The Adrian Gonzalez trade to the Red Sox and contract extension has not been finalized at the time of this post but it is being reported that Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Raymond Fuentes and a PTBNL are heading to San Diego for the All-Star. Until we have the terms of the new contract and know the PTBNL, an assessment of the deal would be premature but here are some of my thoughts.
* If Gonzalez does not sign a below market extension or below Mark Teixeira’s annual average value of $22.5 million, then he is worth $17 million plus two top 2011 draft picks.
* We will know about a year from now if Prince Fielder and potentially not giving up anything – draft pick compensation could end after this off season – would have been a better course of action than trading for Gonzalez.
* The PTBNL could be dependent on the team friendliness of Gonzalez’s new contract.
* Even though Kelly is young for Portland and 2010 was his first year being a full-time pitcher, he was terrible in the Eastern League. He certainly has enough time, but will need to develop an out pitch to project as more than a mid-to-back of the rotation starter. Kelly is anything but a sure thing.
* Hopefully, Rizzo being dealt to San Diego is another sign (along with 2008-10 drafts) that the Red Sox notion of signing high school first baseman – David Mailman, Lars Anderson – to six figures was a mistake and is over. If a player is already at the end of the defensive spectrum at the prom, then he is going to have to hit like a monster to have an impact in the show in four or so years.
* Fuentes profiles as a good fit for Petco’s spacious outfield. As a player with a good glove, range and a gap-to-gap bat, he would seem to be the prototypical player for the very spacious Padres home field.
The lack of details of the deal make it difficult to comment from an analytical perspective. But as a fan, this is awesome! It is going to be exciting having a lineup with Ellsbury-Pedroia-Gonzalez-Youkilis-Ortiz-Lowrie-Drew and with the right field fence moving a little closer.
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evanbrunell: 
alexconvery: 
CharlieSaponara: 
Awesome. I suppose the Sox will let Beltre sign elsewhere and allocate the dollars to Werth? Or could Beltre play short?
Beltre can not play SS.
They could go after Werth but I think they look elsewhere.
Amazing that the farm is strong enough that losing Kelly, Rizzo, Fuentes doesn't deplete the system. Only Daisuke is short term, so finding a spot for Kelly, Ranaudo, Doubront, Pimenatal, etc. is problematic at best. Ditto with Rizzo with AGon, Youk, Anderson a available. And with
Ells, Kalish, Reddick, Nava, Lin and the latest new crop Fuentes could have a long wait. They could all be steering soon at Petco. IMO both teams came off very well under ccurrent circumstances
Now how about – Dice K and Drew to the Mets for Beltran and sign Werth? Come on let me dream of the Sox with Drew.
obviously I meant “without” Drew.
I'd stay far away from Beltran. Will Carroll wrote that his knee injury was "career altering" and the chances of him getting back to star-level were extremely slim. He looked horrible last last year for the Mets.
I think they'll go hard after Werth/Crawford and look to upgrade at catcher instead
If you get rid of Dice-K, someone else has to start.
Wakefield still on the team? You're talking about a fifth starter-type replacement. Left field at Fenway and switch hitting power. One year left on his contract and the money's about even. Beside, it's just my dream to watch the Sox without Drew. They'd still have money for Werth.
Hypothetical question is: Would you rather see Beltran/Ellsbury/Werth or Werth/Ellsbury/Drew?
Real questions are: Will the Sox go after Werth to balance the rh/lh mix in the line up, or go lh heavy and target Crawford? And if it's Werth, who plays RF Werth or Drew? Swap Drew's lh bat for the switch hitting Beltran and Crawford is back in the mix. That's Beltran/Ellsbury/Crawford.
Not knowing Beltran’s health? I am cool with Crawford or Werth + Ellsbury, Cameron and Drew.
"Hopefully, Rizzo being dealt to San Diego is another sign … that the Red Sox notion of signing high school first baseman …to six figures was a mistake and is over."
Actually, no, since Rizzo helped us get AGon, the trade shows that signing hs first basemen is a great way to get guys who can put up good numbers at AA at 20
start with 7yrs 161 million 23/yr.It's more then Texiera makes a year!Don't worry Theo gets it done.You don't give up that much and not sign Agon!Sign Crawford and a couple of guys for the bullpen!And we're ready to roll!Nice job with trade Theo!Anthony Renaudo will help us forget Casey Kelly!