2016 Red Sox Hot Stove Discussion Thread

[cp176]

Me too as for Hannigan! Leon will be around as well. Something is very apt to develop as a result of our depth at the position.

[a700hitter]

I don't get all the cooing over a guy with a .680 OPS. I think he is a nice ballplayer -- a good hitter and catcher, but this isn't Johnny Bench. If he can headline a package that will get us a top of the rotation pitcher, I would do it in a heartbeat/. Unfortunately, the Mets don't need catchers. They would want Betts or Bogaerts for Harvey.

 

Ron Darling, Mets announcer today said in an interview that the relationship between Harvey and the Mets FO is probably irreparable.

[a700hitter]

I'm very curious about the 1b of the future for the Red Sox. The options:

 

Hanley Ramirez. Excellent power, 1b seems like the most likely fit for him moving forward. Depending on how long Ortiz plays, Hanley could see a shift to DH full time in the near future. I still think he's a good trade candidate (if the Sox eat $$). But if he stays, 1b is probably his spot.

 

Travis Shaw. Really showing us something. Decent (not great) fielder. Very nice bat that plays very, very well in Fenway. .370/.418/.680/1.098 at home. Looks like he could be a 20-25 homer guy with very solid OBP and a decent glove. For the league minimum salary, that's outstanding production.

 

Sam Travis. Just 22, he doesn't show as much power as Travis Shaw, but he has a terrific bat. .381 obp this year. Probably a better fielder than Shaw. Not as versatile (Shaw can also play 3b). Probably won't be ready for the majors for another full year or two. But a very nice prospect.

 

So the Sox seem to be in pretty good shape for 1b, not with anyone who will be a superstar, but with some different, but solid options for the short and long term.

Shaw cannot protect Ortiz. If Hanley isn't our first baseman, who bats behind Ortiz?

[Palodios]

I haven't seen too games lately, but can someone throw out some input on how Porcello's starts have looked?

 

His numbers across the 7 games since he came back from the DL have been excellent.

 

7+ IP, 2.97 ERA, 9 K/9, 1.204 WHIP. That includes a game against the Yanks, and two against the monstrous Blue Jays lineup.

[a700hitter]

I haven't seen too games lately, but can someone throw out some input on how Porcello's starts have looked?

 

His numbers across the 7 games since he came back from the DL have been excellent.

 

7+ IP, 2.97 ERA, 9 K/9, 1.204 WHIP. That includes a game against the Yanks, and two against the monstrous Blue Jays lineup.

Hopefully, he can continue this performance next season. As for his 2015 season performance, ithas been a complete failure. He will finish the season with an ERA hovering around 5. In addition to Hanley's fielding, Porcello's performance was one of the biggest individual disappointments on the 2015 team and one of the biggest reasons for the team being in last place.

[sk7326]

You know it's entirely possible that the solution is going to be, to trade Ryan Hanigan. Go with CV and Swihart with a backup plan of Sandy Leon down in Pawtucket. That's a good catching corps. If we were on the cusp of a championship I would not agree but we aren't, and these are 2 good young catchers who are both at a stage where they need major league time, and a veteran guy like Hanigan is a luxury we can't afford in this context -- if we were going for the top next year we'd absolutely need Hanigan, but we need to develop as much young talent as possible next year and that means 2 young catchers is the better solution. Swihart and CV should be able to split catching duties. I would approve of Swihart also being given time at other positions just to get his bat in the lineup. If that is done, there should be enough playing time for 2 young catchers to develop.

 

I think it's possible that longterm Swihart is the starter and Vazquez is one of those valuable backups that you can put in there without sacrificing quality in the catcher's position. It would break down that way if Vazquez struggles at the plate and Swihart doesn't which is easily possible. In the meantime before we find out one way or the other neither should have the precedent of being "starter." Let that be a prize to fight for and see where we stand at the deadline whether one of those guys isn't more valuable to another team than he is to us. I don't think either of these young catchers should be traded in the offseason though -- Hanigan is more expendable than either of them.

 

1. They will try to contend in 2016. Some simple reasons here. First of all, the fans pay too much money to not expect a sincere attempt at contention. (this year was a sincere attempt - failed, but sincere) Second, the changes needed to get to reasonable contention are significant - but very much in the realm of possible.

