2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[moonslav59]

To me , the talk of an impending cliff is not only a failure to enjoy the moment , but a misplaced case of Cherington nostalgia.

 

100% wrong on so many fronts, it would take me pages to explain.

[Larry Cook]

One of the general media sites said we should sign JD (6 years for 150) and trade Bradley.

 

Why would we trade off Bradley? I guess they are assuming Hanley is healthy and contributing all year.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

One of the general media sites said we should sign JD (6 years for 150) and trade Bradley.

 

Why would we trade off Bradley? I guess they are assuming Hanley is healthy and contributing all year.

 

They are also assuming that the Red Sox are perfectly content to play Benintendi in CF. A big assumption that may be false.

 

They could also move M.Betts to CF, but that would create a defensive problem in RF.

 

I think the Red Sox are going to bring back the same OF. The big addition will be Hosmer to play 1b. I'm not saying I agree with that move, but I do think that is the move Dombrowski will make.

[notin]

There is not actually much evidence that Moose is a great 3B defensively vs just letting a 21 year old grow in the way he has since he was 17

 

There is plenty of evidence to support Moustakas' as a quality defensive 3b. If you want Devers to "grow into the position, " send him to Pawtucket where that kind of thing takes place.

[cp176]

Moncada rebounded after a dreadful debut and looks like he should progress into a top tier middle infielder.

Kopech rebounded from a walk riddled first half to seemingly solve his command issues and absolutely dominate the second half.

Travis Shaw went from platoon 3b to All Star caliber, 4.3WAR 3b.

Dubon stole 38 bases and hit enough to be a solid regular up the middle reaching AAA in 2017

Logan Allen dominated A ball and is likely headed for AA next yr, putting him in proximity to the majors

Javier Guerra has been absolutely terrible since moving to SD, it seems DD timed his trade correctly

Carlos Asuaje hit well enough to stick around as a utility infielder or a poor mans starting 2b

Josh Pennington had a short debut as a starter in A ball and was very good. Not sure why he started 10 games yet pitched only 32.1IP

Basabe was awful in his first year with the White Sox org down in A ball

Victor Diaz was incredibly bad in his first year with the White Sox org

Jonathan Aro made a brief cameo in SEA after a successful 2017 with AAA

Manuel Margot had a 2WAR season as a rookie. His defense propped up a high K rate rookie year, but he showed promise with a good power speed combo

 

Of the guys traded away, one is an all star (Shaw). Two guys look like perennial all-star caliber players (Moncada and Kopech). Margot looks to be an above average regular OFer with all star potential. Dubon looks to get a taste of the bigs in 2018 and has the gusto to be a solid regular. Asuaje looks to be either a starter or utility guy at the big league level. Logan Allen might end up being a top end pitcher, but he is still a year or two away

 

Thank you for the update. Your opinion is that we gave away some soon to be all-star calibre players. I just a little more of a wait and see kind of guy. Do you also post on a Yankee forum board? You are a doctor as well? Busy kind of guy I guess. When I was teaching, I wouldn't have had the time. Oh well.

[Bellhorn04]

I see it differently. I see a big black cloud of rose-colored glasses wearing fans in denial hanging over Kimmi and me.

 

Certainly no one can say you don't have a vivid imagination.

[jacksonianmarch]

Thank you for the update. Your opinion is that we gave away some soon to be all-star calibre players. I just a little more of a wait and see kind of guy. Do you also post on a Yankee forum board? You are a doctor as well? Busy kind of guy I guess. When I was teaching, I wouldn't have had the time. Oh well.

Love the veiled shot at me, lol. Baseball is my love, talking baseball is my hobby. And yes, I’m active on another site too.

[moonslav59]

One of the general media sites said we should sign JD (6 years for 150) and trade Bradley.

 

Why would we trade off Bradley? I guess they are assuming Hanley is healthy and contributing all year.

 

That site also had us signing Morrison, which forces HRam to DH.

