Sox hold all the power: Buehrle move in their court
By Tony Massarotti
Boston Herald Sports Columnist
Monday, June 25, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The Red Sox [team stats] have the best record in the major leagues and one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, and the 2007 season is now nearly halfway complete. And if you are Theo Epstein, less than six weeks before the annual trading deadline, the best part of it all is you are dealing from a position of strength.
While ace Josh Beckett [stats] and the Red Sox were shutting down the San Diego Padres, 4-2, yesterday at PETCO Park, baseball sources confirmed that Sox officials have inquired with the Chicago White Sox about left-handed starter Mark Buehrle. The sides were not close to a deal and it is quite possible they never will be, though the latter only underscores how well-positioned the Sox are at this very moment.
The Red Sox may want Buehrle, but they do not need him. And with a host of attractive prospects to develop or deal, Epstein is now in a spot to make an array of trades, big and small.
As things stand, the soon-to-be middle-aged general manager of the Red Sox seems to be holding all of the cards.
With regard to Buehrle, know this: He is eligible for free agency at the end of the season and previously expressed a desire to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals near his home in Missouri. According to sources, the White Sox have no intention of allowing any club interested in Buehrle to negotiate a contract extension as part of a trade, which means Buehrle may very well prove to be nothing more than a three-month rental.
Also, according to sources, the White Sox want at least one top-level Red Sox pitching prospect, probably Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester [stats]. Chicago also might be in the market for a catcher or middle infielder, perhaps someone like minor league shortstop Jed Lowrie, though a pitching prospect almost certainly would have to be a centerpiece of the deal.
Now comes the tough part: For the Red Sox, what price is too much?
While the starting rotation has been among the best in baseball, the addition of Buehrle could fortify the club on a number of different levels. Assuming the eventual return to health of Curt Schilling [stats], Buehrle would give the Sox a durable left-hander who also is a proven winner. Manager Terry Francona also could fortify the bullpen with Julian Tavarez [stats], giving the Sox relief corps a right-handed arm it needs.
For the Sox, on all fronts, it would be a win-win situation, and that would be especially true if they sign Buehrle to a contract extension that would keep him in a rotation with Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka for at least the next few years.
In that way, the deal makes all the sense in the world.
Though just 4-4 this season for a bad Chicago team, Buehrle has a 3.39 ERA and has regained the form that won him 81 games (an average of slightly more than 16 a season) from 2001-05. Those numbers compare quite well with those of left-hander Barry Zito, who signed with the San Francisco Giants last offseason for an average of $18 million a year.
This weekend, when discussing the depth of the Red Sox’ major league staff and farm system, Epstein described the organization as being in a “good position.” The Sox have the prospects to make a big trade and the foundation to make just a small one. Assuming Schilling’s health, a solid right-handed set-up man might be all the club needs.
By Tony Massarotti
Boston Herald Sports Columnist
Monday, June 25, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The Red Sox [team stats] have the best record in the major leagues and one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, and the 2007 season is now nearly halfway complete. And if you are Theo Epstein, less than six weeks before the annual trading deadline, the best part of it all is you are dealing from a position of strength.
While ace Josh Beckett [stats] and the Red Sox were shutting down the San Diego Padres, 4-2, yesterday at PETCO Park, baseball sources confirmed that Sox officials have inquired with the Chicago White Sox about left-handed starter Mark Buehrle. The sides were not close to a deal and it is quite possible they never will be, though the latter only underscores how well-positioned the Sox are at this very moment.
The Red Sox may want Buehrle, but they do not need him. And with a host of attractive prospects to develop or deal, Epstein is now in a spot to make an array of trades, big and small.
As things stand, the soon-to-be middle-aged general manager of the Red Sox seems to be holding all of the cards.
With regard to Buehrle, know this: He is eligible for free agency at the end of the season and previously expressed a desire to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals near his home in Missouri. According to sources, the White Sox have no intention of allowing any club interested in Buehrle to negotiate a contract extension as part of a trade, which means Buehrle may very well prove to be nothing more than a three-month rental.
Also, according to sources, the White Sox want at least one top-level Red Sox pitching prospect, probably Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester [stats]. Chicago also might be in the market for a catcher or middle infielder, perhaps someone like minor league shortstop Jed Lowrie, though a pitching prospect almost certainly would have to be a centerpiece of the deal.
Now comes the tough part: For the Red Sox, what price is too much?
