Braves New World
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by user Ron Sen, MD
ESPN is reporting the Red Sox and Braves working on an Andruw Jones trade for Coco Crisp, Craig Hansen, and a prospect. They then add that the Braves want the prospect to be Jon Lester! Lester is the best LHP prospect that the Sox have had since Bruce Hurst, a LHP who can touch 92-93 mph, and has several 'out' pitches, including his cutter and curveball. No, he isn't yet a top of the rotation guy, be he projects to have that potential.
Sure, the Sox should trade two of their future cornerstones for Jones. Maybe field Crisp's rolling the ball into the infield twice yesterday got the ball rolling.
Jones is a terrific outfielder, but the Red Sox most pressing issue (like most teams)is stabilizing their pitching. Perhaps the Sox will have to do some shuffling of their outfielders with Nixon hurt, but they will go NOWHERE without improving the bottom end of the rotation, which Jones doesn't answer.
Also, Hansen has a 1.10 ERA in his first inning of relief. If the Sox are that desperate, they could try to convert Hansen to the closer and bring Papelbon into the rotation, while stretching him out in the bullpen.
Sometimes the best trades you make are the ones you pass on.
Date
Mon 07/31/06, 10:01 am EST
