A Realistic View at 2017 Part I

[moonslav59]

This from MLBTR...

 

Considering they’re not on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, outfielder Rusney Castillo and first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig are already facing uphill battles to achieve relevance in Boston. Moreover, their onerous contracts make even short promotions to the majors unlikely, notes WEEI’s John Tomase (via colleague Rob Bradford). Castillo, for instance, would cost the Red Sox $56,596 per day to keep on their 25-man roster. Thus, a two-week stint with the Sox would cost $800K and push them over the luxury-tax threshold, which they’ve been careful to stay under. Castillo and Craig have upped their stock this spring, writes Bradford, but the team unsurprisingly sent the pair back to Triple-A on Sunday. They’ll combine to make $21.5MM in the minors this season.

How can $800K "push them over the luxury tax threshold"?

 

I thought we had millions to spare after dumping Buch.

[Bellhorn04]

This from MLBTR...

 

Considering they’re not on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, outfielder Rusney Castillo and first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig are already facing uphill battles to achieve relevance in Boston. Moreover, their onerous contracts make even short promotions to the majors unlikely, notes WEEI’s John Tomase (via colleague Rob Bradford). Castillo, for instance, would cost the Red Sox $56,596 per day to keep on their 25-man roster. Thus, a two-week stint with the Sox would cost $800K and push them over the luxury-tax threshold, which they’ve been careful to stay under. Castillo and Craig have upped their stock this spring, writes Bradford, but the team unsurprisingly sent the pair back to Triple-A on Sunday. They’ll combine to make $21.5MM in the minors this season.

How can $800K "push them over the luxury tax threshold"?

 

I thought we had millions to spare after dumping Buch.

 

I believe you're right. The MLBTR statement seems to be counting Castillo's full salary for 2017 for tax purposes.

[Thunder]

Sounds like porn.

 

It's owned by Twitter, so that is quite possible.

[Kimmi]

It is questionable whether Ramirez will get any playing time at 1B before the season starts, due to lingering shoulder issues. He may start the season as a full time DH.

[moonslav59]

I believe you're right. The MLBTR statement seems to be counting Castillo's full salary for 2017 for tax purposes.

 

The way it's worded it sounds like they think a two week stint would cost $800K, and $800K would put them over.

[moonslav59]

It is questionable whether Ramirez will get any playing time at 1B before the season starts, due to lingering shoulder issues. He may start the season as a full time DH.

 

If that's true, could Swihart be viewed as an eventual Moreland platoon at 1B option?

 

Also, does that mean Young plays LF vs LH'd starters and JBJ or Beni sit?

 

Young HAS TO PLAY vs LHPs.

[cp176]

If that's true, could Swihart be viewed as an eventual Moreland platoon at 1B option?

 

Also, does that mean Young plays LF vs LH'd starters and JBJ or Beni sit?

 

Young HAS TO PLAY vs LHPs.

 

If they use anyone other than Holt on occasion, I would think that it would likely mean a call up for Sam Travis. My guess is that they will do everything that they can do to keep Swihart behind the plate.

[Fisk]

I'm not sure why they haven't given reps at first for Chris Young.

[Spudboy]

It is questionable whether Ramirez will get any playing time at 1B before the season starts, due to lingering shoulder issues. He may start the season as a full time DH.

 

That's okay with me as long as he does not aggravate the shoulder hitting, running, and sliding.

[Bellhorn04]

The way it's worded it sounds like they think a two week stint would cost $800K, and $800K would put them over.

 

Cot's Contracts has us under by about $15 million. That piece by Bradford/Tomase is inexcusable gibberish.

[Thunder]

It is questionable whether Ramirez will get any playing time at 1B before the season starts, due to lingering shoulder issues. He may start the season as a full time DH.

 

I thought he was going to be the full time DH? Did I miss something here? Wasn't Moreland supposed to be playing 1B for the majority of the season?

 

I guess this is what happens when you don't really follow Spring Training.

[Bellhorn04]

I think the plan was for Hanley to play first against lefty starters. Young would probably DH those games.

[Thunder]

I think the plan was for Hanley to play first against lefty starters. Young would probably DH those games.

 

Alright, I like the sound of that. But, still we're not talking about anything long term here with Hanley, so at worst, he can only DH for what, all of April?

[oldtimer]

This from MLBTR...

 

Considering they’re not on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, outfielder Rusney Castillo and first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig are already facing uphill battles to achieve relevance in Boston. Moreover, their onerous contracts make even short promotions to the majors unlikely, notes WEEI’s John Tomase (via colleague Rob Bradford). Castillo, for instance, would cost the Red Sox $56,596 per day to keep on their 25-man roster. Thus, a two-week stint with the Sox would cost $800K and push them over the luxury-tax threshold, which they’ve been careful to stay under. Castillo and Craig have upped their stock this spring, writes Bradford, but the team unsurprisingly sent the pair back to Triple-A on Sunday. They’ll combine to make $21.5MM in the minors this season.

How can $800K "push them over the luxury tax threshold"?

 

I thought we had millions to spare after dumping Buch.

 

Based on their ST performances, is it possible someone would propose a trade for either if we ate part of their contracts?

[Fisk]

Based on their ST performances, is it possible someone would propose a trade for either if we ate part of their contracts?

