Papi's replacement in 2017

[Eddy Ballgame]

Jose Iglesias for DH? Do me a favor... Track down S5 and propose this idea. ( I can already imagine an everlasting, omnipresent, east coast structure fire that would ensure everyone could roast marshmallows from their front steps forevermore) lol

 

Iglesias has 4 extra base hits in 122 plate appearances this year. 4. That's almost impossible to do. The Sox supposedly got rid of Mark Loretta after 2006 because he only had 38 extra base hits in over 700 plate appearances, because THAT was unexceptable, and he hit .285. They probably figured Pedroia could give them at least that. Nothing against Iglesias, but he won't be in this league long with those numbers.

[Emp9]

Iglesias has 4 extra base hits in 122 plate appearances this year. 4. That's almost impossible to do. The Sox supposedly got rid of Mark Loretta after 2006 because he only had 38 extra base hits in over 700 plate appearances, because THAT was unexceptable, and he hit .285. They probably figured Pedroia could give them at least that. Nothing against Iglesias, but he won't be in this league long with those numbers.

 

I knew you weren't proposing that. It was just funny to think about lol. The absurdity of it would be border line cruel to some of our fine members here.

 

Last I checked Iggy was batting 9th. Has his defense dropped off?

[Kimmi]

Wow. A lot can happen between now and then.

 

I think he's gone. He's a very proud Papi and I believe he wants to go out on top, maybe a year too early rather than a year too late. I also think he's very aware of his legacy and the damage he could do to it by sticking around too long.

 

In the best case scenario I see Hanley moving to DH and one of "The Travis Twins" at each corner IF position. In a slightly less favorable scenario I see the Sox signing one of the guys from Toronto to be the DH. Bautista is my personal favorite. (and how in God's name did Teix get into the mix? Ugh)

 

Since we will still need pitching and money is going to be an issue I'm going with Shaw and Sam at the corners and Hanley as the DH. So much for voting anonymously, huh?

 

I pretty much agree with this. First off, a lot can happen between now and then, so it's really too soon to know who will be the best option.

 

For many reasons, I don't think there's any way that Papi doesn't retire after this season.

 

Despite Hanley playing much better defense than I expected, I think he makes the most sense at DH for next year. I don't foresee the Sox paying either Bautista or Encarnacion the kind of money that they're looking for, especially at their age.

 

I read the other day that Hanley's splits as DH are excellent, with the usual small sample size caveat. The year he is slashing .500/.526/.944/1.471 in 19 PAs as a DH, and for his career he's slashing .345/.389/.638/1.027 in 126 PAs as a DH. Can't beat that!

[Northern Star]

Other than lack of conditioning concerns, why wouldn't Panda be the full time DH? It's still too early in the contract to release him and the trade value is feeble.

[Kimmi]

Other than lack of conditioning concerns, why wouldn't Panda be the full time DH? It's still too early in the contract to release him and the trade value is feeble.

 

He might be. As I said, a lot can happen between now and then, so it's too soon to know. I fully expect Panda to report in much better condition next season.

[Emp9]

If he's not in better condition can we frack him? Or would it cause too many earthquakes?

[moonslav59]

I don't think any one person takes over the DH slot.

Sandy's return and what shape he's in is a factor.

I think HanRam stays at 1B.

We could see HanRam, Shaw and Sandy rotate through the DH, 1b and 3B slots.

We could see Benintendi with the big club, and an OF'er getting some time at DH as well (Young/Castillo).

We could see Moncada rise quickly and win a big chunk of the DH role, at least by mid-season.

With so many options, so many blocked prospects, so many highly paid vets, I doubt we spend large on an outside bat.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd be interested in seeing some numbers on how the rotating DH has worked for other teams' offensive production. I know the Yankees had horrible numbers at the DH spot a couple of years in a row with the rotating thing.

[moonslav59]

It could start out as an idea to rotate, but eventually one guy steals the show.

[Eddy Ballgame]

I don't think any one person takes over the DH slot.

Sandy's return and what shape he's in is a factor.

I think HanRam stays at 1B.

We could see HanRam, Shaw and Sandy rotate through the DH, 1b and 3B slots.

We could see Benintendi with the big club, and an OF'er getting some time at DH as well (Young/Castillo).

We could see Moncada rise quickly and win a big chunk of the DH role, at least by mid-season.

With so many options, so many blocked prospects, so many highly paid vets, I doubt we spend large on an outside bat.

 

I don't think the Red Sox would ever turn a young, athletic player like Moncada into a designated hitter. It's almost unheard of. There's also a young first baseman named Sam Travis who figures into the first base mix.

 

Hanley could slot into the regular DH role and Sam Travis could play first. Travis Shaw has locked up 3rd as he is one of those guys who slips under the radar because scouts can't measure heart from a seat in the stands. The guy is such a gamer. Hopefully Sam Travis is too.

[Bellhorn04]

Hanley seems like the most likely candidate, all things considered.

[moonslav59]

I don't think the Red Sox would ever turn a young, athletic player like Moncada into a designated hitter. It's almost unheard of. There's also a young first baseman named Sam Travis who figures into the first base mix.

 

Hanley could slot into the regular DH role and Sam Travis could play first. Travis Shaw has locked up 3rd as he is one of those guys who slips under the radar because scouts can't measure heart from a seat in the stands. The guy is such a gamer. Hopefully Sam Travis is too.

 

So, who does Moncada replace, and is he going to be a better fielder than any current starter by next season?

[southpaw777]

So, who does Moncada replace, and is he going to be a better fielder than any current starter by next season?

 

Hes NOT going to be a regular DH regardless. not at 20yo..also, he needs a lot more work on his defense. Dont expect to see him until late 2017 (big maybe)and not ft in MLB until at least 2018 aT the very earliest...there is absolutely no rush for this kid. Benni is different since hes had two years of college and was born here. Moncada will spend more time in A ball before making the leap to AA where he will be challenged a bit more. Also im sure they will need to start seeing where else he can play first, and also work on his D at that position before being called up to Boston.

I don't think Moncada will factor into the start of the 2017 season.

Honestly, i like what im seeing from Hanley 1b, and his head is always in the game. I also think he really likes it there. Panda is an unknown until he starts playing and working out his fat ass again. Sam Travis is off to a very slow start in AAA, so until he makes those adjustments hes still a big question mark. I certainly dont want some guy like Bautista, who thinks hes worth 30m per. No thanks.

Right now it looks like DH will be used as a rotation when Papi goes. Were not going to replace Papi with one guy. Instead of one 30/100 guy we may have more 15-20 type guys with more speed and can play solid D.

Betts, Xander, JBJ, Pedey, Shaw, and Hanley to a larger extent, all have 15-20 HR power. And if Benmi gets here, he certainly has 15+ power too...so im sure we can cover Papi with a number of other guys at DH.