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

[a700hitter]

In the broadest sense every one is "tradeable". While it is absurd because it won't happen but what GM wouldn't trade a Bradley for a Kershaw or a King Felix. As far as I am concerned, there isn't anyone on the Red Sox major or minor league rosters who isn't tradeable depending on the return.

Amen

[sk7326]

Bradley's gonna be SOMEBODY's starting CF next season. We all understood - if Bradley could be a .250/.320/(who cares slg) guy, that is a quality starting CF. He is probably not "this guy" that we have seen lately, but it raises optimism he could be the .320 OBP guy, which is more than enough.

[MJantomaso]

JBJ has always had the tools to be an outstanding player. Ive always thought his biggest issue was between his ears. I think its possible that this recent streak has provided him the confidence to establish himself as a legitimate MLB player.

 

That being said, if we were to get a great, cost controlled arm I say go for it. We have an incredible surplus in the outfield.

[Spudboy]

JBJ has always had the tools to be an outstanding player. Ive always thought his biggest issue was between his ears. I think its possible that this recent streak has provided him the confidence to establish himself as a legitimate MLB player.

 

That being said, if we were to get a great, cost controlled arm I say go for it. We have an incredible surplus in the outfield.

 

wut

[Kimmi]

Kimmi, I agree, but I love watching gifted defensive players. Brooks Robinson, Ozzie Smith, Fred Lynn...Jackie Bradley, Jr. The very truly gifted are not really that common. JBJ is gifted. I hope he can provide enough offense to have a long career in Boston providing us with exciting web gems.

 

I love watching gifted defenders also. The way he's been playing lately, it woud be extemely difficult to see him traded. He really would have to bring back a Sonny Gray type for me to be okay with the trade.

[Orange Juiced]

I think JBJ presents a very interesting conundrum for the Red Sox and Dombrowski (wow is THAT weird to say or what!?). He's already probably the best fielding CF in all of MLB. He makes great catches look routine, and every day it seems he comes up with at least one unbelievable catch. If he can be an average hitter, he becomes an incredibly valuable player. If he can be a *good* hitter, he becomes one of the best all around players in baseball.

 

This is a great test of nerve for Dombrowski. JBJ has tantalizing talent, and his recent hitting gives hope that he can truly be an elite overall player. And you simply don't unload guys like that, especially when you're paying them the league minimum. Talk about surplus value!

 

However, let's suppose that this hitting (which, say, continues through the end of the season) is a bit of a mirage, and his true hitting talent level is below average. Not abysmal, but merely below average. Let's say that that's the evaluation of him by the Sox. If he finishes this year continuing to rake, his value will be SKY high. Other teams will believe in him. In the offseason before the 2015 season, you'd have to have JBJ as a throw-in to a larger trade in order to get anything of value. Now, in the scenario I paint, JBJ could be the centerpiece of a deal that nets you big-time pitching. Maybe, for example, a trade with the Mets for one of their young, frontline, cost-controlled starting pitchers. (Maybe a deal like Bradley and Johnson for DeGrom or something like that.)

 

My fear is that if they deal him for anything less than a stud, we will watch JBJ blossom into an elite CF for the next 8 years - on someone else's team. But if they hang on to him, his hitting will crash back to earth and he'll be nothing more than a good defensive replacement at the end of games.

 

What to do with JBJ is a very, very difficult and interesting decision Dombrowski faces.

[sk7326]

I think JBJ presents a very interesting conundrum for the Red Sox and Dombrowski (wow is THAT weird to say or what!?). He's already probably the best fielding CF in all of MLB. He makes great catches look routine, and every day it seems he comes up with at least one unbelievable catch. If he can be an average hitter, he becomes an incredibly valuable player. If he can be a *good* hitter, he becomes one of the best all around players in baseball.

 

This is a great test of nerve for Dombrowski. JBJ has tantalizing talent, and his recent hitting gives hope that he can truly be an elite overall player. And you simply don't unload guys like that, especially when you're paying them the league minimum. Talk about surplus value!

 

However, let's suppose that this hitting (which, say, continues through the end of the season) is a bit of a mirage, and his true hitting talent level is below average. Not abysmal, but merely below average. Let's say that that's the evaluation of him by the Sox. If he finishes this year continuing to rake, his value will be SKY high. Other teams will believe in him. In the offseason before the 2015 season, you'd have to have JBJ as a throw-in to a larger trade in order to get anything of value. Now, in the scenario I paint, JBJ could be the centerpiece of a deal that nets you big-time pitching. Maybe, for example, a trade with the Mets for one of their young, frontline, cost-controlled starting pitchers. (Maybe a deal like Bradley and Johnson for DeGrom or something like that.)

 

My fear is that if they deal him for anything less than a stud, we will watch JBJ blossom into an elite CF for the next 8 years - on someone else's team. But if they hang on to him, his hitting will crash back to earth and he'll be nothing more than a good defensive replacement at the end of games.

 

What to do with JBJ is a very, very difficult and interesting decision Dombrowski faces.

 

The system is full of guys who probably can play baseball for a living right now - Barnes, Bradley, Merrero, Cecchini, Travis Shaw, Rusney Castillo ... trick is to figure out who the stars are and who the trade bulk is.

