Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[SoxSport]

Tie a red ribbon around Iggy, and ship him to Pittsburgh before Christmas. Somebody wake up Ben.

[BSN07]

Tie a red ribbon around Iggy, and ship him to Pittsburgh before Christmas. Somebody wake up Ben.

 

I'd rather they trade him in a package for Porcello. Hanrahan would be just a big ? in the BP as anyone they already have. I don't see the upside in trading pieces for him.

[redsoxfan3]

Ya pass on Iggy for one year of Hanrahan.

 

I also find it a bit suspicious that a team as close to contention as Pittsburgh seems to be, is ready to trade away their closer? I'd rather they save the chips and sign Wilson.

 

I am not really big on Hanrahan. There are some question marks with him. I am all for getting Brian Wilson. I don't see why we have not heard more about him. Soriano is going to cost too much money. Hanrahan is going to cost us at least one decent player or prospect. Wilson might be the best option. Let him fight for the closing role with Bailey. At the very least, we would then have Bailey, Tazawa, Uehara, and Wilson as the late inning guys in our pen. Not bad at all. We have a lot of bullpen depth. Not to mention, we do not know what to expect from Bard. A big if, but if he can get back to the way he was in the pen for us before his meltdown as a starter last year, he will be another nice bullpen piece.

[Palodios]

Cody Ross got a three year deal. Good for him! This shuts the door on an Ellsbury trade I would think.

[jacksonianmarch]

Upton's getting traded. Ross to the DBacks for 3 yrs

[Spitball]

Upton's getting traded. Ross to the DBacks for 3 yrs

 

It would appear to be an odd signing with Upton, Parra, Kubel, and Adam Eaton already there.

 

I'd love to see the Red Sox get Kubel to platoon with Gomes.

[BSN07]

Kubel or Upton is probably available. Kubel is probably more likely to get traded. But I'd like the Red Sox to check in on Upton, they gave Bauer away, maybe they are still in the giving mood lol

 

 

So Ross ends up getting more this off season then he did wanted last off season(was asking for 3/21M)? Wow nice one for him. Really glad the Sox didn't give him that though.

[a700hitter]

If they do the Iglesias for Hanrahan trade and Salty for Gavin Floyd, the pitching would be set. If Sands can handle MLB pitching he could be the swingman for 1B and OF. The team would be better than last year, maybe even competitive. On the other hand, Hanrahan could be the next Eric Gagne.

[SoxSport]

I'd rather they trade him in a package for Porcello. Hanrahan would be just a big ? in the BP as anyone they already have. I don't see the upside in trading pieces for him.

 

Don't see Porcello as an improvement over what they have. Hanrahan throws 96 and is a top 5 NL closer. If they can get him for Iggy and a starter/reliever like Morales, that would be a good deal for them. Makes their bullpen among the best. Deal is apparently close, according to trade rumors. Players not known.

[SoxSport]

If they do the Iglesias for Hanrahan trade and Salty for Gavin Floyd, the pitching would be set. If Sands can handle MLB pitching he could be the swingman for 1B and OF. The team would be better than last year, maybe even competitive. On the other hand, Hanrahan could be the next Eric Gagne.

 

Hanrahan shows no sign of slipping. He's among the top NL closers.

 

I'd like to see Sands get a real shot--1B or OF. Could be ready.

[SoxSport]

I am not really big on Hanrahan. There are some question marks with him. I am all for getting Brian Wilson. I don't see why we have not heard more about him. Soriano is going to cost too much money. Hanrahan is going to cost us at least one decent player or prospect. Wilson might be the best option. Let him fight for the closing role with Bailey. At the very least, we would then have Bailey, Tazawa, Uehara, and Wilson as the late inning guys in our pen. Not bad at all. We have a lot of bullpen depth. Not to mention, we do not know what to expect from Bard. A big if, but if he can get back to the way he was in the pen for us before his meltdown as a starter last year, he will be another nice bullpen piece.

 

Yeah--the downside is one year before free agency for Hanrahan. Then Hanrahan will cost too much money--at least for what they are willing to pay closers.

[User Name]

Tie a red ribbon around Iggy, and ship him to Pittsburgh before Christmas. Somebody wake up Ben.

 

Apparently Ben was working hard on this long before you had any idea about it. Maybe someone needs to wake YOU up.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Apparently Ben was working hard on this long before you had any idea about it. Maybe someone needs to wake YOU up.

 

Bazinga.

