Looking ahead to 2014 and beyond

[rjortiz]

I think we need a thread about the long term construction of the Red Sox. How will they look in 2014? If we make a big splash like trading for Cliff Lee, how will we accommodate his salary? When do our top prospects start making their way onto our roster? What do we do about players on expiring contracts?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Good thread idea. There are a ton of moving parts next year. Lester's option, salty is a FA, Ellsbury gone, etc.

 

My guess is that the lineup will look something like:

 

Bradley

Victorino

Pedroia

Ortiz

Bogaerts

Napoli

Middlebrooks

Brentz

Saltalamacchia

 

Rotation of Lee Buchholz Lester Lackey Dempster.

 

Bullpen of Bailey Tazawa De La Rosa Miller Breslow Morales Uehara

 

Certainly looks on paper like a very good team.

 

The biggest upgrade I would pursue would be at 1B. I can't handle the K's. I really hope the Sox inquire on Smoak this deadline, who could be a good change of scenery candidate.

[jung]

Will be interesting to see what happens around 1st base as a position and around WMB as a player. Hard to say the Sox are "set" at 1st and there are several infield prospects working their way through the system. In part my thinking about WMB and what he might accomplish as a hitter is tied to a concern that he is not going to get as much time as one might think to prove himself. I do think he made terrific progress as a fielder in the off season and that this year's fielding mistakes are tied to his problems at the plate more than flat out poor technique in the field. But I do think that if he does not establish a niche for himself as a hitter he will be left with prospects climbing up his ass in short order.

 

As it is the Sox need another power bat and he might be a part of the answer. Depends on what direction they take him as a hitter and how he responds.

[rjortiz]

I would sign someone like Mike Morse, or maybe Corey Hart if we can get them on a short term deal. I think Morse would be a good fit, but only at 1B. He is an atrocious fielder. If he's a dead pull hitter, I'd like him playing 81 games at Fenway.

 

I'd really like to get Stanton to play RF. Maybe a package of Cecchini, Brentz, and Webster could get it done. That would leave us with a lineup of:

 

Bradley, CF

Pedroia, 2B

Ortiz, DH

Stanton, RF

Morse, 1B

Middlebrooks, 3B

Victorino, LF

Saltalamacchia/Lavarnway, C

Iglesias, Bogaerts, SS

 

Ross, C

Ciriaco, INF

Nava, OF

Kalish/Gomes, OF

[Rdsxmbnt]

Don't really foresee a ton of changes in the rotation. I think Buchholz/Lester/Lackey/Dempster return and they add Webster into the 5th slot. No need to make a gigantic investment here with Webster/RDLR/Ranuado/Barnes all at AA and above now and performing well. Could see another young guy taking the place of Dempster if he starts to show his age.

 

1. Buchholz

2. Lester

3. Lackey

4. Dempster

5. Webster

 

In the bullpen, I see Bailey/Tazawa/Uehara returning. If there isn't a spot in the rotation then RDLR will be there. Also could see Miller/Breslow filling out the end

 

CL Bailey

SU Tazawa

MR Uehara

MR Breslow

MR Miller

MR Doubront

LR RDLR

 

As for the lineup, I think Ellsbury is probably gone and replaced by Bradley. Pedroia stays at 2B. Nava if he gets a .800+ OPS becomes the LF. JBJ in CF. Victorino in RF. Ortiz at DH. WMB at 3B. Not sure it would happen right away but I could see Bogaerts being the starting SS by May or June. In the meantime Iglesias could be there or at least a utility guy. I think where it gets interesting is at 1B and C. I'd like to see some better disciplined hitters here as currently Napoli/Salty strike out at an asburd rate. So likely cut ties with both. Big fan of Brian McCann, maybe a 4/50 year deal gets him, I think he could be our big FA splash. Not really a fan of trading prospects for a 1B unless its an Adrian Gonzalez franchise type guy. I'd sign some decent .800 bat here for a year and evaluate the prospects. Perhaps WMB transitions to 1B or Almanzar continues to hit well.