 

2. As the last 2 months have shown, the everyday lineup is in good shape. Yeah you need to find a 1B you like ... the notion of lineup protection is basically bunk, but still the odds of Travis Shaw being anything more than Daniel Nava in terms of an "answer" is low. Ramirez could be an answer - or somebody else. But the team has significant ways forward at all of the positions - and will be above average in most of them (in terms of total package - I agree a corner bat in the outfield would be nice, not urgent but it'd help balance things), and have serious star capability in a couple. Even positions I have less faith in (hello, third base) isn't that bad.

 

3. Pitching staff needs a lot of work - at least one good starter, and basically reshuffling the bullpen. This is all true - but that's Dombrowski's job - and the team has a lot of prospects who HAVE to be moved soon. It sounds nice to build a cache of blocked starters like this is the reserve clause days. But as a practical matter, guys who get blocked will often go sideways or worse (hello Cecchini, Jesus Montero). Sometimes this is revelation of limited talent - sometimes it is just human nature (staying hungry, keeping your head up or whatever is cute until it looks like a promotion is flat out never going to happen). The Red Sox are bursting with middle of the diamond talent, among the hardest things to staff - and so moving that for significant big league return is a good idea.

 

4. Swihart's .680 OPS has to be looked at in terms of the shape of the production - considering how overwhelmed he was (and how overpromoted) he has settled in well. He was very bad for a couple of months and pretty darn good since. He's a baby. But the Red Sox have a surplus of catching - so moving one is a good use of resources in the right deal. So is moving Margot - who is probably going to be a Top 20 prospect in the next batch of rankings by folks who do that sort of thing - because the Red Sox have 7000 quality centrfielders including one right behind him (Benintendi) who has been the best performer of the Class of 2015 Draft so far (the entire class, not just Boston's).

 

5. One of Cherington's mistakes perhaps was - well not overvaluing the Boston prospects (the major league evidence is in his favor), but not being aggressive in moving the non-superstar sorts. Dombrowski won't do that. You look in the system, and Moncada, Espinoza, Devers, Benintendi (who can't be dealt anyway except as a PTBNL this offseason) have the sort of ceiling a team like Boston keeps, while the other guys are bulk to get major league stuff. There are some really good players in that bulk - our bulk is better than a lot of other teams - but now Dombrowski will probably take it for a walk more readily. The GM's job will be to make more.

[SoxHop]

I haven't seen too games lately, but can someone throw out some input on how Porcello's starts have looked?

 

His numbers across the 7 games since he came back from the DL have been excellent.

 

7+ IP, 2.97 ERA, 9 K/9, 1.204 WHIP. That includes a game against the Yanks, and two against the monstrous Blue Jays lineup.

 

He's looked really good. Like a totally different pitcher than the first half.

 

The first half he couldn't hit the corners, and most games his stuff looked very week and any mistake left over the plate would be hit.

 

He looks like a different pitcher for sure.

[Dojji]

But aren't two good catchers too many when we need pitching so much?

 

What pitching are you going to get for either of these guys right now? Neither are at the height of their value, and the one who is closest to that level as a trade prospect (Swihart) is the one that I'm less anxious to lose on the whole. I think you have to hold onto these guys until the deadline in order to make an informed decision on who to part with and that's a lot easier if Hanigan isn't there soaking up the roster spot and playing time 1 of them needs.

 

 

I would not trade Hanigan. Then again, I think this team will be contenders next season if Dombrowski makes a couple of key moves, so the idea of having 2 young catchers who are still learning and developing does not sit well with me. The team will need a veteran catcher to mentor either Vazquez or Swihart through the learning curve. Besides that, I'm a big Hanigan fan.

 

 

I think you're kidding yourself. I don't see this team as contending next year, I think that it's a 3-5 year plan for this team because we need to let some of our youth really hit their peak before we're true contenders again (rather than just a wild card scrape-by team) Either way though, I don't think either of CV or Swihart would struggle to perform the duties that we expect of Hanigan next year. Let's be honest, Ryan Hanigan is not the be all of catching talent or experience. He's good, hes' a useful catcher to a contending team, but he's a luxury we can't afford when we need to get 2 major league ready catchers into the lineup next year.

[sk7326]

What pitching are you going to get for either of these guys right now? Neither are at the height of their value, and the one who is closest to that level as a trade prospect (Swihart) is the one that I'm less anxious to lose on the whole. I think you have to hold onto these guys until the deadline in order to make an informed decision on who to part with and that's a lot easier if Hanigan isn't there soaking up the roster spot and playing time 1 of them needs.

