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Originally Posted by eriqjaffe
This is all the result of the Sox having a ridiculously weak farm system right now. The Sox can't trade prospects because they have very, very few worth anything. Here's a list of Sox prospects with any legitimate trade value:
1) Gio Gonzalez
Ultimately, I don't think the Sox "lost out" on Cabrera, since he only popped up on the radar a day or so ago. They lost out on Torii Hunter because the Angels came out of nowhere with a borderline insane offer.
As to the Sox having a weak-hitting outfield...that partially depends on what happens with Crede. If he's healthy, expect to see Josh Fields have the inside track on the left field spot. If he had played a full season, he would've put up 36 homers and driven in 104 runs - both of which would have led the team. Assuming (and I know what happens when you assume) that he improves in his second full year, he and Dye could form a fairly potent combo. Granted, that may be expecting too much, but I have to have some hope.
Carlos Quentin can also hit for power (21 homers in AAA in 2005), and his walk totals are pretty darn good. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him make the team this year, too. His chances are even better if Crede's status means Fields plays third base more.
The real problem here is the fact that the team's core is aging, and they have nobody really ready to step up from the minors to make a splash. Anderson? Sweeney? Mediocrity!
The Sox'll have to be exceedingly lucky to finish higher than fourth place, unless KW has some sort of miracle Plan 1R or something.
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Well, Kenny has said that if Fields is on the Major League roster, it's as a 3B, not LF. Quentin is coming off Shoulder surgery. And the Sox will get Rowand, 4 years, 13 per.