2014 Roster Projections

[a700hitter]

Red Sox, Rich Hill Agree To Minor League Deal

By Steve Adams [January 31 at 3:45pm CST]

 

The Red Sox and lefty Rich Hill have agreed to a minor league deal that will pay Hill $840K should he make the Major League roster, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). The ACES client also has another $500K worth of appearance-based incentives built into his deal as well as a pair of opt-out clauses, which fall on May 15 and June 30. The soon-to-be 34-year-old can become a free agent on either of those dates if he is not on Boston's 25-man roster.

 

Hill spent the 2010-12 seasons in the Red Sox organization but saw just 31 2/3 innings of big league action in those three years. Much of his time with Boston was spent recovering from 2011 Tommy John surgery, but he did come back to fire 19 2/3 innings of 1.83 ERA ball for Boston in 2012.

 

Last offseason, Cleveland picked up Hill on a minor league deal, and Hill wound up throwing 38 2/3 innings out of the Guardians' bullpen. The results weren't pretty, however, as he posted a 6.38 ERA with 11.9 K/9 but a bloated 6.8 BB/9 rate. Hill briefly looked like he could be a part of the Cubs rotation following a strong 2007 campaign, but shoulder surgery and Tommy John surgery have halted his career as a starter.

 

If Hill can keep his command under control, he could carve out a niche as a solid lefty specialist. Opposing left-handers have batted just .215 against him in his career, but he's also walked 14.5 percent of the left-handers he's faced in his Major League career.

Another bullpen arm as an option.

[a700hitter]

Rangers To Sign Daniel Bard

By Steve Adams [January 31, 2014 at 6:23pm CST]

 

The Rangers have reached an agreement with right-hander Daniel Bard, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported earlier today that the two sides were nearing agreement on a minor league contract (also via Twitter). Bard is a client of Relativity Baseball.

 

The 28-year-old Bard was once a dominant setup man for the Red Sox, but following an outstanding run from 2009-11, Boston tried to move him back to the rotation, which triggered a series of problems for Bard. For one, he seemingly lost all semblance of control, as he's walked 45 batters over his past 60 1/3 Major League innings. He hasn't fared any better in the minors, as he's issued 56 walks in his past 47 1/3 minor league frames.

 

Bard has also been troubled by injuries. He underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery earlier this month, according to Wilson. He also missed time at Triple-A with a strained abdomen last season. Bard will look to fight his way into a bullpen that is headlined by Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers, Joakim Soria, Jason Frasor and Neal Cotts.

I hope that he can get his career back on track

[SoxSport]

The fact that Drew has no takers should send a message to the Red Sox. He is being oversold by the biggest snake oil salesman of them all.

 

Remy's kids are probably spoiled by their father's success. It really has nothing to do with him and his profession as a sports announcer.

But he's a media guy, and they are celebrities these days--their private lives are an open book. They get the movie star treatment.

[sk7326]

The fact that Drew has no takers should send a message to the Red Sox. He is being oversold by the biggest snake oil salesman of them all.

 

Remy's kids are probably spoiled by their father's success. It really has nothing to do with him and his profession as a sports announcer.

But he's a media guy, and they are celebrities these days--their private lives are an open book. They get the movie star treatment.

 

It tells you what the qualifying offer can do for some guys ... Drew was right in the heart of that cohort. Same with Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez. I am surprised at the Mets here. Their first round pick would be protected and Drew at a decent salary is a pretty good trade asset to have - and the Mets have been pretty shrewd with trade assets in their rebuilding.

[seabeachfred]

Another bullpen arm as an option.

 

Maybe this time he will stay healthy and give us another left option arm in the pen, although from the looks of things it's getting a little crowded down there.

[seabeachfred]

The fact that Drew has no takers should send a message to the Red Sox. He is being oversold by the biggest snake oil salesman of them all.

 

Remy's kids are probably spoiled by their father's success. It really has nothing to do with him and his profession as a sports announcer.

But he's a media guy, and they are celebrities these days--their private lives are an open book. They get the movie star treatment.