 

1. Bradley CF

2. Victorino RF

3. Pedroia 2B

4. Ortiz DH

5. McCann C

6. Middlebrooks 3B

7. Bogaerts SS

8. Nava

9. FA 1B

 

Bench

UTL Iglesias

OF Gomes

1B/OF Carp

C Ross

 

Seems pretty solid and guys like Brentz/Barnes/Ranuado/Workman/Vasquez could all push for playing time also

[rjortiz]

I like the idea of McCann. He's a five win player at his peak. The catcher market is always pretty thin. I wonder how much leverage that gives McCann to ask for $60-75 million.

[Standing Room]

Way too early to look at 2014, we don't even know what 2013 will look like.

[User Name]

The mental masturbation about Cliff Lee is almost certain to end in disappointment.

[rjortiz]

The mental masturbation about Cliff Lee is almost certain to end in disappointment.

 

 

It's too bad. We could use him.

[User Name]

Also, i think the attempt at inferring that K'ing alot = no plate discipline is incorrect. I think what you meant Rdsx is that they need hitters who can make contact. Salty and Napoli have both been very much above average this season in P/PA

[rjortiz]

Way too early to look at 2014, we don't even know what 2013 will look like.

 

You're right, but this is just a thread where you can toss ideas around about the future of the team. A lot of people like Cliff Lee, because he can help the team this year, but I think it's important to discuss what the financial impact he would have on the future roster.

 

The Red Sox have about $102 million before arbitration on the books for 2014. Lee would add bump that total to $127 million. Depending on what happens with arbitration, would the Red Sox have enough money to fill holes in the bullpen, 1B, and LF? We also might need to fill at hole at 3B, if WMB keeps swinging at pitches a mile out of the strike zone.

[Behindenemylines]

Based on what they did last off season I don't see them investing big dollars on any one player. For that reason Ellsbury will walk. The Sox will look for young players to show that they are ready and continue to fill any gaps with mid-range FA players like the Victorina and Napoli signings.

[wyo-sox]

Any chance they sign Drew to a couple more years? I really think he's going to hit for better average by the end of the year and his defense has been really good.

 

What if IGGY plays really good at third, which I think he has. Could an infield work of:

 

1B. Middlebrooks

2B Pedroia

SS Drew

3B Iggy

[rjortiz]

I don't think Middlebrooks and Iglesias have the bats for the corners. Where does Bogaerts fit into these plans?

[User Name]

WMB is a prototypical corner bat. What exactly are you talking about?

[rjortiz]

I think 1B has a higher offensive threshold than 3B. I wouldn't mind WMB at 3B, but I don't think he should be our first baseman.

[wyo-sox]

I think Middlebrooks is a corner batter, and much to my surprise IGGY maybe showing us he also has a good stick. I would have never thought so but for goodness sakes he has really been using the chip on his shoulder and hitting well every time he makes the club this year. I've been impressed with his fight.

[MJantomaso]

WMB is a prototypical corner bat. What exactly are you talking about?

 

Because he doesnt hit .370/49hr/125rbi a year.

[rjortiz]

Because he doesnt hit .370/49hr/125rbi a year.

 

WMB is hitting .201/.234/.408 right now. I hope he turns it around, but I want to see better results before I pencil him in at 1B.

[User Name]

I think 1B has a higher offensive threshold than 3B. I wouldn't mind WMB at 3B, but I don't think he should be our first baseman.

 

You said "corners". That implies both 3B and 1B. WMB is a prototypical third baseman, as you just stated.

[rjortiz]

I misspoke. When I included both Iglesias and Middlebrooks, I was trying to imply that Iglesias doesn't have the bat for 3B, and Middlebrooks doesn't have the bat for 1B. I think they have maximum value playing their natural positions.

[User Name]

Now it makes sense

[rjortiz]

Sorry for the confusion. My mistake.