The Globe reported that Ells was mentioned in possible trade packages. Previous rumor mill rumblings mentioned Jed Lowrie as a possible part. I wonder of Ells has truly burned some bridges with the front office. I would hope the 'Sox not give up too quickly on Lowrie.
Now, back to Lowell. I agree with Southpaw that Mikey has been the consummate professional. I do not feel that the front office has treated him properly. It seems as if the front office has lost its empathy for players. What happened? I recall once how Theo sat down personally to meet with Pap upon their acquisition of Eric Gagne so reaffirm Pap's role as their closer.
Theo painted himself in the corner by signing Beltre and having the Lowell deal to Texas nixed. Reminds of when the 'Sox signed free agent closer Jeff Reardon but still had closer Lee Smith -- my reaction was why? 'Sox eventually traded Lee Smith to the Cardinals for Tom Brunansky. By the way, Reardon was never really healthy in Boston, and got traded to the Braves. Meanwhile, Lee Smith kept on racking up saves for the Cardinals. This was the handiwork of then-GM Lou Gorman (the man who traded Jeff Bagwell's career for 3 weeks of Larry Anderson only to defend the trade years later).
At least Theo did not deal away a marquee prospect this year at the deadline. But, there is still time to wheel and deal subject to players clearing waivers.
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The web was teeming with rumors on Saturday, especially as the trade deadline drew closer. I didn't believe half of what I read because an hour later some other report would come out which superceded the first report. I seriously doubt that the FO would give away Ells. We would've had to get a blockbuster outfielder in return. Since Ells is a home-grown talent, I doubt Theo would want to give away the accolades connecting him to Ells.
ReplyDeleteThe Lowell situation continues to fester. NESN.com and WEEI both report that the Yankees were interested in him up until the deadline and he would've been shipped to them via the Rangers. I find this to be completely outlandish. With the Yankees acquiring Lance Berkman before the deadline closed, I can't imagine why they'd even be interested in Mikey. The articles said he'd back up A-Fraud and Pretty Boy at first and serve as a back-up DH. This makes no sense with all the guys they have and their deep pocketbook to get Berkman. Mikey wouldn't have gotten to play. He would've been a prop that the Stankees would've trotted out when they played the Red Sox. They would've expected Mikey to stick it to his old team. I'm not sure what changed the mind of the gutless folks running the Stink Bombs and the Rangers for that matter. Suffice it to say, the entire situation is putrid.
I really think the whole thing with Mikey is Theo's twisted ego. If you remember, Theo had some kind of temper tantrum with ownership in 2005 and went off in a gorilla suit to join the band Pearl Jam for a stint (incidentally--Theo went to the Pearl Jam concert when they played in Boston earlier this year. He went in disguise so he wouldn't be mobbed! Oh please!! Narcissism alert!) Anywho, Jed Hoyer's the one who brought Beckett and Lowell over from the Marlins. When Theo came back, he was forced to accept these two guys. And, if you recall after the '07 World Series, Theo wasn't exactly ready to welcome Mikey back to the team with open arms. A lot of pushing and pulling by the fans, including a signed petition sent to the FO, forced Theo's hand to offer a contract extension. Now, Boy Wonder wants to unload something he can't take credit for. If you look at all the prior Theo signings, with the exception of his getting spanked for the Gagne gaffe, the spotlight's been trained on the "Genius GM." The Lowell situation is not making Theo look like that "Beacon of Baseball" label that he can't live without.
As I say, what goes around comes around. I only hope that when it's Theo's turn, he gets run out of Boston in a barrel.