 

I think this run has shown evidence that Bradley could get to the .320 OBP sort of thresshold which would make him a quality starter-fringy all-star level CF. What he needs to be good overall is not a hell of a lot.

[a700hitter]

The system is full of guys who probably can play baseball for a living right now - Barnes, Bradley, Merrero, Cecchini, Travis Shaw, Rusney Castillo ... trick is to figure out who the stars are and who the trade bulk is.

 

.

yes, that is the art of being a good GM.

[mvp 78]

Not sure JBJ could be the centerpiece of a deal to being back a stud pitcher, especially if adding an injured pitcher like Johnson in the mix.

[Kimmi]

Read that Dombrowski tried to trade for JBJ last offseason. He seems to be a big JBJ fan. Reading between the lines, it sounds like his preference would be to keep Bradley rather than trade him.

[BigPapi]

Read that Dombrowski tried to trade for JBJ last offseason. He seems to be a big JBJ fan. Reading between the lines, it sounds like his preference would be to keep Bradley rather than trade him.

 

As long as the sox don't sacrifice too much offense at other positions and he doesn't regress to how he was before his demotion last year, I''m be okay with him starting in the outfield. Baseball is entertainment, and nothing is more exciting in baseball than spectacular fielding plays and home runs. If they can't get a good pitcher in a deal where he is one of the main players in and not just a throw in, keep him.

[Station 13]

Keep Bradley. his defense is just WOW. He's beginning to hit too.I'd find anyway to get rid of Ramirez. He is just not a fit here.

[Kimmi]

As long as the sox don't sacrifice too much offense at other positions and he doesn't regress to how he was before his demotion last year, I''m be okay with him starting in the outfield. Baseball is entertainment, and nothing is more exciting in baseball than spectacular fielding plays and home runs. If they can't get a good pitcher in a deal where he is one of the main players in and not just a throw in, keep him.

 

I agree. There is nothing like watching excellent defense. He's obviously not going to continue this torrid pace, but he should be able to hit well enough to stick.

[Kimmi]

Keep Bradley. his defense is just WOW. He's beginning to hit too.I'd find anyway to get rid of Ramirez. He is just not a fit here.

 

It seems like Jackie has us saying "WOW!" in every game he plays in. What's even more amazing is that he's done it from all 3 outfield positions, which is no simple task.

[cp176]

It seems like Jackie has us saying "WOW!" in every game he plays in. What's even more amazing is that he's done it from all 3 outfield positions, which is no simple task.

 

Although I think that everyone on this current roster could be considered tradeable for the right return, I would like to see JBJ in right field for a long time. Right field not left. I am ok with Mookie in center.

[mvp 78]

JBJ should be full tume RF next year. Glad Castillo will start to get LF reps here on out.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am intrigued to see what Dombrowski does. I highly, highly doubt that JBJ, Betts, and Castillo will be your starting OF next yr. I expect a bold move on his part. The boldest of moves would be to deal Betts for a front line starter. I don't think just Betts would be enough for a truly elite talent, but Betts plus some prospects might get the job done. I expect Hanley to be your 3b, Panda to be your 1b, JBJ to be your CF, Rusney to be in a COF spot and another acquisition to be your LFer. I know Shaw has looked good, but he doesn't have the track record to start the year as your 1b.

[sk7326]

I am intrigued to see what Dombrowski does. I highly, highly doubt that JBJ, Betts, and Castillo will be your starting OF next yr. I expect a bold move on his part. The boldest of moves would be to deal Betts for a front line starter. I don't think just Betts would be enough for a truly elite talent, but Betts plus some prospects might get the job done. I expect Hanley to be your 3b, Panda to be your 1b, JBJ to be your CF, Rusney to be in a COF spot and another acquisition to be your LFer. I know Shaw has looked good, but he doesn't have the track record to start the year as your 1b.

 

It is all about what ownership priorities are. Dombrowski was worked at varying levels of aggression. Could trading Betts for a Harvey work? Sure, although since New York ... from what I've heard ... is a large city ... that might not be the most gettable target. Chris Sale would make sense continually since while Chicago is not small, the team is bad. I think the alignments you have here makes sense - and Justin Upton would be a good corner OF to go after - but for the most part trading future stars is not a great idea. Of course, Dombrowski has had a knack for identifying them.

[reYoukilis]

I am intrigued to see what Dombrowski does. I highly, highly doubt that JBJ, Betts, and Castillo will be your starting OF next yr. I expect a bold move on his part. The boldest of moves would be to deal Betts for a front line starter. I don't think just Betts would be enough for a truly elite talent, but Betts plus some prospects might get the job done. I expect Hanley to be your 3b, Panda to be your 1b, JBJ to be your CF, Rusney to be in a COF spot and another acquisition to be your LFer. I know Shaw has looked good, but he doesn't have the track record to start the year as your 1b.

I hope you are wrong. Keep Sandoval and Hanley but get rid of Betts? I realize why you say that because Betts would get us more but I'm not into getting rid of what works. I think we should get what we can for Ramirez and Sandoval, get pitching depth and in time get an ace. Look at the Royals, they got a great team with great chemistry, THEN they get Johnny Cueto. Right now some of Cheringtons moves are starting to work, I don't want to blow it all up.

