Moncada is coming

[Spudboy]

Well, he is kind of cute.

 

$110. mil. cute?

[Kimmi]

I don't either.

I'd much rather start the year off with the rotation as is and see where the Sox are in June/ July.

A lot of the questions hovering over the rotation will be answered, one way or another by then.

I don't see another team in this division running away with it, so the Sox should be in a position to to help themselves in the last two months.

 

It'll cost too much in players and money to get Hamels.

 

 

Whenever possible, getting players for "just money" is preferable to having to pay both money and players.

 

And good post. You should post more often.

[Kimmi]

$110. mil. cute?

 

 

LOL Spud. You told me logic wasn't allowed, so I went with this.

[Spitball]

Personally and I hope that when the call goes out for our next second baseman it will be in fact a second baseman - Mookie Betts. Moncada is a ss but has been "projected" to be a third baseman, a second baseman, a first baseman, and an outfielder. No one knows what the future will bring but it should be fun to see.

 

Pedroia is signed to a team friendly contract through 2021. I think he will be at second base for the Red Sox until he is a Derek Jeter-like-living-statue at the position. I also believe that Moncada will be at third base in 2016 with Sandoval moving to first to replace Napoli.

[SoxnCycles]

OK User, peace once again reigns. I will let pass what passed as mischaracterization on my part. I still don't really know what could be construed to be racist. We aren't talking about black vs white or yellow vs red. We were talking about food and what they serve in different parts of the world. As for a burger cracker, what a laugh. I never touCh that s***. Haven't had a burger in over 20 years, don't eat red meat, don't eat eggs, butter, most pork, no lamb, and I never drink cola sodas. And f*** hot dogs too. I eat lots of sea food, vegetables, fruit, some chicken and my starches are pasta and rice. I think I would fare very well if I had to live in the DR for any length of time unless you or anyone else tried to serve me something with onions in it. Anyway, this whole thing came about because of my worry over what Ramirez might be to Moncada, and while Palodios thinks Hanley has matured, I heard the same talk when he went to the Dodgers and, believe me, they were glad to see him go. Hanley, I think will be very good for us this year and maybe next year. After that, well, you know what I think. GO RED SOX!!!!!

 

Probably should have done the safe thing and just referenced "Chicken & beer".

It's silly, but safe.

[SoxnCycles]

Pedroia is signed to a team friendly contract through 2021. I think he will be at second base for the Red Sox until he is a Derek Jeter-like-living-statue at the position. I also believe that Moncada will be at third base in 2016 with Sandoval moving to first to replace Napoli.

 

Yup, I expect Pedroia to have a big year, if he can just keep from re-injuring his hand.

[Kimmi]

Hanley's attitude was a problem in Miami, but it didn't seem like it was in LA. He's older now, and hopefully more mature. So far, the general attitude coming from spring training has been awesome. These guys are thrilled to spend time together in this lineup. There will be a lot of one-up-manship -- working hard to be the best guy in the lineup. It doesn't look like that will change anytime soon.

 

 

When I first heard about the Hanley signing, his attitude was a concern to me. However, everything that I have read and heard since then has changed my mind about that. He really does seem to have matured, and he seems to have a great attitude about being back in Boston. The rapport/chemistry among these guys seems to be strong.

[cp176]

Pedroia is signed to a team friendly contract through 2021. I think he will be at second base for the Red Sox until he is a Derek Jeter-like-living-statue at the position. I also believe that Moncada will be at third base in 2016 with Sandoval moving to first to replace Napoli.

 

I think that you are right. I see Moncada as a third baseman potentially. I expect Napoli to be moving on as well but you never know.

[Spudboy]

I hope Nap has a big year and is signed to an extension by the Sox.

 

Tubbo can stay at 3rd for now while Moncana learns how to play baseball everyday in the minors.

[cp176]

I hope Nap has a big year and is signed to an extension by the Sox.

 

Tubbo can stay at 3rd for now while Moncana learns how to play baseball everyday in the minors.

