TwitterBoomerang
30 Dec 2008
This is probably old news to most of you by now, but MLBTradeRumors.com via SI.com said the Red Sox tried to re-acquire Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Ramirez has obviously proven to be a tremendous chip to give up in acquiring Josh Beckett and given the Red Sox desire to boost the offense, he’d be an amazing addition.
Disclaimer: When the Beckett deal was made, I was not that high on Hanley Ramirez and wondered in a post or 2 just what was it people saw in him. His OBP in the minors wasn’t great and he certainly had documented attitude issues. Fortunately for me, those posts have yet to be brought back on-line since we switched providers.
That said, Ramirez has been an offensive force hitting for average, power, getting on base and stealing. What is most amazing to me is that he walked 92 times in 2008. That’s 36 more times than at any other level of baseball. His .400 OBP was 10th best in baseball last year.
While SI.com didn’t talk about specific offers, they did suggest that "Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz were among those mentioned in a potential package for Ramirez."
While having to trade to get Hanley back would be painful, he certainly would be an offensive upgrade whether he played SS or was moved to CF. SI reports the talks for Ramirez actually happened a few weeks prior to Teixeira moving to New York.
My take? Given Ramirez’s performance so far and the fact he just signed a 6-year, $70mm deal, I would go pick up Ellsbury and Buchholz and drive them to the Marlins front door. My guess is that the Red Sox were ok dealing those 2 guys, but balked when the Marlins, and rightfully so, asked for more.
SI says there is little chance the deal gets revisited.
Dec 30, 2008 @ 16:04:02
I would have loved this deal for the Sox. I would go so far as to offer Buchholz, Bowden or Bard, and Lowrie for him (trying to keep Jacoby in CF and HanRam at SS). I can see why the Marlins wouldn’t budge with a great player at a very affordable yearly price thru 2014 but especially with the Yanks getting Tex, the Sox should revisit this discussion.
Jack
PS. Sorry about the double Dougie M. post (yesterday and 3/14/08). I never saw it come up in March so I just figured you guys edited it out and I tried to clean it up this time to get it on. My mistake.
Dec 30, 2008 @ 22:46:50
Jack,
No worries. We did talk about it today and whether or not to post your comment. I agree it is funny having watched Mirabelli over the years. At the same time, we are hoping Disney buys us.
So you can see why we are trying to cater to the whole “family values” thing on this site. It’s either Disney or we want our own TARP of some kind.
Seriously though, please keep commenting and thank you for reading and being active.
Dec 30, 2008 @ 22:53:01
Jack, another thing. Tony Massarotti thinks the Hanley Ramirez deal would be to have him play SS. I completely disagree. I think they would have had him play CF.
Ellsbury is fast, has a great glove and is starting to remind me of…Coco Crisp. 2009 is a very important year for him as he needs to show he can get on base and be a tough out.
If the Marlins indeed only asked for Ellsbury and Buchholz, I’d be shocked. I bet, like you said, it was those 2 plus a Bowden and Anderson, etc…
I am happy the FO is looking upder these stones to see what might work and if they keep doing that, I bet we see a major trade acquisition in the next few months.
Jan 01, 2009 @ 13:03:46
I could definitely live with HanRam in CF. Hate to lose Jacoby but Hanley gives you very similar speed, a better bat to date and hopefully he could make the OF transition in Fenway. I hope you are right on the major trade acquisition thing…would love to see one soon if only to shut up all the Yanks fans I have to work with.
What do you think about offering Ben Sheets a 2 year deal at say $14-16M per with a club option for year #3? Injury prone as he is, I still think Sheets is the best starter still available, no offense to DLowe.
Good luck with the Disney thing.
Jack
Jan 01, 2009 @ 14:39:05
Jack, HanRam, good one. Although it makes me uneasy for some reason.
I would pass on Sheets as A.) he’ll cost a first rounder and B.) he is just too big an injury risk. As it stands, the Red Sox have:
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Lester
Wakefield
Penny
So I’m not sure Sheets would even want to come to
Boston with those guys as starting competition. My gut (sizable) says they stick with what they’ve got and evaluate what is needed and what is available come trade deadline time.
I think Disney is a stretch, perhaps “Stan’s discount Family Park and Movie Company” will do.
Jan 02, 2009 @ 00:06:14
I would still rate Sheets over Penny and Wake imo. I know he would cost a first rounder but if healthy, I think he is worth it. And who wouldn’t love Beckett, Lester, DiceK, Sheets, Wake/Penny/Buchhy? Plus signing Sheets would give Sox some flexibility for trading a guy or two for a catcher or a HanRam. I know Sheets has like chronic back problems but several scouts rated a healthy Sheets above or equal to CC and nobody except for some Ariz reporter advocating the Diamondbacks go after Ben, has even been talking about a deal with him. A quick attractive incentive leaden or option leaden deal might just get it done for the Sox. Just thinking out loud.
I would still rate Sheets over Penny and Wake imo. I know he would cost a first rounder but if healthy, I think he is worth it. And who wouldn’t love Beckett, Lester, DiceK, Sheets, Wake/Penny/Buchhy? Plus signing Sheets would give Sox some flexibility for trading a guy or two for a catcher or a HanRam. I know Sheets has like chronic back problems but scouts rated a healthy Sheets above or equal to CC and nobody except for some Ariz reporter advocating the Diamondbacks go after Ben, has even been talking about a deal with him. A quick attractive incentive leaden or option leaden deal might just get it done for the Sox. Just thinking out loud.