Christian Vazquez

[cp176]

When Swihart is healthy, he will hit. if he was ready to go now, I would trade Vazquez tomorrow if it meant improving this lineup. We don't really need two catchers that really represent the same thing.

[southpaw777]

Swiharts defense and all around catching game needs to improve. If not he will cost us more runs than his bat will produce to justify it. Kids' bat has NEVER been in question. His D is not good.

If the D doesnt improve a lot this year, Id move him off catcher or trade him. Im worries that his body will break down easier behind the plate, especially with that leg/foot injury in Boston.

[Bellhorn04]

Frankly Swihart's bat is still in question too. Which is not to say I don't like his potential. But in MLB potential and a quarter will get you a gumball.

[harmony]

Swiharts defense and all around catching game needs to improve. If not he will cost us more runs than his bat will produce to justify it. Kids' bat has NEVER been in question. His D is not good.

If the D doesnt improve a lot this year, Id move him off catcher or trade him. Im worries that his body will break down easier behind the plate, especially with that leg/foot injury in Boston.

Steamer and FanGraphs Depth Charts project Blake Swihart with a rest-of-season wRC+ of 82, in line with their preseason projections for Swihart:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

A wRC+ of 82 might be adequate for a defensively competent catcher or a defensive ace at another position. I question whether Swihart is either.

[moonslav59]

I thought it was just a way to get his bat in the line-up. I don't think it was a panic move at all.

 

Agreed.

 

Had he not gotten injured, I doubt we'd even be talking about the move.

[Kimmi]

I thought it was just a way to get his bat in the line-up. I don't think it was a panic move at all.

 

Well, I thought it made sense at the time, but now that the FO has kind of changed course and said that Swihart will focus only on catching, it seems like a panic move to me. IMO, they have jerked him around, in the process, messing with his development.

 

Sending Swihart back to AAA after only 8 games is without a doubt a panic move in my mind.

[Spudboy]

Well, I thought it made sense at the time, but now that the FO has kind of changed course and said that Swihart will focus only on catching, it seems like a panic move to me. IMO, they have jerked him around, in the process, messing with his development.

 

Sending Swihart back to AAA after only 8 games is without a doubt a panic move in my mind.

 

I am admittedly an unabashed Swihart fan. I think he has tremendous athletic talent. He is fast, has a sweet swing and a decent approach at the plate.

 

I still believe that his talent should have been used at another position. Of course there are those here that say his bat does not play at 3rd or 1st. I do not agree. He has not been afforded sufficient opportunity to display power. He looked like a pretty good doubles hitter once he got going when called up early with the Hannigan injury two years ago.

 

I think that the Sox have sort of flubbed his development. I no longer see him as a can't miss type of prospect. Not that his window has closed. The Sox have not decided to find a way for him to ascend. He will be traded sometime soon, I suspect.

[moonslav59]

Well, I thought it made sense at the time, but now that the FO has kind of changed course and said that Swihart will focus only on catching, it seems like a panic move to me. IMO, they have jerked him around, in the process, messing with his development.

 

Sending Swihart back to AAA after only 8 games is without a doubt a panic move in my mind.

 

I think they have wanted Vaz at catcher all along. In that light, both moves make total sense and does not appear to be "panic" in nature.

 

Saying Swihart is now only a catcher seems to go against that idea, but I think things have changed. I'm no longer so sure Sox management is sold on Vaz as "the guy". I get the sense Vaz was in some sort of psuedo-dog house last year and to start this year. They may also have returned Blake to catcher-only duty to raise his trade value or to make it possible to trade Vaz or Leon for something we need.

[Fisk]

Would not be surprised to see Swihart traded, thought he would break through by now. A rebuilding team will give him a starting job and let him grow with the club.

[moonslav59]

Would not be surprised to see Swihart traded, thought he would break through by now. A rebuilding team will give him a starting job and let him grow with the club.

 

It looks like our best and most likely trading chip this summer would be Vaz, Leon or Swihart. Vaz probably would bring the best return, but that doesn't mean that's who gets traded.