 

I like Napoli as well. I hope that he does have a big year and sticks around for a while longer.

[example1]

Alright, I'm going to try to disagree with those who are so strongly anti-Hamels. I see a lot of 2nd and 3rd degree reasons to wonder about him, but the overall numbers and pedigree (what I would consider the "1st degree" reasons) are hard to disagree with.

 

Hamels:

* 6'3, Lefty

* 31 years old

* 17th overall pick, breezed through the minors (1.49 ERA in only 218 IP)

* 92.3 avg FB (Lester: 91.8)

* 6 of last 7 years: 200+ IP

* Last 5 seasons: 3.00 ERA, 1064 IP and 1021 K

 

People make a lot of his starts against the AL East. I'm not sure how to find the stats exactly but it looks like he had about 13 starts against AL East teams. Less seems to be made of his 13 postseason starts and 3.09 ERA. Playoff performance should mean something, right? He's got an expensive contract but not more than he would get on the FA market. I believe the Sox want a good front line pitcher and that they will probably sign a FA next year if they don't have one yet. In that light I don't see anything wrong with trading future-stock for Hamels. It's all about what they have to pay for him.

 

I have a hard time seeing what he's done to warrant so much skepticism. I am aware that there's concerns like having pitched in the NL or struggling against AL East foes, but he's pitched to major league batters not high-A guys.

 

All things being equal wouldn't everyone gladly put Hamels in the rotation?

[User Name]

No, because I would personally rather play the lottery ticket and acquire Cliff Lee, assuming health. Amaro wants Swihart for Hamels, and if the Red Sox are going to absorb Hamels' 110 million contract, that's a deal they shouldn't do.

 

The secondary reasons as you call them are enough not to warrant such a gargantuan investment.

[sk7326]

I am somewhat ambivalent about Hamels - I don't think it'd be a disaster, and Philly is probably right to want one of those top two guys - and the Red Sox are reasonable for balking at the price. But Lee is a guy with a better track record and without a long haul. In either case Amaro will probably want somebody who can impact 2015, although that might be a lower ceiling guy for Lee

[Bellhorn04]

Alright, I'm going to try to disagree with those who are so strongly anti-Hamels. I see a lot of 2nd and 3rd degree reasons to wonder about him, but the overall numbers and pedigree (what I would consider the "1st degree" reasons) are hard to disagree with.

 

Hamels:

* 6'3, Lefty

* 31 years old

* 17th overall pick, breezed through the minors (1.49 ERA in only 218 IP)

* 92.3 avg FB (Lester: 91.8)

* 6 of last 7 years: 200+ IP

* Last 5 seasons: 3.00 ERA, 1064 IP and 1021 K

 

People make a lot of his starts against the AL East. I'm not sure how to find the stats exactly but it looks like he had about 13 starts against AL East teams. Less seems to be made of his 13 postseason starts and 3.09 ERA. Playoff performance should mean something, right? He's got an expensive contract but not more than he would get on the FA market. I believe the Sox want a good front line pitcher and that they will probably sign a FA next year if they don't have one yet. In that light I don't see anything wrong with trading future-stock for Hamels. It's all about what they have to pay for him.

 

I have a hard time seeing what he's done to warrant so much skepticism. I am aware that there's concerns like having pitched in the NL or struggling against AL East foes, but he's pitched to major league batters not high-A guys.

 

All things being equal wouldn't everyone gladly put Hamels in the rotation?

 

It's the combination of risk factors:

 

-Size of contract - assuming it's true he wants the option year guaranteed it's $110 million.

-Value of prospect(s) surrendered - assuming the Phillies insist on Swihart or Betts.

-Age.

-Fit/numbers vs. AL. 29 games, slash line of 279/325/488 - 812 OPS.

 

If you could downgrade one of those risks by removing Swihart & Betts from the equation it would make the deal much more palatable.

[Kimmi]

Personally and I hope that when the call goes out for our next second baseman it will be in fact a second baseman - Mookie Betts. Moncada is a ss but has been "projected" to be a third baseman, a second baseman, a first baseman, and an outfielder. No one knows what the future will bring but it should be fun to see.