[moonslav59]

They are also assuming that the Red Sox are perfectly content to play Benintendi in CF. A big assumption that may be false.

 

They could also move M.Betts to CF, but that would create a defensive problem in RF.

 

I think the Red Sox are going to bring back the same OF. The big addition will be Hosmer to play 1b. I'm not saying I agree with that move, but I do think that is the move Dombrowski will make.

 

I'll puke, if that happens. Literally vomit.

[moonslav59]

There is plenty of evidence to support Moustakas' as a quality defensive 3b. If you want Devers to "grow into the position, " send him to Pawtucket where that kind of thing takes place.

 

I think we can overcome the "growing pains" of Devers on defense next year, if we acquire a couple of big bats: JD or Stanton plus Santana or Moustakas, but if not his growing curve could seriously damage our ring hopes.

 

(I'm not for sending Devers to AAA. I'd DH him while he works out at 3B in practice everyday.)

[moonslav59]

Certainly no one can say you don't have a vivid imagination.

 

LOL.

 

Just saying, there's no gloom or misery in my thoughts about the Sox. I'm fine with going all out to win, and just because I'm not in denial about our future, it doesn't mean I'm miserable. I'm actually an optimist at heart, and I'm hoping my view on what is realistic is wrong.

 

I liked our recent draft and international signings. I'm not sure if any can help in 2020 or 2021, but they look to be helpful after 2021 or in trade.

[mvp 78]

There is plenty of evidence to support Moustakas' as a quality defensive 3b. If you want Devers to "grow into the position, " send him to Pawtucket where that kind of thing takes place.

 

The best IF coach is usually with the MLB team. No reason to put him down in Pawtucket unless he's a complete trainwreck who also can't hit. He's fine as a 3B right now.

[mvp 78]

I think we can overcome the "growing pains" of Devers on defense next year, if we acquire a couple of big bats: JD or Stanton plus Santana or Moustakas, but if not his growing curve could seriously damage our ring hopes.

 

(I'm not for sending Devers to AAA. I'd DH him while he works out at 3B in practice everyday.)

 

3B defense is probably not the biggest hindrance this team will face. Starting pitching health is probably my biggest concern with overall slumping offense right behind it.

[mvp 78]

I think stupid s*** like the Eck controversy or Pedey not standing up to Machado would be more negative for a team than 3b defense.

[notin]

I think stupid s*** like the Eck controversy or Pedey not standing up to Machado would be more negative for a team than 3b defense.

 

I think that kind of stuff gets overblown and many stories we hear are incomplete, one-sided, and misunderstood.

 

The Sox defense all-around was among the best in baseball and definitely helped the pitching. If the Dox do decide to add another depth starter, the team defense does become a selling point for pitchers on a one year deal. It won't outweigh, say, pitching in Petco. But a pitcher looking to bolster numbers might see the advantage the Sox defense helping him out over other lesser fielding teams...

[moonslav59]

3B defense is probably not the biggest hindrance this team will face. Starting pitching health is probably my biggest concern with overall slumping offense right behind it.

 

Agreed, but if there's a way to fix other issues, we might as well consider them.

[moonslav59]

I think that kind of stuff gets overblown and many stories we hear are incomplete, one-sided, and misunderstood.

 

The Sox defense all-around was among the best in baseball and definitely helped the pitching. If the Dox do decide to add another depth starter, the team defense does become a selling point for pitchers on a one year deal. It won't outweigh, say, pitching in Petco. But a pitcher looking to bolster numbers might see the advantage the Sox defense helping him out over other lesser fielding teams...

 

Devers is not really a step down from Pablito, but he is from Lin and the league norm.

 

With Bogey being average at best and Pedey out, our IF defense could be very shaky to start the year.

 

It's not a top priority, but it is still a concern.

[sk7326]

Devers is not really a step down from Pablito, but he is from Lin and the league norm.

