Peyton’s Place...
You’ve got to feel bad for Jay Payton. While, at 32, the guy probably has a snowball’s chance in hell of making the Hall of Fame, he’s a sturdy, reliable, and productive outfielder, skilled at all three positions, and, as his recent offense surge has shown, fairly handy with the stick, too. Problem is, the Red Sox already have three very capable fellows patrolling those three positions on the full-time basis, relegating Payton to a late-inning substitution whose disdain for said role is evident in his pleas to be traded away from Boston. Here’s a guy who’s willing to leave the defending world champions for another team-any team-willing to play him every day. So when potential suitors like the last-place Colorado Rockies come calling, Payton doesn’t even flinch at the proposition of going from first to worst.
So why is that a talented player would be willing to sacrifice a part-time position on a winning team to be a part of a squad that’s already thrown in the towel in June? If you guessed money, then give yourself a gold star. You see, while the Red Sox hold an option on Payton for next season, there’s no way they’ll exercise it to resign a reserve outfielder with a $3 million dollar price tag; not when there are players out there willing and able to fill that role for a fraction of that figure. So this season is essentially a walk year for Payton, and, if the outfielder were to stay here, he would be walking into a crowded free agent market next year with little playing time on his resume. When one considers that, at 32, Payton could very well be looking at his last chance to sign a long-term, big(ish) money deal, this matter becomes even more pressing.
After much press and public displays of displeasure, Payton has been seeing a lot of playing time of late, but don’t mistake that for the team’s attempts to placate the disgruntled player. Instead, consider this a showcase. Theo Epstein has been actively trying to move Payton, but only for a deal that makes sense to the club. The obvious need for pitching aside, the Red Sox would still need to fill the depth void left by a departed Payton, and, rumor has it, that void could very well be filled by none other than fan favorite Gabe Kapler, who is currently floundering in Japan, and would welcome a return ticket to friendly Fenway.
Now if we could just bring back Dave McCarty to fill in for Alan Embree…
Notes and Notables...
Rockets Red Glare...
While the New York Yankees have seemingly stumbled back onto the right track, they may have to do so without Kevin Brown, whose chronic back pain has sidelined him once again. While the team has yet to place him on the DL, it’s been discussed, and has heated up trade rumors involving a possible return to pinstripes for Roger Clemmons. While the Astros insist The Rocket isn’t going anywhere, insiders speculate that the future Hall of Famer may relish the idea of pitching meaningful games in what could be his final season, and have mentioned New York and Boston, amongst others, as potential destinations after the All Star break. Still, New York has little by way of prospects to offer the Astros, and the balance of Clemmons $22 million dollar contract may be a sticking point for Bud Selig, especially were that balance absorbed by a team already bogged down by well over $200 million dollars in salary.
Sigh... $200 million dollars doesn’t buy what it used to.
You’ve got to feel bad for Jay Payton. While, at 32, the guy probably has a snowball’s chance in hell of making the Hall of Fame, he’s a sturdy, reliable, and productive outfielder, skilled at all three positions, and, as his recent offense surge has shown, fairly handy with the stick, too. Problem is, the Red Sox already have three very capable fellows patrolling those three positions on the full-time basis, relegating Payton to a late-inning substitution whose disdain for said role is evident in his pleas to be traded away from Boston. Here’s a guy who’s willing to leave the defending world champions for another team-any team-willing to play him every day. So when potential suitors like the last-place Colorado Rockies come calling, Payton doesn’t even flinch at the proposition of going from first to worst.
