2016 Red Sox Hot Stove Discussion Thread

[mvp 78]

SK he already HAS left the Dodgers. He's a free agent.

 

I'm in complete shock right now.

 

Wow.

 

Such stun!

[mvp 78]

Also, Cubbies fans are not rabid. They just want to go drink some beer, sit in the sun and throw homeruns back on the field.

 

It's a fandom comprised of 100% pink hats.

[Dojji]

Your farcical opinion is noted MVP, right along with the moon landing hoax and the 9/11 truthers.

[sk7326]

SK he already HAS left the Dodgers. He's a free agent.

 

Ummm ... so the Dodgers are disqualified from signing Greinke? Oh

 

I guess it's possible - but will Greinke get 6/180 from somebody else? That will be the thing. But not going to dismiss the possibility of Greinke and Dodgers finding some common ground.

Edited November 20, 2015 by sk7326

[Dojji]

Poor word choice on your part then. He has already "left" because Greinke had an option with the Dodgers which he declined to enter the market.

 

Going back to the Dodgers is definitely something he may decide to do once he's tested the waters. I'm sure the Dodgers can make an attractive offer if they choose to, but there's certainly other markets I could see Greinke winding up in that may be interested in him.

 

My current pick for surprise contender for Greinke at the moment is St. Louis actually. They have to know that the Cubs have the inside track on Price at this point and the Cardinal FO is willing to hand out some big contracts when they need to compete. If the Cubs do land Price, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cards decide to make a splash of their own.

 

And St. Louis is a medium-sized market with a legendarily friendly and supportive fanbase, a history of favoring and respecting defense as a source of win value for their franchise, and one of the best defensive and pitch framing catchers in the league. not a bad spot to wind up for a player with a history of social anxiety.

 

Also Greinke has a stated preference to pitch in the NL because as he's said in the past, he enjoys hitting, and for a pitcher is actually pretty good at it. Any AL team competing for Greinke's services may find itself simply used to try to lure a matching offer out of an NL franchise.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Dojji

[mvp 78]

Your farcical opinion is noted MVP, right along with the moon landing hoax and the 9/11 truthers.

Hey, I love a good conspiracy theory, but I write off anyone who truly believes man has not walked on the moon or that 9/11 was an inside job.

[mvp 78]

Chem trails are a fun conspiracy...

[mvp 78]

Also, reptilians!

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe: Former #RedSox OF-1B Daniel Nava designated by the Rays. @dnavs33 has come back from that before. Wouldn't bet against it again.

 

Stash him in Pawtucket?

[Spudboy]

@PeteAbe: Former #RedSox OF-1B Daniel Nava designated by the Rays. @dnavs33 has come back from that before. Wouldn't bet against it again.

 

Stash him in Pawtucket?

 

Someone will claim him before the Sox.

[Bellhorn04]

Price being a little younger gives him a slight edge, although Greinke's style will require less adjustment over time. (He's basically a right-handed Tom Glavine right now) That said, I think it is a moot point - I'd be stunned if he left the Dodgers.

 

Seems to be some buzz about Greinke going to the Giants.

 

Totally FWIW but somebody wrote a piece about Greinke not being totally happy with the clubhouse situation in LA. The Dodgers are currently in the process of hiring a new manager of course.

 

Giants have plenty of money ready to shell out on a starter - remember they were all in on Lester last year.

 

Giants have a pretty good recent history of winning the ring.

 

All just thinking out loud for fun on my part.

[a700hitter]

Per Cafardo:

Five general managers told Cafardo that they wouldn’t take Hanley Ramirez in a trade even if the Red Sox covered at least half of Ramirez’s remaining salary. Ramirez is owed $66MM through 2018 and he has a $22MM vesting option for 2019, so even at a reduced rate, that’s still a hefty price for a player coming off such a rough season on and off the field.

Ben's legacy -- three more years of Hanley.

[cp176]

Per Cafardo:

Ben's legacy -- three more years of Hanley.

 

i know that you are not surprised by Cafardo's findings. Neither am I. If he hits the hell out of it this year, he might be a serviceable dh going forward. If he doesn't have a very good season, I'm guessing they move him no matter what.

[Bellhorn04]

Per Cafardo:

Ben's legacy -- three more years of Hanley.

 

The only solution is for Hanley to hit like he's capable of. He does have a lifetime OPS of .861. We've got him out of left field. We have an opening at DH beginning in 2017.

 

Yes, I've decided to go optimistic on Hanley. Why not? It's over 4 months till there are real games again.

