Sox get Moreland

[Slasher9]

Didn't Pablo get skinny before and then fat again?

 

I mean he looked pretty darn good in some of these pictures but I'll reserve judgement until he actually PLAYS well and fit.

 

I'm an optimist though, and America loves a good comeback story.

 

let's all just pray that he doesnt go to his mom's house for christmas this year. last year he gained like 25 pounds in 10 days while at his mom's.

[moonslav59]

He doesn't need to be great to be a backup.

 

We have a non great back-up now in Holt and Rutledge.

[moonslav59]

soxprospect.com on Sam Travis and his defense:

 

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

 

From mlb.com:

 

Travis is built more like an outfielder than a first baseman. He could have a future in left field as well as being a corner infielder.

Travis does not have the softest or quickest hands or the best range as an infielder. However, he has worked hard on his defense and it is beginning to pay dividends. He looks more agile and is getting in better fielding position than in his past. He's an average defender and can hold his own on defense. His self-confidence and improvement are obvious.

 

SB Nation...

 

His glove is limited to first base but it looks like he can play regularly at that position for many teams.

 

Bleacher Report....

Lacks a true defensive home, as he’s seen time at both corner infield positions and the outfield at Indiana; lacks quickness and speed for long-term profile at the hot corner; shows a solid glove and good hands at first base; adept at digging balls out of the dirt. Decent arm strength could be a fit at third base or left field; better suited for a career at first base.

 

Basball Prospectus...

 

Glove 55 Can range in both directions at first base; average hands; stretches well; scoops in the dirt have improved over stretch of looks; at times rushes plays and is over-zealous in selection of what to go after; potential to put some more polish on the glove over the course of the next few seasons.

Arm 50 Adequate throwing arm; shows good accuracy when cutting off throw and firing to base; at times a little awkward leading pitchers to bag with throws; would like to see if there is more arm here, but doesn't really have a chance to air it out.

[Emp9]

No he doesn't, but would you want Hanley backing up LF?

 

I mean, he might be fine at 3B, I don't really know. I just haven't really read anything to indicate he could be other than he played 3B in college but as I said earlier guys play college positions all the time they have no business playing at the pros. Maybe he wasn't that terrible there, doing some research into his college scouting reports might be a fun and insightful project.

 

Guys can take steps forward too, SHAW Travis became a first baseman in the pros because he wasn't very good at 3B but he worked really hard and became more athletic and was able to play an acceptable 3rd so maybe that could be an option.

 

Travis also hasn't played much baseball above AA, it's a really a shame too because he easily could have been knocking on the door last year and instilling more confidence in a starting position out the gate this year.

 

FWIW, Hanley did play 3B, Hypothetically you could stick him there if he's no worse than Travis. That would be 2 RHB in your lineup at the corners.

 

P.S. I know HanRam wasn't great defensively at 3B.

 

Sam Travis got hurt too though and missed most of the season, no? I also remember reading he had a great attitude and really focused more than the other players around him.

[Hugh2]

Sam Travis got hurt too though and missed most of the season, no? I also remember reading he had a great attitude and really focused more than the other players around him.

 

It will be really interesting to see how he does this year, I've heard great things about him as well.

[vjcsmoke]

Not a sexy move. But a decent bandaid at 1st base unless his production suddenly falls off a cliff.

 

career average-wise he appears good for 20 dingers per season and a .750 ops.

 

Considering we want to avoid the luxury tax, this seems like a good stopgap acquisition until Sam Travis is ready to crack the bigs.

[oldtimer]

soxprospect.com on Sam Travis and his defense:

 

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

 

From mlb.com:

 

Travis is built more like an outfielder than a first baseman. He could have a future in left field as well as being a corner infielder.

Travis does not have the softest or quickest hands or the best range as an infielder. However, he has worked hard on his defense and it is beginning to pay dividends. He looks more agile and is getting in better fielding position than in his past. He's an average defender and can hold his own on defense. His self-confidence and improvement are obvious.

 

SB Nation...

 

His glove is limited to first base but it looks like he can play regularly at that position for many teams.

 

Bleacher Report....

Lacks a true defensive home, as he’s seen time at both corner infield positions and the outfield at Indiana; lacks quickness and speed for long-term profile at the hot corner; shows a solid glove and good hands at first base; adept at digging balls out of the dirt. Decent arm strength could be a fit at third base or left field; better suited for a career at first base.

 

Basball Prospectus...

 

Glove 55 Can range in both directions at first base; average hands; stretches well; scoops in the dirt have improved over stretch of looks; at times rushes plays and is over-zealous in selection of what to go after; potential to put some more polish on the glove over the course of the next few seasons.

Arm 50 Adequate throwing arm; shows good accuracy when cutting off throw and firing to base; at times a little awkward leading pitchers to bag with throws; would like to see if there is more arm here, but doesn't really have a chance to air it out.

