Sean Casey
Well the Red Sox found their lefty bat. Sean Casy and the Red Sox agreed to a non-guaranteed 1 year, $800,000 deal on Friday pending a physical.
Not bad, but he provides limited diversity. He players 1st base and only 1st base. He isn't the player he was prior to 2005. In his prime, he could be counted on for a good average, good obp and 20 HR power. But now he is just a singles and doubles hitter who can't stay healthy (he never could).
I'm lukewarm on this signing. Casey is going to provide good defense at 1st and a decent bat off the bench (career OBP is .366), but he lacks any dynamic skills and, on a personal note, he drives me nuts what with his batting stance, that right leg left prior to the pitch and his post-swing recoil. I can't stand it! There, I feel better.
Casey isn't a lock and this deal means he has to produce in Spring Training or the Red Sox can say "Ciao." If we look at the bench, we have:
Mirabelli
Cora
Crisp
Casey
9 starters + 4 bench = 13. That means we are headed for a 12 man pitching staff. Or, it means the Red Sox have another move to make. I said the other day that Crisp would be traded within days. Well I forgot that the Mets and Johan Santana had to first negotiate a contract (which they did as Peter pointed out moments ago). So now that the deal is official, I now expect Crisp to be a goner.
So another bench player needs to be signed when Crisp is dealt (or will appear in the return package for Crisp). What if they decide they want 5 reserves? But with: Schilling, Matsuzaka, Beckett, Wakefield, Lester, Timlin, Papelbon, Okajima, Delcarmen, Tavarez, Snyder and Lopez (not to mention Buchholz), the Red Sox will need to lose a pitcher or 2 for that to happen. Tavarez, Snyder and Lopez represent the most likely not to be with the Red Sox come opening day, but I just don't know what they are planning. I'm stumped.
As I alluded to last post, for all the drama and talk and rumors, the Red Sox are going to enter the 2008 season largely the same as they were when they won the World Series. I can handle that.
Comments
I say Crisp and cash (lots of cash) to the A's for Joe Blanton. I know it's probably not enough to get Blanton from a salary cutting and rebuilding A's club, but, why not make the gesture. I have read in several articles that the A's love Coco's defense and think he's the best defensive CF in the League. Take a shot. I would love to have Blanton as a #4, 5, 6 starter and keep the pen healthy and fat with a ph. I also realize this may slow up Buccholtz's development but he is young and pitching everyday at Pawtucket until a September call up might just keep that arm cocked and ready for a Sept. push and October baseball. Just a thought or maybe a pipe dream...
Posted by: Jack | February 1, 2008 09:58 PM |
sounds like a pipe dream
Does Minnesota have a CF? Did they sign somebody before dealing Santana?
Whereever he goes, he needs to go. Ellsbury needs the opportunity to play everyday.
They should dedicate the season to getting Schilling one more as a retirement present.
Posted by: blmeanie | February 2, 2008 08:44 AM |
Bl
I think the Twins are going to use Gomez, one of the guys they got in the trade for Santana in CF.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
February 2, 2008 10:24 AM
|
I know Crisp for Blanton is a pipe dream but I still like it and it can't hurt to investigate. I'm sure Theo is. They could also try to trade Coco to Minn for somebody like Bonser and see what the repsonse is. Whoever they move him to, it's probably going to involve cash going along with to lessen the salary Coco brings with him.
Posted by: Jack | February 2, 2008 11:23 AM |
If they A's trade Blanton for Crisp and cash, then maybe they'll trade Huston Street for a grapefruit and some sugar.
Posted by: Ian | February 5, 2008 02:35 PM |