A Realistic View at 2017 Part I

[moonslav59]

The Nationals were outbid by the Red Sox in their attempt to acquire Chris Sale, but that wasn’t for lack of trying, as Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post (Twitter links). Remarkably, the Nationals were willing to deal outfielder Victor Robles and both their top young starting pitching prospects, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, for Sale. But the White Sox instead opted for the Red Sox’ incredible offer, topped by Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech.

 

Robles, Giolito and Lopez are the Nationals’ top three prospects, according to MLB.com. All three of them rank among the top 40 in baseball and Robles and Giolito rank among the top ten. Robles has earned praise as a five-tool talent with good hitting ability and exceptional speed. Both Giolito and Lopez could make an immediate impact in a big-league rotation, and all three players have enormous upside once they reach the big leagues for good. That the White Sox were able to get one offer this good is incredible in its own right; that they had to leave it on the table because they found one they liked better is even more so.

 

-MLBTR

[Dojji]

Pablo is going to have his best season since 2011.

 

Distinctly possible. He's in excellent shape now. If he's still in excellent shape on the far side of Christmas, good things should happen.

[Dojji]

Today’s acquisition of Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers will end Boston’s foray into the relief market for the winter, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters (including Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe). Most notably, this would seem to end any chance of the Sox re-signing Koji Uehara or Brad Ziegler.

 

-MLBTR

 

If Koji is still jobliess in January or February and looking for a cheap deal, NWIH DD passes that up in my opinion.

[jopete19]

If Koji is still jobliess in January or February and looking for a cheap deal, NWIH DD passes that up in my opinion.

 

 

Would love to see us pick up Koji cheap. But I really think another team will sign him. The Sox gave him an offer, and he didn't take it.

[moonslav59]

Pablo is going to have his best season since 2011.

 

I'm most concerned about his defense and batting vs lefties.

 

I think he'll keep the weight off.

[moonslav59]

Would love to see us pick up Koji cheap. But I really think another team will sign him. The Sox gave him an offer, and he didn't take it.

 

I'd love to see him back as well, and a $2.5M tax on a $5M offer doesn't seem all that bad.

[jopete19]

I'd love to see him back as well, and a $2.5M tax on a $5M offer doesn't seem all that bad.

 

"#RedSox made an offer to @TeamUehara, Dombrowski said. Koji asked for more time understanding the Sox could look elsewhere. Offer pulled now"

 

From Pete Abraham Yesterday @4:43

[Spudboy]

Why does everyone here accept as fact the idea that Pablo is in great condition now?

 

What does that even mean? That he is in spring 2015 shape?

 

People are so gullible.

 

Yesterday Farrell said that Pablo was working hard and was healed and in fantastic shape. It must be fact!!!!

 

Just as it was when he said the same s*** last year!!!!!

[jopete19]

Why does everyone here accept as fact the idea that Pablo is in great condition now?

 

What does that even mean? That he is in spring 2015 shape?

 

People are so gullible.

 

Yesterday Farrell said that Pablo was working hard and was healed and in fantastic shape. It must be fact!!!!

 

Just as it was when he said the same s*** last year!!!!!

 

 

Agreed. Will be interesting to see how the spring goes for him, but the exact same things were said last year.

[moonslav59]

Why does everyone here accept as fact the idea that Pablo is in great condition now?

 

What does that even mean? That he is in spring 2015 shape?

 

People are so gullible.

 

Yesterday Farrell said that Pablo was working hard and was healed and in fantastic shape. It must be fact!!!!

 

Just as it was when he said the same s*** last year!!!!!

 

I saw the picture posted recently, but I have accepted nothing as far as what I expect from him.

[jopete19]

I saw the picture posted recently, but I have accepted nothing as far as what I expect from him.

 

 

It does look like he has slimmed down, which is good. Still needs to prove himself this spring, if Farrell gives him a shot at 3rd.

[moonslav59]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]451[/ATTACH]

 

It does look like he has slimmed down, which is good. Still needs to prove himself this spring, if Farrell gives him a shot at 3rd.

 

I totally agree, and I trust that DD hasn't based his trade of Shaw on looking at one foto.

[Dojji]

Why does everyone here accept as fact the idea that Pablo is in great condition now?

 

What does that even mean? That he is in spring 2015 shape?

 

People are so gullible.

 

Yesterday Farrell said that Pablo was working hard and was healed and in fantastic shape. It must be fact!!!!

 

Just as it was when he said the same s*** last year!!!!!

 

Things have changed.. we have to be all in on the Panda now because it's obvious DD is... it's either him or Marco Hernandez covering third base for us all year. So forgive us for exercising a certain necessary optimism, under the circumstances.

 

Besides, a Panda comeback is hardly impossible, and good things will happen if he can manage it.

