Debunking the 3 year window myth -- the Red Sox in 2020

[Fan_since_Boggs]

In terms of big free agent acquisitions, while I'm open to Hosmer after the 2017 season, the guy I really want is M.Machado after the 2018 season. He will be 26 at the beginning of the 2019 season and likely has huge years, perhaps MVP years, in front of him. Sure, he will want an enormous contract, but the Red Sox are a big market team and can afford that kind of contract.

 

I don't know about his position, though. (1) Can he play SS full time? If he can play SS, he would be a huge upgrade over Bogaerts. (2) Assuming Devers has a strong season in 2018 defensively, I wouldn't move Devers off of 3b just to make room for Machado. But if Devers struggles defensively in 2018, they could move Devers to 1b. (3) Would Machado be open to playing 1b? He has had knee problems in the past, and a move to 1b might help him in this regard. (4) Machado to 2b and Pedroia to DH? Pedroia isn't going to last forever and the Red Sox may soon be in the market for a starting 2b. But Machado doesn't look like a 2b to me--he doesn't quite fit the profile.

 

I know Machado isn't overly popular with Red Sox fans, but there is no denying his talent. The Manny Ramirez contract worked out well for the Red Sox, and Machado could be Manny Ramirez Part II, a middle of the order bat who leads the team to multiple world series titles.

[Nick]

I think I can get over Machado in Sox uniform.

[moonslav59]

I doubt Machado plays anywhere but 3B, unless injuries force him to 1B. If we ever got Machado, Devers would go to 1B, IMO.

 

That's two years away, though. I'm not happy with a one year fix at 1B, and I do not think Hosmer solves any of our major issues.

[S5Dewey]

I think I can get over Machado in Sox uniform.

 

Ugh. I'd have to hold my nose to do it.

[moonslav59]

Ugh. I'd have to hold my nose to do it.

 

Pedey will, too.

[mvp 78]

Pedey will, too.

 

Nah, he's Machado's buddy. Wouldn't need to hold his nose.

[notin]

An infield of Devers, Pedroia, Bogaerts and Machado would be outstanding.

[moonslav59]

An infield of Devers, Pedroia, Bogaerts and Machado would be outstanding.

 

Agreed, but waiting for Moustakas ticks one more year off the "window" clock.

[OH FOY]

Machado has a huge year, next year, in Baltimore not hard to do. What do you think he'll ask for? He'll just be 26. 35, 37, 32+ this season, and next at least 30+ HRS, not a big Strikeout kid. 2 Gold Gloves, you think 20 million a year will do it. Don't think so.

I say he starts at 30. There's a team called the Dodgers, not even worried anymore about the Yanks, who will have a say in this.

Edited September 9, 2017 by OH FOY!

[Nick]

Machado has a huge year, next year, in Baltimore not hard to do. What do you think he'll ask for? He'll just be 26. 35, 37, 32+ this season, and next at least 30+ HRS, not a big Strikeout kid. 2 Gold Gloves, you think 20 million a year will do it. Don't think so.

I say he starts at 30. There's a team called the Dodgers, not even worried anymore about the Yanks, who will have a say in this.

 

He will get $30M....I rather give him that than Betts. More power. Betts is down to $25M. I wouldn't give Xander $15M.

[S5Dewey]

As I said, I'd have to hold my nose to sign Machado. Machado has always been known as a dirty player and I would no more want him than I'd want a proven PED user. Color me an old guy if you will but I want players who can be at least respectable role models. That's why I appreciate guys like Dwight Evans and Mike Lowell.

 

I'm certain that some will read this post and dredge up former Red Sox players who weren't stellar role models and that's fine. I'll watch them play. Just don't ask me to "like" them or want them on the team. I don't always get what I want "but sometimes I get what I need".

[OH FOY]

30 million +, plus the years, I say. How much will he make after arbitration this year? He makes 11.5 now. Wouldn't shock me he starts at 10 years, with his Agent. This contract is going to be his big payday.

You would rather have Betts walk, and keep Bogaerts? Not too sure about that.

Well at least were not talking Harper, now your going into another dimension.

Edited September 9, 2017 by OH FOY!

[a700hitter]

30 million +, plus the years, I say. How much will he make after arbitration this year? He makes 11.5 now. Wouldn't shock me he starts at 10 years, with his Agent. This contract is going to be his big payday.

You would rather have Betts walk, and keep Bogaerts? Not too sure about that.

Well at least were not talking Harper, now your going into another dimension.

I would be reluctant to give Machado a 10 year contract. He can have a little bit of the dog in him. I would worry that he would be a clubhouse cancer. I could be wrong. I don't watch as much of the Orioles as other teams, because I can't stomach Showalter's face. Also, he has had a history of knee problems

[OH FOY]

Machado is younger than Bogaerts. Bogaerts has 49 career HRS, Machado has 137. Exact same career BA. .282.

