SS and 3B in 2014

[Thunder]

Many possible outcomes on who starts at SS and 3B in 2014. Just wanted to get an idea of what you guys think will happen, especially with Middlebrooks and Drew struggling at the plate but excelling on defense.

 

Assuming Napoli and Ortiz stay where they are, what happens to Middlebrooks?

What happens to Drew if Middlebrooks stays and Iggy starts at SS? What happens if Bogaerts gets called up to replace Middlebrooks?

 

I personally think that Drew will not be re-signed, and then when Ortiz retires (maybe after 2014), Napoli (assuming he's still here) plays DH, Middlebrooks to 1B, Bogaerts at 3B, Iggy at SS. That seems like a pretty good option to me.

[BSN07]

I predicted last winter Bogaerts would be at 3B, Iggy at SS and WMB at 1B in 2014. I'm gonna stick to it.

[mvp 78]

I predicted last winter Bogaerts would be at 3B, Iggy at SS and WMB at 1B in 2014. I'm gonna stick to it.

 

On your team.

[SoxFanForsyth]

No thank you to Napoli in 2014. He will move on to another team. His strikeouts are not worth his 8 HR.

 

Not sure WMB is going to hit enough to be a 1B. I think that's a trendy idea, but I don't ever see it happening unless WMB can start taking walks.

 

As much as I love Iglesias, the jury is still out on him. I am starting to believe that he can hit enough to be an above average SS, just need to see more. We all loved Ciriaco around this time last year too.

 

My guess would be Bogaerts at SS, WMB at 3B, Iglesias as the utility guy/LIDR or dished this offseason. I also think that Cecchini will end up as the long term solution at 1B.

 

EDIT: I'm surprised one of the more obvious choice of Bogaerts/Middlebrooks isn't up there.

[User Name]

Ciriaco isn't a generational defensive talent. The comparison doesn't apply.

[Thunder]

EDIT: I'm surprised one of the more obvious choice of Bogaerts/Middlebrooks isn't up there.

 

When I made the thread, I only chose 4 poll options, and then I realized that it wouldn't be enough.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ciriaco isn't a generational defensive talent. The comparison doesn't apply.

 

It's purely an offensive comparison

[Youk Of The Nation]

When I made the thread, I only chose 4 poll options, and then I realized that it wouldn't be enough.

 

I added it for you

[rjortiz]

Iglesias and Middlebrooks probably start the season there. Bogaerts probably replaces Middlebrooks a month or two into the season.

[Thunder]

I added it for you

 

Thank you sir.:clap:

 

Iglesias and Middlebrooks probably start the season there. Bogaerts probably replaces Middlebrooks a month or two into the season.

 

Could be earlier if Middlebrooks struggles at the plate again.

[v2freak]

Is it a slump if your struggles have continued all season? After his 3-HR game against the Jays, Middlebrooks was hitting .300 or so. Is this the same guy that hit homers off the poles along 3B and 1B?

 

I'd guess that even if he sucks all season at the plate, he will still be the 3B in 2014 but he will be on Youkilis-type watch (if someone outplays him, he'll be on a short leash)

 

If Drew ends up hitting near .280 for the rest of the season, I could see him starting at SS next season. He would have to hit that well to justify taking a spot away from Iglesias.

[BossSox]

I predicted last winter Bogaerts would be at 3B, Iggy at SS and WMB at 1B in 2014. I'm gonna stick to it.

 

That would be nice.

[mvp 78]

Chad Finn wrote a completely unintelligible column today about keeping Middlebrooks at 3rd and Iggy at SS. With the logjam at 3rd and SS, someone has to switch positions. With WMB's shaky defense, he'd be ost likely to move to 3b or LF, right?

[Dojji]

We're not really in the market for a new LF right now, unless I've missed something. Any opportunities to crack the outfield should really be given to Bradley at the moment, and we still have to figure out how to get Cecchini into the lineup somehow.

[SoxSport]

I think Iggy at SS, Bogaerts at 3B and Middlebrooks at 1B is quite plausible. It's also possible that Middlebrooks gets traded.

