Trade Banter

Trade deadline (without having to go through waivers) is this Friday at 4:00 PM EST. A couple of thoughts concerning the Red Sox and their options;

• I truly think Theo is going to do something. He has been quoted as saying the goal is to outscore the opponent be it by adding offense or looking to reduce the other team's scoring. Translation = pitching or offense does not matter. Anyway to improve the club short term or long term.
• I would be willing to trade Buchholz. I like his potential but to help the club but he is not going to be a dominant starter. Maybe, and I mean maybe a solid number four starter.
• I rate the following (avoiding the obvious ones) as nearly untouchable; Bard, last year's #1 pick Casey Kelly, and Ellsbury. Everyone else is fair game.
• If the Gordon Edes' report -- Bowden, Buchholz, Westmoreland for Halladay -- is correct, I would do that trade in a minute. However, there is a better chance of Bigfoot landing Kim Kardashian than the Blue Jays making that trade. The Sox would have to add another player.
• I would love to see Halladay in a Red Sox uniform. We can sweeten the pot and so can the Jays. I'm sick of watching Nick Green's inept defense lose us games. The Jays are shopping Marco Scutaro. So how about this -- Halladay and Scutaro for Bowden, Buchholz, Lowrie, Delcarmen and another low level prospect not named Westmoreland or Kelly. We can hit Scutaro lead off and he can be the everyday shortstop.
• Victor Martinez has been on Theo's radar for a while. I love him as a hitter, even though he is slumping. I'm okay with his defense behind the plate and at 1B. Rumor was the Sox declined a straight up deal for Buchholz. I disagree.
• Martinez's teammate in Cleveland Cliff Lee is an interesting pitcher. Last year's Cy Young winner has struggled on a bad team this year. I would be okay with Bowden and Delcarmen for him.
• San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez is a pipe dream. No way the Sox would offer enough to get him. He (and his contract) is too good of a fit for the Padres.
• The Sox could use a left handed reliever but it is not necessary. They would likely have to over pay.
• A couple of starting pitchers to look out for -- Arizona's Doug Davis (rhp), Seattle's Erik Bedard (lhp), Florida's Josh Johnson (rhp). Johnson would cost the most.
• With all of the starting pitching to start the year, it is incredible we could use a guy. Right now our #3-#5 guys are Buchholz, Penny and Smoltz. Scary, scary scary.
• Beware of the Yankees!!!!!! The fact that they have not made so much as a peep so far worries me. I got a funny feeling they will be swooping in at the last second. i.e. ARod and Teixeira.
• You can bet I'll be watching NESN's trade deadline show on Friday at 3:00 PM. It may turn out to be like Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone's vault or opening a room under the Sphinx but it should be must see television.