Beckett/Lowell for Blalock?

[SeldomSeen]

The latest ESPN radio update quoted Gammons as saying that the Red Sox have moved ahead of the Rangers in the Beckett sweeps. They have allegedly included Hanley Ramirez and a top pitching prospect. Take it for what it's worth.

[JeffH]

Ah, nothing like dealing with a team with no General Manager!

[Outshined_One]

The latest ESPN radio update quoted Gammons as saying that the Red Sox have moved ahead of the Rangers in the Beckett sweeps. They have allegedly included Hanley Ramirez and a top pitching prospect. Take it for what it's worth.

 

Wasn't there a report circling around that had the Red Sox potentially sending Lester and Hanley for Beckett? Anyone remember if the Red Sox or the Fish proposed that deal?

 

Actually, now that I remember, my Red Sox fan buddy mentioned that Anibal Sanchez might be subbed in for Lester...

[Laura]

Once again, it looks like there are some unnamed teams that are trying to outbid the Rangers and BoSox for Beckett. I wonder which teams they are.

 

Link

 

Still, ''there's probably better stuff coming [for the Marlins],'' said one league source, adding that at least two teams -- one in the National League and the other in the American -- have indicated they could be willing to give up more than the Rangers.

 

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have also shown interest in Beckett, who won 15 games last season for the Marlins and was the MVP of the 2003 World Series.

 

ESPN.com[/url]"]

No officials involved in the talks would confirm the identity of the mystery team. But an executive of another club said Monday he believes that other team to be the Dodgers.

 

The Marlins, the executive said, extensively scouted the Dodgers' double-A team in Jacksonville -- and Florida is said to like a number of that team's best pitchers. That groups of pitchers includes former No. 1 picks Chad Billingsley and Justin Orenduff, as well as 240-pound smokeballer Jonathon Broxton. Because of their vacancy at shortstop, the Marlins also would be likely to have interest in the Dodgers' much-hyped double-A shortstop, Joel Guzman.

 

However, none of this means the potential deal with Texas is dead. It's now believed, though, that Florida has asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota.

[E.J.]

From what I gather from espn radio Boston has moved ahead of the Rangers in the chase for Beckett, and that Jayson Stark has learned that it might be a three-team trade with a 3rd mystery team. Any thoughts on who the 3rd team might be?

[Laura]

Once again, it looks like there are some unnamed teams that are trying to outbid the Rangers and BoSox for Beckett. I wonder which teams they are.

 

Link

 

Still, ''there's probably better stuff coming [for the Marlins],'' said one league source, adding that at least two teams -- one in the National League and the other in the American -- have indicated they could be willing to give up more than the Rangers.

 

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have also shown interest in Beckett, who won 15 games last season for the Marlins and was the MVP of the 2003 World Series.

 

ESPN.com[/url]"]

No officials involved in the talks would confirm the identity of the mystery team. But an executive of another club said Monday he believes that other team to be the Dodgers.

 

The Marlins, the executive said, extensively scouted the Dodgers' double-A team in Jacksonville -- and Florida is said to like a number of that team's best pitchers. That groups of pitchers includes former No. 1 picks Chad Billingsley and Justin Orenduff, as well as 240-pound smokeballer Jonathon Broxton. Because of their vacancy at shortstop, the Marlins also would be likely to have interest in the Dodgers' much-hyped double-A shortstop, Joel Guzman.

 

However, none of this means the potential deal with Texas is dead. It's now believed, though, that Florida has asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota.

[nt3d]

If Blalock--he of the 749 OPS--and Denks is sufficient to get Beckett and Lowell, then I fail to see how Corey Patterson, Felix Pie and Rich Hill is not a superior combination for Beckett, Lowell and Pierre. Pie covers a position for Florida they need more compared to Blalock (they want to move Cabrera back to 3B), Hill is ready now (as opposed to Denks in AA), and they get a free option on Patterson ever turning it around.

 

I would hate to lose Pie, but to get a pitcher like Beckett, it's worth it.

 

Blalock is a two time all-star and just turned 25 today. Two seasons ago Texas would have traded Tex, before Blalock. Blalock plays great D. I'm not sure really who is getting the best of this deal, Beckett has ace potential though, and I would possibly trade Pie for him.

[ZMovieman]

Just for fun's sake, let's imagine the Cubs were the mystery team (which I hope not). What package of players would be the equivalent of what Boston and Texas are offering?

