2014 Offseason Thread

[cp176]

I prefer to get rid of automatic outs like Ross. As you said, backup catchers are a dime a dozen so why not try another one who might actually not be an automatic out?

 

Good luck to David Ross. A very good catcher and a class act. Looks to me like a statistical wash. I am sure that the Sox know what they are getting. Good luck to Will Middlebrooks as well. Hope he develops into the player we all thought that he would.

[NativeBostonian]

Although looking at his numbers, Hanigan isn't an offensive monster.

 

That's one way to put it.

[seabeachfred]

I just heard that Ross is about to sign with the Padres.

 

Lol. Musical back-up catchers.

 

Best of luck to David Ross. He was a nice guy to have around even if he was a Mendoza type hitter.

 

It just shows me the great turnover in baseball these days. I knew Ross was very weak hitter when I saw him on TV when he played for the Bums. Still, we did get some key hits from him and I think he handled the pitchers very well, especially Jon. He was a spiritual leader on our 2013 Title team and after suffering as all of us did this season I might suggest thinking of the good things we got from Ross instead of that lousy batting average this season.

[Northern Star]

WMB to Padres for Hanigan, almost done deal per mlbtr.

 

 

See ya!!

[Palodios]

Breslow is coming back. The bullpen looks done, the offense looks done, the bench looks done. Does Ben have one more move in him?

[iortiz]

He better.

[Palodios]

With the Hannigan/Breslow moves, we're very close to the final roster. One more outfielder needs to be traded, and another starter would be nice.

 

DH: Ortiz

1B: Napoli

2B: Pedroia

SS: Bogaerts

3B: Sandoval

C: Vazquez

LF: Ramirez

CF:Castillo

RF: Betts

 

Bench: Holt, Nava, Victorino, Craig, Hannigan

 

SP1: Holding out hope

SP2: Porcello

SP3: Miley

SP4: Masterson

SP5: Buchholz

 

Closer: Koji

Setup: Tazawa, Mujica, Breslow

Middle relief: Varvaro

Loogy: Layne

Long Relief: Kelly

[Northern Star]

That rotation is still not exactly all killer no filler. Even if you top it with an ace.

[Spudboy]

With the Hannigan/Breslow moves, we're very close to the final roster. One more outfielder needs to be traded, and another starter would be nice.

 

DH: Ortiz

1B: Napoli

2B: Pedroia

SS: Bogaerts

3B: Sandoval

C: Vazquez

LF: Ramirez

CF:Castillo

RF: Betts

 

Bench: Holt, Nava, Victorino, Craig, Hannigan

 

SP1: Holding out hope

SP2: Porcello

SP3: Miley

SP4: Masterson

SP5: Buchholz

 

Closer: Koji

Setup: Tazawa, Mujica, Breslow

Middle relief: Varvaro

Loogy: Layne

Long Relief: Kelly

 

Who said Kelly would not be in the rotation? Plus, that's only 7 relievers!!!!!! Is Badenhop signed elsewhere yet?

[Spitball]

That's one way to put it.

 

When healthy, he has been very good at not making outs. In Cincinnati, his OBP were .364, .367, .361, .405, .356, and .365. Damn, those are not bad numbers for a catcher capable of playing excellent defense! I have always liked Ryan Hanigan and am happy the Sox got this guy.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Spitball

[RedSoxNC84]

Who said Kelly would not be in the rotation? Plus, that's only 7 relievers!!!!!! Is Badenhop signed elsewhere yet?

 

Not yet. He pitched so well last year I was hoping they'd re-sign him.

[NativeBostonian]

When healthy, he has been very good at not making outs. In Cincinnati, his OBP were .364, .367, .361, .405, .356, and .365. Damn, those are not bad numbers for a catcher capable of playing excellent defense! I have always liked Ryan Hanigan and am happy the Sox got this guy.

 

Yeah, he's a good player, when he's healthy; like you said. But, he hasn't been healthy in 3 years. What makes you think a 35 year old player is going to all of a sudden become healthy after not, in such a long time?