 

I really don't want us to trade Devers, Travis or Groome. Those three represent our best three best chances at substantially filling future key roles at a low cost, thereby allowing us to keep as many of our younger stars (and Chris Sale) as possible.

[Fisk]

I'm guessing they will have at least 5 untouchables in their system Devers, Travis, Groome, Chavis and Mata. Would also be surprised if they trade Sharwyn, Lakins and Anderson.

[moonslav59]

I'm guessing they will have at least 5 untouchables in their system Devers, Travis, Groome, Chavis and Mata. Would also be surprised if they trade Sharwyn, Lakins and Anderson.

 

I'm not sure DD views any prospect as "untouchable". I could see us trading Chavis.

[Fisk]

I'm not sure DD views any prospect as "untouchable". I could see us trading Chavis.

 

That power is immense I'd be very surprised if he's traded. Think sox will trade more for stop gaps, do not see a top prospect traded. We have an over abundance of hard throwing relievers with not enough spots on the 40 man roster this winter, those are the players I see getting traded.

[moonslav59]

That power is immense I'd be very surprised if he's traded. Think sox will trade more for stop gaps, do not see a top prospect traded. We have an over abundance of hard throwing relievers with not enough spots on the 40 man roster this winter, those are the players I see getting traded.

 

It costs a lot for even a 2 month rental, especially if it is the high impact bat people are saying we need.

 

I don't see a roster crunch this winter.

 

We lose Moreland, Young, Abad, Kendrick & Boyer.

 

We've already added Moreland's replacement, Travis, to the 40 man roster. My guess is Devers will be added this year or over the winter. He may replace Young's bat but not Young's OF depth. , KendrickAbad & Boyercan easily be replaced by someone already on the 40 man roster.

 

We also have "fluff" on our 40 man roster that could easily be traded or DFA'd:

 

Noe Ramirez

Ysla

Martin

Velazquez

Selsky

 

Maybe Marrero

 

Maybe Holt retires.

 

Maybe we find a salary dump taker for Pablo.

 

Our Rule 5 situation is not an issue, as there are more players easily replaced than ones in need of protecting.

 

Rule 5 next winter:

 

From soxprospects.com...

 

"The following players will be eligible for the December 2017 Rule 5 Draft if they are not added to the 40-man roster by November 20, 2017:

 

Victor Acosta, Yoan Aybar, Trey Ball, Gerson Bautista, Jalen Beeks, Danny Bethea, Jordan Betts, Ty Buttrey, Jamie Callahan, Rusney Castillo, Harrison Cooney, Jake Cosart, Enmanuel De Jesus, Rafael Devers, Jhonathan Diaz, Jake Drehoff, Willis Figueroa, Pat Goetze, Daniel Gonzalez, Taylor Grover, Juan Hernandez, Darwinzon Hernandez, Bryan Hudson, Dedgar Jimenez, Raiwinson Lameda, Tzu-Wei Lin, Nick Longhi, Isaias Lucena, Austin Maddox, Danny Mars, Algenis Martinez, Kevin McAvoy, Daniel McGrath, Ritzi Mendoza, Mike Meyers, Mike Miller, Samuel Miranda, Joseph Monge, Jhon Nunez, Yankory Pimentel, Jordan Procyshen, Hildemaro Requena, Jeremy Rivera, Jake Romanski, Chandler Shepherd, Josh Smith, Teddy Stankiewicz, Cole Sturgeon, Carlos Tovar, Jantzen Witte "

[Fisk]

You are going to want to protect quite a few of those relievers and are not going to have spots on the 40 man for all of them. I would not pay the price teams want for a Two Month rental like a Frazier or Moustakas. Go a tier down, likely to produce as much.

[Fisk]

It costs a lot for even a 2 month rental, especially if it is the high impact bat people are saying we need.

 

I don't see a roster crunch this winter.

 

We lose Moreland, Young, Abad, Kendrick & Boyer.