While the starting rotation has been among the best in baseball, the addition of Buehrle could fortify the club on a number of different levels. Assuming the eventual return to health of Curt Schilling [stats], Buehrle would give the Sox a durable left-hander who also is a proven winner. Manager Terry Francona also could fortify the bullpen with Julian Tavarez [stats], giving the Sox relief corps a right-handed arm it needs.
For the Sox, on all fronts, it would be a win-win situation, and that would be especially true if they sign Buehrle to a contract extension that would keep him in a rotation with Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka for at least the next few years.
In that way, the deal makes all the sense in the world.
Though just 4-4 this season for a bad Chicago team, Buehrle has a 3.39 ERA and has regained the form that won him 81 games (an average of slightly more than 16 a season) from 2001-05. Those numbers compare quite well with those of left-hander Barry Zito, who signed with the San Francisco Giants last offseason for an average of $18 million a year.
This weekend, when discussing the depth of the Red Sox’ major league staff and farm system, Epstein described the organization as being in a “good position.” The Sox have the prospects to make a big trade and the foundation to make just a small one. Assuming Schilling’s health, a solid right-handed set-up man might be all the club needs.
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I luv it...if they do trade for him, then they need to give a contract extension.
* More money spent.
* Losing either Jon Lester/Clay Bucholtz/Jacoby Elsbury - all are insane talents...i don't see Chi-Sox doing it w/out the combo of the names above.
* Contact pitcher...in a hitter friendly ballpark.
Its only a 11.5 game lead...SHAKE IT UP!! haha
* More money spent.
* Losing either Jon Lester/Clay Bucholtz/Jacoby Elsbury - all are insane talents...i don't see Chi-Sox doing it w/out the combo of the names above.
* Contact pitcher...in a hitter friendly ballpark.
Its only a 11.5 game lead...SHAKE IT UP!! haha
.
No doubt....its going to cost to obtain Mark Buerhle...especially when the Braves are also looking at his services...Braves have always had a deep minor leagues for trade value.
I'm higher on Clay & Jacoby actually...Lester should be a fine MLB pitcher...these guys will be the names that teams want when approaching the trade deadline.
W/ an 11.5 game lead...5+ solid starting pitchers...no need to make a knee bend reaction, simply because the Yankees 'might' go after Buerhle.
No doubt....its going to cost to obtain Mark Buerhle...especially when the Braves are also looking at his services...Braves have always had a deep minor leagues for trade value.
I'm higher on Clay & Jacoby actually...Lester should be a fine MLB pitcher...these guys will be the names that teams want when approaching the trade deadline.
W/ an 11.5 game lead...5+ solid starting pitchers...no need to make a knee bend reaction, simply because the Yankees 'might' go after Buerhle.
the Hanley Ramirez trade made tons of sense though...getting Josh Beckett...if you get a chance to obtain a front end #1 starting pitcher...you do it.
Shoppach/Andy Marte for Crisp is still not working out for the Sox.
Like i've said before...the Sox have been heading into the slippery slope of over spending (like the Yankees did) in free agency. I like Theo, so I dont see it ever becoming a Yankee type mess, but i really dont see their need for Buerhle.
Shoppach/Andy Marte for Crisp is still not working out for the Sox.
Like i've said before...the Sox have been heading into the slippery slope of over spending (like the Yankees did) in free agency. I like Theo, so I dont see it ever becoming a Yankee type mess, but i really dont see their need for Buerhle.
And what is US Cellular oh yeah the most hitter friendly park in all of baseball possibly so I don't get your point.
If you are a Red Sox fan and don't want him you are a fool. He is better then every pitcher on your staff besides Beckett... Unless you want to tell me an aging Schilling or an unproven and shaky Dice K are better...
Also Brock he never once begged to be with the Cardinals... He grew up a Cardinal fan so he went to a few games and wore their hat. He actually has said many times he would love to stay in Chicago and would take a little less money.
I would take Buerhle...but I wouldn't take him, for the price it will cost.
Pretty big difference...its gonna cost the sox a contract extension...likely long term (lots of guaranteed money)...as well as a top notch pitching propsect, who's upside is a lot more than Buerhle.
All that for a team that already has 11.5 game lead...and 5 solid starting pitchers. If they are truely concerned about suring about their rotation, then there will likely be cheaper options...as Buerhle will be the most costly one to obtain.
