2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[Larry Cook]

The angels seem like a good landing spot for Moustakas.

 

I think the very fact that no one from the Boston family organization is talking about JD, makes me think he is a person that desperate Dave is targeting,

[moonslav59]

The angels seem like a good landing spot for Moustakas.

 

I think the very fact that no one from the Boston family organization is talking about JD, makes me think he is a person that desperate Dave is targeting,

 

If JD signs elsewhere, I hope we go for Santana or Moustakas. Maybe we can sign Bryan Shaw and a decent 5th starter, too.

[Larry Cook]

If JD signs elsewhere, I hope we go for Santana or Moustakas. Maybe we can sign Bryan Shaw and a decent 5th starter, too.

 

Shaw has a ton of innings on that arm in the last couple of years. He is due for a huge down year very soon,

 

I’d like us to sign Santana as he is an on base machine.

 

We still need a lefty reliever. I lik McGee.

[moonslav59]

Shaw has a ton of innings on that arm in the last couple of years. He is due for a huge down year very soon,

 

I’d like us to sign Santana as he is an on base machine.

 

We still need a lefty reliever. I lik McGee.

 

Good points. Shaw has led the league in games in 3 of the last 4 years, but he's always had less IP than appearances.

 

I think he'll be fine, but you have given me reason for concern.

 

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think I've read a report that the Red Sox are interested in J.D. Martinez.

 

I've read many reports that the Red Sox should be interested in J.D. Martinez but nothing citing a Red Sox source indicating the team is interested in Martinez.

 

I see. How many reports have you read that the Cardinals are interested in J.D. Martinez?

[mvp 78]

I'm not for replacing Devers with Moustakas.

 

I'm for replacing Moreland with Moustakas and improving our 3B defense along the way.

 

It's turning 3B into a Gold Glove position, but it might be turning something close to the worst 3B defense into something close to average along the way.

 

Moustakas doesn't have a good glove. You only move Devers off position if a much better glove is coming to Boston.

[mvp 78]

Moustakas has posted negative defensive numbers ONE TIME in his MLB career. He's a very good defensive third baseman

 

 

Devers isn't. Why do you think moving Devers to first is a bad idea?

 

He's only 20 and is still learning. His ceiling at 3B is much higher than Mous at 30 something.

[mvp 78]

Sounds like the whole EE situation. Everyone but DD was "interested."

 

Hard to have interest in EE when you can't pay the bill.

[harmony]

I question most of these suggestions for the Red Sox:

 

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/red-sox-free-agent-hitters-2017/

 

https://www.fanragsports.com/3-free-agents-red-sox-should-target-this-winter/

[moonslav59]

Moustakas doesn't have a good glove. You only move Devers off position if a much better glove is coming to Boston.

 

He is a much better glove than Devers.

 

Devers was on pace for 45 errors this season.

 

Moose has had just one negative UZR/150 from 2012-2017.

 

From 2014-2016, he placed 15th out of 42 3Bmen in UZR/150 at +3.0.

 

Devers placed 33rd out of 33 last year at -12.7. (Moose was 22nd at -3.6.)

 

That's a significant upgrade any way you look at it.

 

[moonslav59]

Hard to have interest in EE when you can't pay the bill.

 

I don't think DD figured his salary would have ended up that low.

 

In hindsight, we could have not signed Moreland ($5.5M), traded Chris Young ($6.5M), not brought back Abad ($2M) and not traded for R Davis and Reed. I think with all that, we'd have snuck under the line. We'd also have had no 4th OF'er or decent replacement when Pedey went down.

[moonslav59]

I question most of these suggestions for the Red Sox:

 

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/red-sox-free-agent-hitters-2017/

 

Nope to all 5.

 

https://www.fanragsports.com/3-free-agents-red-sox-should-target-this-winter/

 

The guy doesn't even know Pedey is hurt for the first 2 months and Nunez is having surgery.

[mvp 78]

I don't think DD figured his salary would have ended up that low.

 

In hindsight, we could have not signed Moreland ($5.5M), traded Chris Young ($6.5M), not brought back Abad ($2M) and not traded for R Davis and Reed. I think with all that, we'd have snuck under the line. We'd also have had no 4th OF'er or decent replacement when Pedey went down.

 

And wouldn't have been able to make a move at the deadline if we needed to.

