Now I don’t want this to come off as anti Youkilis because it’s certainly not my intention. Just so happens we was one of the veterans on the team that lost his job to one of the young guys prior to being traded.
My point, as indicated by my headline, is that the Sox are slowly becoming likable. They’re not all the way there but they’re getting there.
I’m still on favor of blowing it up. There’s not many veterans I wouldn’t trade.
I’d keep Papi. Even with his derogatory comments last week, his offensive resurgence has been very enjoyable this season. He’s safe.
I’d trade or release Kelly Shopach tomorrow. Lavarnway is crushing it at Pawtucket. Should have been the back up after spring training, so I though, so dump Shopach. Saltalamachia is safe as well.
You’re stuck with Gonzalez. No one will take on that contract and he’s too good to eat it. I don’t want to move Pedroia either. I think he would benefit from a trip to the DL but his recent return to hitting may keep him from that. So your right side of the infield is safe.
Short you have Aviles and he’s not terrible. I think that Iglesias is still a year out with reports he can’t hit a curve all. With Youk traded the left side is safe too.
You’re stuck with Crawford’s contract so deal with it. But I’d trade Ellsbury the day he came off the DL. You know he’s not coming back to the Sox when he hits free agency so get something for him now.
I like Nava, Kalish, and Ross in the outfield. My hope is one of them can be the regular center and left fielder after Ellsbury is traded.
Now, I think your return on Ellsbury becomes more if you package him with a Beckett, Buchholz, or (gasp) Lester. None of these guys are aces. Sorry. They’re a collection of 1b pitchers. Would one blossom into an ace with one of the others gone? Maybe. Maybe with Beckett gone Lester puts in the work and becomes the ace we all envisioned.
Your pen doesn’t really have anything people are going to call for.
So basically there’s a bunch of guys is dump. If I’m Cherington and want to not be a puppet I pull the trigger on something huge. Dump Beckett and Ellsbury to Philly for Cole Hammels. I know it’s a pipe dream but why not? Lester and Ellsbury would have netted you Johan Santana a few years ago.
Bottom line is, you’re a couple moves away from changing the culture and making the team likable. As a fan that wants his team back from the entitled assholeness that’s had a grip on the team for almost a year, it’s encouraging.