[Kimmi]

Per Cafardo:

Ben's legacy -- three more years of Hanley.

 

Ben's legacy is the wealth of young, talented players that this team has, both at the major league and minor league levels.

[Kimmi]

The only solution is for Hanley to hit like he's capable of. He does have a lifetime OPS of .861. We've got him out of left field. We have an opening at DH beginning in 2017.

 

Yes, I've decided to go optimistic on Hanley. Why not? It's over 4 months till there are real games again.

 

Hanley was given a strict offseason regimen to follow. From what I've read early in the offseason, it seems that Hanley has taken it to heart. If Hanley is back with the Sox this upcoming season, hopefully he will work hard on the defensive side and his approach at the plate will be return to what made him such a good hitter throughout his career. I'm wondering if Hanley's early HR success with our team is what caused him to try to be a completely different type of hitter.

 

I'm not expecting much from him defensively, but Hanley really is a very good offensive player.

[User Name]

Hilariously, Hanley's "dog" reputation is extremely misguided. Most of his injury problems stem from an insane workout program he follows in the off-season that's given him his current linebacker physique. I remember reading an article about Ortiz trying to get him to let up on it because he spends half the season beat up and exhausted. I'd appreciate it if someone could look up that article for me. It is, however, looked at more in-depth in the local newspapers here. He's apparently dialed back the lifting and is more focused on other areas of his conditioning program.

[a700hitter]

Ben's legacy is the wealth of young, talented players that this team has, both at the major league and minor league levels.

I am shocked at this response from you.

 

You should consider signing up for his course.

[a700hitter]

Hanley was given a strict offseason regimen to follow. From what I've read early in the offseason, it seems that Hanley has taken it to heart. If Hanley is back with the Sox this upcoming season, hopefully he will work hard on the defensive side and his approach at the plate will be return to what made him such a good hitter throughout his career. I'm wondering if Hanley's early HR success with our team is what caused him to try to be a completely different type of hitter.

 

I'm not expecting much from him defensively, but Hanley really is a very good offensive player.

A bad defensive first baseman can wreck a team.

[Kimmi]

Hilariously, Hanley's "dog" reputation is extremely misguided. Most of his injury problems stem from an insane workout program he follows in the off-season that's given him his current linebacker physique. I remember reading an article about Ortiz trying to get him to let up on it because he spends half the season beat up and exhausted. I'd appreciate it if someone could look up that article for me. It is, however, looked at more in-depth in the local newspapers here. He's apparently dialed back the lifting and is more focused on other areas of his conditioning program.

 

I don't know exactly what article you're referring to, but I remember reading about how impressed Ortiz, Pedroia, and some other teammates were with the muscle Hanley added last offseason. He worked hard during the offseason to add the muscle that he thought the Sox wanted him to add in preparation for the role that he was going to play on the team.

 

Hanley stunk to high heaven last year, but I agree with you that his "dog" reputation is very misguided.

[Kimmi]

A bad defensive first baseman can wreck a team.

 

I am fully aware of that and I have said many times that I do not want him playing first base. I think he has the athleticism for it, but I don't think he has the concentration for it.

 

That said, I don't think the Sox should just give him away, just to have him off the team, especially now in light of the fact that Ortiz is retiring after this season. My hope is that Hanley can at least be serviceable at 1B this season. I think he can be used in the DH role once or twice a week, and he can be replaced with a defensive sub late in games that we're leading.

 

If worse comes to worse and he ends up being a real liability at 1B, then Shaw can take over everyday 1B duties. If that's the case, perhaps Hanley will have recouped his value offensively and some team will need a DH at the deadline. If he's not traded, at least he will have a position in 2017.

[Soxfan83]

Nobody will take Hanley with that contract. Sucks, because Shaw should be starting with that power.

[a700hitter]

I am fully aware of that and I have said many times that I do not want him playing first base. I think he has the athleticism for it, but I don't think he has the concentration for it.

 

That said, I don't think the Sox should just give him away, just to have him off the team, especially now in light of the fact that Ortiz is retiring after this season. My hope is that Hanley can at least be serviceable at 1B this season. I think he can be used in the DH role once or twice a week, and he can be replaced with a defensive sub late in games that we're leading.

 

If worse comes to worse and he ends up being a real liability at 1B, then Shaw can take over everyday 1B duties. If that's the case, perhaps Hanley will have recouped his value offensively and some team will need a DH at the deadline. If he's not traded, at least he will have a position in 2017.

