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What the Sox’ pursuit of David DeJesus means for Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth 11.11.10 at 9:53 am ET
By Alex Speier

The Red Sox explored the market for outfielder David DeJesus before he was traded to the Athletics on Wednesday. (AP)

Not all offseason roads for the Red Sox lead to Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.

For the second time in four months, according to a major league source, the Red Sox made a run at acquiring outfielder David DeJesus from the Royals. In July, prior to the trade deadline, the Sox had made an aggressive bid for the 30-year-old, who was amidst a career-best season in Kansas City, hitting .318/.384/.443/.827. In the summer — with a chance to benefit from the outfielder’s services in both 2010 (for the remainder of his $4.7 million salary) and 2011 (for a $6 million option) — the Sox were willing to discuss multiple top 10 prospects with the Royals.

However, Boston drew the line on including left-hander Felix Doubront (this was at the time when the Sox committed to the idea of using Doubront as a reliever for the duration of the year in hopes of bolstering a flagging bullpen). And so, the Sox might have fallen short in their pursuit of DeJesus over the summer. That pursuit was rendered irrelevant, however, when the outfielder tore a ligament in his right thumb on July 22, just prior to the trade deadline.

This offseason, the Sox once again made a run at DeJesus, but apparently, the summer dynamic played out once again, suggesting that the Sox and Royals did not see eye-to-eye on which prospects might be included in a deal. That, in turn, set the stage for the Royals to deal DeJesus to the Athletics in exchange for right-handed starter Vin Mazzaro (expected to start the year in the Kansas City rotation) and left-hander Justin Marks (who will open the year in High-A Wilmington).

Though the Sox did not acquire DeJesus, their pursuit of him is revealing on a few of levels:

First, it is a reminder that it is not a given that the team will pursue an offseason strategy that involves the acquisition of either Crawford or Werth, the two free-agent outfielders who will command expensive long-term deals this winter. The Sox believe that they need not — and indeed cannot — rely exclusively on free agents to achieve offseason upgrades. They will approach their offseason makeover through a mix of free agents (if the way they value a player matches up with his asking price), trades and internal options.

That being the case, while both Werth and Crawford are obvious fits as upgrades for the Sox, the team clearly would be open to identifying more cost-effective alternatives, particularly a player such as DeJesus who is capable of delivering above-average impact at the plate, in the field and on the bases.

That said, unless the Dodgers decide to deal Matt Kemp or the Cardinals elect to part with Colby Rasmus, there are few players in the mold of DeJesus who are likely to be available via trade this offseason. (The Mets, according to a major league source, would certainly entertain offers to move Carlos Beltran, though his knee injuries have led multiple clubs to conclude that his once-elite defense has suffered, and that he is a corner outfielder going forward.) And so, while the Sox’ interest in DeJesus suggests that they were interested in exploring alternatives to Werth and Crawford, the fact that he is no longer on the market means that there is one fewer trade alternative to the big-ticket free agent outfielders.

Second, the team’s unwillingness to include Doubront in a potential deal over the summer highlights how highly the Sox regard the young left-hander (he turned 23 last month), and how important he is to their short-term plans. Not only could Doubront help the Sox out of the bullpen for the coming year, but he is their most advanced starting pitching prospect right now. Were the Sox to part with him, they would likely have to go outside the organization to find someone capable of filling such a role.

Finally, the fact that the Sox were in on the DeJesus derby offers further evidence that the team is committed to upgrading its outfield, following a year when Boston outfielders had the worst average (.245), second-worst OBP (.317) and third-worst OPS (.729) in the American League. Much of that, of course, was a byproduct of the injuries that limited Jacoby Ellsbury to 18 games and Mike Cameron to 48. Still, rather than relying solely on a return to health, the Sox are looking to improve their personnel if possible.

Read More: carl crawford, david dejesus, felix doubront, Jayson Werth Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Tony Terzi

    If the Sox had indeed acquired DeJesus, it would likely have been a prelude to a trade, including Ellsbury, for Adrian Gonzalez.

  • KCF

    The Red Sox need to stop acting like they are mid market team, and go out and get Crawford. Aiming for a David DeJesus (who is a decent player) is aiming too low.

    They played Crawford 19x a year as a member of the Rays. They know full well what he can do and the pressure he can put on an opposing team’s pitching staff.

  • Robert

    Very good point. This team is always dabbling with thrift shop items and then charging absurd prices for everything. They have no intentions in spending money this year. Henry has completly lost interest and Theo is the mouthpiece for this garbage.There plan is everyone getting healthy. They will not use the money saved this off season on free agents. Get ready to hear this expression from Tony and Nick over and over. The Sox see this player as “Low risk High Reward” How many are sick of this expression?

