Xander Bogaerts

[mvp 78]

When even soxprospects is saying he won't wind up being a SS, he can't possibly be the most talented SS since Nomar.

[Dojji]

Until he switches positions, I stand by my sttement.

[SouthieFanatic]

I think I may have already stated this, but the sox are apparently looking to play him a bit at third. Can't remember where I read that though, sorry. I'm pretty sure it's only to get him ready for the WBC though. The Dutch team is stacked with infielders and Xander is apparently the guy screwed out of his "natural" position. The Sox will definitely have a better idea where to go after this spring training

[mvp 78]

I think I may have already stated this, but the sox are apparently looking to play him a bit at third. Can't remember where I read that though, sorry. I'm pretty sure it's only to get him ready for the WBC though.

Why would they care about the WBC? They are considering moving him because he's a poor SS.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Why would they care about the WBC? They are considering moving him because he's a poor SS.

 

Based on what? I'm sorry, are you a scout? Because every scout that I've read said that he has made huge strides at SS and is better than even money to stick. Why the hell would the Sox move him off of SS and devalue him unless they absolutely have to??

 

He may end up at 3b when he is in his late 20s but likely not before that. You need to update your scouting reports.

[SouthieFanatic]

Why would they care about the WBC? They are considering moving him because he's a poor SS.

 

Well they don't wanna just throw him over there and hope for the best. Profar is obviously gonna take the SS position from him. And they are probably evaluating him a bit at third as well to give them a better idea of where he may end up

[jacksonianmarch]

I have seen scouts all over the board on this kid's capabilities at SS. Some say he will definitely stick, others say he can't handle SS right now and others are saying he'll come up a SS and move to 3b within a few yrs when he grows into his body. Based on the majority, it seems like the last one will be the likely scenario, that is unless Iglesias pulls his bat out of his ass and can actually hit to league average.

[BSN07]

I like the idea of moving him to 3B, moving Middlebrooks to 1B and then let Iggy and eventually Marrero fight it out at SS.

[jacksonianmarch]

I like the idea of moving him to 3B, moving Middlebrooks to 1B and then let Iggy and eventually Marrero fight it out at SS.

 

You dont need to make that move right now. If Bogaerts shows improvement and can even be an average defensive SS, you have a guy whose value is immense. The sox should be getting back to value instead of "pop" as the dumbasses wanted. Bogaerts offers considerably more value as a SS. Give him 2013 to work his way into being useful at SS. If he fails, then consider the move above

[Palodios]

I like the idea of moving him to 3B, moving Middlebrooks to 1B and then let Iggy and eventually Marrero fight it out at SS.

 

The reports I've heard about Middlebrooks say that he'll probably be a solid defensive 3B. You're essentially moving the offensive value of a SS to 1B.

 

Maybe we'll see a decline in big bodied sluggers who get stuck in the 1B spot, but in years past they're relatively easy to pick up on the free agent market, and I'd argue it wouldn't be the best use of talent to move WM.

[a700hitter]

I think Middlebrooks is more valuable at 3B than 1 st. First baseman are easier to find than good tird baseman. Iglesias, Bogy and Marrero will have to force the issue and get a break to earn a starting spot at Fenway. Unless he gets injured, third base is Middlebrooks' position for the next few years.

[example1]

Haven't posted here in awhile (busy with two young kids and working a ton) but this Bogaerts thing seems like the perfect example of the Sox just over-thinking a situation. No need to plan for what Xander is going to be after he's failed at SS, until he's failed at SS. If you have an amazing offensive talent who can play SS then you keep him there and see if he can make it work.

[jacksonianmarch]

Exactly e1

[rjortiz]

I think the likely scenario is Middlebrooks gets traded when Bogaerts is moved off short. He'll have more value as a trade chip then he would as a low .800 OPS first baseman.