 

We've already added Moreland's replacement, Travis, to the 40 man roster. My guess is Devers will be added this year or over the winter. He may replace Young's bat but not Young's OF depth. , KendrickAbad & Boyercan easily be replaced by someone already on the 40 man roster.

 

We also have "fluff" on our 40 man roster that could easily be traded or DFA'd:

 

Noe Ramirez

Ysla

Martin

Velazquez

Selsky

 

Maybe Marrero

 

Maybe Holt retires.

 

Maybe we find a salary dump taker for Pablo.

 

Our Rule 5 situation is not an issue, as there are more players easily replaced than ones in need of protecting.

 

Rule 5 next winter:

 

From soxprospects.com...

 

"The following players will be eligible for the December 2017 Rule 5 Draft if they are not added to the 40-man roster by November 20, 2017:

 

Victor Acosta, Yoan Aybar, Trey Ball, Gerson Bautista, Jalen Beeks, Danny Bethea, Jordan Betts, Ty Buttrey, Jamie Callahan, Rusney Castillo, Harrison Cooney, Jake Cosart, Enmanuel De Jesus, Rafael Devers, Jhonathan Diaz, Jake Drehoff, Willis Figueroa, Pat Goetze, Daniel Gonzalez, Taylor Grover, Juan Hernandez, Darwinzon Hernandez, Bryan Hudson, Dedgar Jimenez, Raiwinson Lameda, Tzu-Wei Lin, Nick Longhi, Isaias Lucena, Austin Maddox, Danny Mars, Algenis Martinez, Kevin McAvoy, Daniel McGrath, Ritzi Mendoza, Mike Meyers, Mike Miller, Samuel Miranda, Joseph Monge, Jhon Nunez, Yankory Pimentel, Jordan Procyshen, Hildemaro Requena, Jeremy Rivera, Jake Romanski, Chandler Shepherd, Josh Smith, Teddy Stankiewicz, Cole Sturgeon, Carlos Tovar, Jantzen Witte "

 

I count 10 players I want to add to the 40 man on that list, their is unequivocally a 40 man crunch. You didn't even highlightPimentel and Hernandez, besides the 10 the sox might want to protect them.

[moonslav59]

I count 10 players I want to add to the 40 man on that list, their is unequivocally a 40 man crunch. You didn't even highlightPimentel and Hernandez, besides the 10 the sox might want to protect them.

 

Several of the players I added to the roster would never be drafted, because they are not ML ready and would not be kept on anyone's 25 man roster for a full year.

 

Plus, I didn't mention dumping Elias.

 

This is the least roster crunch winter I've seen coming up in years.

[moonslav59]

I count 10 players I want to add to the 40 man on that list, their is unequivocally a 40 man crunch. You didn't even highlightPimentel and Hernandez, besides the 10 the sox might want to protect them.

 

I should have highlighted Hernandez even though he is only 20, but Pimental is not going to be taken.

 

Who are the 10?

 

Plus, I count at least 10 guys we lose to free agency or we can trade/cut:

 

1. Moreland FA

2. Young FA

3. Abad FA

4. Kendrick FA

5. Boyer

6. Noe Ramirez

7. Marrero

8. Velazquez

9. Selsky

10. K Martin

 

 

We could also trade these guys and barely miss them (maybe a 3 for one type trade):

Workman

Owens

Ysla

B Taylor

 

Plus....

Holt may retire.

We may trade or DFA Pablo.

Edited June 11, 2017 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

It would be great, if Travis could play FT 1B next season and Devers FT 3B. HRam could DH and maybe play 1b in NL parks and Pablo could try and get some ABs at 3B, 1B and DH, if he's still around.

 

The money "saved" by not having to replace Moreland and Young could cover arb raises and maybe go towards extending someone early, if possible.

 

C: Vaz-Leon(Swihart AAA)

1B: Travis (HRam/Pablo)

2B: Pedey-Rutledge (or Marco AAA)

3B: Devers-Pablo

SS: Bogey- Holt (or Marrero AAA)

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

DH: HRam (Pablo)

 

SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom, Wright

RP: Kimbrel, Smith, Thornburg, Kelly, Hembree, Barnes

 

That could be a solid 25.

