2014 Roster Projections

[SoxFanForsyth]

Kemp is an option in Left but can also be at 1B should the Sox not sign Nap's

 

Kemp has never played 1B professionally in his life. Not sure where you get this notion?

[marklmw]

Kemp has never played 1B professionally in his life. Not sure where you get this notion?

 

If you can play CF you can catch a ball at 1B or maybe not.

[User Name]

I've said this whole time that he's an injury risk, but Granderson was also injured last year and saw a big drop off in power because of the location of the injury (forearm/wrist). Those injuries zap power just as much as Kemp's does. What you look at now, with both coming into 2014 healthy, is their talent level when healthy, and I don't think that is even close.

 

Saying that Kemp had an .834 OPS over the past 2 seasons is misleading given that 1. he had a .906 OPS in 2012 and 2. when he came back from his injury in September, he hit .314 with an .870 OPS.

 

Granderson, over the past 2 years, has posted a .788 OPS, and in neither year individually did he sniff an .834 OPS, much less a .906 OPS.

 

How is it misleading? Those are the numbers. They are the product of injuries, which is precisely my point. Also, you seem to be assuming my post is in defense of Granderson. It isn't. I clearly stated i don't like either of them.

[SoxFanForsyth]

How is it misleading? Those are the numbers. They are the product of injuries, which is precisely my point. Also, you seem to be assuming my post is in defense of Granderson. It isn't. I clearly stated i don't like either of them.

 

Actually, you stated "i don't see how SFF can criticize Granderson then turn around and pine for Kemp. I don't get it."

 

That's what I'm arguing this whole time. Kemp is a much, much better player.

[User Name]

I'm not particularly fond of either Granderson nor Kemp, however, i don't see how SFF can criticize Granderson then turn around and pine for Kemp. I don't get it.

 

Riiiiight.

[marklmw]

How is it misleading? Those are the numbers. They are the product of injuries, which is precisely my point. Also, you seem to be assuming my post is in defense of Granderson. It isn't. I clearly stated i don't like either of them.

 

I think that fans are starting to reach to replace Ellsbury's offensive production. James projects JBJ at 15HR's next year. Middlebrooks at 32, Bogaerts at 19 ... I do not think that we need to go out on a limb for either Grandy or Kemp. Sign Napoli and all will be well.

[User Name]

I think that fans are starting to reach to replace Ellsbury's offensive production. James projects JBJ at 15HR's next year. Middlebrooks at 32, Bogaerts at 19 ... I do not think that we need to go out on a limb for either Grandy or Kemp. Sign Napoli and all will be well.

 

I still think the Sox will get a power-hitting OF. Buy why they'd get a guy who's a product of NYS or a guy who hasn't been able to stay off the DL for the last two years is beyond me.

[jacksonianmarch]

I guess this is a crossroads the sox have to decide upon. I don't think their plan had them winning a WS in 2013. This puts a certain sense that the team they created was better than they thought. It also might throw off the plan. I am pretty sure the plan was to give SS to Bogaerts, 3B to Middlebrooks and CF to JBJ. Doing so will likely guarantee that you don't win the WS in 2014. You win titles up the middle and with 2 rookies up the middle, it is gonna be hard to win. Regardless, all three of those players could blossom into All Stars should they get the appropriate time to grow and learn. Do they stick to the plan, or do they go for 2014? That's the question. I don't fault them either way

[User Name]

They could honestly sign Drew and Napoli, then trade WMB in a package for a power bat knowing Cecchini is down in the minors, and they'd still have an extremely potent offense and a very good chance at the playoffs. Also, XB and JBJ together wouldn't preclude them from making the playoffs, which would not make them a lock to win the WS, and "going for it" as you say only increases playoff odds, which also doesn't make them a lock to win the WS given the nature of playoff baseball. Your logic is flawed either way.

[Bellhorn04]

FWIW Farrell told WEEI the Red Sox were trying hard to re-sign both Napoli and Drew. Big-time FWIW...

[User Name]

If they re-sign Drew, WMB's getting traded me thinks.

[Dojji]

Actually, you stated "i don't see how SFF can criticize Granderson then turn around and pine for Kemp. I don't get it."

 

That's what I'm arguing this whole time. Kemp is a much, much better player.

 

No. No he is not. he is a bit better when both are healthy but let's not exaggerate.

[Dojji]

If they re-sign Drew, WMB's getting traded me thinks.

 

Don't see why. Plenty of room and playing time for all of Bogaerts, Drew and Middlebrooks if they're handled intelligently.

[User Name]

Don't see why. Plenty of room and playing time for all of Bogaerts, Drew and Middlebrooks if they're handled intelligently.

 

The Sox are still in the market for a power-hitting OF. The 3B market is dry, and the Sox have depth at 3B. That's why.

