The Boston Red Sox are a game ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East race. I can remember over the years past the leads the Sox have had going into the All-Star break and watching them quickly disappear after the return to regular season play. With multiple players on the DL, maybe another power hitter is just what the Sox do need to make another run at the World Series.
The Boston Globe posted an article about 5 bats the Red Sox should consider. Chad Finn brought up some good hitters that could help Boston in the later half of the season.
- Victor Martinez (C/1B) - .303 AVG/14 HR/57 RBI
- Hank Blalock (1B/3B/DH) - .242/17/39
- Aubrey Huff (1B/3B/OF) - .266/11/55
- Nick Johnson (1B) - .293/5/35
- Nomar Garciaparra (1B/3B/DH) - .270/2/11
On the list of these five players, Victor Martinez would be on top as the best hitter that the Red Sox could use in the second half of the season. Cleveland has gone from a playoff contender to the bottom of the barrel in the AL Central, causing them to be forced into rebuilding. As Finn reports, the Indians have been scouting the Sox farm system, looking for younger guys to come in and get the job done for them. Martinez would be a good fit in Boston to back-up Varitek and cover first base during this time of extended injuries. Don't foget, Martinez is also at a young 30 years old, making him a move for the future as well.
The Texas Rangers almost had a deal worked out earlier in the season with Boston that would have sent Blalock to the Red Sox. After Josh Hamilton went on the DL, Texas pulled out and decided not to get rid of his bat during that time. With Josh Hamilton coming back to the Texas line-up and me getting the shakes every time Saito comes in to pitch, maybe Hank would also work out well for the Sox.
After researching what Chad Finn mentioned about Huff almost being traded to Boston at the 2005 trade deadline, I looked deeper to find out why it fell through. Aubrey Huff was playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and they explained the would-be deal on their Official Site.
The Rays were a player in the blockbuster deal that would have sent Mike Cameron of the Mets to the Red Sox, Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox to the Mets, Baez and Lugo to the Mets, and Huff to the Red Sox. In return, the Rays would have received close-to-Major League-ready prospects.
If that ever went through, Jason Bay would not be in Boston, but maybe Julio Lugo wouldn't be either. Doesn't matter to me, I'm glad things worked out the way they did with JayBay. Revisiting Aubrey Huff coming to Boston now could be a good move as an alternative option to Victor Martinez and Hank Blalock.
I've never really been a fan of Nick Johnson and don't think he would be any type of asset for the Red Sox. Boston apparently feels the same way after rejecting the trade offer from the Nats for MDC. If it were Adam Dunn as opposed to Nick Johnson and a reliable relief prospect, maybe I'd have second thoughts about passing up Manny Delcarmen, but he's pitching too well right now to be offered up for Nick Johnson.
After Nomar's return to Fenway Park this past week, realiastically, the Red Sox wouldn't be willing to give away any major talent in order to get Garciaparra on the roster. I loved Nomar while he was with the Sox and learned recently how things really went down when he left, changing my whole perspective on things. He's a great guy and it would make for that feel-good story, but Nomar wouldn't be the guy to catapult us into the post season and sweep our way to the World Series.
What are your thoughts? Are the Boston Red Sox missing some pop in their order, or should they keep the line-up as is in their road to the World Series?
Do The Boston Red Sox Need To Add A Power Hitter To Their Line-Up
- Yes (62%, 40 Votes)
- No (38%, 25 Votes)
Total Voters: 65
Thanks to Eric Kilby for the picture of Victor Matinez.
Thanks to Ame Otoko for the picture of Nomar Garciaparra.
Thanks to Keith Allison for the picture of Aubrey Huff.
It depends on Mike Lowell health. If Lowell is healthy than they do not need another bat. It would be good to get a second tier bat for depth, I do not believe they need a big bat. The Sox are three games up, that is not a reason to make a move or to not to but they should get better in the second half and they had a pretty good first half.
Mike Lowell was supposed to be ready by Wednesday, recently it has been pushed back. Yahoo! Sports reported from rotowire,
“The Red Sox may delay his activation by a day because they need a roster spot for Clay Buchholz, who is being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to start Friday’s game. We figure Aaron Bates will be sent down Friday to make room for Buchholz, who will then be sent down Saturday to make room for Lowell.”
My worry is that the Red Sox may take that ever so often dive after the all-star break. I agree that we don’t need to add a power hitter to our line-up, but we do need to stay consistent and continue to win games after the break.
Truth be told, Boston could use more production out of the bats they already have, because let’s face it, who do you displace?
A lot of this decision obviously hinges on the recovery of Mike Lowell, who could lend a lot of help to the line-up, but that’s also a big unknown.
Boston’s in a unique position though, with prospects in the system to trade, and room in the budget to add salary. Still, I could easily see Theo standing pat unless something that guarantees the World Series lands in their lap.
I agree. I see Lowell coming back and playing well and the Sox roster remaining the same.
i think mike is healthy to have that great bat
He did return to the line-up Greg, but he also sat out this weekend against Toronto. The questions are also going to be rising with Lowrie back and Lugo DFA.
I still say we don’t need to trade for a hitter. We need to keep our starters healthy and continue to win the games we should and pull some other ones out.
Wells it looks like the Sox think they have the bat they are going to need to win down the stretch. They acquired Adam LaRoche for two mid-level prospects. We’ll see how this turns out.