 

the rest of the 40 man... (I believe all will still have options.)

 

26 Swihart

27 Johnson

28 Hernandez

29 Ross

30 Scott

31 Workman

32 Marrero

33 Taylor

34 Owens

35 Elias (or + D Hernandez-Rule 5)

36 Martin (or + J Callahan- Rule 5)

37 Velazquez (or + T Ball- Rule 5)

38 Ysla (or + Lin- Rule 5)

38 N Ramirez (or + J Cozart or T Buttrey- Rule 5)

39 +J Beeks (Rule 5)

40 + N Longhi (Rule 5)

 

If we trade one of our catcherss, another slot opens for a rule 5 or a FA signing.

Edited June 11, 2017 by moonslav59

[Fisk]

I should have highlighted Hernandez even though he is only 20, but Pimental is not going to be taken.

 

Who are the 10?

 

Plus, I count at least 10 guys we lose to free agency or we can trade/cut:

 

1. Moreland FA

2. Young FA

3. Abad FA

4. Kendrick FA

5. Boyer

6. Noe Ramirez

7. Marrero

8. Velazquez

9. Selsky

10. K Martin

 

 

We could also trade these guys and barely miss them (maybe a 3 for one type trade):

Workman

Owens

Ysla

B Taylor

 

Plus....

Holt may retire.

We may trade or DFA Pablo.

You do realize we have have to replace the players you have leaving or we will have no depth.

Pimintel is exactly the arm that gets taken in rule 5 drafts, look at past sox drafted.

Longhi, Devers, Buttrey, Callahan, Maddux, Cosart, Bautista, Beeks, Mars, Pimintel, Lin, Hernandez. All should be protected.

Then a couple tough decisions with Ball, Sheperd, Romanski, Diaz, and Procyshen.

We don't have the high end prospect of past years, but we have a ton of filler prospects. Especially relievers with major league potential. Listen to sox prospect podcasts and they talk about the crunch next year.

[Nick]

It would be great, if Travis could play FT 1B next season and Devers FT 3B. HRam could DH and maybe play 1b in NL parks and Pablo could try and get some ABs at 3B, 1B and DH, if he's still around.

 

The money "saved" by not having to replace Moreland and Young could cover arb raises and maybe go towards extending someone early, if possible.

 

C: Vaz-Leon(Swihart AAA)

1B: Travis (HRam/Pablo)

2B: Pedey-Rutledge (or Marco AAA)

3B: Devers-Pablo

SS: Bogey- Holt (or Marrero AAA)

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

DH: HRam (Pablo)

 

SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom, Wright

RP: Kimbrel, Smith, Thornburg, Kelly, Hembree, Barnes

 

That could be a solid 25.

 

the rest of the 40 man... (I believe all will still have options.)

 

26 Swihart

27 Johnson

28 Hernandez

29 Ross

30 Scott

31 Workman

32 Marrero

33 Taylor

34 Owens

35 Elias (or + D Hernandez-Rule 5)

36 Martin (or + J Callahan- Rule 5)

37 Velazquez (or + T Ball- Rule 5)

38 Ysla (or + Lin- Rule 5)

38 N Ramirez (or + J Cozart or T Buttrey- Rule 5)

39 +J Beeks (Rule 5)

40 + N Longhi (Rule 5)

 

If we trade one of our catcherss, another slot opens for a rule 5 or a FA signing.

 

What I hate most is that because of ineptitude of Pablo, we are forced to play/keep someone like Marrero. He does not belong on a world championship team. There has to be an upgrade somewhere in the organization. Can we afford to sign Moreland and give him some at bats backing up Travis and Hanley? This of course assumes letting go of Young.

 

Can we afford to go over the luxury limit next year knowing we won't keep everyone after 2018 season, thus the penalty may not be as severe? Moon?

 

Devers must be given every opportunity to succeed in 2018. Let him bat 9th and have him focuse on improving defense. His offensive tools are there.

