2016 Red Sox Hot Stove Discussion Thread

[Dojji]

If the past is anything to go on he will throw caution to the wind to pick up a top starter. It's what he always did in Detroit.

[Kimmi]

Just a note to Jacksonianmarch, Swihart does not have a bad arm. In fact his arm is considered a plus tool and his pop time is excellent. His problem right now is that in college he was a shortstop. He converted (back) to catcher after he was drafted, which has some big advantages since he doesn't have nearly as many reps on his knees, and being up to the task of a middle infield position in college says loads about his athleticism, but it does mean Swihart is extremely light on experience and has had to be a fast learner to rise through the ranks as quickly as he has.

 

As he's risen through those ranks his athletic skills and defensive toolset have been lauded, his pop times were excellent and he's even got some base stealing speed as we saw from the 4 bases he stole this year. But every summary I've seen on Swihart, the last sentence tends to begin "With a little more experience/polish/training/practice/reps."

 

He's a project only in the sense that he will need some coaching work done to bring the most out of his talent level, but that's true of a lot of inexperienced players. and the implication of his story as told in the prospect analysis is that Swihart has more to gain from experience alone than nearly any other catching prospect out there right now.

 

Again, he's been a very quick learner so far so there's plenty of room for hope.

 

Sidenote: Yes, Vazquez has a far better arm than Swihart. That's because there might be one catcher in the world with a better arm than Vazquez. Not sure how he stacks up against Yadi Molina but I'd take Vazquez over just about anyone else if he's healthy. Swihart still has as good an arm as a lot of other big league catchers and better than some. Where he could use some work is in his timing. Again, reps will help to solve this. He just needs to spend time doing his job and some good coaching with a strong catching instructor.

 

Sidenote 2: I really kind hope to hear that Swihart's been working with Varitek, who lived for years on exacrlt what Swihart needs now. Varitek lived as a smart catcher with limited tools but excellent brains and cunning. A guy like that has a lot to teach a toolsy high ceiling catcher like Swihart, here's hoping Swihart's willing and able to learn.

 

Excellent post. You should post more often. You have a lot of good insight.

[Hitch]

I've seen this suggestion a few times - Swapping one bad contract for another. Would swapping Sandavol for Shields make sense? Assuming, we could make it happen.

[a700hitter]

I've seen this suggestion a few times - Swapping one bad contract for another. Would swapping Sandavol for Shields make sense? Assuming, we could make it happen.

i think it makes sense. It solves the Hanley problem as he could be plugged into third base.

[Bellhorn04]

I've seen this suggestion a few times - Swapping one bad contract for another. Would swapping Sandavol for Shields make sense? Assuming, we could make it happen.

 

It makes plenty of sense. But San Diego would likely want something more - a prospect or money.

[Behindenemylines]

Was Ogando expected to be a FA? He seemed like one piece to keep

 

He gave up way to many HRs. He will become a FA.

[a700hitter]

He gave up way to many HRs. He will become a FA.

He may become unemployed.

[a700hitter]

The GM Meetings are underway with a bang, at least according to Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. He says “it’s actually been a busier first day than normal,” as Ian Browne of MLB.com tweets, and actually indicated that he thought the team had already been very close to striking a trade before it fell apart.

It looks like we may have a lot to talk about soon.

[cp176]

It looks like we may have a lot to talk about soon.

 

It almost sounds as though one free agent pitcher and a trade for a top reliever might be the thought right now. I wish I had the kind of faith in Buchholtz that some others do. A lot of interest being shown regarding those Sox prospects. Going to be interesting.

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey: Christian Vazquez's winter ball team folded, switched teams but he won't get as many ABs. DD unsure if he'll be ready for start of season...

[Kimmi]

@jcmccaffrey: Christian Vazquez's winter ball team folded, switched teams but he won't get as many ABs. DD unsure if he'll be ready for start of season...

 

Doesn't sound like Swihart will be going anywhere at least until the Sox are sure of what they have in Vazquez.

[mvp 78]

Well, they still have Hannigan and Leon for 2016.

[Kimmi]

Well, they still have Hannigan and Leon for 2016.

 

That is true, and that duo should be able to hold fort until Vazquez is ready. That said, we saw last season how quickly thinks can go south in the catching department, and the effect that it can have on the pitching staff. If you can work out a trade for someone like Sale centered around Swihart, then I think you have to do it. But otherwise, it would be very difficult for me to part with Swihart during the offseason, not knowing exactly how Vazquez will rebound.

[cp176]

Vasquez was getting some at bats maybe 3 times per week. He had been playing long toss about that often as well. He has been feeling no pain thus far. He is quite a ways from being ready but he is young and has looked to be ahead of some others who have had similar surgery. It sounds like a good idea to hang on to Swihart but the reality is that if they think Vasquez is going to recover they have the short term covered while they wait. You have to think that they will be listening to all offers that involve him.

