2014 Roster Projections

[BoSox92]

Starting Pitchers

1. Clay Buchholz RH

2. Jon Lester LH

3. Jake Peavy RH

4. Felix Doubront LH

5. John Lackey RH

 

Bullpen

CL. Koji Uehara RH

SU. Andrew Bailey RH

SU. Andrew Miller LH

MR. Junichi Tazawa RH

MR. Craig Breslow LH

LR. Franklin Morales LH

LR. Brandon Workman RH

 

Lineup

CF. Jacoby Ellsbury L

RF. Shane Victorino S

2B. Dustin Pedroia R

DH. David "Mr. Cooperstown" Ortiz L

1B. Mike Napoli R

SS. Xander Bogaerts R

LF. Daniel Nava S

C. Ryan Lavarnway R

3B. Will Middlebrooks R

 

 

Bench

C. David Ross R

1B. Mike Carp L

IF. Nick Punto S

OF. Jackie Bradley L

OF. Jonny Gomes R

Edited October 31, 2013 by BoSox92

[marklmw]

So you think that Boston will Re-sign Ellsbury? ... that would be nice. I see that you have Salty and Drew and Dempster are gone. OK. How did you come up with Nick Punto?

 

I think if we do not re-sign Ellsbury that we will make a play for Tanaka and also deal Peavy (while swallowing 50% of his Salary). Let Ross start at catcher but split the number of games pretty evenly with Lavarnway.

[User Name]

Why would the Sox deal Peavy if they got Tanaka? If anything, they'd keep both to strengthen the rotation.

[RedSoxNC84]

Why would the Sox deal Peavy if they got Tanaka? If anything, they'd keep both to strengthen the rotation.

 

You can never have enough pitching

[User Name]

Tell me about it. Had he not manned the f*** up, Buch's injury could have ruined this awesome boner i've been sporting for the last seven hours because the Sox won the World Series, but had he tweaked something in his outing, oooooh boy.

[mvp 78]

I'd do a Will Myers trade for Buchholz. Dempster and Peavy aren't worth much, so they're sticking around. Ells is gone. Napoli might stay since there aren't a lot of other 1b options. Salty and Drew are probably already packed.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd do a Will Myers trade for Buchholz.

 

Jeez don't go there. Last year it was Lester for Myers.

[rorschach]

I'd do a Will Myers trade for Buchholz. Dempster and Peavy aren't worth much, so they're sticking around. Ells is gone. Napoli might stay since there aren't a lot of other 1b options. Salty and Drew are probably already packed.

 

I wouldn't touch Buchholz and would leave Peavy alone until he at least got got 10 starts too see what he has next year. Dude's a warrior he could come back to his Cy Young form next season.

[mvp 78]

Peavy isnot regaining any sort of CY form. It's not happening.

 

If Buchholzcould stay healthy, i'd want him around, but he simply can't stay on the field.

[Orange Juiced]

Starting Pitchers

1. Clay Buchholz RH

2. Jon Lester LH

3. Jake Peavy RH

4. Felix Doubront LH

5. John Lackey RH

 

Bullpen

CL. Koji Uehara RH

SU. Andrew Bailey RH

SU. Andrew Miller LH

MR. Junichi Tazawa RH

MR. Craig Breslow LH

LR. Franklin Morales LH

LR. Brandon Workman RH

 

Lineup

CF. Jacoby Ellsbury L

RF. Shane Victorino S

2B. Dustin Pedroia R

DH. David "Mr. Cooperstown" Ortiz L

1B. Mike Napoli R

SS. Xander Bogaerts R

LF. Daniel Nava S

C. Ryan Lavarnway R

3B. Will Middlebrooks R

 

 

Bench

C. David Ross R

1B. Mike Carp L

IF. Nick Punto S

OF. Jackie Bradley L

OF. Jonny Gomes R

 

The Sox probably won't re-sign Ellsbury. So that means JBJ in the starting lineup, most likely. Peavy will be just fine for the Sox for the regular season. We saw how it was much more difficult for him in the playoffs against excellent offenses, but during the year he'll be valuable. Dempster needs to go. The Sox should give Napoli a QO, and maybe do the same for Drew, though clearly Bogaerts is the SS of the future for this team. I still think Middlebrooks can grow into a pretty decent major-leaguer - if they give him the 3b job I would think that a .250/.325/.450/.775, 25 hr, 75 rbi line wouldn't be out of the question for him. And that would be just fine, given his cost. Tough call with Salty - he was pretty good this year but was overmatched in the playoffs. Are they really going to spend big bucks for a catcher that they pulled from the starting lineup in the most important games of the year?

