Mets looking for centerfielder

[Bellhorn04]

That's the only lineup that makes sense. I'd take a young starter for JBJ. Somebody similar in experince, age, etc. to ERod. JBJ seems to be a great guy and great teammate, but------!

 

Yeah, JBJ only played an awesome centerfield and hit .267 with 26 HR and 87 RBI. Guys like that grow on trees. Get rid of him!

[mvp 78]

That's the only lineup that makes sense. I'd take a young starter for JBJ. Somebody similar in experince, age, etc. to ERod. JBJ seems to be a great guy and great teammate, but------!

 

I agree that it would be a great idea to start the season with huge question marks at C, 3B AND LF.

[moonslav59]

Unless one believes that JBJ has played over his head, and his stock has "peaked", there's no way I see any reason to trade him

[Eddy Ballgame]

I agree that it would be a great idea to start the season with huge question marks at C, 3B AND LF.

 

If Benintendi somehow has a hiccup and isn't ready, we could always put Brentz in right, Betts in center & Swihart in left. They'd go from having one of the best defensive outfields to having one of the worst, the overall offense would take a huge hit and they'd impede Swihart's development as a catcher again, but at least we'd have a young starting pitcher to compete for a rotation spot for a team that is set up to win now.

[moonslav59]

If Benintendi somehow has a hiccup and isn't ready, we could always put Brentz in right, Betts in center & Swihart in left. They'd go from having one of the best defensive outfields to having one of the worst, the overall offense would take a huge hit and they'd impede Swihart's development as a catcher again, but at least we'd have a young starting pitcher to compete for a rotation spot for a team that is set up to win now.

 

Sarcasm at its very best!

[dustcover]

Yeah, JBJ only played an awesome centerfield and hit .267 with 26 HR and 87 RBI. Guys like that grow on trees. Get rid of him!

 

Your right on with JBJ's stats, Bellhorn, but let me ask you this. Hypothetically, take the production of the CF'er (JBJ) and combine it with the production of the LF'er for the entire 2016 season and then compare it to the combined projected production of CF'er Benintendi and LF'er Swihart for the 2017 season and what do you see?

 

This is all hypothetical of course, but I see tremendous amount of potential for a highly productive outfield trio of Swihart, Benintendi, and Betts without sacrificing that much on defense, with the bonus of getting a productive player for JBJ.

Edited December 23, 2016 by dustcover

[moonslav59]

Your right on with JBJ's stats, Bellhorn, but let me ask you this. Hypothetically, take the production of the CF'er (JBJ) and combine it with the production of the LF'er for the entire 2016 season and then compare it to the combined projected production of CF'er Benintendi and LF'er Swihart for the 2017 season and what do you see?

 

This is all hypothetical of course, but I see tremendous amount of potential for a highly productive outfield trio of Swihart, Benintendi, and Betts without sacrificing that much on defense, with the bonus of getting a productive player for JBJ.

 

Why not trade Swihart then?

 

Take the known over the unknown.

 

JBJ still has room to get better as well. Just a little more consistency and he'll be near HOF consideration.

[dustcover]

Why not trade Swihart then?

 

Take the known over the unknown.

 

JBJ still has room to get better as well. Just a little more consistency and he'll be near HOF consideration.

 

 

Point well made! But the Sox could presumably get more for JBJ in trade value than what they could get for Swihart. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out.

Edited December 24, 2016 by dustcover

[moonslav59]

Point well made! But the Sox could presumably get more for JBJ in trade value than what they could get for Swihart. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out.

 

Yes, we'd get more for JBJ because he's better- not just right now, but also projected going forward.

[Spudboy]

I keep saying this.

 

I hope the Sox do not trade Swihart.

[moonslav59]

I keep saying this.

 

I hope the Sox do not trade Swihart.

 

Looks like DD agrees.

It might just be because his stock is low right now, but I hope DD is done for a while trading away top prospects or top young players (like Swihart).

 

I could see Swihart doing well in AAA, and us needing a bullpen arm or 3Bman, and we could trade Vaz or Leon plus someone else for what we need.

Edited December 24, 2016 by moonslav59

[cp176]

I keep saying this.

 

I hope the Sox do not trade Swihart.

 

Yes you do, and I understand why. You sound a little like I used to though when talking about that other guy we used to have - Moncada. I think I like Swihart a lot more than you liked Moncada though.(lol) At this point in time, I don't see any reason at all why they would even be thinking of trading Swihart. They've got what they want for starting pitching. i don't see them letting another kid with offensive upside going anywhere for bullpen help. Somewhere along the line, they may need the offense that he has the potential to provide.

[moonslav59]

Yes you do, and I understand why. You sound a little like I used to though when talking about that other guy we used to have - Moncada. I think I like Swihart a lot more than you liked Moncada though.(lol) At this point in time, I don't see any reason at all why they would even be thinking of trading Swihart. They've got what they want for starting pitching. i don't see them letting another kid with offensive upside going anywhere for bullpen help. Somewhere along the line, they may need the offense that he has the potential to provide.

 

Agreed, and while I suggested trading Swihart and in many many trade proposals, with our farm now greatly depleted, keeping Swihart is as much a lock as I can imagine... same with Devers and Groome.

[Spudboy]

Looks like DD agrees.

It might just be because his stock is low right now, but I hope DD is done for a while trading away top prospects or top young players (like Swihart).

 

I could see Swihart doing well in AAA, and us needing a bullpen arm or 3Bman, and we could trade Vaz or Leon plus someone else for what we need.

 

I would not trade Swihart roe a reliever. Not unless he was at least an Andrew Miller type.

[Nick]

As Moon have often pointed out, Swihart's ceiling is higher as a catcher. He needs to become competent backstop.

