El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

NOMAR TRADE RUMORS.
Even in Southern Cal the Hot Stove is heating up for the winter.


The Boston print media does not seem to be picking up on this yet. Everyone is still talking about Shady Chicken Little. The rumors around Nomah’s desire to play in L.A. and not sign a long-term deal with the Sox seem to have some merit now.

Orange County Register columnist Randy Youngman: "Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who was born in Whittier and graduated from St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, has told friends he wants to relocate in Southern California after marrying Mia Hamm next month and would like to play for the Angels or Dodgers."

This is not news to the rumor mill, but espn.com reports that…

New owner Arte Moreno has authorized a record $90-million player payroll.

Anaheim could easily pay Nomah’s $11.5 million salary without dumping players and still stay within budget. As for the Dodgers, the acquisition of Nomah would be a big splash exciting the fan base that new owner Frank McCourt may desire. Assuming payroll is not cut, Nomah’s salary would replace McGriff ($3.75 mil.), Jordan ($9.6) and Ashby ($8.5) with room to spare.

Even though Epstein, Henry and LL have never wavered in their support of re-signing Nomah, LL did say on WEEI via a transcript from the Dirt Dogs site that

We're going to reassemble the team, you have to do that every year…there are some players who may leave because of age or free agency. I'm just guessing at this stage, there will be 5-8 new faces on this team next year... they would require a trade or release but I do think that's possible…There are some free agents we're going to look at to be sure and we just aren't going to make the mistake that's been made before, that I've made before (in San Diego) which is to be too comfortable with your players. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in management is to fall in love with your veterans. We appreciate them. We respect them. We feel grateful for the style of play that they had but as we reassemble the team for next year, we'll look at ways we can get better and try not to let that gratitude and sentiment stand in the way.

We know that the Sox want to win now. They are not looking to rebuild in 2004. If the Sox trade a veteran, they would want to fill the position with a capable replacement and additional valuable players for 2004. Able substitutes for Sox veterans in the free agent market are at SS (Tejada, Matsui), LF/RF (Vlad, Sheffield) and CF (Cameron). Thus, Nomah, Nixon and Damon could be on the block (as much as many want Manny out of town, virtually no team can take on his salary).

Nixon’s approach at the plate is more valued with the Sox than by most other clubs. It would be difficult for the Sox to attain their value for Nixon in a deal. The opposite maybe true regarding Damon and Nomah due to Damon’s speed and Nomah’s counting stats. Both hitters are not as disciplined as the organization would like as well. Nomah’s production and salary in 2004 makes him more valuable to another club than Damon. It is time to face the facts; my favorite Red Sox could be dealt.