Jackie Bradley Jr.

[jacksonianmarch]

That may be the reason they move him, but it wont be because he is an injury waiting to happen. They arent moving him at the deadline. They've gotten by with smoke and mirrors in CF this yr and they need a stabilizing force out there. He might get moved in the offseason, but my assumption is they hang onto him since Bradley wont be ready until 2014, IMO

[SemperFi Sox]

Ellsbury is going to be dealt this offseason, I'm completely sure they have to. Bradley takes over for him in 2014 after spending 2013 in AAA.

[Station 13]

Jackie pick up 3 hits tonight, including 2-2B, hitting .384 in Portland.

 

Watch him blaze through the system now.

[example1]

Ellsbury is going to be dealt this offseason' date=' I'm completely sure they have to. Bradley takes over for him in 2014 after spending 2013 in AAA.[/quote']

 

If he keeps hitting like he has there's no reason to waste him in AAA. The difference between AA and AAA isn't sufficient to justify that, plus his defense is so good that he would at least be a league average player NOW, even if it took him awhile to adjust. Trade Ellsbury and let Bradley come up mid-season 2013 after Kalish, Nava, Crawford, RF, backup RF, third backup RF and new FA pickup are all injured.

 

Bradley Jr was compensation for losing Adrian Beltre. So far he looks like a very nice use of that pick.

[SemperFi Sox]

You could make a pretty good argument for Bradley over Barnes for the US in the futures game. Kid has been unreal.

[SouthieFanatic]

Sooo, Bradley seems to be adjusting well to AA. 326 average through about 30 games. Only a .30 drop from when he was in Salem. No homeruns yet, but i'm not really expecting him to pop 40 a year

[Rdsxmbnt]

First HR tonight

[SemperFi Sox]

I really, really, really want to keep Ellsbury even though it's a pipe dream. An outfield of Crawford/Ellsbury/Bradley Jr. Drool.....

[SouthieFanatic]

I really' date=' really, really want to keep Ellsbury even though it's a pipe dream. An outfield of Crawford/Ellsbury/Bradley Jr. Drool.....[/quote']

 

Im absolutely in favor of that theory. It wouldnt be difficult to move Bradley from CF to LF or RF. Outfielders switching to other OF positions is nowhere near as difficult as infielders switching to other infield positions, so who knows

[SemperFi Sox]

Bradley leads off the game tonight with his 3rd HR. The power is coming...

[Station 13]

– Jackie Bradley Jr. went 1-for-3 with his second homer and three walks, his most walks since getting to Portland. He now has 15 extra-base hits in 33 games in Portland. Bradley also stole his sixth base in Double-A, giving him 22 steals for the year.

[Dojji]

Bradley hit his 40th double between two levels the other night.

[msubulldogs21]

I was so pumped that Bradley fell to us in the draft last year. The only reason he went as low as he did was that he constantly battled injuries in his senior season at South Carolina.

 

Being an SEC guy I kept up with him during his college days and saw him play live and he is a player. If he had come out as a junior a few years ago he'd probably have been a top ten pick. Definitely a guy to get excited about.

[a700hitter]

I realize that a lot of people are excited about this kid, and justifiably so. He looks to have a very bright future. The thing that bothers me is the assumption that he will step in for Ellsbury, our current CFer wiith a ton of speed and good power. I don't understand how a wealthy team like the Red Sox have become an organization that develops stars only to let them walk to other organizations once they blossom. How did we become the Kansas City Royals? I am excited about seeing this kid in a couple of seasons playing RF alongside Ells and Crawford to make up a super speedy OF-- an OF full of young and veteran stars.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I realize that a lot of people are excited about this kid' date=' and justifiably so. He looks to have a very bright future. The thing that bothers me is the assumption that he will step in for Ellsbury, our current CFer wiith a ton of speed and good power. I don't understand how a wealthy team like the Red Sox have become an organization that develops stars only to let them walk to other organizations once they blossom. How did we become the Kansas City Royals? I am excited about seeing this kid in a couple of seasons playing RF alongside Ells and Crawford to make up a super speedy OF-- an OF full of young and veteran stars.[/quote']

 

Nick Cafardo's Sunday column in the Boston Globe, per MLBTR:

 

"Ellsbury was upset that his name was included in trade rumors with the Rangers, according to a source. Ellsbury is said to like playing for Bobby Valentine and the feeling is that he'd like to remain with the Red Sox."

 

So, maybe he stays after all.

[msubulldogs21]

I realize that a lot of people are excited about this kid' date=' and justifiably so. He looks to have a very bright future. The thing that bothers me is the assumption that he will step in for Ellsbury, our current CFer wiith a ton of speed and good power. I don't understand how a wealthy team like the Red Sox have become an organization that develops stars only to let them walk to other organizations once they blossom. How did we become the Kansas City Royals? I am excited about seeing this kid in a couple of seasons playing RF alongside Ells and Crawford to make up a super speedy OF-- an OF full of young and veteran stars.[/quote']

 

I hope the $142M we gave to Crawford wasn't the money we should've saved for Ellsbury. Hope we have what it takes to pony up and keep him around long term.

[SemperFi Sox]

Nick Cafardo's Sunday column in the Boston Globe, per MLBTR:

 

"Ellsbury was upset that his name was included in trade rumors with the Rangers, according to a source. Ellsbury is said to like playing for Bobby Valentine and the feeling is that he'd like to remain with the Red Sox."

 

So, maybe he stays after all.

 

if and only if we can dump Crawford.

[Laser Show]

if and only if we can dump Crawford.

 

If Crawford keeps playing like he has the past week or whatever, I don't care who leaves and who stays

[SoxFanForsyth]

if and only if we can dump Crawford.

 

Not necessarily.

 

Think about it. He had an absolutely outstanding, phenomenal year last year.

