El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

WHERE’S THE ACTION?

Last night was a un-Red Sox like performance at the plate allowing the starter, Borkowski, to get a win by throwing only 96 pitches over seven. Borkowski just had it going last night. It doesn’t get any easier for the Sox this weekend. They are scheduled to face Lohse, Radke and Santana. Unfortunately, I am scheduled to be driving home from a wedding on Sunday likely missing the Pedro-Santana match up. A stop at a local pub for a late lunch and the game could be in order.

Any how, the latest Sox trade rumors have them inquiring about Danny Bautista of the D-Backs as a replacement/insurance policy for Trot Nixon. The Arizona Republic reports that:

"Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon is suffering from a quadriceps pull that could place him on the 15-day disabled list, and Boston could try to entice the Diamondbacks with Triple-A catcher Kelly Shoppach for right fielder Danny Bautista."

The Providence Journal goes on to say that:

“The Sox reached another dead end in their talks with the Diamondbacks concerning Danny Bautista, deeming the asking price far too high for the outfielder.”

If Shoppach is the asking price then Theo and company did the right thing in passing up the part-time OF making $4 million this season. Is there a market for 32 year-old, corner outfielders that have played in less than 225 games over the past three seasons, whose OBP is all tied up in his AVG and owed $1.3 million more this season? I think not; the D-Backs should be trying to give Bautista away.

Some of the other rumors floating around have the formerly known as the Canadian All-Star Outfielder, Larry Walker, accepting a gig in Beatown. There is little doubt this guy can still rake, but he could be the biggest health risk in MLB and he is making $12.5 in 04 and 05 with a $15 option in 06 plus deferred payment reportedly topping out at $19 million. If the Rocks pay Walkers deferred money, take on Kim, give the Sox $3 mil and the insurance (I assuming) the Rocks have on Walker is transferable, do the deal. It would minimize the Sox risk on Walker. Without those conditions, this is the type of trade that set backs a franchise in the near future.

Jay Payton is another name floating around, but the Sox already have Payton. He goes by the name of Kapler.

Frank Catalanotto is another name that is bound to come up again. The Sox like his bat and salary $2.3 million but where does he play since he is best suited for leftfield. If the plan is to play him in right, it would be almost like having Millar at the position. If the Sox brass is fine with that scenario, then have Millar play right, Ortiz at first and find a cheap DH like Matt Stairs or Brad Fullmer.

The Sox don't need to acquire a right fielder. The Sox RFers this season have only hit 285/343/427. They have not contributed much to the club’s standing as one of the top offensive teams. The Sox do not need to replace a player, Nixon that has contributed only 99 at-bats this season. Tito can rotate a number of options in the right/1b/DH mix. The Sox should be addressing their most pressing need – run prevention – by acquiring power, strikeout pitchers. Hopefully, these leaks are being done to throw off the MFY.