 

 

Who becomes our next 2nd baseman depends on how Pedroia holds up. If he plays at a productive level for the length of his contract, then both Betts and Moncada will have found different positions by then.

 

I read something where Moncada's arm did not look that great at 3B, but that he looked very good playing 2B.

[Kimmi]

Yup, I expect Pedroia to have a big year, if he can just keep from re-injuring his hand.

 

 

Pedroia is one guy I would never bet against. But even if he doesn't have a "big year" offensively, his defense and intangibles make him very valuable to the team.

[Kimmi]

I hope Nap has a big year and is signed to an extension by the Sox.

 

Tubbo can stay at 3rd for now while Moncana learns how to play baseball everyday in the minors.

 

 

I love Napoli. I never knew that he was struggling so badly with the sleep apnea thing. He said he feels like a new man. It will be interesting to see if his new found health can translate into more on field productivity.

[Kimmi]

All things being equal wouldn't everyone gladly put Hamels in the rotation?

 

 

I wouldn't at all mind Hamels in the rotation. I just think his price tag is too high. The $110 mil I could live with. The prospects on top of that, especially since we've been hearing that Swihart is the starting point, I cannot live with.

[cp176]

It's the combination of risk factors:

 

-Size of contract - assuming it's true he wants the option year guaranteed it's $110 million.

-Value of prospect(s) surrendered - assuming the Phillies insist on Swihart or Betts.

-Age.

-Fit/numbers vs. AL. 29 games, slash line of 279/325/488 - 812 OPS.

 

If you could downgrade one of those risks by removing Swihart & Betts from the equation it would make the deal much more palatable.

 

 

 

I really don't think the monetary aspects of any potential deal factor much into the current Red Sox thinking. They are going to get who ever they want if money is the only deciding factor. I just don't see them going after any over 30 pitcher for more than just one season. Doesn't seem to fit their current trend of getting younger. A possible trade involving Victorino for Lee might make some sense for this year. It would open up some of the position player glut and bolster their starting pitching at least for a season. Unless they can get the steal (I meant to say deal) that they want, I think that they are more likely to wait until the player that they really want is available.

[cp176]

Who becomes our next 2nd baseman depends on how Pedroia holds up. If he plays at a productive level for the length of his contract, then both Betts and Moncada will have found different positions by then.

 

I read something where Moncada's arm did not look that great at 3B, but that he looked very good playing 2B.

 

Betts obviously has already found another position. Moncada has been projected to play all positions other than pitching and catching. I don't think that his arm will be the issue. If they are even on the same field together, those who have to make those decisions will put them where they want them I guess. I'm certainly ok with whatever they do but Betts has proven his ability to play second base very well.

[Kimmi]

I really don't think the monetary aspects of any potential deal factor much into the current Red Sox thinking. They are going to get who ever they want if money is the only deciding factor.

 

 

I disagree with that. I think the amount of money, and more particularly, the length of contract, is a big factor in their decisions. The FO is willing to spend, and they realize that usually they will have to overspend to some extent. However, they do have a limit to how much they will overspend. They typically will not reach the "insane" level with contracts.

[Kimmi]

Betts obviously has already found another position. Moncada has been projected to play all positions other than pitching and catching. I don't think that his arm will be the issue. If they are even on the same field together, those who have to make those decisions will put them where they want them I guess. I'm certainly ok with whatever they do but Betts has proven his ability to play second base very well.

 

 

Well, it comes down to what makes the team better as a whole, not what makes the team better at one position. The Sox have certainly set themselves up well as far as versatility goes.

[cp176]

Well, it comes down to what makes the team better as a whole, not what makes the team better at one position. The Sox have certainly set themselves up well as far as versatility goes.

 

That is of course very true. Discussing this is just projecting the future anyway but it does look to me as though the Red Sox tend to see players moving from the infield to the outfield as an easier move than the other way around. Makes sense. Betts was moved because of Pedroia which of course also made sense from a team as well as an individual standpoint. I have said it before here that if Pedroia was to get hurt again (hopefully doesn't) my opinion (just mine) is that defensively they would be a stronger team if Betts was moved back to one of his two original positions.

