Overall assessment of team needs

[cp176]

I like Travis, but he's still largely an unknown.

 

I'm hoping for the best, but I'm not expecting him to win a FT position with the Sox... ever.

 

Can't disagree but I have to ask - Does it really make that big a difference that he might not be known? Most of the "known" ones who come with the "can't miss prospect status" either haven't done anything yet or maybe never will. I still tend to like the workers the guys who actually have done something. he seems to fit that profile.

[cp176]

I do, Drafted in 14, Out of Indiana U, made it to AAA already, and started hitting for a little more Power. But, I don't worry about power too much at this point. He makes contact, doesn't K much. This kid been a hitter everywhere he's been, including College.

 

Kind of sounds like another guy who is now penciled in by many as our starting left fielder for years to come. Sam Travis is not glamorous - he just hits. He will have a hard time breaking in with the current version of the BRS but it could ultimately be their loss.

[Nick]

This is why I prefer a simple free agency signing....don't trade away our future....Moncada, Swihart et al...

[Bellhorn04]

Kind of sounds like another guy who is now penciled in by many as our starting left fielder for years to come. Sam Travis is not glamorous - he just hits. He will have a hard time breaking in with the current version of the BRS but it could ultimately be their loss.

 

Maybe Sammy Boy could be our RH DH in 2018 and play some corner infield. Can he play 3B?

[cp176]

This is why I prefer a simple free agency signing....don't trade away our future....Moncada, Swihart et al...

 

That is why I am guessing that the only trade talk that I have even heard at all seems to be coming from talksox. It just passes the time and gives us something to think about. I really think that DD gets it. We have no way of knowing how most of these guys will develop. No one does. He has to use all the available data and then roll the dice. All of the scouts and all of the data still doesn't guarantee anything. I'm hoping that if we do trade that it is from a very powerful position. Sure - we could be stronger in certain areas but in all actuality our weak areas really aren't that week.

[cp176]

Maybe Sammy Boy could be our RH DH in 2018 and play some corner infield. Can he play 3B?

 

I don't think that they have intentions of making a third baseman out of him. One of the reasons I like him is that when you read what is written and listen to what is said, guys like this sometimes get lost in the shuffle. So much excitement over other young players and along comes a player like this kid. There is nothing about his hitting that says he might not hit as well and possibly outhit any of our young prospects. Read the reports and after you read about all of the things that he can't do the focus turns to the fact that he has been a solid player at every level and much like Benintendi, he has hit!

[S5Dewey]

Picture this: We pick up a one or two year DH to bridge the gap while Travis matures, then Hanley moves to DH and Sam Travis becomes our 1Bman. Problem(s) solved!

 

Anyone buying in?

[Bellhorn04]

Picture this: We pick up a one or two year DH to bridge the gap while Travis matures, then Hanley moves to DH and Sam Travis becomes our 1Bman. Problem(s) solved!

 

Anyone buying in?

 

Sounds alright to me.

[cp176]

Picture this: We pick up a one or two year DH to bridge the gap while Travis matures, then Hanley moves to DH and Sam Travis becomes our 1Bman. Problem(s) solved!

 

Anyone buying in?

 

You know, anything could happen. I'm not sold on Hanley being a great dh moving forward. I think that we might wind up doing better than him. I have no problem with a hired gun. It is possible that a player like Travis needs more time and it is also possible. that he becomes an outstanding hitter as early as this spring. Some make it and some don't. Nonetheless it will be very interesting to see how things play out.

[harmony]

Picture this: We pick up a one or two year DH to bridge the gap while Travis matures, then Hanley moves to DH and Sam Travis becomes our 1Bman. Problem(s) solved!

 

Anyone buying in?

This Seattle fan is not buying in yet on 23-year-old Mariner first baseman Dan Vogelbach, who is the M's comp to 23-year-old first baseman Sam Travis.

 

I hope each has a successful career but at this point I remain skeptical.

[moonslav59]

I do, Drafted in 14, Out of Indiana U, made it to AAA already, and started hitting for a little more Power. But, I don't worry about power too much at this point. He makes contact, doesn't K much. This kid been a hitter everywhere he's been, including College.

