Red Sox Sign Pablo Sandoval

[User Name]

.585 OPS against lefties. That's why he's a platoon player/ 4th OF.

[a700hitter]

Nava has a career OPS of .760. That would probably put him in the upper 30-40% among starting outfielders, and I would guess in the top 10% among 4th outfielders. And his defence improved considerably in 2014 according to the ratings.

He is strictly a platoon option and there is no room on the roster for a platoon option. Against left-handed pitching he OPS s at .585.

[Palodios]

He is strictly a platoon option and there is no room on the roster for a platoon option. Against left-handed pitching he OPS s at .585.

 

This team just signed a guy for 100 million bucks has a platoon split against lefties of .563. They may very well find a place for both.

[a700hitter]

This team just signed a guy for 100 million bucks has a platoon split against lefties of .563. They may very well find a place for both.

Nava's .563 is for his career. Sandoval's career OPS against lefties is .708.

[Bellhorn04]

He is strictly a platoon option and there is no room on the roster for a platoon option. Against left-handed pitching he OPS s at .585.

 

The 2013 offence did pretty well with Nava in the LF platoon. 2/3 of pitchers are right handed and Nava has a career OBP of .385 against them, which is one of the best in baseball over the last few years.

[a700hitter]

The 2013 offence did pretty well with Nava in the LF platoon. 2/3 of pitchers are right handed and Nava has a career OBP of .385 against them, which is one of the best in baseball over the last few years.

Who would he platoon with in 2015?

[iortiz]

Who would he platoon with in 2015?

 

I would use Bellhorn's case to trade Nava for arms.

[sk7326]

Nava has a career OPS of .760. That would probably put him in the upper 30-40% among starting outfielders, and I would guess in the top 10% among 4th outfielders. And his defence improved considerably in 2014 according to the ratings.

 

His platoon split limits him. He figures prominently among "switch hitters who frankly should stop". That said, I like him a lot as a platoon partner. Not sure the room is there here without them moving one of their many, many righties.

[User Name]

The 2013 offence did pretty well with Nava in the LF platoon. 2/3 of pitchers are right handed and Nava has a career OBP of .385 against them, which is one of the best in baseball over the last few years.

 

We get that you like Nava, but he's just not starter material. He still has the horrible splits, and his defense hasn't really improved as much as you say.

[sk7326]

We get that you like Nava, but he's just not starter material. He still has the horrible splits, and his defense hasn't really improved as much as you say.

 

I tend to agree with you ... BUT ... if after the dust settles Ramirez and Betts are entrenched in two outfield spots ... a two headed RF with Nava and Castillo or Victorino would be an effective outcome. As an aside, I also think Castillo is very much trade bait because if a team believes he can be a starting CF this season - that contract is quite favorable.

[User Name]

I tend to agree with you ... BUT ... if after the dust settles Ramirez and Betts are entrenched in two outfield spots ... a two headed RF with Nava and Castillo or Victorino would be an effective outcome. As an aside, I also think Castillo is very much trade bait because if a team believes he can be a starting CF this season - that contract is quite favorable.

 

That would still keep Nava as part of a platoon, which is my point. He's great against RHP, although his overall impact is mitigated by his defensive shortcomings.

[Behindenemylines]

I think the plan is to create enough depth to both upgrade the offense and deal for pitching. And i don't think many of the kids are going to be dealt, hence the veteran signings.

 

The Sox will sign one FA starting pitcher (Going hard on Lester) and trade for another clearing some of the OF depth. Cincinnati, San Diego, and Seattle all need OF bat with power and have pitchers to deal so there should be a match for a trade somewhere. Because Cespedes seems like the guy, having multiple teams needing him is a plus.

[Bellhorn04]

We get that you like Nava, but he's just not starter material. He still has the horrible splits, and his defense hasn't really improved as much as you say.

 

On his defence, I'm going by Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs.

[a700hitter]

Let's hope they put him on a diet

Is there a fangraph for idiotic base running? The guy pulls rocks on the bases like crazy.

[sk7326]

On his defence, I'm going by Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs.

 

Nava has gotten better but what I will note is that UZR has tended to be fooled by playing LF at Fenway (at least in what I've seen in the past). (or other odd shaped zones)

[Bellhorn04]

I'm predicting that Nava will get plenty of AB's this year. I'm assuming we trade Cespedes. That leaves us with an OF configuration like this:

 

LF Ramirez

CF Castillo

RF Betts

 

? Victorino

? Nava

 

How the pieces fit will be interesting. But there are a pile of question marks with inexperience (Castillo, Betts) and health (Ramirez, Victorino).

[sk7326]

I'm predicting that Nava will get plenty of AB's this year. I'm assuming we trade Cespedes. That leaves us with an OF configuration like this:

 

LF Ramirez

CF Castillo

RF Betts

 

? Victorino

? Nava

 

How the pieces fit will be interesting. But there are a pile of question marks with inexperience (Castillo, Betts) and health (Ramirez, Victorino).

 

I think CF and RF get flip flopped, only because of throwing arm considerations. (neither are great, Castillo's is probably better) I do agree there are 300-400 PAs for Nava in this alignment.

