Red Sox as sellers?

The reason we confine that sort of stuff to the trade proposal subforum is there there is zero chance that Baltimore listens to that proposal and doesn't laugh you off the phone (or responds with a "LOL"-- damn GMs and their texting).

ADD: you might get one of those guys, but there's no chance you're getting two.

Moved this to the trade proposal subforum so that I can, in good conscience, discuss it further.

I think the general idea of the trade makes a lot of sense, but you're asking for too much from the Orioles. Bundy and Gausman are top-20 prospects (maybe higher, now that Bundy has successfully finished rehab while Gausman is starting to flash at the major-league level), while Harvey and Rodriguez are arguably top-50-types. Odorizzi, on the other hand, was a back-end top-100 guy when he was traded. Plus, in this trade, you're only getting a year-and-a-third of Lackey (not two full years of Shields). Uehara is worth something, but Pierzynski has a high enough salary that he probably isn't, so I'm not sure the other pieces going to Baltimore should bump up the return package all that much (remember that the Royals got Wade Davis, too). Maybe you could wring out Bundy and Rodriguez (who has a superficially-bad ERA), but even that seems like a stretch to me.

You'd be better off moving them in separate deals with different teams.

Massive conspiracy, maybe.... Or it could just be that MLBTraderumors is a consolidation point or all tweets/articles regarding mlb teams. The Pete Abraham article was posted in the original thread also.

And to add... I am not making anything up. I wouldn't say Cubs want 4 prospects for Jeff because that is what I thought. I put my opinions in my posts also but I don't think I ever mis-categorize myself as a source...

Here are my proposals as of now

Lackey, Choice of catcher with cash, Capuano (or other relief pitching), and Gomes to Baltimore for
Bundy (or Gausman) and Wieters.

I think that works because Lackey will be similar comp to Sheilds, and at league minimum last year fits Baltimore good. Baltimore doesn't have a catcher this year, and Wieters is entering his last and most expensive year. Gomes is a great RHH platoon hitter, and Baltimore needs relief pitching. Hits most of Baltimore's needs. Gives us a starting catcher to work with Vazquez next year and a high end pitcher who possibly could help in 2015. If this trade is more one sided than I think it is we can add Uehara to the mix.

Lester and Uehara to Dodgers for Pederson +... preferably someone who can fill a relief role in 2015.

I think this works because Lester and Uehara fill a win now role for Dodgers. As much as they love Pederson there is just no clear path for him to the majors at this point.

I'd try to trade Drew, Peavy, Herrera and Mujica if any team's would take them. I'm sure you can find a spot for Drew or Peavy, especially if you include cash. Not much of a return, major league depth or low A lottery tickets.

Resign Miller, Badenhop, and exercise Breslow's option.

I would be perfectly fine with a rotation of DLR, Workman, Webster, Doubrount, and Buchholz in 2015, assuming we would have Barnes, Ranaudo, and another pitching prospect from the Lackey trade, although I would look for a FA signing. I would still go after Lester in free agency. Not saying he would sign, but I really don't see a reason why he wouldn't consider us.

I still like my left side alignment for2015. Betts SS, Bogaerts 3B, Nava/Middlebrooks LF. Bogaerts can move back and fourth in SS, and Middlebrooks can also fill a 3B role. Holt is another utility. Pederson and Bradley maning CF, and Victorino in RF. Wieters and Vazquez playing C.

The key to these trades is I think it puts us in a competitive spot for 2015. There are also some interesting FA who might not have a draft pick attached. I'm thinking Hardy and Martin.

I was saying Cap and Gomes because I thought Baltimore would value them. I may be wrong. Personally I think Gomes would be a great add on a playoff contending team as a bench player. Yea you're not going to throw a lot to get him but teams would love to have him. He is a career 279/380/879 against LHP and this year is 305/416/451. If you can limit him to LHP he is a great player to have.

For the Dodgers, they are looking for an upgrade of their rotation, and bullpen. The thing is they have a pretty good rotation, as they would be upgrading Beckett or Haren who have both been solid. What pitchers are out there that are clear upgrades of these two? Price, Samardzija, Lee, Hamels? Those are all step trades to swing. Each one of those guys probably takes two of Dodgers top prospects, Urias, Seager, Pederson, Lee. I'd actually put Lee in a category slightly below the other three, so one of the top three and Lee, and then you get down to 2 more throw ins. As much as they love Pederson, of those 4 he has the hardest road to the show because he's playing behind a billion dollars of salary in the Dodger's outfield. They don't need to trade him but he makes the most sense to trade if they were to upgrade the MLB team. If I was a Dodgers fan I would be all for trading a current outfield to make room for Pederson, but all the rumors surrounding the Dodgers and the win now mentality of ownership suggest that isn't their plan.

We gave up Iglesias + 3 lottery tickets for Peavy which I believe is at least directionally correct to the proportions of trade value of these proposals. Team control for win now. This is the basis of a majority of trade deadline moves.

I think it's impossible for someone outside the industry to get a trade spot on, because you really don't know how teams value each player. Look at the Hanrahan deal, the Pirates said that Holt was a specific target of the Red Sox, and the deal probably falls through without him. Melancon or Stormy could of likewise been specific targets of the Pirates. The trades I propose are more of starting points instead of final definitions. To completely fabricate an example say Baltimore saw Britton as a starter, they would be more inclined to trade for him and Red Sox would be more willing to include him.


Now for the rotation, yes I agree that rotation would be high risk, but I would rather take my chances with that rotation if we address other needs in the OF and Catcher. With my original proposal I mention some free agent targets but I don't suggest any free agent signings outside of resigning bullpen arms. I find it unlikely that the Red Sox would not invest any money in the free agent market.

Any way you cut it, I'm still of the theory now that the Red Sox should trade everyone not under contract to improve the 2015 team, unless they go on some tear this week. I want them to resign Lester, but I believe they already have their minds made up to let him walk. Lackey I would like to retain but I think you shop him for the high trade value he has.

I'd expect anything with Baltimore would not include AJ but would rather have to include Vazquez. Perhaps with the Dodgers as well. He appears to have some of the highest trade value of our prospects as he is major league ready defensively with enough in the bat to make him playable now.

Also to this point it seems (rightfully so) that Duquette has been very very unwilling to include his top pitching prospects in any short sighted deal.  I would imagine he would need a front line veteran starter and/or young players or major league ready prospects that still have multiple years control left.  I do think the most attainable piece may be Harvey though as he is likely close to 4 years from the bigs and with Baltimore's impending free agent losses of Wieters, Davis, Hardy, Markakis and so on their window is this year and next.  Both Bundy and Gausman can contribute as soon as now or in the very near future given health in regards to Bundy.