 

Granted, Middlebrooks is kind of in the same situation. But he is also a hell of a lot younger. The upside is a lot more than a 35 year old catcher who hasn't had a good season in three years.

[Spudboy]

It's just back-up catcher.

 

Who really expect a lot of production from that position?

 

Also, Hanigan throws out base stealers at a high rate and is known as a good defensive catcher.

 

That is a good thing becuase this rotation will likely need that kind of help.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Spudboy

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah, he's a good player, when he's healthy; like you said. But, he hasn't been healthy in 3 years. What makes you think a 35 year old player is going to all of a sudden become healthy after not, in such a long time?

 

Granted, Middlebrooks is kind of in the same situation. But he is also a hell of a lot younger. The upside is a lot more than a 35 year old catcher who hasn't had a good season in three years.

 

The Rays, who aren't known for throwing money around, signed him to a 3-year contract for $10.75 million after 2013, so they must have seen things differently.

[cp176]

If Victorino is healthy, and gets through the spring, He will start in the outfield and be the best player out there.

[seabeachfred]

With the Hannigan/Breslow moves, we're very close to the final roster. One more outfielder needs to be traded, and another starter would be nice.

 

DH: Ortiz

1B: Napoli

2B: Pedroia

SS: Bogaerts

3B: Sandoval

C: Vazquez

LF: Ramirez

CF:Castillo

RF: Betts

 

Bench: Holt, Nava, Victorino, Craig, Hannigan

 

SP1: Holding out hope

SP2: Porcello

SP3: Miley

SP4: Masterson

SP5: Buchholz

 

Closer: Koji

Setup: Tazawa, Mujica, Breslow

Middle relief: Varvaro

Loogy: Layne

Long Relief: Kelly

 

Kelly needs to be in the rotation Pal. Good God, he is a helluva better pitcher than Masterson is........hell, that guy can't get lefties out to save his soul. He needs to be in the pen and used mainly against righties in the lineup. As for Buchholz, yes, he could have a very good season for us but right now I have almost zero confidence that his head is in it and that he finally at long last is going to stay in one piece for a season. AND WE NEED THAT ACE!!!!!!

[Behindenemylines]

The only thing left for BC to get is a number one starter. I think the Sox will be patient and let the demands being asked for come down. The idea of giving up Betts and Swihart for Hamels isn't flying right now. The price for Zimmermann is also to high currently. I could see the Sox open the season with what they have and potentially make a deal for one of these guys before the trade deadline in July. I think if all are healthy the Sox do have a bunch of 2s and 3s starters. I don't think a team can win in the playoffs unless a number 1 emerges in the playoffs though. So even if this staff success during the season, I'm not sure it could repeat that in the playoffs.

[Spudboy]

I missed it earlier this week. Nick Punto was released by Oakland.

 

I always liked the guy. Not a great player but he was a decent utility type guy and a good teammate.

 

At 37 I assume that he is very close to being done.

[a700hitter]

I missed it earlier this week. Nick Punto was released by Oakland.

 

I always liked the guy. Not a great player but he was a decent utility type guy and a good teammate.

 

At 37 I assume that he is very close to being done.

He was an Alex Cora type player. Both were versatile smart players who were productive in limited roles.

[a700hitter]

Middlebrooks purchased his ticket out of Boston when after looking like a blind man swatting at mosquitoes at bat for an entire season, he refused to play Winter Ball to straighten himself out. The Red Sox were throwing him a life line, but he preferred to let himself drown. The guy is an obvious jack ass with an inflated opinion of his abilities. The slider low and away will be sending him to his next career while he is still a young man.

[jacksonianmarch]

If the sox open the season with the rotation they have, they'll be sellers by the time an ace actually hits the market.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Middlebrooks could really take off in SD, and not saying that as a sox hater. He just seemed to come up without expectation and mashed. Once something was expected of him, he sucked. Moving to the NL West where nobody really cares about how you perform might be a good method to revive his career. He has light tower power, something that is getting harder to develop.

