2014 Offseason Thread

[Bellhorn04]

Also, as much as I LOVE Fat Panda in your lineup for the next 5 yrs, I am not so thrilled that Bogaerts is on your team for years to come. I think he shakes off his rookie season and becomes a productive big leaguer. He'll be a minus defender, but he's probably going to be a .275-.290 hitter with 15-25HR a season.

 

What the heck? You don't think Panda can maintain .275-.290 with 15+ HR and thus also be a 'productive big leaguer'?

 

No, I know, he's going to turn into the Goodyear blimp and just float away.

[a700hitter]

Also, as much as I LOVE Fat Panda in your lineup for the next 5 yrs, I am not so thrilled that Bogaerts is on your team for years to come. I think he shakes off his rookie season and becomes a productive big leaguer. He'll be a minus defender, but he's probably going to be a .275-.290 hitter with 15-25HR a season.

 

If XB is going to be a productive major leaguer, he will have to learn to handle the slider from righty pitchers. That pitch ate him alive last season.

[Palodios]

All that said, I would strongly support the Sox working out a deal for Hamels where the quality of the prospects goes up as PHI takes on more and more of his salary. The idea that a team would trade a number of good prospects AND pay top dollar is a fantasy. If I were the Sox I'd be willing to offer a package around guys like Brentz, Cecchini and Johnson or comparable guys in that class. If PHI wants to move toward Rodriguez or Owens then they would need to pick up some of the salary. Betts, Swihart, Devers and Margot would be off the table most likely. If it required a better prospect I would offer one of Margot, Devers or Owens, but I wouldn't like it.

 

From everything I hear, Philly is looking for franchise changing talent, and expects the other team to take on his full salary. I don't think any deal with Hamels is going to get done, by any team.

[Bellhorn04]

From everything I hear, Philly is looking for franchise changing talent, and expects the other team to take on his full salary. I don't think any deal with Hamels is going to get done, by any team.

 

All the more reason the Sox have to sign Lester.

[dupree]

What day is Lester suppose to visit the Giants this week? And does he have any other teams scheduled after that?

[sk7326]

If XB is going to be a productive major leaguer, he will have to learn to handle the slider from righty pitchers. That pitch ate him alive last season.

 

Certainly true. But when you look at his developmental history and makeup, he has shown an ability to make those adjustments. (compared to say Middlebrooks who got by on athletic ability)

 

I do think the Drew thing muddled up the adjustment period. (and the Sox dithering generally) Obviously the adjustment is on him - so I am not just saying it will magically happen. But his past work at lower levels gives a lot of reason to stick it out, especially given how young he is for the level.

Edited December 1, 2014 by sk7326

[Palodios]

What day is Lester suppose to visit the Giants this week? And does he have any other teams scheduled after that?

 

He hasn't been to New York yet. I know he's just screwing with us to bump up the price, but he's probably going to go there this week.

[SoxFanForsyth]

What day is Lester suppose to visit the Giants this week? And does he have any other teams scheduled after that?

 

Today, nothing scheduled after that as far as I know.

 

I see SF as the same level of threat as Atlanta. As in, no threat whatsoever.

[BSN07]

I'm not gonna clutter the thread by tagging the posts, but ex1 and sk7326 really nice stuff these last 2 pages. Good reads.

[SoxFanForsyth]

so what are the plans for Marrero?

 

 

My guess is that he gets dished this offseason along with Margot and Brian Johnson for Samardzija

[sk7326]

Miller was traded for a pretty good pitching prospect. And that was for only a 2 month rental.

 

A kid who did not have a good year at AA for Baltimore - or at least a "Cecchini at AAA" sort of season which could have soured internal opinion of him in Baltimore.

 

You look at who Rodriguez was, a toolsy raw pitcher - and Duquette's team probably saw enough rawness to think that his probability is not good. Baltimore also was chasing a big prize - so they were willing to overpay some anyway. (the way you'd expect Boston to if there was a chance to win a title)

 

Sox were the beneficiaries. Just some differing incentives at work.

