Thursday, February 08, 2007
WHO HOLDS THE MINOR LEAGUE EDGE
The Red Sox and MFY minor league systems are fairly even overall. It seems that most pundits - Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus/Kevin Goldstein - have the MFY system ahead of the Sox. The Sox lack of a high end prospect that has completed a full season at AA or above probably was the deciding factor, but the Sox could be in a better position to make a big mid-season trade to put them over the top in the A.L. East.
The MFY could have the best pitching prospect in the game - Phillip Hughes and young uber outfield prospect - Jose Tabata. The enemies also have a trio of right-handed arms. Humberto Sanchez who could be ready for the rotation or the pen his season, and two 2006 draft picks - Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances. Both publications have these five as the MFY’s top prospects.
Given the MFY new philosophy, they probably would not move any of the aforementioned, but they have a collection of lesser arms that could be dealt. Specifically, projected relievers - Brent Cox and Kevin Whelan - could be trade bait, since the MFY have good long-term depth in the pen with Rivera, like he won’t be re-upped, Farnsworth, Proctor and Britton. Minor league relievers usually do not bring much in return, but Melky Cabrera could in the right GM’s eyes.
The MFY do not need Cabrera with Damon, Abreu, Matsui and Tabata under their control. He is expendable. Melky’s pluses: he young, cheap, has proven himself at the highest level, and the minuses: he has not produced consistently over an extended period of time, may not hit enough to play a corner and not enough range to be a full-time centerfielder. In the right situation, Cabrera could be a valuable (Rangers for Brad Wilkerson come July?) and in return, an upgrade over the stuff the MFY are throwing against the wall to see if anything sticks.
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David Ortiz - Game-winning HR, 12th inning
The Red Sox and MFY minor league systems are fairly even overall. It seems that most pundits - Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus/Kevin Goldstein - have the MFY system ahead of the Sox. The Sox lack of a high end prospect that has completed a full season at AA or above probably was the deciding factor, but the Sox could be in a better position to make a big mid-season trade to put them over the top in the A.L. East.
The MFY could have the best pitching prospect in the game - Phillip Hughes and young uber outfield prospect - Jose Tabata. The enemies also have a trio of right-handed arms. Humberto Sanchez who could be ready for the rotation or the pen his season, and two 2006 draft picks - Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances. Both publications have these five as the MFY’s top prospects.
Given the MFY new philosophy, they probably would not move any of the aforementioned, but they have a collection of lesser arms that could be dealt. Specifically, projected relievers - Brent Cox and Kevin Whelan - could be trade bait, since the MFY have good long-term depth in the pen with Rivera, like he won’t be re-upped, Farnsworth, Proctor and Britton. Minor league relievers usually do not bring much in return, but Melky Cabrera could in the right GM’s eyes.
The MFY do not need Cabrera with Damon, Abreu, Matsui and Tabata under their control. He is expendable. Melky’s pluses: he young, cheap, has proven himself at the highest level, and the minuses: he has not produced consistently over an extended period of time, may not hit enough to play a corner and not enough range to be a full-time centerfielder. In the right situation, Cabrera could be a valuable (Rangers for Brad Wilkerson come July?) and in return, an upgrade over the stuff the MFY are throwing against the wall to see if anything sticks.
***
This post has been sponsored by Art.com. Support El Guapo's Ghost by purchasing art and posters through the icon below.