 

Betts, Beni, JBJ, Travis, Pedroia, Xander, Devers, Hanley, Vaz/Leon......Moreland, Hernandez, Rutledge, OF

Sale, Price, Porcello, E Rod, Pom

Kimbrel, Thornburg, Smith, Kelly, Barnes, Hembree, Scott

 

Pretty solid 25

Edited June 11, 2017 by Nick

[moonslav59]

You do realize we have have to replace the players you have leaving or we will have no depth.

Pimintel is exactly the arm that gets taken in rule 5 drafts, look at past sox drafted.

Longhi, Devers, Buttrey, Callahan, Maddux, Cosart, Bautista, Beeks, Mars, Pimintel, Lin, Hernandez. All should be protected.

Then a couple tough decisions with Ball, Sheperd, Romanski, Diaz, and Procyshen.

We don't have the high end prospect of past years, but we have a ton of filler prospects. Especially relievers with major league potential. Listen to sox prospect podcasts and they talk about the crunch next year.

 

Callahan and Buttrey would not be missed. While both still have some promise, nobody sees them as becoming significant contributors at the ML level. Buttrey is now 24 and has shown no growth at all.

 

Maddux is having a good season but is 26. He might be drafted, but again, our pen is so deep right now, I doubt he gets a chance in the next year or two, unless we trade some arms.

 

Pimental is a steroid user who has slipped to #34 on soxprospects.com. Yeah, he has some promise, if ever gets his act straight, but I doubt someone will be willing to promote him to the big club for the full 2018 season. If he is drafted, and we lose him, I won't be upset in the least.

 

Lin is having a good season. He's a nifty fielder, but before this season, he's had just one year (2015)with an OPS over .611. With Marco H, Marrero and Chatham onboard, I think we have SS depth covered well enough.

 

If we trade a catcher, we may add Procyshen, but I doubt he'd be drafted anyways.

 

You named 12 players to protect. That would be at least double the players we've ever protected from the draft. I just don't see it happening, but even if it did, I think we can clear room for at least 7 and still have ML ready depth where needed. Travis and Devers take Moreland & Youngs 25 man roster slots, and Abad's slot is easily filled.

 

 

Bold = added to 40 man roster

 

C: Vaz-Leon with Swihart AAA with maybe Romanski or Procyshen added

1B: Travis (HRam/Pablo/Holt) with Longhi in AAA and Ockimey far away

2B: Pedey-Rutledge (Holt) with Marco H AAA

3B: Devers-Pablo (Holt) with Marrero/Marco H AAA)

SS: Bogey- Holt with Marrero AAA

LF: Beni (Holt)

CF: JBJ (Holt)

RF: Betts (Holt)

DH: HRam (Pablo)

 

SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom, Wright

RP: Kimbrel, Smith, Thornburg, Kelly, Hembree, Barnes

 

That IS A SOLID 25.

 

the rest of the 40 man... (I believe all will still have options.)

 

26 Swihart

27 Johnson

28 M Hernandez

29 Ross

30 Scott

31 Workman

32 Marrero

33 Taylor

34 Owens

35 D Hernandez-Rule 5 replaces Elias

36 Longhi - Rule 5 replaces Martin

37 J Beeks- Rule 5 replaces Kendricks

38 J Cozart- Rule 5 replaces Ysla

39 Maddux- Rule 5 replaces N Ramirez

40 Bautista or Mars- Rule 5 replaces Abad or Selsky

 

Workman, Marrero, Owens and Taylor could all be traded in some sort of 3 for 1 deal or as straight-up trades for a prospects not needing rule 5 protection. Holt may retire or be traded, and we still have Marco, Rutledge and Marrero as IF depth, although our OF depth would remain very shaky. We may dump Pablo and gain another slot. Since we won't lose Holt AND Marrero, count them as one possible slot. Count Workman or Taylor as one more slot as one could be traded easily. We might want to keep Owens as ML ready depth, but I have to believe we could pick up a replacement level starter at any time that is as good as Owens and costs next to nothing. There's 3 slots not counting Pablo. That could, although I doubt we need to or will, allow us to protect 3-4 from this list:

 

1. Bautista or Mars (see #40)

2. Lin

3 & 4. (2 from) Buttrey, Callahan, TBall, Pimental, Diaz or Sheppard

[moonslav59]

What I hate most is that because of ineptitude of Pablo, we are forced to play/keep someone like Marrero. He does not belong on a world championship team. There has to be an upgrade somewhere in the organization. Can we afford to sign Moreland and give him some at bats backing up Travis and Hanley? This of course assumes letting go of Young.

