Rusney Castillo

[Spudboy]

Wasn't Betts an IF for most of his career so far? Maybe he plays SS or something if XB plays 3rd?

 

Betts is a 2nd baseman.

[a700hitter]

Probably to have Dempster come back and lead this pitching staff next year as our Ace.

I still think that Dempster was a fool to walk away from $13 million, but he did leave on a high note. He avoided a debacle.

[dupree]

I still think that Dempster was a fool to walk away from $13 million, but he did leave on a high note. He avoided a debacle.

I still feel contrary to reports about Dempster's reasoning for sitting this season out that he realized A-rod would be suspended for the year so he decided he would sit out also then come back when A rod does and try to throw at him again.

[a700hitter]

I still feel contrary to reports about Dempster's reasoning for sitting this season out that he realized A-rod would be suspended for the year so he decided he would sit out also then come back when A rod does and try to throw at him again.

 

Lol! Maybe so. But he will have to throw at ARod for the league minimum next season.

[Behindenemylines]

I really don't know what to make of this move. We need pitching help like crazy, but they spend $72 million for an unknown quantity outfielder. What does this mean for Betts? I thought he would get a shot next year. Where does this leave him next season with Craig, Cespedes, and Castillo? I am assuming that Bradley is out and has blown his shot. I'd think that Middlebrooks has also blown his shot, but Betts still has to compete with Holt for 3B. Also, is XB going to be our SS going forward or will he be playing 3rd. It is really difficult at this juncture to project how the 2015 team will take shape.

 

This is player that only cost the Sox $$$$$$$. If he hits this contract will be a good one at a little over 10 mil a year. He could play CF or RF, his speed makes him a potential leadoff hitter (Another need). The Sox need someone who can steal 30 plus bases (They missed that this season). It allows them to potentially use some of their other pieces to rebuild the staff. I think the more assets the Sox have going into this off season the better position they will be to right this ship.

[a700hitter]

This is player that only cost the Sox $$$$$$$. If he hits this contract will be a good one at a little over 10 mil a year. He could play CF or RF, his speed makes him a potential leadoff hitter (Another need). The Sox need someone who can steal 30 plus bases (They missed that this season). It allows them to potentially use some of their other pieces to rebuild the staff. I think the more assets the Sox have going into this off season the better position they will be to right this ship.

Do you think that this move makes it more likely that the Sox will move some of their prospects and other players in trades for pitching?

[Spudboy]

Do you think that this move makes it more likely that the Sox will move some of their prospects and other players in trades for pitching?

 

I hope so!!!

[GomesBeard]

Let's not crown Holt to lock down 3B next year.

 

His last 133AB (since mid July)

 

.218/.286/.263

 

Seems more like a utility guy now who can play every position.

 

Agree he doesn't have the power to play third. Need a guy who can hit home runs.

[Dojji]

No you don't. A lot of teams have gone deep without a guy who hits home runs playing third base. Heck with 1 year left out Youk wasn't "a guy who hits home runs" but he was a useful 1B/3Bman until injuries caught up with him. Absent 03, Bill Mueller wasn't a HR hitter either.

 

The HR hitting corner infielder is a stereotype, and you'd like power hitters at every position, but 3B is a position you can get away with a defense guy on if you have enough going on in other places. It's a lot harder to find that power hitting 3B than people seem to believe. There's not a lot of them out there. but you *absolutely* can win without one. Heck our best run last year was probably with Iggy at third.

 

That said, with WMB in limbo and Cecchini proving he needs more time, I'd be fine with bringing a guy in for third base if you can find one. I'd be all for bringing in a guy like Casey McGehee if he's available in the offseason. You know, a fella who could hold the position down if he had to but probably isn't so good you couldn't feel comfortable replacing him if a phenom looks ready to go.

