2015 Red Sox Trade Deadline Thread

[User Name]

Really? I heard his fastball normally sits between 88-91 which was what jereds was around the time he came up.

 

Yeah, but remember that velocity for a lefty is usually lower, which is why you hear more Hamels comparisons. Besides, Owens' arsenal compares more favorably to Hamels' anyway. Needs to refine his command and control though.

[Spudboy]

Yeah, but remember that velocity for a lefty is usually lower, which is why you hear more Hamels comparisons. Besides, Owens' arsenal compares more favorably to Hamels' anyway. Needs to refine his command and control though.

 

Why do lefties have lower velo? I never heard that.

[BigPapi]

Yeah, but remember that velocity for a lefty is usually lower, which is why you hear more Hamels comparisons. Besides, Owens' arsenal compares more favorably to Hamels' anyway. Needs to refine his command and control though.

 

I hadn't even noticed that until you brought that up. Thats interesting that lefties average velocity is around 3 mph lower on average. I wonder if it is just a lefties mechanics that cause it or if there is just a shortage of lefty power arms. I saw that about 25% of all mlb pitchers are left handed, which is more than the 10 percent of the human population who are lefthanded. Maybe they are just pushing lefties to pitch who don't have the big velocity of most major league starters because the way they throw makes the ball cut and sink more.

[a700hitter]

I hadn't even noticed that until you brought that up. Thats interesting that lefties average velocity is around 3 mph lower on average. I wonder if it is just a lefties mechanics that cause it or if there is just a shortage of lefty power arms. I saw that about 25% of all mlb pitchers are left handed, which is more than the 10 percent of the human population who are lefthanded. Maybe they are just pushing lefties to pitch who don't have the big velocity of most major league starters because the way they throw makes the ball cut and sink more.

It is an optical illusion.

[User Name]

Why do lefties have lower velo? I never heard that.

 

Pretty sure we've had this discussion before Pete. It's a mechanics + overall population issues. Less lefties, and different throwing motions. Then there's Aroldis Chapman because f*** logic.

[dupree]

Since Cespedes is back on the block does anyone think they can trade back for him to add spark to the struggling lineup?

 

I know he is planning on testing free agency so if the price is too high I'd say not to do it. But plug him into LF and put Hanley at 3rd or 1st and Napoli on the bench would help this offense.

[Spudboy]

Pretty sure we've had this discussion before Pete. It's a mechanics + overall population issues. Less lefties, and different throwing motions. Then there's Aroldis Chapman because f*** logic.

 

I don't recall that conversation. But since you mentioned it, I suspect that it is a function of how many lefties there are.

[Spudboy]

Since Cespedes is back on the block does anyone think they can trade back for him to add spark to the struggling lineup?

 

I know he is planning on testing free agency so if the price is too high I'd say not to do it. But plug him into LF and put Hanley at 3rd or 1st and Napoli on the bench would help this offense.

 

I mean no disrespect but that is a poor idea. He does not want to be here. He sucks defensively ( although clearly better than Hanley ) and he would be a rental in a second half going nowhere. And where does Fat Boy play if Hanley is at 3rd?

[mvp 78]

Pretty sure we've had this discussion before Pete. It's a mechanics + overall population issues. Less lefties, and different throwing motions. Then there's Aroldis Chapman because f*** logic.

 

Randy Johnson FTW

[Spudboy]

Randy Johnson FTW

 

Except for that pizza face mug of his.

[User Name]

Randy Johnson FTW

 

Well I was going for active players. In that case, we'd have to add Billy Wagner, who was also a 100+ guy for most of his career.

[mvp 78]

Well I was going for active players. In that case, we'd have to add Billy Wagner, who was also a 100+ guy for most of his career.

 

Doesn't count. Randy would've thrown 110 if he was only a reliever.

[User Name]

Doesn't count. Randy would've thrown 110 if he was only a reliever.

 

Wagner counts, he came up as a starter who could sit upper 90's, and was converted to a reliever after he had a ton of IP as a starter under his belt.

[mvp 78]

Wagner counts, he came up as a starter who could sit upper 90's, and was converted to a reliever after he had a ton of IP as a starter under his belt.

 

Career games started: zero.

[Spitball]

I think there is very little to the theory that lefties throw a bit slower. I think a mediocre lefty can win a job over a mediocre righty because they are less prevalent and different. Arnoldis Chapman, Randy Johnson, Steve Dalkowski, Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, Sam McDowell, and Billy Wagner were probably among the 20 hardest throwers ever.

 

My story doesn't prove anything, but I remember seeing Sam McDowell at Fenway in about 1965. In those days, you could easily get great seats. My mom would get them somewhere (Sears?) at the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody. We were sitting right behind the Red Sox dugout on the first base side.