[Palodios]

What do you think it takes to land Cueto, Price or Hamels?

 

All the reports make me think something like this:

 

Hamels costs a top prospect -- Betts, Bogaerts, Owens or Swihart, plus one or two guys from the second tier.

Cueto costs two or three second tier guys like Devers/Barnes/Ranaudo/Eduardo. Cespedes could potentially replace one of them.

Price costs one player who will impact the majors immediately, like Betts, Bogaerts. It could also be a player like Cespedes or Castillo, but with a second tier prospect included.

 

Zimmerman will cost something similar to Cueto or Price.

Fister/Leake/Latos/Porcello will cost something like a second tier prospect + a high ceiling throw-in, or Cespedes + a high ceiling throw-in.

 

Ben is waiting to get one of Price/Cueto/Zimmerman/Hamels for Cespedes + a second tier prospect. It might cost more, but there are enough sellers out there that he is bound to find a deal he likes.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Palodios

[Bellhorn04]

Is Detroit actually making Price available? Seems to me they'd be holding onto him for dear life with Scherzer going, Verlander off a bad year etc.

[a700hitter]

Is Detroit actually making Price available? Seems to me they'd be holding onto him for dear life with Scherzer going, Verlander off a bad year etc.

Agreed. Sending Price away is not high priority for thr Tigers. They would need to be overwhelmed with an offer. I don't think there is a glut of top pitchers that will be traded. If some get traded, it will be for very high prices.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The Tigers would shop Price if they resign Scherzer based on my understanding.

[Palodios]

My assumption has been that the Tigers will re-sign one of Scherzer or Price, but even they have no idea which.

[BSN07]

The Tigers would shop Price if they resign Scherzer based on my understanding.

 

That is what I have seen as well. Price isn't going anywhere if Scherzer isn't back in Detroit.

[BSN07]

All the reports make me think something like this:

 

Hamels costs a top prospect -- Betts, Bogaerts, Owens or Swihart, plus one or two guys from the second tier.

Cueto costs two or three second tier guys like Devers/Barnes/Ranaudo/Eduardo. Cespedes could potentially replace one of them.

Price costs one player who will impact the majors immediately, like Betts, Bogaerts. It could also be a player like Cespedes or Castillo, but with a second tier prospect included.

 

Zimmerman will cost something similar to Cueto or Price.

Fister/Leake/Latos/Porcello will cost something like a second tier prospect + a high ceiling throw-in, or Cespedes + a high ceiling throw-in.

 

Ben is waiting to get one of Price/Cueto/Zimmerman/Hamels for Cespedes + a second tier prospect. It might cost more, but there are enough sellers out there that he is bound to find a deal he likes.

 

Owens I'm fine with for Hamels. I wouldn't want to trade any of the other 3 tho. The Sox could get Hamels for 10M a season and trading one of those 3 would still make me grimace. Philly isn't likely to pick up a ton of the contract, so to me they would have to pick from that tier that's half a step below in sk7326 rundown of the groups of prospects.

[sk7326]

All the reports make me think something like this:

 

Hamels costs a top prospect -- Betts, Bogaerts, Owens or Swihart, plus one or two guys from the second tier.

Cueto costs two or three second tier guys like Devers/Barnes/Ranaudo/Eduardo. Cespedes could potentially replace one of them.

Price costs one player who will impact the majors immediately, like Betts, Bogaerts. It could also be a player like Cespedes or Castillo, but with a second tier prospect included.

 

Zimmerman will cost something similar to Cueto or Price.

Fister/Leake/Latos/Porcello will cost something like a second tier prospect + a high ceiling throw-in, or Cespedes + a high ceiling throw-in.

 

Ben is waiting to get one of Price/Cueto/Zimmerman/Hamels for Cespedes + a second tier prospect. It might cost more, but there are enough sellers out there that he is bound to find a deal he likes.