 

 

 

 

 

I think you're kidding yourself. I don't see this team as contending next year, I think that it's a 3-5 year plan for this team because we need to let some of our youth really hit their peak before we're true contenders again (rather than just a wild card scrape-by team) Either way though, I don't think either of CV or Swihart would struggle to perform the duties that we expect of Hanigan next year. Let's be honest, Ryan Hanigan is not the be all of catching talent or experience. He's good, hes' a useful catcher to a contending team, but he's a luxury we can't afford when we need to get 2 major league ready catchers into the lineup next year.

 

This is not basketball where there is any significant difference between a wild card team and a top seed ... you get to the tournament, you can win it. The best team only wins it occasionally. This team in terms of hitting and defense is ready to content next year - the pitching is another matter, but the Red Sox are flush with resources to address that. Vasquez is not sufficient for said deal - but as part of one? Absolutely.

[Dojji]

Who says it's Vazquez? I guarantee you the catcher that other teams are asking for is Swihart with his combo of above average defense and a great hit potential.

 

If the call is made to trade Swihart I won't have a huge beef, but the return better be really special, since you're mortgaging a potential franchise piece. If Swihart develops 20 HR power with his other athletic tools and very acceptable D, he's instantly one of the top 5 catchers in the league. He's got all the potential he needs to get there.

[sk7326]

Who says it's Vazquez? I guarantee you the catcher that other teams are asking for is Swihart with his combo of above average defense and a great hit potential.

 

If the call is made to trade Swihart I won't have a huge beef, but the return better be really special, since you're mortgaging a potential franchise piece. If Swihart develops 20 HR power with his other athletic tools and very acceptable D, he's instantly one of the top 5 catchers in the league. He's got all the potential he needs to get there.

 

I said Vasquez because Swihart is probably a centerpiece of a significant deal. My view on the catching thing is simple - Swihart has proven he can start for somebody. Vasquez sure looks like he could start for somebody (he has had less big league experience at this point, so there is less which is solid). If one of them will get 110-120 starts, it makes more sense for the 40-50 starts to be soaked up by a Hanigan sort and use the other guy to fill holes elsewhere. One thing to note when dealing some of the guys who are tradeable - some of them will turn out really good. And that's ok - as long as the guy we got back is good and the guy who we chose for said position is doing the job.

[Kimmi]

1. They will try to contend in 2016. Some simple reasons here. First of all, the fans pay too much money to not expect a sincere attempt at contention. (this year was a sincere attempt - failed, but sincere) Second, the changes needed to get to reasonable contention are significant - but very much in the realm of possible.

 

2. As the last 2 months have shown, the everyday lineup is in good shape. Yeah you need to find a 1B you like ... the notion of lineup protection is basically bunk, but still the odds of Travis Shaw being anything more than Daniel Nava in terms of an "answer" is low. Ramirez could be an answer - or somebody else. But the team has significant ways forward at all of the positions - and will be above average in most of them (in terms of total package - I agree a corner bat in the outfield would be nice, not urgent but it'd help balance things), and have serious star capability in a couple. Even positions I have less faith in (hello, third base) isn't that bad.

 

3. Pitching staff needs a lot of work - at least one good starter, and basically reshuffling the bullpen. This is all true - but that's Dombrowski's job - and the team has a lot of prospects who HAVE to be moved soon. It sounds nice to build a cache of blocked starters like this is the reserve clause days. But as a practical matter, guys who get blocked will often go sideways or worse (hello Cecchini, Jesus Montero). Sometimes this is revelation of limited talent - sometimes it is just human nature (staying hungry, keeping your head up or whatever is cute until it looks like a promotion is flat out never going to happen). The Red Sox are bursting with middle of the diamond talent, among the hardest things to staff - and so moving that for significant big league return is a good idea.

 

4. Swihart's .680 OPS has to be looked at in terms of the shape of the production - considering how overwhelmed he was (and how overpromoted) he has settled in well. He was very bad for a couple of months and pretty darn good since. He's a baby. But the Red Sox have a surplus of catching - so moving one is a good use of resources in the right deal. So is moving Margot - who is probably going to be a Top 20 prospect in the next batch of rankings by folks who do that sort of thing - because the Red Sox have 7000 quality centrfielders including one right behind him (Benintendi) who has been the best performer of the Class of 2015 Draft so far (the entire class, not just Boston's).