[Spitball]

D'Backs Working To Trade Outfielder

 

By Zach Links [December 22 at 1:13pm CST]

 

The Diamondbacks are looking to trade an outfielder in the wake of the Cody Ross signing, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jason Kubel is regarded as the outfielder most likely to be moved.

 

Arizona is still overloaded with outfielders following the Chris Young trade as Ross joins Kubel, Justin Upton, and Gerardo Parra. The club also has prospects Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock waiting in the wings, giving them a rich surplus that can be parlayed into other areas of need.

 

Some have wondered if the Rangers could be players for Kubel if they can't come to terms on a long-rumored deal for Upton. Kubel is set to earn $7.5MM in 2013 with a mutual option for the same amount in 2014, significantly less than the $38.5MM owed to Upton through '15.

 

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#cdkw1DUIQsJ3umUd.99

[SoxSport]

Nice to see a deal is close on this one, and Ben is alive and awake--apparently.

[RedSoxNC84]

Hanrahan has walked way more last year than before, seems like his control is slipping some?

[Spitball]

Hanrahan has walked way more last year than before, seems like his control is slipping some?

 

He walked a horrifying 5.4/9 last year, but he has had a history of control problems. It seems every time he strikes out better than 10 per nine innings his walk rate goes way up.

[seabeachfred]

Report saying the Pirates are asking for Iglesias for Hanrahan. I get the feeling that is something the Red Sox are very willing to do.

 

Let's hope the report is true Palodios because we can then turn the page and settle in that it will be Boegarts who will be our future SS and not have to worry about the Red Sox still holding on to the pipe dream that Iglesias will eventually hit in the American League. If OTOH suddenly Drew has a solid season in both the field and at the plate we then and only then might consider moving Bogie to a corner OF spot. This is a trade that should be made not only for this coming season but to solidify our future placement of players onthe diamond.

[SoxSport]

Closers aren't always consistent, from year to year. Papelbon has come back after down years--for him.

 

It's Pimentel and Sands for Hanrahan--apparently. Good deal for the Sox, since Sands didn't figure to get much opportunity. He could be much better than Gomes if he has his swing down.

[Spitball]

Oops! I see 700 has already posted this on another thread.

 

 

Red Sox Acquire Joel Hanrahan From Pirates

 

By Zach Links [December 22 at 4:03pm CST]

 

4:03pm: As it stands, the deal will be a six-player swap with four players going to Pittsburgh and two headed to Boston, according to Heyman (via Twitter).

 

3:34pm: The Red Sox and Pirates have agreed to a deal that will send Joel Hanrahan to Boston, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jerry Sands and Stolmy Pimentel will go to Pittsburgh in the swap and there will be more players involved in the deal. There will be two more players headed to the Bucs in the deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).

 

Hanrahan, 31, pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 59 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh last season. He earned $4.1MM and projects to earn $6.9MM through arbitration next year. Hanrahan is scheduled to become a free agent after 2013.

 

Despite having a reputation as a strong closer, some rival evaluators have been concerned about his recent proclivity for walks. Hanrahan's walk rate climbed from 2.1 BB/9 in 2011 to 5.4 BB/9 in 2012.

 

Sands came to the Red Sox in their blockbuster trade with the Dodgers as one of the players to be named later. The 25-year-old outfielder/first baseman owns a Triple-A batting line of .288/.362/.552 with 55 home runs in 940 plate appearances across the past two years. Sands also has 70 big league games to his credit, most of which came in 2011.

 

Pimentel, 22, was rated as the No. 6 prospect in the Red Sox's organization in 2010 by Baseball America but was bumped down to No. 23 the following year. The 6'3" right-hander boasts a strong changeup but has failed to impress at the Double-A level. In 37 starts for Double-A Portland, the youngster has posted a 5.96 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. Alex Speier of WEEI.com notes that Pimentel was targeted by the Pirates in 2008. The Bucs had hoped to acquire him as part of the potential three-way deal with the Dodgers and Red Sox that resulted in Manny Ramirez going to LA and Jason Bay coming to Pittsburgh, but the Sox refused to include him.

 

Andrew Bailey, Boston's incumbent closer, pitched to a 7.04 ERA in 15 1/3 innings in 2012 while missing most of the year with injuries. WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports they have not discussed free agent Rafael Soriano despite having a protected first round pick. The Dodgers were among the teams with interest in Hanrahan in recent weeks.

