2014 Roster Projections

[BornToRun]

7 million for Thornton seems crazy considering that not only did he miss the playoff roster, he was replaced by Franklin Morales.

Paying a guy who was replaced by Franklin morales to do anything on a baseball team other than take up space on the bench strikes me as a really bad idea.

[seabeachfred]

If thats true then they are idiots because they are doing the total opposite of the team that got them discombobulated. And yes, its fun to watch.

 

Well to me as much as it sounds a little of the wall, there has to be an element of truth in it and maybe a lot of truth. How can anyone account for some of the moves those guys have made this off season. Even ardent and passionate Yankee fan Jacko is befuddled a little by what he has seen going down. Also, look at the parade of second basemen that they have corralled this off season. Where the hell are they going to put them all, and how many of them can still play worth a lick? There is something very strange going on in the Yankee front office and I also wonder if there is a little difference of opinion among the operatives there.

[Palodios]

Franklin Gutierrez to the Mariners for 1M. Apparently the Red Sox don't want another outfielder.

[dupree]

Franklin Gutierrez to the Mariners for 1M. Apparently the Red Sox don't want another outfielder.

Deal also has the potential to earn 2MM worth of incentives.

[Palodios]

Deal also has the potential to earn 2MM worth of incentives.

 

Apparently the Red Sox don't want another outfielder.

[dupree]

I just hope Stephen Drew signs somewhere other than here soon. I say that because ive seen and heard that the Sox are not going to platoon JBJ so that means they are not gonna spend any money on a OF bat. And also i dont want them to trade WMB away if Drew does sign here. Drew is definetly the best infielder left on the market and a LHH to slot into the lineup. If they sign Drew i just hope its not at the expense of WMB, trading a power hitter away i dont think is ever a good idea when the power hitter is starting into his prime.

[vjcsmoke]

Franklin Gutierrez to the Mariners for 1M. Apparently the Red Sox don't want another outfielder.

 

Or maybe they just didn't want THAT outfielder.

[Palodios]

Or maybe they just didn't want THAT outfielder.

 

Or Dejesus, Granderson, Ellsbury, Davis, Young for that matter. There simply aren't any centerfielders/ rangy rightfielders left available. So they either trade prospects for one -- which I'm sure they don't want to do -- or they're done with outfielders.

[vjcsmoke]

Pretty much. It sounds like the Sox are willing to see what JBJ can do for them in center. I'm worried he might not pan out and then they have to do an emergency trade where they pay out a lot more than they want to address the CF position.

 

I still think the Sox situation with Crisp/Ellsbury was ideal. You had the veteran and you had the up and coming youngster. Both potentially capable of being starting players for you.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Crisp

 

And what did we give up andy marte, gullerma motta, and Kelly shoppach. did losing any of those guys haunt us?

[mvp 78]

@IanMBrowne: Rockies http://t.co/Jm2sZBL8r5 reporter Thomas Harding and I have confirmed that Franklin Morales is going to the Rox for Jonathan Herrera.

[mvp 78]

Good write up of Herrera: http://www.purplerow.com/2013/10/23/4948064/2013-colorado-rockies-player-reviews-jonathan-herrera

[seabeachfred]

I just hope Stephen Drew signs somewhere other than here soon. I say that because ive seen and heard that the Sox are not going to platoon JBJ so that means they are not gonna spend any money on a OF bat. And also i dont want them to trade WMB away if Drew does sign here. Drew is definetly the best infielder left on the market and a LHH to slot into the lineup. If they sign Drew i just hope its not at the expense of WMB, trading a power hitter away i dont think is ever a good idea when the power hitter is starting into his prime.

 

Dupree, as long as Steven Drew is out there I keep getting the woolies that we might just sign him. For Pete's sake someone take this guy off our hands before Cherington makes a mistake and inks him. We need to turn the page and move on. You don't turn your back on a guy who can hit 30 homers for you and that's what Will Middlebrooks is capable of. Besides Drew showed in the playoffs that he is not that good a hitter anymore and his strikeout totals are going through the roof the past couple of seasons. It just seems to me that Ben is just itching to sign this guy and to me anyway, that is the wrong move. We need to get these young guys into the lineup and build for the future, and we still have enough solid veterans that we can carry a couple of young players in the lineup. First of all Middlebrooks is no longer a rookie, and Bogey showed under the extreme pressure of the ALCS and WS that he can carry his share of the load.

 

The sooner Yankee Fan Boras can find a spot for Drew somewhere else besides Boston the safer I will feel going into 2014 with a team capable of competing in 2014 and for the rest of the decade.

[seabeachfred]

Well to me as much as it sounds a little of the wall, there has to be an element of truth in it and maybe a lot of truth. How can anyone account for some of the moves those guys have made this off season. Even ardent and passionate Yankee fan Jacko is befuddled a little by what he has seen going down. Also, look at the parade of second basemen that they have corralled this off season. Where the hell are they going to put them all, and how many of them can still play worth a lick? There is something very strange going on in the Yankee front office and I also wonder if there is a little difference of opinion among the powers-that-be over in the Bronx

[dupree]

@IanMBrowne: Rockies http://t.co/Jm2sZBL8r5 reporter Thomas Harding and I have confirmed that Franklin Morales is going to the Rox for Jonathan Herrera.

