2014 Roster Projections

[jacksonianmarch]

The problem is, Workman may be a better option right now as a swingman.

 

Workman is probably a better option right now for the starting rotation. That guy blossomed something fierce in 2013. I wouldn't be surprised if Doubront is quietly on the block in the hopes of luring a top notch SP on the trade market. The guy regressed a little in 2013, even though his WAR went up. His IP were nearly identical, his K rate plummeted, his BB rate stayed the same and his BABIP was nearly the same. His only major difference was he didn't give up as many homers. I think the sox have to seriously consider if they can maximize value by moving him now vs seeing if he continues as a 5-6 inning pitcher. It's a good problem to have, though. Depth on the mound usually dissipates on its own.

[reYoukilis]

So are Napoli and Pedey, so that's not the problem. His problem is his weakness to a specific type of pitch (low-outside slider) and to a lesser extent, pitch selection. He's not a wild free-swinger like Alfonso Soriano

Let me amend what I said by saying he doesnt seem to change his strategy when its two strikes vs zero or one where as Pedroia, at least will foul off balls or go for the single. Napoli makes up for the negatives of trying for the long ball all the time by having a high OBP. I actually think WMB tried to alter his approach after his stint in the minors but I would like to see a bigger pattern before making a total commitment.

[rjortiz]

The problem is, Workman may be a better option right now as a swingman.

 

Completely forgot about Workman. Where does that leave Dempster? I'm guessing that they would use the veteran first, although I have no evidence to back this up.

Edited January 22, 2014 by rjortiz

[User Name]

Let me amend what I said by saying he doesnt seem to change his strategy when its two strikes vs zero or one where as Pedroia, at least will foul off balls or go for the single. Napoli makes up for the negatives of trying for the long ball all the time by having a high OBP. I actually think WMB tried to alter his approach after his stint in the minors but I would like to see a bigger pattern before making a total commitment.

 

The Napoli point is where you hit the nail on the head. He has a similar "all or nothing" swing to WMB's, but he has much better plate discipline and pitch selection, especially with two strikes. WMB probably needs some more MLB exposure before he can show that he can lay off the two-strike low and away slider, among other junk he tends to swing at when behind in the count.

[User Name]

Mike Napoli fun fact now that we're on the subject of big swings: He hit two of the 20 longest HR's hit in MLB in 2013.

[SoxSport]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/01/_by_nick_cafardo_globe.html

 

Interesting quotes from an interview by Cherington. He said he had studied the Toronto and NY teams which repeated in the 1990s, and found the common element was bringing back a core of young players. That bodes well for JBJ and X.

[mvp 78]

Yup, one of the big unheralded parts of the Yankees dynasty was the core young players (Jeter, Bernie, Mariano, Roid User, and Pee Hands). No one has ever mentioned it before.

[SoxSport]

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/content/20140121-with-drew-still-unsigned-cherington-happy-with-red-sox-roster-as-is.ece

 

More on Ben and reasons why Drew does not appear to be in the cards. I wouldn't discount money as a factor here. Boras wants starter money.And the Red Sox are not the free spending, desperate Yankees.

[rjortiz]

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/content/20140121-with-drew-still-unsigned-cherington-happy-with-red-sox-roster-as-is.ece

 

More on Ben and reasons why Drew does not appear to be in the cards. I wouldn't discount money as a factor here. Boras wants starter money.And the Red Sox are not the free spending, desperate Yankees.

 

I looked at the Red Sox payroll, and looks like can go $9.2 million without going over the luxury tax. He'll get better offers.

[mvp 78]

I looked at the Red Sox payroll, and looks like can go $9.2 million without going over the luxury tax. He'll get better offers.

 

That's without Miller money, right? I think they'll only have 7.5 or so to spend.

[SoxSport]

I looked at the Red Sox payroll, and looks like can go $9.2 million without going over the luxury tax. He'll get better offers.

