Middlebrooks gone?

[SoxSport]

The strength of the Sox last year was overall team depth. Am I wrong?

 

He may not be a glamorous player but Carp is a very good player to have on the bench. I say hold onto him.

 

True, last year could be seen as a small sample size. But Carp can come off the bench and keep the line moving. Many times with power. I also believe that he can be a good replacement for Ortiz if the need arises.

 

JBJ will get his chances soon enough if he earns it by hitting consistently in AAA.

 

Agreed. Carp is an important part of their depth. And depth is their strength--along with the pitching. Not too different from the Cardinals.

They have JBJ and now Brentz in reserve 60 miles away if needed. I think JBJ has lost some confidence moving up so fast. Needs to regain it in Pawtucket. With the kids, it's often simply a matter of confidence. Plus experience.

[msubulldogs21]

As for Carp, he's going nowhere. Have you seen his contract? He's making basically nothing and is under team control for something like the next 3-4 years. To have a very valuable guy like that making nothing is a HUGE asset.

[mvp 78]

As for Carp, he's going nowhere. Have you seen his contract? He's making basically nothing and is under team control for something like the next 3-4 years. To have a very valuable guy like that making nothing is a HUGE asset.

 

"Very valuable?" He's a bench player, the 5th outfielder. Those guys usually have small contracts.

[msubulldogs21]

"Very valuable?" He's a bench player, the 5th outfielder. Those guys usually have small contracts.

 

Yeah, I would say Carp is a very valuable guy to have around. If Napoli goes down he can play 1B. Otherwise he's a backup OF. But having quality bats like Carp and Gomes (who would start for some clubs) come off the bench last year was a huge strength of the team and it's no different this year, especially with injury-prone guys like Sizemore and Victorino around.

[User Name]

"Very valuable?" He's a bench player, the 5th outfielder. Those guys usually have small contracts.

 

He's the 5th OF on the Red Sox, but he'd be starting (and this is not hyperbole) in around half the teams in MLB. The fact that he's both productive and willing to accept a backup role is what makes him "very valuable".

[msubulldogs21]

He's the 5th OF on the Red Sox, but he'd be starting (and this is not hyperbole) in around half the teams in MLB. The fact that he's both productive and willing to accept a backup role is what makes him "very valuable".

 

That's what I'm saying.

 

Guys are going to get hurt on every team - having really good players like Carp on the bench to fill in is what separates us from most clubs.

[Youk Of The Nation]

He's the 5th OF on the Red Sox, but he'd be starting (and this is not hyperbole) in around half the teams in MLB. The fact that he's both productive and willing to accept a backup role is what makes him "very valuable".

 

This is the big thing for me. A lot of guys make their displeasure with backup or non-starring roles very plain. Bard comes to mind when I think of that. But Carp seems happy to just be playing for a contender, and I can't deny that he appears to have thrown himself wholeheartedly into the off-the-field persona of the Sox clubhouse. The fact that he can hit with some pop off the bench whenever they need him to clinches it for me.

[seabeachfred]

This is the big thing for me. A lot of guys make their displeasure with backup or non-starring roles very plain. Bard comes to mind when I think of that. But Carp seems happy to just be playing for a contender, and I can't deny that he appears to have thrown himself wholeheartedly into the off-the-field persona of the Sox clubhouse. The fact that he can hit with some pop off the bench whenever they need him to clinches it for me.

 

Youk---the thing with Carp is to not take for granted and put him on the shelf. The guy is young and could start for many teams. I just hope the Red Sox keep him sharp and utilize him as much as possible. His contributions last season in his role cannot be minimized. He hit close to 300, showed decent power and was no slouch in the field. Good reserve players who accept their role are worth their weight in gold.

[rjortiz]

As for Carp, he's going nowhere. Have you seen his contract? He's making basically nothing and is under team control for something like the next 3-4 years. To have a very valuable guy like that making nothing is a HUGE asset.

 

 

He's rates as a bad defender at both positions, he had a BABIP of .385, and had a 27.6 K%. I don't see anything that valuable here. He's probably worth more as a backup for the Red Sox.

[rjortiz]

Youk---the thing with Carp is to not take for granted and put him on the shelf. The guy is young and could start for many teams. I just hope the Red Sox keep him sharp and utilize him as much as possible. His contributions last season in his role cannot be minimized. He hit close to 300, showed decent power and was no slouch in the field. Good reserve players who accept their role are worth their weight in gold.

 

I can think the Marlins, Brewers, Pirates, Phillies, and Rockies as places he would be an upgrade.

[User Name]

He's rates as a bad defender at both positions, he had a BABIP of .385, and had a 27.6 K%. I don't see anything that valuable here. He's probably worth more as a backup for the Red Sox.

 

The .227 ISO and near 10.0 BB% is where the value lies. BABIP fluctuates, but power and on-base ability are repeatable (and valuable) skills.

[rjortiz]

2-2.5 WAR as an everyday starter?

[mvp 78]

He's the 5th OF on the Red Sox, but he'd be starting (and this is not hyperbole) in around half the teams in MLB. The fact that he's both productive and willing to accept a backup role is what makes him "very valuable".

 

Yes, that's hyperbole Mr Dojji. I guess I just have a different opinion on what is "very valuable."

[Spudboy]

Defining very valuable is not easy.

 

I can't see how anyone that watched many Sox games last year can fail to see Carp's "value".

 

He hits off the bench. That alone makes him a worthwhile player to have around. He is somewhat versatile, content with his role ( so it appears, anyway ), and he is cheap and "controlled".

 

This is not even worth debating, really.

[mvp 78]

So defining "very valuable" is not easy, but questioning the extent of his value shouldn't be up for debate? Gotcha.

[Bellhorn04]

Carp's dollar value per FanGraphs last year was $6.2 million.

His actual salary was $500K.

So he provided $5.7 million of value above salary.

[Spudboy]

My point ( opinion ) is that Carp has a lot of value to the Sox.

 

That is all.

[rjortiz]

Defining very valuable is not easy.

 

I can't see how anyone that watched many Sox games last year can fail to see Carp's "value".

 

He hits off the bench. That alone makes him a worthwhile player to have around. He is somewhat versatile, content with his role ( so it appears, anyway ), and he is cheap and "controlled".

 

This is not even worth debating, really.

 

Msbulldogs21 claimed that he was a huge asset. Don't get me wrong, I think he's good insurance for Napoli, but I don't think the Red Sox would get enough of a return to make a move. Maybe he improves his defense to average at 1B, and shows the power he did in the minors.

[User Name]

Yes, that's hyperbole Mr Dojji. I guess I just have a different opinion on what is "very valuable."

 

It isn't. There were at least 50 OF last year (about a third of them regulars) who produced a lower WAR last year than Carp did as a part-time player.

[Behindenemylines]

It would be hard to move Carp. He put up decent numbers last year with limited ABs. I think he has proven that he can hit Righty pitching. What every happened with him taking balls at 3B? If that ever worked out it would make him even more valuable.