 

Sample sizes are small, but for a 1Bman, I wouldn't call these minor league numbers eye-popping or even above average for a MLB first baseman:

 

AAA: .765 (190 PA)

AA: .821 (281 PA)

(If you combine AA & AA, he's over 370 PAs with an OPS below .800- not really that good.)

A+: .845 is respectable.

A: .826 is good.

A-: .813 is pretty good.

 

Here's what soxprospects.com has to say about Travis:

 

Hit: Solid approach and strong contact skills. Compact swing lends itself to hard contact to all fields. Swing lacks loft. Solid-average bat speed. Could struggle with velocity as he moves up, as his swing can get long and he has shown vulnerability to fastballs inside. Tracks pitches, works counts and understands the strike zone. Potential solid-average hit tool.

[Dojji]

Maybe Sammy Boy could be our RH DH in 2018 and play some corner infield. Can he play 3B?

 

You have to think that if Sam Travis could play third base at all, he'd be playing it right now. It's not like there was a 3B prospect blocking him in the first half of the year, and it's always smart when developing a prospect to play him as far up the defensive spectrum as you can get away with, for example, Pedroia went through the minors as a shortstop, Miguel Cabrera as a third baseman, Mookie as a second baseman, and so on.

[cp176]

This Seattle fan is not buying in yet on 23-year-old Mariner first baseman Dan Vogelbach, who is the M's comp to 23-year-old first baseman Sam Travis.

 

I hope each has a successful career but at this point I remain skeptical.

 

I know nothing about Vogelbach and a little about Travis. Travis is a prospect. You have to remain skeptical regardless of the name. I remain skeptical of them all until they have actually done something. Really doesn't matter much to me what the data or the scouts say until I have to see them do something and earn their way. The really good ones do.

[moonslav59]

You have to think that if Sam Travis could play third base at all, he'd be playing it right now. It's not like there was a 3B prospect blocking him in the first half of the year, and it's always smart when developing a prospect to play him as far up the defensive spectrum as you can get away with, for example, Pedroia went through the minors as a shortstop, Miguel Cabrera as a third baseman, Mookie as a second baseman, and so on.

 

Agreed. He might have the arm for 3B, but not the athleticism. This from soxprospects...

 

Arm: Average arm strength. Plenty of arm for first base, but doesn’t get to show it off often.

 

Field: Lack of athleticism and foot speed best suited for first base. Soft hands. Confident picking balls out of the dirt.

[cp176]

In Sam Travis's case, it might be worthwhile to wait and see how he does going forward. The report also mentioned the possibility of him being an everyday first baseman hitting between .270 and .280 while also being an 18 to 20 HR guy. I like those numbers. I'm very willing to actually wait and see how any of our prospects develop after actually playing at the ml level. I have been fooled way to often by placing too much belief in reports made about these kids before they have done anything. Show me don't tell works very well for me.

[moonslav59]

In Sam Travis's case, it might be worthwhile to wait and see how he does going forward. The report also mentioned the possibility of him being an everyday first baseman hitting between .270 and .280 while also being an 18 to 20 HR guy. I like those numbers. I'm very willing to actually wait and see how any of our prospects develop after actually playing at the ml level. I have been fooled way to often by placing too much belief in reports made about these kids before they have done anything. Show me don't tell works very well for me.

 

I know what you mean, and your point is well founded. There are too many examples of Lars Andersons who made it to #17 in BA rankings and flamed out badly.

 

Sam Travis does seem to deserve a longer look after the injury setback, and he has a significant chance of becoming a FT'er in MLB, but I don't see any indication of him being close to a sure bet.

 

I'm hopeful but doubtful.

 

I do think Beni is very close to a sure bet.

 

I think Moncada is as close to a sure bet of becoming a good hitter in MLB as you can be, but his defense is what is keeping him down.

 

Devers is a little more sketchy, but his upside is enormous, and he has "shown it" on the farm.

 

Kopech is getting very impressive reviews. He may climb way up in the midseason rankings.

 

Basabe is nearing the point of determination.

 

Groome is still highly speculative.