 

Interesting to see such a diversity of opinion from the so called knowledgeable baseball people.

[moonslav59]

Interesting to see such a diversity of opinion from the so called knowledgeable baseball people.

 

I see a pretty consistent evaluation by all of the above. They rarely mention 3B, speak of his average or improving defense at 1B, decent arm, works hard...

[Hugh2]

Interesting to see such a diversity of opinion from the so called knowledgeable baseball people.

 

You call that diversity of opinion?

 

I've always been a big fan of getting your information from multiple sources. Some scouts may see something in a guy others did not, also it's not like the scouts who right these guys up watch them play every single game. You may catch a guy in a slump, or battling injury, or just in an off day or a good day. These guys do collaborate but it is easy to get a sense of who a player is by looking at ALL the expert opinions.

 

Some opinions tend to vary a lot more than others, but there seems to be at least a semi strong consensus that Travis is a first baseman.

[Hugh2]

Don't be surprised if the Sox go out and get a good Milb 3rd baseman. If Pablo goes down we need depth, although I do think the Sox are comfortable with Holt in that position as well but I think they also prefer him as a super sub. The door is wide open for Devers in a few years, and he might be just as good as Moncada minus the speed.

[moonslav59]

Don't be surprised if the Sox go out and get a good Milb 3rd baseman. If Pablo goes down we need depth, although I do think the Sox are comfortable with Holt in that position as well but I think they also prefer him as a super sub. The door is wide open for Devers in a few years, and he might be just as good as Moncada minus the speed.

 

Holt at 3B was part of the reason we went out and signed Pablo in the first place.

 

I think between Rutledge (who still has some upside to me), Holt and Hernandez, I think we can stay competitive for a 15 day DL or maybe a little more. Maybe one of the three will take a step up in their game and be decent enough to not have to go outside the system, but as of right now, I'd say that if Pablo flops or gets seriously injured, we'll find a 3Bman somewhere (Frazier?)

[Hugh2]

Holt at 3B was part of the reason we went out and signed Pablo in the first place.

 

I think between Rutledge (who still has some upside to me), Holt and Hernandez, I think we can stay competitive for a 15 day DL or maybe a little more. Maybe one of the three will take a step up in their game and be decent enough to not have to go outside the system, but as of right now, I'd say that if Pablo flops or gets seriously injured, we'll find a 3Bman somewhere (Frazier?)

 

I don't think Holt is a long term solution at 3B but I think the Sox would have no problem sticking him there in a pinch if Pablo went on the D.L. or he was so terrible they had to bench him. I could see them trading for a guy if they have too, but they'll stick Holt there in the meantime.

[Kingface]

I like the move. The D improves at 1B which will thus help the D of the entire IF. I thought Hanley did a MUCH better job than anticipated (I was VERY against the guy going to 1B.....so I'll eat crow on that one) but I think whenever you can replace an average fielder with a GG guy with a solid bat with pop at 1B.....you do it. To me the biggest area of need was needing a very good #3/#2 pitcher.........and instead we got an Ace...... Offense is not an issue. I see Panda turning things around and couple that with Moreland....I think a bit more that half of Papi's production is replaced.....which is really all we needed anyway.

[S5Dewey]

I like the move. The D improves at 1B which will thus help the D of the entire IF. I thought Hanley did a MUCH better job than anticipated (I was VERY against the guy going to 1B.....so I'll eat crow on that one) but I think whenever you can replace an average fielder with a GG guy with a solid bat with pop at 1B.....you do it. To me the biggest area of need was needing a very good #3/#2 pitcher.........and instead we got an Ace...... Offense is not an issue. I see Panda turning things around and couple that with Moreland....I think a bit more that half of Papi's production is replaced.....which is really all we needed anyway.

 

Nice post, King. And BTW, it's great to see you back out of "retirement".

[Dojji]

Holt at 3B was part of the reason we went out and signed Pablo in the first place.

 

I think between Rutledge (who still has some upside to me), Holt and Hernandez, I think we can stay competitive for a 15 day DL or maybe a little more. Maybe one of the three will take a step up in their game and be decent enough to not have to go outside the system, but as of right now, I'd say that if Pablo flops or gets seriously injured, we'll find a 3Bman somewhere (Frazier?)

 

The more I look at Frazier the less excited I am about going after him. He seems like exactly the kind of all or nothing guy that comes up small when the pitching gets tougher. I'd rather just put a good glove at third base and not worry about trying to get a middle of the order bat in every position, than go after Frazier.

[mvp 78]

The more I look at Frazier the less excited I am about going after him. He seems like exactly the kind of all or nothing guy that comes up small when the pitching gets tougher. I'd rather just put a good glove at third base and not worry about trying to get a middle of the order bat in every position, than go after Frazier.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017-mlb-free-agent-tracker/positions-5

 

Stephen Drew?