 

And unlike Varitek who the Red Sox rescued from an early forced retirement when they resigned him when no one else wanted him (twice), I hope this time they don't give Drew a parachute and bring him back. I've been pretty strong about that. Only as a reserve infielder would I even consent to bringing him back. You pay him a good salary and you have to play him and that hurts either WMB or Bogey or maybe both. We don't need that.

[Palodios]

Rich Hill is back. It's a Shame he will never be health. 10 good innings out of him could be nice.

[Bellhorn04]

Just read that Lavarnway is going to get some work at first base this spring.

[mvp 78]

And unlike Varitek who the Red Sox rescued from an early forced retirement when they resigned him when no one else wanted him (twice), I hope this time they don't give Drew a parachute and bring him back. I've been pretty strong about that. Only as a reserve infielder would I even consent to bringing him back. You pay him a good salary and you have to play him and that hurts either WMB or Bogey or maybe both. We don't need that.

 

Fred, they could sign him for the veteran's minimum and he'd still play more than you'd want him to.

[mvp 78]

Just read that Lavarnway is going to get some work at first base this spring.

 

Must not be impressed with how he is behind the dish?

[Bellhorn04]

Must not be impressed with how he is behind the dish?

 

Yeah, his work behind the dish thus far suggests his future, if any, should be at 1B or DH. On the bright side, he does seem to have the potential with the stick to have an MLB career.

[BSN07]

It be a good way to increase his value if he can show he can play 1B as well as C. If he hits well in ST they could might be able to get someone to bite on him.

[Palodios]

I recently read an article about how they changed Lav's approach to make him more of a contact hitter than a power hitter. They also have been trying to work him out to be more athletic. It seems to have backfired. Maybe it is time to get him back to the approach that made him mash AAA pitchers.

[seabeachfred]

Fred, they could sign him for the veteran's minimum and he'd still play more than you'd want him to.

 

No, not really. If we could sign him to be a jack of all trades I would certainly back down and say go ahead, it's fine. I just don't want to block Bogey and WMB from developing to their very best. If Drew could play multiple positions I'd be fine with that. I would not be fine with him being signed as a regular and keeping one or two of our young players on the pine.

[mvp 78]

No, not really. If we could sign him to be a jack of all trades I would certainly back down and say go ahead, it's fine. I just don't want to block Bogey and WMB from developing to their very best. If Drew could play multiple positions I'd be fine with that. I would not be fine with him being signed as a regular and keeping one or two of our young players on the pine.

 

Problem being, Farrell sees him as a starter not as a jack of all trades. That's why contract size is irrelevant.

[Spudboy]

I hope that he can get his career back on track

 

I'm with you on this Ted. I always liked Bard. I don't understand why so many people that follow the Sox ridicule him. He, and the Sox, made a choice that did not work out. Many Blame Bard and I do not know why. It's not like he has been a bad apple on the team.

 

I hope that he makes it back to being a useful and productive MLB pitcher.

[Spudboy]

And another thing.... I still want Drew back on the Sox. My only apprehension is about the salary cap and what will happen if he is resigned.

 

I don't think that his presence on the team will in any way interfere with the development of either Middlebrooks or Bogarts.

 

Drew is a proven major league player that consistently plays high quality defense and has some pop in his bat. In my OPINION, the Sox are a better team with him on the roster.

 

Also, I remember when I became a member of this board. I made a few remarks about his brother "Nancy" and I was lambasted. Now, I seem to have become a "Defender of Drew".

 

Lol.

[VA Sox Fan]

And another thing.... I still want Drew back on the Sox. My only apprehension is about the salary cap and what will happen if he is resigned.

 

I don't think that his presence on the team will in any way interfere with the development of either Middlebrooks or Bogarts.

 

Drew is a proven major league player that consistently plays high quality defense and has some pop in his bat. In my OPINION, the Sox are a better team with him on the roster.

