Should the Red Sox Trade Beckett?

Could Sox Pitcher Josh Beckett be traded this winter?

Soon to be Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has a lot of work to do this winter. There's improvements that need to be made in the medical staff, coaching staff, he needs to find a manager, and he needs to trade the dead weight (I'm looking at you Lackey). But, here's a trivial question that, if I were Ben Cherington, would consider. Should the Sox trade Josh Beckett? Personally, I think so. Yes, when he's healthy he's one of the best in the game. But, he's hardly ever healthy. I mean, he's "healthy", but to him I guess a blister on his finger means he has to go on the DL. I really think this could be beneficial to the team, assuming they get rid of Lackey too. When Jon Lester came up for his first full season with the pro squad, the Sox basically said to him, "See that guy right there? That's Josh Beckett. Follow him around and do everything he does." It's quite possible that Beckett still has that hold on Lester. He's a terrible influence (come on, drinking beer and ordering Popeye's in the clubhouse was his idea) and, as I already said, he's not usually healthy. now, if the Sox were to trade him, the question becomes "What would he get?" Two words people. A lot. There are many, many teams around the league that would be salivating at the opportunity to acquire Beckett, and it'd be pretty easy to get someone to overpay for him. I say trade him for no less than: a right fielder who hits right handed (and actually CAN hit), a top 10 minor league pitcher from the AA-AAA level, and a top 20 minor league position player from the SL-AA level (for all you people who don't know what SL is, it's Summer League. MLB teams have affiliations with Summer League teams in both the US and the Dominican Republic). And if you can get a team to overpay, that's great.

Now, give me a chance to explain the package. We need a new right fielder, 'cause Nancy Drew is out of here. The lineup is far too left handed, and they need a guy who can produce from that position. The minor league pitcher from the AA-AAA level should be included because the Sox have very little depth in the upper levels of the farm system, and pitching depth was the team's number one weakness last season. Having a guy from the PawSox or even the Sea Dogs who can come up in case of injury and give the team a couple of solid outings before being sent back down would be huge, 'cause Kyle Weiland just ain't cutting it. The prospect from the lower levels should be obvious to most of you legitimate fans out there, whether you're a fan of the Sox or not. The Sox are pretty deep in their lower levels, and 3-5 years from now they will have a pretty good farm system again, as those guys will be playing in Portland or Pawtucket and Cherington, who actually played a major role in the amature drafts, will have re-stocked through the draft. Adding to that depth would be very beneficial to future Sox teams and will most likely be a factor in any and all future success.

Theo Resigns and Takes Over Position With Cubs

Now Former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein resigned from his position with the Red Sox last night and was named the Cubs' new President of Baseball Operations.

The Red Sox and Cubs officially announced last night in a joint press release by the two teams. The move is effective immediately. Both organizations declined to comment any further until they make announcements and introductions on Tuesday. It's also being reported that the Cubs will hire former Red Sox Assistant GM and soon to be former Padres GM Jed Hoyer to assume the same title under Epstein's Baseball Ops regime, along with former Red Sox Director of Amature Scouting and soon to be former Padres Assistant GM Jason McLeod to assume the same title he had in San Diego under Epstein and Hoyer.

First off, the Theo announcement is not a surprise. This just makes it easier for the clubs to work out compensation (Theo and Cherington will do the talking). I am surprised to see Hoyer and McLeod leave San Diego so soon, especially just to assume the same titles they had with the Padres. Probably 'cause Hoyer is Theo's boyfriend and McLeod is that little geeky kid who follows people wherever they go (I can't those people). Second, I really hope this doesn't drag out any longer, because it was beyond ridiculous for it to take 10 days for an official announcement (or in this case press release). It's also been reported by Peter Gammons on NESN.com that the two sides had agreed to deals multiple times but John Henry nixed every single one of them. I'm hoping that's because he didn't consider it good enough, 'cause if he's just getting involved to get involved he's an asshole. Also, if the two sides can't reach a deal soon then MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to step in and act as arbitrator of negotiations.

Anyways, it's expected that on Tuesday the Cubs will introduce Theo as President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer as General Manager, and Jason McLeod as Assistant General Manager, and the Red Sox are expected to introduce Ben Cherington as General Manager. Now us Sox fans can finally move on and think about who they're going to trade (please trade Lackey, please trade Youkilis, please trade Beckett) and who they're going to hire as the new Manager and who will be the new Assistant GM.