 

I can't remember who the Red Sox pitcher was, but it might have been Darrel Brandon. McDowell was pitching for Cleveland. I remember the Red Sox pitcher's pitches quietly hitting the catcher's mitt with a "pifft" sound. McDowell's pitches crackled. I could hear the seams whistle as they rocketed towards the plate. The ball would hit the catcher's mitt with a resounding "whomp." I could see dust or dirt or whatever come from the catcher's mitt with each pitch. McDowell may have walked a bunch, but it was a memorable experience.

[a700hitter]

I think there is very little to the theory that lefties throw a bit slower. I think a mediocre lefty can win a job over a mediocre righty because they are less prevalent and different. Arnoldis Chapman, Randy Johnson, Steve Dalkowski, Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, Sam McDowell, and Billy Wagner were probably among the 20 hardest throwers ever.

 

My story doesn't prove anything, but I remember seeing Sam McDowell at Fenway in about 1965. In those days, you could easily get great seats. My mom would get them somewhere (Sears?) at the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody. We were sitting right behind the Red Sox dugout on the first base side.

 

I can't remember who the Red Sox pitcher was, but it might have been Darrel Brandon. McDowell was pitching for Cleveland. I remember the Red Sox pitcher's pitches quietly hitting the catcher's mitt with a "pifft" sound. McDowell's pitches crackled. I could hear the seams whistle as they rocketed towards the plate. The ball would hit the catcher's mitt with a resounding "whomp." I could see dust or dirt or whatever come from the catcher's mitt with each pitch. McDowell may have walked a bunch, but it was a memorable experience.

 

Sudden Sam. He burned out quickly, but he was spectular for a short time.

[Spudboy]

Sudden Sam. He burned out quickly, but he was spectular for a short time.

 

When was the first strike? '68? '69?

 

I went to opening day that year. I could be wrong. I think McDowell pitched.

 

That was the day my hair caught on fire behind home plate. That, I do remember!

[User Name]

Career games started: zero.

 

....in mlb.

[User Name]

I think there is very little to the theory that lefties throw a bit slower. I think a mediocre lefty can win a job over a mediocre righty because they are less prevalent and different. Arnoldis Chapman, Randy Johnson, Steve Dalkowski, Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, Sam McDowell, and Billy Wagner were probably among the 20 hardest throwers ever.

 

My story doesn't prove anything, but I remember seeing Sam McDowell at Fenway in about 1965. In those days, you could easily get great seats. My mom would get them somewhere (Sears?) at the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody. We were sitting right behind the Red Sox dugout on the first base side.

 

I can't remember who the Red Sox pitcher was, but it might have been Darrel Brandon. McDowell was pitching for Cleveland. I remember the Red Sox pitcher's pitches quietly hitting the catcher's mitt with a "pifft" sound. McDowell's pitches crackled. I could hear the seams whistle as they rocketed towards the plate. The ball would hit the catcher's mitt with a resounding "whomp." I could see dust or dirt or whatever come from the catcher's mitt with each pitch. McDowell may have walked a bunch, but it was a memorable experience.

 

No matter the reason, lefties average a full 3 MPH less on their fastball than righties. That's not theory, that's fact.

[jacksonianmarch]

UN is correct. My theory is that only 10% of people are left handed but a lot more than 10% of pitchers are lefty, hence your not really sampling the strongest arms as much as your selecting for the handedness.

 

I also think you lose a little in translation when a lefty learns how to throw from a righty coach

[Spitball]

That is what I said. There are more jobs available for mediocre left handed pitchers because the pool of right handers is much larger. A lefty throwing at 86 MPH has fewer competitors for his job.

[Palodios]

The Orioles are reportedly dangling Kevin Gausman in trades. Clearly, they're not so good with evaluating untouchable prospects.

 

I wonder if there is any amount of maneuvering/multi-team trades that could pull him into Boston.

[jacksonianmarch]

Gausman reminds me of Eovaldi. Top notch stuff, but can't really seem to close the deal. If you have faith in your pitching coach, he has the potential to be an ace

[a700hitter]

Astros Acquire Scott Kazmir

By Jeff Todd [July 23, 2015 at 1:44pm CDT]

 

Athletics starter Scott Kazmir is headed to the Astros in the year’s first major trade, Oakland has announced. Returning to the A’s in the deal are righty Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, per the release.

 

Trade talks were said to be “heating up” late yesterday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported. She tabbed Houston as the likely suitor, and indeed that has come to fruition.

 

He’ll return to his home town in the deal. The Astros had previously pursued him in free agency, but he decided to join the A’s on a two-year, $22MM pact. Kazmir will finish that contract with the Astros, and will also pick up a $500K assignment bonus in the process. Because he was acquired in the middle of the year, the Astros won’t be able to extend Kazmir a qualifying offer, which should aid his free agent case.

 

In Kazmir, the Astros get a top-performing starter to slot into the club’s rotation. Though he has long been dogged by injury questions, any such concerns are much less prevalent in a rental scenario. The 31-year-old, who burst back onto the scene after a long layoff, threw 190 1/3 quality innings last year and has been even better in 2015. He owns a 2.38 ERA over 109 2/3 frames, with 8.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 to go with a 45.9% groundball rate.