[jacksonianmarch]

They could honestly sign Drew and Napoli, then trade WMB in a package for a power bat knowing Cecchini is down in the minors, and they'd still have an extremely potent offense and a very good chance at the playoffs. Also, XB and JBJ together wouldn't preclude them from making the playoffs, which would not make them a lock to win the WS, and "going for it" as you say only increases playoff odds, which also doesn't make them a lock to win the WS given the nature of playoff baseball. Your logic is flawed either way.

 

Aside from NY in 1996, how many teams had a rookie SS when they won the WS? I would assume, not many. Add to that a rookie CFer. You win up the middle. C, 2B, SS, CF, P. There is a reason they made so much out of Buster Posey winning a title as a rookie. It's a rare thing.

[User Name]

Aside from NY in 1996, how many teams had a rookie SS when they won the WS? I would assume, not many. Add to that a rookie CFer. You win up the middle. C, 2B, SS, CF, P. There is a reason they made so much out of Buster Posey winning a title as a rookie. It's a rare thing.

 

You are missing the point. The point isn't whether or not the up-the-middle players are rookies or veterans, but rather the crapshoot nature of the playoffs. How many teams have repeated this millenium?

[RedSoxNC84]

What exactly do you mean by "empty power"?

 

I think he means a sub .250 batting average

[dupree]

Ive been reading a lot of the previous posts from early today and i think that the Sox many very well be cooling in the pursuit of Napoli as i hate to say that. I hope they are not. But lets say they sign Napoli and trade for Kemp and send Dempster to the Dodgers with two prospects maybe Carp is traded and only one prospect. Ok they sign Nap at 3 years and a club option for a 4th and have Kemp in the OF to man CF or LF and later on in his career give him a 1B glove and tell him hey see what you can do, if it dont work we have a power hitting DH. All and all i would like the move if they made it with the Dodgers seems like a win for both teams.

[User Name]

Ive been reading a lot of the previous posts from early today and i think that the Sox many very well be cooling in the pursuit of Napoli as i hate to say that. I hope they are not. But lets say they sign Napoli and trade for Kemp and send Dempster to the Dodgers with two prospects maybe Carp is traded and only one prospect. Ok they sign Nap at 3 years and a club option for a 4th and have Kemp in the OF to man CF or LF and later on in his career give him a 1B glove and tell him hey see what you can do, if it dont work we have a power hitting DH. All and all i would like the move if they made it with the Dodgers seems like a win for both teams.

 

Meanwhile, Red Sox manager John Farrell told WEEI's Salk & Holley (via WEEI.com's Alex Speier) that the field staff and players were "jolted" by the news of Ellsbury's departure. With about a half-dozen current players reaching out for more information, Farrell told them that GM Ben Cherington was "doing the best he can with the two remaining guys, with [Mike Napoli] and [stephen Drew]." "We're going to do anything we can to bring both guys back," Farrell told his players. Be sure to check out the link for a lot more quotes from Farrell on the team's recent moves and path forward.

 

Per MLBTR.

[dupree]

Per MLBTR.

I just read that too. Needless to say that the Sox are in a good place right now. But i still think that Nap is the biggest need. Im really not understanding the whole resigning Drew. I think they can keep WMB, Boggy, Peddy, Nap, and Drew all playing time but it it seems like a resign of Drew would make a log jam. What if they do resign both Drew and Nap and move WMB to LF. Giving i dont see that happening but im just wondering as a what if. WMB could be the power bat if James' projections of 32 hr for this year is correct and if he could play good defense out there against the Monster. Johnny Gomes played there i would see why it would be a far stretch to think WMB couldnt. What do you think User?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Riiiiight.

 

I was never arguing whether or not you wanted one or another. I was arguing that you can't lump them together because Kemp is a much better talent than Granderson, so it shouldn't surprise you that I am interested in Kemp and not Grandy.

[SoxFanForsyth]

No. No he is not. he is a bit better when both are healthy but let's not exaggerate.

 

Kemp posted a 168 wRC+ in 2011, and in his 'down year' in 2012, posted a 146 wRC+. Granderson posted a 146 wRC+ in his monster season.

 

Yes, Kemp is a much better player, not just a bit better

[dupree]

Mariners are said to be the front runners now for Cano. Hahaha i love it. I hope he goes there. The Yankees will have a big void to fill now if he does sign there.

[User Name]

I just read that too. Needless to say that the Sox are in a good place right now. But i still think that Nap is the biggest need. Im really not understanding the whole resigning Drew. I think they can keep WMB, Boggy, Peddy, Nap, and Drew all playing time but it it seems like a resign of Drew would make a log jam. What if they do resign both Drew and Nap and move WMB to LF. Giving i dont see that happening but im just wondering as a what if. WMB could be the power bat if James' projections of 32 hr for this year is correct and if he could play good defense out there against the Monster. Johnny Gomes played there i would see why it would be a far stretch to think WMB couldnt. What do you think User?

