2014 Roster Projections

[SoxFanForsyth]

Nava has a better chance of outperforming Beltran over the next 3 years. Maybe the Sox are just driving up the price to the Spankmees ... signing Beltran makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for Boston. Boston needs to get younger not older.

 

The only reason I could see them doing this is to provide some extra insurance in the situation that Bradley needs a bit more time in AAA, but even then, I think they'd only be interested on a 2 year deal.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Some guys we've all probably forgotten about, due primarily to the rising stars in the farm, but could help this year - Kalish and Brentz

[Palodios]

Kalish's career was over about a year ago. He's not helping anyone. Relying on him in any way whatsoever would be unrealistic.

[Bellhorn04]

Kalish's career was over about a year ago.

 

That seems a bit premature. Is his latest injury that impossible to recover from?

[wyo-sox]

Mlb trade rumors reports that the Rockies are willing to talk trades for Troy Tulo. I think he is a great talent and would be a good fit in Boston. His injuries and big contract are troubling though. Wonder what it would take to get him?

[Palodios]

That seems a bit premature. Is his latest injury that impossible to recover from?

 

He has had one major surgery after another. Even if his body is not physically broken by now, his spirit must be. He's publicly stated he's been considering retirement, and at his age that's not a good sign. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, he has played a grand total of 36 major league games, and did not impress.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Kalish's career was over about a year ago. He's not helping anyone. Relying on him in any way whatsoever would be unrealistic.

 

I'm not relying on him, I'm saying he provides good depth. His career is certainly not over, either. He is still a very talented player, albeit one that has been riddled with injuries.

 

Regardless, if JBJ doesn't work out, you can stick Brentz in RF and move Victorino to CF, or put Kalish in CF/RF and do the same.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Mlb trade rumors reports that the Rockies are willing to talk trades for Troy Tulo. I think he is a great talent and would be a good fit in Boston. His injuries and big contract are troubling though. Wonder what it would take to get him?

 

Too much.

 

Stick with Bogaerts at SS, if you ask me. And then go with Cecchini at 3B around mid-season.

 

Between Bogaerts, Cecchini, Middlebrooks, and Marrero, the left side of the infield should be set for years.

 

I do see Cecchini moving to 1B eventually, likely once Marrero is ready.

[marklmw]

Too much.

 

Stick with Bogaerts at SS, if you ask me. And then go with Cecchini at 3B around mid-season.

 

Between Bogaerts, Cecchini, Middlebrooks, and Marrero, the left side of the infield should be set for years.

 

I do see Cecchini moving to 1B eventually, likely once Marrero is ready.

 

It's all about pitching ... you do not have to look further from the A's organization to know this truth. The Red Sox will not have any issues producing runs even while replacing Ellsbury & Drew with JBJ & Bogaerts. The Sox should have a strong bullpen in 2014.

[Bellhorn04]

It's all about pitching ... you do not have to look further from the A's organization to know this truth.

 

More like 60% about pitching. The KC Royals had the best ERA and ERA+ in the league. And they're not the first team to lead the league in pitching and miss the playoffs.

[SoxFanForsyth]

It's all about pitching ... you do not have to look further from the A's organization to know this truth. The Red Sox will not have any issues producing runs even while replacing Ellsbury & Drew with JBJ & Bogaerts. The Sox should have a strong bullpen in 2014.

 

It's about more than just pitching once you get to the postseason. You can look at the A's and Rays organizations for that

[marklmw]

More like 60% about pitching. The KC Royals had the best ERA and ERA+ in the league. And they're not the first team to lead the league in pitching and miss the playoffs.

How about 65% ... KC has not been this close to making the playoffs in a long long time. The A's offense is made up of castoffs ... with a good many X-Redsox.

[marklmw]

I think that making the playoffs constitutes a successful season for most MLB teams.

[sk7326]

It's all about pitching ... you do not have to look further from the A's organization to know this truth. The Red Sox will not have any issues producing runs even while replacing Ellsbury & Drew with JBJ & Bogaerts. The Sox should have a strong bullpen in 2014.

