The Deadline is Approaching

With the non-waiver trade deadline coming in five days, and my beloved Red Sox sitting in 6.5 games up on New York, there are few moves that the Sox need to make. The most important thing is that they get rid of Wily Mo Pena. This would not only do the team good, but a fresh start somewhere else might give Wily Mo a chance to play everyday, and to find some of that potential he has. Trading Pena leaves the Red Sox needing a fourth outfielder. They have a couple of options when it comes finding a replacement. Sitting in AAA are three outfielders, Brandon Moss, David Murphy, and Jacoby Ellsbury, that could fill the void. However, I would like to see a veteran outfielder come in. Reggie Sanders of Kansas City, or Bobby Kielty, who was recently designated for assignment could come cheap. Kielty might be released if the A's fail to trade him ten days from when he was designated. Of those two, I would prefer Kielty, he is younger, can hit left handed pitching, and Sanders has been troubled by injuries the past couple of seasons. Another thing I would like to see the Sox do is to trade, or designate Eric Hinske for assignment, and replace him with Kevin Millar. They both play similar postions, 1B/corner outfield. Hinke's defense, especially in the outfield is better, but if the Sox acquire another OF that shouldn't matter/ However, Millar has won a World Series with the Sox, and he can bring a certain clubhouse presence that could help the team in the long run. Also, Hinske is hitting .205/.302/.420 (avg, OBP, slg.) while Millar is batting .270/.386/.433. Millar would also come cheap and be an upgrade over the current backup 1B. With the bullpen taking shape, the rotation getting stronger from the minors, and Curt Schilling due back from the DL, this Sox team could make a great run at another championship.


Butters