[Outshined_One]

Just for fun's sake, let's imagine the Cubs were the mystery team (which I hope not). What package of players would be the equivalent of what Boston and Texas are offering?

 

Lester & Ramirez for Beckett straight up is roughly equivalent to Williams and Pie (potential franchise player & solid young pitcher).

 

Blalock, Arias, and Danks/Diamond/Volquez for Beckett, Lowell, and Mota is a bit tougher since I can't find a good comp to Blalock on the major league team. I guess Barrett would be a decent comp (he can play 3B). Maybe Barrett, Cedeno, and Nolasco? I don't know if the Marlins would be willing to take on Bare's salary, though.

[johnnyba99]

For those of you curious, it's from Rotoworld.

 

This strikes me as rather stupid. It would make more sense if the Marlins pick up some of Lowell's contract and the Rangers flip him to another team, but Texas doesn't have anyone in their system who can immediately come in and play 3B. I guess they could do something with Arias, but he profiles much better as a SS, especially from an offensive standpoint. Moving Michael Young to 3B wouldn't be bright, either.

 

I'm curious as to what the specifics of this deal end up looking like if it goes through...

 

Is it possible that Teixeira moves to 3B and Adrian Gonzalez to 1B? If I remember correctly Tex played 3B in the minors and college.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Just for fun's sake, let's imagine the Cubs were the mystery team (which I hope not). What package of players would be the equivalent of what Boston and Texas are offering?

 

Lester & Ramirez for Beckett straight up is roughly equivalent to Williams and Pie (potential franchise player & solid young pitcher).

 

Blalock, Arias, and Danks/Diamond/Volquez for Beckett, Lowell, and Mota is a bit tougher since I can't find a good comp to Blalock on the major league team. I guess Barrett would be a decent comp (he can play 3B). Maybe Barrett, Cedeno, and Nolasco? I don't know if the Marlins would be willing to take on Bare's salary, though.

 

I'm pretty sure GM's view...

 

Ramirez > Pie

Lester > Williams

[HoopsCubs]

From what I gather from espn radio Boston has moved ahead of the Rangers in the chase for Beckett, and that Jayson Stark has learned that it might be a three-team trade with a 3rd mystery team. Any thoughts on who the 3rd team might be?

 

Dodgers - farm talent galore.

[Outshined_One]

I'm pretty sure GM's view...

 

Ramirez > Pie

Lester > Williams

 

I think Ramirez > Pie is justified given that Ramirez plays a more valuable position in SS.

 

But Lester > Williams? I'd be willing to buy that if they had comparable playing time in the majors, but Williams has an established track record in the majors and has seen his fair share of success. I think anybody keeping tabs on him knew that, coming into the season, Williams had a ton of personal issues. He was overweight. His mother had died tragically. His father was ill. He still wasn't over all of them by the end of the season, either. Yet, he managed to put up some solid numbers towards the end of the season.

 

But, give him an offseason to get his head together and get himself back into playing shape and I think he could break out in a big way next season. He commands four pitches that range from average to plus. He has playoff experience. He's going to be 24 for all of next season.

 

Lester will be cheaper for longer, but if I'm a GM, I think I would take Williams over Lester. But that's just my preference.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I'm pretty sure GM's view...

 

Ramirez > Pie

Lester > Williams

 

I think Ramirez > Pie is justified given that Ramirez plays a more valuable position in SS.

 

But Lester > Williams? I'd be willing to buy that if they had comparable playing time in the majors, but Williams has an established track record in the majors and has seen his fair share of success. I think anybody keeping tabs on him knew that, coming into the season, Williams had a ton of personal issues. He was overweight. His mother had died tragically. His father was ill. He still wasn't over all of them by the end of the season, either. Yet, he managed to put up some solid numbers towards the end of the season.

 

But, give him an offseason to get his head together and get himself back into playing shape and I think he could break out in a big way next season. He commands four pitches that range from average to plus. He has playoff experience. He's going to be 24 for all of next season.

 

Lester will be cheaper for longer, but if I'm a GM, I think I would take Williams over Lester. But that's just my preference.

 

Williams is a nice player but Lester is a 21 year old grade A pitching prospect with a very high ceiling. I'm pretty sure if you polled all the GM's in baseball I don't think one would take Williams over Lester.

[Outshined_One]

Williams is a nice player but Lester is a 21 year old grade A pitching prospect with a very high ceiling. I'm pretty sure if you polled all the GM's in baseball I don't think one would take Williams over Lester.

