Should Kalish make the team next year?

[BSN07]

That they have a spot waiting for them on a team like the Red Sox should be "buzz" enough for anyone who is interested.

 

I would push farther and say one of them (Kalish) should have a starting spot in RF in 2012 (with Werth or Crawford in LF, Ellsbury in CF) and one of them might be sitting behind Lowrie for a year, if Jed is still around. If he isn't, then 2012 seems reasonable for Iglesias to arrive.

 

I think too many people underestimate the potential value of a true vacuum at SS. He could produce multiple high WAR seasons with his glove alone.

 

Think about how many great athletes are drafted as shortstops and are questioned about their ability to stick at short. Iglesias not only doesn't get questions about his ability to stay at short, most say he could play there now without difficulty at the age of 20. His was the biggest signing bonus this team has ever paid. People come to watch him take fielding practice. I think he is generating significant interest as a player and represents a good young chip who could make an impact.

 

I would add Josh Reddick and Lars Anderson to the list of potential quality big league players who could contribute over the next two seasons. No need to remind me that both have struggled in limited opportunities or underachieved overall. No dispute here, but when Reddick gets hot he's got a lot of pop, and Anderson clearly has the tools they just haven't come together for him yet.

 

I would also note that Felix Doubront and Jed Lowrie are developing players who the Red Sox will be giving important roles in 2011 and who have shown reasons for that increased responsibility.

 

There are plenty of interesting, talented young players coming through the system.

 

Couldn't agree more. But I guess if they aren't making the top of some list or on the cover of some magazine calling them the next can't miss prodigy, we should give a s*** about them and should question their abilities :dunno:

[Dipre]

Getting a spot? The point is that none of our prospects will have an impact to improve the team in the next couple of years. You are really stuck on the whole "buzz" thing. So predictable.

 

Because, just like "buzz", you haven't defined what you mean by "impact". If having a starting spot on a team like the Sox isn't making an "impact" then you just changed the definition.

 

You also mention that there are no "impact" bats in the system, yet refuse to acknowledge both Lavarnway and Rizzo, who may indeed be members of the team as soon as 2012 depending on the circumstances.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Kalish might have the biggest impact offensively anyway. I think a700 is looking for a "can't miss" offensive talent and as someone on this site pointed out, there are a handful of those a yr, and it just so happens that the Yankees have one. The guys the sox brought up and turned into all stars were certainly underwhelming when they were brought up but showed they should stick. Might be the case with some of these guys.

[Dipre]

I think Kalish might have the biggest impact offensively anyway. I think a700 is looking for a "can't miss" offensive talent and as someone on this site pointed out' date=' there are a handful of those a yr, and it just so happens that the Yankees have one. The guys the sox brought up and turned into all stars were certainly underwhelming when they were brought up but showed they should stick. Might be the case with some of these guys.[/quote']

 

That's twice i've agreed with Jacko in this thread. What is the world coming to?

[a700hitter]

Because, just like "buzz", you haven't defined what you mean by "impact". If having a starting spot on a team like the Sox isn't making an "impact" then you just changed the definition.

 

You also mention that there are no "impact" bats in the system, yet refuse to acknowledge both Lavarnway and Rizzo, who may indeed be members of the team as soon as 2012 depending on the circumstances.

By impact I mean someone who will hold down a starting position and contribute above average offensively. I am not talking about making the roster. I have been pretty clear about this, but somehow because you take my observations as an affront to the FO you are arguing with me even though you agree with my main premise- no one will be coming up from the minors in the next couple of years who will be a starter with an above average bat. Could there be surprises? Yes. Iglesias might hit better than expected. Kalish might blossom. However, the FO isn't clearing a position for anyone, so I am not expecting much help from the minors in 2011 or 2012. Are you?

 

I'm not sure that Theo would disagree with my assessment. I read before last season that Theo believed that they wouldn't be able to field a good "young" team (like 2007) before 2012. He made that statement before Westmoreland got sick. I think losing the #1 prospect in the organization might have caused the timetable to be pushed back a year.

 

Finally, I am not denying that there are any impact bats in the organization. I am saying that we have none that will make an impact before 2013. Do you disagree?

[Palodios]

What do you mean, they're not clearing roster spots? The place where their best prospects are (outfield/SS) will lose Cameron/Drew/Scutaro at the end of this year. Sure I think Westmoreland was more relevant to the Cameron deal, but the OF is still relatively unblocked.

[a700hitter]

What do you mean' date=' they're not clearing roster spots? The place where their best prospects are (outfield/SS) will lose Cameron/Drew/Scutaro at the end of this year. Sure I think Westmoreland was more relevant to the Cameron deal, but the OF is still relatively unblocked.[/quote']Will it be unblocked if Werth or Crawford get signed? I agee that there is a possibility that Kalish could blossom in 2011 as a 4th or 5th OF and he inherit a starting spot in 2012, but will he improve the team by replacing Drew? My first post about this whole issue was discussing the possibility of improving the team from withing. Is a Kalish for Drew swap an improvement? IMO, it will not be an improvement in 2012.

[Palodios]

Kalish doesn't have walks and his power needs work, but considering defense, speed, health and how well he performed despite the little time he got in AAA, one could argue that he will be just as valuable as Drew in 2012. But then again if Craw/Werth get signed, he might only need to be better than Cameron, big challenge there.

[a700hitter]

I wonder why the Sox chose to meet with Werth first. Also, why was the meeting so public? Is it a negotiating ploy to get Crawford to take interest. There are only a few teams around that can meet Crawford's price. If the Sox take themselves out of the bidding by signing Werth, and the Yankees are not interested and the Mets can't move Beltran first, there aren't too many teams where he can land. If he can't get around 3 big market teams to bid against each other, it could hurt him.

