Can Boston afford AGon?
October 19th, 2009 | Published in Adrian Gonzalez, Ben Davey, Padres, baseball, roster moves, rumors, trades | 8 Comments
by Ben Davey
Obviously I am not talking about money, and yes I know that it is the middle of October not mid-July; but even with all that aside reports still persist about the Boston Red Sox trying to go after Adrian. But the biggest question is can the Red Sox offer enough to the Padres to make trading AGon worth their while.
In July rumors circled that the Padres were looking for a 4-1, 5-1 deal in exchange for Adrian. Jon Heyman of SI.com reported hours before the trade deadline (via twitter) that the Padres were seeking Clay Buccholz, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, Ryan Westmoreland, and Lars Anderson. Of course one of the main reasons this deal did not get done is because of Boston’s hesitation to give up Clay. But without the addition of Clay or Lester do they have enough to throw at the Padres to make it worth giving up our cornerstone player?
Looking at the other players offered, Masterson is not even with the Red Sox anymore (part of the Cliff Lee trade), Lowrie hasn’t proven to be a MLB starter (even though he is still young and has some potential), Anderson was named one of the most disappointing prospects of the year by BA, and even then he is a 1B which the Padres do not need with Kyle Blanks taking over the position if AGon is traded. Westmoreland is an interesting prospect but was also in the NYPenn league (similar to Eugene) this year and is a ways away.
So, so much for that deal. IFFF, and that is a big IF, the Red Sox want to get Adrian from the Padres, they would probably have to give up a majority of their once #1 ranked minor league system. Now looking at it, not only would the Red Sox have to give up Buccholz but they would probably have to give up Tazawa, Reddick, and Westmoreland, and even then I wouldnt be sure the Padres would be willing to give him up.
As a Padre fan are the names listed above enough to sway you away from AGon? Is there anything that Boston would/could reasonably offer to get Adrian? Personally, unless they want to offer us Lester and 2 mid level prospects I say pass. With all that being said, why are we still hearing Adrian to the Red Sox rumors? If anyone is traded this offseason it is probably Bell and or Kouz/Headley. IF Adrian is traded it would have to be a team like Tampa, Atlanta, Texas or Cleveland, who have the prospects to make it worth the Padres time. I’m not suggesting that they do try and trade Adrian, but rather they would have to look at a team that has more to offer then one really good pitcher.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:22 pm (#)
Ben-
One correction. Masterson went in the Victor Martinez deal, not the Cliff Lee deal.
Also, Westmorland, Tazawa and Reddickâalong with Buchholz would give the Padres a slew of outstanding talent at varied positions for a long time. Certainly not the immediate impact AGon would give Boston, but I think that’s a pretty good gamble for a troubled franchise.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:50 pm (#)
Jon Heyman seems to be the only person saying that the Padres will trade AGon to the Red Sox. He been saying that for a while now.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:00 pm (#)
Um, Masterson went to the Indians right, but for Cliff Lee? Sure is a funny way to spell Victor Martinez =\
October 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm (#)
Well, if a Red Sox fan thinks the deal makes sense for the Padres, then it must.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm (#)
After the Peavy and Hairston trades which netted us a bunch of pitching depth, I don’t think that we need to make this trade anymore.
But if it were to happen, to me it would have to include at a minimum Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, and Jacoby Ellsbury. That’s a bonafide starting pitcher, starting CF, and electric bullpen arm. Plus I’d want at least a couple other prospects to go with it.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pm (#)
Ugh, my bad on saying Cliff Lee, I meant Victor Martinez.
I think Tazawa, Westmoreland, and Reddick along with Buccholz would be a pretty good haul for Adrian, but I dont think the Padres have much of a need to trade Adrian. He is still cheap (4.5 and 5.5 mil) for the next 2 years which means the Padres are not in a big hurry to trade him unless the offered price was overwhelming.
A lot will also probably depend on who the new GM is, but that is another story all together.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am (#)
Lester PLUS prospects for Gonzalez is insane. It’s like saying sure, I’d sleep with Megan Fox, but only if she invited Scarlett Johansson. Fox, like Lester, is out of your league. He’s 25, throws harder than any lefty not named Sabathia or Kershaw, struck out better than 10 per 9, plays in the toughest division in the big boy league and is signed for the next four seasons at $7M per with an option for a fifth. Two years of Adrian Gonzalez at ~$5M per is a damn valuable thing — just not as valuable as Jon Lester.
December 13th, 2009 at 1:01 pm (#)
Its amazing that San Diego put themselves in a position to be held hostage by their fans over one player…What a horrible way to run a team…San Diego is the worst team in all of baseball right now and unless they get rid of Agon for some serious talent, they will end up getting next to nothing for him…
Trade AGON now people…what happens if Agon’s power numbers fall off the charts in 2010 for whatever reason? Its not like he hits for average…