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[bryant]

David Pinto comments on the Beckett trade here and here. Both times he notes that the Red Sox are going for "win now" rather than rebuilding -- but it doesn't seem to me like that's a wildly goofy thing to do. The Red Sox are one year off from a World Series victory and they have three postseason appearances in a row; in theory, at least, it makes sense to try and keep the streak going rather than rebuild.

I personally like the trade. The Sox had an abundance of minor league pitching, some of which will contribute next year. Lowell and Youklis between them should solve first and third base. The rotation is something like Beckett, Clement, Schilling, Wakefield, Papelbon, and Arroyo as the backup -- shuffle that as you see fit, but it's about right. The kids plus Timlin could be a good bullpen.

The big problems are in the outfield. Manny's probably gone. Damon's almost certainly gone. Trot Nixon will miss half the year again. I think you really need three outfielders who can start and play reliably and that's a tough set of holes to fill.

Comments

[rdansky.livejournal.com]

Lowell will love the Monster. Love it. Check his doubles numbers from last year.

The real problem is that there are no good outfielders to be had these days, apart from Giles, and he's no spring chicken either. I suspect this will end with yet another stop on the Kenny Lofton Victory Tour, now that the Phillies have themselves a center fielder.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Hey, the Red Sox could do a lot worse than Kenny Lofton.