2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[Larry Cook]

The Quiroz signing probably means that Nunez is not in desperate dave’s plan for 2018.

 

Oh wait! I forgot Desperate dave does not have a plan.

[Kimmi]

With the way this team is being currently built, a lot of money could be saved in uniform expense! I am finally realizing what the deal is - we do have a budget.

 

I think the Quiroz signing is a strong indication that the Sox are going to fill 2nd base internally, which is what they've been saying all along. It really doesn't make much sense to sign or trade for a full time 2B until we know for certain what Pedroia's status is.

[Kimmi]

The Quiroz signing probably means that Nunez is not in desperate dave’s plan for 2018.

 

Oh wait! I forgot Desperate dave does not have a plan.

 

He has a plan for 2018.

 

He just doesn't have one for beyond 2020.

[notin]

He has a plan for 2018.

 

He just doesn't have one for beyond 2020.

 

He could take steps towards rectifying that by nabbing up a few of the refugees from the Braves' farm system. ..

[Larry Cook]

He could take steps towards rectifying that by nabbing up a few of the refugees from the Braves' farm system. ..

 

I could not agree more. We need to replenish the pipeline. I still remain hopeful that we can develop some starters.

[cp176]

I think the Quiroz signing is a strong indication that the Sox are going to fill 2nd base internally, which is what they've been saying all along. It really doesn't make much sense to sign or trade for a full time 2B until we know for certain what Pedroia's status is.

 

I have felt this way for a while as well. I also see this as an opportunity for some of these guys. It is possible that we already have our future second baseman in our system.

[moonslav59]

I can't see us spending large in either money or prospects to add a 2Bman until we know Pedey's status a little more clearly, and we see how Marco Hernandez and others look out of the gate next season.

 

This year, we added Nunez mid season without giving up too much.

 

I think we wait until at least May to decide on a possible out-of-the-system option.

 

Hopefully, we won't have to use any valuable resources to upgrade 2B for a couple more years anyways.

[Kimmi]

He could take steps towards rectifying that by nabbing up a few of the refugees from the Braves' farm system. ..

 

Let's hope he does this.

 

I read an article this morning that said that the Sox have to "spend big to keep up with the Yankees". Memo to Dave: Please don't listen to that garbage.

[Kimmi]

I can't see us spending large in either money or prospects to add a 2Bman until we know Pedey's status a little more clearly, and we see how Marco Hernandez and others look out of the gate next season.

 

This year, we added Nunez mid season without giving up too much.

 

I think we wait until at least May to decide on a possible out-of-the-system option.

 

Hopefully, we won't have to use any valuable resources to upgrade 2B for a couple more years anyways.

 

IMO, it makes a lot to wait until midseason for a possible 2B upgrade, along with some other moves. At that time, we will have a clearer idea of what our needs are.

[Bellhorn04]

Let's hope he does this.

 

I read an article this morning that said that the Sox have to "spend big to keep up with the Yankees". Memo to Dave: Please don't listen to that garbage.

 

That does sound like a dumb article, and spending big doesn't guarantee a thing.

 

However, we do need to acknowledge that the Yankees are back in a big way. Based on Pythagorean record they were actually 7 games better than us last year.

 

If we do absolutely nothing to improve we'll be, on paper, a wild-card contender.

[moonslav59]

That does sound like a dumb article, and spending big doesn't guarantee a thing.

 

However, we do need to acknowledge that the Yankees are back in a big way. Based on Pythagorean record they were actually 7 games better than us last year.

 

If we do absolutely nothing to improve we'll be, on paper, a wild-card contender.

 

That's assuming no drop offs from Yankee players having career years and no improvements from many Sox players having worse seasons than 2015 & 2016.

 

That being said, I do not think standing pat is a good choice.

 

I'm not sure we need big splashes, but we really could use a significant upgrade at the clean-up slot in our order.

 

I just don't see that coming from anybody already in our system, but I guess it's possible: Devers/HRam/Betts/Beni?

