Red Sox Trade Deadline 2017 Thread

[illinoisredsox]

Why did someone have to remind me of Will Middlebrooks lol...

 

Sorry (not really), merely pointing out his he was off to a pretty good start his first year. He never was the same after he broke that bone in his wrist. Whether that was because pitchers figured him out, it never healed properly, he lost confidence, or any combination of those we will never know. But he never got it back.

[moonslav59]

Sorry (not really), merely pointing out his he was off to a pretty good start his first year. He never was the same after he broke that bone in his wrist. Whether that was because pitchers figured him out, it never healed properly, he lost confidence, or any combination of those we will never know. But he never got it back.

 

It was a pretty small sample size, so we'll also never know if he really had anything to even have a chance to "get it back".

 

He sure had a nice stretch. I remember trying to give him a nickname to stick: "Will-da-beast". I had the T-shirt printing presses all lined up.

 

Then again, I also suggested we trade him for several different players- one was Gavin Floyd. LOL

[notin]

I don't think I ever saw a prospect I wanted gone for "sell high" reasons as much as Will Middlebrooks.

 

Then again, I thought his eventual flop was so inevitable, I would hope every GM capable of landing an MLB job saw it coming too...

[FredLynn]

I don't think I ever saw a prospect I wanted gone for "sell high" reasons as much as Will Middlebrooks.

 

Then again, I thought his eventual flop was so inevitable, I would hope every GM capable of landing an MLB job saw it coming too...

 

As I recall, his K to BB ratio was so high that his fall from grace could have been predicted by.....well.....a cave man.

[notin]

As I recall, his K to BB ratio was so high that his fall from grace could have been predicted by.....well.....a cave man.

 

Probably why all they could get for him was a journeyman backup catcher winding down his career. And the Sox still came out ahead in that deal...

[moonslav59]

I don't think I ever saw a prospect I wanted gone for "sell high" reasons as much as Will Middlebrooks.

 

Then again, I thought his eventual flop was so inevitable, I would hope every GM capable of landing an MLB job saw it coming too...

 

I felt the same way. His K rate in the minors was a big warning sign. I'm not sure I have ever suggested more possible trade scenarios for any single player than Middy.

[harmony]

I felt the same way. His K rate in the minors was a big warning sign. I'm not sure I have ever suggested more possible trade scenarios for any single player than Middy.

On the old Boston Globe forum, a poster named softlaw started a separate thread to belittle me for suggesting in the 2012-13 offseason that Will Middlebrooks might need more time in the minors.

 

Good times.

[bosoxmal]

I dropped in because it was supposed to be a "Trading" Thread. Wha' happen'?

[Maxbialystock]

I dropped in because it was supposed to be a "Trading" Thread. Wha' happen'?

 

A good question.

 

My view is that talking about Middlebrooks makes as much sense as talking about making a trade or whatever to bring in our 13th or is it 14th 3d baseman this year? By my count we've seen Holt, Sandoval, Rutledge, Marrero, Lin, and at least one other I've forgotten. We also have Devers hitting up a storm at AA Portland where Lin was until about a month ago.

 

Now I would be in favor of getting Beltre or any of the other guys being mentioned provided he was cheap (salary and trade value) and we could be sure he would hit at least 30 dingers and drive in at least 75 runs over the remainder of the season. Otherwise, I frankly see no point in that excursion.

 

To me the real problem is at DH, but I see no way to replace HanRam.

 

Meanwhile the rest of the positions--C, 1b, 2b, SS, LF, RF, CF--look decent to very good to me. Heck, even 3B with Lin/Marrero verges on decent.

 

It's possible we have the best pitching staff in the AL especially if ERod returns to form and no one else gets injured. They will simply have to make up for the fact that our hitting ain't that great this year.

[sk7326]

Middlebrooks was this interesting case - a terrific athlete, two sporter who basically took to baseball late. When he came up to replace Youkilis (Youk's sudden decline is a positional issue the team has never really recovered from - a lot of their future plan in 2011 was based on having one of the top 10 offensive players in the league ... and his body fell to pieces) he had that BABIP driven hot streak.