[Spudboy]

In Sam Travis's case, it might be worthwhile to wait and see how he does going forward. The report also mentioned the possibility of him being an everyday first baseman hitting between .270 and .280 while also being an 18 to 20 HR guy. I like those numbers. I'm very willing to actually wait and see how any of our prospects develop after actually playing at the ml level. I have been fooled way to often by placing too much belief in reports made about these kids before they have done anything. Show me don't tell works very well for me.

 

Are you originally from Missouri?

[cp176]

I should have been - Me and "Give em hell Harry" - Most people would say that I would sooner be from Misery than Missouri.

[raider_35_24]

we should see what they want for him...he would be perfect!

 

Victor Martinez - DH - Tigers

Teams are "sniffing around" on Victor Martinez, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

The Tigers are looking to cut payroll this offseason and they can accomplish that by trading Martinez, who still has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract. V-Mart has 10-5 rights, meaning he can veto any potential trade. The soon-to-be 38-year-old hit a respectable .289 with 27 HR and 86 RBI this past season.

Source

[moonslav59]

we should see what they want for him...he would be perfect!

 

Victor Martinez - DH - Tigers

Teams are "sniffing around" on Victor Martinez, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

The Tigers are looking to cut payroll this offseason and they can accomplish that by trading Martinez, who still has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract. V-Mart has 10-5 rights, meaning he can veto any potential trade. The soon-to-be 38-year-old hit a respectable .289 with 27 HR and 86 RBI this past season.

Source

 

Why trade players for VMart?

 

Just sign Beltran.

[Eddy Ballgame]

Beltran is in control of that decision right now and could get ugly

[Dojji]

VMart is nowhere near consistent enough in the last few years to risk trading that kind of assets for. I'd rather roll Swihart out there as our DH and see what he can prove with the bat.

[notin]

VMart is nowhere near consistent enough in the last few years to risk trading that kind of assets for. I'd rather roll Swihart out there as our DH and see what he can prove with the bat.

 

I wouldn't expect Swihart to hit anywhere near as well as Martinez, but I wouldn't target Martinez in a trade either...

[Bellhorn04]

VMart could be a valid alternative to Beltran, but only if the Tigers aren't looking for much in return.

[Dojji]

Ican't see the Tigers giving up a decent asset like VMart without a solid return which is why I'm saying no

[moonslav59]

Beltran is in control of that decision right now and could get ugly

 

I seriously doubt he gets $19M x 2, which is what VMart will make.

 

I'm not saying I'd go that high for Beltran, but I'd rather pay him that than trade anything of value for VMart and pay the same.

[Nick]

Picture this: We pick up a one or two year DH to bridge the gap while Travis matures, then Hanley moves to DH and Sam Travis becomes our 1Bman. Problem(s) solved!

 

Anyone buying in?

 

I want some power out of our corner positions...1B, 3B, LF, RF....but I'm willing to see what develops with our younger kids. He was an elite hitter at IU.

 

I'm all for Sox getting 6+ years of control guys. We need to have some self control going forward. We had a reset when we got rid of high contracts to LA. Then we turned around and signed Hanley and Pable. I think Price was a must get. We need to be selective.

 

As much as I want EE that's not the smart thing to do with so many of our young guys coming up for not only FA but pretty hefty arbitration numbers.

[Nick]

Moon, what do you think about extending Pomeranz?

[moonslav59]

Moon, what do you think about extending Pomeranz?

 

As much as I disliked the Espi trade, I still like Pomeranz. I'd certainly kick the tires, but the guy has only had a half season of top of rotation-like pitching. I'm not sure how much to gamble on his future.

 

He'll turn 30 just after his last year of control with us (2018). I might look for a 2-3 year extension, but I'm not sure at what cost. $10M a year?

[Nick]

As much as I disliked the Espi trade, I still like Pomeranz. I'd certainly kick the tires, but the guy has only had a half season of top of rotation-like pitching. I'm not sure how much to gamble on his future.

 

He'll turn 30 just after his last year of control with us (2018). I might look for a 2-3 year extension, but I'm not sure at what cost. $10M a year?

 

I just see it as low risk high reward...2-3 extension may look very appealing on a trade market.