[reYoukilis]

Ok, I could see trading Betts AND Sandoval or Ramirez.

[cp176]

It is all about what ownership priorities are. Dombrowski was worked at varying levels of aggression. Could trading Betts for a Harvey work? Sure, although since New York ... from what I've heard ... is a large city ... that might not be the most gettable target. Chris Sale would make sense continually since while Chicago is not small, the team is bad. I think the alignments you have here makes sense - and Justin Upton would be a good corner OF to go after - but for the most part trading future stars is not a great idea. Of course, Dombrowski has had a knack for identifying them.

 

If Betts plus one brought us Harvey or Sale, I could see it. New Englanders never like to give up anything but that would be a Positive step as long as it wasn't the last one they made.

[sk7326]

If Betts plus one brought us Harvey or Sale, I could see it. New Englanders never like to give up anything but that would be a Positive step as long as it wasn't the last one they made.

 

I think Harvey though is more spitballing ... from what I've heard New York has many baseball fans in it.

[mvp 78]

Max and felger just alluded to JBJ taking roids. Wtf?

[Behindenemylines]

I am intrigued to see what Dombrowski does. I highly, highly doubt that JBJ, Betts, and Castillo will be your starting OF next yr. I expect a bold move on his part. The boldest of moves would be to deal Betts for a front line starter. I don't think just Betts would be enough for a truly elite talent, but Betts plus some prospects might get the job done. I expect Hanley to be your 3b, Panda to be your 1b, JBJ to be your CF, Rusney to be in a COF spot and another acquisition to be your LFer. I know Shaw has looked good, but he doesn't have the track record to start the year as your 1b.

 

Panda will not move to first, and Ramirez will take reps at 1B to see what happens. I think he is DH at this point and will be moved with the Sox eating big $$$$$$$. With Castillo - Betts - Bradley OF the Sox can invest dollars saved into their pitching. Can't see them moving Betts. DD had Price at Detroit which is a possibility. He is the only FA hitting 30 that Sox might spend on.

[jad]

Alas, the only way they got rid of Crawford's contract was to package him with one of the best players in the league--A.G. Unfortunately, they do not have any 'best players in the league' to help rid themselves of Ramirez' and Sandoval's contracts. Since it's not my money, I'd rather see them just eat as much of those contracts as they have to so that we can watch players who are actually interesting to see play.

[Dojji]

I see them going hard after Johnny Cueto this offseason. It's the most rational possible move in my honest opinion.

 

I think that the move to deal Betts for pitching would be misguided on two fronts. First of all we don't have an athlete that can do what Betts has the potential to do, to replace him. Secondly, as Jacko alluded to, Betts hasn't reached his full value yet and won't solve the pitching problem by himself. I think moving Betts this offseason would be selling low. Trading him will see him have his best years in another uniform and that's the last thing we want.

 

That said, I would target Cueto in the offseason and look to possibly pick up a high quality inning burner. James Shields wasn't the ace we needed last offseason, but he'd make a fantastic #2 if we could get him off the Padres, which I doubt. Either way we need one more deep innings guy to keep the pressure off the rookies, however we can get him.

[a700hitter]

Max and felger just alluded to JBJ taking roids. Wtf?

What is the grounds for their suspicion? Are they just saying it because he is playing well?

[Dojji]

I think they're saying it because it gets them attention to say it.

[sk7326]

I see them going hard after Johnny Cueto this offseason. It's the most rational possible move in my honest opinion.

 

I think that the move to deal Betts for pitching would be misguided on two fronts. First of all we don't have an athlete that can do what Betts has the potential to do, to replace him. Secondly, as Jacko alluded to, Betts hasn't reached his full value yet and won't solve the pitching problem by himself. I think moving Betts this offseason would be selling low. Trading him will see him have his best years in another uniform and that's the last thing we want.

 

That said, I would target Cueto in the offseason and look to possibly pick up a high quality inning burner. James Shields wasn't the ace we needed last offseason, but he'd make a fantastic #2 if we could get him off the Padres, which I doubt. Either way we need one more deep innings guy to keep the pressure off the rookies, however we can get him.

 

I think Cueto or Zimmermann are both on the radar - or a trade. (as noted, the White Sox have to ask serious questions about their timeline and whether Sale is best as one of theirs or as a way to get the farm beefed up)

 

Selling Betts would be stupid. He is a future star, cost controlled. Those are not the guys you deal - those are the guys you build around.

 

The speculated idea of Sandoval for Shields makes sense, mistake for mistake. Shields might only be a #4 at this point (his flyball tendencies are going to piss of Nation fans) but he has AL East experience, and can crank out 200 innings without much issue. Shields would not be the #2 on this staff, but he would serve a useful Tim Wakefield like sort of roll as an innings-eater who can keep the bullpen on schedule over a long season.

[User Name]

A rotation of Cueto-Rodriguez-Shields-Miley-Porcello backed up by Owens/Wright/Johnsonn sounds decent to me.