2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[Natick to NC]

Spud from you to Coras ear I hope so in regards to Blake ...this guy needs the reps only And that hit tool will shine .

[Natick to NC]

Be careful. You are sounding pretty old school here!

 

You guys are right we need both D and offense ...but Sandy and his 240 and 5 HR in tandem with Vaz and his 260 and 7 has to be better ...we need some Pop and we have it with Blake ...play him .

[Spudboy]

Let's just say Leon were released.

 

How Leon do you believe it would take before he was claimed by another team?

 

I'd say he would be snatched right up.

[moonslav59]

Rather get a loogy if he’d be on the cheap. Then wait until later in the season for another SP if need be.

 

LOOGY's are over-rated, and besides, many of our RH'd RP'ers do very well vs LH'd batters.

[moonslav59]

You guys are right we need both D and offense ...but Sandy and his 240 and 5 HR in tandem with Vaz and his 260 and 7 has to be better ...we need some Pop and we have it with Blake ...play him .

 

We signed JD for pop.

 

Catcher is a defense first position.

 

Our .693 catcher OPS was .693 last year. That placed 20th in MLB and just .024 from the mean .717.

 

I'll take the great D and slightly below O everyday of the week.

 

If we give Vaz more PAs this year,maybe we'll get our offense to average.

 

Our weakest link is 1B. HRam and Moreland have to do better than 2017. They probably won't.

 

1B is a position that most other teams get HRs and OPS.

 

25 HRs and a .749 OPS with a measly 80 RBIs was pathetic.

[moonslav59]

You guys are right we need both D and offense ...but Sandy and his 240 and 5 HR in tandem with Vaz and his 260 and 7 has to be better ...we need some Pop and we have it with Blake ...play him .

 

With Blake and his 390 and 5?

 

Huh?

[harmony]

Yeah, it will be interesting.

 

Swihart will need a legit chance to shine or fall on his face.

 

Salty was given lots of chances.

 

Swihart has speed, a clearly superior hitting tool, and overall superior athleticism.

On this forum about 14 months ago I compared Blake Swihart with Jarrod Saltalmacchia (and Mike Zunino). Early scouting reports on Swihart and Saltalamacchia were similar in terms of hitting tool and overall athleticism.

 

Swihart and Saltalmacchia had similarly disappointing age 25 seasons, Swihart in 2017 and Saltalamacchia in 2010. In their age 25 seasons, each spent considerable time in the minors after gaining at least 100 games of MLB experience in previous years.

 

It should be interesting to see whether Swihart can top Saltalamacchia's season high of 3.5 fWAR in 2013 or Saltalamacchia's career fWAR of 8.9.

[moonslav59]

I doubt Salty could play LF, 1B or another position like Swi can do, although he did play some 1B a few seasons here and there..

[Natick to NC]

Salty is a legend to me ...Loved the player .Salty had some huge moments for us and I'd never disparage Salty .Blake needs reps like a lot and I'd say you change opinion .Salty is a champion ...Blake needs his opportunity like all in opportunity ....he would make us all smile . Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[Natick to NC]

Devers just seems to hit, and hit and hit, no matter where he is playing.

 

I hope his defense improves quickly, but his bat will more than make-up for any defensive short-comings.

 

Some speak of Price, Porcello, Bogey, JBJ or Pedey as being "the key" to a great season, but Devers just might carry this team on his young shoulders for long stretches this year.

 

He's a pure hitter, and his approach differs from other Sox players, which is something we need to keep opposing pitchers off guard.

Missed this earlier moon ..really well put .

[Natick to NC]

Let's just say Leon were released.

 

How Leon do you believe it would take before he was claimed by another team?

 

I'd say he would be snatched right up.

 

Spud he is a MLB caliber catcher ...I went abit far like I do .Hell Theo may pick up Sandy and he's forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know ...Sandy is a good catcher ...I want Blake in there it's that simple ...Ill drop the Sandy hate he certainly doesn't deserve it .Spud did you know Who could take the mound and look more than competent out of our catchers ? It's also Blake the kids a freak Athelete maybe our best if given real reps .

Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[FredLynn]

We signed JD for pop.

 

Catcher is a defense first position.

 

Our .693 catcher OPS was .693 last year. That placed 20th in MLB and just .024 from the mean .717.