 

You knew it was fool's gold the entire time. The real question - and my hope - was that his defense and enough on-base (like if he could just be below average - like .310) to get to his power would provide a solid starting package. (basically a 3B version of Josh Reddick. Alas)

[sk7326]

The questions for the trade deadline vis a vis 3B have to be ...

 

1. Do you think we can get enough from Pablo/Lin. I don't think this is an obvious answer - but I'd lean "no".

2. Do you think Todd Frazier can fill the gap in amply enough to trade something of value? He is an improvement, but I am not sure it's enough. Though his power is interesting.

3. Is Beltre actually gettable? The 2nd wild card is still within the Rangers reach - so I am skeptical.

 

Devers clearly makes sense for a September call-up. But, as I've noted - the best time to promote him if you want to take the plunge is next weekend - when the team goes out West. Would you be comfortable just putting him 9th and seeing what happens? Obviously you have to count on the kid being ready. Being ready in this case means simply being able to make adjustments and to grow without the hand holding you can get in the minors.

 

I am firmly in the Devers plunge camp here fwiw.

[a700hitter]

We need to come to the realization that we will get nothing from Pablo. The sooner the FO realizes that the better off for the team.

[sk7326]

We need to come to the realization that we will get nothing from Pablo. The sooner the FO realizes that the better off for the team.

 

I agree ... and really the decision point is essentially now.

[OH FOY]

I would not be surprised if Swihart is a Trade chip.

[mvp 78]

The questions for the trade deadline vis a vis 3B have to be ...

 

1. Do you think we can get enough from Pablo/Lin. I don't think this is an obvious answer - but I'd lean "no".

2. Do you think Todd Frazier can fill the gap in amply enough to trade something of value? He is an improvement, but I am not sure it's enough. Though his power is interesting.

3. Is Beltre actually gettable? The 2nd wild card is still within the Rangers reach - so I am skeptical.

 

Devers clearly makes sense for a September call-up. But, as I've noted - the best time to promote him if you want to take the plunge is next weekend - when the team goes out West. Would you be comfortable just putting him 9th and seeing what happens? Obviously you have to count on the kid being ready. Being ready in this case means simply being able to make adjustments and to grow without the hand holding you can get in the minors.

 

I am firmly in the Devers plunge camp here fwiw.

 

1. No. Lin is a fine stopgap measure for now, but he's really just a plug and play utility guy.

2. I don't want Frazier at all. I wouldn't give up Owens for him.

3. No, Beltre isn't a good option for the Sox. Costs too much. If Devers didn't exist in the system, you could convince me, but I don't see the need for a trade.

 

The Sox have the best 3B prospect on the planet. They need to see what they have in him before the spend to get another rental.

[harmony]

I would not be surprised if Swihart is a Trade chip.

I question whether the Red Sox will trade low on Blake Swihart, a 25-year-old catcher with defensive questions and a .213/.265/.327/.592 slash line in 163 plate appearances this year at Triple A Pawtucket.

 

What would the return be in a trade of Swihart?

[a700hitter]

I would not be surprised if Swihart is a Trade chip.

We would be selling low on him.

[Bellhorn04]

I question whether the Red Sox will trade low on Blake Swihart, a 25-year-old catcher with defensive questions and a .213/.265/.327/.592 slash line in 163 plate appearances this year at Triple A Pawtucket.

 

What would the return be in a trade of Swihart?

 

Somebody has to say it: a bag of balls.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I question whether the Red Sox will trade low on Blake Swihart, a 25-year-old catcher with defensive questions and a .213/.265/.327/.592 slash line in 163 plate appearances this year at Triple A Pawtucket.

 

What would the return be in a trade of Swihart?

 

This is a good question. Some teams have probably lost interest, but he is a catcher and you only need one team to believe they can fix him. I was thinking about the Mets--they could use a catcher of the future and so it would just depend on what the Mets scouts and front office think of Swihart at this juncture of his career.

 

I think Swihart is out of options next year but the Red Sox don't necessarily need to trade him. Swihart could make the team next year and platoon with Vazquez. The Red Sox can part ways with S.Leon, who is nothing great anyway.

