Should Kalish make the team next year?

[Dojji]

On one side, the kid looks at least as ready as Pedroia did in '06, has looked great in his limited chances in the bigs, and has shown every tool you could expect of him in AA/AAA. I think he could handle himself over a full season in the bigs, and just as importantly, I think Theo thinks he can handle himself in the bigs. He'd struggle and slump a bit but he's going to need to learn how to get through that anyway, so if you think he can get the job done in the outfield, there's no reason not to debut him next year.

 

On the other hand, there IS an argument to be made for going into FA looking for Werth or Kalish, established veterans that can help the team as we try to get into the playoffs next year. Since it hasn't been less sure we'd even make the playoffs in a long time, going the safe route and bringing in a vet could save our season, and rookie growing pains could sink an otherwise playoff team if Kalish has a hiccup -- and by the time you'd know one way or the other, if you don't sign Werth or Crawford in the offseason, it would cost roster talent or high end prospectws to fix.

 

Not sure where I come down, but I do like Kalish and believe in his potential longterm, so if Red Sox nation can stomach the prospect of a second bridge year if things go sour I think it's appropriate to take the chance on the kid -- who knows, with Ellsbury and Kalish burning up the basepaths at the top of the order this team could go forther than an old strikeout hitter like Werth or a very very talented but occasionally inconsistent guy like Crawford, could take us.

 

And of course, there's a third option. Kalish is a potential 5 tool OF prospect who looks close to big league ready, other teams like those for some reason, and we have some holes to fill...

[Dojji]

And yeah, in some ways this may be a "too early to tell" thing, but please don't just say that -- try to peer into your crystal ball and come down on one side or the other -- or, you know, the other. Take this as a "where do I see Kalish next year?" thread.

[Yaz Sideburn]

i don't see where he fits in next year unless cameron still isn't healthy. i think he'll start at triple a so he can get regular at bats

[Will617]

He should make the team, but he won't unless Ellsbury, Cameron, or Drew are moved.

[Spudboy]

He should make the team' date=' but he won't unless Ellsbury, Cameron, or Drew are moved.[/quote']

 

Something like that.

 

I'd love to see Crawford here. Drew is going nowhere. Ellsbury maybe here or he may be moved. The whole roster may look very different next year.

 

I'd love to see Kalish, Ellsbury, and Drew in 2011. But I would love to see Crawford, Ellsbury, Drew Kalish/Reddick.

[Rdsxmbnt]

There would probably be enough AB to go around for an OF of Kalish/Ellsbury/Cameron/Drew. A lot of LHH's there but also Kalish/Ellsbury/Drew can all play all three OF positions. I think that would work best with Kalish gaining experience and then taking over completely in 2012.

[Yaz Sideburn]

There would probably be enough AB to go around for an OF of Kalish/Ellsbury/Cameron/Drew. A lot of LHH's there but also Kalish/Ellsbury/Drew can all play all three OF positions. I think that would work best with Kalish gaining experience and then taking over completely in 2012.

 

it would be strange to see 3 lefthanded outfielders but kalish did hit .389/.382/.611 against lefthanders in pawtucket so he may not be a typical lefty hitter

[BOSOX11]

Considering the amount of time Drew spends on the DL, I'd like to see Kalish stick around.

[redsoxrules]

Considering the amount of time Drew spends on the DL' date=' I'd like to see Kalish stick around.[/quote']

 

that's funny how Drew still gets all the bashing when he's been their most reliable player in the outfield this year

 

I think you need to rephrase and say with the amount that Ellsbury and Cameron spend on the DL I'd like to see Kalish stick around

[example1]

I bet the Sox will try to split the DH spot between V-Mart and Drew next year and will have Kalish on the big club.

 

I too would love to see them sign Crawford. They will have money to spend and taking his 3-5 WAR away from Tampa should be a top priority. I'm guessing that NYY will be going after him pretty aggressively too and if they want him, they can get him. The Yankees obvious first priority will be pitching and they could very well be coming off another WS championship. If that's the case I think there's a chance that they might see Crawford as a luxury that they can live witout, perhaps in favor of a Jason Werth or someone like that.

