COVERITLIVE.COM

11:59

Boston.com - Hi chatters -- Chad will be here in a few minutes, but feel free to start submitting questions now . . .

12:09

Chad Finn - Hey guys -- Thanks for stopping by, and once again, my apologies for the big, fat zero in terms of column output this week. Been pretty hectic lately, and that's the first thing to get lost in the shuffle. Hopefully, I'll get some sort of Sox post up there today, then pick it up a little more next week. As always, thanks for your patience.

12:09

[Comment From BloggingRyan]
To me Adrian Gonzalez is a priority NOT just an inquiry...but with the depletion of our farm system I feel as if we would need to get a third team in on the action how does this sound: Red Sox get Gonzalez Rangers get Papelbon and SD gets Kotchman, Lowell, Casey Kelley, Justin Smoak and Clay Buchholz?

12:13

Chad Finn - Pretty sure Ryan's streak of submitting the first chat question is approaching DiMaggio levels. Well done. That's a pretty creative trade, but I can't see the Sox giving up Buchholz, Kelly, and Papelbon. Can't see San Diego having interest in Lowell (or Kotchman, if they're getting Smoak). And I can't see the Rangers being willing to trade Smoak, particularly with Tom Hicks's financial situation and with Papelbon due to get paid. But it is an interesting proposal, and this much is certain: It will take a ton to pry Gonzalez from the Padres for sure.

12:13

[Comment From Christopher]
Chad: Let's say we re-sign J-Bay, make a splash and land Holliday or Gonzalez, and our starting rotation (Beckett, Lester, Buch, and Dice-K, plus #5 TBD) is healthy and performs as we expect it to...we HAVE to be contenders for 2010, right? This type of scenario will surely be a worthy adversary for the Yankees, I would think...

12:16

Chad Finn - Sure. The Sox were a worthy adversary for the Yankees for a pretty good part of his summer. The more I think about it, the more I don't think they sign Bay, though. I just can't see Theo paying a left fielder with old player skills $15 million a year until he's 36. I suspect they'll have some interest in Holliday, pursue Gonzalez hard, and perhaps go after a high-quality slugger/hitter that we're not really considering right now. One reader suggested Prince Fielder, and I don't think that's out of the realm of possibility. There's definitely going to have to be some creative thinking to repair some of the holes in this lineup, especially if/when Bay leaves.

12:16

[Comment From Elevator Shoes]
Season elimination on the line and...JED LOWRIE at the plate???

12:19

Chad Finn - He's like a baby Bob Bailey. I never thought I'd long for Nick Green. Facetiousness aside, I sort of understand why he sent Lowrie up there, beyond the fact that there wasn't much else to choose from. He did it that grand slam against Cleveland on the 4th -- maybe they were feeling like he was on the verge of contributing offensively.

12:19

[Comment From PJ]
All things being equel who would you rather have, Aderian Gonzalas or King Felix?

12:21

Chad Finn - Felix, without a doubt. Gonzalez is a terrific hitter and a good glove as well -- really, he's about the closest thing to Teixeira they can aspire to this offseason -- but Hernandez is a truly elite talent coming off his breakthrough year at age 23. Acquiring him at this stage of his career wouldn't be too far from picking up Pedro from the Expos after the '97 season.

12:22

Chad Finn - Funny, though -- just peeked at King Felix's comps, and they're not as impressive as you'd think. No. 1 is Chris Young, No. 2 Brian Holman, and No. 8 is Mark Prior.

12:22

[Comment From Shameless Plug]
Any tips for a new blogger?

12:24

Chad Finn - Blog more than I do. And I mean that seriously. The two keys are writing compelling/interesting/insightful/fresh stuff, and writing consistently. I like to think I'm batting .500 there. And good luck with the blog. Here's your plug: bostonsportspulse.com

12:24

[Comment From Chris]
So what's for lunch today, a little Gabba-Ghoul?

12:24

Chad Finn - Worst episode of "The Office" in a while. But after last week, I suppose they deserve a mulligan.

12:25

[Comment From Bill from CT]
Chad, good afternoon. It really is a what have you done for me lately society when a guy who coming into this postseason had not allowed a run and was a 2007 World Series Champion is now being run out of town on a rail by some fans. Would the Sox actually get better by trading Jonathan Papelbon?

12:29

Chad Finn - Agree with the sentiment wholeheartedly, Bill. Papelbon had pitched 26 scoreless innings in postseason play entering the eighth inning of that game. He was as good in the postseason as a closer could possibly be, including that cutter-throwing freak of nature in the Bronx. He blows one -- one -- and all of a sudden he's gotta go and they should have stuck with Wagner and just give the job to Bard and so on and so on. Does anyone around here remember Calvin Schiraldi? Jeff Russell? Heathcliff Slocumb? Chad Fox? And any of the other various bullpen arsonists they've had over the years? I understand the reasoning for considering dealing Papelbon -- he slipped slightly this year, closers typically have a short shelf life, his shoulder has been a concern since the subluxation in '06, and he's about to get paid. But to turn on him after one horrible inning after all he's contributed here since '05 . .. just doesn't seem right.

12:29

[Comment From PJ]
I am in the minorty but I think the sox should say bye to Jason Bay, I agree with Buster Olney, Bay is a DH playing LF, he is steak hitter, K's a ton and hs sub-par on D. I'd rather see the Sox make a run at Carl Crawford for LF then go all out for Aderian Gonzalas .. Elsbury and Crawford 1-2 would be deadly.

12:31

Chad Finn - I go back and forth on Bay, P.J., but right now I'm leaning your way. Dave Cameron at USS Mariner had a great piece this week about why Seattle shouldn't pursue Bay, frighteningly comparing him to Richie Sexson when the Mariners signed him. On the other hand, the Sox didn't have enough pop this year, and I don't know how they'd replace his 36 homers as well as add the big bopper they already lacked. Ultimately, though, I think he leaves. I suspect Theo values the all-around Bay package less than many in the fanbase do.

12:32

Chad Finn - And yes, I'd love Crawford. Just so the Sox don't have to play against him anymore. I know Tampa loves Desmond Jennings, but they should be able to afford Crawford's $10 million option, shouldn't they?

Page 1 Next >