Who will play 3rd base for the Sox in 2008?

[Dogdaze]

With Lowell looking for a better deal then what the Sox are offering, and assuming he signs with another team, who do you think the Sox will get to play 3rd base in 2008.

BTW, I'm still holding out hope that Lowell will sign with the Sox, but at this point it may be a longshot. Since Theo is only offering a 3 year deal and I believe some other team will give him a 4th year at the money he wants.

Here's some potential options:

We could move Youk to 3rd, but then we need a 1st baseman.

We can also attempt to trade for Miguel Cabrera, but it will cost a lot.

A trade for Hank Blalock of the Rangers, who I heard the Sox inquired of.

The FA market for 3rd basemen is pretty thin, but there is a slight possibility of signing someone like David Eckstein and moving him to 3rd base. Though thats a longshot since he's never played there.

And of course we could bid on A-Rod.

Anyone thoughts?

[Dogdaze]

BTW, apparently A-Rod is talking with the Yankees and may end up resigning with them. This might make Lowell more available, except I read one article that suggests they would like to sign both and move Lowell over to 1st base.

I'm getting a headache just thinking about that!

[Mike D.]

I say if they can't get Lowell, they go with a low-cost solution for a year or two, and see what happens.

Lowell's OPS+ in 2007 was 124, which will be tough to replace, but it'll also be tough for him to replicate. In 2006, his OPS+ was 104, barely above average, and his career mark is 110.

I don't think the Sox need to replace the 124 OPS+ this off-season. With Manny, Ortiz, Drew, and Lugo all having the potential to contribute more, and a little more offense coming out of CF with Ellsbury, the Sox could sign or trade for an average to slightly above average 3b and they'd be OK.

This would be preferable, in my opinion, to getting locked into a long-term contract on an Arod type, or trading a bunch of top prospects for a Cabrera.

Sign or trade for a average third baseman or two, and have a competition in spring training. Throw Jed Lowrie and Alex Cora into the mix, and see what you come up with.

Then, if someone good comes available at the trade deadline for a reasonable price, or the FA or trade market is better next off-season, you make your "big" move.

[MudvilleMike]

I agree that it makes sense just to look for a decent 3bman. So long as he can field reasonably well and isn't too crappy of a hitter, I'm ok.

[Dogdaze]

Of the FA 3rd basemen, I might consider Mike Lamb, stats in below link;

http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lambmi01.shtml

Another potential option is trading for Scott Rolen who apparently doesn't get along with his manager and is looking to be traded. He didn't look that great last year, offensively anyway, but is a gold glover. See link below;

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=304859

Rolen's stats;

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rolensc01.shtml

[Westlake]

I've been thinking of Rolen as well.

Other options:

Blalock, Crede, Lamb, Chavez, Lowrie, Ensberg..

[Jager]

I've been thinking of Rolen as well.

Other options:

Blalock, Crede, Lamb, Chavez, Lowrie, Ensberg..


Chavez would be interesting. I wonder what that would take? He had a bad year last year, but has done really well in the past. That may be worth the risk if the price was right.

[Dogdaze]

One thing I like about Lamb is his versatility, he's played 3rd, 1st, 2nd, LF, RF and catcher in MLB. He also hit's fairly well, last year he went; .289/.366/.453 with an OPS+ of 112. But, he apparently isn't very good with the glove at 3rd.

[NightHawks2007]

Chavez would be interesting, good glove. Crede was a one year wonder who won't put up his 2005 numbers again. I like the idea of trading for Miguel Cabrera if we can give the Marlins what they want for him. He is a good average hitter, if he can slim down he can become more mobile. I'm still hoping we can get Lowell back, as everyone is. Things are taking too long for me to remain too optimistic though.

Looks like A-Rod might be going back to the evil empire...

[hellborn]

...
The FA market for 3rd basemen is pretty thin, but there is a slight possibility of signing someone like David Eckstein and moving him to 3rd base. Though thats a longshot since he's never played there.
...
Anyone thoughts?

Why would we want to sign somebody with as little bat as Eckstein for 3B?
His only value as a ML player is his ability to play SS. And, his arm is weak for SS, so he'd be seriously stretched at 3B.

[Jager]

Chavez would be interesting, good glove. Crede was a one year wonder who won't put up his 2005 numbers again. I like the idea of trading for Miguel Cabrera if we can give the Marlins what they want for him. He is a good average hitter, if he can slim down he can become more mobile. I'm still hoping we can get Lowell back, as everyone is. Things are taking too long for me to remain too optimistic though.

Looks like A-Rod might be going back to the evil empire...


Just curious, but how in the world could you consider Miguel Cabrera "a good average hitter"? He's a monster at the plate, and he's only 24. He's not in his prime for another 5 years. This could be an ARod replicate if he can slim down ,and stay in good shape.

[YOUgodofwalks]

Just curious, but how in the world could you consider Miguel Cabrera "a good average hitter"? He's a monster at the plate, and he's only 24. He's not in his prime for another 5 years. This could be an ARod replicate if he can slim down ,and stay in good shape.

I can't speak for Nighthawk but I would guess he meant that Cabrera hits for a good average consistently, not that his overall hitting skills are only good or average.

[Jager]

ah that would make sense. I guess I read it wrong. lol

[Erik Bedard]

Chad Spann struggled at AAA last year, but if he hits well in the early going next year, then he may become an option as well.

[NightHawks2007]

I can't speak for Nighthawk but I would guess he meant that Cabrera hits for a good average consistently, not that his overall hitting skills are only good or average.

Yeah, that's what I meant. He has hit over .300 for the last three years, .296 the year before that. And yeah, he does have some pop, 26 or more homers each of the past four seasons.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Kevin Youkilis

[slugger33]

Kevin Youkilis
Could be possible. Move Youk to 3rd and sign someone like Sean Casey.

[Dogdaze]

Why would we want to sign somebody with as little bat as Eckstein for 3B?
His only value as a ML player is his ability to play SS. And, his arm is weak for SS, so he'd be seriously stretched at 3B.

I'm just tossing out ideas for a replacement at 3rd base, I wasn't too serious about Eckstein, just trying to create some dialogue for the subject.

I do like Eckstein's hustle on the field and he isn't a great hitter, and doesn't hit for much power, but he's not that bad of a hitter imo. Here's stats from last year; (BA OBP SLG *OPS+) .309 .356 .382 93.

But do I want Eckstein to play 3rd for us? Only if there's nothing better and only for a very temperary period of time.

My first pick, if Lowell doesn't resign, is to trade for Scott Rolen, if we can get him at a reasonable price. Not sure who we would have to give up for him, but I know he wants to be traded from the Cards.

I also think it's possible to sign someone like Mike Lamb as a temperary solution until somone better is available.

Lamb is intriguing to me, he hit's okay, nothing special, not not too bad either. But he has played a variety of positions, so his versatiliy could be useful. But his defense at 3rd base is, well not so great, but the Sox could move Youk to 3rd and have Lamb at 1st base at least until someone better becomes available.

[Dogdaze]

Kevin Youkilis

I'd personally prefer to keep Youk at 1st base because he does so well there, but he might have to move the 3rd base if no viable options become available through trade or FA. It's a lot easier moving someone to 1st then 3rd, and we can always sign someone like Mike Lamb who has played a lot at 1st.

Please Theo, up the ante and sign Lowell to 4 years! :hp