2014 Offseason Thread

[sk7326]

With 2 wild card teams in each league and parity across baseball, there aren't to many teams that are willing to throw in the towel at mid season. Those teams that are so far out of it that they break up the team may not have any good pitchers in the final years of their contracts. That pool varies from year to year.

 

Oh I agree to a certain degree- the 2 wild cards makes it harder to cut bait, but not impossible. There are more creative options too maybe - could a package around Cecchini and some additional prospect stuff be able to get Fister or Zimmermann given the Nationals glut of starting pitching ... who knows

[sk7326]

The teams to watch are the Reds, Rays, Rangers, Nationals, White Sox, Tigers, Phillies. Any of those teams who have surprisingly bad seasons will be looking to move some pitchers.

 

Tigers and Rangers are the best candidates - Tigers specifically, barren system and an old team that could get old fast

[User Name]

Saying that the wild card inhibits player movement is flat-out incorrect. Look at the amount of high-end pitchers that moved in-season last year.

[iortiz]

Oh I agree to a certain degree- the 2 wild cards makes it harder to cut bait, but not impossible. There are more creative options too maybe - could a package around Cecchini and some additional prospect stuff be able to get Fister or Zimmermann given the Nationals glut of starting pitching ... who knows

 

If they do not trade Z or F now, why will they trade them at TD mostly if they are producing and on the road to PO. I do not see it.

[sk7326]

If they do not trade Z or F now, why will they trade them at TD mostly if they are producing and on the road to PO. I do not see it.

 

I was spitballing some - frankly if either of them move, it will probably be in the spring. As currently built they have 6 legit starters - and could upgrade the infield potentially a little bit.

 

The 2 wildcards and economic health of baseball don't mean that there won't be sellers - it just means that we can't sit there and pick them out right now (unlike say the NFL or NBA). I've previously noted in my mind there are only 6 teams that can't at least squint hard at their roster and see a playoff team: Minnesota, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Colorado and Arizona. I'd add Milwaukee too but they probably wouldn't.

 

But we also that 24 teams ain't makin the field. Give some padding for teams who will die trying - and it means there will be another half dozen teams or so who will be selling too (or who will at least pick up the phone if you are buying).

[Palodios]

Tigers and Rangers are the best candidates - Tigers specifically, barren system and an old team that could get old fast

 

The Tigers haven't made much sense to me. They've had an excellent offense, and the best rotation in baseball for several years, and it keeps getting better.... and somehow they just barely squeak into the playoffs and get smoked in the early rounds.

 

The AL Central looks excellent this year. The White Sox retooled, the Guardians have yet another CY Young in their rotation, and the Royals are coming off a World Series run. With several key departures, it seems like 2015 may be year for the Tigers to miss the playoffs.

[a700hitter]

Oh I agree to a certain degree- the 2 wild cards makes it harder to cut bait, but not impossible. There are more creative options too maybe - could a package around Cecchini and some additional prospect stuff be able to get Fister or Zimmermann given the Nationals glut of starting pitching ... who knows

If the Nationals fall out of the race, those guys are in play, but if they are smoking the NLE, the Nats will stand pat with them.

[BSN07]

McDaniel also has motion footage of live-armed 18-year-old righty Yadier Alvarez, who he labels the “hottest name in baseball.” Alvarez is still rather early in the process of seeking free agency, but should be available to sign before too long.

 

I've seen a decent amount about Moncada, but Alvarez I've heard literally nothing, but this guy claims he's "the hottest name in baseball". Did I miss anyone talking about him around here? I'll link the footage below.

 

 

 

edit: I watched the video. He's got some talent for an 18 year old, but nothing was eye popping imo.

Edited February 12, 2015 by BSN07

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe: Two more arrivals to #RedSox: @JosephKellyJr and @HanleyRamirez

[BSN07]

@PeteAbe: Two more arrivals to #RedSox: @JosephKellyJr and @HanleyRamirez

 

Fred blood pressure will go down now that he's in camp in not pulling a Manny. If healthy I think Ramirez has a big year.

[mvp 78]

I heard he came in early to get extra practice in LF. Good thing they have that Green Monster South down there.

[Bellhorn04]

@PeteAbe: Two more arrivals to #RedSox: @JosephKellyJr and @HanleyRamirez

 

Unfortunately, only their Twitter accounts arrived.

[mvp 78]

Listen Howie Mandell, if you're going to be snarky I won't do anymore updates about ST like how Brock Holt just packed his car and is heading to ST with his black lab in the backseat.

[iortiz]

According to ANTHONY CASTROVINCE power ranking, the NATS is No. 1, LAD No. 2 and STL No. 3. BAL is one step ahead of us at No. 7 and we at No.8

 

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/108999212/top-10-mlb-teams-for-2015?partnerId=as_mlb_20150212_40387206&adbid=10153082950112451&adbpl=fb&adbpr=5768707450

[User Name]

Castrovince's note on the Sox by the way:

 

How the heck should I know? I just know that there is enough discernible depth here to make the worst-to-first-to-worst-to-first concept realistic, at the very least. The AL East seems totally wide open. And while the Red Sox might have to get creative in trades both before and after Opening Day to claim it, I like their chances of doing so.

 

Spot on if ya ask me.

[seabeachfred]

Fred blood pressure will go down now that he's in camp in not pulling a Manny. If healthy I think Ramirez has a big year.

 

Hanley is learning a new position and is coming to a town that he left in less than optimum prestige and labeled a problem child. There is enough pressure on him as it is and we all need to pull like hell for him. Keep in mind he also has had physical problems and has played 145 games only once since 2010. I'll say this, though. If his mind is clear, his body in shape and he adjusts to LF he could have a top notch season......and we need his bat very badly. You know, for the first month after we got him I would make some cracks about him and it seemed after I did I either pulled a muscle, got a cough or had my wife made at me for something or other. Enough of that....I'm pulling for Hanley to beat the band.

