Rotoworld article on revisiting the trade.


Remember how many people were so quick to write off the Bronson Arroyo (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=3049)-Wily Mo Pena trade as a big win for the Reds earlier this season? Most of the mainstream media appears to have already made up their mind in terms of evaluating the deal, but things have certainly changed recently.

After taking advantage of the switch to the inferior NL early, Arroyo has come crashing back down to earth by going 10 straight starts without a win. He’s served up 11 homers in his last five starts and is now 9-8 with a 3.54 ERA after sitting at 9-4 with a 2.58 ERA through the end of June.

Since July 1, Arroyo is 0-4 with a 5.75 ERA in eight starts. While his 46-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 51.2 innings over that span remains solid, Arroyo has coughed up 65 hits, including 14 homers. Meanwhile, Pena has bounced back from an early-season injury to become one of the Red Sox’s best hitters.

With a homer and three RBIs Thursday, Pena is hitting .304 with eight homers, 30 RBIs, and a robust .875 OPS in 52 games. Since returning from the disabled list in mid-July, he has four homers, 12 RBIs, and a .975 OPS in 49 at-bats. With Trot Nixon (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=2333) sidelined and Coco Crisp (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=3522) continuing to struggle, Pena should get consistent playing time down the stretch and will be a major factor.

Assuming the Red Sox let Nixon leave as a free agent, Pena is will likely take over as Boston’s right fielder in 2007. Maybe then, when he hits 35 homers as a 25-year-old and Arroyo resumes being a decent mid-rotation starter, a few people will realize they jumped the gun evaluating the deal. After all, anything that makes general manager Wayne Krivsky’s trade record appear to be good is probably worth looking at more closely. Patience.

I maintained from the time that trade was made that the Sox pulled off a heist.

I have liked it also.

Did anyone see that laser beem HR he hit last week that went straight over the Green Monster into the bleachers? Not arc and landed, straight into them and then bounced back onto the field. It was not even at it's arc and coming back down.

Sox done did good and getting him.

the Sox could use a pitcher with a winning record and an ERA+ of 129 (29 points above the league average)

thats more valuable than a 4th outfielder

the Sox could use a pitcher with a winning record and an ERA+ of 129 (29 points above the league average)

thats more valuable than a 4th outfielder

Coming out of the spring it was suppossed to be Schilling, Beckett, Wells, Wakefield and Clement. Arroyo was not needed.

Even with hindsight, the argument is weak.

Arroyo is not the difference between the Sox winning a title or not. He might solidfy the rotation for this year, but is his protated NL stats (i.e. 9-8 3.54 ERA) going translate all that much better for the Sox in the AL? No.

The Wells-Wake-Clement trio is 13-15. Put his record in their take out Lester's 5-2 and the Sox are about the same place they are 66-48. Arroyo is at best a number 2 on an average at best NL team and a 4th or 5th on a good AL team.

Even more impact for this year alone is debatable.

Wily Mo on the other hand has far more upside and he helped the Sox immensely this year. He filled in for Coco and did an excellent job. He has filled in for Trot and done and excellent job.

Roto might be right he is a replacement for Trot. I think he might be a better replacement for Manny in a couple of years. Either way next year, teams are going to cringe when they have Papi-Manny-Mo to deal with at 3-4-5 in the batting order.

I don't fear Willie Mo at all

put him at #3 in the lineup for all I care

I don't fear Willie Mo at all

put him at #3 in the lineup for all I care

Just proving your ignorance then.

Are teh Bosox really going to let Nixon go, and use Pena as his replacement? I always felt Trot was a clubhouse presence, in addition to his on-the-field abilities.

Are teh Bosox really going to let Nixon go, and use Pena as his replacement? I always felt Trot was a clubhouse presence, in addition to his on-the-field abilities.

He is, but I could see them letting him go. I always thought Wily Mo was Manny's replacement. The Sox ride Manny until his contract expires and unless she comes down to Earth on his salary, they bid him a fond farewell.

As far as Trot goes, this is the fourth straight year Trot will miss 20+ games. He has not shown the power he had early in his career. He has been under or on-pace to hit under 20 HRs since 2003. He has chronic back problems and is 32yo. I would like him back, but think trying to plan the team with him in RF is risky.

Time to find a solution there and move Trot to bench.

He is, but I could see them letting him go. I always thought Wily Mo was Manny's replacement. The Sox ride Manny until his contract expires and unless she comes down to Earth on his salary, they bid him a fond farewell.

As far as Trot goes, this is the fourth straight year Trot will miss 20+ games. He has not shown the power he had early in his career. He has been under or on-pace to hit under 20 HRs since 2003. He has chronic back problems and is 32yo. I would like him back, but think trying to plan the team with him in RF is risky.

Time to find a solution there and move Trot to bench.

Interesting take on Trot.

He seems to me to be another of those gusy with "character" and "intangibles" that are valuble in the clubhouse. Guys like Millar, Damon, etc. It is tough to replace these types so easily.

Manny does not qualify, IMO.;)

Interesting take on Trot.

He seems to me to be another of those gusy with "character" and "intangibles" that are valuble in the clubhouse. Guys like Millar, Damon, etc. It is tough to replace these types so easily.

Manny does not qualify, IMO.;)


I think you could replace his on the field production, especially the last four years, but as you said not his lockeroom prescence.

I think he makes like 6 million a year and if he stayed close to that, I would hope he comes back.

I mean what is the point of being a big market team if you cannot utilize it to keep an aging OF on your team for 6 million. ;)

I think he makes like 6 million a year and if he stayed close to that, I would hope he comes back.
$7.5

$7.5

Yes, that is his salary for 2006.

$7.5

Seven dollars and fifty cents? He should fire his agent.