I have to say I like this move by Ben. For one it shows that Andrew Miller, Craig Breslow, and Drake Britton will be the LHP out of the pen, which i think will be a strong lefty core. Also this answers a lot of our questions about a back up utility infielder that can bat left handed. Now Morales who came up in the Rockies organization will have a chance to get more of innings paired with Boone Logan out of the Rox pen. In my opinion well done Ben.

 

Herrera is also known as a good clubhouse guy who is said to almost always with a smile on his face.

[DirtDog]

Who exactly is a 6th outfielder replacing on the 25 man roster? I'm confused what you guys want.

[DirtDog]

You already have a backup CF: Shane Victorino. plenty of corner OF depth in the minors... Brentz, Hassan, etc. Do we need a 3rd string 2nd baseman too?

[Palodios]

You already have a backup CF: Shane Victorino. plenty of corner OF depth in the minors... Brentz, Hassan, etc. Do we need a 3rd string 2nd baseman too?

 

Backup CF has never been the problem. Backup RF is the problem.

[reYoukilis]

Well to me as much as it sounds a little of the wall, there has to be an element of truth in it and maybe a lot of truth. How can anyone account for some of the moves those guys have made this off season. Even ardent and passionate Yankee fan Jacko is befuddled a little by what he has seen going down. Also, look at the parade of second basemen that they have corralled this off season. Where the hell are they going to put them all, and how many of them can still play worth a lick? There is something very strange going on in the Yankee front office and I also wonder if there is a little difference of opinion among the operatives there.

Im not sure about their second base situation, just the new guy, Brian Roberts. But if there is one difference in Yankeeland its no more George Steinbrenner. Maybe his son doesnt have it. But at the same time, since the end of their nineties heyday, the only strategy they had was to get the best player in the league. Not alot of thought going on there.

[DirtDog]

Backup CF has never been the problem. Backup RF is the problem.

Sox won championship with Nava as backup RF

[Palodios]

Sox won championship with Nava as backup RF

 

Sure, but his -15 UZR/150 in RF was atrocious. They also had Bradley available as depth if they needed someone with the range for CF/RF. I don't think Brentz or Nava will really cut it in RF.

[SoxSport]

The signing of a backup SS greatly reduces the probability of Drew getting re-signed. Hard to see that happening now. The Drews have made a career of getting overpaid with Boras as their agent. You'll probably see the same strategy in the OF--signing a reserve backup as insurance for Vic/Bradley.

 

The Yankees overpay for everybody, and it is galling to see greedy agents and the media raise the bar for every other team every time the Yankees overpay for somebody. Yankee dollars should not carry over to the rest of the league. Neither should LA dollars now, for that matter. The imbalance of local cable TV money is simply too great in LA and NY markets. It isn't fair to the rest of the league, and leads to hyperinflation of salaries.

[SoxSport]

Sox won championship with Nava as backup RF

 

That was when Ellsbury was in the OF. Bradley is more risky, as a 2nd year player. Besides, Nava isn't good enough defensively to play RF for extended periods at Fenway. They'll probably add a defensive oriented outfielder who can play CF and RF. Just looking for the right one.

[SoxSport]

You already have a backup CF: Shane Victorino. plenty of corner OF depth in the minors... Brentz, Hassan, etc. Do we need a 3rd string 2nd baseman too?

 

Brentz probably needs another year. Hassan is a possibility. Agree they should look into another outfielder from Pawtucket. Maybe they'll wait until ST, to see how these guys look.

 

The backup IF guy they just got from the Rockies can play 3B,SS and 2B. This gives them more IF versatility than Drew. No doubt they are looking around for a similar player for the OF.

[Dojji]

Who exactly is a 6th outfielder replacing on the 25 man roster? I'm confused what you guys want.

 

I wouldn't mind in the slightest replacing Carp with a 3 position 5th outfielder. I think it helps our depth and versatility to make that move.

 

Carp to the Giants for Gregor Blanco and something relieverish would suit me fine. The Giants make the move because they need a lot more offense starting in left field than Blanco can provide on a regular basis. We make the move because Blanco is a prototype of exactly what we need, a 3 position guy who can generate enough offense to be serviceable, (in blanco's case, with speed and OBP) and play behind the starter. He's not fantastic, but Blanco is steady and plays well to what the team tries to do, having him in the wings to take over in center if JBJ can't get it done would make me breathe a little easier.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Dojji

[Bellhorn04]

The signing of a backup SS greatly reduces the probability of Drew getting re-signed. Hard to see that happening now. The Drews have made a career of getting overpaid with Boras as their agent. You'll probably see the same strategy in the OF--signing a reserve backup as insurance for Vic/Bradley.