 

Where are the places they can improve?

[diego]

No way to re-sign Ellsbury? How about another one year contract?

[sk7326]

1. QO's for Napoli and Ellsbury. No QO for Drew. Flip a coin on Saltalamacchia. Be ready for Bogaerts and Bradley to be manning full time gigs next season.

 

2. Do not get too hung up with who was on the field at the end of the World Series. You do what you have to do to win games tonight, but that does not mean that Middlebrooks or Salty are out of the picture for the future. Doesn't mean they are part of the future either - just that you don't make decisions on 3 weeks of baseball - even if they are the highest profile 3.

 

3. Relievers, relievers, relievers - the nature and history of the position, you have to expect Tazawa, Breslow and Uehara to turn into pumpkins next season. That doesn't mean Koji should not be the closer to start blah blah blah ... but you want to have a continuous supply of arms to throw at the bullpen and be ready to switch horses. None of the ALCS/NLCS participants ended up with the closer they broke camp with - that tells you all you need to know.

 

4. Look into left field. If we are left with Carp/Gomes/Nava, yes - that is good enough. But if you can get Carlos Beltran for a short hitch, or Shin Soo-Choo for a reasonable one (bidding might get very hot on Choo, for a guy who can't hit lefties), it is worth kicking the tires.

 

5. See if you can move Dempster. That said, his contract is very reasonable for what he offers - so don't eat salary unless you are actually getting a body with some upside coming back.

 

6. There are guys who can be serious difference makers who are not on the block but worth doing due diligence on (Felix Hernandez, Chris Sale) ... obviously keep with that. The Red Sox' prospect depth and ability to take on money can really make a difference here.

[Palodios]

Don't forget... Middlebrooks hit significantly better against lefties than righties, and we saw 8 righties in the postseason. He had a .375 OBP against Tampa, and just was a bad matchup in the next two series.

[Bellhorn04]

Don't forget... Middlebrooks hit significantly better against lefties than righties, and we saw 8 righties in the postseason. He had a .375 OBP against Tampa, and just was a bad matchup in the next two series.

 

Don't forget is right. He was horrible against righties this year - an OBP of .244. Yikes.

 

My personal preference for next year, unlikely though it may be, would be Bogaerts at third, Drew at short, and Middlebrooks traded.

[marklmw]

Why would the Sox deal Peavy if they got Tanaka? If anything, they'd keep both to strengthen the rotation.

 

Well UN ... IMO if they can get rid of 50% of Peavy's contract (he is due a boatload of money) and perhaps pick up a prospect at the same time they can use that savings for Tanaka.

Do you think that Bailey will be back next season and what do you know about his injury .... did he have surgery? The Sox are probably stuck with Bailey as he is hardly marketable.

[marklmw]

1. QO's for Napoli and Ellsbury. No QO for Drew. Flip a coin on Saltalamacchia. Be ready for Bogaerts and Bradley to be manning full time gigs next season.

 

2. Do not get too hung up with who was on the field at the end of the World Series. You do what you have to do to win games tonight, but that does not mean that Middlebrooks or Salty are out of the picture for the future. Doesn't mean they are part of the future either - just that you don't make decisions on 3 weeks of baseball - even if they are the highest profile 3.

 

3. Relievers, relievers, relievers - the nature and history of the position, you have to expect Tazawa, Breslow and Uehara to turn into pumpkins next season. That doesn't mean Koji should not be the closer to start blah blah blah ... but you want to have a continuous supply of arms to throw at the bullpen and be ready to switch horses. None of the ALCS/NLCS participants ended up with the closer they broke camp with - that tells you all you need to know.

 

4. Look into left field. If we are left with Carp/Gomes/Nava, yes - that is good enough. But if you can get Carlos Beltran for a short hitch, or Shin Soo-Choo for a reasonable one (bidding might get very hot on Choo, for a guy who can't hit lefties), it is worth kicking the tires.

