If they deal Youk it's going to haveto be a three team deal. I don't see a team that would want Youk giving something in return that would help the 2012 team.

On the minor league front I wonder what Brentz could bring. They aren't likely to deal Middlebrooks ,Bradley or Barnes and Brentz is probably the guy that teams would want that the Sox would be willing to bite the bullet on and build a package around.

Another guy who might be appealing to teams is Lavarnway with Saltalamacchia emerging.

I don't think trading Youkilis is in the best interest of the team for 2012, but he won't be back in 2014 either way so I'm fine with making the move now. If they do that, I agree that a #2 should be the target. The outfield is bad now, but it shouldn't be a long-term concern with all of Ellsbury/Crawford/Nava/Sweeney/Ross around.

If they make a move for Greinke (are the Brewers going to try and resign him?) or Garza (much preferable to Dempster, IMO), they're not going to move Middlebrooks or Barnes. I think the team would prefer to hold on to Bradley with Ellsbury's FA coming. Brentz is a B-/C+ prospect at this point and unlikely to be a lead piece in a deal for Garza. Which leaves Lavarnway, Bogaerts, and Cecchini. I could see a deal of Bogaerts and a lesser prospect, or a Lavarnway/Cecchini deal.

After that, the SP market looks pretty weak.

I can't see a good fit for the OF. We have so many guys coming back soon (what's the latest on Crawford) that the acquired player would only add a fraction of a win at the cost of a good prospect. If they're going to try to replace Pods/Byrd, they should give Linares a shot.

I agree with trying to get a starter but Dempster scares me--that may just be because I still can't believe he made the jump to the rotation so well.

Youkilis to Dodgers, Brentz and Eovaldi to Cubs, Garza to Red Sox.

I could see a deal of Bogaerts and a lesser prospect, or a Lavarnway/Cecchini deal.

Pretty sure Bogaerts is going to be untouchable for anyone this side of Kershaw or Strasburg. Which is to say he's untouchable in any remotely realistic deal.

There is a lot of talk that Alfonso Soriano might be available.

Ugh. Man, Bard sucks! He just sucks. That's what I think.

Glad I was asleep - those walks from Bard would have driven me nuts

I know Bard was painful today, but I'm still a fan of keeping him in the rotation, because I think he has so much upside as a successful, young, cost-controlled starting pitcher. If you're going to make a trade for a starting pitcher, I'll push back, because:

1) How much better a starting pitcher are the Sox really going to get in a trade than what they have right now? Based on performance, are you really going to boot Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, or Doubront? It could only be Bard. Garza? His ERA+ is 95 right now, and he's making $9.5m this year, eligible for arbitration again this off-season. Then, he's a free agent after 2013. This is a team that is unable to take on payroll right now, and you'd lock in, what, $12 million for 2013 on a guy that is going to be a league-average starter? And the, what about Lackey in 2013? And what about Bard in 2013? Because you get Garza for 1.5 years in a deadline deal in 2012, you have to pay a premium...and I simply don't think what you're paying for is what you need, in this case.
2) How many times do the Rays (or, for that matter, the 2012 Red Sox) have to show that spending money on a bullpen is generally a bad idea? Who are the two highest-paid guys in the Red Sox bullpen this year? (Hint: they aren't pitching right now...Bailey and Jenks.) The Rays never pay for bullpen arms. Unless you've got Rivera, you're crazy to invest your resources in a bullpen. Bard is one of the most valuable commodities in the entire organization right now - he's young, cost controlled, has been successful at the major-league level, is willing to do whatever the team wants, and has filthy stuff. If he was the closer this year (and if you move him back to the bullpen, that's what he'll probably be doing), then how many games ahead would the Red Sox be in 2012 thus far? Aceves is 14-for-17 in save situations, and 12 for his last 13. Since that Yankees meltdown seven weeks ago, he's striking out almost 10 per 9 IP, WHIP under one, etc. How much better was Bard going to be?

Pretty sure Bogaerts is going to be untouchable for anyone this side of Kershaw or Strasburg. Which is to say he's untouchable in any remotely realistic deal.

Bogaerts isn't nearly that good. Nice prospect, get why the FO likes him, but he's nowhere near an A-level prospect.

Bard is really bad right now and I think it's in his head a bit. I don't know that the skipping of him did it, but he's been terrible since (with one good start). I think he needs two weeks on the DL for "shoulder fatigue." They could throw Atchison for a spot start and bring up Melancon or Tazawa.

