2016-2017 Offseason Trade Speculation Thread

[a700hitter]

Not to worry my friend.

 

The big increase in WAR gleaned at 3rd base and left field will make up enough of the void that you won't even notice he is gone.

 

I learned this from the experts here at Talksox so it must be true.

 

Right?

Yes, from those experts I learned that finishing last in 3 out of 4 seasons is a good plan for success.

[moonslav59]

Not to worry my friend.

 

The big increase in WAR gleaned at 3rd base and left field will make up enough of the void that you won't even notice he is gone.

 

I learned this from the experts here at Talksox so it must be true.

 

Right?

 

I learned that Henry is willing to spend like the Dodgers.

[Jack Flap]

It's too easy to get a bit overeager about guys like Andrew Benintendi. Similar to the miracle we thought we'd discovered with Travis Shaw's early surge this year, great performances by a rookie do not automatically mean his career will be great.

 

We are a little too dependent on Benintendi being a starting big leaguer in his first full season with no hiccups or problems at all. At the moment I'm all for taking some of that pressure off Benintendi because it's clear that while the start was promising, it's still a long way between where he is now and where he needs to be.

 

I think we all should have learned this lesson in 2014 with the great expectations heaped upon Bogaerts and Bradley at the outset of their careers (which they have since justified), and their subsequent stumbles. I have very high hopes for Benintendi, but seeing him struggle at some point next year would hardly be shocking -- nor cause for panic and overreaction if it does happen.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Jack Flap

[southpaw777]

I think you treat each player and situation individually. Beni could easily experience some growing pains in his first full MLB season. I think its less likely he goes the route of Travis Shaw just because the hitting is very polished and hes a better player. He will def have to make some adjustments, but I just dont see any extended struggles for him.

[moonslav59]

I think you treat each player and situation individually. Beni could easily experience some growing pains in his first full MLB season. I think its less likely he goes the route of Travis Shaw just because the hitting is very polished and hes a better player. He will def have to make some adjustments, but I just dont see any extended struggles for him.

 

I don't get the Shaw comps. The guy never had sustained hitting success in the minors. People act like he was expected to do great, and he struggled. To me, he's done exactly what his minor league numbers suggested he'd do- have a few short hot streaks and end up in the .700s.

[Dojji]

Pirates reporteddly shopping Andrew McCutchen. If we could swing a trade without increasing our payroll, I'd definitely be interested in that. I'd be happy to let Benintendi wait in the wings if it meant McCutchen in left field for us.

[Dojji]

I don't get the Shaw comps. The guy never had sustained hitting success in the minors. People act like he was expected to do great, and he struggled. To me, he's done exactly what his minor league numbers suggested he'd do- have a few short hot streaks and end up in the .700s.

You get the Shaw comps not because of Shaw's profile but because of our reaction to guys who come out the gate strong such as Shaw. There's a certain overexuberance that is very natural for fans that is probably causing us to overrate Benintendi right now, at least in terms of where he is in his development. If I could bring in in an experienced corner outfielder who could play above average left field on both sides of the ball I'd be quite content to bring Beni along more slowly.

[moonslav59]

Pirates reporteddly shopping Andrew McCutchen. If we could swing a trade without increasing our payroll, I'd definitely be interested in that. I'd be happy to let Benintendi wait in the wings if it meant McCutchen in left field for us.

 

I always wanted this guy, but he serious decline scares me.

 

.952 >> .889>> .776 over the last 3 years

[moonslav59]

You get the Shaw comps not because of Shaw's profile but because of our reaction to guys who come out the gate strong such as Shaw. There's a certain overexuberance that is very natural for fans that is probably causing us to overrate Benintendi right now, at least in terms of where he is in his development. If I could bring in in an experienced corner outfielder who could play above average left field on both sides of the ball I'd be quite content to bring Beni along more slowly.

 

I get it, but aren't there better comps of players who look great in the minors, start out well, then struggle the next year?

 

Like Bogey.

