However, I just saw on Yahoo that Boston is in discussions with the Colorado Rockies to aquire Todd Helton. And worse, ESPN is saying that Helton would OK a trade to the Red Sox, so there must be some validity to this. If they are able to pull this off, then kudos to Theo Epstein and company for brining another world class, top of the line offensive player to Fenway. My question is, how many runs do they need to score this year? Replacing Mike Lowell with Todd Helton (the current proposed trade, plus a few relievers) will certainly add more fire power, which either begs the question of how much is too much, or they are hedging against the inevitable JD Drew injury, and are not willing to have the oft-injured outfielder being the only protection for Manny and Big Papi.
On the flip side, I am in total agreement with Jim Caple, from ESPN.com. a die-hard Red Sox fan that they have joined the Yankees as a co-Evil Empire having out spent every other team in baseball, except the Bronx Bombers. Can you really still hate the devil, if you have yourself become the devil? Odd position that those chaps up in Beantown Here are Caple's words:
Not convinced the Red Sox have turned into the Yankees? Then consider this. No team has ever paid more money for a world championship than did the 2004 Red Sox (the Yankees have spent more trying to win, but their payroll was a mere $114 million when they won the Series in 2000). Further, when those Red Sox recorded the final out of that World Series, not a single player on the field was homegrown. When the Sox open the 2007 season, they may have just two homegrown players in the lineup, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.The best thing about this story, is that it reminds me that in just a few short weeks, pitchers and catchers will begin to report to camps in Florida and Arizona, and a new glorious season will begin.
2 comments:
One fault of Theo Epstein and company is the sole look at statistics. I don't think that Helton to Boston is a great move for two reasons:
1) being a star in Colorado doesn't equate to success in one of the three toughest towns to play (Boston , Philly and NYC). Especially when that star hasn't had to play second fiddle, which he will in Ortizville.
2) being a star in Colorado doesn't equate to success ANYWHERE. His statistics are boosted by that thin Rockies air. How is he going to perform at sea level?
Todd Helton is a class act, but I don't know if this is the best move for him, or for the Red Sox.
Which is why I'm supporting this trade 100%.
E-
You bring up some great points that I failed to consider. Helton has been one of the few to spend many years playing in the thin air of Denver. It is amazing that Vinny Castilla continually was able to come back pad his numbers then sign a massive contract somewhere else and suck. So it will be interesting to see how and if this trade plays out.
Personally I think Helton would welcome the opportunity to play with players that are of similar or better quality and finally have a chance to compete in October.
But hey that is just me, honestly I prefer the Sox with Lowell than Helton, so I hope this deal does not happen, which probably means it will.
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