Hot Stove 2010: Sox acquire Hermida

Hmm, I didn’t see this one coming. Not at all. The Red Sox today traded LHPs Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez for the rights to 25-year old OF Jeremy Hermida, who is entering his second year of salary arbitration. The 6-2, 222 Hermida has been slightly above average playing for the Marlins in the NL. As far as we can tell, he is potentially the fourth outfielder for this club in 2010; he may also be a trade chip as part of another deal. I think the latter may make more sense, because Hermida is pretty wretched with the leather and the Sox have more need for a right-handed OF reserve to spell J.D. Drew. So let’s take a look at what we got:

Post-2009: Potential free agents

The best way for me to get my mind off the fact that the Red Sox are no longer in the hunt while the Yankees are is to get thinking on the 2010 season before the corpse of 2009 gets too cold. It’s good to know that Epstein sees this team’s core as having one more year left to contend; could that mean we’ll have a bit more of a “win now” approach this offseason?

Bring ‘em back?

First we should address the expiring contracts. The Red Sox need to decide whether they want to re-sign these players or let them go to free agency. Then we can examine what to do about any holes.

2009 ALDS: More info and analysis

Unsurprisingly, the New York Yankees have elected to start their Divisional Series tomorrow, so that means the Red Sox will play game 1 against the Angels on Thursday. Here’s what the schedule looks like:

Game 1: Thu @ LAA, 9:37PM
Game 2: Fri @ LAA, 9:37 PM
Game 3: Sun @ BOS, 12:07 PM
Game 4: Mon @ BOS afternoon (if needed)
Game 5: Wed @ LAA

Red Sox roster

Pitchers (10)
Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz
Jonathan Papelbon, Billy Wagner, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, Takashi Saito, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen

Positional (14)
Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Alex Gonzalez, Mike Lowell, Casey Kotchman, Jed Lowrie
J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, David Ortiz, Rocco Baldelli/Josh Reddick, Joey Gathright]

That leaves one spot up for grabs. The Sox could add Daisuke Matsuzaka to avoid pitching Lester on short rest in Game 4, or add another middle infielder, given the shaky status of Lowrie.

Dustin Richardson called up; Sox DFA Chris Carter

Lefty Dustin Richardson may get a look in this last week of regular season baseball; he was called up to bolster the bullpen, perhaps in light of Michael Bowden’s spot start. Richardson is a tall lefty with a good sinker and a plus curve, and he’s excelled in relief this year after being converted from a starting role. He’s got some command issues, and can’t really fine-tune location, but his stuff makes him a decent lefty option who can give you some length if needed.

9/28/2009: Looking ahead to the playoffs

As Dan Shaughnessey points out, getting swept by the Yankees in a series that doesn’t count for anything doesn’t really matter, because the Sox are doing what they do best – getting healthy and prepped for the postseason. It looks like it’s working:

Sox add Dusty Brown, Lowrie

Things are going swimmingly for the Red Sox so far in September. They are winning and players are returning to health – sort of. The Sox recalled Josh Reddick last week, and they added Dusty Brown and Jed Lowrie this week to deepen the bench and hopefully get people healthy.

2009 September callups and that Kazmir trade

With their grasp on the AL wild card tightening, the Red Sox can take a slightly less accelerated route for prospect promotion this September. So you may not see Michael Bowden or Josh Reddick up here again this season. As of today, they have recalled OFs Brian Anderson and Joey Gathright (remember that backup CF trade I mentioned at the July 31st deadline? Here they are.) SS Jed Lowrie and C George Kottaras will almost certainly join the club, now that rosters have expanded. Lowrie was recently given the all-clear to play.

Sox reacquire A-Gonz, stand to lose Hoyer

There are rumblings that the Red Sox have traded for shortstop Alex Gonzalez today. The slick-fielding infielder played on the Red Sox in 2006, then signed a free agent contract with Cincinnati. In limited playing time this season, he’s produced a dismal .210/.258/.296 line in 270 PA. He played there one year, then lost all of 2008 to injury and personal issues. He’s only 32, and still shows his fielding ability, but I question what else he can bring to this club right now. If not anything else, I think Chris Woodward is out of a job.

Smoltz, Lowrie and rehabbing pitchers

John Smoltz has been DFA’d and cleared waivers; he has also refused a bullpen or minor-league assignment. If the Sox can not find a trade partner by Sunday, they will have to release him outright. This may be what happens, despite interest by a few teams, as explained by Sean McAdam. Basically, Smoltz’s salary requirements fall drastically after he is released by Boston, so unless someone REALLY wants him, they will let him become a free agent, then sign him for the league minimum. Unless the Braves step up (unlikely), that is what will happen. Some in the sabermetric community still believe that Smoltz has some useful innings left in him.

8/6/09 Injury update

Jason Bay re-injured his right hamstring, and it will likely take him out of at least two games; that leaves the limited Rocco Baldelli to play in LF, and Nick Green as the fourth OF. J.D. Drew has also missed a few games recently with a groin issue; I don’t have a lot of confidence that this outfield can stay intact for four straight games. With the Sox badly needing to gain some ground in this series with the Yankees, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Uh, anyone have Josh Reddick’s number?