 

Outside of that, though? He has 21 HR in 380 games. So, was last year the Joe Mauer year for him? Or is he a perennial 20+ HR guy? Not to mention that he has suffered 2 major injuries in the past 3 years. I'm not saying he's injury prone because I don't think he is. But, that's something that could well be held against him in contract negotiations.

 

I'm not saying anything is certain, but it will be interesting to see if the Sox offer him a 7 year/105-112mm (15-16mm AAV) deal. If so, I'm not real sure that he could get better elsewhere unless he throws up another 25+ HR season next season, assuming the Sox don't extend him.

[example1]

I realize that a lot of people are excited about this kid' date=' and justifiably so. He looks to have a very bright future. The thing that bothers me is the assumption that he will step in for Ellsbury, our current CFer wiith a ton of speed and good power. I don't understand how a wealthy team like the Red Sox have become an organization that develops stars only to let them walk to other organizations once they blossom. How did we become the Kansas City Royals? I am excited about seeing this kid in a couple of seasons playing RF alongside Ells and Crawford to make up a super speedy OF-- an OF full of young and veteran stars.[/quote']

 

Who have they let go of, again?

[a700hitter]

Who have they let go of' date=' again?[/quote']Papelbon

[Dojji]

Can't you just be glad we have a nice young prospect?

 

For pity's sake a700, give the drama valve three good turns towards the "off" position.

[example1]

Papelbon

 

Not entirely a devistating loss. I think yo should assume that good young players who are determined to test FA at all costs are going to do that and probably won't come back. Anyone who is even slightly interested in playing for the Sox an willing to forego at least two years of FA will likely stay with the team. Pedroia, Lester, Buchholz and Youkilis are all examples of that. I would say that they have actually done a good job of trying to retain their players.

[Dojji]

I have to admit we're maybe 2-3 wins at most better with Papelbon on the roster.

 

For a bit of a rockhead, Pap chose a good time to skedaddle.

[a700hitter]

Can't you just be glad we have a nice young prospect?

 

For pity's sake a700, give the drama valve three good turns towards the "off" position.

Have you watched the team this season? We stink. Our OF has been a disgrace, and it bothers me that people have been assuming that he will be walking out the door after he becomes a prominent player. I like the prospect, but not at the cost of losing a young star.

[a700hitter]

Not entirely a devistating loss. I think yo should assume that good young players who are determined to test FA at all costs are going to do that and probably won't come back. Anyone who is even slightly interested in playing for the Sox an willing to forego at least two years of FA will likely stay with the team. Pedroia' date=' Lester, Buchholz and Youkilis are all examples of that. I would say that they have actually done a good job of trying to retain their players.[/quote']You asked who we developed and let walk. The importance of retaining him is arguable. But our late inning bullpen has been pretty bad this season.

[example1]

You asked who we developed and let walk. The importance of retaining him is arguable. But our late inning bullpen has been pretty bad this season.

 

I don't disagree with you, I was asking genuinely to see if there was anyone I forgot about. I remembered Papelbon, but he is the only one. I wouldn't say that was terrible. I bet Philly wishes they could have that contract back.

[a700hitter]

I don't disagree with you' date=' I was asking genuinely to see if there was anyone I forgot about. I remembered Papelbon, but he is the only one. I wouldn't say that was terrible. I bet Philly wishes they could have that contract back.[/quote']I think the Phillies probably regret more that they have stuck with aging veterns like Utley, Rollins and Polanco who just hit a wall and can't perform anymore. Papelbon is still performing at a very high level.

[example1]

I think the Phillies probably regret more that they have stuck with aging veterns like Utley' date=' Rollins and Polanco who just hit a wall and can't perform anymore. Papelbon is still performing at a very high level.[/quote']

 

[table] Name | IP | R | ER | HR | SO | WHIP | ERA+ | Salary

Papelbon | 45.0 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 56 | 1.133 | 135 | $11,000,058

Atcheson | 46.0 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 34 | 1.000 | 248 | $510,000 [/table]

 

Yeah, it's a high level. Over 45 innings. He's pitched as many innings as Atcheson. Would you pay that much for someone who pitches as often as Atcheson?

 

Papelbon is a great closer, but a closer is worthless on a bad team. He doesn't have a chance to pitch. A closer is worth much more to teams who tend to have a lead going into the 9th inning. The Phillies paid a price that very good teams should pay for a late inning ace, not a team 11 games under .500. The Sox look like they could be in mediocrity for a few years here... an elite closer isn't going to be the #1 priority...

[a700hitter]

[table] Name | IP | R | ER | HR | SO | WHIP | ERA+ | Salary

Papelbon | 45.0 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 56 | 1.133 | 135 | $11,000,058

Atcheson | 46.0 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 34 | 1.000 | 248 | $510,000 [/table]

 

Yeah, it's a high level. Over 45 innings. He's pitched as many innings as Atcheson. Would you pay that much for someone who pitches as often as Atcheson?

 

Papelbon is a great closer, but a closer is worthless on a bad team. He doesn't have a chance to pitch. A closer is worth much more to teams who tend to have a lead going into the 9th inning. The Phillies paid a price that very good teams should pay for a late inning ace, not a team 11 games under .500. The Sox look like they could be in mediocrity for a few years here... an elite closer isn't going to be the #1 priority...

^This is just silly. I doubt that the Phillies are having buyer's remorse with Papelbon when he is doing exactly what they expected when they signed him. What kind of idiots would they be to sign a guy for big bucks to give them 30+ saves a year and then regret having spent the money when they got what they paid for. I don't think the Philly FO thinks Papelbon is the problem. The problem is that their infield is old and'or hobbled all the way around the diamond. Rollin never should have been re-signed. Utley should have been dumped same for Polanco and they should have gone younger.