It was such a typical Theo Epstein move: The day after the 2009 World Series, the Red Sox traded two minor-league pitchers to acquire Jeremy Hermida, an outfielder for the Florida Marlins who, so far, has not played up to initial expectations.
“This was not a blockbuster,” Epstein told the Boston Globe. “This was a value trade, a chance to get a guy with unfulfilled potential at a reasonable cost.”
Hermida, the 11th pick in the 2002 draft, who batted .259 with 13 HRs and 47 RBIs last year, will likely be a backup outfield for the Sox, who hope he can tap more of the talent that the Marlins had hoped would blossom.
Epstein is good at making these little “value” deals. He talks about getting good “value” all the time. Last year, for instance, Epstein liked the upside “value” of acquiring veteran pitchers John Smoltz and Brad Penny for relatively little money and risk on the chance one or both would pitch great.
Well, that didn’t work out too well, but, Theo likes the idea of getting a player previously viewed as “borderline” and, then, getting more out of that player in Boston. For example, getting Rocco Baldelli as a utility outfielder for last year or Casey Kotchman as a firstbaseman for the second half. Theo sees the “value” in JD Drew that isn’t even there.
Theo’s problem is that you cannot build a bona fide contending team solely with little “value” moves. Once in a while, you need to get a star player – a real stud who can be a cornerstone to build a team around. Right now, the Red Sox, without their old foundation of Manny Ramirez and a potent David Ortiz, lack a player with that that heft.
Even if the Red Sox are able to re-sign power-hitter Jason Bay in left field, they’ll still need punch in their lineup, especially as insurance if the production from either Ortiz or veteran 3rd baseman Mike Lowell drops a bit.
It’s interesting. I’ve thought a lot recently about how, despite the impressive success of Epstein and the current Red Sox management team in recent years, they’ve signed very few “stars” to big contracts. I think, in some ways, this has been smart because they’ve brought up terrific players from the Sox farm system like Pedroia, Youkilis, Papelbon and Bard. However, Epstein and Company inherited a team WITH Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez, both acquired by Dan Duquette (who deserves more credit than he gets for that, and, for getting Johnny Damon!) Epstein smartly dealt for Ortiz, who turned out to be about 100 times more valuable than he imagined, and, yes, the Sox made their infamous Thanksgiving, 2003 “pitch” to get Curt Schilling and got Keith Foulke before 2004 as well.
I think that, sooner or later, Theo will have to make a BIG move or two to re-make the Red Sox, who seem stuck in neutral now. Indicators suggest the BIG moves might not come until after 2010, when contracts for Ortiz, Lowell and pitcher Josh Beckett will expire. Beckett is expected to play out the option in the last year of his contract in 2010, but, he and his agent want to talk to the Red Sox soon about how he fits into the team’s long-term plans. Would the Sox consider trading Beckett now rather than wait until the end of 2010? I don’t think it’s impossible, but, they’d have to find a good replacement for him, and, I think they’ll try to keep him around.
It seems Epstein may continue making some “value” deals to improve the 2010 Red Sox while hoping he can re-sign Bay. Yet, right now, the Sox will fall way short of the New York Yankees in 2010 – in terms of talent. While the Sox are trying to figure out how to hold onto their existing assets, the Yankees are so stacked that they’re considering whether to let go of either Hideki Matsui, who knocked in 6 runs in Game 6 of the World Series or Damon, who was one of their other World Series stars. The Yankee lineup and pitching rotation is expected to very similar to their 2009 team - BAD news for the Sox and the rest of baseball.
In Boston, there has been much talk lately about how the Yankees’ acquisition of Mark Teixeira last off-season has made – and will continue to make – an enormous difference in the direction of these two rival teams. Many Sox fans continue to obsess about how they feel the Sox blew it in negotiations with Teixeira, who took the Yanks’ higher offer. I have to admit Teixeira is damned good and helped get the Yanks to the Promised Land this year….but, I think he belongs on the Pinstripes. He’s seems like such a serious, machine-like, nerdy guy.
Nevertheless, Theo and the Red Sox will have to get a stud like Teixeira, eventually, if they are to catch the Bombers, who, at the moment, seem well-positioned to repeat once or twice. They need a real star – not just “value” guys.
