User Name?'s super minimalist offseason

[jung]

but it's entirely possible that they wouldn't lose much, with the big differences being the offensive dropoff of Salty to Vazquez and Napoli to Carp. Neither of which are necessarily as drastic as they first appear.

 

Not sure you can really say that with regard to Salty vs Vasquez until Vasquez actually faces ML pitching.

[User Name]

depends almost exclusively on those young players' ability to live up to their potential in their first full seasons.

 

but it's entirely possible that they wouldn't lose much, with the big differences being the offensive dropoff of Salty to Vazquez and Napoli to Carp. Neither of which are necessarily as drastic as they first appear.

 

Carp would probably be platooned with a RHH. Lavarnway with Ross catching?

[Dojji]

Carp would probably be platooned with a RHH. Lavarnway with Ross catching?

 

Alex Hassan perhaps? He's shown quite the advanced approach in Pawtucket last year, he'd be worth giving a look this Spring if we need an RHH. I could see him as a Brandon Moss type.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Dojji

[User Name]

Alex Hassan perhaps? He's shown quite the advanced approach in Pawtucket last year, he'd be worth giving a look this Spring if we need an RHH. I could see him as a Brandon Moss type.

 

Could he play 1B at the ML level though? Or would Gomes break out the 1B mitt with Hassan in LF?

[Dojji]

They started testing him at 1B this season. It's a good question, and it definitely seems to be one the Sox are asking.

 

Given our position getting a guy who can hit first base experience was a no-brainer this offseason. We don't seem to draft for 1B anymore and there's no real 1B talent in the pipes. The FO has demonstrated repeatedly that they don't really feel there actually is such a thing as a first base prospect -- and the players they have drafted for first base certainly havent' changed their minds.

 

I'm of the opinion at the moment that our next solution at first base is probably going to be Garin Cecchini. We'll see how that works out for us.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Dojji

[seabeachfred]

They started testing him at 1B this season. It's a good question, and it definitely seems to be one the Sox are asking.

 

Given our position getting a guy who can hit first base experience was a no-brainer this offseason. We don't seem to draft for 1B anymore and there's no real 1B talent in the pipes. The FO has demonstrated repeatedly that they don't really feel there actually is such a thing as a first base prospect -- and the players they have drafted for first base certainly havent' changed their minds.

 

I'm of the opinion at the moment that our next solution at first base is probably going to be Garin Cecchini. We'll see how that works out for us.

 

After a miserable season in Double AA, Travis Shaw has had a knockout season in the tough Arizona Fall League. Maybe he is on his way to finally living up to what he was signed for. However, I still think it comes back to signing Napoli. I think once we resign him our team will set enough to make a run for a title of some kind next season. As for catcher, I'm still holding out that Jarrod comes back. I think that his meltdown in the 3rd game of the WS shadowed the defensive progress he has made the past couple of seasons defensively---and I still think Lavarnway is worth a serious look if we lose Salty.

[Dojji]

AFL doesn't make up for a bad result in full season minors. I have no faith in Shaw until he proves otherwise.

[sk7326]

depends almost exclusively on those young players' ability to live up to their potential in their first full seasons.

 

but it's entirely possible that they wouldn't lose much, with the big differences being the offensive dropoff of Salty to Vazquez and Napoli to Carp. Neither of which are necessarily as drastic as they first appear.

 

The dropoff from Napoli to Carp is uncertain, and could be large. Remember that Carp was entering this season seen largely as a AAAA sort of guy who was sent away by the Mariners, as offensively starved an org as it is. If you had an in house 1B/DH solution you would not be signing Kendrys Morales. The Red Sox got a lot of production out of him in a limited role - and there is considerable risk that he can actually cut it over 500 PAs or so. Obviously that is why you bring in a righty partner - but you need more than a guy to soak up the 60 or so games a lefty will be out there, you need somebody who could actually win a job. Middlebrooks in a hybrid role could be that guy - Corey Hart could be also.

