Word from some of my close friends up in Boston (who follow minor league player developement like we do college recruiting) tells me it's likely neither. There are few, if any, 3B the caliber of Lowell in both defense and what he's doing offensively except for a player that they already have on their roster: Youkilis. It appears that while Carter definately has an upside in his offense, he's been a 3B/LF guy in his minor league career but the word is that his defense is NOT that good...or at least it's not MLB adequate yet. My gut feeling is that Lowell will be brought back at least for '08 (might sign a multi-year deal, but would probably be traded before he ever saw his final year of the contract with the Sox) and Carter might join the big league club after the all-star break and used in pinch hitting and/or to spell Lowell on occassion. Perhaps by '09, we might see Carter become a more frequent contributor, but I'm guessing not until then.
Sweet, I really like what Lowell brins to this club. As far as Carter playing outfield, well that's a pretty crowded area right now. Manny has left sewed up for the next few years for sure, with Moss possibly coming up to spell him occasionally. Coco's defense has earned him the right to be the CF for a while as well, but if he slips up, Jacoby Ellsbury (he'll be in Fenway this weekend, you gotta see this kid play) will be ready to fill this spot SOON. Then in right, with the salary Drew is getting, he'll be tough to move/bench. Hinske and now Keilty also get a little playing time out there. Maybe this is just planning for the future, because Lowell ain't gettin' no younger. But Youk is a tremendous defensive 1st baseman. That would be a tough glove to replace. Edit: Damn Pedroia is fun to watch, he just stretched a single into a double with pure hustle.
I love the way Dustin Pedroia plays...very Craig Biggio-like. You just have to respect him for the way he hustles and approaches the game. Back to Lowell. I believe the Sox are very interested in retaining him, but I also believe that they want flexibility for '08 FA's when players like Johan Santana (just to name one) is likely to test the market. Lowell, on the other hand, doesn't want another "1 year deal". He wants more comfort knowing he's in one place for awhile and not up and moving after next year--which is respectible (that's what we would all be looking to do). But here is where the dreaded "business side of sports" w will come into play because either the Sox say, "well, we love what you give us in terms of offense and in the clubhouse, but we can't commit to you long-term" and don't resign him....OR, Epstein simply signs him to a 2-3 year extension and then trade him in the offseason following '08 during the winter meetings right before the big FA spending period begins. You've GOT to assume that the Sox will try to bring Lowell back because the FA market for 3B after this season isn't very attractive (Hank Blalock is the top player at the position). Should the Sox actually not decide to retain Lowell after this year, I would look for them to sign a good-fielding 1B freeing up the possibility to move Youkilis back across the diamond to 3B. The FA market for 1B looks a WHOLE LOT MORE IMPRESSIVE after this season that does the FA's at 3B. (Texieria, Carlos Delgado, Sexson compaired to Blalock, Crede and Wes Helms) (if Lowell isn't resigned) Wouldn't if be SWEET if the Sox signed Mark Texieria and have an infield of Texieria 1B, Pedrioa 2B, Lugo SS, Youk 3B???? and a batting order of: CF Crisp 2B Pedroia DH Ortiz LF Manny 1B Texieria 3B Youkilis C Tek RF Drew SS Lugo Sweet Jesus! I know signing Tex is wishful thinking because he'll likely want 20 mil/year...I guess if they wanted to, they could, but there is going to be TONS of competition to sign a player like Texieria.
I still wish there was a better option at short. Lugo has has a really good 2nd half, but I still don't really care to have him as the everyday SS. Funny you should mention Johan. I think he COULD be available this off season. The Twins will probably realize that there's very little chance of them resigning him after '08. He's just going to cost too much money. Think Zito money + a lot more. That being said, Minnesote is left with a choice of either keeping him for '08 with the hopes of chasing a title one more time, but then lose Johan and get nothing in return. Or trade the guy before the season, when you can get a boat load of cheap young talent in return. Off course, the only teams that will be willing to pull off such a trade would be those who could afford to pay him after '08 (and would probably demand have a new contract in place before the deal is done). So that elimnates all but about 4-6 teams. Yankees (would probably mean losing Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain) Mets (martin would know better who they could offer) Red Sox (Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, and Snyder would probably all need to be included) Cubs (ownership needs to be settled first) Angels (supposedly have a strong farm syatem, deep pockets, and a major TV market) Everyone else is probably just dreaming
cant let lowell go. if you could patent a swing for that park, he has it. one of those things you dont appreciate fully for your team til its gone and david bell or wes helms is manning 3rd. regarding the sox, im not sure what i heard that is more amazing: A) tim wiffleball wakefield has a decision in all 25 starts this year. B) tim wiffleball wakefield is 17-2 all-time against the drays. that would be amazing against a little league team much less a triple-a one.
I know you get one of the most dominant pitchers in the game, but do you REALLY want to sacrifice the farm for ONE player??? Personally, I wouldn't be interested in any trade in which Lester and Snyder are both shipped out of town. As it stands now, Schilling may not return after this season, Wakefield, though consistant, is having a great year this season but is more like a .500 pitcher. We may need to rely on Snyder/Bucholtz/Lester to fill in the rotation behind Beckett and Dice-K... I'd rather see the Sox take their chances that Johan will wait to test the FA waters at the end of next season and make a run at him
Didn't mean to convey that I WANTED those guys to go in a Johan deal. I was just making predictions as to who would need to be included for Minnesota to pull the trigger. If they trade him, they are going to demand a LOT in return. I would love to see Boston get Johan, but I hope Theo is smart enough not to throw away the entire future of the franchise for him. I would be okay with losing one of those guys, but not both. I'm not sure what to expect from Shilling after this season. Wakefield is that guy that can eat up a lot of innings and give your bullpen a rest. I think he has only had 4-5 starts where he didn't make it out of the 6th this year. That is huge when you have a guy that can go that deep into a ballgame every time out.