 

If the Marlins think they can still compete next season, I think they would be more willing to pick up Williams due to his experience and the fact that there won't be a great dropoff from Beckett's production in the short term.

 

However, if they're completely reloading, I could see them showing preference for Lester. He put up some very nice numbers in AAA and I have to give him props for doing so. I do wonder how his curve and change have progressed from last season, though.

[Jehrico]

I'm pretty sure GM's view...

 

Ramirez > Pie

Lester > Williams

 

I think Ramirez > Pie is justified given that Ramirez plays a more valuable position in SS.

 

But Lester > Williams? I'd be willing to buy that if they had comparable playing time in the majors, but Williams has an established track record in the majors and has seen his fair share of success. I think anybody keeping tabs on him knew that, coming into the season, Williams had a ton of personal issues. He was overweight. His mother had died tragically. His father was ill. He still wasn't over all of them by the end of the season, either. Yet, he managed to put up some solid numbers towards the end of the season.

 

But, give him an offseason to get his head together and get himself back into playing shape and I think he could break out in a big way next season. He commands four pitches that range from average to plus. He has playoff experience. He's going to be 24 for all of next season.

 

Lester will be cheaper for longer, but if I'm a GM, I think I would take Williams over Lester. But that's just my preference.

 

Williams is a nice player but Lester is a 21 year old grade A pitching prospect with a very high ceiling. I'm pretty sure if you polled all the GM's in baseball I don't think one would take Williams over Lester.

 

I wouldn't agree with that. How many grade A high-A level pitchers with high ceilings actually come close to reaching their potential? Not many. Williams has a pretty high ceiling, but at least you have an idea where his floor is, which as of right now, is quite a bit better than Lester. Lester's floor is that he could still be a minor league flameout who never reaches the majors, while Williams floor is a serviceable #4 or #5 starter (depending on team) in the majors. Some GMs will put more value into the higher floor, some will put more into the higher ceiling. Basically, what you have, vs what you might get.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I wouldn't agree with that. How many grade A high-A level pitchers with high ceilings actually come close to reaching their potential? Not many. Williams has a pretty high ceiling, but at least you have an idea where his floor is, which as of right now, is quite a bit better than Lester. Lester's floor is that he could still be a minor league flameout who never reaches the majors, while Williams floor is a serviceable #4 or #5 starter (depending on team) in the majors. Some GMs will put more value into the higher floor, some will put more into the higher ceiling. Basically, what you have, vs what you might get.

 

How easy it to find 4 or 5 starters? Again, Lester has a much higher ceiling then Williams. Check out who are the most coveted SP this offseason, it's the guys who have the highest ceilings.

[goonys evil twin]

I wouldn't agree with that. How many grade A high-A level pitchers with high ceilings actually come close to reaching their potential? Not many. Williams has a pretty high ceiling, but at least you have an idea where his floor is, which as of right now, is quite a bit better than Lester. Lester's floor is that he could still be a minor league flameout who never reaches the majors, while Williams floor is a serviceable #4 or #5 starter (depending on team) in the majors. Some GMs will put more value into the higher floor, some will put more into the higher ceiling. Basically, what you have, vs what you might get.

 

How easy it to find 4 or 5 starters? Again, Lester has a much higher ceiling then Williams. Check out who are the most coveted SP this offseason, it's the guys who have the highest ceilings.

 

And Glendon Rusch.

[E.J.]

The Rangers are out. There's an alert on the top of the front page of the Dallas News

 

Rangers say Florida Marlins rule Texas out as trading partner for pitcher Josh Beckett. "In the end, a deal wasn’t there," Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. He said the team has no trades pending. Details to come.

 

Leaves the Bosox and presumably the Dodgers competing for Beckett now.

[E.J.]

Looks like Beckett is going to the Red Sox.

 

The Rangers won’t be getting Josh Beckett after all.

 

According to Major League sources, the Florida Marlins have decided to trade the 25-year-old Beckett to the Boston Red Sox, reportedly for minor league prospects.

 

The Rangers and Marlins had agreed on the principals in a trade that would have brought Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Arlington for third baseman Hank Blalock and one of the Rangers top minor league pitchers — presumably lefthander John Danks.

 

The Marlins, who are once again believed to be engaging in an austerity drive to significantly lower payroll, decided to accept the Red Sox offer, the source said.

 

 

Link

 

Edit: Sportscenter just reported it as well.

[wilk]

Yep, Lowell and Beckett to Red Sox for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez and another minor leaguer.