[Spudboy]

Pirates reporteddly shopping Andrew McCutchen. If we could swing a trade without increasing our payroll, I'd definitely be interested in that. I'd be happy to let Benintendi wait in the wings if it meant McCutchen in left field for us.

 

McCutchen says he will not move to left field for the Pirates.

 

What makes you think that he would be okay with that move with the Sox?

 

I like him too. But we have no need for him.

[a700hitter]

McCutchen says he will not move to left field for the Pirates.

 

What makes you think that he would be okay with that move with the Sox?

 

I like him too. But we have no need for him.

Agreed. Our OF is set. We need a DH, 3B and bullpen. Another top starter would be nice and would put this team into serious Championship contention.

[moonslav59]

McCutchen says he will not move to left field for the Pirates.

 

What makes you think that he would be okay with that move with the Sox?

 

I like him too. But we have no need for him.

 

He'd be costly both in terms of prospects and salary.

 

The only way he plays CF for us, is if we trade JBJ (and others for Sale/Quintana?).

[S5Dewey]

McCutchen says he will not move to left field for the Pirates.

 

What makes you think that he would be okay with that move with the Sox?

 

I like him too. But we have no need for him.

 

This is just another case of the tail wagging the dog. For $14M he should be not only willing to move to any place they want to play him, he should beg for the right to do it.

 

$14M to play baseball for ONE SEASON...and he thinks he has the right to tell the FO where he'll play. Think about it. Ugh.

[Bellhorn04]

This is just another case of the tail wagging the dog. For $14M he should be not only willing to move to any place they want to play him, he should beg for the right to do it.

 

$14M to play baseball for ONE SEASON...and he thinks he has the right to tell the FO where he'll play. Think about it. Ugh.

 

Agreed, that attitude stinks.

[notin]

This is just another case of the tail wagging the dog. For $14M he should be not only willing to move to any place they want to play him, he should beg for the right to do it.

 

$14M to play baseball for ONE SEASON...and he thinks he has the right to tell the FO where he'll play. Think about it. Ugh.

 

McCutchen never said he wouldn't move to LF. He said he'd be willing to talk about a position change "at the right time."

 

Despite his poor scores on defensive metrics last season, McCutchen still feels he is capable of playing center, and that position is where hr is most comfortable. While there could br debate there, he does appear to realize a move to a corner will be inevitable at some point

..

[Hugh2]

I think you treat each player and situation individually. Beni could easily experience some growing pains in his first full MLB season. I think its less likely he goes the route of Travis Shaw just because the hitting is very polished and hes a better player. He will def have to make some adjustments, but I just dont see any extended struggles for him.

 

This.

 

Progression is not linear, as it is very different for everyone. Benintendi could be a star next year and I'm optimistic that he will be, but it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if he struggles too. It's also important to remember that if he does struggle it's not a big deal. It's not a big deal in a sense of it being any type of indictment on his potential. He's young, he was a year removed from school before he reached the majors so he can be forgiven for not being the next Mookie Betts next year. From the teams perspective it could be more problematic if he struggles but that's the price you pay and often it pays back dividends e.g. Jackie Bradley, Xander Bogaerts.

[Nick]

Xander needs to get out of his funk...his early success hid his finish last year.

[Dojji]

Not too worried about the late slump by Bogaerts, he's too talented to think he can't pull out of it and was showing signs of getting free of it right at the end, far less worried about him than about Shaw.

[moonslav59]

Bogey should be fine.

 

Shaw is a long shot in my mind.

[Kimmi]

I think we need a big bat to replace Ortiz. Our pitching and defense is not good enough without a top offense. I am skeptical about Beltran being the answer. He is up there in age and very creaky. Wear and tear have caused him to have off seasons two of the last three years.

 

Who says we won't have a top offense next year?

[Kimmi]

Not to worry my friend.

 

The big increase in WAR gleaned at 3rd base and left field will make up enough of the void that you won't even notice he is gone.

 

I learned this from the experts here at Talksox so it must be true.

 

Right?

 

Not quite what the 'experts here at Talksox' said, but yes, it's true!

[Kimmi]

I read something from Hanley that he likes the idea of a rotating DH and that he thinks he, as well as others, would benefit from it.