[Spudboy]

If I was Hanley I would have been shagging fly balls all winter long.

 

I can see what will happen now the first time Hanley misreads a fly ball, or boots one in the corner. The media will be all over him and he will end up another Crawford.

 

Although I must say that Crawford did not cover himself in glory in anything that he did while in Boston.

 

Hanley has every advantage now. He has the money and now he has at least one real friend on the team. He should put his head down and apply himself. He should keep his stupid and immature mouth shut and try to speak English if he has to say anything.

 

I doubt that he plays out his contract in Boston.

 

We will see.

[User Name]

Hanley was training with Papi during the winter. He took batting practice and played the OF in an actual stadium. I don't blame him for choosing to train here.

[mvp 78]

If I was Hanley I would have been shagging fly balls all winter long.

 

I can see what will happen now the first time Hanley misreads a fly ball, or boots one in the corner. The media will be all over him and he will end up another Crawford.

 

Although I must say that Crawford did not cover himself in glory in anything that he did while in Boston.

 

Hanley has every advantage now. He has the money and now he has at least one real friend on the team. He should put his head down and apply himself. He should keep his stupid and immature mouth shut and try to speak English if he has to say anything.

 

I doubt that he plays out his contract in Boston.

 

We will see.

The media and fans were more than generous to Crawford.

 

We've seen horrible defense in LF before. If his bat is going well, people won't ride him at all. He's basically DH#2.

[iortiz]

According to ANTHONY CASTROVINCE power ranking, the NATS is No. 1, LAD No. 2 and STL No. 3. BAL is one step ahead of us at No. 7 and we at No.8

 

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/108999212/top-10-mlb-teams-for-2015?partnerId=as_mlb_20150212_40387206&adbid=10153082950112451&adbpl=fb&adbpr=5768707450

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/55054/ranking-the-teams-12-through-7-2

 

Here's another analysis.

[Spudboy]

ESPN has completely lost credibility with me.

 

Aside from some 30 for 30 shows, I have no use for them anymore.

[User Name]

They have the Mets as better than the Red Sox and Giants. Not buying it.

[mvp 78]

They have the Mets as better than the Red Sox and Giants. Not buying it.

 

They gotta keep those tri-state readers interested.

[Palodios]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/55054/ranking-the-teams-12-through-7-2

 

Here's another analysis.

 

I am looking at the Red Sox on several betting sites:

 

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=betting%20on%20world%20series%20winners

 

#5, #1, #3, tied for #3, #3, #2. There seems to be a strong consensus among the people who make money off this kind of thing that the Red Sox will be a potential playoff team. Writers can eyeball things, but they make their money off clicks, and strong opinions, not correctness.

[cp176]

I am looking at the Red Sox on several betting sites:

 

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=betting%20on%20world%20series%20winners

 

#5, #1, #3, tied for #3, #3, #2. There seems to be a strong consensus among the people who make money off this kind of thing that the Red Sox will be a potential playoff team. Writers can eyeball things, but they make their money off clicks, and strong opinions, not correctness.

 

The projections are all over the place and probably for good reason. They could be good and they could be bad. no one really knows what to make of this team. Project, guess, hope, all you want - I really can't remember seeing them go into the spring and feeling this way about them before. Let's hope the job gets done and that they compete. What are the constants here? who on that field would you be willing to say is a safe bet to perform at a high level? If everything aligns, they will be fine.

[sk7326]

The projections are all over the place and probably for good reason. They could be good and they could be bad. no one really knows what to make of this team. Project, guess, hope, all you want - I really can't remember seeing them go into the spring and feeling this way about them before. Let's hope the job gets done and that they compete. What are the constants here? who on that field would you be willing to say is a safe bet to perform at a high level? If everything aligns, they will be fine.

 

What IS interesting this year - is that the team has almost no regression candidates (aside from Betts maybe - although given his age, I might be wrong). There was a large team wide trend of underachievement.

[Palodios]

What IS interesting this year - is that the team has almost no regression candidates (aside from Betts maybe - although given his age, I might be wrong). There was a large team wide trend of underachievement.

 

Porcello, Varvaro, and Holt may regress. But yeah, not many overachievers last year.

[a700hitter]

Porcello, Varvaro, and Holt may regress. But yeah, not many overachievers last year.

One day Ortiz will start to slip. He has been as reliable as a fine Swiss watch.

[cp176]

What IS interesting this year - is that the team has almost no regression candidates (aside from Betts maybe - although given his age, I might be wrong). There was a large team wide trend of underachievement.

 

That is a very different way of looking at things. It is refreshing. It can't get any worse.

[a700hitter]

I don't think last year's problem was pervasive underperformance. There was underperformance, notably from Pedroia and Napoli. The bigger problem was that we rolled out a team that was not very talented. Bradley and Middlebrooks were clearly overrated prospects. We had garbage in our OF as a whole, partly due to Victorino missing almost the entire season. Our catching corps was bad too. The difference this year will be the upgrades through acquisitions of Hanley and Panda and Castillo more so than it will be a reurn to norms by the underperformers. I expect that Napoli will return to his norms, but there seems to be a concern that last season's performance by Pedroia may be his new norm. I hope not, because a high performing Pedroia drives this team. Xander was a rookie, so he didn't regress. We don't know what he is yet, but the good news is he has room to develop. I think our offense will be much better this season, but it will not be because of a reversal of team-wide regression in 2014.