An Arm's Length Away

As much as I'd like to blame most things on Bobby Valentine, and trust me there's a lot of peculiar things that he's doing, the Red Sox are bottom line getting out-pitched. Tony Massarotti once again absolutely nailed it with one of his recent columns.

Although the Red Sox have pitched better, no one is stepping up and really being an Ace and right now that's what the Red Sox need more than anything. The problem with the conundrum they are in, is the fact that Ace's don't grow on trees and if you'd like to buy them it's going to cost you a pound of flesh and your first born. But given the current woes and turmoil in the clubhouse it's absolutely time for a change. No one outside of Pedroia, Middlebrooks and Doubront from the Major League roster and Ryan Lavarnway, Xander Bogaerts, and Matt Barnes from the Minor League roster is untouchable. (You'll note that I didn't include Jose Iglesias. I still love him, but Bogaerts has my vote for SS of the future now.)

With the list of untouchable players being just six names long, (yes, it's gotten that bad), it could make for an active market and a blockbuster in the making.

My solution is to call up Brian Sabean of the San Francisco Giants and try to pry Tim Lincecum from the Bay Area. Tim Lincecum is having a dreadful year (2-8, 6.19ERA, 1.57WHIP and the highest H/9, HR/9, BB/9 of his career) however in the last 5 years he's won two Cy Young Awards and is the kind of pitcher that takes the ball whenever asked (I'm looking at you Clay Buchholz) and right now I for one would love to see someone with a little more grit and balls. Kevin Garnett is a free agent right? Oh, wrong sport.

How does one get such an established, polished pitcher? It's going to cost quite a bit. I think it starts with Jacoby Ellsbury (obviously if/when he comes back) but that is not all. I think the Giants will need an arm as well for a deal like this. The list then includes one of Clay Buchholz, Anthony Ranaudo, Drake Britton or Henry Owens. If I'm the Red Sox I don't let anyone or anything touch the aforementioned trio of Lavarnway, Bogaerts or Barnes.

The next question you should ask logically would be: "Why would the Giants do this?" I commend you if you did ask this and this is explained simply. San Francisco has locked up Matt Cain (6 yr $127.5 million or an average $22 mil per year for the next 6 years), They also still have Zito who is on the hook for at the very least $27 million dollars over the next 2 years ($20 million in 2013 and an $18 mil club option in 2014 with a $7 million buyout). They have also locked up Bumgarner to a long-term deal (5 years 35 million) albeit at lower money. I'm not sure San Francisco is in the market to having two 20+ million dollar per year pitchers while still being able to fill out a roster that is in dire need of offense. That's almost 50 million invested in the rotation NOT including Tim Lincecum. There is no way they can afford to do that without seriously jeopardizing their offense.

Despite not being able to sign a $20 million dollar per year pitcher I think they could afford to do that with a position player. If Jacoby Ellsbury is the player that his 2011 would suggest, he is going to command that type of money. Right now his figure is $8.05 million, and despite not being healthy and not playing a whole year, that will go up. However, the Red Sox have players on their roster that could possibly make losing Ellsbury palatable if not a good business decision.

When the Red Sox signed Carl Crawford, everyone thought that he and Ellsbury's skill sets were redundant and I agree. Carl Crawford isn't going ANYWHERE with that behemoth contract and lackluster performance, therefore you need to move one of them. Couple that, with a healthy Ryan Kalish and a blossoming Bryce Brentz and you could be looking at a more cost-effective outfield which could allow us to spend a little more (wisely) on the rotation.

The Red Sox should make moves early this year and not wait for the trading deadline because frankly, they may not be in contention in July and they can still salvage this year while still building for the future at the same time.