 

5. One of Cherington's mistakes perhaps was - well not overvaluing the Boston prospects (the major league evidence is in his favor), but not being aggressive in moving the non-superstar sorts. Dombrowski won't do that. You look in the system, and Moncada, Espinoza, Devers, Benintendi (who can't be dealt anyway except as a PTBNL this offseason) have the sort of ceiling a team like Boston keeps, while the other guys are bulk to get major league stuff. There are some really good players in that bulk - our bulk is better than a lot of other teams - but now Dombrowski will probably take it for a walk more readily. The GM's job will be to make more.

 

1. I agree that this team will contend next season. They are not far off. They have played .553 ball in August and September, and that's with the pen blowing a handful of games.

 

2. Thank you for pointing out again that the notion of line up protection is basically bunk.

 

4. For being thrown into the fire before he was ready, Swihart has done a very admirable job. He is only 23, which is really young in terms of a catcher's development.

[Kimmi]

He's looked really good. Like a totally different pitcher than the first half.

 

The first half he couldn't hit the corners, and most games his stuff looked very week and any mistake left over the plate would be hit.

 

He looks like a different pitcher for sure.

 

All of the Sox starters have looked good the past couple of months. Our starters had a 3.83 ERA in August, good for 6th best in the AL and 3rd best WAR. They have a 3.32 ERA to date in September, which is 2nd in the AL, and are also 2nd this month in WAR.

 

You have to wonder how much of the improvement is attributable to Pablo's improved defense at 3B and the improved LF defense without Hanley, how much is attributable to having Hanigan back and having Swihart becoming more comfortable and experienced behind the plate, and how much is attributable to actual adjustments/improvements made by the pitchers.

[Kimmi]

I think you're kidding yourself. I don't see this team as contending next year, I think that it's a 3-5 year plan for this team because we need to let some of our youth really hit their peak before we're true contenders again (rather than just a wild card scrape-by team) Either way though, I don't think either of CV or Swihart would struggle to perform the duties that we expect of Hanigan next year. Let's be honest, Ryan Hanigan is not the be all of catching talent or experience. He's good, hes' a useful catcher to a contending team, but he's a luxury we can't afford when we need to get 2 major league ready catchers into the lineup next year.

 

I disagree that it's a 3-5 year plan. It remains to be seen what moves Dombrowski makes this offseason, but a #1 starter and a rebuild of the pen should put the Sox in contention next year.

 

Hanigan is no All Star, but he is a very good defensive catcher with experience, and he's perfect for the back up role. I don't see the Sox having Swihart and Vazquez sharing the catching duties.

[a700hitter]

1. I agree that this team will contend next season. They are not far off. They have played .553 ball in August and September, and that's with the pen blowing a handful of games.

 

2. Thank you for pointing out again that the notion of line up protection is basically bunk.

 

4. For being thrown into the fire before he was ready, Swihart has done a very admirable job. He is only 23, which is really young in terms of a catcher's development.

Whether lineup protection is bunk is an irrelevant argument. What is relevant, is that if Hanley does not play first base next season, he will not be on the team. I don't see DD having another defensive experiment, so I think he is gone. That leaves a 40 year old Ortiz as the team's only HR threat. That will hurt run production imo. It takes too many singles to score runs consistently. We need another bopper.

[cp176]

I disagree that it's a 3-5 year plan. It remains to be seen what moves Dombrowski makes this offseason, but a #1 starter and a rebuild of the pen should put the Sox in contention next year.

 

Hanigan is no All Star, but he is a very good defensive catcher with experience, and he's perfect for the back up role. I don't see the Sox having Swihart and Vazquez sharing the catching duties.

 

Although i would like to see a trade for a top-of -the-line young starter and a big time free agent, I still agree that the Sox will still be in the mix if they do at least one of the two. It basically is what we all hoped would happen before or during this season. I also agree that if Vasquez is in fact ready to go, it would be a real stretch if they kept two young potentially very good starting catchers on the roster. Not enough game tome for both and there has been very little said about a Swihart change of position.

[cp176]

Whether lineup protection is bunk is an irrelevant argument. What is relevant, is that if Hanley does not play first base next season, he will not be on the team. I don't see DD having another defensive experiment, so I think he is gone. That leaves a 40 year old Ortiz as the team's only HR threat. That will hurt run production imo. It takes too many singles to score runs consistently. We need another bopper.

