I noticed today. The Sox allowed Chad Braford to slip to the Rays.
Do you think it would have been wise to block that move.
This should be an interesting wavier period. Anyone have ideas on who the sox should try to be getting now the Giles said "No".

I wouldn't really say it is up to the sox since they don't control who is put on waivers. I don't think Chad Bradford is a huge threat to the Sox. I've never held him in high regard (although I am sure some stats would prove me wrong, but I just don't have the time to find them). I would like to see the Sox try to get another guy (in the mold of Giles) if one happens to hit waivers again. I don't see their bullpen as that big of an enigma going forward. Masterson basically replaced Hansen's spot and is pitching very well in that role (as expected). Oki stopped trying to pace himself and is getting much more movement on his pitches and Delcarmen is pitching well enough to get them through the 7th if need be. Adding Aardsma back to the mix is a huge lift since he has been one of their most consistent arms out there aside from Papelbon.

Brian Giles would have been a nice pickup but he just doesn't have it in him. You know, it where you're up for the adventure of playing in a pennant race and moving for a few months to the other side of the country.

But no, old man Giles would rather stay at home in SD playing out the rest of his contract and riding off into the sunset "yawn."

(I don't buy this BS of "leaving his family" being a concern. It's only for a few months and he's rich, they can come visit him any time.)

A guy on SOSH pointed out that Giles becomes a 10-5 player with the Padres next year. That's something, unless you think he's done after this year.

The Padres have an option on him which I highly doubt they exercise. He's an idiot, plain and simple.

Maybe the guy's just pretty happy with his life as it is. He might like the team he's on and not want to be on a playoff / WS team (hopefully) as a rental. He's in his hometown, spending as much time with his family as is possible given his job.

Seems reasonable to me that he may want to keep things as is.

Yeah, what an idiot -- living in his hometown, playing for his hometown team while living in the same home his family has lived in for many years now... I mean who wouldn't want to uproot or move away from their family for a few months just to open themselves up to a lot more pressure and scrutiny when they could just stay with their family in their hometown and live a lot more relaxed lifestyle...

Some you wins and some you loses. Getting a big time player like Bay for a guy who, I don't care who he was, had gone into the tank, has to make Theo feel pretty good for a while.

Yeah, totally.

The selfish bastard should just uproot his family, leave his hometown and come play in Boston because...well because he just should!

Did someone spend last night writing "Giles," on the back of a white tshirt, in magic marker?

My guess, actually, is that he knows he'll never again be as valuable as he was as a $2 player on my championship-winning rotisserie team back when he was with the Tribe, so why try to recapture past glories?

And you know, it's hard to find fault with that.

I am a bit more worried if Jarrod Washburn gets placed on waivers.

If he is im sure with his contract the only team that will pick him up is the Yankees.

Yeah I hear you, 2-3 months of ball across the country is too much. He would have to "uproot" his family from comfy 'ol SD and move them to Boston. It's not like he could keep his home in SD and see how the off-season goes or anything. Playing for last places teams must be more fun than trying to win A WS ring, especially when you're 37. Hell SD might not even try and re-sign him since they already look like they’ll decline his option.Should I be worried about a guy whose ERA is 4.76 and has a WHIP of 1.48 while playing in a pitchers park in the weak hitting AL West? Let him go to NY.

Scratch that, the Rangers are a good hitting team that can light up any pitcher at home. Still, LAA isn't that good and facing Oakland at Oakland is a pitchers dream.

if anyone could adequately explain to me the waiver rules in baseball i'd be grateful, i've tryed to understand them but i just get confused..........so whts new heyhey newie boy, dont tell me your a bloody collingwood supporter, only joking mate, grew up in cooks hill, dedicated league/union man therefore knights supporter welcome, welcome to the royal rooters, drop us a line, head to newie often as i still have family there cheers mate

Actually, I would wager the biggest factor for Giles was playing time. More accurately, the lack thereof.

Cafardo says the Sox will continue to look for a bench bat; if the goal is to provide cheap insurance for both Lowell and/or Ortiz, then Millar has to be a pretty appealing option. He's owed basically nothing and has had quite a bit of pop this year with 18 HR's, I'm sure the O's have no plans for him beyond this year.

There's no need for Millar with Sean Casey on this team. Only difference between them is the homers, but I'll take the 70 point edge The Mayor has in OBP.

Well, after a day like today, I'd say if there were any serviceable pitchers available to us on waivers, we should give them a whirl. But the Yankees would be ahead of us in line and would surely grab anyone we'd likely have our eyes on. The bottom line is we only have 3 dependable options in the rotation right now. Besides being without Wakefield for the next two starts, Buchholz is just atrocious this year. He needs to be sent down NOW and not seen for the rest of the year. One can only hope that he is able to recapture what he has lost. Not only has the tinkering with his mechanics failed miserably, but his confidence may well be shattered.

If I had any say in the matter, I'd send Clay down to AAA, and call up Hansack & Zink. Hansack fills in for Wakefield, and Zink is the #5 man for the rest of the year. The only possible conundrum is that Varitek is going to have to get that oversized glove out of the closet and learn to catch the knuckleball reliably. We cannot have Kevin Cash's stick in the lineup 2 games out of 5 (although Varitek only edges Cash in OPS by 36 points to date this year).

