Green: Fear of the trade deadling kicking in
I have a problem. And every July, it rears its ugly head again. Anger, fear, insecurity: such are the mood swings of the trade deadline. Every time another team expresses interest in trading its old, overpaid player for a package of Boston’s hottest prospects, I start foaming at the mouth. I know general managers of other teams would be remiss not to inquire about the availability of Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury. But, when they start asking about Buchholz and Ellsbury — as the White Sox did, in exchange for Mark Buehrle — that’s when I start seeing red.
Last year, it seemed every team’s asking price was the same: Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester and Craig Hansen. As Hansen still has some developing to do, it’s not unreasonable to ask for him as part of a package. But, considering that by this time last year both Lester and Paps had demonstrated they were more than ready to be fulltime, key contributors at the major-league level, asking for both of them in exchange for one aging, bloated star seems downright rude.
No wonder this time is rife with anxiety. What if the Sox end up with another Freddie Sanchez-for-Jeff Suppan-and-Scott Sauerbeck situation? Maybe it’s all the years I spent suffering under Dan Duquette and John Harrington, but I can’t shake the fear that management will fritter away cherished prospects on rusty mercenaries. Or, what if they get rid of someone I really like? Mike Lowell has had a great couple of years with the team, but I can so easily see Larry Lucchino and Co. saying, “He’s not part of our plan,” and dumping him.
Doubts will swirl right up until the July 31 deadline nears. Although Julio Lugo has started to hit (he’s above .200, who wants champagne?), I still think he’s a weak link. But will Theo move his man crush? I doubt it. (I doubt another team would take him, unless the Sox paid part of his salary, a la Renteria.) I’m sure the Sox would like to deal Wily Mo, but for whom? Coco Crisp, with his stellar defense this season, would fetch a better deal. (But what are the Crisp-for-Griffey Jr. people smoking?) If the Sox are going to make a major move, it will be for pitching. Even so, would the Sox really make a play for Dontrelle Willis? (And would Boston then become “Marlins North”?) And yes, you can never have too much pitching, but would they really give up prospects for Brad Lidge, when the bullpen is arguably the one area in which they need no improvement? (Speaking of relievers, I just don’t see the Red Sox seriously in the running for Eric Gagne.)
Some folks thrive in such uncertainty. I don’t. It’ll make it pretty hard to type, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed until Aug. 1.
Sarah Green is a freelance writer who can be reached at sgreen@gmail.com.