 

I keep hearing comparisons between Kalish and Trot Nixon, but I don't think Nixon ever had the speed that Kalish has. Kalish has 30 SB potential over a full season (averaged 37.52 SB/162 G in minors), whereas Nixon topped at a season high of 8 in 2000. Kalish will have 8 before the all-star break.

 

I think Kalish's ceiling is pretty high and he's who they have slotted to take the next OF opening. That could mean rotating him in the OF next year if Jacoby is still around and they sign a LF, or it could mean starting him if they just want to give him the shot to take the LF position. I see no reason to have a guy like Eric Patterson around if Ryan Kalish can contribute consistently.

[Palodios]

that's funny how Drew still gets all the bashing when he's been their most reliable player in the outfield this year

 

Drew is having a s***** season. Its not fair to compliment him because all the other guys have been nonfactors. Darnell Mcdonald has meant more to this team this year than Drew.

 

That being said, I think Ellsbury gets traded, and the outfield will probably be Drew/Crawford/Cameron/Kalish.

[BSN07]

Drew is having a s***** season. Its not fair to compliment him because all the other guys have been nonfactors. Darnell Mcdonald has meant more to this team this year than Drew.

 

That being said, I think Ellsbury gets traded, and the outfield will probably be Drew/Crawford/Cameron/Kalish.

 

Really? A s***** season?

 

It seems to be falling right into a "Drew" type year. His OBP is down because he is K-ing more and walking less. Other then that everything seems normal to me from looking at the stats.

[ORS]

And yeah' date=' in some ways this may be a "too early to tell" thing, but please don't just say that -- try to peer into your crystal ball and come down on one side or the other -- or, you know, the other. Take this as a "where do I see Kalish next year?" thread.[/quote']

Sorry, but that is a crummy request. The reality is, where Kalish is next year is extremely dependent on what happens the remainder of this season. So, in essence, you aren't asking "where do you see him", but "how well does he play the remainder of this year", which is only 1.5 months of baseball. The answer to that is guesswork at best.

 

That said, if he continues to play well, I see him on the team, maybe even starting.

 

If he hits a bump in the road, he probably starts in AAA.

 

And, of course, if some other team bites offering something big, he probably goes elsewhere.

 

Personally, I think they should keep him for the long haul.

[Palodios]

Really? A s***** season?

 

It seems to be falling right into a "Drew" type year. His OBP is down because he is K-ing more and walking less. Other then that everything seems normal to me from looking at the stats.

 

His OBP is the lowest its been in eight years. His OPS is almost a hundred points lower than career averages, and he's a little low on home runs. Normally I like what JD Drew does, and how he plays, but when he's not getting on base, I stop turning a blind eye to his vertigo ********.

[Dojji]

Even so, a .353 OBP and an .800+ OPS is nothing to sneeze at in a right fielder.

[Palodios]

Not really-- corner infielders are supposed to hit better than that. He doesn't break the top 10 at RF for either category right now.

 

Fun Fact -- Drews OPS is .809 with 12 HR. Bill Hall has an OPS of .786 with 12 HR.

[Dojji]

I don't buy equating RF and LF as "corner outfield." The standards for RF defensively are higher -- they have to be, especially at Fenway where RF is so screwy.

 

It's like equating first and third base as "corner infield." Yeah you want your 3B to be a power hitter, but equating third base and first base in terms of what kind offense you expect from each position is patently ridiculous.

[Palodios]

He's having an off year by his standards. The stats back that up. Why does this argument continue?

[jacksonianmarch]

I think he might break camp as your CFer next yr. Once EEI starts turning on a player, and I am talking about the fans as well as the hosts, then the player usually gets moved. They were killing Ellsbury yesterday, fans worse than hosts.

[Dojji]

He's having an off year by his standards. The stats back that up. Why does this argument continue?