Colon looked much better today, I'm sure that as soon as he's stretched out a little more, he's going to be the five starter.

Gammo said on BBTN that Byrd cleared waivers and the Sox are in on him. He's been pitching really well since the break; so let's hope this is the solution for now.

Quick edit: Byrd's last 6 starts: 2.90 ERA. Go get'em Theo.

To heck with waivers....



http://www.mercurynews.com/drive/ci_10154237

Give the man a chance. Two weeks in AAA and bring him in. If the team is willing to trade value for Brian Giles a massively inferior hitter (though superior fielder) then adding Bonds for money should be done.

Do you think that the HDH leak about Byrd during the ALCS and the possible involvement of the Red Sox FO might leave a sour taste in Byrd's mouth?

Paul Byrd... not a good pitcher.

The Not So Bad:
131 IP
23 BB

The Really Bad:
146 Hits
56 K
23 HR

His FIP is 5.15. His ERA is s****, and its still fluky low right now for a guy missing that few bats and letting up that many hits. This guy is all done. I wouldnt be opposed to giving him a few starts in a pinch, but in no way is he worth giving up anything of any possible value for. There are scores of pitchers around thje majors (and minors) who can perform as well as Byrd has this year.

For comparison, lets look at some MLE FIPs for pitchers already in the organization.

Hansack: 4.32
Pauley: 3.79
Bowden: 4.82
Zink: 3.71

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Byrd, but wouldn't the Yankees grab him first given their current predicaments? The cavalcade of suck that has been starting ballgames for them has to be a mighty sharp thorn in Cashman's side.

The Yanks are in on him:



With Kennedy being sent down to the minors again, they are either expecting a deal or bringing Rasner back up. Looks like both the Sox and Yanks are desperate for some pitching right now.

Gammons mentions that the Sox may be interested in Mark Kotsay...



Gammons Blog

FWIW Kotsay has a close relationship with owner John Henry and is quoting in Feeding the Monster as saying, "There is one person that I would play for any time of the day and that's Mr. Henry." (pg. 96)

Kotsay has been in the majors since 1997 and played mostly CF and RF, with 28 games at 1B. This year he is hitting .289 .337 .401 .738. The Braves are 4th place in the NL East 9.5 games out and are 12 games out of the Wild Card.

????

WTF? Since when?

As you point out he's played 28 games at 1B in his career, including 4 appearances there last year - BUT that was the first time he's played 1B since 2000, when he appeared there twice. There is absolutely no way Kotsay can play "multiple infield positions." I would think that's gotta be a typo... which would make sense except for the part about Mike Lowell:



Again, WTF? What does this mean? I can even buy they might consider using him at 1B. It wouldnt be in any way necessary or wise with Sean Casey already around, but forget that for a second. Gammons specifically says "multiple infield positions," not first base. How can Mark Kotsay play mutliple IF positions???

Agreed, Gammons needs a better intern/fact checker/editor....but Kotsay may be a viable and cheap to acquire bench player for the late season run.

Or a better brain.

...

Too soon?

To be clear, I like the idea of grabbing Kotsay. He could fill a nice role here, especially once rosters expand... he can rest all of our OFers. As I mentioned before, the 5th OFer right now is who? Jeff Bailey? Only can play corners and I dont like him in RF. Chris Carter? Strictly a LFer and not a good one at that? Van Every? Meh... replacement level guys, all. Kotsay could help down the stretch and would be good insurance. Our OF is very thin in many ways... What if Ellsbury goes in a slump again? Both Drew and Bay have been very lucky healthwise this year...

As you said Kotsay and Lowell are two of John Henry's all time favorites dating from their time together on the Marlins, so Kotsay would be a great fit on that front, too.

Kotsay CAN help... but a guy who can play multiple infield positions he is NOT.

There is one very important reason why bringing Mark Kotsay to Boston is a wonderful idea. If it please the court, I would like to submit exhibit A:




MRS KOTSAY.

I rest my case.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

The Reds are in sell mode. I would make a run at Jeremy Affeldt, 29 year old LH reliever who is making $3M this season and is a free agent after the year.

Away ERA this year: 2.36 9/24 BB/K .206 BAA
Vs. LHH .242 .276 .440 .715
9.10 K/9 and a 1.96 GB/FB this season.

I like GB pitchers who also strike people out, a simple but effective combination.

What's Affeldt's wife look like?

Since you asked....




Edit: and the answer is, No, I don't have anything better to do at 1:44am than to google Jeremy Affeldt's wife.

You gotta find something else to do at 1:44 am so Affeldt doesn't take out a restraining order on you, thus limiting your baseball enjoyment opportunities.

Also, Kotsay's wife is way hotter. Somebody notify Theo Epstein.

Someone on SOSH had a tip, FWIW, that the Sox have claimed Ibanez. Seems pretty limited as to what you could do with him defensively, but he's definitely the best bat available and would add power to the bench, which we basically have none. We might have 4-5 bench HR's between Crisp and Cash, and Cora and Casey have zero. That bench needs a power threat.

