2017 Spring Training Thread - Everything Sox ST

[mvp 78]

I guess my question to OP is at what position does he have the best chance to start?

 

Catcher. If he develops his defensive game this year in Pawtucket, he could have a long career starting for the Sox. If he is transitioned to LF, his bat will not play. If he is transitioned to 3B, he'll play until Devers (a guy with a better bat and better glove) kicks him off the position.

[moonslav59]

Swihart was 1 for 3 today. He is now batting .308 in spring training in a small sample size. He proper position is catcher. Sometimes it takes a while for catchers to become excellent defensively. The Sox should exercise patience with him at that position.

 

Yes, +1

[cp176]

Yes, +1

 

He may never become an excellent catcher but he very well may be good enough going forward to start for us for a long time.

[moonslav59]

He may never become an excellent catcher but he very well may be good enough going forward to start for us for a long time.

 

Hopefully, we can find out more this year about his chances at sticking with catching.

[Kimmi]

Ian Browne‏Verified account @IanMBrowne 2h2 hours ago

 

Opposing scouts will be sending a lot of "Don't run on Vazquez" reports back to their teams. His arm is back in a big way.

 

Good to hear.

[Kimmi]

I agree that Swihart needs to be given every opportunity to stick at catcher.

 

I hope he is not moved off of that position this year.

[Fisk]

Ian Browne‏Verified account @IanMBrowne 2h2 hours ago

 

Opposing scouts will be sending a lot of "Don't run on Vazquez" reports back to their teams. His arm is back in a big way.

 

Good to hear.

 

That's good news because besides framing he doesn't really have any other above average tool.

[cp176]

Will the real Allen Craig please stand up. Is this really possible? If he is healthy, what is going to happen? If he suddenly turns in to the Allen Craig of yesteryear, someone might have to step aside. He was that good.

[moonslav59]

Will the real Allen Craig please stand up. Is this really possible? If he is healthy, what is going to happen? If he suddenly turns in to the Allen Craig of yesteryear, someone might have to step aside. He was that good.

 

Seems like so long ago.

 

From 2011 to 2012, there were 222 MLB with over 700 PAs.

 

Amazingly, Allen Craig had the 17th best OPS over those two years at .889.

 

If you widen the sample size to 2011-2013 and 1000+ PAs, Craig finished 22nd out of 226 player with an .863 OPS. (16th in wRC+ at 139). Plus he has a post season OPS of .839.

[Fisk]

Seems like so long ago.

 

From 2011 to 2012, there were 222 MLB with over 700 PAs.

 

Amazingly, Allen Craig had the 17th best OPS over those two years at .889.

 

If you widen the sample size to 2011-2013 and 1000+ PAs, Craig finished 22nd out of 226 player with an .863 OPS. (16th in wRC+ at 139). Plus he has a post season OPS of .839.

You forget how good he was, I know in the 2013 World Series his at bats always worried me the most.

[cp176]

You forget how good he was, I know in the 2013 World Series his at bats always worried me the most.

 

I tend to be overly optimistic but that being said, even when I try to keep things in perspective, I still think he makes it all the way back.

[Fisk]

I tend to be overly optimistic but that being said, even when I try to keep things in perspective, I still think he makes it all the way back.

 

That is optimistic. The biggest issue is if they put him back on the 40 man roster his salary will count and that would put them over the luxury tax. Not sure they would be willing to do that.

[Nick]

That is optimistic. The biggest issue is if they put him back on the 40 man roster his salary will count and that would put them over the luxury tax. Not sure they would be willing to do that.

 

We have a winner!!!!!!!!

[notin]

That is optimistic. The biggest issue is if they put him back on the 40 man roster his salary will count and that would put them over the luxury tax. Not sure they would be willing to do that.

 

While true, the AAV of his contract is like $5.2 million. The Sox could cut Abad and make for most. But most likely, if Craig is indeed back he'll probably be dealt to a team with more salary headroom. ..

[a700hitter]

While true, the AAV of his contract is like $5.2 million. The Sox could cut Abad and make for most. But most likely, if Craig is indeed back he'll probably be dealt to a team with more salary headroom. ..

DH against Lefties?

[moonslav59]

That is optimistic. The biggest issue is if they put him back on the 40 man roster his salary will count and that would put them over the luxury tax. Not sure they would be willing to do that.