 

because while he's having a down year for his standards he's still not a bad RF *this year* and the stats -- and his 112 OPS+ -- back me up on that one.

 

There's a difference between having an off year and having a bad year. Drew is having an off year.

[Rdsxmbnt]

I think he might break camp as your CFer next yr. Once EEI starts turning on a player' date=' and I am talking about the fans as well as the hosts, then the player usually gets moved. They were killing Ellsbury yesterday, fans worse than hosts.[/quote']

 

Trade Ellsbury in deal for Gonzalez, Sign Crawford, move Kalish to CF

 

1. Crawford LF

2. Pedroia 2B

3. Youkilis 3B

4. Gonzalez 1B

5. Ortiz DH

6. Martinez C

7. Drew RF

8. Kalish CF

9. Scutaro SS

 

perfect

[jacksonianmarch]

Trade Ellsbury in deal for Gonzalez, Sign Crawford, move Kalish to CF

 

1. Crawford LF

2. Pedroia 2B

3. Youkilis 3B

4. Gonzalez 1B

5. Ortiz DH

6. Martinez C

7. Drew RF

8. Kalish CF

9. Scutaro SS

 

perfect

 

If you get Adrian Gonzalez, then you're gonna be signing him to a $20 mil per yr deal, which makes getting Crawford much less realistic

[Rdsxmbnt]

If you get Adrian Gonzalez' date=' then you're gonna be signing him to a $20 mil per yr deal, which makes getting Crawford much less realistic[/quote']

 

Lowell+Lugo clears the 20mil right there. Plus Drew is in the last year of his contract next year which would free up 14mil long term after that at which point Reddick could possibly take over RF. Gonzalez only makes 5.5 mil next year also.

[jacksonianmarch]

Right, but the sox wouldnt deal away a treasure trove of prospects and MLB talent for a guy and not extend him. Plus, with the sox being at their highest payroll ever, and in this uncertain economic climate, you are seeing a lot of teams pare payroll rather than add

[TedWilliams101]

that's funny how Drew still gets all the bashing when he's been their most reliable player in the outfield this year

 

I think you need to rephrase and say with the amount that Ellsbury and Cameron spend on the DL I'd like to see Kalish stick around

 

It's because of the history. Drew has averages about 122 games a year, in other words, he misses almost 40 games a year, or nearly 25% of the season.

[Yaz Sideburn]

I think he might break camp as your CFer next yr. Once EEI starts turning on a player' date=' and I am talking about the fans as well as the hosts, then the player usually gets moved. They were killing Ellsbury yesterday, fans worse than hosts.[/quote']

 

if the front office traded a player every time fans called in to weei to complain about them, we'd be fielding a roster of minor leaguers. if ellsbury plays well, the fans will forget all about him missing most of the year. that's how talk radio works, especially in boston

[Dojji]

Trade Ellsbury in deal for Gonzalez' date='[/s'] Sign Crawford, move Kalish to CF

 

1. Crawford LF

2. Pedroia 2B

3. Youkilis 3B

4. Gonzalez 1B

5. Ortiz DH

6. Martinez C

7. Drew RF

8. Kalish CF

9. Scutaro SS

 

perfect

That's 6 LHH's and 2 of the righties next to each other.

 

If you're going to have that lineup, Peddy can't hit second. Gotta spread the righties around.

 

Crawford

Kalish

Youks

Gonzo

VMart

Papi

Peddy

Drew

Scoot

[Rdsxmbnt]

just swap Youk and Gonzalez

1. Crawford LH

2. Pedroia RH

3. Gonzalez LH

4. Youkilis RH

5. Ortiz LH

6. Martinez SH

7. Drew LH

8. Kalish LH

9. Scutaro RH

[ORS]

So you hit Pedroia 7th? Sorry, not buying.

[Dojji]

With 2-3 possible speedsters on the team between Kalish and possibly Ellsbury and/or Crawford you bat Pedroia down in the order.