 

I'll take the great D and slightly below O everyday of the week.

 

If we give Vaz more PAs this year,maybe we'll get our offense to average.

 

Our weakest link is 1B. HRam and Moreland have to do better than 2017. They probably won't.

 

1B is a position that most other teams get HRs and OPS.

 

25 HRs and a .749 OPS with a measly 80 RBIs was pathetic.

 

I agree that its unlikely that we will get more pop at 1B this year, not from those two guys anyway. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that Swihart has far more potential to produce offensive numbers than Leon does. Since we won't be getting pop at 1B it is important that we make it up elsewhere, say, at the catcher position. There have been many catchers throughout baseball history who can hit the ball. If, as expected, Leon hits horribly I think its perfectly reasonable to consider dumping him midseason and giving his reps to Swihart.

[moonslav59]

I agree that its unlikely that we will get more pop at 1B this year, not from those two guys anyway. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that Swihart has far more potential to produce offensive numbers than Leon does. Since we won't be getting pop at 1B it is important that we make it up elsewhere, say, at the catcher position. There have been many catchers throughout baseball history who can hit the ball. If, as expected, Leon hits horribly I think its perfectly reasonable to consider dumping him midseason and giving his reps to Swihart.

 

To me, Leon can hit .650 OPS and be a significant plus. He'd have to be at about .550 for me to even think about playing Swihart as our exclusive #1 or #2 catcher.

[Natick to NC]

I agree that its unlikely that we will get more pop at 1B this year, not from those two guys anyway. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that Swihart has far more potential to produce offensive numbers than Leon does. Since we won't be getting pop at 1B it is important that we make it up elsewhere, say, at the catcher position. There have been many catchers throughout baseball history who can hit the ball. If, as expected, Leon hits horribly I think its perfectly reasonable to consider dumping him midseason and giving his reps to Swihart.

Fred Lynn amazing player .I hope Blake gets those reps right away ..,consistent MLB at bats and he takes off guarantee it ..Don't give up on him after a slump let him go wind up repeat the reps and he will absolutely shine ....God I hope Cora sees this and has the nuts to follow through ...Go alllll in with Blake sink or swim .

[moonslav59]

You guys are right we need both D and offense ...but Sandy and his 240 and 5 HR in tandem with Vaz and his 260 and 7 has to be better ...we need some Pop and we have it with Blake ...play him .

 

If you are basing this on Swihart's 5 HRs in 390 career ML PAs, I'm not getting it.

 

If you're basing it on Spring Training numbers, well... Leon now has a better ST'ing OPS than Swihart.

[Natick to NC]

If you are basing this on Swihart's 5 HRs in 390 career ML PAs, I'm not getting it.

 

If you're basing it on Spring Training numbers, well... Leon now has a better ST'ing OPS than Swihart.

 

Oh moon you get it.Blake is a far better player it's really nothing more ....Sandy has shown who he is ....Blake needs the reps and he would own that job.But hey if we want to keep trotting out the same players who in my opinion have been below average to poor offensively ....I don't get that .Xander deserves mention in disappointment and so does JBJ so does Hanley but they get there at bats ...Blake needs his and Sandy is in his way .

Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[moonslav59]

Oh moon you get it.Blake is a far better player it's really nothing more ....Sandy has shown who he is ....Blake needs the reps and he would own that job.But hey if we want to keep trotting out the same players who in my opinion have been below average to poor offensively ....I don't get that .Xander deserves mention in disappointment and so does JBJ so does Hanley but they get there at bats ...Blake needs his and Sandy is in his way .

 

What's not to get?

 

Is defense worth anything?

 

Is the catcher a very important defensive position?

 

Is there more to catching than hitting and throwing out would be base stealers?

 

Could the fact that our pitching staff over performed last year with Price, Wright, Smith and Thornburg out all or most of the year have anything to do with catchers not named Swihart?