 

5. See if you can move Dempster. That said, his contract is very reasonable for what he offers - so don't eat salary unless you are actually getting a body with some upside coming back.

 

6. There are guys who can be serious difference makers who are not on the block but worth doing due diligence on (Felix Hernandez, Chris Sale) ... obviously keep with that. The Red Sox' prospect depth and ability to take on money can really make a difference here.

 

For a while now it has been my gut feeling that the Sox will not offer Drew a QO but my mind has been changed based on some valid discussions on this board. The Sox do offer Drew a QO. If Drew accepts the Sox and Drew come to terms on a 3 year deal and the Sox put Middlebrooks on the block. They project Bogaerts to become a 3B so why not go ahead and do it now. I would imagine that a healthy Drew and a healthy Bogaerts will put up significantly betters numbers than what the aggregate at SS and 3rd provided for the 2013 season. If Drew walks on the QO then we pick up a top draft pick. If the Sox can acquire 3 of these compensation picks ... Ellsbury ... Drew ... Salty along with their own 1st rounder they can come away from the draft with the highest ranked draft class after winning the World Championship. Any one of these top picks can turn out to be another Wacha. There was a time when throwing 95mph was a big deal but now all the prospects do it and they also work on the change up as well. ANo matter what management decides to do one thing for sure is that the Sox are in a great position for the short and long term.

 

The Sox lost out on Abreu who could turn out to be a huge signing for the ChiSox and would have fit in nicely to Boston's long term plans but it is what it is.

[marklmw]

Don't forget... Middlebrooks hit significantly better against lefties than righties, and we saw 8 righties in the postseason. He had a .375 OBP against Tampa, and just was a bad matchup in the next two series.

 

Counting on Middlebrooks might be a lot like counting on President Obama ... No hope and nothing changing. The Sox still may get some value in return for Middlebrooks ... just make sure you cut a deal with a NL Team.

[sk7326]

Counting on Middlebrooks might be a lot like counting on President Obama ... No hope and nothing changing. The Sox still may get some value in return for Middlebrooks ... just make sure you cut a deal with a NL Team.

 

He had a rough season - but 26 year old great athletes with good tools are guys you can bet on ... He has shown he can hang at the big league level - the verdict on him is not that clear. I was definitely among those worried about him having a job here in the future. But he has developed quickly and consistently for a guy who has spent only a few years concentrating on baseball full time. Patience with him is warranted.

[redsoxrules]

Don't forget is right. He was horrible against righties this year - an OBP of .244. Yikes.

 

My personal preference for next year, unlikely though it may be, would be Bogaerts at third, Drew at short, and Middlebrooks traded.

 

Mine too.

[marklmw]

He had a rough season - but 26 year old great athletes with good tools are guys you can bet on ... He has shown he can hang at the big league level - the verdict on him is not that clear. I was definitely among those worried about him having a job here in the future. But he has developed quickly and consistently for a guy who has spent only a few years concentrating on baseball full time. Patience with him is warranted.

 

Again, much of WMB will depend on what happens with Drew because clearly they will go with Bogaerts over WMB. If Drew accepts QO then I feel that the Sox will try to extend to 3 years with him. A lot can happen in 3 years.

[Dojji]

I'd do a Will Myers trade for Buchholz.

 

And why the holy flaming buttery hell would the Rays do that?

[jung]

4. Look into left field. If we are left with Carp/Gomes/Nava, yes - that is good enough. But if you can get Carlos Beltran for a short hitch, or Shin Soo-Choo for a reasonable one (bidding might get very hot on Choo, for a guy who can't hit lefties), it is worth kicking the tires.

 

If the Sox bring in somebody to play LF, I think they might end up compelled to deal off Gomes. That could be fine. But I ended up less than convinced than I was earlier in the year that Gomes had accepted his role with the Sox.

