BoSox-Nationals in trade talks

[MaineDolFan]

In talks that heated up over the weekend (and will probably go nowhere), the Sox and Nationals were close several times to pulling the trigger on a deal that would send Alfonso Soriano to the Red Sox in exchange for Matt Clement.

The Sox would like to move Soriano to 1B, a position that Alfonso played good chunks of in the minors and said he would be open to going back to "for the right team."  He is not happy about being in the NL.

If this deal were to go through, the top of the Sox line up would be very impressive.

1 - Crisp
2 - Loretta
3 - Ortiz
4 - Manny
5 - Soriano

The Nationals originally wanted David Wells, but the Sox are said to be keeping to their word to the hefty lefty and trying to deal him to the West Coast.

[Denver_Bronco]

Soriano would be a monster with the monster. So at what point do the Yankees jump into the bidding war ? 

[MaineDolFan]

Soriano would be a monster with the monster. So at what point do the Yankees jump into the bidding war ?

They don't.  Washington lost Brian Lawrence this weekend, he's out until at least August.  They need pitching and are looking for dancing partners that could deal.  Pavano is already headed for the DL - the Yankees don't have anything to offer.  Washington is interested in either Arroyo and / or Clement.  With Boston announcing Papelbon will be in the starting rotation this year, one of those two have to go.

[Pats2006]

I would love to see that deal go down!!

[Sunstroke]

I have no argument about what Alfie could do "offensively" in Fenway, but the guy is easily one of the single worst defensive players in the game today. At any position... How many DHs does Boston need? 

[MaineDolFan]

Stroke - exactly my concern.  I like the Sox infield right now as is, and I'm not worried about our power in any shape or form.  Any time you can add a 30/100 guy it's a good thing - but where do you put him?  Hopefully Boston's plans are for first base - or maybe left field and this is a prelude to Nixon waving goodbye.

[Sunstroke]

Any time you can add a 30/100 guy it's a good thing - but where do you put him?

No arguments, but as nice as the 30/100 are, I think Boston will be able to use his 25-30 steals just as much. The Red Sox look to me like a squad in need of some spark near the top of the order to set the table for Manny and Papi.

[MaineDolFan]

Carl Johnson could be on base and Tito wouldn't green light him.  Crisp is a potential 50 bag swiper, Boston just doesn't run. 

[Sunstroke]

Would that be Ben Johnson, or Carl Lewis? 

Doesn't matter...either would have been suspended for substance abuse by now anyway...   

This is why I like the NL more than the AL. (Other than my Padres affiliation, of course)  Aside from the "letting the pitcher hit" aspects of the senior circuit, I also like the NL philosophy of get on base and manufacture the run...steal, hit and run, sacrifice. It just seems like so much more of that goes on in the NL.

[MaineDolFan]

Tito used to do a decent job of at least moving base runners up...and fell into the "I have Manny and Ortiz, why bust my ass doing that" routine.

I basically feel that the AL style of baseball is superior to NL - generally money ball and high OBP will beat a small ball approach more times than not - but I think that there is a place in speed and base running.

[raptorsfan29]

maine, any updates, is the trade  completely dead

[EDGECRUSHER]

Soriano would be a monster with the monster. So at what point do the Yankees jump into the bidding war ? 

When Cashman gets fired and they forget that they were looking for ANYBODY to take him back in 2004. Soriano's laziness is ridiculous. He has a lot of raw talent, but his numbers have decreased every single year since his breakout season. His road splits away from Texas last year weren't even AAA worthy. Boston is a good hitter's park, but Soriano isn't necessarily a pull hitter, so it wouldn't be as great as some people would think.

I'd love for Boston to trade talent for him. He makes too much, won't stick around and his defense at any position is horrible. He has to go 40/40 to be valuable.