2014 Roster Projections

[sk7326]

I'd hate this argument a lot less if people stopped using analogies to players like Puig and Trout that have nothing to do with an honest evaluation of Bradley's skill and talent.

 

JBJ is not Puig. He is not Trout. Those two players can live on talent because their talent is at a level you see a few times in a generation. If JBJ had a sniff of Puig's talent that might be the way to go, but he's not nearly that good. Whatever he does is going to using intelligence and plate approach to make his mark offensively, the raw talent is roughly at the David Dejesus level -- not bad surely, but he's not going to skate by in the big leagues on pure talent while he learns to actually play the game. That being the case, letting him gain experience and develop his approach a little more would be no sin.

 

David DeJesus with a plus center field defensively = an All Star

 

Puig is an otherworldly talent, and Trout is the game's best player ... Bradley does not have to be either of those guys to be plenty good, even in year 1. All he has to do is approximate the OBPs he has shown at every level of baseball he has had a full crack at, and that is a clear solid starter if the defense is as expected.

[Dojji]

Right, but when you use Puig or Trout as your example for why you want to throw JBJ into the fire this year -- especially when it didn't exactly work out for him last year -- you lay yourselves open for that kind of response.

[sk7326]

Right, but when you use Puig or Trout as your example for why you want to throw JBJ into the fire this year -- especially when it didn't exactly work out for him last year -- you lay yourselves open for that kind of response.

 

Maybe, maybe not ... Bradley last year was a totally different animal - he had hardly any experience above single A. It was reacting to a spring which the coaching staff could not ignore. This year is much more in line with his development - he has conquered every level they have given him that was appropriate. His development curve is quite a percentage bet to be a contributor next year. As long as you are prepared for a 2 win sort of season next year and not a 2013 Ellsbury one, you probably won't be disappointed.

[SoxSport]

I see a lot of people passing judgement on JBJ vs Puig, etc.

 

Puig is a kid who has gotten a lot of publicity playing for the Dodgers in mediatown West. He was hot for awhile, then showed some signs of immaturity. I have no idea how he is defensively. I think you have to reserve judgement on him.

 

Bradley has the potential to be a 5 tool player. He has no maturity problems evident so far. He is very good defensively, and can play all outfield positions. He looked good as a hitter in September. Hit a couple HRs off LHPs.

 

If Bradley played in NY or LA, I suspect he might be viewed as the second coming of Willie Mays. Perhaps overstated, but you get the idea.

 

Both these kids need playing time. experience. to develop confidence and hone their abilities. Puig will certainly get it in LA. Will Bradley get it? Hope so.

[SoxFanForsyth]

JBJ has no use in AAA next year.

 

He posted a .375 OBP and a .845 OPS in AAA last year, all while playing elite defense.

 

At some point, you have to take the training wheels off and let the kids sink or swim. Bradley's 2013 season and overall career thus far has been very reminiscent of Pedroia's career & 2006 season.

Edited November 22, 2013 by SoxFanForsyth

[SoxFanForsyth]

Nick Cafardo is reporting that the Red Sox have shown interest in Matt Kemp.

 

Wonder what kind of a package it would take to get him to Boston. I'm not sure how I would feel about it. Certainly depends on the prospects. He could be a monster, though.

[Palodios]

Nick Cafardo is reporting that the Red Sox have shown interest in Matt Kemp.

 

Wonder what kind of a package it would take to get him to Boston. I'm not sure how I would feel about it. Certainly depends on the prospects. He could be a monster, though.

 

The Sox would pay 6/120 for a often-injured center fielder, with one elite season, and a handful of very good ones? Why not just re-sign Ellsbury and save the prospects?

[Bellhorn04]

The Sox would pay 6/120 for a often-injured center fielder, with one elite season, and a handful of very good ones? Why not just re-sign Ellsbury and save the prospects?

 

'Shown interest' isn't saying much of course.

[Bellhorn04]

Sox have acquired RP Burke Badenhop from Milwaukee for a minor leaguer.

 

Note: Badenhop's middle name is Heinrich.

[User Name]

'Shown interest' isn't saying much of course.

 

They "show interest" in everyone with a pulse.

[marklmw]

Back to Puig ... the comparison with Puig was not comparing Puig the player to JBJ the player but Puig and his situation to JBJ and his situation should he be our starting CF next year. Puig came up and played and he made his share of mistakes. He is learning on the job ... we need to give JBJ the same latitude. I mean how bad was Lugo when we signed him and he was a veteran and he made one stupid play after another. JBJ is a sound player and I wish Dojji would just cut the crap about him not being ready.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The Sox would pay 6/120 for a often-injured center fielder, with one elite season, and a handful of very good ones? Why not just re-sign Ellsbury and save the prospects?

 

I'm sure the Dodgers would be required to eat a good bit of that salary before any trade of significant prospects would happen.

 

And lets be honest here, Kemp is a much better player than Ellsbury when both are healthy.

[Palodios]

Sox have acquired RP Burke Badenhop from Milwaukee for a minor leaguer.

 

Note: Badenhop's middle name is Heinrich.

 

Does he have options? Seems like a good 5th/6th inning RHP option if a few guys get hurt.

[Palodios]

I'm sure the Dodgers would be required to eat a good bit of that salary before any trade of significant prospects would happen.

 

And lets be honest here, Kemp is a much better player than Ellsbury when both are healthy.

 

Kemp's defense brings him down I think.

 

Kemp's top 5 seasons in fWar-- 8.4, 5.0, 3.2, 3.1, 1.6

Ellsbury's top 5 seasons in fWar -- 9.1, 5.8, 4.1, 2.1, 1.4

[User Name]

Back to Puig ... the comparison with Puig was not comparing Puig the player to JBJ the player but Puig and his situation to JBJ and his situation should he be our starting CF next year. Puig came up and played and he made his share of mistakes. He is learning on the job ... we need to give JBJ the same latitude. I mean how bad was Lugo when we signed him and he was a veteran and he made one stupid play after another. JBJ is a sound player and I wish Dojji would just cut the crap about him not being ready.

