A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[notin]

2016: Moncada, Espinoza, Benintendi

2017: Benintendi, Moncada, Kopech, Espinoza

Before 2017, Benintendi and Moncada were ranked 1 and 2 by both Baseball America and MLB…

[Nick]

One thing I liked about DD was that he essentially said that enough time spent in AA was good enough to make a jump straight to the majors.

[mvp 78]

Getting Chris Sale for Moncada and Espinoza was a great trade. Contract extension is a separate issue.

If I recall, DD got a quick look at Moncada playing third and knew immediately he could be replaced by Devers. Moncada was a second baseman but Pedey was there.

Moon and I were more concerned about the 'ceiling' of Espinoza, but he essentially got hurt and his development slowed.

At the time of the trade, Devers had only gotten as far as Salem. I don't think DD had seen Devers at the point.

[mvp 78]

One thing I liked about DD was that he essentially said that enough time spent in AA was good enough to make a jump straight to the majors.

Back then it was true. They have fundamentally changed that dynamic by getting rid of short season and reducing the amount of players allowed in an organization.

[mvp 78]

2017: Benintendi, Moncada, Kopech, Espinoza

Before 2017, Benintendi and Moncada were ranked 1 and 2 by both Baseball America and MLB…

Moncada and Kopech were traded December 2016.

Not sure Kopech popped high on lists as a prospect until 2017.

[notin]

At the time of the trade, Devers had only gotten as far as Salem. I don't think DD had seen Devers at the point.

Or at least wasn’t making decisions about the MLB roster based on him.

At that time, the Sox still had Pablo Sandoval locked up for 4 more years…

[notin]

Moncada and Kopech were traded December 2016.

Not sure Kopech popped high on lists as a prospect until 2017.

It was more of a question of whether or not the lists came out before the trade. 2016 Kopech was ranked on BA and BP, but not top 40…

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

Moncada and Kopech were traded December 2016.

Not sure Kopech popped high on lists as a prospect until 2017.

Kopech had serious helium at that point. I think he ranked somewhere around 22 (lets see how close I am without looking it up) but that was one of the first set of rankings that came up after they trade and he had been in their system.

[mvp 78]

Or at least wasn’t making decisions about the MLB roster based on him.

At that time, the Sox still had Pablo Sandoval locked up for 4 more years…

4 more years or lock him up?

[mvp 78]

Kopech had serious helium at that point. I think he ranked somewhere around 22 (lets see how close I am without looking it up) but that was one of the first set of rankings that came up after they trade and he had been in their system.

Right, after. I think he had strong value which is why the deal got done. The question was specifically ranked prospects.

[notin]

4 more years or lock him up?

All the rage in 2016…

[5GoldGloves:OF,75]

Or at least wasn’t making decisions about the MLB roster based on him.

At that time, the Sox still had Pablo Sandoval locked up for 4 more years…

Pablo might have been locked up, but he busted out in Spring Training.

It was on the beltway around Fort Myers -- gut instinct...

[notin]

Pablo might have been locked up, but he busted out in Spring Training.

It was on the beltway around Fort Myers -- gut instinct...

He was locked up. You cannot stop Kung Fu Panda; you can only hope to contain him.

Which is usually done by pointing him towards the closest buffet. That can contain him for hours…

[mvp 78]

All the rage in 2016…

Gotta play all the old hits from time to time. Pokemon Go to the polls!

[Maxbialystock]

Gonzalez? Did you mean Valdez?

Romy Gonzalez, whose WAR is currently +0.7 after just 26 games. Valdez is -0.3.