Cafardo wrote about the Twins possibly shopping Willingham. Bring him. Bring him now.

Bogaerts isn't nearly that good. Nice prospect, get why the FO likes him, but he's nowhere near an A-level prospect.

I don't know - Machado is probably an A-level pospect, right? There are probably some scouty reasons why he's considered much better than Bogaerts, but stat-wise I don't see a yawning chasm.

I mean, he's obviously nowhere near a Harper or Trout, but you don't trade those guys for anybody.

Bard is really bad right now and I think it's in his head a bit. I don't know that the skipping of him did it, but he's been terrible since (with one good start). I think he needs two weeks on the DL for "shoulder fatigue." They could throw Atchison for a spot start and bring up Melancon or Tazawa.

Head or arm they need to get him out of there. He's a mediocre starter who can't find the plate. If they need to they could start Padilla.

I don't know - Machado is probably an A-level pospect, right? There are probably some scouty reasons why he's considered much better than Bogaerts, but stat-wise I don't see a yawning chasm.

I mean, he's obviously nowhere near a Harper or Trout, but you don't trade those guys for anybody.

Well, yes, scouty stuff. And Machado is the same age and a full level higher (AA at 19) with the same production. And he's likely to stick at SS, where nobody thinks Bogaerts has a chance. I wouldn't say a yawning chasm, but it's a clear letter grade at a minimum.

Did Sickels end up bumping him to A- in the book? He had him on the border online. From that and what he's done this year, it seems like A- is pretty fair. That's not untouchable, but pretty close.

Did Sickels end up bumping him to A- in the book? He had him on the border online. From that and what he's done this year, it seems like A- is pretty fair. That's not untouchable, but pretty close.

B+. And he was higher on him than any of the other big sources. He hasn't done anything this year to move that grade up.

Garza? His ERA+ is 95 right now

I don't think this is a fair summary of Garza's talents or projection. He projected to a 116 ERA+ preseason (ZiPS), and he still currently projects to an above average ERA over the rest of the season.

On the general point, I mean, if you want Dan Bard in the rotation regardless of his performance, then you won't want to trade for a starting pitcher. Any trade for a starting pitcher, at the moment, is premised on a Bard demotion of some sort. I think Bard's performance is unworthy of continued MLB starts (5.25 ERA, 5.64 FIP, stuff and command to match for the last month), so I am in favor of trading for a good pitcher.

I also think that with Lester still shaky, Beckett seemingly on the decline, and Buchholz a total wild card, the Sox could really use a front of the rotation starter to give them a bit more stability.

Bard is really bad right now and I think it's in his head a bit. I don't know that the skipping of him did it, but he's been terrible since (with one good start). I think he needs two weeks on the DL for "shoulder fatigue." They could throw Atchison for a spot start and bring up Melancon or Tazawa.

Why not just Matsuzaka? He isn't great down in Pawtucket, but isn't he bumping up against the limits of his rehab assignment?

Not anymore, I don't think. The Sox said he had a neck injury a week ago and shut him down for a few days, which extended his rehab clock to the end of June.

The characterization of Garza in #9 is just bizarre.

They're carrying 12 pitchers including several (Padilla, Atchison, Morales) who can go multiple innings and a closer with a rubber arm. Frankly I'd be content to call up Melancon (who should be up anyway), disable Bard and let one of those three guys get the start. If I count right off days mean the Sox only need the fifth starter on the 9th then don't need him again until the 23rd by which time it is probably go time for Matsuzaka.

They're carrying 12 pitchers including several (Padilla, Atchison, Morales) who can go multiple innings and a closer with a rubber arm. Frankly I'd be content to call up Melancon (who should be up anyway), disable Bard and let one of those three guys get the start.

What would be the point of all this? just to get Melancon on the team?

And to get Bard out of the rotation, back to somewhere he can work his #### out without losing us games.

What would be the point of all this? just to get Melancon on the team?

I can think of three benefits;

1. Daniel Bard goes away and gets fixed. Whether it's AAA or the DL or to a whorehouse in some third world nation whatever it takes to make him better.

2. The Sox gain flexibility by not rushing Matsuzaka up before he is ready to go. Once the Sox call him up he is "stuck" in Boston unless he goes back on the DL.

3. Potentially identify people who can step in and make a start when needed. I am skeptical that the other four starters are going to make their 22 or so scheduled remaining starts so a little knowledge that Scott Atchison (for example) can take the ball and make a start is helpful.

1 & 2 are the biggest ones though. Melancon is pitching well but I'd be fine with a Mortensen call up (I like him) or even Tazawa.

