Xander Bogaerts

[SoxSport]

Might be a good time to deal Middlebrooks as some clubs might believe in his upside. I think the Sox can target Loney next in free agency this off season. Napoli has nice power but his k's are getting old. 2 more k's last night. Xander has a future on the left side of the infield.

 

I am mystified about Loney. This guy has turned into Cinderella at TB after being a pumpkin in Boston and LA. Imagine 10 HRs and .300 BA . Makes you suspect the hitters are ahead of the testers.

[mvp 78]

I could not agree more. However I remember a time when Hanley Ramirez was on the Sox untouchable list. When you get a stud in your minor league system you should do everything possible to keep him. Look what KC did their off season deal of Meyers for Shields ... they have to be crying big time over that trade. In fact the Sox might also be kicking themselves for other reasons as it was rumored that they had the opportunity to deal Lester for Meyers ...

Shields has been great this year. KC's problem is the lack of talent filling out the rest of the roster. Shields would be the #1 on the Sox.

[marklmw]

I have a hunch we'll see Bogaerts at 3B shortly. I also think the money at SS will stay there, unless it's traded or DLed. Iggy not hitting has no value at 3B, maybe better at SS with a hitter at 3B.

 

Middlebrooks is 50/50 to get traded for pitching. If they don't trade him, he should be playing 3B and Bogie SS. Both are hitting about .280 with 8HRs in Pawtucket right now. Bradley about the same. All these guys would boost their offense. The FO is way too patient in a pennant race. That's their nature.

 

Might be a good time to roll the dice and trade Iggy for pitching. I think that Iggy will become a fine major league player but I do not see him as a game changer. Bogaerts at Short, Middlebrooks back at third and pick up Loney in the off season to play first.

[Orange Juiced]

Shields has been great this year. KC's problem is the lack of talent filling out the rest of the roster. Shields would be the #1 on the Sox.

 

Shields would be great for the Sox. But given what KC had to give up to get him (a top MLB prospect in Myers), I shudder to think what Boston would have to pony up to get him.

 

The good news on that front is that KC would have less leverage. Shields only has one year left on his contract, and I can't see KC extending him or re-signing him as a FA. He would probably be too costly for them. They were hoping to go for it this year I think, but that's obviously not panning out for them.

 

Deal Ranaudo and an OF bat (Brentz) and maybe another 2nd tier prospect for Shields. I'd do that.

[Dojji]

KC wouldn't. They gave up a legit top prospect to get him, they're not going to accept our leavings for him. Ranaudo isn't chopped liver by any means, but he's not going to headline a deal for James Shields.

 

If not Bogaerts, they would definitely demand two of de la Rosa, Cecchini or Bradley. You might be able to sell them on one of those three plus your idea of a package. Might.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Dojji

[Orange Juiced]

KC wouldn't. They gave up a legit top prospect to get him, they're not going to accept our leavings for him. Ranaudo isn't chopped liver by any means, but he's not going to headline a deal for James Shields.

 

If not Bogaerts, they would definitely demand two of de la Rosa, Cecchini or Bradley. You might be able to sell them on one of those three plus your idea of a package. Might.

 

I hear you. But again, KC has lost a lot of leverage here. Sure, they could just keep Shields, but for what? They were willing to deal Myers because they were getting two years of Shields at a time when they thought the AL Central could be had. Well, it can't be had by them in 2013, and that leaves Shields with just one more year left on his contract. After that, I don't see how they re-sign him. So that's the prospect they're facing right now. Sometimes you have to look at sunk costs. If they are going to trade him, they're probably not going to get as good a package as they gave up in the first place. And why should they? A team acquiring Shields isn't getting Shields for as long as KC was planning, so Shields' trade value is lower now than it was when KC got him.

