infohawk
05-15-2004, 02:47 PM
Hey guys, just for fun I was thinking about potential deals the Sox could make to improve the team. We always entertain moves for well-known or accomplished players, but how about moves for players that are "under the radar" in the sense that they are either on the rise or just don't surface in the media in stories about players that can help a team during a stretch run?
In this particular context, I am very intrigued with Carl Crawford of the D-Rays. I doubt he would be available because he appears to be a talented lead-off hitter with speed who only makes $320,000 a year in this being his third year. However, he might be worth at least inquiring about. Time for speculation - if the Sox could acquire someone like Crawford it would help them tremendously. They would have a lead-off hitter who is left-handed, hits for average and can steal a lot of bags. So far Harris is hitting for average, but can you imagine Crawford and Harris batting first and second in the line-up? Crawford would of course play center field, and with his speed vastly improve our defense up the middle. More fun speculation. With Crawford in center, the Sox could have enough flexibility if they wanted to trade Carlos Lee for pitching help and call up Reed. Reed, Crawford, Harris and Valentin would give the Sox four left-handed hitters and vastly improve the balance in the line-up. Reed and Crawford also appear to be consistent line-drive contact hitters who would fit well into the Ozzieball program.
The D-Rays probably wouldn't want to take on any large salaries for Crawford, but may be interested in a minor league package. The only reason they might consider a trade is because he is getting close to his arbitration years and the D-Rays probably realize they won't contend for at LEAST a couple more years in that division. They may be better off stocking up on prospects, and Crawford might be worth two or three minor league players because left-handed, speedy lead-off hitters who hit for average are hard to come by. All that said, I don't know what they feel they need or if the Sox even have the minor leaguers they would be interested in. The D-Rays have a pretty solid outfield and appear o.k. on the infield corners. That could leave pitching.
I'll leave it at that. What do you think about this suggested move (I fully recognize the inherent difficulties), and what lesser known players would you be interested in the Sox acquiring?
In this particular context, I am very intrigued with Carl Crawford of the D-Rays. I doubt he would be available because he appears to be a talented lead-off hitter with speed who only makes $320,000 a year in this being his third year. However, he might be worth at least inquiring about. Time for speculation - if the Sox could acquire someone like Crawford it would help them tremendously. They would have a lead-off hitter who is left-handed, hits for average and can steal a lot of bags. So far Harris is hitting for average, but can you imagine Crawford and Harris batting first and second in the line-up? Crawford would of course play center field, and with his speed vastly improve our defense up the middle. More fun speculation. With Crawford in center, the Sox could have enough flexibility if they wanted to trade Carlos Lee for pitching help and call up Reed. Reed, Crawford, Harris and Valentin would give the Sox four left-handed hitters and vastly improve the balance in the line-up. Reed and Crawford also appear to be consistent line-drive contact hitters who would fit well into the Ozzieball program.
The D-Rays probably wouldn't want to take on any large salaries for Crawford, but may be interested in a minor league package. The only reason they might consider a trade is because he is getting close to his arbitration years and the D-Rays probably realize they won't contend for at LEAST a couple more years in that division. They may be better off stocking up on prospects, and Crawford might be worth two or three minor league players because left-handed, speedy lead-off hitters who hit for average are hard to come by. All that said, I don't know what they feel they need or if the Sox even have the minor leaguers they would be interested in. The D-Rays have a pretty solid outfield and appear o.k. on the infield corners. That could leave pitching.
I'll leave it at that. What do you think about this suggested move (I fully recognize the inherent difficulties), and what lesser known players would you be interested in the Sox acquiring?