par, and that’s being generous. Nomar was a big
part of that, with his .957 or .958 fielding %. A championship team needs
to be solid up the middle, and now we are with Cabrera. This guy brings
gold-glove caliber defense. He’s made just 8 errors in 101 games. This guy
is a stud. Him and Pokey are going to be tremendous to watch. With me
living in Marlins country, I have the chance to watch the best double play
combo going in Gonzalez and Castillo. However, Cabrera and Pokey are going
to be right there with them. These guys are going to dazzle. They’re going
to save so many games with the hits they take away and the double plays they
turn. I cannot wait.
Mientkiewicz is also a huge acquisition. Another gold-glover! Finally, we
have a gold-glove caliber infield! That is what wins world series, my
friend. Speed and defense. Which is why I like the Dave Roberts
acquisition as well. Between Roberts, Damon, and Cabrera, we’re going to
see a personality from this team we have not seen before. Theo is the man!
Evan,
Thxs for the speedy, and very well put reply to my question that I put forth in my latest post on why the Red Sox
would so such an unexpected, and controversial trade. If Cabrera can get back to close to what he
batted as clean-up in 2002 and 2003, he will become the toast of New England.
“and Orlando Cabrera (12 SB, 3 CS), who will not have an Achilles
well, I gotta say that Boston infield defense most definitely needed guys who can catch balls and
throw balls accurately. So yall done good there, fer sher.
I am surprised to read this positive spin – most of the comments i have read from sox fans has
been less positive. But if it ain’t working, fix it.
Speed and Defense, like Andy said. Speed and Defense win championships.
And “Miggy Lite. Is that a valid comparison, do you think, Evan?” Never heard the comparison before, but strangely is quite fitting.
Hopefully Orlando fixes his swing quickly. It’s going to take him a while, though. I’m sure Papa Jack won’t vasty retool his swing until we return from this road swing (or hit the offday) to give him time to acclimate. His batting eye isn’t very topnotch, but we knew this coming in so I can bear it – not so with Nomar, I always thought his batting eye was better than he showed. If Cabrera hits 270/330/390, I’m perfectly fine with that, to go along with his D.
Speaking of Defense, I want to show you two quotes from ESPN about today’s Sox and Cubs game, respectively. About Cabrera and Nomar.
“New shortstop Orlando Cabrera made a key error in his Boston debut…”
“Garciaparra … made a nice catch on a throw from catcher Paul Bako.”
Wow. Two things. One – Cabrera would have made just as nice as a catch as Garciaparra – probably better. I asked a Cubs fan what was so nice about the catch, and he replied that “the runner came hard”. Please. Plenty of runners came hard when he was in Boston, but I don’t see ESPN talking about it.
Karim Garcia made Game Three of the ALCS boil over when he took out Todd Walker, but I don’t see ESPN talking about it.
And that error Cabrera was charged with? Please. Nomar wouldn’t have even come close.
Speed, defense, and a good bullpen, and I’d guarantee a championship. Theo had better be sharp on the waiver trades.
No I haven’t heard any other Miggy comparisons either, but it seems to add up. Both players
1) are free swingers (the Latin mindset: you don’t walk your way into MLB)
2) are shortstops w/ good gloves
3) play every day (ironmen)
4) hit for some power*
5) have decent footspeed
6) are reputed to do the little things
7) are “energy” in the clubhouse
Of course, while Capbearer hits for good power for a middle infielder, he’s certainly not in Tejada’s range. Or Nomar’s either. But I like it: it’s a good nickname. If he hits, he becomes Miggy Lite. If not, he remains Capbearer.
But Monkeywrench will always be Monkeywrench.
Actually, another angle I haven’t heard brought up, we now have another Hispanic in the clubhouse. I see that as a good thing. First, I hate the “racist Boston” stereotype, and I’d like to see it erased. Pedro, Manny, Vaughn, Ortiz, these guys are ambassadors to the younger generation, changing an ugly past. Nothing but good can come from that, IMO, for the city of Boston. Second, if we’re going to have guys like Manny and Ortiz around for a while, as I hope we will, we might as well make them comfortable and happy. Now Ortiz and Manny are Dominican, Cabrera Columbian, but I don’t think it will hurt for the guys to have fellow players with whom they can communicate in their natural language, if they want to.
Probably sounds like I’m suggesting a clique. I’m not, per se. At least, I don’t mean to. That’s not my intention. I’m just thinking it might be easier on the fellas, you know? For similar reasons, I’m glad we got Monkeywrench: he and Ortiz are familiar, and seem to be on good terms.
All the better. Cancers away, comrades ahoy.
And Roberts also has a reputation as a “sunny” guy. Very good for us.
Evan, if I recall correctly, Carlton Fisk became a free agent because the Red Sox fouled up some paperwork. I think they missed a deadline to send him a contract, thereby making him a free agent (very happily for me, as a White Sox fan and, at the time, a Little League catcher). So the Red Sox share some culpability for Fisk’s leaving.
Sam, the race ‘thing’ certainly did not go unnoticed by me – Cabrera Columbian and Roberts Japanese-American. I view this as a good thing.
Vince, yes, I realized that as I was typing it but the fact is the Red Sox forgot to mail it by the deadline, therefore while they do share responsibility for Fisk leaving, they did not do it on purpose.