Red Sox & Rangers Series Q&A
This week of baseball could go a long way in determining if the Red Sox will buyers or sellers at this year’s trade deadline. A six-game road trip that sees the Sox visit the top two AL clubs in Texas and New York could be a week from hell or a saving grace. Given how well or poor the team played against the Jays over the weekend, there may not be a lot of optimism heading into these series against two high powered offenses. Throw in starts by Josh Beckett and Jon Lester and July 31 can’t come soon enough if they continue to throw up batting practice. But hold on just a minute, no need to jump off the ledge just yet.
We talked with Nolan Writin’s Senior Editor, Jared Book and asked him if the Red Sox have a chance to win a game or two in this series with the Rangers. You’ll be encouraged by how he replied. We also discussed the trade deadline and I asked him if trading Josh Beckett to Texas is a realistic option or just wishful thinking on behalf of the majority of Red Sox fans. Enjoy.
1. Roy Oswalt held out long and hard until he got the contract offer and destination he wanted. The Rangers ended up winning the bidding and now Oswalt is hurt. In your opinion, was Oswalt worth the risk and how are Rangers fans reacting to the chronic back injury he’s portraying?
There wasn’t really a risk, except for a prorated salary. It proved to be prophetic because he made his debut just as the Rangers rotation was getting (and still is) hit hard by injuries. Hopefully this injury is just temporary, but it just emphasizes the need for health and depth in the rotation.
2. The Rangers are said to be interested in trading for another starting pitcher ie: Garza, Greinke or Hamels to name a few. Do you think they’ll make a splash at this year’s deadline? If so, who do you think they’d give up in return?
Ron Washington was on record of saying that only Jurickson Profar is untouchable and that everyone else is expendable to make a run with their limited World Series window closing quickly. I think they will make a splash, and I think a trade would have to include Mike Olt if Profar is untouchable. I only think Olt goes if they go after Hamels or Garza. Hamels because he has been a proven playoff performer and Garza because he has more years of team control.
3. Josh Beckett is from Texas. Josh Beckett doesn’t appear to be happy in Boston. Would a deal with the Rangers make sense to acquire Beckett or is this wishful thinking from Red Sox fans who are hoping to get rid of Beckett?
I think there is too much risk and volatility with Beckett for a contending team to put a lot of stake in him. Beckett is interesting because of his playoff record, but I’m not sure if he’s better than any of the options Texas is throwing out there every five days right now and definitely not good enough to crack a playoff rotation if everyone gets healthy. I like Beckett as a low-cost option but with his contract ($17 million for each of the next two seasons), Boston would have to eat a bunch of it to make it worth while especially with Texas needing to either pay Josh Hamilton or fill his spot next season.
4. Josh Hamilton is still hitting home runs and producing RBI. But his batting average recently dipped below .300. We hear he quit dipping, a highly addictive habit that can cause mood swings (speaking from experience). How much is his drop in average attributed to his personal habits and is he back on the chew?
I think it is a coincidence, but there obviously could be some correlation. The bigger issue is that Hamilton is easy to pitch to right now. Throw him balls and he will be swinging. Ron Washington called him out this weekend saying that he has seen Hamilton make the adjustment before but now it seems to bore him. It seems like Hamilton may just be checking out of Texas, but he may also be checking himself out of a bigger pay day if he can’t get it turned around.
5. The Rangers lead in the division is 5.0 games over the Angels who are playing better ball after their dreadful start. How concerned are fans over the surge by the Halos that the division could be up for grabs?
Personally, not overly. I know some fans that are more concerned with Oakland than the Angels, but I don’t see that happening, although the Athletics are fun to watch. I feel that by the time the Angels can get close, Texas should just be getting healthy not even considering any trade deadline additions. The Angels are a different team than they were early in the season mostly because of Mike Trout but I don’t think Rangers fans are too worried.
6. Finally, do the Red Sox have any hope of winning any of the three games set for this series? If so, which one do you see Boston prevailing in or is this another wishful thought from a Red Sox fan?
Fear not, I think there is hope. Tonight’s game with Scott Feldman pitching is always up in the air. Tomorrow, Colby Lewis is scheduled and he may not even make the start which could open the door for a minor league pitcher or a reliever to get a spot start. Of course, if the Rangers can score it may not make much of a difference, but I’m not about to call a Rangers sweep by any means.