New Poll Question:
Which former Red Sox would you most like to see on the team this year?
- Nomar Garciaparra
- Pedro Martinez
- Manny Ramirez
- Curt Schilling
- Derek Lowe
- Johnny Damon
Once again, more a hypothetical exercise than reality. But given the recent homecomings of Lowe and Nomar, I wanted to pick at the heartstrings a little to gather public sentiment.
As always, new poll is up to the right…vote away and argue it out in the comments.
Previous Poll Results:
Who is more important for the Red Sox to extend past their current contracts?
There was alot more support for Bay over Beckett within the comments section of the previous poll’s post. But it turns out that it was a vocal minority as the Ace takes priority in contract extension talks.
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I’m assuming you mean as they are now, and not in their prime?
Nomar who? Pedro who? Manny who? Curt who? Johnny who?
Guess that leaves Derek Lowe :-)
As Schill isn’t even in the game, that leaves him out. As Lowe might have come to the Sox if not for Boras wanting a 6/$90M contract, & that leaves him out. Johnny made his choice! Manny made his choice, many times. What a dumb move tonight.
That leaves Nomah, who still loves Boston and could help out at 3b, SS, 2b, 1b a bit, would be amenable to the 15 day DL as needed, and who could retire in a Sox uni. Nomah takes julio’s slot and has a resurgence at the Fens.
In terms of performance, it’s a no-brainer: Lowe is the only one still at the top of his game. (See Manny note below.)
If you don’t like the contract and want to choose based purely on sentiment, I’d pick Schilling but we don’t need a pitcher. Nomar’s a good sentimental choice too, but really, don’t expect him to be a contributor. He is no longer a middle infielder, not at all. He’s barely adequate at 3B, okay at 1B, and he’s really not a hitter anymore. He’s about equal to post-prime Shea Hillenbrand: mediocre batting average, no walks or power. Actually, if you compare Nomar to Julio Lugo purely as players, then Lugo is better. The two are roughly equal offensively, and Lugo is a significantly better glove.
…But wait, isn’t Manny still at the top of his game? Well, aside from the PED cloud over his head, he’s pulled some classic bad-Manny stuff since his return. He sat out his third game (his THIRD game!) with some undefined leg tightness; he has yet to actually play a full game; and he got tossed out of Tuesday night’s game after throwing a tantrum on the field. Maybe he’s starting to get sick of LA, or maybe he realized during his suspension that it’s kinda nice not having to play baseball.
Player as is in terms of performance: Lowe
Player in prime of career: Nomar (we need him!)
Best fit on 09 Sox: Nomar