JBJ: Part of the 2016 Sox plan or do you trade him to rebuild the pitching?

[sk7326]

I think it was at a " Fever Pitch" in the quest to win the first Championship. I think that was the attraction for the bandwagon fans. Some viewership was lost after that, but their fan following is solid -- the least of their problems.

 

 

Edit: Red Sox in the 2014 last place season finished 4th overall in revenue at $370 million behind only the Yankees, Dodgers and Championship Giants. That is up from $357 million in the 2013 Championship season.

 

Not a surprise - what you'd expect (the season AFTER the title is where the bump happens). What is funny is that alternating 1st and last place is probably the most profitable route. If you maintain a level, it becomes passe - see how unfondly seasons like 2008 and 2010 are remembered, for very little reason - aside from not winning a title.

[mvp 78]

2008 was a great year. 2010 was blah due to injuries in 2nd half.

[sk7326]

2008 was a great year. 2010 was blah due to injuries in 2nd half.

 

They won 89 games in 2010 and were alive until the final week ... despite the crazy amount of injuries. That was a season which should have gone in the toilet. Tito did a remarkable job with that team.

 

This team's run has been marked by some stunning comebacks (2013 the exception). 2004 is obvious, but 2007 was almost as good (the wins were more lopsided, but coming from 3-1 down with Game 5 on the road against the clear 2nd best team in the league).

 

2008 for me was the forgotten almost one - they were in some ways more comatose than they were in 2004, given how far behind they were in Game 5.

[Bellhorn04]

This team's run has been marked by some stunning comebacks (2013 the exception). 2004 is obvious, but 2007 was almost as good (the wins were more lopsided, but coming from 3-1 down with Game 5 on the road against the clear 2nd best team in the league).

 

2013 was not without comebacks, though not as spectacular. We were an 8th inning grand slam away from losing the first two at home against Detroit.

[Orange Juiced]

JBJ: It's getting ridiculous. Not only is he providing highlight-reel defense on a daily basis, he's just crushing the ball every single day.

 

4-4 today, a double and a homer, and 4 rbi

 

Unbelievable.

[vjcsmoke]

JBJ is playing awesome. That also means that his value is at his highest. So that being said, I only trade him if we get a can't miss -Ace pitcher- in return.

Not so long ago, we traded Hanley Ramirez for Josh Beckett. Beckett would go onto pitch and help win a world series for us.

[sk7326]

JBJ is playing awesome. That also means that his value is at his highest. So that being said, I only trade him if we get a can't miss -Ace pitcher- in return.

Not so long ago, we traded Hanley Ramirez for Josh Beckett. Beckett would go onto pitch and help win a world series for us.

 

and Anibal Sanchez, and took on Mike Lowell's contract ...

[a700hitter]

and Anibal Sanchez, and took on Mike Lowell's contract ...

 

and he won the World Series MVP.

[sk7326]

and he won the World Series MVP.

 

Absolutely - worked out great for us ... he was considered untouchable hot garbage at the time. (a 31 year old on a big deal coming off of a horrendous 2005) Taking his money was essential to get the premium asset.

[Dojji]

JBJ: It's getting ridiculous. Not only is he providing highlight-reel defense on a daily basis, he's just crushing the ball every single day.

 

4-4 today, a double and a homer, and 4 rbi

 

Unbelievable.

 

 

... at a time when the pitching is watered down and a lot of the best arms have been shut down and replaced with AAAA guys whenever you face noncontenders.

 

I'm going to be happy when JBJ keeps this going next year but he hasn't done it yet. September runs tend to mean almost as little as Spring Training runs however.

[a700hitter]

... at a time when the pitching is watered down and a lot of the best arms have been shut down and replaced with AAAA guys whenever you face noncontenders.

 

I'm going to be happy when JBJ keeps this going next year but he hasn't done it yet. September runs tend to mean almost as little as Spring Training runs however.

Yep, and he is currently in a 1 for 27 slide.

[sk7326]

Yep, and he is currently in a 1 for 27 slide.

 

His power run was never going to sustain ... the 1 for 27 will pass too. Question is whether the bat can be enough to hold up the rest of the package. I am bullish - no reason he can't be a solid OBP guy with the occasional hot streak. Basically Mike Napoli's offense (without the power) as an elite center fielder? I'll take that.

[Dojji]

That's a reasonable package and a reasonable thing to hope for. There's always the chance he adds really solid doubles power to it especially if he gets consistent reps.

[a700hitter]

His power run was never going to sustain ... the 1 for 27 will pass too. Question is whether the bat can be enough to hold up the rest of the package. I am bullish - no reason he can't be a solid OBP guy with the occasional hot streak. Basically Mike Napoli's offense (without the power) as an elite center fielder? I'll take that.

