2016-2017 Offseason Trade Speculation Thread

[Spudboy]

Rutledge was optioned to AAA and he decided to become a free agent.

 

There is now one less option.

[sk7326]

Benintendi blew right by Margot. We made the right decision here.

 

i think they knew that last year. margot was always a high floor choice - and he looks like he will be a solid starter.

[mvp 78]

Rutledge was optioned to AAA and he decided to become a free agent.

 

There is now one less option.

 

That would have been a Building 19 3/4's option. No thanks...

[Bellhorn04]

The fact that there are other, better SS out there doesn't take one thing away from the fact that Xander Bogaerts is very, very good. Not too many shortstops blasted 21, drive in 89 runs or OPS over .800. We have a rare talent at short, and that talent has the potential to exceed his present performance (already excellent) if he can gain some consistency. That's not a reason to dump on Bogaerts. In fact that's freaking exciting. He had an All Star appearance that he thoroughly earned, and there's something beyond that that he can aspire to in terms overall performance? Sign me the HELL up!

 

I'm beginning to sense a trend here about people who have no memory whatsoever of events before August or so. Bogaerts was selected over Lindor because at the time, Bogaerts was hitting better than Lindor. At the end of the day Bogaerts deserves his All star nomination and he doesn't deserve to be nitpicked by fair weather fans who can't put the last 2 months of the season in proper perspective.

 

Right on Dojji.

[moonslav59]

We really aren't. As you yourself are pointing out we have an embarrassment of options behind Shaw for a fill-in guy. I just happen to believe Shaw is the best one available -- until Sandoval has an opportunity to state his case, that's a fact.

 

An "embarrassment" is a good word for it!

 

At least for the start of 2017.

 

I'm hopeful Moncada or devers will fill the gap sooner rather than later and turn the position into a big plus, not a 30th ranked minus.

[cp176]

Shaw is good for 20 home runs and 75 plus RBI's.

 

How do you figure?

 

Here's his numbers pro-rated to 600 PAs:

 

AA: .242 21 68

AAA: .256 13 64

MLB: .251 22 82

 

Maybe I'm too caught up in his second half slump and his 668 PAs of AAA ball, but I'm not counting on anywhere near those numbers you suggested.

 

I guess this is pretty close: AAA + MLB: .253 18 74 (1446 PAs combined) but I can't bring myself to be that optimistic.

 

 

I figure this - 480 trips to the plate - 16 home runs - 71 rbi's

 

I do not think that it is in any way a stretch for him to get to 20+ and 75+. He gets very little love here. I'm not a huge Shaw fan but he really isn't just some worthless experiment in waiting. He may not be the third baseman long range but unless he is traded, in my opinion one more time to bring in another journeyman that would cost us prospects and money for little to no upgrade would be a foolish thing to do.

[oldtimer]

The fact that there are other, better SS out there doesn't take one thing away from the fact that Xander Bogaerts is very, very good. Not too many shortstops blasted 21, drive in 89 runs or OPS over .800. We have a rare talent at short, and that talent has the potential to exceed his present performance (already excellent) if he can gain some consistency. That's not a reason to dump on Bogaerts. In fact that's freaking exciting. He had an All Star appearance that he thoroughly earned, and there's something beyond that that he can aspire to in terms overall performance? Sign me the HELL up!

 

I'm beginning to sense a trend here about people who have no memory whatsoever of events before August or so. Bogaerts was selected over Lindor because at the time, Bogaerts was hitting better than Lindor. At the end of the day Bogaerts deserves his All star nomination and he doesn't deserve to be nitpicked by fair weather fans who can't put the last 2 months of the season in proper perspective.

 

I don't think we should be expected to be best at all positions. Betts is probably the best right fielder. Pedroia is not the best at 2nd but he is darned good. Bogaerts also fits into that category. We should be happy to have above average players at so many positions and concentrate our effort on shoring up those that were either weak in 2016 or will become weak for 2017 due to losses such as Ortiz or our FA relief pitchers. We have a strong nucleus and an active GM who will try to fill the holes. Life is good.