 

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#uJZ6RLhpUzPGw0mz.99

[Palodios]

The Guardians have agreed to sign Nick Swisher, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). The deal will pay him $56MM over four years, with a $14MM vesting option in year five that could boost the value to $70MM.

 

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#8cO0UHyWvqGYVsgB.99

 

I don't think the money involved here was any bargain, but it seems like the Guardians did a very good job moving players around the last few weeks.

 

Essentially the Guardians traded away their middle of the order right fielder, picked up an elite pitching prospect and a few other pieces in the process, and then replaced the lost production with a very consistent player in Swisher, and don't even lose their first round draft pick.

[Lucienbel]

I don't think the money involved here was any bargain, but it seems like the Guardians did a very good job moving players around the last few weeks.

 

Essentially the Guardians traded away their middle of the order right fielder, picked up an elite pitching prospect and a few other pieces in the process, and then replaced the lost production with a very consistent player in Swisher, and don't even lose their first round draft pick.

 

Said it in the Swisher thread too, but I agree. Pretty cool to see them trying, and they seem to have made some pretty good moves. Swisher is solid, and not a bad replacement for Choo at all.

[User Name]

The word "elite" gets thrown around way too liberally around here.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Report from ESPN regarding Porcellos possible trade -

 

The Tigers still have a need in their bullpen, particularly at the back end, so if Porcello is going to be traded, it would make sense for GM Dave Dombrowski to target a high-leverage reliever who could close, in case Bruce Rondon -- a rookie with shaky control and no experience in the majors -- isn't able to handle the role.

 

If the Sox do get Hanrahan, would it make sense to trade Bailey for Porcello?

 

He K's are low (5.5/9 in 2012) but also walks very few too (2.2/9 in 12).

 

His career xFIP is 4.10, and he posted a 3.89 xFIP in 2012. He's also only 23 years old, even though it seems like he's been around forever.

 

Certainly this would be an interesting option.

[User Name]

He relies on the defense behind him quite a bit, and the tigers have been awful defensively this past couple seasons. Couple that with his ability to dominate righties (negating the fenway factor) and he could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red sox.

[SoxFanForsyth]

He relies on the defense behind him quite a bit, and the tigers have been awful defensively this past couple seasons. Couple that with his ability to dominate righties (negating the fenway factor) and he could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red sox.

 

True - 52.3% GB rate. With an infield of WMB - Drew - Pedroia, this team can eat up some GB's.

 

Also, career .704 OPS against v RHH.

 

I would be ok with this.

 

On another side note, I wonder if Kubel can play 1B at all. He'd be a solid LHH addition, especially if he can play 1B.

[a700hitter]

True - 52.3% GB rate. With an infield of WMB - Drew - Pedroia, this team can eat up some GB's.

 

Also, career .704 OPS against v RHH.

 

I would be ok with this.

 

On another side note, I wonder if Kubel can play 1B at all. He'd be a solid LHH addition, especially if he can play 1B.

Have there been reports that Cherries is interested in Kubel?

[Spitball]

He relies on the defense behind him quite a bit, and the tigers have been awful defensively this past couple seasons. Couple that with his ability to dominate righties (negating the fenway factor) and he could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red sox.

 

With Chapman moving to Cincinnati's rotation next season, Mike Leake is a similar but better pitcher.

[User Name]

With Chapman moving to Cincinnati's rotation next season, Mike Leake is a similar but better pitcher.

 

But the cost would probably be much higher.

[Lucienbel]

Report from ESPN regarding Porcellos possible trade -

 

The Tigers still have a need in their bullpen, particularly at the back end, so if Porcello is going to be traded, it would make sense for GM Dave Dombrowski to target a high-leverage reliever who could close, in case Bruce Rondon -- a rookie with shaky control and no experience in the majors -- isn't able to handle the role.

 

If the Sox do get Hanrahan, would it make sense to trade Bailey for Porcello?

 

He K's are low (5.5/9 in 2012) but also walks very few too (2.2/9 in 12).

 

His career xFIP is 4.10, and he posted a 3.89 xFIP in 2012. He's also only 23 years old, even though it seems like he's been around forever.

 

Certainly this would be an interesting option.

 

This is certainly an interesting option, but I'm not under the impression Bailey is really the guy the Tigers would want. Since he had another injury, and came back not so good (even if it was a kind of small sample size) his value is probably way down. They could possibly build a package with him involved, though I don't know if he would work as the center of the deal.

 

With that said, Porcello would definitely be a positive for the rotation.