 

Watch the Yankees sign Drew. They are freespending right now. I figure that's the only reason Drew has stayed in the Red Sox picture. But they'll never match the Yankees on Drew. The Starbrenners have always been ego-obsessed about winning. Plus they got hit on TV ratings last year missing the playoffs. At this point, I think they'll do anything to make the playoffs this year.

[iortiz]

Watch the Yankees sign Drew. They are freespending right now. I figure that's the only reason Drew has stayed in the Red Sox picture. But they'll never match the Yankees on Drew. The Starbrenners have always been ego-obsessed about winning. Plus they got hit on TV ratings last year missing the playoffs. At this point, I think they'll do anything to make the playoffs this year.

 

I wouldn't be surprised either.

[a700hitter]

I think the Yankees signing Drew is being held up by Drew's reluctance to change position. There is no way that jeter will slide over for him. The Yankees will have to blow away the market to get Drew to play 3rd.

[Palodios]

Grady Sizemore to Red Sox. He has only played 100 games in the last four years, but here's hoping that they catch lightning in a bottle. He's a 31 year old that was a top 10 in the MVP race several times.Probably won't do anything, but stranger things have happened.

[Palodios]

MLBTraderumors reporting that it is a major league deal. What?!

[a700hitter]

Grady Sizemore to Red Sox. He has only played 100 games in the last four years, but here's hoping that they catch lightning in a bottle. He's a 31 year old that was a top 10 in the MVP race several times.Probably won't do anything, but stranger things have happened.

Very intriguing move. I like it. Okay, cue the stupid "low risk high reward" assessments. LOL!!

[DirtDog]

What do you guys think about signing Grady Sizemore to a minor league deal with invite to spring training? Fills a need as a good 5th OF/25th man next year. I assume in the market he'd have to take a bench role, but question is will anyone else give him a major league deal?

Hey something I wanted to happen, happened.

[seabeachfred]

Hey something I wanted to happen, happened.

 

If this really happened we might actually catch lightning in a bottle. I do wish he was a RH hitter though.

[RedSoxNC84]

It's a solid move. OF depth is looking alright.

[SoxSport]

Ben still on a roll. Who knows? Maybe someday I might be a fan. Maybe I'm already a fan.

 

Sizemore will probably never be a full time player again, but he could be a good role player. Which I suspect is what they're looking for. A guy who can fill in when Vic's back is aching (tell me about it, Vic).

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox get Sizemore. This guy makes Brian Roberts look like an ironman

[User Name]

Yeah but unlike Brian Roberts, we aren't actually counting on him.

[BornToRun]

I've said it before but allow me to reiterate just how sad what happened to Grady Sizemore is. He was shaping to be one of the biggest stars in the game before he started getting hurt.

 

I really hope he can stay relatively healthy this year, for his own sake just as much as the Sox.

[User Name]

I like Sizemore, but i think he'll be a Rocco Baldelli redux.

[VA Sox Fan]

I like Sizemore, but i think he'll be a Rocco Baldelli redux.

 

Here's to hoping he is Nava-ish.

[User Name]

I'll take a 2009 Baldelli season out of him as a backup with no complaints.

[Palodios]

The part that intrigues me is that he had knee surgery in 2009/2010 that apparently never worked and he had surgery on the same knee this year to fix it. It makes me wonder about the Medicals and the perplexing major league deal. He has a potential to make 6 million based on plate appearances.... Doesn't that seem insane ? Maybe they see something legitimate in Sizemore's future.

[User Name]

The key is "based on plate appearances". If he makes those 6 mill it means he was healthy and productive. Don't see what's so insane about it.

[Palodios]

The key is "based on plate appearances". If he makes those 6 mill it means he was healthy and productive. Don't see what's so insane about it.

 

Giving a major league deal, and the potential to make 6 million dollars to a guy who hasn't played baseball in 3 years, and a full season in 5 years?

Either Cherrington saw significant health improvement in the medicals, or it is silly. They will probably have to bump Nava/Gomes/Carp to make room for him on the 25-man. I am hoping for the best, but am cautiously concerned.

[Northern Star]

Wow, Grady f***ing Sizemore. Consider the bottom of the barrel scraped.