 

I mean this is the "realistic views" thread. Realistically we now NEED Panda to be good to go.

[mvp 78]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]451[/ATTACH]

 

It does look like he has slimmed down, which is good. Still needs to prove himself this spring, if Farrell gives him a shot at 3rd.

 

He was apparently looking good last December too. This guy can probably put on 20 lbs in a month without thinking about it.

[oldtimer]

I totally agree, and I trust that DD hasn't based his trade of Shaw on looking at one foto.

 

The basis for getting rid of Shaw doesn't have to be Pablo being in such good shape. There may be other deals. He also mentioned Hernandez and Devers.

[jopete19]

He was apparently looking good last December too. This guy can probably put on 20 lbs in a month without thinking about it.

 

I was thinking the same thing. His weight must fluctuate like crazy!

[Spudboy]

He was apparently looking good last December too. This guy can probably put on 20 lbs in a month without thinking about it.

 

I still don't get it. I have no idea when the skinny photo was taken. And you are correct, Pablo can gain 20 lbs easily very quickly.

 

I too hope that he rakes in 2017 and subsequent years for that matter.

 

I still doubt that he does, though.

[moonslav59]

I still don't get it. I have no idea when the skinny photo was taken. And you are correct, Pablo can gain 20 lbs easily very quickly.

 

I too hope that he rakes in 2017 and subsequent years for that matter.

 

I still doubt that he does, though.

 

I trust DD's assessment more than Farrell's:

--Dave Dombrowski says Sandoval is in "tremendous shape"

 

I trust my eyes on a DEC 5 foto:

 

I don't trust Pablo to stay this way for long or to be very productive, but we may just need him to get us to the trade deadline..

[moonslav59]

I told you guys the CWS would have a fire sale or fire Sale:

 

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Nats are close to getting Adam Eaton from the White Sox. Top outfield prospect Victor Robles is not in the deal, he adds.

 

If they trade Quintana, I'll always wonder, "what if...?"

[a700hitter]

Who is our DH against LHP?

[Kimmi]

Why does everyone here accept as fact the idea that Pablo is in great condition now?

 

What does that even mean? That he is in spring 2015 shape?

 

People are so gullible.

 

Yesterday Farrell said that Pablo was working hard and was healed and in fantastic shape. It must be fact!!!!

 

Just as it was when he said the same s*** last year!!!!!

 

Because Dombrowski said so, so it is fact!!!

[Kimmi]

I trust DD's assessment more than Farrell's:

--Dave Dombrowski says Sandoval is in "tremendous shape"

 

Ha.

[Kimmi]

Who is our DH against LHP?

 

It sounds like Hanley is going to get a lot of DH time regardless of the handedness of the opposing pitcher.

[a700hitter]

It sounds like Hanley is going to get a lot of DH time regardless of the handedness of the opposing pitcher.

I don't see Moreland playing against lefties. We will already have one blackhole against lefties in Pablo at 3B. Not a good plan.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't see Moreland playing against lefties. We will already have one blackhole against lefties in Pablo at 3B. Not a good plan.

 

When we face a lefty starter, Young can DH and Hanley can play 1B.

[Hugh2]

This team could really use a corner infielder with a right handed bat. You could always play Hanley at 1B against some lefties and rotate the DH position to give some guys a day off in the field. Would be a good opportunity to get Young some at bats vs. LHP.

[a700hitter]

When we face a lefty starter, Young can DH and Hanley can play 1B.

So Bradley and AB play everyday and don't sit against lefties?

[moonslav59]

When we face a lefty starter, Young can DH and Hanley can play 1B.

 

Yes, Young has been one of MLB's best hitters vs lefties over the last two seasons.

 

He may have to spell the OF'er some days, and it's probably best to rest Beni and JBJ vs lefties. Young can play vs RHPs, but it shouldn't be too often...maybe only when Betts needs a rest.

[a700hitter]

Yes, Young has been one of MLB's best hitters vs lefties over the last two seasons.

 

He may have to spell the OF'er some days, and it's probably best to rest Beni and JBJ vs lefties. Young can play vs RHPs, but it shouldn't be too often...maybe only when Betts needs a rest.

When Young is spelling one of our OFers against a LHP, we have Pablo and Moreland in the lineup? Not liking that.

[Spudboy]

I trust DD's assessment more than Farrell's:

--Dave Dombrowski says Sandoval is in "tremendous shape"

 

I trust my eyes on a DEC 5 foto:

 

I don't trust Pablo to stay this way for long or to be very productive, but we may just need him to get us to the trade deadline..

 

Lol. A photo with no date stamp is still not convincing. If that is Pablo recently that is nice. I wonder how long he can keep the weight off? SF fans know the answer, apparently.