[mvp 78]

None of the Top 25 free agents will sign with the Red Sox, according to predictions from MLB.com columnist Jim Duquette:

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260157832/predicting-spots-for-top-25-mlb-free-agents/

 

He's a dumdum.

[moonslav59]

And wouldn't have been able to make a move at the deadline if we needed to.

 

Yes, I mentioned no Reed or Davis. I think we could have afforded EE and Nunez. (Like I said, this was in hindsight.)

[notin]

He's only 20 and is still learning. His ceiling at 3B is much higher than Mous at 30 something.

 

His ceiling is based on his bat, which won't change at 3b or 1b.

 

Do you think the Sox are a better team with Devers at 3b and Hosmer/Morrison/Alonso/Duda at 1b? Or with Moustakas at 3b and Devers at 1b?

 

Or with Devers at 3b and Ramirez/Martinez at 1b? This alignment might possibly create the worst defensive infield in MLB, when you figure we won't have Pedroia right away and Bogaerts at shortstop. We'd be average to below at all four positions.

 

Plenty of young 3b have moved to 1b. It's not an unprecedented move.

[notin]

He's a dumdum.

 

Maybe he's anticipating the Sox acquire Stanton.

 

With a lot of the other big spenders reportedly trying to get under the luxury tax limit with next off-season in mind, maybe now is the time for the Sox to make their major splash?

[mvp 78]

His ceiling is based on his bat, which won't change at 3b or 1b.

 

Do you think the Sox are a better team with Devers at 3b and Hosmer/Morrison/Alonso/Duda at 1b? Or with Moustakas at 3b and Devers at 1b?

 

Or with Devers at 3b and Ramirez/Martinez at 1b? This alignment might possibly create the worst defensive infield in MLB, when you figure we won't have Pedroia right away and Bogaerts at shortstop. We'd be average to below at all four positions.

 

Plenty of young 3b have moved to 1b. It's not an unprecedented move.

 

I highlighted my preferend. Devers will be a gold glove winner before all is said and done. Xander is fine at SS and not below average. Holt is passable at 2B, but I'd rather Hernandez. Hanley or Martinez should be fine at 1b.

[illinoisredsox]

I highlighted my preferend. Devers will be a gold glove winner before all is said and done. Xander is fine at SS and not below average. Holt is passable at 2B, but I'd rather Hernandez. Hanley or Martinez should be fine at 1b.

 

We know that Hanley handle first base (so long as he's healthy and so long as he doesn't have to throw the ball anywhere). We have no idea if Martinez can play the position , or if he's even willing to try.

[moonslav59]

I highlighted my preferend. Devers will be a gold glove winner before all is said and done. Xander is fine at SS and not below average. Holt is passable at 2B, but I'd rather Hernandez. Hanley or Martinez should be fine at 1b.

 

Name 15 starting short stops that are worse fielders than Bogey.

 

Now, if you want to claim the 11-20th best SSs are "average", you might have an argument by claiming Bogey is number 20, but to me, even that is a stretch, wishful thinking or homerism.

 

Personally, I'd rank him around 23rd to 27th, based on the numbers. None of us have watched every SS play by every MLB SS.

 

 

Devers still has upside. I get that. He's very young and has raw talent.

 

I do think he can develop into a plus defensive 3Bman. My problem is concerning the time frame. We're in a 2-3 year window of having a superior chance at winning a ring. It's not an ideal time for "on-the-job-training." That's my biggest concern- not whether someday he may or may not become a plus defender or even average.

 

I'm 100% positive Moose would be significantly better on defense than Devers in 2018 and most probably 2019 as well. That may not be reason enough to sign Moose over a 1Bman, but it is certainly something that should be factored in when making that choice.

[mvp 78]

Tim Anderson

Asdrubal Cabrera

Chris Owings

Erick Aybar

Ryan Goins

Marcus Semien

Jorge Polanco

Javier Baez

Jean Segura

Carlos Correa

Jose Peraza

Javier Baez

Orlando Arcia

Elvis Andrus

Jordy Mercer

[mvp 78]

Xander is definitely middle of the pack. That's not homerism.

[mvp 78]

I do think he can develop into a plus defensive 3Bman. My problem is concerning the time frame. We're in a 2-3 year window of having a superior chance at winning a ring. It's not an ideal time for "on-the-job-training."

 

lol

[sk7326]

Name 15 starting short stops that are worse fielders than Bogey.

