Outlook for 2016

[cp176]

I agree. It is just something I think about. i don't think that it is a bad problem to have if it does become a problem. i hope that Vazquez is as ready as he says he is for a number or reasons not the least of which is that having a catcher with his type of talent makes this a better team. In the mean time, i think that we all a pulling for a kid like Swihart.

[Thunder]

You're right. Wright will likely get his share of starts in soon enough, for the reasons that you posted.

 

Barring a multitude of injuries, I think our staff, the rotation and the pen, are in pretty good shape.

 

I don't know about this one. I've never liked Wright, and don't really trust Workman in the long run. I do think the rotation is okay, and that the weakness of the team this year will be offense, as crazy as that might sound. I see the 6-9 guys you mentioned as possible trade bait, save for Owens. I think there will be more injuries on offense than in the rotation. If so, at least it would be nice to have a really good rotation for once, since it's not like Price will struggle in the AL East. After all, he's played for 60% of its teams.

[User Name]

I don't know about this one. I've never liked Wright, and don't really trust Workman in the long run. I do think the rotation is okay, and that the weakness of the team this year will be offense, as crazy as that might sound. I see the 6-9 guys you mentioned as possible trade bait, save for Owens. I think there will be more injuries on offense than in the rotation. If so, at least it would be nice to have a really good rotation for once, since it's not like Price will struggle in the AL East. After all, he's played for 60% of its teams.

 

40%, because he has not pitched for Boston yet. And it seems really far fetched to think that it's the offense that's going to struggle. They raked last year even though they had black holes in at least two spots in the lineup the entire season, and had a lot of injuries.

[Northern Star]

40%, because he has not pitched for Boston yet.

 

Was literally going to post the same thing.

[Dojji]

Vasquez hasn't even proven he's ready to go yet. It's not really a viable question right now either way.

 

You're technically right, but he's got no health problems at the moment, if he can hit well enough to hold down the 8 spot, he's good to go.

[Kimmi]

Just to clarify the point about Swihart's value as a catcher versus corner infielder, that statement was mainly in regards to trading him versus keeping him.

 

If Vazquez pans out like we hope he will, I think Swihart would have more value to the Sox as a trade chip as a top catcher than he would playing for the Sox as a mediocre to good corner infielder.

[Kimmi]

Based on his outstanding offensive numbers from the past four years!

 

If he does surprise us with significantly better defense and offense it will be a truly pleasant surprise!!!!!

 

By pleasantly surprise, I don't mean he's going to be an All-Star. But I do think he will rebound to be the player that the Sox thought they were getting when they signed him, adjusted for normal decline.

[Thunder]

I do think Vazquez and Swihart will benefit each other and push each other on. I just have a feeling deep down that this will be a year for offensive injuries. I'm not saying it will significantly affect the win loss total because of the production despite the holes in the lineup that UN? mentioned, but I think pitching and defense will be better than the offense.

[cp176]

Just to clarify the point about Swihart's value as a catcher versus corner infielder, that statement was mainly in regards to trading him versus keeping him.

 

If Vazquez pans out like we hope he will, I think Swihart would have more value to the Sox as a trade chip as a top catcher than he would playing for the Sox as a mediocre to good corner infielder.

 

I agree with you that Swihart may become a trade chip. But, i don't think he is going anywhere under the assumption that he is a top catcher. He is going to get better if he has the chance to play. How good he could become we won't know for a while. He is a prospect with still untapped potential. What we could get for him in a package is anybody's guess.

[Kimmi]

I agree with you that Swihart may become a trade chip. But, i don't think he is going anywhere under the assumption that he is a top catcher. He is going to get better if he has the chance to play. How good he could become we won't know for a while. He is a prospect with still untapped potential. What we could get for him in a package is anybody's guess.

 

As others have said, even though it's possible that Swihart eventually ends up getting traded, it's not happening any time soon.

 

Also, the Sox cannot trade Hanigan. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

 

I think the likely scenario will be that Vazquez starts the season in AAA, with the reasoning that he needs more reps just by the fact that he's been out with a serious injury for an entire season. Not saying that I agree with that decision necessarily, but I think it's the likely scenario.

[Spudboy]

As others have said, even though it's possible that Swihart eventually ends up getting traded, it's not happening any time soon.

 

Also, the Sox cannot trade Hanigan. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

 

I think the likely scenario will be that Vazquez starts the season in AAA, with the reasoning that he needs more reps just by the fact that he's been out with a serious injury for an entire season. Not saying that I agree with that decision necessarily, but I think it's the likely scenario.

 

I agree with all of this and I will ad that trading any of the three catchers would be a mistake. Especially so with Swihart.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

This team should be improved beyond doubt, but I am not ready to anoint us 2016 WS champions just yet. The rotation behind Price still has a lot to prove, this should be the make or break year for JBJ, enough f***ing around with him already, and I foresee plenty of howlers from Dr Strangeglove at 1B. Not as many as in left field - holy f***, was he a train wreck out there - but I don't see it all being plain sailing. Not expecting anything but the usual subpar crap from Sandoval in the field and at bat.

 

I'm surprised Hanley at first has not been discussed more. I'm not quite ready to say it won't be as bad as his year in left. Hell it could be worse given the number of chances a first baseman gets.

[cp176]

As others have said, even though it's possible that Swihart eventually ends up getting traded, it's not happening any time soon.

