Red Sox Have Plenty of Trade Chips to Pull Off Blockbuster

There’s a classic scene in The Untouchables when Jim Malone (Sean Connery) explains to Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) how to get Al Capone (Robert DeNiro). It’s called the Chicago way, and it applies to the Red Sox this winter.

“You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way! And that's how you get Capone. Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that? I'm offering you a deal. Do you want this deal?”

Over the next few weeks and months, the Red Sox might have to ask themselves that very same question — do you want this deal?

Boston’s "Al Capone" is a World Series title, and to get one in 2010, the Red Sox must be willing to do whatever it takes to put together a team that can win everything. That won’t involve killing anybody, but it might require trading some popular players to get a big-name star in return.

With relatively slim pickings in the free-agent market, the Red Sox will have to consider trades to improve the club.

But which players should Boston make available?

Determining who’s off limits is always a difficult proposition. Some players have a long history with this team, but just because they’re a curse breaker, lifer or legend does not mean they’re untradeable.

If the Red Sox decide to pull the trigger on a blockbluster, only five players should be deemed untouchable: Victor Martinez, Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Bard.

Martinez showed that he’s capable of leading the Red Sox after being acquired from the Indians at the trade deadline.

Pedroia is a former MVP and natural born leader.

Lester has become one of the best left-handed starters in the majors.

Ellsbury is developing into one of the best table setters in the game.

And Bard has what cannot be taught — a 100 mph fastball.

Pedroia, Lester, Ellsbury and Bard are all 26 or under. Martinez is 30. None of them should be moved for anybody. But everybody else on the major league roster and in the farm system is fair game.
(Josh Beckett gets a big asterisk — the only situation in which the Red Sox ace’s name would even be whispered as trade bait would be in a swap for Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, a 23-year-old right-hander with unlimited potential.)

Saying goodbye to heroes is painful. Giving up prospects can be risky. Just thinking about some players wearing any uniform besides a Red Sox uniform is grounds for treason in some parts of New England.

But before claiming blasphemy, think about what the Red Sox could get in return for a deal that includes a Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon or Clay Buchholz.

Adrian Gonzalez. Hanley Ramirez. Tim Lincecum. Some people might view such players as pipe dreams, but it’s not unreasonable to think that the Red Sox — if they choose to open their talent vault — could put together an attractive enough package to land one or two of those players, or some other high-profile performer.

Boston has plenty of trade chips, and everybody has a price. It’s just a matter of figuring out what that price is, and finding a way to meet it without mortgaging the future or feeling like you’re getting fleeced.

If a trade makes sense and makes the Red Sox a better team, they should make it. Why hold on to prospects that may or may not pan out? Why keep veterans when rising young stars could be had? Why stick with really good players when great ones are ripe for the picking?

Nothing stays the same forever. Change is a part of life and baseball.

A proven major league commodity is better than an unproven kid with promise. The Red Sox showed some age this season, and their roster isn’t getting any younger.

Just as you have to spend money to make money, you have to give up value to get value. Letting personal feelings, sentimentality or emotions get in the way is bad for business. Loyalty is a lofty principle in theory, but when it comes to sports nowadays, loyalty is about as useful as yesterday’s newspaper.

The team with the best players wins.

The Yankees are one victory away from their 27th championship, and they won’t be leaving the spotlight anytime soon. Whatever happens in the World Series, the pinstripes will be back to their big-spending ways and looking to restock the arsenal like they always do.

To keep pace, the Red Sox are going to have to think big and be bold.

Sometimes, being on top of the world means shocking the world first.

NESN.com will be answering one Red Sox question every day in November.

Sunday, Nov. 1: Should the Red Sox change their offseason approach?

Tuesday, Nov. 3: If the Red Sox don’t re-sign Jason Bay, who are the best free-agent/trade alternatives to play left field?