Edited August 26, 2014 by Dojji

[vjcsmoke]

Youkilis might not have been a 'homerun hitter' but he was a very, very good offensive player for his position, over his career he averaged > .850 OPS and he was famed for his ability to carry out long at bats that either tired out a pitcher or could get him on base with a walk if he didn't manage to get a hit.

 

For me right now Middlebrooks projects to be a 3b with slightly better power but significantly worse OPB than Youkilis. Offensively I feel that a Youkilis type is more useful when you already have some sluggers in the lineup such as David Ortiz and Cespedes.

 

If Rusney Castillo gives us speed at the top, the Red Sox have been missing that leadoff hitter type since Ellsbury left. My only concern is Castillo's relatively low walk rate. But if he can maintain a .360 or higher OBP in the Majors with decent hitting to go along with his speed he should be an asset for our lineup.

 

Differing opinions on Castillo:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/boston-red-sox-rusney-castillo-future-of-cuban-free-agency/

[Spitball]

Dan Szymborski on ESPN Insider says that the ZiPS projection system translations for Rusney Castillo improves Boston's prospects for the 2015 season considerably. His offense should be good but unspectacular compared to Puig and Abreu. It is his decent offense and center field defense that gives him a WAR projection of 3.0.

[Behindenemylines]

Do you think that this move makes it more likely that the Sox will move some of their prospects and other players in trades for pitching?

 

I think it does set the Sox up to deal for a starting pitcher. The Sox have a lot of upper minor league talent that all can't fit into Boston's future, some will be packaged to help rebuild the staff.

[jd98]

Is Castillo going to be any better than Betts? I don't really think so. Seems like another unnecessary panic move. They gave him more than they were willing to give Jose Abreu last year, even though Abreu was a much better hitter in Cuba and the Sox needed a 1st baseman.

So what happens to Betts now? He moved from 2B to CF because Pedroia is signed for 7 more years, and now they've signed a CF for 6 more years. I hope he's not traded.

[a700hitter]

Is Castillo going to be any better than Betts? I don't really think so. Seems like another unnecessary panic move. They gave him more than they were willing to give Jose Abreu last year, even though Abreu was a much better hitter in Cuba and the Sox needed a 1st baseman.

So what happens to Betts now? He moved from 2B to CF because Pedroia is signed for 7 more years, and now they've signed a CF for 6 more years. I hope he's not traded.

Third base should be an open position. Middlebrooks is on the fast track to palooka-ville.

[seabeachfred]

Agree he doesn't have the power to play third. Need a guy who can hit home runs.

 

With all due respect my friend this is the kind of stuff that really frosts me no end. Sure, Holt was not going to keep hitting 330 but he is still getting hits and is still hitting in the 290's. You want to talk about hitting washouts look at Bogaerts who people are still talking up. That season he's having not is NOT an aberration at all. He is a choker who cannot hit with men on base, is very fragile mentally and is erratic in the field. Notice how he collapsed when we signed Drew? If he cannot handle adversity and he cannot hit with men on bases and he cannot field adequately at third, that spells washout. Holt will do just fine wherever he plays---and he has earned the right to play regularly for the Red Sox. He has been a rare bright spot in a season filled wth failures like Bradley, Bogaerts, Middlebrooks and much of the pitching staff. And listen to this.....Vazquez is a weak hitter, very weak, and unless we have a murderer's row lineup we need to get Swihart ready to take over at catcher by the middle of next season. WE NEED ALL THE OFFENSE WE CAN GET, especially if we come up empty in starting pitching next season. The thought of seeing Workman and Webster in the rotation gives me the creeps, and the fact Webby is pitching tomorrow is a sickening thought.

[seabeachfred]

Is Castillo going to be any better than Betts? I don't really think so. Seems like another unnecessary panic move. They gave him more than they were willing to give Jose Abreu last year, even though Abreu was a much better hitter in Cuba and the Sox needed a 1st baseman.