[moonslav59]

I figure this - 480 trips to the plate - 16 home runs - 71 rbi's

 

I do not think that it is in any way a stretch for him to get to 20+ and 75+.

 

I do.

 

I've lost the faith.

 

...and this guy was my "sleeper prospect" pick for two years way back, so it's not like I had something against him to start with.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we should be expected to be best at all positions. Betts is probably the best right fielder. Pedroia is not the best at 2nd but he is darned good. Bogaerts also fits into that category. We should be happy to have above average players at so many positions and concentrate our effort on shoring up those that were either weak in 2016 or will become weak for 2017 due to losses such as Ortiz or our FA relief pitchers. We have a strong nucleus and an active GM who will try to fill the holes. Life is good.

 

I don't expect to be the best at all positions either, and we actually had one of the most balanced teams in MLB last year. However, when you fall short, one of the best ways to improve is to look at your weakest areas and try to improve them. 3B and the pen are a lot easier than trying to improve the RF position.

[Spudboy]

Travis Shaw is not a problem for this team.

 

I would like to see him get a full season of AB so he can learn to hit lefties. That may not happen if Fatboy shows up ready to ball.

 

I'm all for letting things work themselves out at 3rd base. No need to squander resources to fill a marginal need for upgrade.

[Dojji]

If 3B is a liability at the deadline after we've already given Shaw, Sandoval and others their fair shot, there will be midseason or deadline options in trade worth looking into -- Fraiser and Moustakas spring to mind quickly as possibilities there. There's no need to spend the offseason trying to outsmart ourselves.

[Eddy Ballgame]

If 3B is a liability at the deadline after we've already given Shaw, Sandoval and others their fair shot, there will be midseason or deadline options in trade worth looking into -- Fraiser and Moustakas spring to mind quickly as possibilities there. There's no need to spend the offseason trying to outsmart ourselves.

 

Exactly...Unless they trade Shaw & Sandoval some how, prior to spring training, they need to let it play out. If 3rd base is a sieve at the all star break, they can look at their options then.

[moonslav59]

I'm fine with waiting to the deadline.

 

I'm more than fine not going outside the system long term with Moncada and Devers soon to be beating down the door.

.

I'm not fine with saying Shaw/Pablo are fine.

 

We can win with just one or two serious weak points, but one has to think our odds can greatly improve if we can turn our weakest two to three points into average or plus positions. I'm confident Moncada and Devers can do so, but the time table is unknown.

[Orange Juiced]

I'm sure there's been lots of talk around here about him, but one guy I want the Sox to inquire about is Schwarber. Here, cbssports speculates that the Cubs might consider moving him. Why? Well, it's really a matter of where he could play. The Cubs are loaded, but they don't have a DH spot so they only have 8 hitters. From the article:

 

"The Cubs have a long-term solution at first base in Anthony Rizzo and might not want Schwarber behind the plate due to his knee injury. That leaves left field as the lone option. That's a problem too given the Cubs have Ben Zobrist and Jorge Soler hanging around. Maybe the solution is shifting Jason Heyward to center field on a permanent basis or using Javier Baez in a super-sub role. But the most practical solution -- or the one we'll all keep expecting to happen at some point -- is trading Schwarber to a team where he can slot in at first base or designated hitter. The Cubs have no reason to give Schwarber away, so if they do move him, expect it to be for a big-league player who can help their repeat chances in another capacity."

 

The one place the Cubs are short-handed is at C. Ross is now gone. Montero is 33 and just isn't that good. Contreras is fine, but nothing special. The other place they could use some help is in the bullpen. Not sure they'll end up keeping Chapman, but even if they do, they didn't seem to trust many more relievers than him or Montgomery.