[Natick to NC]

Moon he's not a power bat ok ...But he's a talented hitter 280s maybe higher right ? I mean the kids a career 270 but that's wrapped up in some extremely handicapped comeback attempts is it not ....We need Blake to figure it out behind the plate Defensivly but he's not a train wreck back there come onnn.He can hit for high average to all fields he can play third ,short ,second 1st left and Right fields ....The kid was a shortstop ....the kid pitched in the upper 90s ....99 his sophomore year to be exact ...don't tell me he can't catch that's horse crap ...we need that bat behind the plate spelling Vaz ...I'm not ever saying Blake hits 22 HR he's never done it !!! I am saying he hits 290 and rakes with men on ....I am saying he needs to be given the opportunity right now ....it's time .I am extremely frustrated with his development as a catcher ....the kid could be an All star caliber catcher offensively why not go all in???? what are we really risking here ? Sandy is not pudge Moon he's Sandy Leon a very mediocre catcher bottom third ....Blake Swihart could be much much more .let Sandy be Sales caddy If that's what Sale wants ...and Wright ? The rest ahould go to Vaz and Blake ....you can't take away this kids bat speed ...it's there .I know you see it .my diatribe is over taken its course I've said what I see in the player ...ultimately sometimes it's fate ...I hope he takes this season and blows all the doors and roofs off everyone's low expectations ....but he won't shock me .Catcher is extremely important Defensive position when you have a Knucklebller and an ace that can throw a slider that slides 2 foot ...other than them he's golden . Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[harmony]

Moon he's not a power bat ok ...But he's a talented hitter 280s maybe higher right ? I mean the kids a career 270 but that's wrapped up in some extremely handicapped comeback attempts is it not ....We need Blake to figure it out behind the plate Defensivly but he's not a train wreck back there come onnn.He can hit for high average to all fields he can play third ,short ,second 1st left and Right fields ....The kid was a shortstop ....the kid pitched in the upper 90s ....99 his sophomore year to be exact ...don't tell me he can't catch that's horse crap ...we need that bat behind the plate spelling Vaz ...I'm not ever saying Blake hits 22 HR he's never done it !!! I am saying he hits 290 and rakes with men on ....I am saying he needs to be given the opportunity right now ....it's time .I am extremely frustrated with his development as a catcher ....the kid could be an All star caliber catcher offensively why not go all in what are we really risking here ? Sandy is not pudge Moon he's Sandy Leon a very mediocre catcher bottom third ....Blake Swihart could be much much more .let Sandy be Sales caddy If that's what Sale wants ...and Wright ? The rest ahould go to Vaz and Blake ....you can't take away this kids bat speed ...it's there .I know you see it .my diatribe is over taken its course I've said what I see in the player ...ultimately sometimes it's fate ...I hope he takes this season and blows all the doors and roofs off everyone's low expectations ....but he won't shock me .

Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS have these 2018 projections for Blake Swihart:

 

M: 211 PA, .265/.333/.413/.746

S: 81 PA, .242/.304/.368/.672

Z: 307 PA, .228/.288/.338/.626

 

Steamer and ZiPS project ISO (isolated power) of .126 and .110, respectively, for Swihart, who has an MLB career ISO of .113.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swihabl01.shtml

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

[moonslav59]

Moon he's not a power bat ok ??? But he's a talented hitter 280s maybe higher right ? I mean the kids a career 270 but that's wrapped up in some extremely handicapped comeback attempts is it not ....

 

It was you that went out of your way to say we need "pop" from our catchers and cited their low HR totals last year.

 

Look, I know Swihart rates to be a better than Vaz and especially Leon, but he's no sure bet, and he really sucked on defense when he had his chance. Our offense is not in such great need that we should sacrifice our pitching and defense to get a marginal upgrade at the catcher position on offense.

 

I'm a big Swihart supporter, but not as our 1 or 2 catcher. He may end up winning the #2 slot, but he'll have to hit .850+ to make up for the loss on defense.

 

 

We need Blake to figure it out behind the plate Defensivly but he's not a train wreck back there come onnn.He can hit for high average to all fields he can play third ,short ,second 1st left and Right fields ....

 

Trust our scouts and management. We are not going to place our fragile pitching staff in teh hands of a catcher that "needs to learb" how to catch. He's been catching for many years, andhasn't proven squat behind the plate.

 

He'd be great as a 3rd catcher as we can PH for our catchers when needed. He can get some PAs at 1B and LF. He may even play 2B or 3B, but I'm not throwing him at any position FT to start the year.

 

You often speak of Devers and other Sox players very highly, but then you act like we are in desperate need of offense from a position not known for great offense.

 

Vaz and Leon have established a relationship with our pitchers. I don't want to mess it up, and neither should you.