 

If you play in a homerun graveyard like the A's, lovely. You need everything to win - you don't think the Red Sox could have won the title without having a lineup that could crack good pitching, do you? Sometimes good hitting is not scoring 6 runs a game - it is being able to ignite a rally when your 7-8-9 hitters come up.

 

No guarantees about the Sox bullpen at all - bullpens vary so much year to year, that to think that Breslow can deliver again next season is crazy. Indeed Uehara will not repeat this season from simple regression alone. If the Red Sox threw a smart offer at Jesse Crain, that would be very sensible - he could be dynamite when used carefully. Manny Parra is a good idea as well (failed young starters are a good source for potential bullpen dynamos)

 

Internally all of the pitchers like De La Rosa, Ranaudo, Webster, should get serious looks at bullpen help also. Also, if they cannot move Dempster and he is relegated to the bullpen, his stuff is a strong candidate to play up when he does not have to turn a lineup over.

Edited November 11, 2013 by sk7326

[SoxFanForsyth]

Couple of thoughts on 1B and RP.

 

RP - Really like Jesse Crain as a buy low candidate with tons of upside (coming off injury, however). Also wonder how Webster would do in short stints. He was absolutely filthy during spring training last year when he was coming out of the pen. Could be an interesting option going into late 2014.

 

1B - If Napoli doesn't work out, how much would it take to get Billy Butler from the Royals? He's in his last year there, and is strictly a DH with Hosmer at 1B. Also, Brandon Belt seems to be underappreciated in SF. I'd be willing to move a couple arms (Ranaudo & Doubront) and a stick (Middlebrooks?) for him (I've heard grumblings that Panda may move to 1B). He's coming off a year where he hit 17 HR, .289/.360/.481, and he plays in the NL West where homerun hitters go to die.

 

Belt sprays the ball well (not strictly a pull hitter), so while he may not hit for 30+ HR, he would hit 40+ doubles and around 20-25 HR by taking his production in the NL West and putting it in places like Fenway, YS, Camden, and Rogers Center.

[SoxFanForsyth]

If you play in a homerun graveyard like the A's, lovely. You need everything to win - you don't think the Red Sox could have won the title without having a lineup that could crack good pitching, do you? Sometimes good hitting is not scoring 6 runs a game - it is being able to ignite a rally when your 7-8-9 hitters come up.

 

No guarantees about the Sox bullpen at all - bullpens vary so much year to year, that to think that Breslow can deliver again next season is crazy. Indeed Uehara will not repeat this season from simple regression alone. If the Red Sox threw a smart offer at Jesse Crain, that would be very sensible - he could be dynamite when used carefully. Manny Parra is a good idea as well (failed young starters are a good source for potential bullpen dynamos)

 

Internally all of the pitchers like De La Rosa, Ranaudo, Webster, should get serious looks at bullpen help also. Also, if they cannot move Dempster and he is relegated to the bullpen, his stuff is a strong candidate to play up when he does not have to turn a lineup over.

 

Koji may not be 1.09 ERA good next year, but he's still good for a 1.9-2.2 ERA. His ERA for the past 3 years is 1.69. This wasn't some kind of aberration of a year for him.

 

As for the entire pen, though, having Koji, Taz, Miller, Breslow, Dempster, and a slew of prospects is a very good base. I think the Sox pen will be good again this year. Can't depend on Bailey for anything but he could provide some additional depth as well.

 

Tack on a couple guys like Crain, maybe LaTroy Hawkins, etc, and you can have a really strong pen.

[User Name]

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1B - If Napoli doesn't work out, how much would it take to get Billy Butler from the Royals? He's in his last year there, and is strictly a DH with Hosmer at 1B. Also, Brandon Belt seems to be underappreciated in SF. I'd be willing to move a couple arms (Ranaudo & Doubront) and a stick (Middlebrooks?) for him (I've heard grumblings that Panda may move to 1B). He's coming off a year where he hit 17 HR, .289/.360/.481, and he plays in the NL West where homerun hitters go to die.