 

We may add a FA bat (or keep Moreland), so that would shorten the Rule 5 protection list by one- no big deal to me, but I think it would only be for one year (see my answer to your tax question).

 

I have faith that Devers and Travis will fill in nicely for Moreland and Young's bats, but we will have lost all OF depth with Young's departure and Holt's uncertainty. I doubt we keep Selsky around, and Danny Mars may not be considered ML depth, which begs the question: If he is not considered ML depth, who will draft him rule 5? And, if he is ML depth, then we can let Selsky go. Holt's health status also plays a role in our need to add OF depth.

 

 

Can we afford to go over the luxury limit next year knowing we won't keep everyone after 2018 season, thus the penalty may not be as severe? Moon?

 

Yes, if we stay under this year, I think the idea is to go over next year and maybe the following as well.

 

I don't see us signing a big bat FA for more than a 1 year deal, unless we do not trust Travis or Devers as capable FT players and Pablo has not won a FT job by season's end. Our big tax crunch years begin in 2019, when we have to start extending, re-signing, or replacing, in kind, big named players.

 

Devers must be given every opportunity to succeed in 2018. Let him bat 9th and have him focuse on improving defense. His offensive tools are there.

 

Agreed, and I feel almost as strongly about giving Travis a shot at 1B.

 

 

Betts, Beni, JBJ, Travis, Pedroia, Xander, Devers, Hanley, Vaz/Leon......Moreland, Hernandez, Rutledge, OF

Sale, Price, Porcello, E Rod, Pom

Kimbrel, Thornburg, Smith, Kelly, Barnes, Hembree, Scott

 

Pretty solid 25

 

You have Moreland replacing Holt. I assume you think Holt is finished with the Sox.

 

Assuming Moreland finishes out the year doing well, I'd be fine with keeping him, but he'll want more money and more years, and I'm not sure we can give him what he wants/deserves. Instead, we may add a cheaper 1B/OF type player to give us the OF depth we need.

[Fisk]

Holt is going to be very busy. The depth you left the team with especially in the starting rotation and outfield is terrible. And good bullpen prospects will be taken in the rule 5.

[Fisk]

Callahan and Buttrey would not be missed. While both still have some promise, nobody sees them as becoming significant contributors at the ML level. Buttrey is now 24 and has shown no growth at all.

 

Maddux is having a good season but is 26. He might be drafted, but again, our pen is so deep right now, I doubt he gets a chance in the next year or two, unless we trade some arms.

 

Pimental is a steroid user who has slipped to #34 on soxprospects.com. Yeah, he has some promise, if ever gets his act straight, but I doubt someone will be willing to promote him to the big club for the full 2018 season. If he is drafted, and we lose him, I won't be upset in the least.

 

Lin is having a good season. He's a nifty fielder, but before this season, he's had just one year (2015)with an OPS over .611. With Marco H, Marrero and Chatham onboard, I think we have SS depth covered well enough.

 

If we trade a catcher, we may add Procyshen, but I doubt he'd be drafted anyways.

 

You named 12 players to protect. That would be at least double the players we've ever protected from the draft. I just don't see it happening, but even if it did, I think we can clear room for at least 7 and still have ML ready depth where needed. Travis and Devers take Moreland & Youngs 25 man roster slots, and Abad's slot is easily filled.