[rjortiz]

I think Iggy at SS, Bogaerts at 3B and Middlebrooks at 1B is quite plausible. It's also possible that Middlebrooks gets traded.

 

Middlebrooks isn't even hitting AAA pitching right now. I wouldn't pencil him in at 1B.

[Thunder]

Will needs to stay at Pawtucket until he starts hitting. I was skeptical of Holt at first, but he's turned out to be a pretty good option for the future. Might need to think about keeping him around.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Will Middlebrooks is NOT a first baseman.

 

Your next internally generated first baseman would be Garin Cecchini, IMO. Other than that, we will need to look externally for a quality 1B.

[Dojji]

Will needs to stay at Pawtucket until he starts hitting. I was skeptical of Holt at first, but he's turned out to be a pretty good option for the future. Might need to think about keeping him around.

 

I see Holt fitting into that o-so-useful utility role.

 

Bogaerts at 3B, Iglesias at SS, whoever's left at first, Holt on the bench.

 

not too bad at all.

[jacksonianmarch]

I honestly think WMB will be traded before 2014. You have an all world talent in Bogaerts and WMB isn't far removed from a pretty successful run last yr. He's still young and still has light tower power. He just doesn't have the approach the sox require from purely offensive contributors. I think the sox live with Iglesias as their SS, even though there is no earthly way he continues to hit high .300s. I think there is a fair chance he hits under .250 next season, but with his slick D, he'd be worth a significant positive in the WAR category. I think Bogaerts moves to 3b, and even though he isn't the most patient in the world, his bat and solid D from that spot will make him a significant positive asset in the WAR category as well. I think WMB goes along with a few other pieces for an ace this offseason, maybe a David Price. And I think the sox might kick the tires on a guy like Morneau in FA

[SoxFanForsyth]

I honestly think WMB will be traded before 2014. You have an all world talent in Bogaerts and WMB isn't far removed from a pretty successful run last yr. He's still young and still has light tower power. He just doesn't have the approach the sox require from purely offensive contributors. I think the sox live with Iglesias as their SS, even though there is no earthly way he continues to hit high .300s. I think there is a fair chance he hits under .250 next season, but with his slick D, he'd be worth a significant positive in the WAR category. I think Bogaerts moves to 3b, and even though he isn't the most patient in the world, his bat and solid D from that spot will make him a significant positive asset in the WAR category as well. I think WMB goes along with a few other pieces for an ace this offseason, maybe a David Price. And I think the sox might kick the tires on a guy like Morneau in FA

 

The only gripe I have with this comment is your assessment of Bogaert's patience at the plate. He's posted a 12.6% BB rate in AAA this year, which is outstanding, particularly for a 20 year old. Eric Karabell said he's very similar to Manny Machado, but with better OBP (I think he's got more raw power, and Machado has better speed and D, but that's neither here nor there). He's got 50 walks already this year. League average BB% at the MLB level this year is 7.8%, and for comparative purposes, David Ortiz has a 12.7% BB rate and Pedroia has an 11.8% BB rate.

 

Now, his plate discipline took a huge step forward this year, something he's been working on quite a bit, particularly with pitchers pitching backwards to him and throwing a lot of offspeed in fastball counts. But he's adjusted to that, something that was very influential in his promotion to AAA.

 

Either way, I can definitely see WMB traded, perhaps a deal of (1 of) Barnes/Ranaudo/Webster + WMB + Coyle for Cliff Lee.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think there is no earthly way the sox part with that package for Lee and his near $25 mil salary. I think the sox make a move for Price. The Rays don't care about dealing in division mostly because they know if they let this guy hit FA, he's gonna sign in division anyway, so it is about the best prospect haul.

[italstallianion]

The only gripe I have with this comment is your assessment of Bogaert's patience at the plate. He's posted a 12.6% BB rate in AAA this year, which is outstanding, particularly for a 20 year old. Eric Karabell said he's very similar to Manny Machado, but with better OBP (I think he's got more raw power, and Machado has better speed and D, but that's neither here nor there). He's got 50 walks already this year. League average BB% at the MLB level this year is 7.8%, and for comparative purposes, David Ortiz has a 12.7% BB rate and Pedroia has an 11.8% BB rate.