 

 

That really could be one of the issues for them going forward. One more power bat. I agree with you for sure that if Hanley is not moved to first, he will just be moved to another location. Based on his inconsistent playing time over the course of the last 4 or 5 years, I'm not sure his is the bat we want to count on daily anyway.

[Bellhorn04]

It's too bad the Rays won't deal with teams in their division. Otherwise we might be able to trade for one of their young pitchers like Odorizzi. They need offense. We could trade them Hanley plus a prospect, and pay a big chunk of Hanley's salary.

[Kimmi]

Whether lineup protection is bunk is an irrelevant argument. What is relevant, is that if Hanley does not play first base next season, he will not be on the team. I don't see DD having another defensive experiment, so I think he is gone. That leaves a 40 year old Ortiz as the team's only HR threat. That will hurt run production imo. It takes too many singles to score runs consistently. We need another bopper.

 

OBP is still king when it comes to scoring runs. I agree that another big bat would be nice, but this team has done a pretty good job of scoring runs as is. At any rate, Dombrowski seems to think that Hanley can play a decent 1B, and from what I've read, that's the way the FO is leaning right now.

[Kimmi]

Although i would like to see a trade for a top-of -the-line young starter and a big time free agent, I still agree that the Sox will still be in the mix if they do at least one of the two. It basically is what we all hoped would happen before or during this season. I also agree that if Vasquez is in fact ready to go, it would be a real stretch if they kept two young potentially very good starting catchers on the roster. Not enough game tome for both and there has been very little said about a Swihart change of position.

 

I would prefer two pitchers too, but I think we would be okay with a #1, especially if our starters continue pitching like they have recently. I think it's likely that Dombrowski gets 2 pitchers though, a #1 and a #2/3.

 

As far as Swihart goes, I know he has the most value as a catcher, but I wouldn't mind trying him at first or third.

[Spudboy]

OBP is still king when it comes to scoring runs. I agree that another big bat would be nice, but this team has done a pretty good job of scoring runs as is. At any rate, Dombrowski seems to think that Hanley can play a decent 1B, and from what I've read, that's the way the FO is leaning right now.

 

You need to read more between the lines.

 

Did you read Gordon Edes on ESPN.com today?????

 

As I can remember!!! "Hanley has been telling people for DAYS that he is ready to play 1st base."

 

The Sox have shut down Hanley because of continued problems with his shoulder.

 

OH???? It seems that no one ( including Hanley ) can remember when and how the shoulder was injured.

 

Edes wonders why Hanley has not pinch hit or spelled Papi at DH given his daily power shows in batting practice.

 

Kimmi, this guy is half way out the f***ing revolving door. Dombrowski is not an idiot, even if he looks like a dolt. H knows this stiff has no place on the 2016 roster.

 

He be gone.

[Kimmi]

You need to read more between the lines.

 

Did you read Gordon Edes on ESPN.com today?????

 

As I can remember!!! "Hanley has been telling people for DAYS that he is ready to play 1st base."

 

The Sox have shut down Hanley because of continued problems with his shoulder.

 

OH???? It seems that no one ( including Hanley ) can remember when and how the shoulder was injured.

 

Edes wonders why Hanley has not pinch hit or spelled Papi at DH given his daily power shows in batting practice.

 

Kimmi, this guy is half way out the f***ing revolving door. Dombrowski is not an idiot, even if he looks like a dolt. H knows this stiff has no place on the 2016 roster.

 

He be gone.

 

I happen to agree that there is a good chance that he will be gone. However, I don't think it's a slam dunk.

 

If the FO is intent on trading him, it is not helping their cause to shut him down for the season. Besides that, if Hanley can play first base decently, and I have strong doubts about that, then that solves a lot of problems. If he is completely healthy, it would be in the Red Sox best interest to let him play first base the rest of the way out.

[Spudboy]

But if the lazy bastard looks incompetent or worse this season than the gig is up on the idea and other teams will not be as interested if at all.

 

The smart thing is to make him disappear. The Sox will need to eat a lot of his contract but must find a way of unloading him.

 

I think that they will. There is no upside to keeping him as you imply. He is never fully healthy and he quit on this team this year. f*** his lazy ass.

 

Hi number fell way off the charts. He suck ass.

[Kimmi]

But if the lazy bastard looks incompetent or worse this season than the gig is up on the idea and other teams will not be as interested if at all.

 

The smart thing is to make him disappear. The Sox will need to eat a lot of his contract but must find a way of unloading him.