 

Bummer for KC, but that's how it goes. They gambled and it didn't pay off. Might be time to cut your losses, deal him away while a team can still get a year plus a stretch run out of him, and give a really good package in return, even if it's not quite as good as Myers. The longer KC waits, the more likely that either (a) they'll just be stuck with him for 2014, or ( the return package is even worse.

[Bellhorn04]

I am mystified about Loney. This guy has turned into Cinderella at TB after being a pumpkin in Boston and LA. Imagine 10 HRs and .300 BA . Makes you suspect the hitters are ahead of the testers.

 

We'll always be wondering about PED's now whenever somebody exceeds expectations.

[Dojji]

I hear you. But again, KC has lost a lot of leverage here.

 

Not THAT much. The leverage they lost was simply enough to get Shields on the trading block potentially in the first place. I know if I'm KC, Shields is the difference between a longshot next year versus no shot at all, depending on what my young hitters do. I don't trade next year away lightly, especially because there's significant rumors flying around the KC fansites that Dayton Moore is fighting for his job -- even the anemic KC ownership can't love the results they've seen over the last 7 years.

 

He's come as close as he ever has to a winner in KC and Shields has been a big part of that. There has to be a plan in Moore's mind to go full steam ahead, try one last time to ramp up around big Game James and find a new home for him at next year's deadline. That gives him counterleverage. Tempting him away from that option is going to take a bit.

[User Name]

We'll always be wondering about PED's now whenever somebody exceeds expectations.

 

This is not the first time in the last three years by the way that TB grabs a hitter that looks toast and squeezes a good season out of him. Maybe it's time to stop the assumptions and tip your hat. TB can get the best out of their players, much like the Cardinals.

[marklmw]

I watch the Futures Game for a bit, to see Bogaerts. He line two hits up the middle with solid contact. Good approach both times.

 

Also glimpse of Cecchini taking a flyball to the warning track to left center and hit a rope to his pull side for XBH. We got two really good hitting prospect in both.

 

I am seeing Cecchini making a strong play for 3B by 2015. Bogaerts at Short, Pedroia and then Loney at 1st.

[Dojji]

Stay away from Loney. Seriously, he's got talent, and he's proving it this year, but hes' exactly the kind of inconsistent hitter we don't want here. Someone's going to overpay for 2 above average years and 3 below average years of Loney. Don't be that team.

 

There's nothing wrong with Mike Napoli. I take Napoli over Loney and don't think twice about it. 4 of the last 5 seasons agree with my assessment.

[Standing Room]

Yeah, I don't think Loney would make sense. There are a ton of quality first baseman free agents available next year, but the one that would interest me the most is Mike Morse. He's having a down year, so we'd be buying low. He has the versatility to play outfield in a pinch. And he'd make a good soft platoon partner or Mike Carp. Doesn't make sense to sign a lefty firstbaseman when we already have one.

 

Morse vs. lefties - .303/.358/.515

Carp vs. righties - .287/.327/.447

[mvp 78]

I am seeing Cecchini making a strong play for 3B by 2015. Bogaerts at Short, Pedroia and then Loney at 1st.

 

How did you feel about Loney prior to this season?

[BSN07]

OMG no way they bring back Loney. Just because TB can squeeze out his talent doesn't mean some other team can. If he's smart he tries to get a modest semi year deal done to stay in TB.

[carolinapianoman]

I agree with you. To trade him in some sort of pitching acquisition deal would be short - sighted.

[seabeachfred]

OMG no way they bring back Loney. Just because TB can squeeze out his talent doesn't mean some other team can. If he's smart he tries to get a modest semi year deal done to stay in TB.

