Jay Payton Wants to be Traded

Jay Payton has made it known that he would welcome a trade that would send him to a team that would allow him to play every day. Payton is a role player with the Red Sox. A role player for the first time in his career and I can accept the fact that he still views himself as talented enough to be a starter. I also respect the fact that Payton is keeping this low key and that he readily admits that the players starting in front of him is Boston are more talented.

I've been wondering whether the Sox should trade Payton.

Payton backs up all three outfield spots for the Sox. His defence is good but not gold glove caliber. Payton also plays right field for Trot Nixon when the other team starts a leftie. So in order to replace Payton - the Sox would need a player who can cover all three outfield positions and who is a rightie (or a switch hitter at least).

Trot Nixon has a career OPS of .636 against lefties and I think Payton was helpful in that he allowed Terry Francona to sit Nixon against leties without bruising Nixon's ego too much. Payton is a guy who could start for many teams and Francona has to get him some AB's. In the past Nixon wanted to prove that he could hit lefties. Maybe the presence of Payton has allowed him to come to terms with the fact that Trot just can't hit lefties consistently.

Now Payton's career OPS is just .811 against lefties and this year it was just .764 - so I don't think replacing his bat would be too hard.

If worse comes to worse - Kevin Millar's career OPS is .842 against lefties - so he could be used in right field on days the opponents start a leftie. This would have the side benefit of getting additional AB's at first base for either John Olerud (career OPS .765 against lefties) or even better Kevin Youkilis (career .876 OPS against lefties). This means that the Sox would really just need a centerfield defensive replacement to replace Payton's productivity. Plus if they could get a base-stealer it would be even better than what they have now.

The first name that comes to mind is Dave Roberts but he was traded to San Diego so that he could be a starter. I don't think Roberts is an option this time around but what about Xavier Nady - Robert's back-up?

This Payton for Nady trade would seem to work except Payton would go from being a back-up in Boston to a back-up in San Diego (albeit with the promise of more playing time since Klesko's throwing shoulder is iffy at best, Brian Giles has been known to visit the DL and who's to say Payton doesn't split time with Roberts in center?). Keep in mind that San Diego is paying much of Payton's salary this year anyway. Nady has a career .830 OPS against lefties.

I'm sure there are other options out there and I'm sure Theo Epstein is exploring every avenue to improve the team. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jay Payton doesn't go anywhere. I just thought I'd throw this trade possibility out there.