Tuesday, March 16, 2004
I forgot to mention this about Gammons’ latest because it is so absurd. There is no way the Sox trade Nomar for Orlando Cabrera straight up. If it is Theo’s plan A, which I doubt it is, to replace Cabrera with Nomar in 2005, he would still not make this deal for the following reasons:
1. Nomar is very likely to have a better season than Cabrera and it is too late to make another deal to make up the difference. Theo would be hurting the main objective, the 2004 club’s chance of making the playoffs.
2. The Sox will offer Nomar arbitration and when he declines the Sox will receive at least a first round draft pick as compensation to further restock the farm.
3. It is unlikely that the Expos will offer arbitration to Cabrera like Vlad so the Sox would gain a pick.
Plus, Renteria is a better option than O.C. and will likely be available. The Cards have indicated that they are not expanding the payroll even with a new stadium. At $84 million, it will be very difficult to sign Matt Morris, Edgar Renteria and pickup the option on Woody Williams. The Cards have $53 million committed to only seven players. Only Jim Edmonds is possible trade bait in order to shed payroll, but his $22 million is a big pill to swallow for most clubs. If Edmonds can’t be moved, Morris and Williams get signed and Renteria moves out of the show me your junk state. Renteria is a better alternative than Cabrera for the Sox in 2005.
1. Nomar is very likely to have a better season than Cabrera and it is too late to make another deal to make up the difference. Theo would be hurting the main objective, the 2004 club’s chance of making the playoffs.
2. The Sox will offer Nomar arbitration and when he declines the Sox will receive at least a first round draft pick as compensation to further restock the farm.
3. It is unlikely that the Expos will offer arbitration to Cabrera like Vlad so the Sox would gain a pick.
Plus, Renteria is a better option than O.C. and will likely be available. The Cards have indicated that they are not expanding the payroll even with a new stadium. At $84 million, it will be very difficult to sign Matt Morris, Edgar Renteria and pickup the option on Woody Williams. The Cards have $53 million committed to only seven players. Only Jim Edmonds is possible trade bait in order to shed payroll, but his $22 million is a big pill to swallow for most clubs. If Edmonds can’t be moved, Morris and Williams get signed and Renteria moves out of the show me your junk state. Renteria is a better alternative than Cabrera for the Sox in 2005.