1. Daniel Bard goes away and gets fixed. Whether it's AAA or the DL or to a whorehouse in some third world nation whatever it takes to make him better.

I didn't watch yesterday's game, so maybe that's why I don't think removing him from the rotation is an emergency need. I try not to over-react to the ups and downs over a long season. That being said, I think the Sox should be looking to have a better SP than Bard in that spot in the rotation this season. But that should be when they acquire someone, or when/if Matsuzaka is healthy and effective, and not making one of your relievers a starter in a non-emergency situation. Also, the situation described in #22 is one that can withstand a bad outing, and keep the team in the game.

2. The Sox gain flexibility by not rushing Matsuzaka up before he is ready to go. Once the Sox call him up he is "stuck" in Boston unless he goes back on the DL.

Maybe I don't understand what you mean, but the Sox have the exact same flexibility w/ Matsuzaka whether it's Bard or Atchison/Mortensen getting the starts.

3. Potentially identify people who can step in and make a start when needed. I am skeptical that the other four starters are going to make their 22 or so scheduled remaining starts so a little knowledge that Scott Atchison (for example) can take the ball and make a start is helpful.

They know what they have with Atchison. He is a reliever who could probably make a spot start, but has only started 2 games since coming back from Japan a few years ago. Giving him a start this month doesn't really give them any more info.

I didn't watch yesterday's game, so maybe that's why I don't think removing him from the rotation is an emergency need. I try not to over-react to the ups and downs over a long season.

These are Bard's numbers this season:

55 IP, 52 H, 33 R, 6 HR, 37 BB, 34 K, 5.24 ERA, 81 ERA+, 5.65 FIP, -0.3 WAR

He's also leading the league with 8 HBP to go along with those 37 free passes. I don't think it's overreacting to judge Bard a poor bet to pitch well in a major league rotation right now.

I don't think it's overreacting to judge Bard a poor bet to pitch well in a major league rotation right now.

I don't either. I, too, think Bard is a poor bet to pitch well in a major league rotation right now. I also think that Atchison/Padilla/Mortensen would be a only slightly less poor bet as a starter at the moment, considering that none of them has been stretched out to start this season. And for a tiny potential benefit, you would be weakening the bullpen and hurting the chance that Bard does become a decent starter this year.

I didn't watch yesterday's game, so maybe that's why I don't think removing him from the rotation is an emergency need. I try not to over-react to the ups and downs over a long season.

To add to what MCoA wrote. Media around the team has been discussing Bard's drop in velocity, specifically that he can never get it up to above 94 and never really hits that number. Some of the speculation is that there is an injury. Second, his statements after the game were discouraging and does not make you think this is a bump in the road, or something that can be tweeked. He basically said "this is not working" and the "this" is the way he is pitching as a starter, not being a starter. He wants to go back to doing things the way he did as a reliever, part of which was not thinking so much. So it seems to me, either he needs to work on his mechanics to get back to where he was before this year or he needs to get his head straight, either of which he shouldn't be doing while pitching for the Red Sox.

I don't either. I, too, think Bard is a poor bet to pitch well in a major league rotation right now. I also think that Atchison/Padilla/Mortensen would be a only slightly less poor bet as a starter at the moment, considering that none of them has been stretched out to start this season. And for a tiny potential benefit, you would be weakening the bullpen and hurting the chance that Bard does become a decent starter this year.

One of the benefits of getting Bard out of the rotation is that you hopefully can fix him. Fixing him may mean having him contribute as a starter or it may mean having him go back to being a reliever but I think that benefit needs to be factored in. My fear is that Bard is damned close to the Ankiel line and I think getting him out of there before he gets to that point has value.

And for a tiny potential benefit, you would be weakening the bullpen and hurting the chance that Bard does become a decent starter this year.

This is basically a repeat of Jose's and Mitch's posts, but I don't think we know what interventions will increase the chance of Bard getting himself right. If I had to choose, I'd suggest that Bard needs either some time off or some time in AAA more than he needs another MLB start.

According to Cafardo on Twitter, the Red Sox are going to "formulate a plan for Bard" tomorrow.

Also on Bard, he had some interesting stuff to say after his last disaster, most notably:

"If anything, it's that I allowed something to happen when I switched roles. It's that maybe we tried to turn me into a starter rather than just taking the same pitcher I was out of the 'pen and moving that guy to the rotation," said Bard. "That's probably what should have been done. It's partially my fault. It's all my fault. It's a matter of getting back to what I had success doing in the past."

