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Inbox: Is Bay Boston's best option?
Beat reporter Ian Browne answers Red Sox fans' questions
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
11/16/09 12:00 PM EST
Why is everyone so adamant to re-sign Jason Bay even if it means paying him J.D. Drew money? I think that the better alternative for left field is Matt Holliday, and no one seems too interested. Don't get me wrong, I love J. Bay. But I would take a .315 average with 25-30 homers over a .250 guy with the same amount of homers.-- Grayson G., Las Vegas
I think Holliday garners plenty of respect. I think the situation is that the general public -- and perhaps the Red Sox themselves -- view Bay and Holliday as similar players. But there is a comfort factor with Bay, who has thrived in the market and developed into a core member of the team in short order. Would Holliday make a similarly seamless adjustment to Boston? There is no guarantee. Bay enjoys Boston, and the Red Sox have appreciated what he brings to the table, so, in many ways, a continuation of the relationship would be a good fit. But by no means has Holliday been ruled out.
I know this may sound like a stupid question, but why are the Red Sox so high on Jed Lowrie? There are lots of good players to fill that position.
-- Wayne D., Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
The Red Sox drafted and developed Lowrie and were pleased with his progress at every turn until last year, when continued left wrist ailments limited the shortstop from being the player he wanted to be. General manager Theo Epstein is already on record as saying that the club is not in a position where it can bank on Lowrie to be its shortstop in 2009. That said, Epstein also said he wouldn't be surprised if Lowrie winds up blossoming. There is a lot to like about Lowrie when he is healthy, including his above-average plate approach, his defensive stability and his poise.
Does Jeremy Hermida figure into right field as a future replacement for Drew? He's obviously more equipped for an everyday role rather than Josh Reddick, who is the closest outfield prospect that the Red Sox have.
-- Bucky J., Saratoga, N.Y.
Drew has two years left on his contract, so this situation has a while to play itself out. That should give Hermida time to carve out a niche and show if he can do a better job of fulfilling his potential in Boston than he did in Florida. The Red Sox are intrigued by Hermida, for sure. After all, there had to be a reason he was the 11th pick in the First-Year Player Draft back in 2002. He is still a young guy, just a few weeks shy of his 26th birthday.
Could Hideki Matsui come to Boston as a left-field alternative to Bay?
-- Kevin B., Portage, Mich.
At this stage of the game, Matsui is strictly a designated hitter. Given the presence of David Ortiz, I'd be stunned if the Red Sox wind up with Matsui.
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Something has been bothering me since the day the Sox made the excellent acquisition of Victor Martinez. Why at the same time did they have to trade Adam LaRoche? I think that move hurt them significantly in '09.
-- Kevin H., Weymouth, Mass.
Quite simply, there would have been a logjam if LaRoche had stayed. As it was, the Sox had Jason Varitek, Martinez, Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz divvying up four positions. That left one player as the odd man out every game. If LaRoche had still been on board, that would have left two players on the bench each game. Boston identified LaRoche as a player who wouldn't have thrived in a bench role because of the nature of his swing. But several people have registered the same complaint. I'm not sure, to tell you the truth, if the Sox would have won that many more games had LaRoche been their backup first baseman instead of Casey Kotchman.
After Daisuke Matsuzaka's performance this year, do you think it is time for him to move on, and maybe trade him away for another starter or a big bat?
-- Roger F., Pascoag, R.I.
When the Red Sox shut Dice-K down for three months last year, they did so as much for the future as for the present. They wanted him to re-shape his entire body and refine some of his conditioning habits. He did just that, and finished strong. By trading him, another team could reap the benefits of all that the Red Sox did to get him back to a level where he could thrive again. So not only do you have that aspect of it, but his trade value is not all that high at the moment after the type of season he had in 2009.
Are the Red Sox going to make a big push for Adrian Gonzalez?
-- Chris B., Hooksett, N.H.
I'm sure they will make every attempt to pry Gonzalez loose from the Padres. Gonzalez has a swing from the left side that almost looks like it was made for Fenway Park. That said, given his age, his modest salary and his status as one of the best young hitters in the game, it would take a lot to pull off such a move, especially when there will likely be a lot of other suitors.
Is there legit interest in Rich Harden by the Red Sox? He would appear to be a low-risk possibility with a much higher potential upside than Brad Penny or John Smoltz.
-- Matt B., Pittsburgh
Yes, Harden is a player to definitely keep an eye on this winter. You hit the two key words on the head -- low risk. If the Sox can get such a talented pitcher at a reasonable cost, it's probably a gamble worth taking. Though things didn't work out with Penny or Smoltz, I don't think the Red Sox regret making either move. Perhaps if they land Harden, things will work out better. One thing is certain: Harden has already proved he can perform in the American League.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