 

I think if Drew comes back, WMB goes, but that's just my gut.

[seabeachfred]

Bill James is predicting a 30HR season from WMB in 2014. 30HR is a rare commodity ... do you really want to trade WMB 30 HR and a very good contract to the Dodgers for the oft injured Kemp's 30 HR and an expensive contract even with the Dodgers absorbing part of it? And on top of this you give them Ranaudo ... did you not notice Ranaudo's body of work in 2013? Our pitching staff is aging ... our numbers 3, 4, & 5 are not spring chickens. If we manage to extend Lester ... a big if considering since we were unable to extend our best player after winning a WS. We need to hold onto our pitching prospects ... Owens, Barnes, Ranaudo, Doubront, Webster, Workman. I need not point out the obvious with Buchholz. We can only hope that 3 out of 6 of the players that I mentioned can work out. Depth at pitching is a strength right now and with pitching if you are not careful our position can change on a dime. I would rather pick up the entire Kemp contract as a salary dump for the Dodgers than give up a top pitching prospect. IMO ... If James has WMB projected to hit 30 HR's then it would be wise to hold onto him.

 

Bravo to you again Mark. I cannot understand how so many of our colleagues here are so anxious to trade Middlebrooks. Guys that can hit 30 homers are becoming very rare and we could have two such animals on the left side of our infield. If Kemp is going to be traded to the Red Sox by the Dodgers it means only that the Bums want to get rid of him and get some good young players that they have very little of. f*** them!!!!! Give them Dempster and a couple of average prospects and if they so now they can go to hell. We need to keep our young prospects especially if they are rated high since the Sox seem to be no longer interested in long term FA contracts for players escaping from another team. And BTW, how about we start talks for an extension for Jon Lester, or do we want to see him in pinstripes in a couple of years? Remember this...the Yankee farm system is s*** warmed over.

[User Name]

I like WMB and don't want them to trade him. I just think that they will.

[seabeachfred]

Man, I just don't know about WMB. That seems like an aggressive projection but at the same time he hit, what, 32 in 169 games so far? So it's not out of the question by any means, plus he was hurt for a while last year before being demoted.

 

You bring up a good point. A 30 HR bat is a commodity. I'll have to think about it. It's a tough choice. Do you want the empty power, or do you want the very strong OBP with gap power and SB (Cecchini). Both players are question marks right now for development reasons.

 

Why does it have to be WMB or Cecchini? If they are good bats you find a place for both of them. You do convert players to different positions. We can do that with them. And the Red Sox ought to start thinking along those lines in my opinion.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Why does it have to be WMB or Cecchini? If they are good bats you find a place for both of them. You do convert players to different positions. We can do that with them. And the Red Sox ought to start thinking along those lines in my opinion.

 

I've said for a whole Cecchini should start playing 1B, but now if WMB does get dished you obviously keep him at 3b

[seabeachfred]

I don't like Drew's bat in the lineup--not with X and MBrooks on the left side. I think they have to sign Nap at 1B, and maybe a rightfielder.

They are 2 deep in CF with Vic and Bradley. The cheapest option might be Ethier. Kemp has a terrible contract--even if LA eats 20-30% of it. Plus he is coming off multiple surgeries. I figure they can eat some of Dempster and deal him for Ethier--the Dodgers eating some of his 4 yr contract down to $10-12 M per. Choo is MF Boras--forget him. Cruz can't play RF in Fenway. Grandy is also good, but James may not like him.

 

Anybody know James projections on Grandy and Ethier this year? Those two may offer the most value.

 

I'd be willing to bet Pedroia is whispering ( or shouting) in Henry's ear to get Ethier, his best friend, for the Red Sox. If that means he platoons in LF with Gomes, Nava goes to 1B and we let Napoli walk.......NO f***ING THANKS!!!!!! Ethier can't hit lefties to save is sorry ass and has been tabbed out here as a very self centered and selfish player. With Pedey around that might change but why change at all? Nava and Gomes are good to go in LF, Vic was the best all around RF in the league this season and for pete's sake let's give Bradley a chance to show what he can do in center. Do I hear Lucchino in the background meddling again about his penchant for having experience over youth on the ball club. For a guy who calls the Yankees the evil empire he sure seems to embrace their philosophy. If it is you Larry doing this stuff, put a sock in it.

[User Name]

Hasn't Lucchino gone on record several times as saying he learned "not to fall in love with veterans", and that he was on board with the "youth movement"? I mean, i don't like LL any more than you do Fred, but let's keep the conspiracy theories to a minimum.