 

With Bogey being average at best and Pedey out, our IF defense could be very shaky to start the year.

 

It's not a top priority, but it is still a concern.

 

They can hold their nose, put Merrero at 2nd and be fine.

[mvp 78]

I think that kind of stuff gets overblown and many stories we hear are incomplete, one-sided, and misunderstood.

 

The media story was overblown for sure. However, I think stuff like that really impacts the clubhouse and these guys need to get along if they are going to be around each other every day for 9 straight months.

[mvp 78]

Agreed, but if there's a way to fix other issues, we might as well consider them.

 

Sure, but I think saying "his growing curve could seriously damage our ring hopes" is a bit much. It's a fairly minor issue.

[moonslav59]

Sure, but I think saying "his growing curve could seriously damage our ring hopes" is a bit much. It's a fairly minor issue.

 

I think it is more than a minor issue. It's just not as major as our lack of a clean-up hitter, 1Bman and injuries (surgery) to Pedey & HRam. SP'ing and RP'ing may be a higher need than fixing 3B defense. It's close.

 

Devers was on pace for over 40 errors over 150 games.

 

(Agreed: maybe "serious" was to harsh a word.)

[mvp 78]

I think it is more than a minor issue. It's just not as major as our lack of a clean-up hitter, 1Bman and injuries (surgery) to Pedey & HRam. SP'ing and RP'ing may be a higher need than fixing 3B defense. It's close.

 

Devers was on pace for over 40 errors over 150 games.

 

(Agreed: maybe "serious" was to harsh a word.)

 

So 4 more important issues, but the Devers defense issue is still not minor? This team must be really hurting right now.

[moonslav59]

So 4 more important issues, but the Devers defense issue is still not minor? This team must be really hurting right now.

 

If you think 45 errors at 3B is minor, fine.

 

I don't. It may not be "major" to some. That's fine, too

 

It's not worth arguing over.

Edited November 6, 2017 by moonslav59

[cp176]

Love the veiled shot at me, lol. Baseball is my love, talking baseball is my hobby. And yes, I’m active on another site too.

 

I'm sorry if it seemed veiled. That was not my intention.

[mvp 78]

@SPChrisHatfield

 

Last week, D. Marrero and S. Travis left Dominican winter lg due to injury. Now, not sure why, but Blake Swihart not active this week.

[mvp 78]

No QO for Cozart

[mvp 78]

QO's for Cain, Santana, Moustakas, Hosmer and Cobb.

[mvp 78]

Napoli's 2018 option was declined.

[mvp 78]

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/qualifying-offer

 

Three tiers of Draft pick forfeiture -- which are based on the financial status of the signing team -- are in place to serve as a penalty for signing a player who rejected a qualifying offer:

 

• A team that exceeded the luxury tax in the preceding season will lose its second- and fifth-highest selections in the following year's Draft as well $1 million from its international bonus pool. If such a team signs multiple qualifying offer free agents, it will forfeit its third- and sixth-highest remaining picks as well.

 

Examples: A team with one pick in each round of the 2018 Rule 4 Draft would lose its second- and fifth-round picks. A team with two first-round picks and one pick in each subsequent round would lose its second-highest first-round pick and its fourth-round pick.

 

• A team that receives revenue sharing will lose its third-highest selection in the following year's Draft. If it signs two such players, it will also forfeit its fourth-highest remaining pick.

 

Examples: A team with one pick in each round of the 2018 Rule 4 Draft would lose its third-round pick. A team with two first-round picks and one pick in each subsequent round would lose its second-round pick.

 

• A team that neither exceeded the luxury tax in the preceding season nor receives revenue sharing will lose its second-highest selection in the following year's Draft as well as $500,000 from its international bonus pool. If it signs two such players, it will also forfeit its third-highest remaining pick.

[harmony]

FanGraphs columnist Dave Cameron sees the Red Sox as major players this offseason:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-teams-that-will-run-the-off-season/