 

About 2/3 of the way through the year we were hearing that he is not quite the bench cheerleader we thought he was and that the cheerleader aspect of his persona only came out when he was in the lineup. That sorta' sucks actually. Then I started to see how he was managing his interviews...all the way up even to Rosenthal last night apparently telling Rosenthal that the question he wanted was "Why is the team 10-1 in the post season with you in the lineup?" Come on Johnny. In fact, Gomes had to be in the lineup last night because of the splits against Wacha. There was more than one game against a RH that had Wacha split characteristics and I completely favored playing Gomes in those situations. But Johnny appears to be a bit more political about playing time than we were originally led to believe. If they bring in somebody like a Beltran, I am not sure it would make sense to keep Gomes around especially if he is going to pout and go into some shell when not in the lineup.

[Bellhorn04]

And why the holy flaming buttery hell would the Rays do that?

 

I thought he meant the same kind of trade as the Shields-Meyers trade.

[marklmw]

And why the holy flaming buttery hell would the Rays do that?

 

The Rays would not do that. Meyers had some ups and downs but he has a bright future. The Rays are very good at buying low and selling high and they tend to develop their pitching from the farm. They know when to get rid of players like Lugo, Upton and Crawford

[marklmw]

If the Sox bring in somebody to play LF, I think they might end up compelled to deal off Gomes. That could be fine. But I ended up less than convinced than I was earlier in the year that Gomes had accepted his role with the Sox.

 

About 2/3 of the way through the year we were hearing that he is not quite the bench cheerleader we thought he was and that the cheerleader aspect of his persona only came out when he was in the lineup. That sorta' sucks actually. Then I started to see how he was managing his interviews...all the way up even to Rosenthal last night apparently telling Rosenthal that the question he wanted was "Why is the team 10-1 in the post season with you in the lineup?" Come on Johnny. In fact, Gomes had to be in the lineup last night because of the splits against Wacha. There was more than one game against a RH that had Wacha split characteristics and I completely favored playing Gomes in those situations. But Johnny appears to be a bit more political about playing time than we were originally led to believe. If they bring in somebody like a Beltran, I am not sure it would make sense to keep Gomes around especially if he is going to pout and go into some shell when not in the lineup.

 

Sometimes as a fan I chime in about roster changes as though it was my own money being spent. Beltran is a nice player but at what cost and do the Sox really need him? There is need and there is desire ... and there are an unlimited number of players for management to desire. I would rather over spend by 3-4M on Ellsbury and go the platoon route in left ... Gomes can be moved if the perception among the baseball exec's is that you get to the playoffs with him on your team (even though is actual numbers do little to support this claim). JBJ, Nava, Carp can then share the duties in left. I hate to part with Ellsbury a premier lead-off guy who can patrol center field for at least another 2-3 years. JBJ can be brought along more slowly and also be useful in all 3 outfield spots. I like the idea of having the core of this team back .... Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester and Papi for near future. There are so many combinations of what management can do this off season. Each piece moved on the board will affect what piece is moved next and where it is moved to. Although I really do enjoy talking about the Sox my knowledge is severely limited in comparison to that of management. Keeping Drew, Napoli and Ellsbury while inserting Bogaerts and Lavarnway will be fun to watch next season when a repeat is on everyone's mind.

Edited October 31, 2013 by marklmw

[Dojji]

Anyways...

 

QO and walk:

 

Salty

Drew

Ellsbury

 

I'd love to keep some or all of these players but I can see the argument about not gumming down our financial flexibility, especially after not doing so helped us win big this year.

 

 

I'd keep Drew and Ellsbury if possible, but there's sense to letting both of them move on.

 

Resigning:

 

Mike Napoli (3 years, $45M) -- Napoli's type of hitter tends to age fairly well, and his hip wasn't an issue this year. I think he's earned the stability of a proper contract.

 

Signings:

 

Covelli "Coco" Crisp -- proficient hitting from the right hand side, capable of bringing some of Ellsbury's lost speed back, demonstrated as willing to split time both here and on the A's.

 

Willie Bloomquist -- not the flashiest utility guy, but brings some speed off the bench and a crapload of versatility.

 

Kelly Shoppach -- basically a Ross redux, except younger and not coming off a World Series win -- less emotion associated with him ensures he'll be played in his role rather than overexposed.

 

Trades:

Bundle Daniel Nava and Dempster somewhere for a decent return in talent. Otherwise, I don't see a ton of wheeling and dealing to do.