[notin]

A couple of "under the radar" names that make sense to me are Miles Mikolas and Jose Miguel Fernandez.

 

Mikolas is a former big leaguer returning from Japan, where he dominated for 3 years. Mikolas' best pitch is his deadly curveball, which reminds me of Alex Cobb or Adam Wainwright. Several years ago on BDC, I used to highlight some lesser known players for the Sox to target. Mikolas was one of those guys.

 

Fernandez is a 29yo Cuban 2b recently released by the Dodgers. No one knows why he was let go beyond a 40-man roster spot. Fernandez is a great hitter, not much power. No idea about his glove...

Edited November 24, 2017 by notin

[Kimmi]

That does sound like a dumb article, and spending big doesn't guarantee a thing.

 

However, we do need to acknowledge that the Yankees are back in a big way. Based on Pythagorean record they were actually 7 games better than us last year.

 

If we do absolutely nothing to improve we'll be, on paper, a wild-card contender.

 

Yes, I realize that the Yankees had a better Pythagorean W-L record than we did. IMO, they are going to be the division favorites next season, even if we added Stanton. That doesn't mean we can't contend for the division, but we will need things to break right for us, which they didn't this past year. And things did break right for the Yankees. Maybe they won't break so well for the Yankees next year.

 

That said, I'm not advocating that we do nothing to improve. I am advocating that we don't take on a big contract. Adding someone like Santana or even Duda, and fortifying our pitching, both the rotation and the pen will improve the team.

 

Also, as I've mentioned before, I think we will see improvement from the guys we already have.

[oldtimer]

That's assuming no drop offs from Yankee players having career years and no improvements from many Sox players having worse seasons than 2015 & 2016.

 

That being said, I do not think standing pat is a good choice.

 

I'm not sure we need big splashes, but we really could use a significant upgrade at the clean-up slot in our order.

 

I just don't see that coming from anybody already in our system, but I guess it's possible: Devers/HRam/Betts/Beni?

 

I see the Mariners got Ryon Healy, who is a guy I suggested as a solid 1st baseman who could hit for reasonable average and give 30 HR's. He is 6'5" and 26 years old. Apparently, we wanted to make a bigger spllash than him.

[notin]

I see the Mariners got Ryon Healy, who is a guy I suggested as a solid 1st baseman who could hit for reasonable average and give 30 HR's. He is 6'5" and 26 years old. Apparently, we wanted to make a bigger spllash than him.

 

If he's on the Mariners, he's available. Jerry DiPoto would trade away his own grandmother..

[Nick]

I see the Mariners got Ryon Healy, who is a guy I suggested as a solid 1st baseman who could hit for reasonable average and give 30 HR's. He is 6'5" and 26 years old. Apparently, we wanted to make a bigger spllash than him.

 

I think we're in the same spot with Hanley at 1B as we were with Pablo and 3B last year. FO is 'hoping' Hanley can provide us with 130 games at 1B next year BECAUSE WE OWE HIM $20M next year.

[moonslav59]

Yes, I realize that the Yankees had a better Pythagorean W-L record than we did. IMO, they are going to be the division favorites next season, even if we added Stanton. That doesn't mean we can't contend for the division, but we will need things to break right for us, which they didn't this past year. And things did break right for the Yankees. Maybe they won't break so well for the Yankees next year.

 

That said, I'm not advocating that we do nothing to improve. I am advocating that we don't take on a big contract. Adding someone like Santana or even Duda, and fortifying our pitching, both the rotation and the pen will improve the team.

 

Also, as I've mentioned before, I think we will see improvement from the guys we already have.

 

I'm hoping we get JD or Stanton, but a big part of me feels you are right. We should avoid these big & long deals.

 

I'm like 51% for big splash right now, but that numbers seems to change from day to day.

[moonslav59]

I think we're in the same spot with Hanley at 1B as we were with Pablo and 3B last year. FO is 'hoping' Hanley can provide us with 130 games at 1B next year BECAUSE WE OWE HIM $20M next year.

