Solutions aren’t easy to come by, because they must include a sacrifice. And a great “solution” will have to include a few good, young “sacrifices.” And parting with young talent, well, is just not an easy task.
There are roughly six players that interest me, some that will cost a bundle, some just a handful. One that might not even approve.
But if David Ortiz does not hit, a decision will need to be made, and soon.
JD Drew is a lifetime .284 hitter. If Drew only “drew” 30 walks a season then his offensive contributions would diminish greatly. What he “lacks” in batting average, Drew more than makes up for in reaching base via the walk…and of course he hits for power too.
But JD Drew has been an on base machine over his career. People’s beliefs on how walks impact the game of baseball may vary. But can anyone argue that a .392 career on base percentage, isn’t really, really good? That is how often Drew has reached base in his career.
Brad Wilkerson will turn 32 next season, and is attempting to rebound from one of his worst statistical seasons of his career. Wilkerson was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners on April 30th and signed by Toronto on May 9th after they lost Frank Thomas. A career 2.47 hitter, his numbers have not been the same since leaving the National League, where, from 2002-2005, he averaged 20 homeruns playing for the Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals. Considering his offensive ability, versatility in the outfield and first base, plus a little personal bias, I think Brad Wilkerson could be a great sign as a fourth outfielder for the Boston Red Sox in 2009.
With JD Drew, Jason Bay, and Jacoby Ellsbury all under contract for 2009, the Red Sox starting outfield is set in stone before pitchers and catchers report. Unless you consider Jonathan Van Every, Chris Carter, or Jeff Bailey a long-term solution, the team still needs to acquire a fourth outfielder via free agency or trade. Needing to acquire a fourth outfielder may seem like an exercise in gluttony, but let’s be candid about our current situation. JD Drew has played 135 games or less seven times in his ten year career and the Red Sox can afford to pay above market on some spare parts to sit the bench.
UPDATE 11:01 PM: SOX OWNER SAYS “NOT A FACTOR” FOR TEIXEIRA
UPDATE 6:54 PM: RED SOX FINALIZING DEAL WITH TEIXEIRA
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Milton Bradley – SD Dirk
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The question becomes — why are we looking at just Teixeira? There are two main arguments against signing Teixiera: the first being the length and dollars of the contract and the second being the blocking of Lars Anderson and Mike Lowell.
Considering it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Sox are going to bring in a bopper, (and thus push Mike Lowell out of a job) why not bring in players who would command short-term deals? Why are we limiting ourselves to Mark Teixeira? Why couldn’t we look at…
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