We'll see if this ends up having anything to it.

I find it hard to believe that Ibanez would make it to the Sox. There were a few team interested in him at the non-waiver deadline who would have a higher waiver priority than the Sox. He is only making 5.5 million this year so that could attract some interest from some teams. He would be an interesting pick up but I just don't see how no one would claim him before Boston.

Well, he has to get through the AL first, so that eliminates the entire NL. There are 6 contenders for playoff spots in the AL, two of which (LAA and Tampa) who are ahead of us. So that leaves: Chicago, Minnesota, and NYY that could take him before us.

Chicago just picked up Griffey and have Thome DH'ing, so no dice there. Full OF with Quentin, Dye, Griffey.

NYY have Nady, Cabrera and Abreu in the OF with Damon DH'ing. No spot really.

Minnesota is possible I suppose, but they so rarely add talent in-season. He could DH for them.

If Minnesota passes he would make it to Boston.

Tigers have placed Sheffield on waivers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3532016

Sheffield is still due $14M next season and the pro-rated amount of $14M for the rest of this year.

I would be very surprised if he was claimed by any team, based on his age/injury history its a pretty huge risk to be stuck with that salary.

But it may be the opportunity to for the Sox to dump Lugo and land a bench bat for this year. Detroit is going to have an opening at SS in 2009 because they will decline the team option ($11M vs. $3M buyout) on Renteria. Lugo for Sheffield.....?

Sheff admitted he was more or less planning on signing here if the Yanks hadnt exercised his option and traded him. He is the perfect fit for that bench bat we've been looking for. On the negative side he is terrible in the field now.

It might also be telling that the comments that started this latest Sheffield problem were told to a Boston Globe reporter.

Im not a huge fan, though. He's kind of a scumbag. People forget, but he Manny Ramirez'd his way out of Milwaukee earlier in his career. He caused a distraction to his team with numerous incidents and even admitted he intentionally made errors to force a trade.

Lugo for Sheff is actually a pretty neat idea... but we really have nowhere to play Sheff going forward. Being as he is bitching about not being able to play the field in Detroit I doubt he's ready to sign on for three days a week + pinch hitting. Detroit could certainly use Lugo and would love to get rid of Sheff, but I have a hard time seeing him fit in here. We dont need another Manny bitching about playing time in two weeks.

I imagine the Tigers would pick up most of his salary even through next season. I doubt they would take Lugo after the Renteria disaster, but its possible. We definitely have to figure a way to dump Lugo, and this idea is just as good as any. It will be awkward when he rides pine after he returns, because Lowrie has to play from this point on.

Heck, the reason they might want to take Lugo is because of the Renteria disaster...

Mark Kotsay rumored to be on waviers here in Atlanta.

Mark Kotsay is:

A.) Not particularly good at baseball

B.) Still wanted for 2009 by the Atlanta Braves

I really don't see that happening.

Not much out there for free agents... I wonder if Trot Nixon is available on the waiver wire. (As if.)

His career 100 OPS+ and good defense makes him good at baseball, i'd think. His defense in a corner outfield spot would be pretty good, and he would be a left-handed bat to replace Drew for a while (though not nearly as good a hitter). I wouldn't want him for a long-term starter or anything, but i'd definitely take him as a replacement 'til Drew gets back -- especially if he can be had for next to nothing.

Plus, his wife is smokin hot. What you don't like that? Queer.

He is an excellent outfielder, although he may have lost a half step. He's one of the best around at reading a ball, and then taking off and running right to the spot with no wasted looking over the wrong shoulder or anything. He also has a plus plus arm, no comparison with anyone else the Sox have except Drew, and his is probably better than Drew's. I'm not sure about Bay's yet. If you need another Ofer, Kotsay's a good one.

Aubrey Huff would be awesome if he could pass through too, Mike Cameron was said to have passed through to.

Kotsay is decent at best, his OPS+ hasn't been over 100 since 2004, and last year, in the American League it was an abysmal 57. Also, if we're to believe Bill James and his statement that OBP was roughly three times as important as SLG, then Kotsay's .337 OBP doesn't inspire much confidence either.

In any case he'd have to be passed over by every other team in need of the 4th outfielder in the National League and then every team worse off then us in the American League.

It just doesn't seem likely we'd get help in the form of Mike Cameron or Mark Kotsay, it'd either be someone with a bad contract or an AL player. Aubrey Huff would be awesome, but I would think the Orioles would want a king's ransom for him, not to mention the adventure we'd have with Huff potentially in RF.

Anyone know if KFK cleared waivers? Guy was a glue guy on the 2004 team and is posting solid numbers in Baltimore. Especially with the injuries to Drew and Lowell I would think Millar would make the most sense on this team. Hes able to play RF and 1B here hes done it before (I could do without him playing RF extensively though)I didn't know a smoking hot wife was criteria to join this club....Kris Benson come on down!!! Don't forget the reason a small minority of people still acknowledge your existence...Anna!

I read a rumor somewhere that he had. I can't remember where I read it though. I could certainly envision him having a hot 6 weeks with a return to Boston, but I am more interested in BP help. Especially considering Aardsma is back on the DL again.