 

I mean, look, the Cubs are loaded so it's hard to find holes. But Schwarber doesn't really have a position with this team right now, without having a DH. But the Red Sox have a gaping hole at DH. Schwarber would be an awesome, and cheap, option, and he fills the need for a LH hitter. He's not Papi - nobody is - but Papi is gone and the trick is filling the spot in the most effective way possible. I like the idea of rotating guys into that spot instead of having a full-time DH, but Schwarber at least is a capable 1b as well, and he'd be way, way cheaper than Encarnacion or Bautista.

 

So how about Vazquez (or Leon, if they preferred him), Kimbrel, and a prospect (say, Dubon, who can play both IF and OF and might be a Zobrist replacement in a couple of years) for Schwarber and Edwards. They get needed catching help and a dynamic, proven closer to replace Chapman (or pair with him), plus a talented prospect who could fill a long-term need for them. The Sox get a lefty DH and a young reliever with a power arm, even if he doesn't have the experience of a Kimbrel.

 

Or something along those lines, anyway.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm sure there's been lots of talk around here about him, but one guy I want the Sox to inquire about is Schwarber. Here, cbssports speculates that the Cubs might consider moving him. Why? Well, it's really a matter of where he could play. The Cubs are loaded, but they don't have a DH spot so they only have 8 hitters. From the article:

 

"The Cubs have a long-term solution at first base in Anthony Rizzo and might not want Schwarber behind the plate due to his knee injury. That leaves left field as the lone option. That's a problem too given the Cubs have Ben Zobrist and Jorge Soler hanging around. Maybe the solution is shifting Jason Heyward to center field on a permanent basis or using Javier Baez in a super-sub role. But the most practical solution -- or the one we'll all keep expecting to happen at some point -- is trading Schwarber to a team where he can slot in at first base or designated hitter. The Cubs have no reason to give Schwarber away, so if they do move him, expect it to be for a big-league player who can help their repeat chances in another capacity."

 

The one place the Cubs are short-handed is at C. Ross is now gone. Montero is 33 and just isn't that good. Contreras is fine, but nothing special. The other place they could use some help is in the bullpen. Not sure they'll end up keeping Chapman, but even if they do, they didn't seem to trust many more relievers than him or Montgomery.

 

I mean, look, the Cubs are loaded so it's hard to find holes. But Schwarber doesn't really have a position with this team right now, without having a DH. But the Red Sox have a gaping hole at DH. Schwarber would be an awesome, and cheap, option, and he fills the need for a LH hitter. He's not Papi - nobody is - but Papi is gone and the trick is filling the spot in the most effective way possible. I like the idea of rotating guys into that spot instead of having a full-time DH, but Schwarber at least is a capable 1b as well, and he'd be way, way cheaper than Encarnacion or Bautista.

 

So how about Vazquez (or Leon, if they preferred him), Kimbrel, and a prospect (say, Dubon, who can play both IF and OF and might be a Zobrist replacement in a couple of years) for Schwarber and Edwards. They get needed catching help and a dynamic, proven closer to replace Chapman (or pair with him), plus a talented prospect who could fill a long-term need for them. The Sox get a lefty DH and a young reliever with a power arm, even if he doesn't have the experience of a Kimbrel.

 

Or something along those lines, anyway.

 

I suspect they will hang on to Schwarber. He was very impressive in his mini-comeback. He seems to have a fantastic attitude too. I have a feeling he might be a great hitter.

[moonslav59]

I'm sure there's been lots of talk around here about him, but one guy I want the Sox to inquire about is Schwarber. Here, cbssports speculates that the Cubs might consider moving him. Why? Well, it's really a matter of where he could play. The Cubs are loaded, but they don't have a DH spot so they only have 8 hitters. From the article:

 

"The Cubs have a long-term solution at first base in Anthony Rizzo and might not want Schwarber behind the plate due to his knee injury. That leaves left field as the lone option. That's a problem too given the Cubs have Ben Zobrist and Jorge Soler hanging around. Maybe the solution is shifting Jason Heyward to center field on a permanent basis or using Javier Baez in a super-sub role. But the most practical solution -- or the one we'll all keep expecting to happen at some point -- is trading Schwarber to a team where he can slot in at first base or designated hitter. The Cubs have no reason to give Schwarber away, so if they do move him, expect it to be for a big-league player who can help their repeat chances in another capacity."