So what happens to Betts now? He moved from 2B to CF because Pedroia is signed for 7 more years, and now they've signed a CF for 6 more years. I hope he's not traded.

 

We have to wait for that one jd, but panic moves and stupid moves have been the theme of our muddled front office this whole season. You can catalogue the multitude of miserable moves and misjudgments in personnel that have ruined this season for us. I also have some doubts about Castillo. He is not nearly as good as Abreu, nor is he in the same league with Cespedes. The only good thing right now is that he is better than Bradley---which I know is not saying much.

[Spudboy]

We have to wait for that one jd, but panic moves and stupid moves have been the theme of our muddled front office this whole season. You can catalogue the multitude of miserable moves and misjudgments in personnel that have ruined this season for us. I also have some doubts about Castillo. He is not nearly as good as Abreu, nor is he in the same league with Cespedes. The only good thing right now is that he is better than Bradley---which I know is not saying much.

 

No, I'm afraid that we don't know this. It's just an assumption that people make. Castillo has not played in a game in over one and a half years ( according to all that I have read ). He has never played American minor league ball, let alone major league ball. The Sox are touting him as the heir apparent for CF but he is another 2nd baseman making the transition.

 

If one is to be honest, no one knows what to expect from Castillo except for maybe his speed.

 

When was the last time he faced live pitching, not BP, but live game pitching? What happens IF he makes an appearance this season and hits like Drew?

 

I hope that whatever maneuvers the Sox make this off season that they keep Mookie Betts. In a small sample size he sure looks like the real deal. Unlike XB and Bradley.

[a700hitter]

No, I'm afraid that we don't know this. It's just an assumption that people make. Castillo has not played in a game in over one and a half years ( according to all that I have read ). He has never played American minor league ball, let alone major league ball. The Sox are touting him as the heir apparent for CF but he is another 2nd baseman making the transition.

i share this same concern. After bombing out with Bradley, I expected that they would look for a bona fide proven guy. If they were going to roll the dice again, I thought they might roll the dice with Betts as the CFer and save the money for pitchers.

[Spudboy]

i share this same concern. After bombing out with Bradley, I expected that they would look for a bona fide proven guy. If they were going to roll the dice again, I thought they might roll the dice with Betts as the CFer and save the money for pitchers.

 

I agree with what you said. And at this point I'd rather that Betts remain the CF unless he fails.

[seabeachfred]

No, I'm afraid that we don't know this. It's just an assumption that people make. Castillo has not played in a game in over one and a half years ( according to all that I have read ). He has never played American minor league ball, let alone major league ball. The Sox are touting him as the heir apparent for CF but he is another 2nd baseman making the transition.

 

If one is to be honest, no one knows what to expect from Castillo except for maybe his speed.

 

When was the last time he faced live pitching, not BP, but live game pitching? What happens IF he makes an appearance this season and hits like Drew?

 

I hope that whatever maneuvers the Sox make this off season that they keep Mookie Betts. In a small sample size he sure looks like the real deal. Unlike XB and Bradley.

 

All very true and well said Spud. I made it clear that I had deep reservations about Castillo and you can read those on this board. But not better at bat that Bradley? Are you kidding me? If that is so, then the front office has outdid itself in its ineptness and makes the Drew signing and letting Lester go look like genius moves in comparison.

[Spudboy]

All very true and well said Spud. I made it clear that I had deep reservations about Castillo and you can read those on this board. But not better at bat that Bradley? Are you kidding me? If that is so, then the front office has outdid itself in its ineptness and makes the Drew signing and letting Lester go look like genius moves in comparison.

 

Where did I say that Castillo would not hit better than Bradley? I didn't. The fact is that none of us know what this guy is since there is no recent data on him and he has never played at THIS level before. I will say that if he does not hit much better than Bradley then he will be a supreme disappointment because no one is even suggesting that he can play center field anywhere near as well as Bradley.