 

You never want to say never but we should be done trading. We have all the pieces We are butted up against our cap. Little wiggle room we have should be saved for trade deadline. We just need everyone to remain healthy.

 

Our team is on the field.

[Spudboy]

Swihart's optimal value may be as a catcher but that supposes that a team needs a catcher more than a very athletic and speedy hitter at any other position.

 

Unfortunately the Sox appear to not have that need.

[Dojji]

Swihart's optimim value is as a big league ballplayer. The bat is ready. If the glove is that far behind, LEAVE it behind.

[moonslav59]

If Moreland sucks or HanRam struggles or gets hurt, I still think we may see Swihart at DH. I know that slows his growth as a catcher, but if we need his bat to win, that should trump development protocol.

[Hugh2]

If Swiharts optimal value is at catcher he should stay behind the plate.

 

I do think there's a strong case that if a guy is more valuable to the team at another position you make it work if the bat is special and there's a need E.G. Mookie Betts.

 

However, there's not a need anywhere other than maybe 3B/1B. Two positions that make Swiharts bat not so special.

 

I really think if he's not our catcher he'll be traded by the end of 2017. Many things can change this outcome obviously

[Bellhorn04]

If Moreland sucks or HanRam struggles or gets hurt, I still think we may see Swihart at DH. I know that slows his growth as a catcher, but if we need his bat to win, that should trump development protocol.

 

There's Chris Young as well.

 

A lot of bad stuff would have to happen for the FO to do what you're suggesting with Swihart.

[Hugh2]

The cool weird thing about our outfield is we don't really need the depth we don't have in CF/RF. If JBJ goes down Betts or Benintendi could slide into center. If Betts goes down JBJ or Benintendi could slide over to right. In both scenarios a holt/young platoon takes over in left.

[moonslav59]

There's Chris Young as well.

 

A lot of bad stuff would have to happen for the FO to do what you're suggesting with Swihart.

 

I'm not so sure. An injury to HanRam or Moreland would force us to use Young vs RHPs? I'd rather have Swihart DH vs RHPs and be available to PH (probably for Vaz or Leon) when he's not starting. Or, he could even start a game here and there at catchers vs a LHPs.

 

It's not ideal for his development, but we don't have much depth when it comes to hitting. Our bench consists of whoever is not starting out of Young-Moreland plus Holt, Rutledge & Vaz.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

To get Syndegaard, I'm guessing the Mets would want more than Bradley--they would want Betts.

 

Bradley Jr. and Pomeranz for deGrom and Bruce. This was a deal that I suggested prior to the Sale trade.

 

Bruce and Young platoon in LF.

[rkarp1]

RS are now a fly ball pitching team and having an OF trio like they currently have is of too much value.

Conforto is still a ? for me. Bruce is too poor a defender to play RF or LF imo.

 

I am content to stand pat and see how the team comes out of ST healthy or not, and again see how things play out to the trade dead line.

 

I also see Swi, Travis in the not so distant future getting PA's.

[southpaw777]

Then, if true, with JBJs better arm, they should be swapped.

 

JBJs accuracy last year with his throws didnt impress me...yes, hes a stud defender, but you need to go take a look at his throws last year...up the line, airmailed over the catchers head...it wasnt his best year for accuracy...kids got a howitzer for an arm, no doubt...it just wasnt that good last year. Hopefully it was just a bad year for him in that way.

[southpaw777]

Farrell would have done better picking a fan from the stands to run the bases that night. Wright looked like he had never run the bases in his life. Oh, wait.... he hadn't run the bases since high school.

 

Out of all Farrell's head scratching moves last year, this Move left blood on my head i scratched so Fn hard...

[moonslav59]

JBJs accuracy last year with his throws didnt impress me...yes, hes a stud defender, but you need to go take a look at his throws last year...up the line, airmailed over the catchers head...it wasnt his best year for accuracy...kids got a howitzer for an arm, no doubt...it just wasnt that good last year. Hopefully it was just a bad year for him in that way.

 

I'll take the 3 errors and league leading 13 assists as a "bad year" any year.

 

He was more inaccurate than ever, and my argument was in the context of the idea that Betts could be a better defensive CF'er than JBJ- something I am not willing to agree with at this point.

[Kimmi]

Swihart's optimim value is as a big league ballplayer. The bat is ready. If the glove is that far behind, LEAVE it behind.

 

Over the past two seasons, Swihart's development behind the plate has been disrupted due to necessity. He was once highly touted by scouts to become good enough defensively that he would be the better overall catcher between him and Vazquez. I think the Sox owe it to him and to themselves to give him ample time in AAA this season working strictly as a catcher so they can see whether he will be good enough behind the plate to warrant keeping him at that position.

[notin]

Over the past two seasons, Swihart's development behind the plate has been disrupted due to necessity. He was once highly touted by scouts to become good enough defensively that he would be the better overall catcher between him and Vazquez. I think the Sox owe it to him and to themselves to give him ample time in AAA this season working strictly as a catcher so they can see whether he will be good enough behind the plate to warrant keeping him at that position.

 

It does amaze how the attitude with Swihart's defense is "he'll never learn" yet the attitude with Vazquez' offense is "he needs more of a chance. "

[rkarp1]

I don't think Swihart is in the "he'll never learn" category. I think he is in the "he needs more games as a catcher" category. I have no doubts he will be good enough defensively, and if his bat forces him onto the field sooner than later, that is fine with me. I am also comfortable with the back up C being defense first, with the back up having a "special" relationship with a starting P and catching him every start. I have no feeling either way for Vaz or Leon, but do think Vaz has more upside defensively than Leon, and also has the opportunity to offer more slugging upside Edited December 27, 2016 by rkarp1