[Palodios]

If you could downgrade one of those isks by removing Swihart & Betts from the equation it would make the deal much more palatable.

 

Swihart/Betts aren't going into a Cole Hamels trade. If Amaro could get that kind of value, he would have done it already. It would likely be centered around guys like Devers/Margot/Barnes, with an outside shot of Owens/Rodriguez.

[cp176]

I disagree with that. I think the amount of money, and more particularly, the length of contract, is a big factor in their decisions. The FO is willing to spend, and they realize that usually they will have to overspend to some extent. However, they do have a limit to how much they will overspend. They typically will not reach the "insane" level with contracts.

 

 

I absolutely agree with you with respect to the length of contract being a primary factor during Red Sox negotiations. I guess I just haven't seen monetary restraint being much of a factor when they truly have a player that they want to sign. Age is also a major consideration for them at present and thankfully so. I am not even close to understanding what an insane amount of money to spend for some of the more wealthy teams might be. i only hope that the old adage that you get what you pay for works for our team.

[sk7326]

Swihart/Betts aren't going into a Cole Hamels trade. If Amaro could get that kind of value, he would have done it already. It would likely be centered around guys like Devers/Margot/Barnes, with an outside shot of Owens/Rodriguez.

 

Certainly not at this point ... I think in these deals Amaro wants to deliver some 2015-16 impact. I'd also add Vasquez as one of the "outside shot" sorts.

[iortiz]

Alright, I'm going to try to disagree with those who are so strongly anti-Hamels. I see a lot of 2nd and 3rd degree reasons to wonder about him, but the overall numbers and pedigree (what I would consider the "1st degree" reasons) are hard to disagree with.

 

Hamels:

* 6'3, Lefty

* 31 years old

* 17th overall pick, breezed through the minors (1.49 ERA in only 218 IP)

* 92.3 avg FB (Lester: 91.8)

* 6 of last 7 years: 200+ IP

* Last 5 seasons: 3.00 ERA, 1064 IP and 1021 K

 

People make a lot of his starts against the AL East. I'm not sure how to find the stats exactly but it looks like he had about 13 starts against AL East teams. Less seems to be made of his 13 postseason starts and 3.09 ERA. Playoff performance should mean something, right? He's got an expensive contract but not more than he would get on the FA market. I believe the Sox want a good front line pitcher and that they will probably sign a FA next year if they don't have one yet. In that light I don't see anything wrong with trading future-stock for Hamels. It's all about what they have to pay for him.

 

I have a hard time seeing what he's done to warrant so much skepticism. I am aware that there's concerns like having pitched in the NL or struggling against AL East foes, but he's pitched to major league batters not high-A guys.

 

All things being equal wouldn't everyone gladly put Hamels in the rotation?

His profile is ok to me. The money is ok. The track record against the AL doesn't worry to me; the size is not significative. What I do not like about this, is that you have to throw a package around at least one top prospect. I would have signed a FA but If they trade for Hamels, even if they give up a top prospect, I'll be oks.

[User Name]

It may not worry you, but don't say it's not significant. It's a red flag that not only the Red Sox have waved.

[Palodios]

I would have signed a FA but If they trade for Hamels, even if they give up a top prospect, I'll be oks.

 

It all depends on the value of the prospects.

 

I would argue Lester and Cole Hummus are roughly the same value. Hummus has a career 125 ERA+, Lester 121 ERA+. Both inning eaters, both have anchored a World Series rotation.

 

Lester costs 45 million more than Cole. Can you get him without giving up 45 million worth of prospects? Definitely.

[mvp 78]

It may not worry you, but don't say it's not significant. It's a red flag that not only the Red Sox have waved.

 

Why be the only team to offer anything of value? Just wait Amaro out. I'd rather have Swihart, Betts, Owens, Rodriguez, etc.