[Palodios]

I think the likely scenario is Middlebrooks gets traded when Bogaerts is moved off short. He'll have more value as a trade chip then he would as a low .800 OPS first baseman.

 

Middlebrooks is far too valuable to be traded. Right now, I wouldn't move him for anyone not named Verlander, Weaver, Price, or Kershaw.

[rjortiz]

Middlebrooks is far too valuable to be traded. Right now, I wouldn't move him for anyone not named Verlander, Weaver, Price, or Kershaw.

 

Harper, Trout, Stanton, Profar, Bundy, Tavares, Hernandez,............

[Palodios]

Harper, Trout, Stanton, Profar, Bundy, Tavares

 

Don't care, need pitching.

 

Hernandez

 

I left him off my initial list because he has an insane contract, and isn't going anywhere.

[rjortiz]

Don't care, need pitching.

 

Hard to argue with this logic, even if it means you'd reject a trade for a 10 WAR player because he isn't a pitcher.

 

I left him off my initial list because he has an insane contract, and isn't going anywhere.

 

All of the pitchers you just listed are going to require contracts of that size to retain them.

[Palodios]

Hard to argue with this logic, even if it means you'd reject a trade for a 10 WAR player because he isn't a pitcher.

 

If the Red Sox make a high-risk mega-trade with a high value trade chip like Middlebrooks, it needs to be for an ace. Trading for Trout or Stanton doesn't fix this team's problems.

[rjortiz]

If the Red Sox make a high-risk mega-trade with a high value trade chip like Middlebrooks, it needs to be for an ace. Trading for Trout or Stanton doesn't fix this team's problems.

 

Trout would make the team considerably better, regardless if they did anything with the pitching.

[Palodios]

Trout would make the team considerably better, regardless if they did anything with the pitching.

 

One for one, sure it makes sense. But if you throw in Bogaertz or Bradley to make it happen, why bother?

[rjortiz]

I'd give up all three for Trout.

[Palodios]

I'd give up all three for Trout.

 

And for the next five years, you'd be doing what the Angels did with him last year... watching the playoffs on a bigscreen at home.

[Dom]

Trout reported to Spring Training this year weighing 240 pounds with 9% body fat. What are the chances he's clean?

[rjortiz]

And for the next five years, you'd be doing what the Angels did with him last year... watching the playoffs on a bigscreen at home.

 

Really? Adding a 10 WAR player would increase the likeliness of missing the playoffs?

[Palodios]

Really? Adding a 10 WAR player would increase the likeliness of missing the playoffs?

 

Nope, but trading three potential all-stars, and mortgaging your entire team's future on one player will.

[BSN07]

Trout reported to Spring Training this year weighing 240 pounds with 9% body fat. What are the chances he's clean?

 

It's a big gain but I will give the benefit of the doubt. My first impression when I saw him last year in Boston was surprised at how big he was. You wouldn't expect someone that big to be as speedy as him. That's what separates him from the rest physically. I also remember thinking this guy will be a monster when he filled out. At his age and with his frame a 5,000 calorie a day diet plus off season training I don't put it out of the realm of possibilities he put the extra muscle on without illegal help. But you never know.

[Dom]

Here's Trout on photo day in spring of 2012. (put .jpg at the end of these links and that will give you the url)

 

megasportsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Mike-Trout-LAA-full-courtesy-MLBpressbox.com_-268x300

 

Here he is now.

 

binaryapi.ap.org/d5320be84d8146b59d5319217c934278/512x

[Dojji]

Here's Trout on photo day in spring of 2012.

 

http://megasportsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Mike-Trout-LAA-full-courtesy-MLBpressbox.com_-268x300.jpg

 

http://binaryapi.ap.org/d5320be84d8146b59d5319217c934278/512x.jpg

Here he is now.

 

 

Cleaned that up a bit for ya.

[jacksonianmarch]

They said he was going to look like Urlacher during his prime. This is a little early, but so be it. Bulking up might actually decrease his worth, though