  • tobosox

    Although I am sick of the term “low risk, High reward” Beltre was that and he worked out pretty well. If he sat a few games for his hammy he would not have made his bonus and we would have gotten a 30 hr 100rbi and .321 ba player for 5 mil..thats low risk high reward my friend. For every John Smoltz there is a big papi, their system works, let ‘em do it.

  • Steve_in_MA

    I’m sick of the Sox way overvaluing their prospects. They are prospects only, and may never become MLB ready. You have a set rotation through 2014. Why the hell wouldn’t you part with Doubront to get a proven good-quality MLB’er? That is the essence of the problem. You’ve got to give value to get value, or you’re never going to be able to fulfill any of your needs by trade. Other GM’s are going to refuse to deal with you because you can’t come to terms with reality. No one gives quality for nothing. Get off your damned high and mighty horse about your prospects. No one outside of this organization and fan base is raving about our farm system. There’s maybe 2 or 3 genuine A prospects in our entire program (Kelly, Iglesias, and possibly Raunaudo (sp?)). If they’re not asking for any of these guys, their demands are on the reasonable side for a proven good ballplayer like DeJesus. That doesn’t mean one can’t negotiate the specifics, but we gotta be willing to give quality to get quality.

  • Vinn in DC

    Yeah, Steve — let’s trade the prospects. I’m sure they were overvaluing Lester when they wouldn’t send him to Texas, or Buchholz when he wasn’t included in the Johan Santana deal. Are you a GM? A scout? Then please pipe down. Two championships after an 86 year drought; homegrown talent — Youkilis, Pedroia, Lester, Bard, Buchholz, Ellsbury, Papelbon, Kalish (and hopefully soon) Doubront, Lars, Kelly, Westmoreland, Fuentes and Rizzo — after years of dealing with management bringing us Steve Lomasney, Sunny Kim, Dernell Stenson (RIP), Dumatrait, Seung Song etc.; and a fan friendly atmosphere/ever-expanding ballpark are resume enough for me to trust this front office.

    They know what they’re doing. And if we’re healthy I’m convinced we come dang close to winning it all next year.

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  • DonC

    I’m not a huge Crawford to the Sox fan nor am I a huge Jason Werth fan. Werth hit his stride in a hitter friendly ballpark where he was well protected and batting 7th. I would be OK with that until his age comes up. If you can get him for 3 years, I’d do it. Crawford has alot to offer as a ballplayer but how lefthanded do you want your team? Is he willing to bat 6th for you? At least Werth can play right field next year when JD Drew’s contract is up. How big a bat you need in left has alot to do with who’s playing 1st/3rd and catcher.

  • Eric M. Van

    Me and my two buddies are competing for the affections of a young gold-digging wannabe trophy wife. I’m pulling in way more money than they are and am almost certainly in line to win her. But I have a terrible year at work, they cancel my bonus, and I lose that advantage. I also put on thirty pounds. Now the only thing that distinguishes us is that I’m out of shape and they’re not, and she ends up blowing me off and having a three-way with them.

    Why did I lose her? Because I put on the extra weight? Or because I lost a million in income? Obviously the latter. If I’d made the expected money, the extra weight is immaterial. It only became the apparent difference-maker after the lost bonus negated my essential advantage.

  • Jack

    I am a Sox fan and MA native that lives in St Petersburg. Just so you all know, Carl Crawford is an excellent base stealer, but he is not an excellent base runner. His instincts and fundementals on the base paths are below average.

  • Robert

    I am for taking a flyer on a player such as Eric Bedard or Justin Dusrocher, so so long as you are willing to pay market value for quality free agents when needed. Players such as Werth,Buck,Dunn,Downs and Saito. Dunn really makes the most sense at 1st,being available now,only 31,and a great hitter.Also,cheaper then next years bunch,none of whom the Sox would ever pay for.Don’t want to be greedy,but how about Olivo to platoon with Buck. You would get 35 homers from the cather position.Last thing needed would be a right handed bat to platoon with Ortiz…..Glaus? Can also back up at 3rd and 1st.

  • Carl in CT

    For the last time, the Padres are not interested in Ellsbury, as he’s nearly arbitration-eligible and is a Boras client. He’s not going to San Diego!

  • beantown-baby

    all i want for xmas is wuerth in a sox uniform,not crawford.
    were gonna have a great starting 5,that can beat anyone….injuries and
    papplebum were why we didnt win this past year.still not a bad finish.
    yankees are getting old,tb is losing everyone,so the division will be much
    easier to win in 2011.

  • jason bay

    All you have is Lester and Bucholz, Lackey and Beckett are a couple of stiffs. There isn’t enough the sox can do to fix this team. they have a terrible outfield, no third baseman, awful SS, no catcher, no middle relief, And two of there best player are coming off major injuries. Ellsbury is another stiff

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