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| Prince Fielder's muscles could look good at Fenway Park |
"It always comes down," Epstein said, "to dollars and years."
Reports have also surfaced that the Red Sox have approached fan favorite Kevin Youkilis about moving back to third base, something that both the team and evidently the player are comfortable with.
It begs the question, if Beltre runs for the money, as many think he will, and Youkilis moves over to third base, does this almost guarantee that Epstein's hand will be forced and he will have to acquire either San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez or Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder?
Both first baseman have been rumored in past trade discussions with the Red Sox as recently as last off-season. Both would plug a hole in the middle of the Red Sox line-up that desperately needs an RBI machine. Both may be better options if Youkilis is really fine with playing third base.
Gonzalez, who has been stuck in a myriad of mediocrity in the owner-poor Padres franchise, will likely leave San Diego when he becomes a free agent after next season.
Gonzalez is a lifetime .284 hitter and belted 31 home runs in pitcher friendly Petco Park last season, numbers that would be sure to improve if he were to hit at Fenway. The left-handed swinger if just 28 years old, plays exceptional defense and is hungry to be part of a winner.
Fielder provides another interesting option for the Red Sox. Prince was in unhappy when the Brewers gave a long term contract to outfielder Ryan Braun but failed to do the same for him self, will be happy for a change of scenery that will offer a big pay day.
And Fielder would give the middle of the line-up a huge power threat as he has clobbered 172 home runs in his 5 year MLB career.
If Epstein is unable to sign Beltre to come back and play third, both Gonzalez and Fielder both should be in play in a possible trade as the Red Sox are desperate to get back to the post season after missing the playoffs in 2010.
Personally, the Sox would be better served by getting Gonzalez in a trade than re-signing Beltre, assuming Youkilis is fine with manning third base for the next couple of seasons. Gonzalez is a gold glove winning first baseman, hits for average, power, and takes good at-bats, all key skills when having to compete against the likes of the Yankees on a yearly basis.
It should be an interesting off-season in Boston.
interesting, how overwhelming the vote is for trading for Adrian. Seems to me everyone knows how lame Fielder is with the glove and range..add to his prickly attitude, and its no wonder, most everybody, thinks that Adrian should be traded for over Prince..
ReplyDeleteFrankly, Im just tired of talking about where Adrian is headed. Imma a Padres fan, so I know this team cant sign him long term. Its NEVER gonna happen.
So, what we need to do is to get as much as we can for him, as soon as possible. I would love it if he were traded this off season. And maybe Hoyer can get the ball runnin' at the GM meetings next week.
Great insight MrBoom. I also find it interesting that there is so much love for Adrian over Prince. Or even over resigning Beltre to play third and keep Youk at first.
ReplyDeleteGonzalez is the real deal though. Should be interesting to see what the Sox do in general, because missing the post season one time doesn't fly in Beantown.