2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[moonslav59]

But the Red Sox remain in the market for a first baseman ...

 

Not one in a wheel chair.

[moonslav59]

The Cubs might lose Arrieta, but they're apparently going after Darvish after already signing Chatwood, Smyly, Morrow and Cishek.

 

Some GMs are striking early.

[notin]

The Kemp money is spread over 2 years, while the AGon, Kazmir and McCarthey money is all 2018.

 

This puts the Dodgers below $197M. They've been over the limit 5 straight years.

 

AGon is toast. Sad.

 

 

As bad a job as Ben did saddling Boston with the contracts of Ramirez and Sandoval, at least he did ms mage to unload Gonzalez and Crawford, otherwise both of them would still br being paid by Boston....

[moonslav59]

As bad a job as Ben did saddling Boston with the contracts of Ramirez and Sandoval, at least he did ms mage to unload Gonzalez and Crawford, otherwise both of them would still br being paid by Boston....

 

Crawford's contract ran out after this year.

[harmony]

Boston GM Dave Dombrowski reportedly is "focused on getting one person."

 

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/12/alex_cora_on_boston_red_sox_qu.html

[FredLynn]

Boston GM Dave Dombrowski reportedly is "focused on getting one person."

 

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/12/alex_cora_on_boston_red_sox_qu.html

 

Yes

Mitch Moreland

[Jack Flap]

A new peanut vendor?

[Kimmi]

The Sox are playing for a Wild Card spot this year.

 

Goodness. I leave for one day and you fall apart.

 

Yes, the Yankees are considered the favorites for the division, but please don't go handing them the trophy on Dec. 15.

[Kimmi]

MLBTR reports...

 

The Pirates and Yankees are discussing a trade that would send right-hander Gerrit Cole to the Bronx Bombers in exchange for a trade package that includes outfielder Clint Frazier, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

 

Unreal. Must be nice having a nice farm in this day and age.

 

It was not so long ago that we had a nice farm. Sigh...

[Kimmi]

I am afraid that the Red Sox will have to overpay even more for JD in order to get him to just DH for us.

 

Memo to Dombrowski: Do not sign JD for 6+ years.

[moonslav59]

It was not so long ago that we had a nice farm. Sigh...

 

Seems like big named players are being traded left and right....for less and less.

[Larry Cook]

I am afraid that the Red Sox will have to overpay even more for JD in order to get him to just DH for us.

 

Memo to Dombrowski: Do not sign JD for 6+ years.

 

And what if Boras is looking for a seven year deal!

[oldtimer]

I am afraid that the Red Sox will have to overpay even more for JD in order to get him to just DH for us.

 

Memo to Dombrowski: Do not sign JD for 6+ years.

 

Agreed. If we go for $25 Mil a year for 5 years for a guy who can stay in the lineup for 120 games per year and is on the downward trajectory it is hard to support. The implication of trading JBJ to make room for him in the outfield makes the situation worse. If he can only be a DH, the salary is extremely high as it has been for Hanley. Six years would be worse.

[moonslav59]

Agreed. If we go for $25 Mil a year for 5 years for a guy who can stay in the lineup for 120 games per year and is on the downward trajectory it is hard to support. The implication of trading JBJ to make room for him in the outfield makes the situation worse. If he can only be a DH, the salary is extremely high as it has been for Hanley. Six years would be worse.

 

Do you know how many season's JD missed getting over 120 games due to injury?

[Kimmi]

And what if Boras is looking for a seven year deal!

 

I think Dombrowski will eventually pay JD whatever it takes. They have the money to do that, now that they've reset. My hope is that the market does not bear out the demands of 6 or 7 years.

[Kimmi]

Agreed. If we go for $25 Mil a year for 5 years for a guy who can stay in the lineup for 120 games per year and is on the downward trajectory it is hard to support. The implication of trading JBJ to make room for him in the outfield makes the situation worse. If he can only be a DH, the salary is extremely high as it has been for Hanley. Six years would be worse.

 

I'm with you oldtimer, expecially the part about moving JBJ to make room for JD. I hope JD is signed with the intent of being our DH.

[oldtimer]

Do you know how many season's JD missed getting over 120 games due to injury?

 

No but since 2011, his first ML season he has only played in more than 120 games twice. One of those was for 123 games while the other was a full 158 games. I wouldn't expect him to be more durable as he ages.

[cp176]

No but since 2011, his first ML season he has only played in more than 120 games twice. One of those was for 123 games while the other was a full 158 games. I wouldn't expect him to be more durable as he ages.

 

I suppose that you could say just about the same thing about Stanton if you go back and look at the total number of games played since he broke in. Now I would not like to see a trade of JBJ. I like our outfield as is but with respect to the durability of free agents that get signed, I guess that some of it is just a chance you take. I would also add that as much as I like Betts in the outfield, I always felt that he would wind up back at second base for the Sox. He was pretty good thee as well.