 

ERA estimators view Kazmir more as a mid-three earned run per nine talent, but that’s plenty useful for a Houston rotation that was in need of good innings down the stretch. He’ll join Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh atop the rotation, which also features the sturdy Scott Feldman and youngsters Lance McCullers Jr. and Vincent Velasquez. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said that the acquisition gives his club “one of the deepest rotations in the American League,” adding that he hopes the move makes Houston “a viable force,” as Mark Berman of FOX 26 tweets.

 

By moving for a short-term piece, Luhnow avoided the need to part with the organization’s highest-rated minor league talent. That could keep some powder dry should the club look to add a bat or other piece. While neither of the pieces going to Oakland have received much hype, though, it’s worth bearing in mind that they come from a deep Houston system and have improved their stock with their 2015 performances. And A’s GM Billy Beane obviously preferred to add the pair rather than attempting to pick up a draft pick by offering Kazmir a qualifying offer after the season.

 

Mengden, 22, holds the 19th overall spot in MLB.com’s ranking of Astros prospects. A fourth-round pick in 2014, the righty is said to have four pitches with some promise. That could make him a rotation piece down the line, though some view him as a reliever in the long run. Mengden dominated at the Class A level this year, though he’s slowed somewhat since moving up to High-A, with a 5.26 ERA and 8.7 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 over 49 2/3 innings.

 

Meanwhile, in Nottingham, the A’s will add Houston’s 22nd-rated prospect, per MLB.com, which says there are some questions whether he can stick behind the dish. He just earned a call-up to the High-A level, and has put up big numbers as his promising power has turned into production. Over 329 total plate appearances this season, Nottingham owns a .326/.383/.558 slash with 14 home runs. That performance bumped the backstop into the top-ten of Houston’s pre-MLB talent in Baseball America’s mid-season update.

 

While both acquired players obviously have some real promise, it’s notable that Beane elected for a return of more projectable, far-from-the-majors assets. His offseason moves seemingly focused more on adding talent at or near the major league level. It will certainly be interesting to see whether the club follows suit if (or, more likely, when) it moves some of its other veteran pieces.

 

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Twitter that Kazmir was headed to Houston. Ron Kroichik of the San Francisco Chronicle reported (Twitter links) that a move was afoot.

 

Photo courtesy of USA Today Images. Post initially published at 12:13pm central time on 7-23-15.

 

 

I am not familiar with the guys received in return by the A's.

 

The Astros starting pitching has been much stronger than ours and they reinforced it with Kazmir. They need to get Springer back in the lineup and another potent bat.

Edited July 23, 2015 by a700hitter

[Spudboy]

Didn't Springer break a bone in a hand? If so, he may not have so much power when he returns this season.

[a700hitter]

Pirates have acquired Aramis Ramirez

[wyo-sox]

O.K., so unless some never heard of miracle happens... this team is headed for last place 3 of the last 4 years. And unless I'm missing something, there is a long road back to being good- at least a few years. If I'm correct and we're a few years away from being a good team are there any players on this roster you would not trade? Who would you not trade and why? I'm so frustrated there is not one player I'd be upset trading away if it yielded some good young controllable young players with good upside. Who are your untouchables? I have none.

[jacksonianmarch]

Betts, Bogaerts, E-Rod and Swihart are probably your only untouchables

[Spudboy]

I'd keep Taz too if I could.

 

He has been the Sox workhorse out of the pen for years.

[Kimmi]

O.K., so unless some never heard of miracle happens... this team is headed for last place 3 of the last 4 years. And unless I'm missing something, there is a long road back to being good- at least a few years. If I'm correct and we're a few years away from being a good team are there any players on this roster you would not trade? Who would you not trade and why? I'm so frustrated there is not one player I'd be upset trading away if it yielded some good young controllable young players with good upside. Who are your untouchables? I have none.

 

I don't see a long road back to being good. I think the Sox can be competitive next year, with a few good pitching acquisitions and the offense performing up to expectations as a whole. I would keep all the position players who are under contract for next year, unless they get an offer for one that they can't refuse. The offense is set with a good core of young players mixed in with some veteran experience. The only hole would be 1B. There's no sense in disassembling the offense and creating more holes to fill.

 

The focus this offseason should be 100% on pitching. Pick up Buchholz' option. Sign 2 starting pitchers, one #1 type and one #2 or #3 type, to go along with Buchholz, Porcello, and Miley. Kelly could be a #6 guy or he can be put in the pen. Rodriguez, Johnson, Owens can be called up when someone inevitably gets injured or falters. Alternatively, sign only a #1 guy, or pass on Clay's option, and let Rodriguez start off in the rotation. That doesn't give us as much depth though.

 

As much as I would hate to lose Koji, he is our best trade piece among those on the current roster, outside of those I deem untouchable. Perhaps Kelly could fill the roll of closer next season. Add as many inexpensive, yet solid, BP arms as you can, and see what sticks.