 

The Yankees overpay for everybody, and it is galling to see greedy agents and the media raise the bar for every other team every time the Yankees overpay for somebody. Yankee dollars should not carry over to the rest of the league. Neither should LA dollars now, for that matter. The imbalance of local cable TV money is simply too great in LA and NY markets. It isn't fair to the rest of the league, and leads to hyperinflation of salaries.

 

Calm down big fella. Keep in mind that what Ellsbury was looking for was 'Crawford money'. Where did the term 'Crawford money' come from again? Oh yeah.

 

Sure the Yankees overpay, but they're certainly not the only culprits.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I wouldn't mind in the slightest replacing Carp with a 3 position 5th outfielder. I think it helps our depth and versatility to make that move.

 

Carp to the Giants for Gregor Blanco and something relieverish would suit me fine. The Giants make the move because they need a lot more offense starting in left field than Blanco can provide on a regular basis. We make the move because Blanco is a prototype of exactly what we need, a 3 position guy who can generate enough offense to be serviceable, (in blanco's case, with speed and OBP) and play behind the starter. He's not fantastic, but Blanco is steady and plays well to what the team tries to do, having him in the wings to take over in center if JBJ can't get it done would make me breathe a little easier.

 

Yuck. Moving Carp, IMO, is not a good move. He posted a .296 average and a .885 OPS last year. His 162 game average for counting stats was 17 HR, 82 RBI. As a bench player, that's an extremely valuable bat. Plus, we don't have any backup 1B other than people who are already in the starting lineup (Nava, Ortiz)

 

Keep Carp. If JBJ isn't ready yet, you can move Vic to CF, Nava to RF, and slide Gomes into LF. But regardless of that, it's not going to be a 2 week try out for JBJ. If he gets benched or sent back down, it won't be until Memorial Day, at which point you will have had some time to turn a deal for someone if need be. But don't get rid of Carp because a kid struggled coming out of AA and going straight to the MLB.

 

Player A AAA Stats: .288/.374/.409, 164 G

Player B AAA Stats: .275/.374/.469, 80 G

 

Player A Stats in 1st 31 Games of MLB (Age 22): .191/.258/.303

Player B Stats in 1st 37 Games of MLB (Age 23): .189/.280/.337

 

Player A is Pedroia. Player B is Bradley.

 

You need to learn to have patience when players struggle after getting called up. Every player has their lumps they have to go through. There's a reason that you look at a players minor league track record and his ability to adjust rather than just looking at numbers from 37 games of his initial year at the highest level of baseball, freaking out, and making a bad trade.

[a700hitter]

Yuck. Moving Carp, IMO, is not a good move. He posted a .296 average and a .885 OPS last year. His 162 game average for counting stats was 17 HR, 82 RBI. As a bench player, that's an extremely valuable bat. Plus, we don't have any backup 1B other than people who are already in the starting lineup (Nava, Ortiz)

 

Keep Carp. If JBJ isn't ready yet, you can move Vic to CF, Nava to RF, and slide Gomes into LF. But regardless of that, it's not going to be a 2 week try out for JBJ. If he gets benched or sent back down, it won't be until Memorial Day, at which point you will have had some time to turn a deal for someone if need be. But don't get rid of Carp because a kid struggled coming out of AA and going straight to the MLB.

 

Player A AAA Stats: .288/.374/.409, 164 G

Player B AAA Stats: .275/.374/.469, 80 G

 

Player A Stats in 1st 31 Games of MLB (Age 22): .191/.258/.303

Player B Stats in 1st 37 Games of MLB (Age 23): .189/.280/.337

 

Player A is Pedroia. Player B is Bradley.

 

You need to learn to have patience when players struggle after getting called up. Every player has their lumps they have to go through. There's a reason that you look at a players minor league track record and his ability to adjust rather than just looking at numbers from 37 games of his initial year at the highest level of baseball, freaking out, and making a bad trade.

Bradley's plate discipline is impressive, but the option of Nava as our full time RFer if Bradley flops is not a good option.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Bradley's plate discipline is impressive, but the option of Nava as our full time RFer if Bradley flops is not a good option.

 

To be fair, it's not like Bradley flopping is going to sneak up on them. They're going to give him time, and during that time, if they think he needs to be sent back down, they can always shop around at that point.

 

I just think it would be silly to get rid of a bat like Carp for a long-term insurance plan when you've got guys who can already step in for a few days at a time in Carp and Gomes for LF, Nava for RF, Vic for CF. There's a good bit of flexibility there, if needed, for a short term DL stint or something of the likes.

[reYoukilis]

To be fair, it's not like Bradley flopping is going to sneak up on them. They're going to give him time, and during that time, if they think he needs to be sent back down, they can always shop around at that point.

What little I saw of him made him seem tentative. Sure he was trying to be disciplined at the plate but after awhile it seemed like he was letting great pitches go by and swinging at the bad ones. He also seemed vulnerable inside.

[Hitch]

@IanMBrowne: Rockies http://t.co/Jm2sZBL8r5 reporter Thomas Harding and I have confirmed that Franklin Morales is going to the Rox for Jonathan Herrera.

 

That will spell the end of Drew coming back. Hopefully the Sox will get a good pick in return.

 

I think this is a great move by the Sox.