A Realistic View at 2017 Part I

[Nick]

If you meant Sox players, I don't think those numbers have been reported yet. Most will be about $575K.

 

Yep, I meant the Sox players. Cot's has 5 players each making $600K. Looks like we'll be $15M under the cap.

 

Assuming we pick up Kimbrel's option, getting rid of Moreland will cover increases for both Kimbrel and Sale in 2018.

$15-$17M under-cap amount will be needed to pay for 9 or so arbitration players. We're pretty much committed to Sam Travis for 2018.

Edited March 6, 2017 by Nick

[Nick]

Sam Travis with a 3 run shot.....he can hit major league pitching.

 

He batted 3rd at IU, Schwarber batted 2nd. He was always a tough out.

 

Sale pitched two innings without getting injured...good news.

Edited March 6, 2017 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Yep, I meant the Sox players. Cot's has 5 players each making $600K. Looks like we'll be $15M under the cap.

 

Assuming we pick up Kimbrel's option, getting rid of Moreland will cover increases for both Kimbrel and Sale in 2018.

$15-$17M under-cap amount will be needed to pay for 9 or so arbitration players. We're pretty much committed to Sam Travis for 2018.

 

Agreed on Travis for 2018. Losing Moreland and Young should give Travis a shot at a FT job.

 

I had us at about $11M under the limit.

[Nick]

Agreed on Travis for 2018. Losing Moreland and Young should give Travis a shot at a FT job.

 

I had us at about $11M under the limit.

 

I forgot about Young....but what becomes of our OF depth?

[Nick]

Owens....1 IP 0 Runs 1H 2BB 2K maybe at some point in distant future, he can turn into a Miller.

[a700hitter]

Owens....1 IP 0 Runs 1H 2BB 2K maybe at some point in distant future, he can turn into a Miller.

With 8 mph less velocity.

[Nick]

With 8 mph less velocity.

 

Oh geez, don't throw out facts....I was on a roll.

[Emp9]

Owens....1 IP 0 Runs 1H 2BB 2K maybe at some point in distant future, he can turn into a Miller.

 

He's been in our system for... forever, but he's still only 24. 6' 7" LHP with control and command issues. Even if he doesn't develop a 3rd pitch to be a SP, I suppose if he focuses on just his FB & Curveball (along w/ solving his control & command of course) he might develop into a fine RP. His age and his frame are reasons I haven't quite given up on him.

[moonslav59]

I forgot about Young....but what becomes of our OF depth?

 

Holt & Swihart for now.

 

Maybe we can find another de Aza, Nava, Podsednik or DMac type on the cheap.

 

OF depth is always easy to find.

[moonslav59]

Owens....1 IP 0 Runs 1H 2BB 2K maybe at some point in distant future, he can turn into a Miller.

 

I used to be higher on Owens than most.

 

I've just about given up on him.

[Emp9]

With 8 mph less velocity.

 

Miller throws 102mph on a consistent basis? I think you mean more like 6? ANywho, Owens could still see an uptick in velocity, again because of his age and his frame. It's possible he could narrow that gap is all I'm saying really.

[Nick]

Make that 4 walks for Owens.....can anyone say 'command issues'? Everyone is pulling for him but his mechanics must just be horrible. He can't repeat his delivery and release. Ugh....

[Emp9]

I used to be higher on Owens than most.

 

I've just about given up on him.

 

That's understandable. I need another 2 seasons to totally give up on him though.

[Fisk]

Holt & Swihart for now.

 

Maybe we can find another de Aza, Nava, Podsednik or DMac type on the cheap.

 

OF depth is always easy to find.

 

Selske has looked good this spring I'm going to guess he would be the first call up.

[Fisk]

I used to be higher on Owens than most.

 

I've just about given up on him.

 

I would give up on him if there wasn't a history of tall lefties figuring it out later in their career.

[Spudboy]

Make that 4 walks for Owens.....can anyone say 'command issues'? Everyone is pulling for him but his mechanics must just be horrible. He can't repeat his delivery and release. Ugh....