[moonslav59]

The more I look at Frazier the less excited I am about going after him. He seems like exactly the kind of all or nothing guy that comes up small when the pitching gets tougher. I'd rather just put a good glove at third base and not worry about trying to get a middle of the order bat in every position, than go after Frazier.

 

He's probably too costly anyways at this point- both in terms of money and prospects needed to get him.

 

I'm not sure about the coming up small part. He only has 11 playoff PAs, and his Late & Close OPS is nearly identical to his career OPS (.779 to .780). He's been at .849 High Leverage but .752 with men on base over his career. Nothing too telling either way.

[moonslav59]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017-mlb-free-agent-tracker/positions-5

 

Stephen Drew?

 

Maybe, or Valbuena.

 

I doubt we sign anybody now. If we need to, we can trade for a 3Bman mid season.

[Spudboy]

Interesting to see such a diversity of opinion from the so called knowledgeable baseball people.

 

You aint just a rooster poopin' either.

 

Experts, lol.

[Kimmi]

I like the move. The D improves at 1B which will thus help the D of the entire IF. I thought Hanley did a MUCH better job than anticipated (I was VERY against the guy going to 1B.....so I'll eat crow on that one) but I think whenever you can replace an average fielder with a GG guy with a solid bat with pop at 1B.....you do it. To me the biggest area of need was needing a very good #3/#2 pitcher.........and instead we got an Ace...... Offense is not an issue. I see Panda turning things around and couple that with Moreland....I think a bit more that half of Papi's production is replaced.....which is really all we needed anyway.

 

Agree on Moreland. I think he's a good fit.

[raider_35_24]

Agree on Moreland. I think he's a good fit.

 

Exactly...we get a GG 1B that will hit 25HR and 70RBI

[Kimmi]

Exactly...we get a GG 1B that will hit 25HR and 70RBI

 

I recently read an article at Fangraphs about how eerily similar Moreland and Shaw are, not only in their career stats but also in their projections for next season.

 

Moreland was not signed to try to replace Papi, but rather to replace Shaw.

[Dojji]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017-mlb-free-agent-tracker/positions-5

 

Stephen Drew?

 

TBH with those options I'd be perfectly fine with Hernandez as the go to behind the Panda.

[S5Dewey]

The sooner we can get it out of our heads that we're going to replace Papi the better off we're going to be. We're not going to be able to replace him - at least with only one player. Instead of thinking about replacing HIM we need to think about replacing his offense - which is happening to as much of a degree as is possible.

 

My two concerns about replacing the man are that IMO his clubhouse influence is possibly irreplaceable, as his ability to be 'clutch' - and some people question the validity of either of those. So we'll wait and see.

[Dojji]

The big thing we lost when we lost Papi wasn't the clutch hitting. It was having that guy who's been there for all 3 of our modern-era championships. That kind of institutional memory breeds a confidence all its own that I really hope has spread to the youngsters that will now have to carry the team on their own backs.

[S5Dewey]

The big thing we lost when we lost Papi wasn't the clutch hitting. It was having that guy who's been there for all 3 of our modern-era championships. That kind of institutional memory breeds a confidence all its own that I really hope has spread to the youngsters that will now have to carry the team on their own backs.

 

I agree completely. I like to say that on any level "There's no substitute for having been there". Given the youth of our team that responsibility now falls onto Pedrioa - or David Price, which in itself is a bit of a scary thought.

[a700hitter]

TBH with those options I'd be perfectly fine with Hernandez as the go to behind the Panda.

What about Uribe as RH in a platoon?

[raider_35_24]

I recently read an article at Fangraphs about how eerily similar Moreland and Shaw are, not only in their career stats but also in their projections for next season.

 

Moreland was not signed to try to replace Papi, but rather to replace Shaw.

 

yeah i could see people thinking that..BUT..moreland like's to go opposite field he's going to use the monster to help him..that will only help his AVG...moreland is better than shaw..and him being a GG is only going to help....moreland in fenway is going to be something to watch.

[raider_35_24]

The sooner we can get it out of our heads that we're going to replace Papi the better off we're going to be. We're not going to be able to replace him - at least with only one player. Instead of thinking about replacing HIM we need to think about replacing his offense - which is happening to as much of a degree as is possible.

 

My two concerns about replacing the man are that IMO his clubhouse influence is possibly irreplaceable, as his ability to be 'clutch' - and some people question the validity of either of those. So we'll wait and see.

 

100% correct!

[Foe-Jarmer]

At first I didn't like the Moreland signing. But the more I stew on it, the more I like it. He's a good fit and while I've never really valued 1Bman defense all that much, his defensive capabilities can not be ignored. Worst case, he stinks up the joint and we trade for a 1B/DH and slot HanRam back at first if need be.