 

 

Bold = added to 40 man roster

 

C: Vaz-Leon with Swihart AAA with maybe Romanski or Procyshen added

1B: Travis (HRam/Pablo/Holt) with Longhi in AAA and Ockimey far away

2B: Pedey-Rutledge (Holt) with Marco H AAA

3B: Devers-Pablo (Holt) with Marrero/Marco H AAA)

SS: Bogey- Holt with Marrero AAA

LF: Beni (Holt)

CF: JBJ (Holt)

RF: Betts (Holt)

DH: HRam (Pablo)

 

SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom, Wright

RP: Kimbrel, Smith, Thornburg, Kelly, Hembree, Barnes

 

That IS A SOLID 25.

 

the rest of the 40 man... (I believe all will still have options.)

 

26 Swihart

27 Johnson

28 M Hernandez

29 Ross

30 Scott

31 Workman

32 Marrero

33 Taylor

34 Owens

35 D Hernandez-Rule 5 replaces Elias

36 Longhi - Rule 5 replaces Martin

37 J Beeks- Rule 5 replaces Kendricks

38 J Cozart- Rule 5 replaces Ysla

39 Maddux- Rule 5 replaces N Ramirez

40 Bautista or Mars- Rule 5 replaces Abad or Selsky

 

Workman, Marrero, Owens and Taylor could all be traded in some sort of 3 for 1 deal or as straight-up trades for a prospects not needing rule 5 protection. Holt may retire or be traded, and we still have Marco, Rutledge and Marrero as IF depth, although our OF depth would remain very shaky. We may dump Pablo and gain another slot. Since we won't lose Holt AND Marrero, count them as one possible slot. Count Workman or Taylor as one more slot as one could be traded easily. We might want to keep Owens as ML ready depth, but I have to believe we could pick up a replacement level starter at any time that is as good as Owens and costs next to nothing. There's 3 slots not counting Pablo. That could, although I doubt we need to or will, allow us to protect 3-4 from this list:

 

1. Bautista or Mars (see #40)

2. Lin

3 & 4. (2 from) Buttrey, Callahan, TBall, Pimental, Diaz or Sheppard

Actually you need to read the updated scouting reports on Buttrey, he's throwing in the high 90s consistently out of the pen. The two you mentioned Callahan and Buttrey might be 1 and 2 on best bullpen prospects in the system. Both recently promoted to Pawtucket and both could see time with the team in September.

[moonslav59]

Holt is going to be very busy. The depth you left the team with especially in the starting rotation and outfield is terrible. And good bullpen prospects will be taken in the rule 5.

 

How hard is it to find pitchers like Kendricks and Velazquez--our depth this year?

 

We'll still have 6 solid starters: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom & Wright plus Johnson and maybe keep Elias, if he looks worth it. If we protect Beeks, he's ML depth by 2018. Maybe Shepperd, too. We could also re-convert Workman or Barnes back to starters.

 

Granted, especially if Holt is done, our OF depth of just Danny Mars is frightening.

 

I could see us signing a cheap one year 1B/OF type FA next winter.

[Fisk]

Callahan and Buttrey would not be missed. While both still have some promise, nobody sees them as becoming significant contributors at the ML level. Buttrey is now 24 and has shown no growth at all.

 

Maddux is having a good season but is 26. He might be drafted, but again, our pen is so deep right now, I doubt he gets a chance in the next year or two, unless we trade some arms.

 

Pimental is a steroid user who has slipped to #34 on soxprospects.com. Yeah, he has some promise, if ever gets his act straight, but I doubt someone will be willing to promote him to the big club for the full 2018 season. If he is drafted, and we lose him, I won't be upset in the least.

 

Lin is having a good season. He's a nifty fielder, but before this season, he's had just one year (2015)with an OPS over .611. With Marco H, Marrero and Chatham onboard, I think we have SS depth covered well enough.

 

If we trade a catcher, we may add Procyshen, but I doubt he'd be drafted anyways.

 

You named 12 players to protect. That would be at least double the players we've ever protected from the draft. I just don't see it happening, but even if it did, I think we can clear room for at least 7 and still have ML ready depth where needed. Travis and Devers take Moreland & Youngs 25 man roster slots, and Abad's slot is easily filled.

