So the Red Sox were active last night, pulling off a three-team, seven-player deal involving the White Sox and Tigers that, at its core, saw Jake Peavy coming to Boston and Jose Iglesias shipping to Detroit. The details are complex and, frankly, exhausting, so I’ll just point you to the official team press release.
A lot of folks seem to not like this deal, fearing that we’re sacrificing more promising young talent for a pitcher who may or may not bring any value through the home stretch. It’s always a consideration, and ever since we dropped Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen, it’s something we perhaps pay more attention to than we should. We didn’t give up anything of substance when we acquired Erik Bedard in 2011 (sorry, Stephen Fife fans); it’s safe to say we didn’t get that much in return. But to get Peavy, we’re giving up a guy who has become something of a fan favorite in a short time, sparking the “Play Jose” campaign earlier this season as Middlebrooks struggled, not to mention a valuable defensive asset.
But here’s the thing: as Brad Pitt told us in Moneyball, you don’t know. You just don’t know how a player is going to turn out, no matter how promising. You don’t know if they’re built for the long haul or set to spiral after just a couple years. Are the couple months we’ve seen from Iglesias a bellwether for the rest of the year? Maybe, maybe not. It’s all a betting game.
Getting Peavy (and I honestly can’t wait for the first “Peaved by Peavy” headline) gives the Red Sox more options down the stretch. For one thing, he’s a proven starter who can provide a bit more stability in the rotation than relying on Brandon Workman. If Buchholz comes back — and I’m glancing up to heaven as I type this — it gives us one of the more formidable rotations in the East, if not the entire AL. Assuming everyone holds it together, I’d gladly go to war with Clay, Lackey, Lester, Peavy and Dempster in my camp.
It also allows them to use Workman in another capacity. The guy had a pretty solid start last night against the Mariners. Adding him to the bullpen, using him in key situations and building on that confidence could pay dividends as we hurtle toward October.
Are there risks? F$%, man, we take a risk every time we cross the street. But the Sox see our shortstop of the future in Xander Bogearts and an immediate need for competent starting pitching. So, good deal from my perspective.
There may still be more moves to come. Right now, Brock Holt has been tagged as at least a temporary replacement for Iglesias in the infield. But don’t count on anything until the trade deadline has officially passed.
Red, I like the move. I think Iglesias will be a great SS with a .235 line and great defense. We need more, and if Peavey can get us closer to a WS then the move was a good one.
Will M. will be back eventually, and Xander has a lot more upside than Iggy. So Ben did a good thing, at least that’s my immediate reaction.
And a stat to keep you happy for today: The MFY’s have split one series and lost the last 4 series they have played. 8.5 back and fading. Go Blue Jays.
I´ll be missing Iglesias;-((( I’m sure it’s a good trade, but I like Iglesias effort and happy face, and I shall miss him,
Buenos noches, amigos.
Well, I like trading Iglesias. Now he’s someone else’s .300 singles hitter.
jfc
ARgh. really?
alexis_b82 baserunning continues to be our Pearl Harbor.
Greetings. My computer does not like this new layout. 🙁
Here I was thinking the Mariner’s pitcher was adorable. I take it back.
Evening ladies and gents.
I have a sonic screwdriver now. If I point it at the computer, will it fix the base running?
alexis_b82 there’s just one way to find out.
YDDE alexis_b82 I’ll give it a go when they get someone on base.
Drew has been tearing it up at the plate lately. I’m a fan.
YDDE alexis_b82 Sadly, this experiment was a failure.
It did not even strike me until they did a close up shot that that was Lackey. He looks very different. Still a mouth breather, but different.
alexis_b82
It’s the beard.
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 He’s skinny too.
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 Well, not Clay skinny but you get the idea.
alexis_b82 English Sox Fan
Yeah, he’s like a rasher of bacon compared to last season.
I wonder if the few players without beards feel like the odd ones out?
Sox World Series odds now down to a season low of 10/1.
