From Buster Olney’s blog on ESPN.com:
Earlier this week, Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press speculated on a possible trade match between the Red Sox and Tigers of shortstop Julio Lugo for Dontrelle Willis. It makes a whole lot of sense — one team’s problem for another — but with one adjustment: The Red Sox would probably prefer Nate Robertson, who is owed $7 million for next year and $10 million for 2010, over Willis. Robertson may simply have a better chance to rebound than Willis, whose complicated delivery makes his recovery
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I would do either in less than a heartbeat. Granted, MFLugo will go on a tear and make us look bad, but the upside of both Robertson and Willis, combined with Lowrie and the ease of finding a utility infielder who can play more than just SS makes it a no-brainer.
I have come to really like Lugo and I wish him luck with whatever happens, I just think pitching is a more valuable commodity than what he might be able to offer the team.
Anything of any potential value is better than an unhappy unmotivated Lugo hanging around the dugout in my opinion … At first glance I think I’d take Robertson … just for the reasons you stated … Although if Willis were to recover I think he could be very valuable and possibly a good fit on our team … But really neither are very attractive projects but at least they have the potential to help … the real question is … how much of Lugo’s salary would we take? All? None?
Ugh. I think I’d rather just keep Lugo off the bench only to be used in blowouts or extreme emergencies like Jed Lowrie being hit directly by an asteroid.
Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson haven’t pitched well in quite some time. If they’re just going to have eat part of Lugo’s salary, keep him. Pitching is paramount but bad pitching is just a waste of time.
Honestly I’d love to get rid of Lugo. The man has caused more errors than I believe Pedroia and Youk combined. His offense was crap in 2007 and it was until he got injured. He has his WS ring. Show him the door.
Willis and Robertson have both been terrible and both have pretty bad contracts (Willis’ is atrocious). It’s pretty obvious that nothing of value is going to come out of Lugo, but I honestly would prefer a pure salary dump getting some high risk/high reward prospects from a Natonal League team (a catcher of some sort or a third baseman would be nice) similar to the Renteria trade. Jon Lester is the only lefty I can think of in my lifetime who has had that level of sustained success at Fenway, the park punishes left-handed pitching. Honestly both these guys are fly ball pitchers who were getting shelled in arguably the best pitchers park in the AL, I don’t see either of them moving to Fenway and succeeding.
I’d rather see the Sox eat 4-5 mil and try and get a bullpen prospect back. Lugo for two more years at 6-7 mil (assuming we eat the 4-5 mil) is not terrible for some team who needs a short stop. He did have the best or one of the best obp for short stops prior to getting hurt. I like Pauley more then Robertson/Willis; never mind Clay/Bowden rounding out our rotation and as a 6th starter. I know depth is necessary…rather have Pauley as a 7th starter if needed.
I am willing to trade anyone for Dontrelle Willis; that bird is done. If a team is willing to take him off our hands I hope the Tigers are smart enough to accept any trade for that mess we call a pitcher!
Tigerfan…has there been any chatter about Willis trying to convert to outfield? I know his bat was probably not nearly on par with Ankiel or Micah Owings but with his continued control issues and the fact he was a decent hitting pitcher it may be an option at some point. Probably a little early to consider his age and the possibility of reworking his strange mechanics…was just curious if it had been mentioned at all in Detroit. I know Baltimore just decided to allow Adam Loewen to convert, although that was more injury related.
I don’t think I’d trade for either Willis or Robertson. The starting rotation is perhaps the strongest aspect of the Sox; they don’t have the need for a reclamation project, and even more to the point, they don’t have room. Where would Willis or Robertson fit into the roster?
Acquiring either one would make a lot more sense for a team short of starting pitching. Preferably a team with a strong offense that could carry a Robertson, who is at best an innings-eater. A team like… the Yankees.
As for dumping Lugo: I think there might be some interest in him on the trade market — assuming the Sox eat most of his contract. But I’m not 100% convinced the Sox will ship him out; it depends on whether they think Lowrie can recover from his late-season struggles and be counted on as the primary shortstop in 2009. Even if they believe in Lowrie, they might prefer to let Cora go and hold onto Lugo as an overpriced supersub.