[a700hitter]

This is a good question. Some teams have probably lost interest, but he is a catcher and you only need one team to believe they can fix him. I was thinking about the Mets--they could use a catcher of the future and so it would just depend on what the Mets scouts and front office think of Swihart at this juncture of his career.

 

I think Swihart is out of options next year but the Red Sox don't necessarily need to trade him. Swihart could make the team next year and platoon with Vazquez. The Red Sox can part ways with S.Leon, who is nothing great anyway.

The Mets already have their version of Swihart in d'Arnaud. A catcher that can't catch. If they are going to fix someone, they will fix d'Arnaud.

[a700hitter]

Somebody has to say it: a bag of balls.

Maybe a box of new balls, but that is about it. The organization needed to figure out who was going to be the catcher of the future and sold high on the other one. They waited too long. Vasquez won the job and Swihart's prospects have crashed.

[OH FOY]

Cubs got Quintana, Theo gave up Jimenez. Kid I really liked. White Sox if everything falls into place will have some youngsters, who could be very good.

[OH FOY]

You go by a half year, after a injury, with Swihart? Defensively at Double AA he was better that Vazquez, in Passed balls, and Stolen Base %.And he caught a Knuckler that year. Way better hitter, saw them both. Edited July 13, 2017 by OH FOY!

[Bellhorn04]

You go by a half year, after a injury, with Swihart? Defensively at Double AA he was better that Vazquez, in Passed balls, and Stolen Base %.And he caught a Knuckler that year. Way better hitter, saw them both.

 

Swihart looked good at the plate at times, but his numbers just aren't very impressive. He needed to boost them this year and he went in the other direction instead.

[OH FOY]

312 At bats in 2 years, injury might be giving him trouble this year. He's hit everywhere he's been including the Majors. All I'm saying GM's look for bargains, and if Vazquez and Leon are long term, change of scenery with a longer term plan, he would fit the bill.

Cant go by half year, after injury with this kid, to say he's a bust, his stock maybe low because of injury. Hard to play any sport with a bad ankle.

Edited July 13, 2017 by OH FOY!

[a700hitter]

You go by a half year, after a injury, with Swihart? Defensively at Double AA he was better that Vazquez, in Passed balls, and Stolen Base %.And he caught a Knuckler that year. Way better hitter, saw them both.

One guy was going to be the catcher of the future -- not 2. We didn't need them both. Getting rid of Swihart had nothing to do with Swihart's injury. The Red Sox didn't maximize the value of that asset. He isn't going to be our catcher, our leftfielder or our 3B. He is excess baggage at this point, and now he is physically damaged goods.

[Emp9]

312 At bats in 2 years, injury might be giving him trouble this year. He's hit everywhere he's been including the Majors. All I'm saying GM's look for bargains, and if Vazquez and Leon are long term, change of scenery with a longer term plan, he would fit the bill.

Cant go by half year, after injury with this kid, to say he's a bust, his stock maybe low because of injury.

 

I agree. Plus, We don't need him this season anyhow. There's soooo much time for Swihart to work things out in the minors. Let's assess Swihart next season.

[OH FOY]

One guy was going to be the catcher of the future -- not 2. We didn't need them both. Getting rid of Swihart had nothing to do with Swihart's injury. The Red Sox didn't maximize the value of that asset. He isn't going to be our catcher, our leftfielder or our 3B. He is excess baggage at this point, and now he is physically damaged goods.

Agree, but you could easily get a Rental for him, for team who is looking younger, Frazier, Robertson, easily. White Sox are looking for the future. They will be patient about injury, because of his history. We still got Butler in the Minors, not that bad too if needed.

[Emp9]

Cubs got Quintana

 

This could be HUGE!!! (.... for my fantasy team)

[Bellhorn04]

Agree, but you could easily get a Rental for him, for team who is looking younger, Frazier, Robertson, easily. White Sox are looking for the future. They will be patient about injury, because of his history.

 

Swihart would be no more than a throw-in for one of those players. You're totally overvaluing him. His offensive numbers are lousy and his catching defense needs work. Better to keep him and hope for better things next year.