[a700hitter]

I think CF and RF get flip flopped, only because of throwing arm considerations. (neither are great, Castillo's is probably better) I do agree there are 300-400 PAs for Nava in this alignment.

How many ABs do you think Victorino gets?

[User Name]

Nava has gotten better but what I will note is that UZR has tended to be fooled by playing LF at Fenway (at least in what I've seen in the past). (or other odd shaped zones)

 

Also, sample sizes.

[sk7326]

How many ABs do you think Victorino gets?

 

Well ...

 

If we assume Vasquez, Napoli, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Sandoval, Ramirez, Betts, Castillo get your 8 starting positions. (and yes, I work off the assumption Ramirez is cool with this, just because enough reports seem to indicate this was his idea)

 

That leaves either 5 or 6 positions depending on whether they carry 11 or 12 pitchers. I'll say 12 pitchers - however insane I think that is in 2015, it is the likely composition. So, who are the 5.

 

Well, one of them will be a catcher of some stripe. So, that takes us down to four. Now who? Well, Holt gets a spot ... since that allows us to only carry one additional infielder. I think Victorino, Nava and Craig are the remaining three. How the PAs split - some sort of combination of competition and matchup. Now what is fascinating is that I absolutely could see any of these three or even Bradley (as unlikely as that seems) screwing the order up. I am only dismissing Cespedes because everything about him screams trade bait.

[seabeachfred]

Well ...

 

If we assume Vasquez, Napoli, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Sandoval, Ramirez, Betts, Castillo get your 8 starting positions. (and yes, I work off the assumption Ramirez is cool with this, just because enough reports seem to indicate this was his idea)

 

That leaves either 5 or 6 positions depending on whether they carry 11 or 12 pitchers. I'll say 12 pitchers - however insane I think that is in 2015, it is the likely composition. So, who are the 5.

 

Well, one of them will be a catcher of some stripe. So, that takes us down to four. Now who? Well, Holt gets a spot ... since that allows us to only carry one additional infielder. I think Victorino, Nava and Craig are the remaining three. How the PAs split - some sort of combination of competition and matchup. Now what is fascinating is that I absolutely could see any of these three or even Bradley (as unlikely as that seems) screwing the order up. I am only dismissing Cespedes because everything about him screams trade bait.

 

If Victorino shows up healthy and ready to play, unless he is traded, he will win a starting position. It amazes me how so many of my friends here have written him off. I haven't---and keep in mind if we blow the Lester talks we will have to trade for two pitchers and that is going to cost us plenty. Let's not be so quick to kiss Shane off.

[a700hitter]

Well ...

 

If we assume Vasquez, Napoli, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Sandoval, Ramirez, Betts, Castillo get your 8 starting positions. (and yes, I work off the assumption Ramirez is cool with this, just because enough reports seem to indicate this was his idea)

 

That leaves either 5 or 6 positions depending on whether they carry 11 or 12 pitchers. I'll say 12 pitchers - however insane I think that is in 2015, it is the likely composition. So, who are the 5.

 

Well, one of them will be a catcher of some stripe. So, that takes us down to four. Now who? Well, Holt gets a spot ... since that allows us to only carry one additional infielder. I think Victorino, Nava and Craig are the remaining three. How the PAs split - some sort of combination of competition and matchup. Now what is fascinating is that I absolutely could see any of these three or even Bradley (as unlikely as that seems) screwing the order up. I am only dismissing Cespedes because everything about him screams trade bait.

Do you see this alignment as providing 300 to 400 ABs for Nava? I am not seeing that unless there is a lot of injuries to Hanley, Castillo, Betts and Victorino.

[iortiz]

I don't see a spot for Nava if Cespedes stays. Somehow, Nava has some value which could be used to bring an arm in a package.

[Bellhorn04]

Do you see this alignment as providing 300 to 400 ABs for Nava? I am not seeing that unless there is a lot of injuries to Hanley, Castillo, Betts and Victorino.

 

Wild card #1 is Victorino. This guy could get traded, or he could have a 5-6 WAR season, or he could tweak something early and say bye-bye until 2016.

[Spudboy]

Victorino can not be counted on for 5-6 WAR or any regular production at this point.

 

He is one of the big "ifs" on this team.

 

Until he is on the field running hard between the bases, running down and making diving catches, and hitting acceptably, he is just a warm body on the roster.

 

I love watching him play when he is healthy. He is not there now.

[iortiz]

I like what Victorino is saying about his actual physical shape... Seems like he will be in great shape next season.

[Bellhorn04]

I like what Victorino is saying about his actual physical shape... Seems like he will be in great shape next season.

 

Dreams are what the offseason is for.

[Spudboy]

Victorino is 34 and has been plagued by injuries while with the Sox.

 

Now, after back surgery, the likelihood of him putting up good numbers is diminished.

 

I see him as the 4th outfielder now. If healthy.

[jacksonianmarch]

I don't see a spot for Nava period. You have Hanley, Rusney and Betts as your projected starters with Victorino and Cespedes under contract. Right now, Nava is at best your 6th OFer, and that doesn't include Craig. I think Nava is on the A's next yr

[BSN07]

Nava for BP arm makes sense. The A's seem like a logical fit.