 

Belt sprays the ball well (not strictly a pull hitter), so while he may not hit for 30+ HR, he would hit 40+ doubles and around 20-25 HR by taking his production in the NL West and putting it in places like Fenway, YS, Camden, and Rogers Center.

 

Ranaudo and Doubront PLUS WMB for a mid-tier 1B? Please no.

[sk7326]

Koji may not be 1.09 ERA good next year, but he's still good for a 1.9-2.2 ERA. His ERA for the past 3 years is 1.69. This wasn't some kind of aberration of a year for him.

 

As for the entire pen, though, having Koji, Taz, Miller, Breslow, Dempster, and a slew of prospects is a very good base. I think the Sox pen will be good again this year. Can't depend on Bailey for anything but he could provide some additional depth as well.

 

Tack on a couple guys like Crain, maybe LaTroy Hawkins, etc, and you can have a really strong pen.

 

Oh I am not saying Uehara will be BAD, although at his age and given the concerns about his usage entering the season you have to be prepared for that possibility. Last year was an aberration in that he was a 3-win pitcher when he had never been more than a typical 1-2 win sort of hombre. Can he handle that sort of usage again is a legitimate question - but he deserves the benefit of the doubt, absolutely.

 

I just look at the nature of bullpen sample sizes - there is a large history of year-to-year wild fluctuations that you have to be ready to cycle guys through again. The 4 LCS teams all used closers who they did not intend when the season began. It's just the nature of the gig.

[sk7326]

Ranaudo and Doubront PLUS WMB for a mid-tier 1B? Please no.

 

Belt has some real upside for sure - but if you are looking at him as a "buy low" trade opportunity, a legit #3 and a starting caliber 3B is WAYYYYY too high a price for a flyer.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ranaudo and Doubront PLUS WMB for a mid-tier 1B? Please no.

 

Mid-tier?

 

His 139 wRC+ was good for 6th among MLB 1B, and he's 25 years old and just starting to cash into his power.

 

I'll give you this - Ranaudo + Doubront is too much. Maybe it should be Ranaudo or Doubront + WMB + a B level guy like Brentz.

 

But while my offer was on the high side, I think you are undervaluing Belt.

[User Name]

Mid-tier?

 

His 139 wRC+ was good for 6th among MLB 1B, and he's 25 years old and just starting to cash into his power.

 

I'll give you this - Ranaudo + Doubront is too much. Maybe it should be Ranaudo or Doubront + WMB + a B level guy like Brentz.

 

But while my offer was on the high side, I think you are undervaluing Belt.

 

.351 BABIP. Also, 1B is the easiest position to find offense. You don't sell controllable assets for a position where you can find relatively cheap production on short contracts through FA.

[redsoxrules]

So we'll find shortly if anyone is accepting QO. I highly doubt any of the Red Sox will but you never know

[dupree]

Mid-tier?

 

His 139 wRC+ was good for 6th among MLB 1B, and he's 25 years old and just starting to cash into his power.

 

I'll give you this - Ranaudo + Doubront is too much. Maybe it should be Ranaudo or Doubront + WMB + a B level guy like Brentz.

 

But while my offer was on the high side, I think you are undervaluing Belt.

 

That offer is ridiculous... if Napoli dont resign then throw WMB at 1B and get the same if not more production at 1B than Belt would provide. And keep Ranaudo, Doubront, and Brentz. Resign Drew if Nap dont work out and let Boggey play 3rd.

 

Best of all worlds compared to trading away young arms and power bats for Belt. If arms and bats go it would have to be for Stanton.

[SoxFanForsyth]

That offer is ridiculous... if Napoli dont resign then throw WMB at 1B and get the same if not more production at 1B than Belt would provide. And keep Ranaudo, Doubront, and Brentz. Resign Drew if Nap dont work out and let Boggey play 3rd.