 

Give him away? I think they would be thrilled to be able to give him away. No one wants him even if we pay half his salary.

[Kimmi]

Give him away? I think they would be thrilled to be able to give him away. No one wants him even if we pay half his salary.

 

They would not be thrilled if they had to trade him and pay almost all of his salary. That would be giving him away, and some team would take him if the Sox paid enough of his salary.

 

Their best bet would be to try to swap "bad" contracts with another team.

[a700hitter]

Good luck to him

AP source: Dave Roberts to be named Dodgers manager

Associated Press Sunday, November 22, 2015

 

 

LOS ANGELES — Dave Roberts will be hired as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.

 

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Sunday night because the team hasn't announced the move that is expected Monday.

 

Roberts is a former Dodgers outfielder who will be the first minority manager in the storied franchise's history. His father is black and his mother is Japanese. The 43-year-old most recently served as bench coach of the San Diego Padres since 2011.

 

Roberts played for the Dodgers from 2002-04 during his 10-year big league career. He also played for Cleveland, Boston, San Diego and San Francisco during his career that ended in 2008.

 

Roberts was a career .266 hitter with 243 steals.

 

He will succeed Don Mattingly, who mutually parted ways with the team last month after five years that included winning three consecutive NL West titles but never reaching the World Series. A week later, Mattingly signed a four-year contract to manage the Miami Marlins.

 

One of the favorites to replace Mattingly was Gabe Kapler, the club's farm director. He played with Tampa Bay when Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, was that club's general manager.

 

The franchise also interviewed Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach and third base coach Ron Roenicke, who has since joined the rival Angels. Others interviewed included Kirk Gibson, a hero in the Dodgers' 1988 World Series championship; Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad; former Padres manager Bud Black; and Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez.

 

Roberts is perhaps best known for his stolen base in the 2004 AL playoffs that sparked the Red Sox to an elusive World Series championship.

 

In the AL Championship Series, Boston was three outs from being swept by the New York Yankees. Roberts pinch-ran after Kevin Millar drew a leadoff walk from Mariano Rivera. Roberts stole second and scored on Bill Mueller's single.

 

Boston won 6-4 in 12 innings, then became the first team in major league history to overcome a 3-0 deficit and win a postseason series. Roberts did not play as the Red Sox swept St. Louis for their first championship since 1918, but will always be beloved in Boston because of that one play.

 

In 2011, Roberts survived a bout with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

 

Roberts was born in Okinawa, Japan, where his father served with the U.S. Marines.

 

The Dodgers last won the World Series in 1988. They lost 3-2 to the New York Mets in a decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series this season, having made the postseason in three straight years for the first time in franchise history.

[Spudboy]

Yeah I have nothing bad to say about Dave Roberts.

 

I would have chosen Kapler but no biggie.

[GomesBeard]

I read somewhere that Price => Cubs is looking less likely. Let me see if I can find it....

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/baseball-joe/blog/david-price-chicago-cubs-free-agency-hot-stove-john-lackey-fernandez-gray-trade-rumors-112015

 

Re: Hanley - unless blown away with a trade offer, I'd keep him since he can DH starting in 2017. He's probably the closest thing to a Big Papi we would have and could thrive in that role. I'd play him at first as I think he could be average, at least. As far as concentration, he'd be involved a lot in the game, more so than in left field, and I think he still has the hands and athletic ability to do, especially since it looks like he's slimmed down a bit. And keep Papi in his ear this year as well.

[Palodios]

Re: Hanley - unless blown away with a trade offer, I'd keep him since he can DH starting in 2017. He's probably the closest thing to a Big Papi we would have and could thrive in that role.

 

Hanley shares a lot more similarities with Manny than Ortiz. If they could give his contract away, they would.

[GomesBeard]

Hanley shares a lot more similarities with Manny than Ortiz. If they could give his contract away, they would.

 

I was actually thinking more from a perspective of being a good fit for DH, vs personality-wise..... But I see your point. Still, if he hits like that I'll take it.

[cp176]

I was actually thinking more from a perspective of being a good fit for DH, vs personality-wise..... But I see your point. Still, if he hits like that I'll take it.

 

I think that there might be even better options than Hanley after next season. He might wind up being the one. If he is with Boston this year, it will be a big year for him. If he continues to be prone to injury, and can't get it done daily, I think that they will cut bait with him. I'm hoping that he comes out fast in the spring and proves to be what many think he has been and can be. I'm skeptical by nature.