 

Interesting post.

 

I have a radical idea. Bring in Randy Johnson as a personal coach, advisor, and mentor. Change Owen's mechanics to mimic Johnson's. Not as tall or lanky but almost.

 

Harness that frame to throw heat from more of a side delivery and intimidate the s*** out of batters.

 

I know. Just fantasy.

[Emp9]

I would give up on him if there wasn't a history of tall lefties figuring it out later in their career.

 

You said it better than I.

[moonslav59]

I would give up on him if there wasn't a history of tall lefties figuring it out later in their career.

 

I didn't mean cut him, but I have no expectations for him ever making the big club again.

 

I hope he surprises me.

[Nick]

 

He's not quite the 'big unit'.

[Fisk]

He's not quite the 'big unit'.

 

No he isnt

[Spudboy]

I never said that he was or even could be.

[a700hitter]

Miller throws 102mph on a consistent basis? I think you mean more like 6? ANywho, Owens could still see an uptick in velocity, again because of his age and his frame. It's possible he could narrow that gap is all I'm saying really.

^ mph is nothing to sneeze at especially when you have a hellacious slider to go with it. You are nitpicking.

[Nick]

I never said that he was or even could be.

 

I was messing with the phrase 'big unit'....u know, bigly

hands....not contradicting anything you said.

[Emp9]

^ mph is nothing to sneeze at especially when you have a hellacious slider to go with it. You are nitpicking.

 

You're right. You could say I was not sneezing at a 2 MPH difference. I sensed a slight hyperbole. Don't worry about it. I do think there is a chance Owens could increase his velocity over the next few years-which is more why I posted at all.

[Kimmi]

MLBTR....

 

Sandy Leon tells Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that even though he’s been characterized as a lock to make the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster, he’s not assuming anything in Spring Training. Leon, who has been optioned to the minors six times and designated for assignment on multiple occasions in his career, tells Abraham, “I don’t know how to think that way,” adding that nothing should be considered guaranteed. The 28-year-old Leon had the opportunity to play for his native Venezuela or his wife’s native Colombia in the World Baseball Classic but passed on both opportunities to better prepare for the 2017 season with Boston. Leon’s breakout season finished with a prolonged slump, though Abraham notes that Leon played 53 games in Winter Ball before the regular season and was working a starter’s workload for the first time in 2016, which may have caused him to wear down. Leon logged just four Winter Ball games this offseason and figures to start for the BoSox on Opening Day in 2017.

 

This is what we're talking about CP. Good for Leon.

[Kimmi]

He's been in our system for... forever, but he's still only 24. 6' 7" LHP with control and command issues. Even if he doesn't develop a 3rd pitch to be a SP, I suppose if he focuses on just his FB & Curveball (along w/ solving his control & command of course) he might develop into a fine RP. His age and his frame are reasons I haven't quite given up on him.

 

Agreed. He has been frustrating as heck, but we have to remember he's still fairly young, too young to give up on.

[Hugh2]

I wouldn't expect much of an uptick in Owens velocity, if any. Velocity usually tops out at a young age, before pitchers even ever put it together. I'd more optimistic of his future if he can harness his control.

[cp176]

This is what we're talking about CP. Good for Leon.

 

Thank you for posting this. This is what I like and what we have been talking about. Regardless of what happens going forward for him, he gets it. I love these types of players.

[moonslav59]

Thank you for posting this. This is what I like and what we have been talking about. Regardless of what happens going forward for him, he gets it. I love these types of players.

 

I do too, and for as young as he still is, he has the aura of a 12 year vet.

[notin]

I would give up on him if there wasn't a history of tall lefties figuring it out later in their career.

 

Of course there's a bigger history of tall lefties who don't. While it's not time to give up on Owens, that time does draw nearer every season.

 

Sure at some point he might even gain an uptick in velocity. But until he shows some semblance of control, it just means he will be walking hitters with faster pitches....