Chris CrockettOn Second Thought... Victor Martinez Perfect Fit For Boston
July 10th 2009 13:12
OK, I’ve settled down over the whole Doc Halladay potentially coming to Boston post that I wrote a couple of days ago. I wrote that one on an emotional high after hearing Doc was on the block. You are going to get that with me from time to time! Sometimes I react quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the Sox acquire him, and I still think there’s a possibility they could, but after watching them over the past couple of weeks and thinking about it, I don’t think he’s exactly a primary need for Boston. Plus, I feel Halladay will end up in an NL city if he is indeed traded. Personally, I feel that the Phillies will be the front runners in the Halladay sweepstakes moving forward. They really need someone like him right now and they have some decent prospects over there that could make them a nice dance partner for Toronto.
Now, with the uncertainty of Mike Lowell’s hip as we come into the All Star Break, the Sox have to be very careful. If you ask me, there is one player that should very well be on the block, that the Red Sox really need---Victor Martinez. V-Mart would help jump start a tired offense and breathe some much need life into this team down the stretch. Do I like this Red Sox offense? Yes I do, but they need something else. I wrote on Lowell(click to read post) recently and how much of a tough injury a hip injury is for an athlete to come back from. I 100% hope that Lowell gets rested up and can contribute in the second half---but I have strong doubts on it. With V-Mart, you get a guy who can give ‘Tek a breather and get behind the plate and catch and you get a guy who can play first base while Youk moves over to the Hot Corner. In late inning close games for defensive purposes--Mark Kotsay can sneak in some time at first but V-Mart would basically take over first base duties. He is by far the best option right now for Boston if we can work out a deal with the sputtering, lifeless Cleveland Indians. I know that I had Buchholz and his lovely fiancé, Deal or No Deal Girl #26 Lindsay on a plane to Toronto earlier in the week for Halladay and I still would, but how’s Cleveland sound instead? Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ……………… (sorry I can’t really think of much else worth while to mention) but #99 Ricky ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn told me it was OK there, so I’ll have him talk to Clay and Lindsay. In 2007, V-Mart hit 25 home runs and had 114 RBI, more than any other catcher, and he ended up in the Top 10 in MVP voting. This year he is hitting .299 with 14 Dongs and 57 Rib-eye steaks. This is the answer my Beantown friends. This is the answer..
Some might say, well what if Lowell is healthy and ready to go? Well, that’s up to the Sox brass to determine. If they think he’s healthy and the team doctor thinks he’s healthy and can be himself moving forward, go with Lowell. I find that hard to believe though. He might tough it out and come back to play in pain but it will be tough for him to sustain the second half dog days of summer and head into the playoffs healthy. I am a huge Mike Lowell fan, but there is now just way too much uncertainty. As a side note, Lowell’s contract expires after 2010 in Boston.
I love this time of year… The rumor mills churn up and get rolling as the trade deadline approaches at the end of July. There’s nothing like it.. Let me know what you guys think the Sox need in the comments section. Until next time…. Enjoy your weekend!
Chuck Hanf
Two Cents From Beantown
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Comment by CofA
Comment by Chuck H
TCFB
Cmon, all my readers per day... Give us your thoughts on what the Sox need! Thanks CofA.
-Chuck
Comment by DF
Comment by Chuck H
TCFB
Comment by The Baseballdemon
We need a shortstop!
Here is a deal that with fix the Sox biggest whole, and give you what you want...
Brad Penny, Clay Buckholz, and Lars Anderson
for
Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman.
Comment by The Baseball Demon
Even a demon can make a mistake once in a while.