If he could be part of a package to bet us MattHarvey or a similar pitcher, even better.

[Dojji]

JBJ doesn't have the value to be a meaningful part of that kind of package. If we can get a full year of above replacement level CF out of him that's probably more than we can expect his value in trade to reflect.

[a700hitter]

JBJ doesn't have the value to be a meaningful part of that kind of package. If we can get a full year of above replacement level CF out of him that's probably more than we can expect his value in trade to reflect.

I think you are probably right, although he could be a supplemental piece of a bigger package.

[a700hitter]

I think the whole Hanley at first base is a red herring. Reports are that he has been taking BP for a week and that his shoulder is not a problem with his throwing. They say that he will not be activated until he can play on both sides of the ball. If his shoulder is healthy and he can throw, what is the issue with getting him on the field? How much prep does he need to give it a go? I suspect that there is something more here that is not being reported.

[sk7326]

Bradley won't be the centerpiece to anything. But he doesn't have to be. The Red Sox are loaded with CF types anyway - and other position players who clearly could start for somebody (Merrero, Cecchini, Shaw, honestly probably Margot, some catcher). If you think the team needs a corner bat, there is the currency. Obviously it is currency for pitching.

 

What is Bradley? Really the odds were in favor of him being a big league competent hitter - he has hit at age appropriate levels throughout. I think what he is now is what he is ... .269/.350, with some power (probably not this but who cares). That is a solid starter/fringy all-star without doing much else.

[mvp 78]

Cecchini can barely start for Pawtucket at this point.

[reYoukilis]

I think the whole Hanley at first base is a red herring. Reports are that he has been taking BP for a week and that his shoulder is not a problem with his throwing. They say that he will not be activated until he can play on both sides of the ball. If his shoulder is healthy and he can throw, what is the issue with getting him on the field? How much prep does he need to give it a go? I suspect that there is something more here that is not being reported.

Travis Shaw is a part of the reason I suspect. Whether its to be our future 1st baseman or trade bait, every good game he plays is good for us.

[Behindenemylines]

It seems pitchers have made adjustments to JBJ the last week or so. It is his turn to do the same. There was no way he could keep the same pace, but he has gone ice cold again.

[Kimmi]

It seems pitchers have made adjustments to JBJ the last week or so. It is his turn to do the same. There was no way he could keep the same pace, but he has gone ice cold again.

 

JBJ, like all players, will go through his ups and downs. As long as his downs are not prolonged, and the entire team doesn't go into a hitting slump at the same time, the team should be okay with his bat.

[andrew_osborn]

Keep him hitting .250 is absolutely fine for his glove.

[Dojji]

I agree but I do think some people are a little justifiably nervous about how... improvisational? ... the outfield is going to be this year, with 3 different unproven or semi-unproven players scheduled to take the field as Red Sox outfield starters.

 

If he would come back with the understanding that he was there strictly to back up the existing outfielders, I'd love to bring Shane Victorino back as our 4th OF. We could really use that veteran presence, and he's still got the skills to succeed in a bench role.

[cp176]

Is he healthy? Victorino was one of my favorite players but if he isn't able to play he wouldn't help much.

[Kimmi]

I agree but I do think some people are a little justifiably nervous about how... improvisational? ... the outfield is going to be this year, with 3 different unproven or semi-unproven players scheduled to take the field as Red Sox outfield starters.

 

If he would come back with the understanding that he was there strictly to back up the existing outfielders, I'd love to bring Shane Victorino back as our 4th OF. We could really use that veteran presence, and he's still got the skills to succeed in a bench role.

 

This is indeed a legitimate concern. That being the case, the issue is not so much with having the three semi-unproven outfielders, but with having a viable Plan B in case one, or heaven forbid more than one, falters.

 

To state the obvious, we need a really good 4th outfielder. Having Holt on the team helps as well. It's interesting that Dombrowski stated a few days ago that his two top priorities now are getting an ace and getting a 4th outfielder, not getting another BP arm.

[User Name]

O'Day or any other big BP piece is not a necessity if you ask me. With the trickle effect from the Kimbrel acquisition plus the number of arms available internally, they should be able to field a competent BP.

[Behindenemylines]

Keep him hitting .250 is absolutely fine for his glove.

 

.250 with his glove he would be great. Unless traded JBJ will start in CF in 2016.

[sk7326]

.250 with his glove he would be great. Unless traded JBJ will start in CF in 2016.

 

More specifically, a .330 sort of OBP with his glove is a clear solid starter