 

True, Loney is having a good year with Tampa. They seem to squeeze a lot of talent of the guys they pick up but I wonder if it is because the lack of pressure of playing in a ball park where most fans don't seem to give a damn? When Loney was in LA, he was over-consumed with pressure because he couldn't hit with any power to speak of and it eventually did him in. I need not go into how crappy he was when he got to Boston last summer. No, he is not for us. I would rather have Napoli strikeouts and all because he will drive in 80 or so runs and hit 25 homers. Besides, we have enough prospects that we could flip an infielder or outfielder to first base or even a catcher. I remember when I was a kid in Queens and the Brooklyn Dodgers had Gil Hodges all lined up to take over at catcher and then came Roy Campanella. They made a first baseman out of Gil and he became one of the revered sluggers on the "Boys of Summer", driving in 100 runs seven years in a row and coming close to the century mark two more times. We can find us a first baseman right in our system. We don't need Loney.

[SoxSport]

Drew finally showed some offense tonite, taking some pressure off the left side of the infield. Iggy gets a hit and a SB, but he's a lite hitting SS in reality, and needs a heavy hitter next to him on the left side--whether he's playing SS or 3B. Carp had a good night at bat as well. Can't expect Nava to be hot all the time. Different guys have to step up every game. Dempster pitched OK, but they need him to go 6-7 innings to take the heat off the BP.

[Behindenemylines]

Other then Saturday night (Drew) we haven't gotten much production from the left side of the infield. How long do the Sox wait before Bogaerts gets a shot? The O's did it last year with their kid 3B.

[DirtDog]

They need to call this kid up. It's a major league need and Holt/ Snyder aren't cutting it. Middlebrooks hasn't put it back together yet either.

[Lord Snow]

Other then Saturday night (Drew) we haven't gotten much production from the left side of the infield. How long do the Sox wait before Bogaerts gets a shot? The O's did it last year with their kid 3B.

 

Bogaerts will be in a Boston uniform soon enough. They're probably waiting until he gets comfortable at 3B. He has what? 6 or 7 starts under his belt at the position?

 

Between the departure of Jose Iglesias and the current platoon there, September looming, he is going to be called up any day now. The Sox are going to want him to be post-season eligible.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he starting for the Red Sox by next weekend.

[BSN07]

I still think he is a September call up. But if he gets called up before then it won't be a shock. I'm chomping at the bit to see this kid play in Boston too

[a700hitter]

He is the most anticipated prospect since Daniel Nava. I am looking forward to seeing this kid. I think it will be sooner than later. We have problems at 3B and we don't have a legit backup SS and Drew frequently misses games with various tweaks.

[Palodios]

Here were the remaining needs of the Red Sox at the trade deadline.

1) A middle of the order bat who could protect Ortiz.

2) a quality RHH hitter.

3) A player who could field 3B.

 

Hey! We have one of those guys sitting in the minors. It'll happen, I just don't think anyone knows when yet -- even the front office types.

[Dojji]

Expecting Bogaerts to be a middle of the order bat right out of the bottle is... ambitious of you. Even Nomar needed some time to adjust.

[sk7326]

I think he's a September callup too ... he can be added to the playoff roster without worrying about the Aug 31 deadline so there is no rush. THAT SAID, if there is a surprise promotion - this road trip is a perfect opportunity. Away from the Fenway distractions, some low profile opponents (though KC is above average and Toronto is not awful). Can slot him in 8th or 9th and move him up as needed. That said, playing the players in the right spots has been a strength of Farrell's.

[sk7326]

Well Nomar batted LEADOFF right away

[SoxFanForsyth]

WHAT IS TAKING SO DAMN LONG?!?!?

 

In August: Red Sox 3B have posted a .349 OPS (not OBP, OPS), and a -16 wRC+.

 

Unreal. What the hell are we waiting on?!?

[mvp 78]

PawSox manager says he isn't ready defensively.

[SoxFanForsyth]

PawSox manager says he isn't ready defensively.

 

Because Brock Holt and Brandon Snyder have been studs defensively?? He may not be as good as Iglesias defensively, but he can absolutely get by.

[mvp 78]

Because Brock Holt and Brandon Snyder have been studs defensively?? He may not be as good as Iglesias defensively, but he can absolutely get by.

 

You asked why. That is the organization's answer at this point.