Go for the big prize. Maybe I would do a Laird for Bowden but not TT.

But that’s sort of like someone interested in trading with the Rangers saying, “No thanks, I’ll take Holland.”

it’s meh if you are comparing them to buccholz. but, they will both probably have solid major league careers as relievers or #4’s. we really don’t need that? we’re sure?

don’t trade anyone ever.

I’m all for putting a moratorium on trades, with the exception of catcher. JD built up this catching surplus to improve the pitching. It would be the height of folly to not use it now.

Masterson was a four star prospect and ranked 3rd in the Red Sox farm system. Bowden was a three star and ranked 6th. Here were the analysis. . .

3. Justin Masterson, RHP
DOB: 3/22/85
Height/Weight: 6-6/250
Bats/Throws: R/R
Draft: 2nd round, 2006, San Diego State
2007 Stats: 4.33 ERA at High-A (95.2-103-22-56); 4.34 ERA at Double-A (58-49-18-59)

Year In Review: The big right-hander held his own in Lancaster, then took off once he arrived in the most realistic baseball environs of the Eastern League, allowing five earned runs over 33 2/3 IP in his first five starts for Portland.
The Good: Masterson’s sinker is not only the best in the system, it’s arguably the best in all of the minor leagues. The pitch comes out of his hand at 88-92 mph, touches 94, and features tremendous downward break. Making the pitch even more effective is his ability to locate it in any four quadrants of the zone. He has an intimidating presence on the mound, and his drop-and-drive style gives him some deception.
The Bad: Masterson’s three-quarters delivery is a bit of a concern, as his causes him to often get around on his slider, taking away any depth from the pitch. He made some progress this year with a circle grip on his changeup, but it remains a below-average pitch. Because of these concerns with his arsenal, some project him to be a reliever down the road.
Fun Fact: Masterson was born in Jamaica while his father was serving as the Dean of Students at Jamaica Theological Seminary.
Perfect World Projection: Pitchers like Chien-Ming Wang, Fausto Carmona and Derek Lowe have proven that sinkerballers can have great success in starting roles. While Masterson is in that mold, he’s a notch below them.
Timetable: Masterson’s development has come along a bit more quickly than expected, and he’ll likely begin 2008 at Triple-A Pawtucket. His long-term role with the Red Sox is still undefined, but he could get a big league look by the end of the season.

6. Michael Bowden, RHP
DOB: 9/9/86
Height/Weight: 6-3/215
Bats/Throws: R/R
Draft: 1st round, 2005, Waubonsie Valley HS (IL)
2007 Stats: 1.37 ERA at High-A (46-35-8-46); 4.28 ERA at Double-A (96.2-105-33-82)

Year In Review: Entering the year as one of the top arms in the system, Bowden gained some early attention by being the only pitcher who could succeed at Lancaster, but his showing at Double-A wasn’t nearly as impressive.
The Good: While Bowden has the command of a control specialist, his stuff is far from pedestrian. His fastball sits in the low-90s, and his curveball is a plus offering. He thrives on competition, and seems to find an extra gear in tight situations. While his numbers at Double-A weren’t overly impressive, he was among the youngest pitchers in the league at the time of his promotion.
The Bad: The biggest knock scouts have with Bowden is his funky mechanics. A term normally reserved for batters, Bowden’s delivery almost has a hitch in it and comes in a lot of parts, so it’s easy for him to get out of synch, costing him velocity, command, and movement. His changeup still needs work to become a usable big league pitch.
Fun Fact: In three California League starts away from Lancaster’s high-octane home stadium, Bowden fired 18 2/3 shutout innings.
Perfect World Projection: A third or fourth starter in the major leagues.
Timetable: The Red Sox were happy to get Bowden out of the California League, but that have no need to rush him. He’ll likely spend all of 2008 back at Double-A unless he can rediscover last April’s magic.

As Masterson graduated, that was really the last time anything was written about him in Future Shock.

Masterson ranked as the 53rd best prospect in the country in the mid-season list (four spots below Eric Hurly, five spots above Elvis Andrus, 24 spots above Taylor Teagarden and MaxRam wasn’t on the list). Bowden ranked 95th.

Finally, here are their Stars and Scrubs charts. These are from before the season, obviously.

Bowden

Masterson

1. is pushing it, yes, but one of Hurley and Harrison is going to stick somewhere mid-rotation. I do believe.

We need to package and go for potential number 1 guys. Too many of the Hunter, Mendoza, Feldman, Masterson type one team is just going to lead to 40-man roster problems in the future. Also, indecision because we are trying to develop 10 pitchers into 3 potential starters will lead to stunted development, as we will be thinning the amount of attention each gets and be less able to evaluate their value (see Armando Galaraga).

Go for Bucholtz. Throw in another player with the catcher if we need to (such as Font, Pimentel, or whoever).

Kevin Goldstein had him as a four star prospect and moving up as recently as mid-season. Likes him to be a Mickey Tettleton type with better fielding.

bowden over buchholz?

isn’t even close to Buchholz.

And I really don’t think Masterson is the “safest”.