[Kimmi]

Vasquez was getting some at bats maybe 3 times per week. He had been playing long toss about that often as well. He has been feeling no pain thus far. He is quite a ways from being ready but he is young and has looked to be ahead of some others who have had similar surgery. It sounds like a good idea to hang on to Swihart but the reality is that if they think Vasquez is going to recover they have the short term covered while they wait. You have to think that they will be listening to all offers that involve him.

 

Doctors have said that he is healthy. It's just a matter of whether he will get in enough at bats to be ready by spring. Even if he isn't ready by the start of the season, he shouldn't be too far behind. Hanigan and Leon can hold down fort until he is ready.

 

I'm sure the FO will listen to all offers, and I'm sure they will pull the trigger if the deal makes sense. That said, I'm hearing that they really value depth at that position, particularly after what happened last season. They might not be as willing to trade Swihart as some of us think, just because it's a position of strength for us.

[mvp 78]

His bat doesn't seem to be much anyway. As long as he can catch, I'd have him on the opening day roster.

[Spudboy]

His bat doesn't seem to be much anyway. As long as he can catch, I'd have him on the opening day roster.

 

 

It is clear that Swihart has the better bat based on his second half performance. But I recall Vasquez' bat showing some promise in the latter half of 2014. I think Vasquez has the tools to become a decent offensive catcher. Not great but okay.

 

The Sox are fortunate to have an abundance of options at catcher. Even Leone is pretty good defensively ( a black hole at bat ).

[mvp 78]

O'Day is going to get a good size contract, probably not from Sox.

[Kimmi]

His bat doesn't seem to be much anyway. As long as he can catch, I'd have him on the opening day roster.

 

I tend to agree. I much prefer an elite defensive catcher to an offensive one.

[jacksonianmarch]

Looks like JBJ is generating some interest. Makes a lot of sense to move him while his stock is high.

[mvp 78]

Looks like JBJ is generating some interest. Makes a lot of sense to move him while his stock is high.

 

It would be dumb not to move on from him. I like his defense, but his August was a mirage.

[jacksonianmarch]

In August, his Slugging was higher than his OPS for the rest of the yr

[Bellhorn04]

JBJ's August may have been a mirage, but we still don't really know what his MLB numbers will look like over the long haul. He had an .853 OPS at Pawtucket last year, so it's not a case of a guy doing nothing in the minors and then putting up big numbers in MLB. That scenario applies a lot more to Shaw then it does to JBJ.

[mvp 78]

@ScottLauber: (1/2) Dombrowski on #RedSox making a big, bold move: "At some point, we're going to most likely do something that is painful. ...

 

Pedroia to be traded this offseason!

[mvp 78]

@Ken_Rosenthal: As expected, #RedSox aggressive on multiple fronts. Chapman believed to be one. Team also could go for setup type to put in front of Uehara.

[GomesBeard]

If nothing else, this off-season isn't shaping up to be boring.....!

[mvp 78]

If nothing else, this off-season isn't shaping up to be boring.....!

 

Much more exciting than the product was on the field, unfortunately.

[mvp 78]

@GlobeChadFinn: Again: Betts/Bogaerts, in 162 combined games since June 21: .332/.370/.488, 692 ABs, 230(!) H, 116 R, 53 2B, 5 2B, 15 HR, 100 RBI.

[mvp 78]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #RedSox doing background work on #Reds’ Chapman. Indicates sincerity of interest, not that a deal is close.

[cp176]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #RedSox doing background work on #Reds’ Chapman. Indicates sincerity of interest, not that a deal is close.

 

The stuff coming from the press is crazy. Tomase starts my day off with a venomous piece focusing on why we need to get rid of Hanley and later on I read that the Sox expect him to play 140 games as our first baseman. It's O'Day then its Chapman. Maybe Betts for Harvey. The beat goes on. All good reading but no one has a clue really and no one will until the deeds get done. Personally, I would hate to see Betts go but if it was either Betts or Buchholz, I would always keep the shortstop. Even though it is painful, I think you trade the guys who are replaceable. I still see a big need for two top of the rotation guys. If the Sox trade for a true young top of the rotation guy, It will cost them big. It will take at least one potential star. I guess you have to dangle potential middle of the rotation guys like Owens and Johnson maybe Kelly or even Buccholtz along with the likes of players that may or may not produce on the big stage like Marrero and JBJ, Shaw etc. etc. etc. Good luck. I'm going to guess the GMs will eyeball - Betts, Bogaerts, Swihart, Rodriguez, along with the likes of Moncada, Devers, Margot, and Benintendi. They know what we need. It is just a question of how deeply the Sox are willing to go.