[a700hitter]

Who says we won't have a top offense next year?

It is just my opinion, but pulling a big bat like Ortiz out of a lineup that he anchored for so long will have a big negative impact on run production unless they replace the bat.

[Bellhorn04]

The loss of Ortiz is the loss of 5 wins, all on the offensive side of the ball. That's not really so easy to make up. We may have improvements from some players, we may have regressions as well (Porcello, for example.) Dombrowski has his work cut out, honestly.

[cp176]

It is just my opinion, but pulling a big bat like Ortiz out of a lineup that he anchored for so long will have a big negative impact on run production unless they replace the bat.

 

Absolute truth. I really would like to see a big bat. As time has gone along , it does look less likely that it might be EE but I do think that they need to bring someone in. I'm still not all that concerned about third base. First of all, I still think that Shaw might be more than adequate if not for the long haul then certainly as a stopgap. I'm not sure that we need to add anything other than relief arms but if we should really get serious about a Sale type, I would not under any circumstances trade Moncada. We still don't know what we have there. He has to be given some time. His physical skills according to anyone who has ever seen him are unmatched. At the same age, he has been called a bigger version than Trout. His potential is unlimited and it would be foolish to let him go for anyone in a trade before we know what we actually have.

[moonslav59]

It is just my opinion, but pulling a big bat like Ortiz out of a lineup that he anchored for so long will have a big negative impact on run production unless they replace the bat.

 

Losing Papi will be tough to get over. However, we may not need to completely fill the void to remain a top 3 offensive team.

 

2016 AL Run Scored Leaders

878 BOS

777 CLE (May lose Napoli)

768 SEA

765 TEX

759 TOR (Will likely lose EE, Sanders and Bautista)

750 DET (Is looking to cut salary- Miggy? Vmart? JD Martinez?)

 

We were up 111 on second place.

We were up 120 on third place.

 

How many runs does the 2016 Papi create as a differential to maybe a platoon of Pablo (.744 vs RHPs in 2015) and Young (.999 OPS vs LHPs in 2016)? It might not even be 11 or 120 right there.

 

Now, a full year by Beni, Young and Leon could certainly keep us number one in the AL or at least number 3.

 

I'm more worried about who might carry us offensively in the playoffs.

 

[Bellhorn04]

How many runs does the 2016 Papi create as a differential to maybe a platoon of Pablo (.744 vs RHPs in 2015) and Young (.999 OPS vs LHPs in 2016)? It might not even be 11 or 120 right there.

 

If Young is DH'ing, of course, he can't be also taking Beni or JBJ's spot against a lefty starter.

[notin]

Absolute truth. I really would like to see a big bat. As time has gone along , it does look less likely that it might be EE but I do think that they need to bring someone in. I'm still not all that concerned about third base. First of all, I still think that Shaw might be more than adequate if not for the long haul then certainly as a stopgap. I'm not sure that we need to add anything other than relief arms but if we should really get serious about a Sale type, I would not under any circumstances trade Moncada. We still don't know what we have there. He has to be given some time. His physical skills according to anyone who has ever seen him are unmatched. At the same age, he has been called a bigger version than Trout. His potential is unlimited and it would be foolish to let him go for anyone in a trade before we know what we actually have.

 

I'd actually be surprised if the Sox did anything at all about third base.

 

We have Sandoval, Shaw, Holt and possibly Moncada in the mix. All have flaws, but all have had good stretches there as well (except Moncada so far).

 

The need for a 3B might be more in the eyes of the fans than the front office...

[moonslav59]

If Young is DH'ing, of course, he can't be also taking Beni or JBJ's spot against a lefty starter.

 

I'm hoping Young only has to spell Beni and JBJ maybe 10 games total. Like I said, I'm not projecting a Beni platoon being needed.

 

So, take 10 games from Young at DH. If we add HanRam some, we'll have to subtract at 1B- Shaw or Travis taking his place.

[Palodios]

Woah, Tyson Ross nontendered. If there's a chance he gets healthy, he's definitely worth risking a flier on.