[sk7326]

After a miserable season in Double AA, Travis Shaw has had a knockout season in the tough Arizona Fall League. Maybe he is on his way to finally living up to what he was signed for. However, I still think it comes back to signing Napoli. I think once we resign him our team will set enough to make a run for a title of some kind next season. As for catcher, I'm still holding out that Jarrod comes back. I think that his meltdown in the 3rd game of the WS shadowed the defensive progress he has made the past couple of seasons defensively---and I still think Lavarnway is worth a serious look if we lose Salty.

 

AFL is skewed to offense - lot of time facing pitchers who have had some very serious workloads.

[vjcsmoke]

Sign Brian Wilson to a 2/26 contract with a vesting option based on appearances for a third year at 14 million.

 

Like seriously?? You title this thread super-minimalist offseason but you want to pay a relief pitcher 13 million per year with a vesting option for 14m??

Why the hardon for Brian Wilson?

 

I mean I know he snubbed the Yankees, because he wouldn't shave his beard. That makes him a cool guy. But an exorbitantly expensive bullpen piece for that pricetag! Yeah, no thanks! I'd rather put that money into a position player or a top 3 starter.

[User Name]

Like seriously? I explained that the "minimalist" part refers to not going after guys who've been offered qualifying offers. Further down the thread i've provided options where the Sox only sign cheap FA's, and where they avoid FA's altogether. Please read through the thread before commenting.

[User Name]

The dropoff from Napoli to Carp is uncertain, and could be large. Remember that Carp was entering this season seen largely as a AAAA sort of guy who was sent away by the Mariners, as offensively starved an org as it is. If you had an in house 1B/DH solution you would not be signing Kendrys Morales. The Red Sox got a lot of production out of him in a limited role - and there is considerable risk that he can actually cut it over 500 PAs or so. Obviously that is why you bring in a righty partner - but you need more than a guy to soak up the 60 or so games a lefty will be out there, you need somebody who could actually win a job. Middlebrooks in a hybrid role could be that guy - Corey Hart could be also.

 

Yeah but for WMB to take on that hybrid role, Stephen Drew would have to be retained. Otherwise, it looks like Corey Hart on a pillow contract could really fix the Sox' 1B situation were Napoli to leave.

[marklmw]

Could he play 1B at the ML level though? Or would Gomes break out the 1B mitt with Hassan in LF?

 

Hassan's name has not been brought up but he is another of the promising players on the farm. He also attended Duke so it makes sense that he has an intelligent approach to hitting.

[User Name]

Stop trying to dump Nava, wouldya?

 

The Red Sox are likely to dismiss any trade proposals offered to acquire Daniel Nava this offseason, writes WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. As Bradford writes, Nava's ability to play either corner outfield position or even first base gives GM Ben Cherington and his staff the flexibility to cast a wide net of free agent targets. Shane Victorino could play center field with Nava taking one corner outfield spot and Carlos Beltran occupying the other, and he also keeps them from having to get into a bidding war to retain Mike Napoli, Bradford points out in a pair of hypothetical scenarios.

 

From MLBTR

[dupree]

I seen that report and i think Rob Bradford is a retard. Why would the Sox get Beltran and forget about Napoli? Makes no sense. I see Beltran getting overpaid to go to Seattle or Texas. Texas would be the more logical option because their the closer team to making a run at a WS. Or he could get paid to go to the Spanks never count those bastards out. But Napoli wants to be here and it just seems to me that the Sox are like just go and find what teams are willing to pay you we will match it. Ive said it before Stanton and Bautista are the two big trade candidates i would move farm pieces for. Beltran will be a high avg salary and i just dont see him instead of Napoli. Im not against the idea of both of them tho if a trade for Stanton or Bautista cant be reached then go for Beltran.

 

In that scenario if Beltran and Napoli both sign then Ortiz will have protection in front and behind him in the order. They could let Ells walk along with Drew, retain Napoli and Salty and may have a higher power offense than 2013 if that could be imagined.