[BSN07]

I wonder why the Sox chose to meet with Werth first. Also' date=' why was the meeting so public? Is it a negotiating ploy to get Crawford to take interest. There are only a few teams around that can meet Crawford's price. If the Sox take themselves out of the bidding by signing Werth, and the Yankees are not interested and the Mets can't move Beltran first, there aren't too many teams where he can land. If he can't get around 3 big market teams to bid against each other, it could hurt him.[/quote']

 

All they did was contact Boras. They are going to contact a lot of people they won't end up signing. I'm sure they are just trying to get a feel for what it might take to sign Werth. Like I said earlier, if he has already turned down 4/66M, I wouldn't expect him Boston next season. This is really a non story right now though. Nothing will get done until after the GM meetings for any big time FA IMO.

[a700hitter]

All they did was contact Boras. They are going to contact a lot of people they won't end up signing. I'm sure they are just trying to get a feel for what it might take to sign Werth. Like I said earlier' date=' if he has already turned down 4/66M, I wouldn't expect him Boston next season. This is really a non story right now though. Nothing will get done until after the GM meetings for any big time FA IMO.[/quote']Why would that contact be newsworthy for both major Boston papers to pick it up as a story? Like you said, they will contact lots of people duirng the next couple of months, but it is rare for a phone call contact to be the subject of a story. They planted the story for a reason IMO.

[Palodios]

I seriously doubt Crawford/Werth will have any trouble getting their deals. There aren't many teams that couldn't use an elite OF and you never know when low budget teams feel like picking up a franchise player.

 

And come on, this is Boston, if they send Werth's agent a christmas card it will go to the papers.

[a700hitter]

I seriously doubt Crawford/Werth will have any trouble getting their deals. There aren't many teams that couldn't use an elite OF and you never know when low budget teams feel like picking up a franchise player.

There is a reason why Boras likes to get the Sox and the Yanks bidding on a player. Not every player wants to play for the Yanks or the Sox, but they have tremendous resources and they will bid against each other driving up the players price, even if he signs elsewhere. If the yanks and Sox don't get involved in the bidding, the price will not go as high. They will not have trouble getting jobs, but the price would be higher if he can get the Sox and Yanks in on the deal.

[Palodios]

Boras does like doing that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turns off more mid-level teams. Bay and Holliday weren't exactly hurting last year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Werth is probably looking at Holliday and hoping for a sweet deal like that. I doubt that happens. My guess on Werth is that someone goes to the 5th yr and someone goes to about 18 mil per season. 5yrs $90 mil is about right for an elite OBP machine who plays good corner OF defense and has some good speed.

[Keeper]

Five years is one or two years too many for a guy who will be 32 next season, IMO.

[Dojji]

In my very cursory investigation I see some superficial stimilarities between Werth and Jermaine Dye. I wouldn't take him past 35 given the choice.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jermaine Dye got heavy as he got deep into his 20s, which made his defense tail off. Werth looks like he's kept in very good shape and has the bloodlines to stay in good physical shape.

 

Also, offensively, Dye was solid to strong into his mid 30s.

[BSN07]

I still think 4 years is the limit for the Red Sox on him and he's already turned that down.

[jacksonianmarch]

If the sox insist on going 3 yrs with Beltre and Vmart and 4 yrs on Werth, then they might not end up with anyone.

[a700hitter]

I don't want Werth. Crawford is the prize.

[BSN07]

If the sox insist on going 3 yrs with Beltre and Vmart and 4 yrs on Werth' date=' then they might not end up with anyone.[/quote']

 

I'm prepared for that scenario. The Sox could very well be looking at an off season where they sign or trade for stop gap types to fill LF, 1B and C for next year. I still think Beltran type is a more likely option then spending 5 years on Werth. And I also think it's more likely we see Pena/Dunn/Konerko/Lee at 1B next season then we see Beltre back long term. V-Mart is the only one I consider having a semi good chance of coming back.

[Palodios]

Dear Manny Ramirez. I forgive you. Please come home.

 

-Sincerely, Palodios

[BSN07]

Dear Manny Ramirez. I forgive you. Please come home.

 

-Sincerely, Palodios

 

It would be an interesting story, but as I'm sure your well aware the chances fall somewhere between slim and non

[Palodios]

Yeah, but that doesn't take away from the fact he was this team's best hitter for two championship runs, STILL has a .400 OBP, and will probably only cost 1/10. Get him a good PR Agent, and you've instantly got a franchise player that keeps the place sold out until A-gon comes next year.

[BSN07]

Yeah' date=' but that doesn't take away from the fact he was this team's best hitter for two championship runs, STILL has a .400 OBP, and will probably only cost 1/10. Get him a good PR Agent, and you've instantly got a franchise player that keeps the place sold out until A-gon comes next year.[/quote']

 

NWIH Manny get's 10M next season. I've been reading different places and some have suggested he might get a league minimum offer. Now I think that's a little too far, but something around 4-7M seems appropriate. But Boras may bend someone over the barrel, so you never know.

[Palodios]

I've been hearing 5 as well, but I'm personally skeptical. 400 OBP is what it is.

[BSN07]

I've been hearing 5 as well' date=' but I'm personally skeptical. 400 OBP is what it is.[/quote']

 

Ya but if it's all singles and walks is that what you really want from your DH? Manny's power is in question right now. If he was still showing power and his OBP is the thing that dropped he would probably getting more interest then he is now. No one is going to want him to be around to be a singles hitter.

[Dojji]

You're reading too much into that last handful of at bats in Chicago IMHO. On the season he still hit .298/.409/.460, which is respectable power and a fantastic plate approach.

[Palodios]

Ya but if it's all singles and walks is that what you really want from your DH?

 

I want him in left field