 

They are stuck in limbo if we trade them and eat part of that contract, the part we eat will count on the luxury tax.

[Bellhorn04]

Based on their ST performances, is it possible someone would propose a trade for either if we ate part of their contracts?

 

If Craig shows some signs of rebounding we might be able to trade him, as you say we'd have to eat some of it.

[Bellhorn04]

They are stuck in limbo if we trade them and eat part of that contract, the part we eat will count on the luxury tax.

 

That might be a good point too...this stuff is getting complicated. Even our esteemed WEEI writers are getting all confused.

[Spudboy]

Cot's Contracts has us under by about $15 million. That piece by Bradford/Tomase is inexcusable gibberish.

 

Sloppy research at best. Those two would be better off reading Talksox to get their info. Seriously.

[Spudboy]

Alright, I like the sound of that. But, still we're not talking about anything long term here with Hanley, so at worst, he can only DH for what, all of April?

 

Is this the same shoulder and injury that he suffered playing left? If so I don't believe assuming a speedy return is prudent. Maybe he will need constant therapy and surgery.

 

Who knows?

[Thunder]

Is this the same shoulder and injury that he suffered playing left? If so I don't believe assuming a speedy return is prudent. Maybe he will need constant therapy and surgery.

 

Who knows?

 

Certainly not me, but the impression I got from a couple of different online stories was that he'll be good to go in a couple weeks. He still might need therapy, and frequent off days, but they implies that he could and should be back by mid to late April.

[Kimmi]

If that's true, could Swihart be viewed as an eventual Moreland platoon at 1B option?

 

Also, does that mean Young plays LF vs LH'd starters and JBJ or Beni sit?

 

Young HAS TO PLAY vs LHPs.

 

I hope they do not move Swihart to 1B. I want him to focus on nothing but catching.

 

Rutledge is getting some reps at first base, I guess to see if he's a possibility.

 

I am pretty sure that Farrell said that if Hanley cannot play 1B, Young will get the starts in the outfield against LHPs.

[Kimmi]

That's okay with me as long as he does not aggravate the shoulder hitting, running, and sliding.

 

Thankfully, the shoulder injury is not affecting his batting, only his throwing.

[moonslav59]

Cot's Contracts has us under by about $15 million. That piece by Bradford/Tomase is inexcusable gibberish.

 

I have us under by about $8-9M.

[moonslav59]

Based on their ST performances, is it possible someone would propose a trade for either if we ate part of their contracts?

 

But then if they are on the other teams 25 man roster, wouldn't the portion of their contracts we pay then count against our luxury tax limit?

 

If so, they won't be traded, unless the other team pays in full...not likely.

[moonslav59]

Rutledge is getting some reps at first base, I guess to see if he's a possibility.

 

Holt's played 1B before. I doubt we see Rutledge there.

 

My thoughts on next year was that hopefully Devers would be ready and we'd see Pablo move to 1B vs RHPs with HanRam at 1B vs LHPs and DH vs RHPs.

 

It's too bad Pablo and Moreland both suck vs lefties, so no 1B platoon with those two this year makes any sense, even if we decide to use Hernandez as out FT 3Bman.

 

I think Travis looks like the best option at 1B vs LHPs , if HanRam never recovers enough to play there. I think JF might go with Holt vs LHPs.

 

[Fisk]

Rutledge is getting some reps at first base, I guess to see if he's a possibility.

 

Holt's played 1B before. I doubt we see Rutledge there.

 

My thoughts on next year was that hopefully Devers would be ready and we'd see Pablo move to 1B vs RHPs with HanRam at 1B vs LHPs and DH vs RHPs.

 

It's too bad Pablo and Moreland both suck vs lefties, so no 1B platoon with those two this year makes any sense, even if we decide to use Hernandez as out FT 3Bman.

 

I think Travis looks like the best option at 1B vs LHPs , if HanRam never recovers enough to play there. I think JF might go with Holt vs LHPs.

 

 

The reason why he played Rutledge at first is he will probably play there against lefties until Hanley is ready. I am pretty sure Holt has not played 1st this spring.

[Fisk]

But then if they are on the other teams 25 man roster, wouldn't the portion of their contracts we pay then count against our luxury tax limit?

 

If so, they won't be traded, unless the other team pays in full...not likely.

 

That is correct a portion will count against the tax.

[moonslav59]

The reason why he played Rutledge at first is he will probably play there against lefties until Hanley is ready. I am pretty sure Holt has not played 1st this spring.

 

Holt has played 1B in his career (120 innings). He also hits lefties slightly better than righties but probably not better than Rutledge.

 

Rutledge has never played 1b in MLB.

[moonslav59]

The reason why he played Rutledge at first is he will probably play there against lefties until Hanley is ready. I am pretty sure Holt has not played 1st this spring.

 

So, it is doubtful we trade either of these guys, if the portion we have to pay endangers us going over the tax limit.

 

These two are in purgatory until their contracts run out.

[Fisk]

Holt has played 1B in his career (120 innings). He also hits lefties slightly better than righties but probably not better than Rutledge.

 

Rutledge has never played 1b in MLB.

 

If he planned on using Holt there my guess is he would have seen action there this spring. The other alternative is Seskey, which leaves Holt as the only backup at 2nd short and 3rd.