If he can actually turn those words into reality, he might be on to something. I think he showed in his first few starts (particularly the first start in Toronto) that he's capable of being a starting pitcher, but he needs to get back to the guy he was then and work from there. I think it would be a mistake to move him to the bullpen at this point, but I would probably send him to Pawtucket until he shows that he can throw strikes with his fastball and regain his velocity.

Yes. Agree with Dan. Earlier in the season, investing in Dan Bard's future success as a starter meant leaving him in the rotation and riding out the bumps. I think at this point it's become abundantly clear that investing in Dan Bard's future success as a starter means getting him out of the rotation and aggressively pursuing a solution.

There was a period of time, well after the no-hitter, that Clay Buchholz was sent to the minors because he was failing as a starter. You remember, the guy who allowed a baserunner then for some reason must have thought he wasn't done pitching to the guy given that he kept throwing over to first. Buchholz's problem was his head: up to that point he hadn't faced enough adversity as a pitcher, and once he hit a point where he struggled he didn't know how to move past it.

I think Bard is in the same position, not knowing if he can succeed as a starter, that lack of confidence becoming self-fulfilling. If the Red Sox are committed to Bard becoming a starter, and he can't get it together, they need to send him down.

Peter Abraham reports on twitter that Daniel Bard has been optioned to AAA. No corresponding move announced. (It might, for now, just be the activation of Darnell McDonald.)

Dice-K is scheduled to start tonight in Pawtucket, so he would be unable to cover Bard's scheduled start on Saturday.

Wow. It's rare when my opinion is a leading indicator.

EDIT: Whether he overcomes his difficulties or not, this is a fairly sure sign that they're committed to him as a starter. If they were to give up on the experiment he'd be in the bullpen.

Dice-K is scheduled to start tonight in Pawtucket, so he would be unable to cover Bard's scheduled start on Saturday.

But Matt Barnes did pitch last night and would be on schedule!

But Matt Barnes did pitch last night and would be on schedule!

They should do this in complete secrecy just for one start, in order to spring him on an unsuspecting opposing lineup with no scouting reports, etc. Then send him to Portland.

Co-signed. It'd be like a reverse Ehmke.

SoxProspects.com might crash if they did that.

The Sox face the Nationals on Saturday. Barnes facing Bryce Harper, another very good prospect, would be fun.

(It might, for now, just be the activation of Darnell McDonald.)

He'd be a good Bard replacement for the rotation as well.

The Sox agreed with you guys apparently.

*go the distance* Barnesday at Fenway!

Bryce Harper, another very good prospect

The anti-hyperbole.

Dice-K is scheduled to start tonight in Pawtucket, so he would be unable to cover Bard's scheduled start on Saturday.

Apparently they plan to limit him to three innings tonight, which seems to leave the door open to him going five on Saturday.

Huh. That is odd for a rehabbing guy, but if they're limiting him to three innings, then surely they're planning to pitch him Saturday.

I can't find any information about Ryan Kalish's timeline. He's started three games in a row in CF, and his power appears to be back. I had assumed, given the length of his absence, that Kalish would play a month in the minors before getting called up. The Sox have promoted him aggressively, they've been playing him in the field, and he's producing. Is it too optimistic to imagine Kalish up in the majors next week as our everyday CF?

With how he's playing, they'd be foolish to wait longer than that, especially when you account for how awful the other options all are.

Is it too optimistic to imagine Kalish up in the majors next week as our everyday CF?

My gut says it is. I think there are three things at work against him;

1. He's been out a long time. I suspect the Sox will take their time and make sure he's got his timing down. It's one thing to slap around Single and Double A kids, I think they're going to want a bit of a sustained run against the "men" of AAA before promoting him.

2. It's not like Kalish has a track record at the big league level that screams "get him in there." He certainly showed flashes in 2010 but .252/.305/.405 for a right fielder isn't a lock. This isn't a guy like Ellsbury or Crawford who has proven he can do it and is deserving of being pushed into the lineup.

3. God help us all the Sox outfield is playing well right now. While I don't think any of us expects Daniel Nava or especially Scott Podsednik to keep this up I don't think the Sox are in a position where they are going to feel compelled to rush Kalish to the bigs to help the team.

That can all change over the next 7-10 days but my wild guess is that we're talking two weeks at Pawtucket minimum before the Sox move him up. There is a strong likelihood he will be ready next week but for the reasons I laid out I don't think he'll be here until the Miami series (June 19) at the earliest.