[Behindenemylines]

Where did I say that Castillo would not hit better than Bradley? I didn't. The fact is that none of us know what this guy is since there is no recent data on him and he has never played at THIS level before. I will say that if he does not hit much better than Bradley then he will be a supreme disappointment because no one is even suggesting that he can play center field anywhere near as well as Bradley.

 

Can't see the Sox investing all of that $$$$$ if the potential was not there. If you look at the investment of about 10 mil per, if this guy can hit respectably this contract could be of huge value. A lot of young players are struggling around the league, this guy is a little bit older with a little more experience. Lets hope this is like one of the moves BC made for the 2013 team.

[BigPapi]

If we end up keeping betts and castillo, does anyone know if mookie can play short stop?

[Gringo]

Mookie to 2B, Pedroia to 3B to help the team, Middlebrooks packaged to get pitching.

[a700hitter]

Mookie to 2B, Pedroia to 3B to help the team, Middlebrooks packaged to get pitching.

I wouldn't take the gol glove guy off second. I'd put Mookie at 3rd.

[BigPapi]

I wouldn't take the gol glove guy off second. I'd put Mookie at 3rd.

 

I agree with not taking pedey off of second. I worry about mookie's arm at third base. His arm seems pretty weak and I don't know if he could handle the throw from third to first. Its amazing though how mookie has skyrocketed to being the number 13 prospect in baseball according to mlb prospect watch. They rate him as having a below average arm but if it is just good enough to play third, I am all for him playing there.

Edited September 2, 2014 by BigPapi

[a700hitter]

I agree with not taking pedey off of second. I worry about mookie's arm at third base. His arm seems pretty weak and I don't know if he could handle the throw from third to first. Its amazing though how mookie has skyrocketed to being the number 13 prospect in baseball according to mlb prospect watch. They rate him as having a below average arm but if it is just good enough to play third, I am all for him playing there.

There is no guarantee that Pedroia would be a good 3B either, so I'd rather not weaken the team at 2 positions.

[Spudboy]

Mookie has a weak arm? Was this a concern and was it discussed before his forced transition to CF? Maybe he just has a "weak" arm for CF. He is small for 3rd base but have we seen evidence that he can not consistently make throws from that position?

 

My only question about him playing 3rd is does he have the pop to play a position that is largely recognized as a position where power is the norm. I don't know. But if he does not have that kind of power will it be a detriment to a Sox lineup that has Ortiz, Cespedes, and Napoli?

[jd98]

Mookie started at SS, but was not good (9 errors in 13 games). But that was years ago, so maybe he'd be better there now after years of experience in the infield. I read somewhere that he played CF in high school.

 

I think it would be a huge mistake to trade him, which means he will probably be traded. I can imagine the front office thinking "Well our last 2 untouchable prospects both sucked and lost most of their trade value, so we better trade this one now"

 

There were already too many outfielders before the Castillo signing, so somebody will go. If everybody's healthy, players who either played significant time in OF or are expected to: Cespedes, Castillo, Betts, Victorino, Craig, Nava, JBJ, Holt. Can't imagine JBJ playing for the Red Sox next year. If Craig shows anything in September, I expect Napoli to be traded, and Craig moved to 1B. Vic and maybe Cespedes will be gone after next year, so hopefully Castillo and Betts can coexist for 1 year, and maybe have both in the OF in 2016.

[a700hitter]

Mookie has a weak arm? Was this a concern and was it discussed before his forced transition to CF? Maybe he just has a "weak" arm for CF. He is small for 3rd base but have we seen evidence that he can not consistently make throws from that position?

 

My only question about him playing 3rd is does he have the pop to play a position that is largely recognized as a position where power is the norm. I don't know. But if he does not have that kind of power will it be a detriment to a Sox lineup that has Ortiz, Cespedes, and Napoli?

Chone Figgins was a natural second baseman that played a lot of 3rd for the Angels. He didn't have much power either, but he was an offensive catalyst.