 

Also, I remember when I became a member of this board. I made a few remarks about his brother "Nancy" and I was lambasted. Now, I seem to have become a "Defender of Drew".

 

Lol.

 

I agree with you Spud. I'd love to have Drew back.

[seabeachfred]

Problem being, Farrell sees him as a starter not as a jack of all trades. That's why contract size is irrelevant.

 

Then if that's the case, he needs to go elsewhere. Middlebrooks and Bogaerts IMHO need to have the decks cleared for them so they are not looking over their shoulders every time they make an out or make an error. Cherington has trump Farrell on this one if he manager insists Drew on the Red Sox in a regular. As a JOAT I'm on board; if not, nyet, no mas, nein, NO!!!!!

[reYoukilis]

I'm with you on this Ted. I always liked Bard. I don't understand why so many people that follow the Sox ridicule him. He, and the Sox, made a choice that did not work out. Many Blame Bard and I do not know why. It's not like he has been a bad apple on the team.

 

I hope that he makes it back to being a useful and productive MLB pitcher.

Me too. To have such a seemingly bright future go astray because of control problems must be scary as hell.

[jacksonianmarch]

Imagine the batters getting into the box. Here's a guy who can throw 100mph and has no f***ing clue where its going

[mvp 78]

Imagine the batters getting into the box. Here's a guy who can throw 100mph and has no f***ing clue where its going

 

He barely hits 95 anymore.

[SoxSport]

Front offices can mess up a guy's career by overmanaging. In the Red Sox case, it's possible to say moving Bard to starter messed him up, especially when he had a history of such problems in the minors--why he was moved to reliever in the first place. Further, others have suggested that Dice-K's routine in Japan may have been messed up when he came to Boston. The Red Sox seem to have well cast ideas about how to condition pitchers--or at least did then, regarding pitch counts, in particular. Maybe less so, now. I've read the whole pitch count philosophy is being reexamined in Baseball. I've often thought it was misused.

 

It has never made any sense to me to take out a starter cruising in a quality start just because he reached some magical pre-set number of pitches. I've read about some major pitchers lately taking issue with just that. Last year, Farrell showed some awareness of this, and was flexible at times with pitch counts.

 

Another area that concerns me is moving guys around positions at the major league level like musical chairs. That can mess up a guy, too. Especially if he's a younger guy who hasn't fully developed his confidence at the ML level. That's an argument not to shuffle X or Middlebrooks around to accommodate Drew--a one position guy who will be paid big to start. Maybe that's one of his problems finding a taker--along with the draft pick.

[seabeachfred]

Front offices can mess up a guy's career by overmanaging. In the Red Sox case, it's possible to say moving Bard to starter messed him up, especially when he had a history of such problems in the minors--why he was moved to reliever in the first place. Further, others have suggested that Dice-K's routine in Japan may have been messed up when he came to Boston. The Red Sox seem to have well cast ideas about how to condition pitchers--or at least did then, regarding pitch counts, in particular. Maybe less so, now. I've read the whole pitch count philosophy is being reexamined in Baseball. I've often thought it was misused.

 

It has never made any sense to me to take out a starter cruising in a quality start just because he reached some magical pre-set number of pitches. I've read about some major pitchers lately taking issue with just that. Last year, Farrell showed some awareness of this, and was flexible at times with pitch counts.

 

Another area that concerns me is moving guys around positions at the major league level like musical chairs. That can mess up a guy, too. Especially if he's a younger guy who hasn't fully developed his confidence at the ML level. That's an argument not to shuffle X or Middlebrooks around to accommodate Drew--a one position guy who will be paid big to start. Maybe that's one of his problems finding a taker--along with the draft pick.

 

That's one of the arguments SoxSport and a reason for letting Drew walk to somewhere else. The Red Sox seem to be getting cold feet about their young players. They are talking them up but hedging their bets like signing Grady Sizemore because there is doubt that Jackie Bradley might not be able to cut it, and still thinking of signing Drew because Middlebrooks had a tough sophomore year after a great rookie season and he might not be able to cut it either. If they are going to think like that they might as well go the Yankee way and start spending big for free agents and avoid the cold feet.......that sure worked for us before, didn't it---NOT!!!!!!! You have good young prospects, you play them and give them a chance to prosper. It worked with Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon and Lester. It will work with these guys if the Red Sox just say to hell with it, we going with our kids.