 

Add Samardzja and you probably have most of the shopping list.

[User Name]

I wouldn't give up Owens in a Hamels trade. Pass plz.

[Palodios]

Add Samardzja and you probably have most of the shopping list.

 

I definitely forgot a few -- but I have absolutely no idea what Samardzija is going to cost.

[Spudboy]

Marrero is a far superior fielding SS than XB who will need to earn his spot with his bat. Plus, we have a pretty good 3B for the next 5 years, so if he can't develop his game at SS or hit much better than last year, he will be squeezed out.

 

I saw Marrero play three games in 2014 on tv. He is far superior to XB defensively. He has range, footwork, and makes good throws to first. I'd say that he is 'slick fielding' although I have not seen him attempt the kind of spectacular plays that Eglesias made.

[a700hitter]

I saw Marrero play three games in 2014 on tv. He is far superior to XB defensively. He has range, footwork, and makes good throws to first. I'd say that he is 'slick fielding' although I have not seen him attempt the kind of spectacular plays that Eglesias made.

I saw Marrero at the end of some spring training games last season and he made a few sparkling plays that drew big crowd reaction-- and that is not easy to do in the late innings in Fort Myers, because everyone is looking to beat the traffic out of the lot.

[SeanJohn93]

As far as the Hamels trade is concerned, why would the Red Sox be willing to send upper tier prospects when just to save a few bucks? John Henry said he would be willing to go over the luxury tax for and the Red Sox are always enamored with their prospects and the years they have control of them for service time. I don't want to hear they should send higher level prospects so Philly will eat some of his salary. This is the Boston Red Sox we are talking about, they can throw around as much money as they want and they should if it allows them to keep a prospect that has a higher ceiling.

[Palodios]

As far as the Hamels trade is concerned, why would the Red Sox be willing to send upper tier prospects when just to save a few bucks? John Henry said he would be willing to go over the luxury tax for and the Red Sox are always enamored with their prospects and the years they have control of them for service time. I don't want to hear they should send higher level prospects so Philly will eat some of his salary. This is the Boston Red Sox we are talking about, they can throw around as much money as they want and they should if it allows them to keep a prospect that has a higher ceiling.

 

I've heard reports saying that the Phillies are asking for too much, so the Red Sox backed off. However, the problem with payroll isn't paying a starter 25 million, it is paying two starters 25 million.

[Palodios]

Mr 14 reporting some heat between the Red Sox and the Mets on Cespedes. It seems strange, the Mets are trying to get rid of their veteran, expensive pitching, whereas the Red Sox would be more interest in their younger, cheaper pitching. Couldn't see it being Harvey or Wheeler.

[a700hitter]

Mr 14 reporting some heat between the Red Sox and the Mets on Cespedes. It seems strange, the Mets are trying to get rid of their veteran, expensive pitching, whereas the Red Sox would be more interest in their younger, cheaper pitching. Couldn't see it being Harvey or Wheeler.

Colon, Gee, or Niese. Thumbs down on all of them IMO.

[Palodios]

Colon, Gee, or Niese. Thumbs down on all of them IMO.

 

The Red Sox aren't touching Colon, and Gee/Niese are not worth Cespedes. If anyone, it will be Degrom -- who very clearly will regress -- but could be a solid, affordable starter.

[a700hitter]

The Red Sox aren't touching Colon, and Gee/Niese are not worth Cespedes. If anyone, it will be Degrom -- who very clearly will regress -- but could be a solid, affordable starter.

DeGrom is not a veteran. The reports that I have read indicate that the Mets are not interested in moving Wheeler, Harvey, DeGrom or Montero.

[SeanJohn93]

Latest rumor regarding Cespedes, if you scroll down to where Nick Cafardo is quoted, it is interesting.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/redsblog/2014/12/01/reds-seem-like-a-trade-fit-for-the-red-sox/19739647/