 

I doubt they add Craig to the 40 man due to his contract, but I'm not sure what cost would count towards the luxury tax. His AVV was just over $6M, so that alone, would not put us over, but if his 2017 contract is applied, then yes, we'd be over.

[moonslav59]

DH against Lefties?

 

Why no love for one on MLB's best hitters vs lefties, Chris Young?

[a700hitter]

Why no love for one on MLB's best hitters vs lefties, Chris Young?

He could spell Bradley and Benitendi against lefties.

[cp176]

That is optimistic. The biggest issue is if they put him back on the 40 man roster his salary will count and that would put them over the luxury tax. Not sure they would be willing to do that.

 

It is optimistic. Gives me something to talk about. Initially, I think that he starts in Pawtucket for sure. If (and it is a big if) he returns to the form he had when he was at his best, he will force himself into someone's lineup. if he hits like he used to, it very well might be ours. It will create some good competition for sure.

[Nick]

If Craig comes up over the summer, does the Sox eat the full year's AVV or partial? Is it prorated from the time he's placed on 40 man roster?

[Fisk]

Not sure but my guess is it all counts

[moonslav59]

He could spell Bradley and Benitendi against lefties.

 

Yeah, sometimes, but he needs to start every game when a lefty starts for the opps.

 

Last year, we faced 37 LH'd starters. Do we really want to sit Beni and JBJ about 20 games each?

 

I can see maybe up to 10 each, unless one or both are struggling badly vs lefties this year. That would leave about 20 games for Young to start at DH vs lefties.

 

I just don't see Craig ever gaining enough value to be worth the budget hit. Plus, we have Travis beating down the door for some MLB playing time at 1B, which would force HanRam to DH more.

[moonslav59]

If Craig comes up over the summer, does the Sox eat the full year's AVV or partial? Is it prorated from the time he's placed on 40 man roster?

 

I think it would be prorated, but at what number? His AVV, which is about $6M or his 2017 salary of $11M.

[Nick]

I think it would be prorated, but at what number? His AVV, which is about $6M or his 2017 salary of $11M.

 

I would guess his AVV...say in Castillo's case, I doubt if $72M gets split into 3 years (if he is placed on 40 man roster in couple of years). Charging Sox $24M per year seems illogical. If that's the case no way in hell he'll ever get 'reactivated'.

[moonslav59]

I would guess his AVV...say in Castillo's case, I doubt if $72M gets split into 3 years (if he is placed on 40 man roster in couple of years). Charging Sox $24M per year seems illogical. If that's the case no way in hell he'll ever get 'reactivated'.

 

I agree. I think it would be pro-rated depending on when he is added. I believe his AVV was $6.2M or thereabouts, so if he was added halfway through 2017, his luxury cost would be $3.1M assuming my $6.2M is accurate). Even if he was on the roster all year, we'd still be under the limit, but we'd be restricted on in season additions that added cost.

[Kimmi]

That's good news because besides framing he doesn't really have any other above average tool.

 

He needs to regain that 'elite' status if he's going to try to beat out a better hitting catcher.

 

IMO, how he handles the staff is the most important aspect of his defense. Pitchers seem to really like throwing to him.

[Kimmi]

Will the real Allen Craig please stand up. Is this really possible? If he is healthy, what is going to happen? If he suddenly turns in to the Allen Craig of yesteryear, someone might have to step aside. He was that good.

 

He was that good, which is why it's such an enigma that he just fell off the cliff. I realize that he was injured, but he should have been able to bounce back from that. He was not that old at the time.

 

That said, I think it would take a lot for him to be able to crack the 25 man roster.

[Spudboy]

He was that good, which is why it's such an enigma that he just fell off the cliff. I realize that he was injured, but he should have been able to bounce back from that. He was not that old at the time.

 

That said, I think it would take a lot for him to be able to crack the 25 man roster.

 

I have just assumed that his precipitous decline was random.

[Kimmi]

I have just assumed that his precipitous decline was random.

 

[Behindenemylines]

I doubt they add Craig to the 40 man due to his contract, but I'm not sure what cost would count towards the luxury tax. His AVV was just over $6M, so that alone, would not put us over, but if his 2017 contract is applied, then yes, we'd be over.

 

Still early, but if Craig did find his swing it gives the Sox some options. I think he has a better chance of making back to the Show then Castillo does.