Sunday, March 28, 2004
Sports Network reports indicates that
The Red Sox, unlike their New York counterparts, have some prospects other teams may be interested in, such as Kevin Youkilis, Kelly Shoppach, and David Murphy.
Clubs may have interest but only a combination of prospects that includes Shoppach would net a player that would shift the balance of power in the AL bEast. After Youkilis' poor performance in AAA, most clubs have soured on his ability since many scouts had doubts from the start. Only the three other stat/SABR/OBP clubs, Oakland, L.A. and Toronto, might have an interest in Youkilis. Oakland and Toronto have little need for Youkilis leaving only the Dodgers. Perhaps, Theo could get a veteran relief pitcher from DePo for Youkilis.
Murphy has yet to play AA. He is not going to be the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal unless he starts the season and dominates in Portland. Shoppach is a legit trading chip, but his availability depends on the Sox long-term strategy at the catcher position.
The MFY have their own catching prospect in Dioner Navarro. He got some attention after hitting .341 in AA at 20. He has made everyone's pre-season top prospect list. At this time, he certainly has the highest trading value among both club's prospects. (If Hanley Ramirez has a big couple of months, he could shot ahead of Navarro.) Navarro could be moved to gain an impact player come mid-season. Jorge De Paula will also draw interest from other clubs. He is a cheap back of the rotation starter for most clubs over the next couple of seasons. If he pitches well in Jon Leiber’s absence, his stock will sky-rocket. Young players like Eric Duncan, Rudy Guillen, and the numerous pitching prospects could accompany one of the aforementioned players to get the missing piece to the MFY puzzle come July.
Right now, each AL bEast has one chip for an impact deal, Navarro and Shoppach, but the MFY are in a better position to deal Navarro with Posada locked up through 2006. The uncertain future of Jason Varitek in a Red Sox uniform increases the likelihood that Shoppach plays the entire season in smallest state in the union (to a certain degree the same can be said of Hanley-Nomar) and that Randy Johnson is not heading to Boston in July.
The Red Sox, unlike their New York counterparts, have some prospects other teams may be interested in, such as Kevin Youkilis, Kelly Shoppach, and David Murphy.
Clubs may have interest but only a combination of prospects that includes Shoppach would net a player that would shift the balance of power in the AL bEast. After Youkilis' poor performance in AAA, most clubs have soured on his ability since many scouts had doubts from the start. Only the three other stat/SABR/OBP clubs, Oakland, L.A. and Toronto, might have an interest in Youkilis. Oakland and Toronto have little need for Youkilis leaving only the Dodgers. Perhaps, Theo could get a veteran relief pitcher from DePo for Youkilis.
Murphy has yet to play AA. He is not going to be the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal unless he starts the season and dominates in Portland. Shoppach is a legit trading chip, but his availability depends on the Sox long-term strategy at the catcher position.
The MFY have their own catching prospect in Dioner Navarro. He got some attention after hitting .341 in AA at 20. He has made everyone's pre-season top prospect list. At this time, he certainly has the highest trading value among both club's prospects. (If Hanley Ramirez has a big couple of months, he could shot ahead of Navarro.) Navarro could be moved to gain an impact player come mid-season. Jorge De Paula will also draw interest from other clubs. He is a cheap back of the rotation starter for most clubs over the next couple of seasons. If he pitches well in Jon Leiber’s absence, his stock will sky-rocket. Young players like Eric Duncan, Rudy Guillen, and the numerous pitching prospects could accompany one of the aforementioned players to get the missing piece to the MFY puzzle come July.
Right now, each AL bEast has one chip for an impact deal, Navarro and Shoppach, but the MFY are in a better position to deal Navarro with Posada locked up through 2006. The uncertain future of Jason Varitek in a Red Sox uniform increases the likelihood that Shoppach plays the entire season in smallest state in the union (to a certain degree the same can be said of Hanley-Nomar) and that Randy Johnson is not heading to Boston in July.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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