 

I'm not a huge HRam fan, but he's no Pablo.

[moonslav59]

I see the Mariners got Ryon Healy, who is a guy I suggested as a solid 1st baseman who could hit for reasonable average and give 30 HR's. He is 6'5" and 26 years old. Apparently, we wanted to make a bigger spllash than him.

 

That's high end for Healy, if not wishful thinking.

 

He wasn't cheap either.

[Larry Cook]

I’m worried that JD is a walking injury time bomb.

 

If desperate Dave is serious about Stanton, then he will have to play jeter’s game and that means prospects and paying full boat on the salary.

 

Can benintendi play first base? Ala yaz?

[moonslav59]

I’m worried that JD is a walking injury time bomb.

 

If desperate Dave is serious about Stanton, then he will have to play jeter’s game and that means prospects and paying full boat on the salary.

 

Can benintendi play first base? Ala yaz?

 

JD hasn't really been hurt all that much, and I don't think any were the type that are lingering.

 

He was not a FT player until just a few years ago, so the games played numbers look deceiving.

 

If we sign him to DH and just play a little OF, I feel pretty confident he'll stay healthy.

 

[oldtimer]

I'm hoping we get JD or Stanton, but a big part of me feels you are right. We should avoid these big & long deals.

 

I'm like 51% for big splash right now, but that numbers seems to change from day to day.

 

I agree with Kimmi's point of view. We were a good team last year and may well get more from some of our younger guys this coming season, especially with a new coaching approach. I am fine with the idea of making a few lower impact deals, like Santana, Nunez or others at that level and also shoring up the BP. I don't like the idea of signing long term high financial impact deals for players who will be in their upper 30's before the contract ends. We made mistakes in the past and should have learned from them.

[oldtimer]

I’m worried that JD is a walking injury time bomb.

 

If desperate Dave is serious about Stanton, then he will have to play jeter’s game and that means prospects and paying full boat on the salary.

 

Can benintendi play first base? Ala yaz?

 

These negative reference to Dombrowski sound like a child who uses name calling to make themselves feel important. I think the guy by and large has good things for the Sox.

[notin]

These negative reference to Dombrowski sound like a child who uses name calling to make themselves feel important. I think the guy by and large has good things for the Sox.

 

I agreed. And I'm no Dombrowski fan.

 

Although its not as bad as when seabeachfred refers to John Henry as "prune face"...

[Bellhorn04]

These negative reference to Dombrowski sound like a child who uses name calling to make themselves feel important.

 

They are indeed childish, and tiresome.

[Bellhorn04]

I agreed. And I'm no Dombrowski fan.

 

Although its not as bad as when seabeachfred refers to John Henry as "prune face"...

 

Don't forget 'Inepstein'.

 

One thing about fred, he was an equally opportunity abuser. He crapped on everyone from Henry down to the bat boy.

[georom4]

why didnt we sign Encarnacion last hot stove? dumb

[Bellhorn04]

why didnt we sign Encarnacion last hot stove? dumb

 

Wanted to stay under the luxury tax limit. simple

[Nick]

Ever hear the term playing with sense of urgency, Larry?

 

3 last place finishes in 4 years. I do recall 3 years ago. I only watched games where E Rod started. He was the only bright spot on a miserable team. Desperate Dave has made my TV Sox watching more palatable the last two years. For me, it's all about entertaining myself. Thank you Desperate Dave.

[dgalehouse]

These negative reference to Dombrowski sound like a child who uses name calling to make themselves feel important. I think the guy by and large has good things for the Sox.

 

Some people like to focus on the negative. It's just the way they are. It does not necessarily mean they are not good fans. As for me , when you take over a last place team and win the division two straight years , I don't think there is much reason to complain. Of course we all know that promising prospects were dealt , but quality players were obtained in return. I would say that , at least for now , Dombrowski has done a good job.