What Would You Do If You Were Theo?

Posted by Mike Giardi July 16, 2008 at 1:49 pm

I couldn’t make it to he 15th inning last night, no matter how hard I tried. Further proof that I am old. Not good times. Not good times at all. Anyway…

We’re just 15 days from the July 31st trade deadline. Already you’re hearing rumors about the Sox making a run at a big bat, which means either a) this is just a bunch of hooey or b) they’re as concerned about David Ortiz’s left wrist as the rest of us are. The problem here is the Sox are hamstrung by Big Papi’s return date, July 25th. That doesn’t give the team much time to evaluate his health and his potential for the final two months and a possible playoff appearance. So what will Theo do?

Well, for starters, the Sox’s GM has rejected a reported offer for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen. In return, the Sox would get Mark Teixeira. Tex is one of a few big bats rumored to be on the market, along with Matt Holliday of Colorado and the Cincy’s Adam Dunn. But with Scott Boras as his agent, the word is he’s looking for 24 million per season. 24! Tex isn’t that kind of player. Heck, few are. Throw in the talk that he grew up an Oriole fan, and you wonder if giving Youk and Hansen up for a possible rental is worth it. Actually, I don’t wonder at all. I wouldn’t do that deal.

Of course, there’s a downside to all this. There are very few well-rounded sluggers out there, and Teixeira is one of them. At the age of 28, he should be in the prime of his career. And if the Sox are going to walk away from Manny at season’s end, they’ll need a replacement. Of course, it would be better to acquire an outfielder to slide into that hole, which leads me to Holliday.

The kid can hit. And while his career home and away splits are stunning, he’s been better away from Coors this year, hitting at a .301 clip with 5 homers in 146 ABs. But those still don’t compare to what he does at home (.368, 9 HRs, 37 RBI in 163 ABs). So that begs the question, could he thrive in the American League, away from the humidor? I’ve wavered on this, but now I’m ready to dive in and make this deal. Holliday’s 28, also entering the prime of his career, and I think he’s capable of doing a reasonable impression of Manny for the next few seasons. Plus, he’s under contract for one more year, which means if it doesn’t work, you’re not making the long-term investment that would be necessary for someone like Teixeira.

So what do you give up? Our friend Joe Haggerty at Hacks with Haggs quotes Tracy Ringolsby as saying the Rockies want two Major League ready players now and a prospect. Would Hansen, Brandon Moss and someone like Lars Anderson get it done? Or perhaps flop Justin Masterson with Hansen? Considering Moss appears to be blocked here, and Hansen clearly could use a change of scenery, I wouldn’t be opposed to making that kind of swap. Including Masterson instead would be more difficult, because I think he can really help out of the pen during this final stretch. If Masterson goes, Theo then might be forced to make another move for a reliever, and that means depleting the farm system even more. See, and you thought being the GM of a baseball team is easy. Not by a long shot, but Sox fans should feel like they’re in good hands. Theo’s already got two titles on his resume, and apears poised to add a third. All he needs is that magic touch.