 

Roster:

 

C: Ryan Lavarnway

1B: Mike Napoli

2B: Dustin Pedroia

SS: Xander Bogaerts

3B: Will Middlebrooks*

LF: Johnny Gomes/Mike Carp

CF: JBJ/Coco Crisp

RF: Victorino

DH: Ortiz

 

Bench:

 

Coco Crisp/JBJ, OF

Mike Carp, LF/1B

Willie Bloomquist, UT

David Ross, C

 

*I'm kind of hoping Cecchini comes through to give us some options here at some point, but at this point we're committed to Middlebrooks as the starting third sacker.

 

Rotation:

 

Jon Lester

John Lackey

Jake Peavey

Felix Doubront

Clay Buchholz

 

No that's not a mistype. I do not trust Buchholz and never have. I would be looking for a proficient 6th starter type and hoping a bunch of young kids step up, because for all the hate on Ellsbury, the guy i least trust to take his start on time is Buchholz.

 

Bullpen:

 

Uehara

Tazawa

Miller

Breslow

 

Any of about 7 guys could fill out the last 3 spots.

Edited October 31, 2013 by Dojji
Didn't realize Ross had an extra guaranteed year.

[Station 13]

Crisp's option was pick up by the A's I believe.

[Dojji]

Crap. He'd have been good for us

[marklmw]

Anyways...

 

QO and walk:

 

Salty

Drew

Ellsbury

 

I'd love to keep some or all of these players but I can see the argument about not gumming down our financial flexibility, especially after not doing so helped us win big this year.

 

 

I'd keep Drew and Ellsbury if possible, but there's sense to letting both of them move on.

 

Resigning:

 

Mike Napoli (3 years, $45M) -- Napoli's type of hitter tends to age fairly well, and his hip wasn't an issue this year. I think he's earned the stability of a proper contract.

 

Signings:

 

Covelli "Coco" Crisp -- proficient hitting from the right hand side, capable of bringing some of Ellsbury's lost speed back, demonstrated as willing to split time both here and on the A's.

 

Willie Bloomquist -- not the flashiest utility guy, but brings some speed off the bench and a crapload of versatility.

 

Kelly Shoppach -- basically a Ross redux, except younger and not coming off a World Series win -- less emotion associated with him ensures he'll be played in his role rather than overexposed.

 

Trades:

Bundle Daniel Nava and Dempster somewhere for a decent return in talent. Otherwise, I don't see a ton of wheeling and dealing to do.

 

Roster:

 

C: Ryan Lavarnway

1B: Mike Napoli

2B: Dustin Pedroia

SS: Xander Bogaerts

3B: Will Middlebrooks*

LF: Johnny Gomes/Mike Carp

CF: JBJ/Coco Crisp

RF: Victorino

DH: Ortiz

 

Bench:

 

Coco Crisp/JBJ, OF

Mike Carp, LF/1B

Willie Bloomquist, UT

David Ross, C

 

*I'm kind of hoping Cecchini comes through to give us some options here at some point, but at this point we're committed to Middlebrooks as the starting third sacker.

 

Rotation:

 

Jon Lester

John Lackey

Jake Peavey

Felix Doubront

Clay Buchholz

 

No that's not a mistype. I do not trust Buchholz and never have. I would be looking for a proficient 6th starter type and hoping a bunch of young kids step up, because for all the hate on Ellsbury, the guy i least trust to take his start on time is Buchholz.

 

Bullpen:

 

Uehara

Tazawa

Miller

Breslow

 

Any of about 7 guys could fill out the last 3 spots.

 

In all due respect ... no way are the Sox going to commit $45m / 3years to Napoli. Napoli gave Boston what they had projected he would give them and not much more. If management was not willing to pay him $39/ 3 due to his health condition (and other clubs were not knocking on his door either) what exactly has changed about his health besides the fact that he is one year older. Sometimes it appears that players are paid for their past accomplishments (A WS Title) but in Napoli's case his numbers and his health condition do not support such a contract you speak of. It is not inconceivable that the Sox off a similar contract to this years contract but on a multi-year basis. $5M base per with incentives to earn $13M per.

[wyo-sox]

I've heard KC will look to trade Billy Butler. Would you rather sign Nap again or work out a trade for Butler? Of course I realize it depends on what KC would ask for...... but if it was a smart trade, I think I'd rather have Butler at first base.