Just sayin’.
Score plz – looking for a stream of the game…
hayes 0-0.
hayes Top 4th.
hayes
Make that 1-0 Mariners.
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 Probably similar to NHLers on playoff teams without them. Some just can’t grow them, poor bastards.
alexis_b82 English Sox Fan
I bet that’s the real reason we traded Iglesias. Insufficient facial hair.
English Sox Fan hayes Rays losing 4-0. So now would be a fantastic time for a run barrage.
Atta boy, Salty.
Our catchers need tighter pants.
Thanks – more of a struggle than usual.
Hahah. 🙂
Tie game! Woot woot!
Even Jacoby with the beard! I’ll allow it even though it’s kind of weird.
alexis_b82 YDDE Which Doctor’s sonic screwdriver is it?
The O’s are getting their asses kicked, 9-0 by the *Astros*. They might be toast, yo.
GarrettCRW alexis_b82 YDDE 9th/10th. Tennant is my favorite.
GarrettCRW
Lucky Bedard was scratched from that one – I had the O’s to win as part of a four game accumulator.
GarrettCRW
… which means the O’s/Astros part of the bet is voided.
Stop doing the wave. Stop it. Stop it. Sit down you fucks.
I blame the wave for these happenings.
LA LUNA!
English Sox Fan You’ll be pleased to know I am keeping up with the latest series of Top Gear.
alexis_b82 English Sox Fan
Did you enjoy the hovercraft?
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 A week behind, watching the one with the caravan now.
alexis_b82 English Sox Fan
Caravan? I don’t remember that one.
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 God, this show makes me laugh.
alexis_b82 English Sox Fan
Are you sure it’s not an old one?
Apparently, we have Cody Ross to thank for Tampa losing. He’s 3-4 with 2 RBIs.
Time for some thrilling late inning heroics
Get it done, Sox, I don’t have the energy for this.
Tampa has lost. Now let’s get the win.
Ok, so… now. Now is the time.
It’s time for the Justice League to end this.
That was one seriously half-ass effort by Quintero.
I’d say I want to go to bed, but ESF is still probably up. so I will be quiet.
alexis_b82
It’s like I’m your sleep conscience.
English Sox Fan alexis_b82 In a mythical land across the sea…
Shut up, you attention-seeking prick!
Hey kids, ESPN America is no more for us non Brit BT customers, So I have you to help me. TB lost, the O’s lost, so this would be a good win. Lets win, dammit.
Brass balls.
Snyder should have slid.
Just to show how ridiculous this game is: the MFY/Dodgers game – which started about the time our game should have finished – is now in the 7th inning.
Still not sure if MLB will be on BT anyway, mate. I thought they were taking all ESPN America’s content, but no sign of MLB on their list of sports yet.
How late is this game? So late that I’m done with all my shite (laundry, dishes, dog walked) and _still_ can comment here.
Gomes just pwned those guys hard.
It’s so late I am awake eating breakfast and going to work in 30 minutes.
VJ is from the future.
VJ in Stuttgart
Yep, it’s light here now.
Just belt it for fucks sake, I’m too old for this shit.
C’mon, Papi
Ben (02144)
That was shit.
Mr. Gomes, be angry and hit one off the Monster.
Christ, I love Remy busting Don’s balls
VJ in Stuttgart
He hit the last walkoff in a really long game, didn’t he?
Please please please walk one in
W00t!
About fucking time!
Night all. 🙂
Oh fuck, our standings out in left field are wrong again.
Walk-off dreams, ESF
Have to let the Rays know about that
Watah….
Ben (02144) I tagged them on a Facebook post about it. Hopefully, they’ll try to troll me.
Glad they persevered and won in 15 but that photo of Ortiz and Drew in the Herald is gonna replace the white whale in me nightmares. (Couldn’t figure how to copy it here)
Gomes unassisted DP from left field? Shades of Tris Speaker!