[notin]

I hope the Sox don't return Betts to 2b.

 

It's been too many years since he played the position and I'd hate to see him get injured in a takeout slide...

[a700hitter]

I hope the Sox don't return Betts to 2b.

 

It's been too many years since he played the position and I'd hate to see him get injured in a takeout slide...

There are no more take out slides. A second baseman can pretty much just plant himself and throw today. You don't see too many airborne second basemen these days.

[oldtimer]

There are no more take out slides. A second baseman can pretty much just plant himself and throw today. You don't see too many airborne second basemen these days.

 

Remind me about the Machado slide?

[oldtimer]

Interesting to look at the current published depth chart for the Sox. Lin is the first depth at SS and 2nd. Holt is on the depth chart (and high on many) for just about every position but catcher, pitcher and DH. I don't think he is that valuable myself, what with Lin, Marrero and Travis for the infield and Brentz in the outfield. Even Lin could play in the outfield as a deep backup. Holt could be traded and at least we could get a prospect and rid ourselves of $2 mil in salary.

[moonslav59]

No but since 2011, his first ML season he has only played in more than 120 games twice. One of those was for 123 games while the other was a full 158 games. I wouldn't expect him to be more durable as he ages.

 

He was a part time player for a long time. It wasn't injuries that limited his games played early in his career, yet people are assuming he has been chronically injured.

 

Am I concerned about his ability to give us 650 PAs for 5-6 years? Yes, but he doesn't really have any major health problems that I know of, such as reoccurring back, ankle, wrist or knee issues.

[moonslav59]

Interesting to look at the current published depth chart for the Sox. Lin is the first depth at SS and 2nd. Holt is on the depth chart (and high on many) for just about every position but catcher, pitcher and DH. I don't think he is that valuable myself, what with Lin, Marrero and Travis for the infield and Brentz in the outfield. Even Lin could play in the outfield as a deep backup. Holt could be traded and at least we could get a prospect and rid ourselves of $2 mil in salary.

 

As of now, with Holt's issues with concussions, my depth chart looks like this:

 

2B: Pedey (DL), Hernandez, Lin, Marrero, Holt, Quiroz/Chavis/Swihart

SS: Bogey, Hernandez, Lin, Marrero, Holt

3B: Devers, Hernandez, Lin, Marrero, Holt

1B: _______, HRam (DH?), Travis/Swihart, Chavez/Devers, Holt

LF: Beni, Brentz, Lin, Swihart/Holt

CF: JBJ, (Beni to CF), Lin, Holt/Brentz

RF: Betts, (Beni to RF), Lin/Brentz, Holt

 

This is the reason I have not viewed Holt as being as valuable as many here think he is. Yes, there is value in being able to play 7 positions, but when you are no higher than 3rd or 4th on any single positional depth chart, how valuable can you really be?

 

Now, if Holt can return to his earlier form, he'd probably pass Marrero and maybe Lin at a few positions and may pass Brentz, if Bryce stinks up the place.

 

That's why I think we wait and see before adding any more depth to the IF. See what Pedey's prognosis is in April and maybe upgrade, if it looks bleak. Look what we had to trade to get Nunez. It's not all that costly to make an in season move for a quality super sub.

 

 

 

[Kimmi]

I hope the Sox don't return Betts to 2b.

 

It's been too many years since he played the position and I'd hate to see him get injured in a takeout slide...

 

I really don't see that happening. At least, like you, I hope it doesn't happen.

[moonslav59]

While 2B is a key defensive position, RF in Fenway is not an easy position to fill adequately. Betts is up there with Evans as the best defensive RF'er I've ever seen in a Sox uniform. He'd have to be GG good at 2B for me to suggest moving him there.

 

[a700hitter]

Remind me about the Machado slide?

If it wasn't for the fact that Pedroia's knees wasn't already injured, I don't think that slide was even noteworthy.

[cp176]

I hope the Sox don't return Betts to 2b.

 

It's been too many years since he played the position and I'd hate to see him get injured in a takeout slide...

 

Crowd needs to relax - i don't think that anybody is contemplating moving a gold glove right fielder back to second base. I do find it odd to hear how many people here are in favor of moving Devers and Bogaerts, positionally in addition to thinking that having JD Martinez in our outfield is just as unreasonable as maybe Hanley being able to play first. Add to that the number of people who think that it is an easy transition for lifelong middle infielders to move to corner infield positions and continue to consistently make plays, and I just have to chuckle. For the record, i was not advocating a move to second for Betts but he was a very good second baseman.

[mvp 78]

I hope the Sox don't return Betts to 2b.

 

It's been too many years since he played the position and I'd hate to see him get injured in a takeout slide...

 

It'd be a really stupid thing to do. Maybe once he turns 35?

[jacksonianmarch]

JT Realmuto has requested a trade out of Miami. He hit 17HR last year and was worth 3.6WAR. I wonder if the sox would be in on him