 

 

Bold = added to 40 man roster

 

C: Vaz-Leon with Swihart AAA with maybe Romanski or Procyshen added

1B: Travis (HRam/Pablo/Holt) with Longhi in AAA and Ockimey far away

2B: Pedey-Rutledge (Holt) with Marco H AAA

3B: Devers-Pablo (Holt) with Marrero/Marco H AAA)

SS: Bogey- Holt with Marrero AAA

LF: Beni (Holt)

CF: JBJ (Holt)

RF: Betts (Holt)

DH: HRam (Pablo)

 

SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom, Wright

RP: Kimbrel, Smith, Thornburg, Kelly, Hembree, Barnes

 

That IS A SOLID 25.

 

the rest of the 40 man... (I believe all will still have options.)

 

26 Swihart

27 Johnson

28 M Hernandez

29 Ross

30 Scott

31 Workman

32 Marrero

33 Taylor

34 Owens

35 D Hernandez-Rule 5 replaces Elias

36 Longhi - Rule 5 replaces Martin

37 J Beeks- Rule 5 replaces Kendricks

38 J Cozart- Rule 5 replaces Ysla

39 Maddux- Rule 5 replaces N Ramirez

40 Bautista or Mars- Rule 5 replaces Abad or Selsky

 

Workman, Marrero, Owens and Taylor could all be traded in some sort of 3 for 1 deal or as straight-up trades for a prospects not needing rule 5 protection. Holt may retire or be traded, and we still have Marco, Rutledge and Marrero as IF depth, although our OF depth would remain very shaky. We may dump Pablo and gain another slot. Since we won't lose Holt AND Marrero, count them as one possible slot. Count Workman or Taylor as one more slot as one could be traded easily. We might want to keep Owens as ML ready depth, but I have to believe we could pick up a replacement level starter at any time that is as good as Owens and costs next to nothing. There's 3 slots not counting Pablo. That could, although I doubt we need to or will, allow us to protect 3-4 from this list:

 

1. Bautista or Mars (see #40)

2. Lin

3 & 4. (2 from) Buttrey, Callahan, TBall, Pimental, Diaz or Sheppard

I named 12 players to protect because they are all rule 5 eligible and could be selected, again not high end prospects like the past, but all potential serviceable big leaguers.

This is why there is a 40 man crunch. You will see some of them traded for money for international signings, and maybe for a Plouffe or a Peralta, or a player of that standard.

[Fisk]

How hard is it to find pitchers like Kendricks and Velazquez--our depth this year?

 

We'll still have 6 solid starters: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Pom & Wright plus Johnson and maybe keep Elias, if he looks worth it. If we protect Beeks, he's ML depth by 2018. Maybe Shepperd, too. We could also re-convert Workman or Barnes back to starters.

 

Granted, especially if Holt is done, our OF depth of just Danny Mars is frightening.

 

I could see us signing a cheap one year 1B/OF type FA next winter.

Do you want to trot out Kendrick and Vazquez types I don't.

[Fisk]

Do you want to trot out Kendrick and Vazquez types I don't.

 

Workman and Barnes are not being converted back. Workman still hasn't fully recovered. Sheperd has always been a reliever. Beeks is the one that can step up to be starter depth.

[moonslav59]

Actually you need to read the updated scouting reports on Buttrey, he's throwing in the high 90s consistently out of the pen. The two you mentioned Callahan and Buttrey might be 1 and 2 on best bullpen prospects in the system. Both recently promoted to Pawtucket and both could see time with the team in September.

 

If both Callahan and Buttrey are protected, I'd be surprised, but I wouldn't be upset if they were chosen over Cozart, Maddux or Bautista.

 

Assuming you are right about all these guys needing protection, I think the Sox might look to "clear up" space by making a 3 for 1 trade at the deadline--maybe with someone who has been on the 25 man roster already this year or prospects in need of protection but maybe looking like they are borderline being able to be protected.

 

Maybe a trade like Scott, Callahan and Lin for Frazier.