Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Trade Idea: Brandon Belt to the Red Sox

I know that many people aren't very high on trading young talent for young talent, but I think that this trade should be an exception.

The Red Sox have recently gone to high spending ways and have not developed many players well. They need to go a little younger instead of keeping up with the astronomical spending Yankees. They have a void in right field and could use a nice young player to stick in everyday that has high upside and team control. Belt is only 23, so he will be able to play passable right field defense for quite and while, and his bat would be an improvement over Darnell McDonald and Ryan Sweeney.

I know the Giants fans won't like this trade much, but I think that they could net some good prospects, and maybe even cash for the extensions of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum(After his 2 year extension is up) that will come up. Brandon Belt is blocked in all positions, and another prospect in Brett Pill, is ready to take the leap and be a full time first basemen. If they looked ahead, they will notice that they have a perfectly viable first basemen in Pill and if he recovers, Aubrey Huff. Buster Posey may also have to make a permanent move to first base to not risk long term injury and the derailment of his career. The Giants lack quality catching prospects behind him and the most skilled backup is Eli Whiteside.

Here is my trade proposal....

Brandon Belt to the Red Sox for Ryan Lavarnway, Brandon Jacobs, Stolmy Pimentel, and $6 Million.



I think that this is a fair trade from a neutral standpoint. Giants fans will not want to give up Belt, but they might be acquiring their next catcher if Posey moves to first base, and a good outfield prospect to go along with a starting prospect with high upside. They also get a little money in the deal, which could go for the future extensions of Cain and Lincecum. Red Sox executives might not want to part with the money because they are tight in budget, but they have a good catcher in Jarrod Saltalamacchia ahead of Lavarnway. I think an overall even trade for both teams, the Red Sox are getting a strong rated outfielder that can hit, and the Giants are getting some good prospects, cash, and they still have two first basemen that can produce.

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