Trade Manny (updated on 12/1)

I read an interesting article in the Globe today about the Sox offering Nixon arbitration. The thesis was that the Sox may be looking at a realligned outfield in 2007 with Nixon splitting time with Wily Mo in right, JD Drew in Center and Coco Crisp in left. This would allow the Sox to trade Manny to San Diego for Jake Peavey (a starting rotation of Schilling, Beckett, Papelbon, Peavey and Matsusaka would not suck).

Losing Manny's bat (and thus Big Papi's protection) in the lineup would be a big blow. However, two things might soften that blow:

• Wily Mo having a banner year in 2007 -- he's projected by Hardball Times as the "player under 26 most likely to have a break out season in '07".
• A healthy JD Drew whom Schilling defended on WEEI yesterday. I know, coulda, woulda, shoulda... anything could happen but if Schill likes him and says he's a monster if he's healthy, you have to at least listen.
  

I will say that I'm okay with the Sox continuing to move toward a younger starting rotation, outfield and infield (Mssrs. Schilling, Lowell and Varitek excepted). If the Sox can exchange talent for youth and expectation, I say trade Manny and trade him today!