[seabeachfred]

Middlebrooks purchased his ticket out of Boston when after looking like a blind man swatting at mosquitoes at bat for an entire season, he refused to play Winter Ball to straighten himself out. The Red Sox were throwing him a life line, but he preferred to let himself drown. The guy is an obvious jack ass with an inflated opinion of his abilities. The slider low and away will be sending him to his next career while he is still a young man.

 

That slider low and away could also be Bogaerts' ticket to oblivion. I still have very deep reservations about that guy.

[a700hitter]

I think Middlebrooks could really take off in SD, and not saying that as a sox hater. He just seemed to come up without expectation and mashed. Once something was expected of him, he sucked. Moving to the NL West where nobody really cares about how you perform might be a good method to revive his career. He has light tower power, something that is getting harder to develop.

Jacko, once they realized that he could neither identify a slider or resist swing at them out of the zone, he was toast. With interleague play,the word has made it to the NL.

[alphilip77]

I highly doubt Middlebrooks all of a sudden becomes a stud hitter moving from 81 games at hitter friendly Fenway plus 18 at equally friendly Camden Yards and New Yankee Stadium to 81 games at Petco with another 9 or so at AT&T Park. While the fact that he'll be playing 18 games between Chase and Coors might offset those numbers to a degree, I don't think it'll be anything extreme. By years end, Padres fans will see why he was worth only Ryan Hanigan. Will is nothing more than a poor man's Mark Reynolds.

[a700hitter]

I highly doubt Middlebrooks all of a sudden becomes a stud hitter moving from 81 games at hitter friendly Fenway plus 18 at equally friendly Camden Yards and New Yankee Stadium to 81 games at Petco with another 9 or so at AT&T Park. While the fact that he'll be playing 18 games between Chase and Coors might offset those numbers to a degree, I don't think it'll be anything extreme. By years end, Padres fans will see why he was worth only Ryan Hanigan. Will is nothing more than a poor man's Mark Reynolds.

Yep, Mark Reynolds is his ceiling.

[example1]

That slider low and away could also be Bogaerts' ticket to oblivion. I still have very deep reservations about that guy.

 

You still have deep reservations about Bogaerts? No! You? That seems to be your main point 2/3 of the time. Maybe just put it in your sig line if you think the message hasn't been delivered clearly.

[a700hitter]

You still have deep reservations about Bogaerts? No! You? That seems to be your main point 2/3 of the time. Maybe just put it in your sig line if you think the message hasn't been delivered clearly.

LOL! Do you have reservations about XB's hitting and/or fielding?

[example1]

Yep, Mark Reynolds is his ceiling.

 

And Mark Reynolds had peak production at better than a backup catcher right around Middlebrooks current age, right? I don't think this is a bad trade for the Sox because Hanagan might be more valuable to them positionally right now. If I'm in a draft room and have the choice between the two I'm probably taking Middlebrooks.

[example1]

LOL! Do you have reservations about XB's hitting and/or fielding?

 

Reservations? No, it's too early for reservations. He's barely 22. Most other 22 year-olds are happy to be at AA, which is a level he's already put up an OPS of .922 at 19 and 20. If he's healthy this year and his OPS is under .800 I will be more concerned but for now I've seen enough offensive talent to see why MLB, BP and Baseball America all had him as the #2 prospect last year.

 

My perspective about how good his defense needs to be is based on how good his offense is. If he's hitting like Miguel Cabrera and playing below average SS it's probably okay. If he's hitting like Nick Punto and fielding like Miguel Cabrera then his fielding is a huge problem.

 

It's hard to think that Fred is being reasonable proclaiming that Bogaerts has some huge irreversible flaw. I think he will be in the big leagues for the next 12-15 years. Given that I'm willing to wait before I order the wording on his career-tombstone.