 

The one place the Cubs are short-handed is at C. Ross is now gone. Montero is 33 and just isn't that good. Contreras is fine, but nothing special. The other place they could use some help is in the bullpen. Not sure they'll end up keeping Chapman, but even if they do, they didn't seem to trust many more relievers than him or Montgomery.

 

I mean, look, the Cubs are loaded so it's hard to find holes. But Schwarber doesn't really have a position with this team right now, without having a DH. But the Red Sox have a gaping hole at DH. Schwarber would be an awesome, and cheap, option, and he fills the need for a LH hitter. He's not Papi - nobody is - but Papi is gone and the trick is filling the spot in the most effective way possible. I like the idea of rotating guys into that spot instead of having a full-time DH, but Schwarber at least is a capable 1b as well, and he'd be way, way cheaper than Encarnacion or Bautista.

 

So how about Vazquez (or Leon, if they preferred him), Kimbrel, and a prospect (say, Dubon, who can play both IF and OF and might be a Zobrist replacement in a couple of years) for Schwarber and Edwards. They get needed catching help and a dynamic, proven closer to replace Chapman (or pair with him), plus a talented prospect who could fill a long-term need for them. The Sox get a lefty DH and a young reliever with a power arm, even if he doesn't have the experience of a Kimbrel.

 

Or something along those lines, anyway.

 

Then what? Go out and outbid for Jansen or Chapman (or Melancon)?

 

Theo would probably want Vaz or Swihart- most likely Vaz. I might try an initial offer of Swihart, Pomeranz and Barnes, but it woiuld probably take Vaz and ERod to get this young star. I wouldn't go that far for a DH, but the fact that he could catch is a plus.

[Orange Juiced]

I suspect they will hang on to Schwarber. He was very impressive in his mini-comeback. He seems to have a fantastic attitude too. I have a feeling he might be a great hitter.

 

The question is: Where do they play him?

 

They don't want him at C.

 

They can't put him at 1b because they have Rizzo, who is better.

 

They won't play him in the OF unless they move one of Soler, Fowler, or Heyward. Nobody is taking Heyward and that massive contract off their hands. There might be a taker for Fowler, then they move Heyward to CF. That's possible. Soler is a potential star in the making. And they have Zobrist as well. So they'd have to make another move to make room for Schwarber. Schwarber will net them the biggest package coming back. I'm not saying they WILL trade him. Just that if I'm DD, I inquire about him.

[Orange Juiced]

Then what? Go out and outbid for Jansen or Chapman (or Melancon)?

 

Theo would probably want Vaz or Swihart- most likely Vaz. I might try an initial offer of Swihart, Pomeranz and Barnes, but it woiuld probably take Vaz and ERod to get this young star. I wouldn't go that far for a DH, but the fact that he could catch is a plus.

 

I wouldn't go after Chapman. I might spend $$ on Jansen, or, if my proposed deal actually worked out, I'd try to put together another closer situation. Maybe Edwards is the guy for the job. The Sox would have $$ freed up from losing Papi and (in this scenario) Kimbrel.

[a700hitter]

I think it is a top priority to acquire a premier bat to anchor the lineup and replace Big Papi. Bogey is very streaky and still has not show consistent power. Bradley has prolonged slumps. Betts is great, but he needs protection. I'd make the move to get Encarnacion.

[Bellhorn04]

The question is: Where do they play him?

 

They don't want him at C.

 

They can't put him at 1b because they have Rizzo, who is better.

 

They won't play him in the OF unless they move one of Soler, Fowler, or Heyward. Nobody is taking Heyward and that massive contract off their hands. There might be a taker for Fowler, then they move Heyward to CF. That's possible. Soler is a potential star in the making. And they have Zobrist as well. So they'd have to make another move to make room for Schwarber. Schwarber will net them the biggest package coming back. I'm not saying they WILL trade him. Just that if I'm DD, I inquire about him.