[Palodios]

You have good young prospects, you play them and give them a chance to prosper. It worked with Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon and Lester. It will work with these guys if the Red Sox just say to hell with it, we going with our kids.

 

Fred, we have seen it time and time again. If you outright hand a young player a job, he is more likely to fail. If you tell him he has to earn it, he works harder for it. All of your examples were players that needed to compete for spots at one time or another.

 

Middlebrooks was handed the job and failed. Pedroia -- one of your examples -- had to fight out Alex Cora in 2007. Jed Lowrie had to beat out Scutaro.Doubront had to beat out a mediocre group of guys like Aaron Cook, but he did end up earning the spot. He was handed the spot last year, and showed up to camp way overweight. Iglesias knew he was on the bubble so he played hard at both SS and 3B to stay relevant. Lester grabbed onto his rotation spot and never let go... but he competed with Beckett for that "#1 starter" spot for most of his career. Ellsbury? Coco crisp.

 

There is nothing wrong with competition. Handing players a spot is ALWAYS a terrible idea, with overpaid veterans AND young players. Get as much talent as possible, and let the best player get the opportunities. That is how the game should be played.

[rjortiz]

The Red Sox are not going over the luxury tax for Stephen Drew.

[reYoukilis]

It has never made any sense to me to take out a starter cruising in a quality start just because he reached some magical pre-set number of pitches. I've read about some major pitchers lately taking issue with just that. Last year, Farrell showed some awareness of this, and was flexible at times with pitch counts.

This could be a deficiency of the new sabre metrics type thinking which takes away from gut reactions. Everybody has days where things go as smooth as butter and others, not so much. I think its good practice to be in tune to the moment and not look at pie charts etc. for answers.

[Bellhorn04]

Pitch counts are here to stay, folks. If you think managers are going to start leaving guys in for 140 pitches, think again. Stats show that when a pitcher is left in too long in a start, he usually struggles his next few starts at the very least.

 

Dice-K's overwork in the WBC by the Japanese team is probably what cost him his career.

[reYoukilis]

It will work with these guys if the Red Sox just say to hell with it, we going with our kids.

Whether you end up right or wrong, saying to 'hell with it' is not a sound way to go about decision making. More times than not that kind of thinking is going to fail. Especially after winning the WS. I personally dont want to discard players who won it for us while giving it to those who didnt, unprotected. The truth is, the jury is still out on WMB. I looked at his minor league stats and wasnt overwhelmed at all. One year he had 23 HR's and a .285 BA, which is great, but only had a .328 OBP with 114 SO's. This was in 2011 his last full season. I dont like that line with this Sox team. Id rather have a player with less holes than WMB, even if we give up on some of his power.

[Spudboy]

Have the Sox really displayed cold feet with regard to handing the starting jobs to WMB and XB? I don't think there is any evidence of this Fred. I appreciate your interest and passion for the game and I respect your opinions. But here, I believe that you are reading to much into what is happening in this matter.

 

I suspect that Sizemore was signed for depth and is just a low cost, low risk signing to provide further depth in the outfield. Depth is good, would you agree? If The Sox really were concerned about JBJ's likelihood of success as the chosen starter in CF this year, would it not have been a better idea to go out and sign someone who had already demonstrated the ability to play competently everyday NOW?

 

I know you are almost totally against re-signing Drew. And honestly, I don't believe that they will. However, they won a championship with Drew as the starting SS for the bulk of the year. He is proven. XB is supposed to be a "sure bet". But what if boy wonder comes up short ( no pun intended ) and struggles with a full time diet of MLB pitching? Who plays short then?

 

Again, I doubt that Drew returns. But if he does, I believe the Sox are a better team. And both WMB and XB will get their shots.