Reading about the rumored trade to the Red Sox, my first thought was that it can’t be true. Why?
I read this item yesterday:
The Boston Globe confirms ESPN’s Peter Gammons’ report that the Braves have had talks with the Red Sox regarding Mark Teixeira.
Gammons reported that the Braves had offered Teixeira for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen. The Globe reports that the team wouldn’t make the deal at this time, but told the Braves to “keep us in mind.” The determining factor to a deal like this is David Ortiz’ health.
My first thought was that there is no way this rumor could be true, for the simple reason that I would be astounded if the Braves only wanted Youkilis and Hansen, and the Red Sox almost certainly would do that trade.
The only way this makes sense is in terms of contracts. But even there it really doesn’t make sense; Youkilis is making a relatively meager $3M this year and is eligible for arbitration in 2009. This means he will be getting a big raise.
Granted the Braves don’t want to sign Teixeira long term, but if money is an issue why go with a player who will be getting a big raise next year? It seems like the smart thing for the Braves would be to get players who would be under their control at a close-to-minimum salary for a few years rather than an arbitration eligible player. Youkilis will be a free agent in 2011 so it is possible that this is palatable to the Braves; but in my view it far from optimal.
Hansen is essentially worthless given his performance so far, and bringing back just Hansen and Youkilis is a very meager return for a player like Teixeira. This trade seems very poorly considered and given how sharp Epstein is I doubt he would turn down this request by the Braves. This trade is far from an optimal deal for the Braves and it is difficult to believe they would start here.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Phil B // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:46 pm
When i read that rumor(from P. gammons no less) I thought the Braves had lost it. Tex is on fire right now, and the Red Sox are one team that could sign him long term anyway. The Braves could get a lot more one would think. And no doubt Epstein takes that deal, greek god of walks or no. - glad someone noticed that crazy rumor
2 Jim // Jul 16, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I am just stunned by this post …and yes, I’m a Sox fan. First, we’re talking about a potential player rental so you can’t expect even value. Second, while Youks is not an elite player, he plays TWO positions well, has tremendous plate discipline, and is a winner. He’s alos an All-star. He may be due a raise, but it still will not be anywhere near the Teixeira range.
…and this is a classic…”Hansen is essentially worthless given his performance so far.” Are you serious? If that’s the standard, there are a lot of worthless prospects out there. I’d be curious to see if most scouting departments consider him as “worthless.”
Not trying to be arguementative, and I certainly enjoy the site, but that was not your best analysis…
3 Mike Podhorzer // Jul 17, 2008 at 5:35 am
Jim, not to go on a tangent here and start an argument, but I don’t think calling Youk a “winner” really helps your positon! And I don’t think him being an All-Star really matters either. Heck, Cristian Guzman is an All-Star this year!
4 Patrick DiCaprio // Jul 17, 2008 at 5:57 am
Jim, the Braves are better off taking the draft picks they get for losing a Type A free agent, something I discussed in the Sabathia trade article. Starting from that standpoint, would you rather have Youkilis and Hansen or two first round picks?
To be fair you have a valid point on Hansen; but hyperbole is used to make a point. Right now Hansen doesn’t profile as a closer anymore, but if he turns out as a good set up man that has value. But there are probably 100 better guys they could get if not more, and no GM would rather have him than a first round pick.
5 Masshole Matt // Jul 21, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I am a Sox fan, and I was hoping the Sox would have tried to acquire Texi last season, even considering the Sox had Youk and Lowell (Lowell was in the last year of his deal). I love Youk, but what this trade points at to me, is they are preparing for life after Manny Being Manny.
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