10 years of Machado with the DH, is good. Course years can be negotiated, with money. Buy-outs, Player Options, you can work around the years. I doubt he goes less than 8.

Edited September 9, 2017 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

8 years at 33 a year, would you do it? Something like this I figure. If he has bad knees, you stay away from him. Knee problems never get better. Edited September 9, 2017 by OH FOY!

[a700hitter]

Machado is younger than Bogaerts. Bogaerts has 49 career HRS, Machado has 137. Exact same career BA. .282.

10 years of Machado with the DH, is good. Course years can be negotiated, with money. Buy-outs, Player Options, you can work around the years. I doubt he goes less than 8.

Machado is an excellent fielder. If we want him just to be a DH, we would be overpaying for him.

[Spudboy]

As I said, I'd have to hold my nose to sign Machado. Machado has always been known as a dirty player and I would no more want him than I'd want a proven PED user. Color me an old guy if you will but I want players who can be at least respectable role models. That's why I appreciate guys like Dwight Evans and Mike Lowell.

 

I'm certain that some will read this post and dredge up former Red Sox players who weren't stellar role models and that's fine. I'll watch them play. Just don't ask me to "like" them or want them on the team. I don't always get what I want "but sometimes I get what I need".

 

I feel the same way as you.

 

I think Machollo is a punk -ass bitch with a poor complexion and a big mouth.

 

Great player and anyone would want his talent. In a vacuum I would want him on my team. But in a vacuum you can't smell his stench.

 

I want players on my team who I can like and admire as people.

[moonslav59]

Machado is an excellent fielder. If we want him just to be a DH, we would be overpaying for him.

 

I think the DH comments were meant for the end of his contract or if his knee acts up.

 

He'd certainly be our 3Bman from day 1. Devers would probably be fine at 1B.

 

[mvp 78]

I think the DH comments were meant for the end of his contract or if his knee acts up.

 

He'd certainly be our 3Bman from day 1. Devers would probably be fine at 1B.

 

If they signed a great defensive 3b like Machado, it's ok to move Devers. Otherwise, it's dumb.

[Spudboy]

If they signed a great defensive 3b like Machado, it's ok to move Devers. Otherwise, it's dumb.

 

I agree.

[moonslav59]

If they signed a great defensive 3b like Machado, it's ok to move Devers. Otherwise, it's dumb.

 

How about for Moustakas this winter?

[cp176]

I would not move Devers off third base. Given a little time, i think that he will be special. A much better fielder I think here than people think or have projected. Give him time.

[Kimmi]

If they signed a great defensive 3b like Machado, it's ok to move Devers. Otherwise, it's dumb.

 

That was my point in the Devers thread.

 

At any rate, I am against signing Machado to a huge contract.

[Kimmi]

And FTR, currently, the 3 year window and subsequent impending cliff still exist.

[moonslav59]

I would not move Devers off third base. Given a little time, i think that he will be special. A much better fielder I think here than people think or have projected. Give him time.

 

I don't doubt that at all. He's young and improving almost by the day.

 

That being said, his 3B potential is not the only part of the total team equation.

 

We need a big power bat this winter. We can trade for a 1Bman or DH, but that will likely just create another hole(s).

 

If we wantt o try and solve the issue through free agency (again) then it might come down to Hosmer (1B)/Devers 3b/HRam DH, Mostakas 3B/Devers 1B/HRam DH or something like Devers 3B/ HRam 1B/ JD Martinez DH.

 

To me, the Hosmer choice looks the worst of the 3.

 

Moustakas this year or Machado next year looks like one of our best options, regardless of Devers' potential greatness at 3B.

 

Now, I will say Devers does have some issues to work on. He needs to work on that hez or double clutch when throwing the ball. He needs to work on throwing accuracy. These are both areas that should be able to be fixed. I think he will develop into a plus defender. I also think he can become a plus defender at 1B...maybe even quicker.

 

 

[moonslav59]

And FTR, currently, the 3 year window and subsequent impending cliff still exist.

 

I still think we can stretch it to 4.

[Spudboy]

I still think "the cliff" is a steaming load of s***.

[notin]

I still think "the cliff" is a steaming load of s***.

 

To draw an analogy from current events, predicting what a team will look like in 3 years is like trying to accurately predict the path of a hurricane. While you may get an idea of the approximate path, a lot can and will happen over the next 3 years.

[Bellhorn04]

To draw an analogy from current events, predicting what a team will look like in 3 years is like trying to accurately predict the path of a hurricane. While you may get an idea of the approximate path, a lot can and will happen over the next 3 years.

 

That's a fair analogy.

[Nick]

I still think we can stretch it to 4.

 

2021

Devers arb 1

Beni arb 2

Price yr 6

Pedroia final yr

E Rod final arb

M Barnes final arb

H Hembree final arb

R Scott arb 2

Ben Taylor arb 2

R. Elias arb 3

B Swihart arb 4

 

Looks like we'll have close to $150M to spend.....no worries.