 

Yes, I certainly expect DD to do his DD (due diligence).

[Spudboy]

I think it is a top priority to acquire a premier bat to anchor the lineup and replace Big Papi. Bogey is very streaky and still has not show consistent power. Bradley has prolonged slumps. Betts is great, but he needs protection. I'd make the move to get Encarnacion.

 

I am with you on this.

 

I don't like the idea that "there are other ways of strengthening the lineup" or that Papi can be replaced in other ways.

 

If you lose 3/100 all at once, you should look to replace most or all of it at once. That makes the most sense. Counting on increased WAR from other players is just dumb.

 

I still like my idea of snagging both EE and Beltran.

 

Move Hanley to 3rd, put EE at first, and let Beltran DH. Of course one can mix and match during the season.

 

Grab some schlock BP arms and throw them at the wall.

 

Done.

[Dojji]

If Hanley could handle third base don't you think they'd have done it at any point last year, especially in the last couple months when Shaw was struggling so badly? Don't you think they'd have groomed Swihart as a 1B (a far easier transition for a catcher) rather than outfield if they were comfortable with moving Hanley to the other side of the diamond? Heck don't you think they'd have at least cameo'd him there when Sandoval was struggling so badly in 15?

 

Hanley Ramirez is done as a big league third baseman. He never really played all that much third base in the first place anyway and it's abundantly clear that the team has no plans whatsoever to try and squeeze him back into that role.

[mvp 78]

Hanley Ramirez is done as a big league third baseman.

 

Yeah, he should never be moved off 1b again except to DH.

[Orange Juiced]

Hanley to 3b is not going to happen (unless it's in a one-game, absolute emergency, kind of situation). Beltran would not be a bad DH to snag on a one-year deal. Fills the DH hole with a competent, veteran bat. Gives Moncada and Sam Travis another year to grow.

[moonslav59]

Hanley to 3b is not going to happen (unless it's in a one-game, absolute emergency, kind of situation). Beltran would not be a bad DH to snag on a one-year deal. Fills the DH hole with a competent, veteran bat. Gives Moncada and Sam Travis another year to grow.

 

Also, when we play in NL parks, Beltran can play LF as we rest Beni, JBJ or Betts.

 

Signing EE means either him or HanRam sits in NL parks.

 

It's not a major issue, but could make a difference.

[harmony]

The question is: Where do they play him?

 

They don't want him at C.

 

They can't put him at 1b because they have Rizzo, who is better.

 

They won't play him in the OF unless they move one of Soler, Fowler, or Heyward. Nobody is taking Heyward and that massive contract off their hands. There might be a taker for Fowler, then they move Heyward to CF. That's possible. Soler is a potential star in the making. And they have Zobrist as well. So they'd have to make another move to make room for Schwarber. Schwarber will net them the biggest package coming back. I'm not saying they WILL trade him. Just that if I'm DD, I inquire about him.

Dexter Fowler is a free agent who reportedly is interested in returning to the Chicago Cubs.

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17965945/dexter-fowler-says-become-free-agent-chicago-cubs-play

Edited November 7, 2016 by harmony

[mvp 78]

How much would it be to sign Greg Holland?

[Bellhorn04]

How much would it be to sign Greg Holland?

 

If he looks good in his workouts, $5 million base plus x amount per appearance?

[jacksonianmarch]

He's gonna get a one year plus big option. First year $5 mil guarantee with incentives up to $15 mil total and a team option for $15 mil for next yr. He was a top closer prior to TJS, so he'lol want the chance to make top closer money

[Eddy Ballgame]

He's gonna get a one year plus big option. First year $5 mil guarantee with incentives up to $15 mil total and a team option for $15 mil for next yr. He was a top closer prior to TJS, so he'lol want the chance to make top closer money

 

Good point. He may choose to go somewhere that will give him the best opportunity to close. Forfeit some money now for the possibility of a big pay day next winter.