 

2014 Lineup could look:

1. Vic RF

2. Peedy 2B

3. Beltran LF

4. Ortiz DH

5. Napoli 1B

6. Boggey SS

7. Salty C

8. WMB 3B

9. JBJ CF

 

Bench: Gomes Nava Carp Ross

12 pitchers on 25the man roster.

 

This allows the Sox to keep all their prospects and be flexible at all positions.

 

I like the idea of both Beltran and Napoli not one or the other. But lets hope come the Winter Meetings that more moves start to come out and the roster starts to take shape.

[User Name]

Beltran is not a good fit on the Sox imo. Too old and bound to get overpaid. That said, he would make sense on a short deal if he were to take one to come to the Sox.

[dupree]

Beltran is not a good fit on the Sox imo. Too old and bound to get overpaid. That said, he would make sense on a short deal if he were to take one to come to the Sox.

I agree with you User. If it were a Short Term deal maybe 1 or 2 year contract. He wants to be on a contender and Boston my just be the right fit for him.

[mvp 78]

Who really beeds a backup infielder anyway?

[dupree]

Who really beeds a backup infielder anyway?

 

I was just looking at that too. If the Sox go after a big bat for an OF piece they will probably have to cut ties with Carp. They have done said that Nava is here to stay so Carp is the logical option because i dont think they will depart Gomes. So the extra infielder will be the other bench player. Thank you MVP for pointing that out.

[mvp 78]

I'm just here to help.

 

Now the groupthink is saying that we should get Bloomquist. I'm not sure that's the way to go.

[dupree]

I'm just here to help.

 

Now the groupthink is saying that we should get Bloomquist. I'm not sure that's the way to go.

I havent really paid that much attention to the utility infielder market. I have seen where Bloomquist has been mentioned in reports as a possible fit. Thats really the only name ive seen. What are the other possible options on the FA market?

[sk7326]

Phillies getting Ruiz is idiotic (for 3 years) ... the Red Sox terms made more sense even if you disagreed with the valuation

 

a 1st rounder for 2 yrs of Beltran does not make sense to me. McCann (though I disagree) would be much more palatable for a QO price.

[mvp 78]

I havent really paid that much attention to the utility infielder market. I have seen where Bloomquist has been mentioned in reports as a possible fit. Thats really the only name ive seen. What are the other possible options on the FA market?

 

Munenori Kawasaki.

[Palodios]

Utility infielders tend to be some of the last pieces to fall.

 

Punto is the rare exception, because he's a Rockstar Utility Infielder -- one of those players so good that the Dodgers took in Crawford's big salary just to get Punto on their bench.

[sk7326]

Whether it be McDonald or somebody else, the utility infielder is not a huge deal ultimately. Heck, we might not even need to really deal with landing one in the offseason.

[mvp 78]

Utility infielders tend to be some of the last pieces to fall.

 

Punto is the rare exception, because he's a Rockstar Utility Infielder -- one of those players so good that the Dodgers took in Crawford's big salary just to get Punto on their bench.

 

Everything about this!

[Dojji]

Munenori Kawasaki.

 

Interesting choice. I'd actually be interested in kawasaki. I'd assumed that with only 1-2 years MLb experience he wasn't on the market but it turns out he apparently is.

[Behindenemylines]

UN, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the way they go. I thought 2013 was part of a bridge to the future, but they f***ing won. You have replacements at all positions vacated by a FA, and they're all highly touted prospects sans Carp. This is the yr to gobble up the picks and see what the kids can do, theoretically. If the sox take a step back or the kids aren't as good as advertised, the 2014 FA class is strong and can be delved into at any time. The one thing you aren't accounting for, though, is a Lester extension. Something they must do or risk watching him go about 200 miles southwest and pitch in pinstripes

 

The $pankees would love this if the Sox did this. Why wouldn't the Sox FO take another run at it? The Sox will continue to operate like they did last season.