 

Now, his plate discipline took a huge step forward this year, something he's been working on quite a bit, particularly with pitchers pitching backwards to him and throwing a lot of offspeed in fastball counts. But he's adjusted to that, something that was very influential in his promotion to AAA.

 

Either way, I can definitely see WMB traded, perhaps a deal of (1 of) Barnes/Ranaudo/Webster + WMB + Coyle for Cliff Lee.

 

The prospect haul will definitely depend on how much salary the Phillies are willing to eat to make a deal, but I wouldn't mind a trade like that. I'd prefer if the Phillies threw in Michael Young into the trade, and I think we can throw in any rule 5 players in to sweeten the pot if necessary.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think there is no earthly way the sox part with that package for Lee and his near $25 mil salary. I think the sox make a move for Price. The Rays don't care about dealing in division mostly because they know if they let this guy hit FA, he's gonna sign in division anyway, so it is about the best prospect haul.

 

Yeah - the money exchanged would have to be fairly significant, perhaps around $15mm coming back with Lee to take his salary down to $20mm/year for the Sox. But I still think it would be a deal that the Sox would be willing to make. They've got significant SP depth to deal from, and with the strides that Iglesias has made (even if he's just a .260/.320/.360 hitter), his defense will make him a 2-3 WAR player, and you're still getting tons of pop from the left side of the infield. Not to mention, if it doesn't work out with Iglesias next year, you've got Cecchini who will be ready to take over at 3B by 2015 (moving Bogaerts to 3B), and Marrero coming up the system by the time Bogaerts will need to move to 3B, and Cecchini could then move to 1B.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The prospect haul will definitely depend on how much salary the Phillies are willing to eat to make a deal, but I wouldn't mind a trade like that. I'd prefer if the Phillies threw in Michael Young into the trade, and I think we can throw in any rule 5 players in to sweeten the pot if necessary.

 

I could see that. Not sure who their Rule 5 eligible players are, but I can certainly agree with this.

[italstallianion]

From Soxprospects:

 

The following players are rule 5 eligible after this year:

 

Mario Alcantara, Michael Almanzar, Chris Balcom-Miller, Luis Bastardo, Jeremiah Bayer, Ricardo Betancourt, Carson Blair, Xander Bogaerts, Bryce Brentz, Chris Carpenter, Garin Cecchini, Keith Couch, William Cuevas, Keury De La Cruz, Luis Diaz, JD Durbin, Leonel Escobar, Jose Garcia, Zach Gentile, Derrik Gibson, Dreily Guerrero, Charflie Haeger, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Drew Hedman, Jon Hee, Jayson Hernandez, Chris Hernandez, Peter Hissey, Adalberto Ibarra, Jeremy Kehrt, Aaron Kurcz, Lucas LeBlanc, Juan Carlos Linares, Tyler Lockwood, Heiker Meneses, Boss Moanaroa, Nefi Ogando, Gerardo Olivares, Yunior Ortega, Lyle Overbay, Oscar Perez, Mathew Price, Anthony Ranaudo, David Renfroe, Roberto Reyes, Pete Ruiz, Felix Sanchez, Alfredo Soto, Kyle Stroup, Scott Swinson, Francisco Taveras, Raynel Velette, Jose Vinicio, Kolbrin Vitek, Shannon Wilkerson, Tyler Wilson, Brandon Workman, Madison Younginer

 

I highlighted some to keep an eye on.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The current 40 man roster has about 4 guys who should be off by next year: Hanrahan, Ellsbury, Snyder, and Drew. With Aceves off of it, that leaves 5 slots.

 

Bradley, Bogaerts, Cecchini, Workman, and Ranaudo are locks. Almanzar is a very interesting piece that they could dish, as well as Bryce Brentz. Vinicio is a guy I've heard they're big on. Chris Hernandez is in AAA right now, struggling a little but could be an add on.

[Thunder]

I see Holt fitting into that o-so-useful utility role.

 

Bogaerts at 3B, Iglesias at SS, whoever's left at first, Holt on the bench.

 

not too bad at all.

 

Where can Holt play besides 3B?

[rjortiz]

He's played 2B before, not sure about SS.