 

Dojji will use anything as ammo in his anti-Bradley campaign.

[marklmw]

I'm sure the Dodgers would be required to eat a good bit of that salary before any trade of significant prospects would happen.

 

And lets be honest here, Kemp is a much better player than Ellsbury when both are healthy.

 

As it stands now however Ellsbury would be favored over Kemp ... Kemp only had a great 2011. WAR = 7.8

Me thinks that the Dodgers want to even the score with Boston cause they know we got the better of them on the AGon deal.

We have so many good prospects with high ceilings I would hate to loose for a player with injury issues.

[marklmw]

Dojji will use anything as ammo in his anti-Bradley campaign.

 

This is true as the same thing happened when I pointed out Mike Trout's first stint in the majors ... not comparing JBJ to Trout ... that would be foolish ... I was just pointing out that JBJ's numbers this year at the major league level are not unexpected and should not be used against him going forward. If they did that with Trout then who knows ... or if they did that with Pedey same thing ... JBJ will be a very solid performer ... I am thinking more a Bernie Williams type player as Trout is on schedule to break some records. David Dejesus is a fine player but nothing for a promising 22 y.o. to aspire to at this point in his career.

[mvp 78]

Does he have options? Seems like a good 5th/6th inning RHP option if a few guys get hurt.

 

@jonahkeri: Red Sox just acquired Burke Badenhop, who's one of the most likable athletes alive. (Pretty nifty sinker/GB rate too.)

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe: In 163 plate appearances against righthanded batters last season, Badenhop walked four and allowed only 3 HRs. #redsox

[marklmw]

@PeteAbe: In 163 plate appearances against righthanded batters last season, Badenhop walked four and allowed only 3 HRs. #redsox

 

What's the catch?

[Palodios]

Lefties hit .338/.462/.393/.812 against him.

Righties hit .229/.307/.247/.539 against him.

 

ROOGY?

[Dojji]

Lefties hit .338/.462/.393/.812 against him.

Righties hit .229/.307/.247/.539 against him.

 

ROOGY?

 

Since at least 3/5 of the league bat righthanded, that's probably workable as long as we're not asking him to pitch setup innings.

[a700hitter]

He's likeable? Who cares.

[sk7326]

You can never have too many capable relief arms ... and a ground ball specialist to boot.

[seabeachfred]

You may not like Choo, but his .400 OBP, and high BB% are exactly what the Red Sox like. The guy gets on base as well as anyone, and has the speed to get himself home too.

 

If the Red Sox sign Choo, they have Nava/Carp as depth at 1B. Finding a catcher isn't exactly going to be easy -- Salty and McCann costs too much, Ruiz is gone, AJ is an *******. I see them going with another cheap option like Navarro.

 

Sign Choo for 5/90, pull in Navarro for 1/4. That leaves about 5 million for relief. It is an expensive plan, but Choo is one of the few guys I would put in the "worth-it" column.

 

Sorry Pal, but not this time. If we are thinking of signing Choo, I say just resign Ells if he is going to cost near the same money. First of all Jacoby is a helluva lot better CF than Choo is, he is certainly a hell of lot faster, and he is more of an offensive threat all things considered. Besides, we know he can handle the Boston pressure. Do we know this for a fact with Choo? We most certainly don't. He's played in Cleveland and Cincinnati, certainly not hotbeds of impatient and demanding fans, that is, when they can get enough fans from time to time to fill their respective stadiums.

[seabeachfred]

Sox have acquired RP Burke Badenhop from Milwaukee for a minor leaguer.

 

Note: Badenhop's middle name is Heinrich.

 

Whoopty freaking do-----I'll bet that is making Himmler smile way down below.

[seabeachfred]

As it stands now however Ellsbury would be favored over Kemp ... Kemp only had a great 2011. WAR = 7.8

Me thinks that the Dodgers want to even the score with Boston cause they know we got the better of them on the AGon deal.

We have so many good prospects with high ceilings I would hate to loose for a player with injury issues.

 

Healthy Kemp is an awesome player. A five too guy who can carry a team much of the time. HOWEVER, he tends to loaf on the bases and in the field, he is injury prone, very much so, and he has been totally babied by the Dodgers. If we can get him it might be worth the risk but under no circumstances is Cecchini, Renaudo, Swihart or Owens a part of such an exchange. Truth is, I'd rather keep Ellsbury too, sign him and save the prospects.

[sk7326]

Kemp is - when healthy - one of the ten best players in baseball. That is a ... giant ... flashing ... neon ... caveat though. The Red Sox (who I am certain are 99% not doing this) should not pay full price for him. I understand the Dodgers want a good price - of the outfielders they have to trade he is the most gifted - and the Red Sox have a lot of prospect depth, but you have to play hardball here.

[marklmw]

I see the Cards got better today.

[User Name]

Sorry Pal, but not this time. If we are thinking of signing Choo, I say just resign Ells if he is going to cost near the same money. First of all Jacoby is a helluva lot better CF than Choo is, he is certainly a hell of lot faster, and he is more of an offensive threat all things considered. Besides, we know he can handle the Boston pressure. Do we know this for a fact with Choo? We most certainly don't. He's played in Cleveland and Cincinnati, certainly not hotbeds of impatient and demanding fans, that is, when they can get enough fans from time to time to fill their respective stadiums.

 

Choo is not a CF, and he's a hell of a lot better offensively than Jacoby. That said, Jacoby is younger and his defense in a premium position tips the scales in his favor if we're talking similar money.