 

I think that they will. There is no upside to keeping him as you imply. He is never fully healthy and he quit on this team this year. f*** his lazy ass.

 

Hi number fell way off the charts. He suck ass.

 

Well, I'm not as down on Hanley as you and the rest of the world are. I can understand the decision to trade him based on there not being any position for him to play, but I'm not advocating trading him just because he needs to disappear.

[reYoukilis]

Well, I'm not as down on Hanley as you and the rest of the world are. I can understand the decision to trade him based on there not being any position for him to play, but I'm not advocating trading him just because he needs to disappear.

It'd be a shame to put Shaw back down in AAA, he has done all we could have asked for and Hanley hasn't. Are we keeping Sandoval too? Should be an interesting off season.

[a700hitter]

You need to read more between the lines.

 

Did you read Gordon Edes on ESPN.com today?????

 

As I can remember!!! "Hanley has been telling people for DAYS that he is ready to play 1st base."

 

The Sox have shut down Hanley because of continued problems with his shoulder.

 

OH???? It seems that no one ( including Hanley ) can remember when and how the shoulder was injured.

 

Edes wonders why Hanley has not pinch hit or spelled Papi at DH given his daily power shows in batting practice.

 

Kimmi, this guy is half way out the f***ing revolving door. Dombrowski is not an idiot, even if he looks like a dolt. H knows this stiff has no place on the 2016 roster.

 

He be gone.

The recent reports on Hanley just don't add up. Almost 2 weeks ago the reports were that he had been taking batting practice and swinging pain free for a week or 10 days driving balls out of the park regularly. In those same reports, it was stated that his shoulder was not causing him problems throwing. At that point, it was being reported that the last obstacle to him making his debut at first base was his comfort level defensively. Fast forward 10 days /2 weeks and he is shut down for the season due to his shoulder. How did he re-injure his shoulder while rehabbing? It doesn't add up, and reading between the lines he was healthy but reluctant to play first base and the Red Sox could not convince him, so they used the injured shoulder as an excuse and shut him down. He's gone. We just need to wait for an announcement.

[cp176]

The recent reports on Hanley just don't add up. Almost 2 weeks ago the reports were that he had been taking batting practice and swinging pain free for a week or 10 days driving balls out of the park regularly. In those same reports, it was stated that his shoulder was not causing him problems throwing. At that point, it was being reported that the last obstacle to him making his debut at first base was his comfort level defensively. Fast forward 10 days /2 weeks and he is shut down for the season due to his shoulder. How did he re-injure his shoulder while rehabbing? It doesn't add up, and reading between the lines he was healthy but reluctant to play first base and the Red Sox could not convince him, so they used the injured shoulder as an excuse and shut him down. He's gone. We just need to wait for an announcement.

 

Maybe there is a new actual leader in the clubhouse. It would be good for all if some of these guys (Buccholtz,Sandoval,Ramirez) thought that their rubber stamped meal ticket might dry up. I am looking forward to the off-season and the changes it brings. We are going to hopefully see how a contract might motivate physical health.

[Kimmi]

It'd be a shame to put Shaw back down in AAA, he has done all we could have asked for and Hanley hasn't. Are we keeping Sandoval too? Should be an interesting off season.

 

Shaw is certainly making his bid for a big league roster spot. I love what he has done since being called up. I am just hesitant about giving him the full time job based on his AAA numbers and such a short sample in the bigs. I think he could do the job, but I also think there needs to be a viable Plan B at first base in case Shaw turns into Middlebrooks 2.0.

 

If Hanley can stick at 1B, Shaw would be a great backup and defensive replacement.

[Spudboy]

Shaw is certainly making his bid for a big league roster spot. I love what he has done since being called up. I am just hesitant about giving him the full time job based on his AAA numbers and such a short sample in the bigs. I think he could do the job, but I also think there needs to be a viable Plan B at first base in case Shaw turns into Middlebrooks 2.0.

 

If Hanley can stick at 1B, Shaw would be a great backup and defensive replacement.

 

While I share your legitimate concerns about Shaw, I believe that he has done more in that short sample to earn a shot at the job than the over paid louse Hanley.

 

Play Shaw until he craps out ( if he does ) then execute plan B. Hanley should not be in any plans.

[jacksonianmarch]

Shaw reminds me of a Brian Daubach. Not really good enough to be a starter on a top notch team, but wont embarrass himself at the position. If his glove could play at 3b, he would definitely be starter worthy, but I don't think it does