Why the Boston Red Sox Will in No Way Be Making Any Deals at the Trade Deadline

From the Globe:

The Sox inquired about reliever Jon Rauch before he was traded by Washington to Arizona, but the Nationals were asking for top prospects Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie.

Comments

[SF]

The Sox and Yanks have strengthened their minor league systems greatly over the last few years. Does this make it harder for their own FOs to make deals at the deadline? Certainly tuned-in fans who know the quality (or, at least, the reputed quality) of these high-ceiling MLers are expressive of their desire to hold on to youngsters, for good and defensible reasons -- nobody wants to move Buchholz, Bowden, Masterson, Lowrie, it seems, no matter the return. And the FO may also be less willing to do so, for good reason, since they see big savings while still enjoying successes on the field.

So we all have the bargaining chips, but are these players less available then ever, despite their quantity?

[Paul SF]

I think the top-line prospects are movable for the top-line return. Santana, for example, or Sabathia. But two top-line prospects for a decent middle reliever? Seriously? Not to copy Nick from before, but we're talking about a reliever! Eric Gagne -- once the best closer in the game, with the potential to be close to that again -- didn't even command that much (two mid-level prospects and a potential high-level prospect) last season.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

It gets better: Denver Post or RM News reports that Rockies want Buccholz from RS for Fuentes or Kennedy from NYY for Fuentes.
Yeeesh.

Not long ago I said I'd give up Masterson for Fuentes.
Recind that.
How often does a does a deadline trade for a reliever work out? Not often for the Red Sox. I'm becoming more of the opinion that Theo is right. The Red Sox would be better off fixing this from within. They've got plenty of arms.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Rausch is nothing special.

[A YF]

"I'm becoming more of the opinion that Theo is right."

And it only took the Gagne trade to make him see the light!

"They've got plenty of arms."

I don't see how this is true if their first choice is one of their best starters this year.

[Atheose]

I don't see how this is true if their first choice is one of their best starters this year.

Kason Gabbard overachieved too, and eventually began returning back to the mean. Every scout in the organization says Buchholz has a higher ceiling than Masterson, so giving Buchholz his spot in the rotation is the only thing that makes long-term sense. Nothing to see here, move along.

[A YF]

Hmmm, but the VI said:

"They've got plenty of arms."

That's what I was questioning here.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

"I don't see how this is true if their first choice is one of their best starters this year."

Of course you don't.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Plenty of arms: Masterson, Bowden, Johnson, Bard, to go with Delcarmen and Hansen.
Plenty of inconsistencies, but better risks than a deal for a high-level prospect for a middle reliever, trades that historically, haven't worked well for the team that acquires the middle reliever.

Go away, troll.

[A YF]

My complaint still stands, VI, they wouldn't be using Masterson if they had "plenty of arms".

You can return to your village, now.

[Pat (SF)]

...
"They wouldn't be using Masterson if they had plenty of arms?" Isn't Masterson one of these "plenty of arms" and therefore, shouldn't we use him?

Do we not have Buchholz and Colon (Pauley, Zink, Hansack) for our number 5 starter?

I guess more of our "plenty of arms" have been starting, sooooo we're using one to relieve? Is that hard to understand?

[Atheose]

Masterson is the best option, the most likely one to succeed in the bullpen. Additionally he's most suited to be a "long-man" the way Tavarez and Snyder were before we dumped them. This is all common sense unless your ultimate goal of the discussion is flamebaiting.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

"My complaint still stands, VI, they wouldn't be using Masterson if they had "plenty of arms"."

A YF, making like a pre-law student, making another specious argument.

[Paul SF]

Ignore, people, ignore. He feeds off your interaction.

[Atheose]

Sorry Paul. I keep thinking of the Emperor in Return of the Jedi: "Strike me down with your anger!"

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Paul, you're in Texas, right?

[Paul SF]

Yep.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Anywhere near Dolly?

[Paul SF]

Unfortunately, no.

To explain, we're so far inland that the only effects of hurricanes we see are a lot of rain -- which is very good for us on the edge of the desert. So we were all rooting for Dolly to come and take a northwest jog, but it's heading back into Mexico, apparently.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

That's too bad. I'd seen that y'all (sorry) were hoping it could smite the drought.

[Dirty Water]

"but the Nationals were asking for top prospects Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie"

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move to shore up their ailing bullpen on Tuesday, acquiring reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for top infield prospect Emilio Bonifacio

Either Edes is making shit up or he was played by the Sox FO. "The Nationals were asking for top prospect Jed Lowrie", more like. Looking at their respective stats, Bonifacio is better but not +Bowden better.