 

Best of all worlds compared to trading away young arms and power bats for Belt. If arms and bats go it would have to be for Stanton.

 

This entire post, but mainly the part bolded, is just ignorance.

[SoxFanForsyth]

.351 BABIP. Also, 1B is the easiest position to find offense. You don't sell controllable assets for a position where you can find relatively cheap production on short contracts through FA.

 

We disagree. If you can get a future .880-.920 OPS bat to play 1B for you, you absolutely pull the trigger on that. Belt is a much better player than you give him credit for.

 

He's got a career .339 BABIP because he has about a 25% LD%. It's not flukey, it's justified.

 

Here are your 2014 Free Agent 1B, outside of Napoli:

 

Jeff Baker (33)

Yuniesky Betancourt (32)

Corey Hart (32)

Paul Konerko (38)

Casey Kotchman (31)

Brandon Laird (26)

James Loney (30)

Casey McGehee (31)

Kendrys Morales (30)

Justin Morneau (33)

Mike Napoli (32)

Lyle Overbay (37)

Carlos Pena (36)

Mark Reynolds (30)

Chad Tracy (34)

Ty Wigginton (36)

Kevin Youkilis (35)

 

There is nothing there. Brentz, WMB, and Ranaudo would not be an overpayment for a young, cost controlled power hitting 1B if Napoli doesn't sign.

[sk7326]

1B/DH is relatively easy to source - the list of free agents sucks, but that doesn't mean that there is not a platoon of value there. Corey Hart was a very productive guy before his knees went out on him. Could you fake 1B between Nava, Carp and Hart, assuming you find another outfielder? Platoons can substitute for Napoli decently - but the problem is taking extra roster spots when you are insistent on carrying a 12 man staff.

[SoxFanForsyth]

1B/DH is relatively easy to source - the list of free agents sucks, but that doesn't mean that there is not a platoon of value there. Corey Hart was a very productive guy before his knees went out on him. Could you fake 1B between Nava, Carp and Hart, assuming you find another outfielder? Platoons can substitute for Napoli decently - but the problem is taking extra roster spots when you are insistent on carrying a 12 man staff.

 

I have thought about Hart, just depends on how well he can actually play. A platoon of Hart and Carp could be a very valuable 1B option if Napoli leaves.

[sk7326]

I have thought about Hart, just depends on how well he can actually play. A platoon of Hart and Carp could be a very valuable 1B option if Napoli leaves.

 

Also, considering how much a righty platoon caddy would play, a flyer on Mark Reynolds who had been a useful True Outcomes guy before last year could also make sense.

[seabeachfred]

No thanks.

 

Hey we see eye to eye on this thing. Double no thanks. The guy is going to be 37 and other teams need him a hell of a lot more than we do. Besides, look at his background the past decade. He has become nothing more than a gun slinging mercenary going where the money is the highest. He would be no real team type player with the Red Sox. His loyalty to his respective teams has been negligible, and though I don't blame him for seeking the highest payday he can get, I think he would be a very bad fit for the Red Sox. We are set in RF and have a good platoon combo in left. If Bradley is given a solid chance backed up by a guy who can hit lefties we are set out there. Besides we have guys on the farm who are close to ready and our needs are elsewhere.

[seabeachfred]

I have thought about Hart, just depends on how well he can actually play. A platoon of Hart and Carp could be a very valuable 1B option if Napoli leaves.

 

We should just resign Mike Napoli and stop talking about Belt or Reynolds or Hart or any of those inferior combinations. We know for a fact that Napoli loves playing in Boston, is great in the clubhouse, is a leader, a good defensive first baseman, a run producer and still young enough to give us three or four more productive seasons. Instead of talking about Beltran or Hudson, finish the job taking care of things in house by signing players who have already produced for us instead of guys who have been out for a year, have been underachievers or are way past their prime. RESIGN NAPOLI!!!!!!