 

Also, the Sox cannot trade Hanigan. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

 

I think the likely scenario will be that Vazquez starts the season in AAA, with the reasoning that he needs more reps just by the fact that he's been out with a serious injury for an entire season. Not saying that I agree with that decision necessarily, but I think it's the likely scenario.

 

You might very well be right with respect to Vazquez starting in AAA. If he does, I do hope that it is for the right reasons. If he feels and the training staff feels that he is able to go 100%, I'm guessing that if he does go to Pawtucket that it won't be for long. The Red Sox have created all kinds of reasons for sending people down over he years. If he is the best catcher in the organization, which it kind of looks as though he is, he is going to be the one who will wind up doing the lion's share of the catching. Maybe with other positional players when you have a suitable replacement, you can get get away with hiding a deserving player in AAA for a little while. I am betting on the fact that when you are talking about catchers if you have one that is as good as everybody says he is such as Vazquez, You are going to use him just as soon as you can. Swihart is a good one for sure. The only thing that he can is what is asked of him. Things will work out the way that they are supposed to .

[Northern Star]

As others have said, even though it's possible that Swihart eventually ends up getting traded, it's not happening any time soon.

 

Also, the Sox cannot trade Hanigan. That would be a huge mistake IMO.

 

I think the likely scenario will be that Vazquez starts the season in AAA, with the reasoning that he needs more reps just by the fact that he's been out with a serious injury for an entire season. Not saying that I agree with that decision necessarily, but I think it's the likely scenario.

 

Why would trading Hanigan be a mistake? He has little trade value anyway, and he's the only major leaguer who can be clocked going from home to first with a sundial.

[User Name]

Because he can play D, get on base, and after the two rookies, the organization is hopelessly thin at catcher?

[Dojji]

Why would trading Hanigan be a mistake? He has little trade value anyway, and he's the only major leaguer who can be clocked going from home to first with a sundial.

 

Umm I assume you were watching what happened last year when Sandy Leon was getting regular starts at catcher until team leadership felt they could rush Swihart into action? Catching depth is important, probably more so than for any other position. The physical burden of an everyday catcher is the hardest of any single position, and the chance of injury or breakdown greater at catcher than anywhere else. Getting rid of a quality backup like Hanigan, a guy who could start for a couple weeks straight if it was needed for some reason, is not a great idea when you don't have to.

[mvp 78]

Hanigan should probably stick around unless Vazquez and Swihart are really killing it this spring. I'm just not convinced that they are both ready. Whoever has the better ST should make the club for opening day. If Swihart still needs more polish, they should just move him to AAA and have Tek follow him around all year.

[jung]

Hanigan becomes even more valuable to keep around this year. He has to have caught Price at some point right?

[User Name]

3 ip, 0 er.

[cp176]

Catching situation might become classic moot point. Just read that Vazquez is going to be backed off a bit. Having a little discomfort in his elbow. There certainly is a need to take it easy here. Slow him down - no rush.

[Spudboy]

In the unlikely scenario that both Swihart and Vasquez absolutely rake up to the deadline then maybe trading Hannigan for another useful part could be justified.

 

He's one of the best back-up catchers in the game so he does have value in both leagues.

 

I like having him here and believe that he is needed.

[Thunder]

If we keep Hanigan through Opening Day, it will cause either Swihart or Vasquez to start the season at Pawtucket. Logistically, it would not be possible to keep 3 catchers on the active big league roster, and there's no way they'll let go of Hanigan before that, since right now, they want and need his veteran presence and experience to make both Swihart and Vasquez even better defensively. My point is that it would be a shame to have either one of them be demoted, but it is almost a certainty.

[Dojji]

I think it will be Swihart in pawtucket. That will be the perfect position to work with new defensive positions, and also if they simply want him to improve his catching fundamentals. Meanwhile, whatever else Vazquez needs to be a complete catcher, he won't get it in Pawtucket.

[User Name]

I think it will be Swihart in pawtucket. That will be the perfect position to work with new defensive positions, and also if they simply want him to improve his catching fundamentals. Meanwhile, whatever else Vazquez needs to be a complete catcher, he won't get it in Pawtucket.

 

But Vasquez is the one rehabbing from TJS, and he already had a setback, citing elbow pain.

[jacksonianmarch]

The media here is absolutely murdering Hanley and Pablo. Hanley apparently looked like a guy who didn't give a s*** in his first looks at 1b and Panda looked even fatter. Good luck with those two this yr!

[User Name]

"The media"? I saw McAdam and there was nothing eventful regarding Hanley other than some ribbing from Pedroia. Other than that, it's mostly been pieces about his dropping weight. Stick to being a doctor please.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Stick to being a doctor please.

 

I don't think this stings nearly as much as you hoped it would. Doctors are kind of important.

[Dojji]

Indeed, I just hope he's better at medicinizing than he is on baseball commentaryg

[User Name]

I don't think this stings nearly as much as you hoped it would. Doctors are kind of important.

 

It wasn't meant as a zinger, just the general nature of his typical attempts to create a story where there isn't one, like bad reporters. Had I wanted it to be a zinger, I would have included something about his unsuccesful foray into proctology.

[Youk Of The Nation]

It wasn't meant as a zinger, just the general nature of his typical attempts to create a story where there isn't one, like bad reporters. Had I wanted it to be a zinger, I would have included something about his unsuccesful foray into proctology.

 

Hey, proctologists are a real ass-et to the medical community.