 

Now, if you want to claim the 11-20th best SSs are "average", you might have an argument by claiming Bogey is number 20, but to me, even that is a stretch, wishful thinking or homerism.

 

Personally, I'd rank him around 23rd to 27th, based on the numbers. None of us have watched every SS play by every MLB SS.

 

 

Devers still has upside. I get that. He's very young and has raw talent.

 

I do think he can develop into a plus defensive 3Bman. My problem is concerning the time frame. We're in a 2-3 year window of having a superior chance at winning a ring. It's not an ideal time for "on-the-job-training." That's my biggest concern- not whether someday he may or may not become a plus defender or even average.

 

I'm 100% positive Moose would be significantly better on defense than Devers in 2018 and most probably 2019 as well. That may not be reason enough to sign Moose over a 1Bman, but it is certainly something that should be factored in when making that choice.

 

In 2 or 3 years - Mookie is 27. Some people will be signed and others will not ... I cannot disagree with the assertion that this team will not field a contender in 3 years any more vehemently.

[notin]

I highlighted my preferend. Devers will be a gold glove winner before all is said and done. Xander is fine at SS and not below average. Holt is passable at 2B, but I'd rather Hernandez. Hanley or Martinez should be fine at 1b.

 

Devers winning a Gold Glove seems like a stretch, and isn't even the biggest stretch.

 

Holt is an awful defensive 2b. To be blunt, he's an awful defensive infielder. Hanley was passable at first, but might be physically unable to handle the position very often. Martinez at first is as unknown as it gets. And really, if he sees himself as an outfielder, might be a deal breaker. Wherever he goes is his choice....

[moonslav59]

Tim Anderson

Asdrubal Cabrera

Chris Owings

Erick Aybar

Ryan Goins

Marcus Semien

Jorge Polanco

Javier Baez

Jean Segura

Carlos Correa

Jose Peraza

Javier Baez

Orlando Arcia

Elvis Andrus

Jordy Mercer

 

lol

[Larry Cook]

The real question in my mind is: will devers go into a funk at the plate because of all the noise he hears every time he makes an error. ( projected pace = once every three games)

 

Part two: how will all the errors devers makes affect how pitchers pitch? If pitchers lack confidence in a fielder, I gets in their heads and never ends well.

[moonslav59]

In 2 or 3 years - Mookie is 27. Some people will be signed and others will not ... I cannot disagree with the assertion that this team will not field a contender in 3 years any more vehemently.

 

I disagree, but I'm not vehement about it.

 

There is a sliver of hope we will compete for a playoff slot.

[moonslav59]

The real question in my mind is: will devers go into a funk at the plate because of all the noise he hears every time he makes an error. ( projected pace = once every three games)

 

Part two: how will all the errors devers makes affect how pitchers pitch? If pitchers lack confidence in a fielder, I gets in their heads and never ends well.

 

The other issue is that we may have Holt at 2B as well as Devers at 3B. Add to that JD at 1B or HRam coming off surgery, or someone like Duda... yuck!

 

I'm okay with Devers at 3B, if we put together a much better line-up on offense.

 

I'm not drooling over Moose either. He has a poor OBP and is an average fielder. I just like him more than Hosmer and Morrison on offense, and I think the improved defense at 3B tips the balance in his favor.

 

I'd be happy with Santana, JD or Stanton.

[moonslav59]

Tim Anderson

Asdrubal Cabrera

Chris Owings

Erick Aybar

Ryan Goins

Marcus Semien

Jorge Polanco

Javier Baez

Jean Segura

Carlos Correa

Jose Peraza

Javier Baez

Orlando Arcia

Elvis Andrus

Jordy Mercer

 

Cause you've seen all these guys play 150 games this year, right?

 

Only 2 SSs have a worse than -15 DRS since 2015, and Bogey is at -21 (dead last out of 33.

 

Only 7 have a DRS worse than -9. That means Bogey has 3 times the negative DRS than all but 6 of the remaining 32 SSs in MLB!

 

To call that average is shocking.

 

His UZR/150 shows him at 19 out 33. I guess you could call that slightly below average or stretch it to average, but with the DRS data, I can't see it.

 

My personal observations support the numbers. His range is not that good (23rd out of 33). He does okay on balls hit right to him.

 

What bothers me most, is that he's gotten worse since 2015 (his best year). That year he was +1.0 UZR/150 and just -1 DRS.

 

I'm willing to concede, he was average in 2015.