Jack -- if you listen to the first half of the last nights Fireside Chat podcast, you'll hear three other Lackey Optimism infected Fire Branders in Hunter, Paul and myself. I think we convinced ourselves that he was responsible for the capture of Christopher Dorner and the development of Apple's impending iWatch design. Total renaissance man and burgeoning hipster that Lackey is.
For what it's worth, Bobby V on WEEI yesterday when asked the same question said it was primarily pitch selection that was hurting A-Gon right now. When the walks start to come around, so will his power, etc was his opinion.
Lefty Grove, Pedro Martinez, Carlton Fisk, Jimmie Foxx, Bobby Doerr, Wade Boggs, Nomar Garciaparra, Ted Williams, Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn, David Ortiz, Dave Roberts, Dick Radatz/Jonathan Papelbon, Bobby Valentine.
ok -- I jest, Terry Francona
Marcos -- That Paul Testa is one charming fella isn't he...hard to avoid the charisma!
I do agree 100% on Aviles not being an everyday option at 3B. They can get away with something less than Youk. But has to be a defensive + and a consistent presence. I don't think Aviles or Lowrie are either.
I have to agree with many commenters here thus far that Youk's trade value isn't a major league ready, high ceiling player. Not that Youk isn't worth alot, but you don't give up young controlled high end talent for aging, injury riddled guys no matter how good they are. I also don't see Pujols as a fit here -- too many long term high dollar contracts rids the roster of any long term flexibility. Too highly leveraged.
That said, I think the most enlightening thing in this piece -- and it is well thought out -- is a path to freeing up the type of money to allocate to any player (or a few players) that could make a difference immediately at Fenway Park. Well done.
It's really hard to give Youk a grade this year as injuries so depleted his ability. That said, injuries are a part of overall performance and vs. what we all expected out of Youk this was a disappointment that, luckily, the offense was able to overcome. I'll weight my grade more heavily to his healthy start and give him a C+ for the season.
I think this has to the be overall approach this offseason. The only things I'll add are (1) It may be necessary to consider moving Josh Beckett if he was truly one of the causes of the culture issues and they don't think they can swing him around and (2) I just don't see Ellsbury signing here. If that's the reality, do you consider dealing him with his value at an all time high -- especially considering it may be the only way to part with Lackey by linking them together in a deal.
Thanks Maxwell -- let me know what you would like to see more over next season from us (besides more episodes/consistency -- I hear that loud and clear already).
Fair point Frank -- I take responsibility. I moved back to MA from out of state over the summer and getting the family settled was priority #1. Glad to hear people missed us.
![[Avatar]](/images/avatar26.png){kind=avatar}
Opus