Three aces in the Red Sox trade fountain
By Rick McNair
Jul 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers President, CEO and General Manager Dave Dombrowski works in the dugout before their game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
A poker player should never show their cards and that is what Dave Dombrowski did with his very public pronouncement to procure an ace. Not exactly close to the vest and if Dombrowski fails to deliver he’ll be relegated to the land of broken campaign promises. Unfortunately for Dombrowski the Red Sox Nation takes baseball on a far higher level than mere political spats.
Dombrowski has a track record of delivering high-profile talent and shipping out high-profile talent. The expected anticipation is that when spring training is finally upon us, the Red Sox pitching rotation will have a newly minted ace to lead the foray into the 2016 season.
There happen to be three select arms of great stature who certainly can be made available to Mr. D. providing he provides their present teams with the splendor of our development system. Expect up front to see Blake Swihart go. No way around this, kids – you want an ace you gotta pay and in this poker game the most valuable chip is Swihart.
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When pitching arrives pitching must exit and the most likely candidate will be Henry Owens. Owens demonstrated his potential with some respectable late season performances. Owens is a must. Within the pitchers soon to be reviewed comes the caveat that they are under team control for a few seasons. A huge plus and one in which a premium will be required.
Teams have needs and Boston has depth in the minors and a few capable pieces on the roster. Would a Jackie Bradley seal any deal? Is Rusney Castillo and “cash considerations” a possibility? Would either be tempting enough or would Boston have to wave a fond farewell to Anderson Espinoza, Manuel Margot or another high positioned prospect?
The fact is the Red Sox will have to overpay and the debate will not center on that tidbit except for how much.