 

The kid was a shortstop ....the kid pitched in the upper 90s ....99 his sophomore year to be exact ...don't tell me he can't catch that's horse crap ...we need that bat behind the plate spelling Vaz ...I'm not ever saying Blake hits 22 HR he's never done it !!! I am saying he hits 290 and rakes with men on ....I am saying he needs to be given the opportunity right now ....it's time .I am extremely frustrated with his development as a catcher ....the kid could be an All star caliber catcher offensively why not go all in what are we really risking here ?

 

We're risking messing up a staff that already has enough injury issues to deal with. Swihart likely sucks with pitchers. Can we find out some as the season goes on? Sure! But "now" is certainly not that time.

 

Sandy is not pudge Moon he's Sandy Leon a very mediocre catcher bottom third ....Blake Swihart could be much much more .let Sandy be Sales caddy If that's what Sale wants ...and Wright ? The rest ahould go to Vaz and Blake ....you can't take away this kids bat speed ...it's there .I know you see it .my diatribe is over taken its course I've said what I see in the player ...ultimately sometimes it's fate ...I hope he takes this season and blows all the doors and roofs off everyone's low expectations ....but he won't shock me .

 

Leon is much better than you give him credit for being.

[moonslav59]

Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS have these 2018 projections for Blake Swihart:

 

M: 211 PA, .265/.333/.413/.746

S: 81 PA, .242/.304/.368/.672

Z: 307 PA, .228/.288/.338/.626

 

Steamer and ZiPS project ISO (isolated power) of .126 and .110, respectively, for Swihart, who has an MLB career ISO of .113.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swihabl01.shtml

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

Now, it's not about "pop" or power.

 

It's about hitting with men on and BA.

 

(BTW, Leon hit .865 with RISP last year while Vaz was at a respectable .792. Leon was .759 high leverage.)

 

Catching defense means nothing.

Edited March 13, 2018 by moonslav59

[notin]

Not if it is at the expense of the defense. Catching is a defensive first position. Any offense provided by the catchers is gravy. We have enough offense at our other positions.

 

Especially backup catcher, which was what Lucroy wad wanted for

[Natick to NC]

Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS have these 2018 projections for Blake Swihart:

 

M: 211 PA, .265/.333/.413/.746

S: 81 PA, .242/.304/.368/.672

Z: 307 PA, .228/.288/.338/.626

 

Steamer and ZiPS project ISO (isolated power) of .126 and .110, respectively, for Swihart, who has an MLB career ISO of .113.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swihabl01.shtml

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

How the heck can zips zaps or nips predict anything in regards to Blake.....I gave you my projection 285 and raking ...

[Natick to NC]

Moon he's not a power bat ok ??? But he's a talented hitter 280s maybe higher right ? I mean the kids a career 270 but that's wrapped up in some extremely handicapped comeback attempts is it not ....

 

It was you that went out of your way to say we need "pop" from our catchers and cited their low HR totals last year.

 

Look, I know Swihart rates to be a better than Vaz and especially Leon, but he's no sure bet, and he really sucked on defense when he had his chance. Our offense is not in such great need that we should sacrifice our pitching and defense to get a marginal upgrade at the catcher position on offense.

 

I'm a big Swihart supporter, but not as our 1 or 2 catcher. He may end up winning the #2 slot, but he'll have to hit .850+ to make up for the loss on defense.

 

 

We need Blake to figure it out behind the plate Defensivly but he's not a train wreck back there come onnn.He can hit for high average to all fields he can play third ,short ,second 1st left and Right fields ....

 

Trust our scouts and management. We are not going to place our fragile pitching staff in teh hands of a catcher that "needs to learb" how to catch. He's been catching for many years, andhasn't proven squat behind the plate.

 

He'd be great as a 3rd catcher as we can PH for our catchers when needed. He can get some PAs at 1B and LF. He may even play 2B or 3B, but I'm not throwing him at any position FT to start the year.

 

You often speak of Devers and other Sox players very highly, but then you act like we are in desperate need of offense from a position not known for great offense.

 

Vaz and Leon have established a relationship with our pitchers. I don't want to mess it up, and neither should you.

 

The kid was a shortstop ....the kid pitched in the upper 90s ....99 his sophomore year to be exact ...don't tell me he can't catch that's horse crap ...we need that bat behind the plate spelling Vaz ...I'm not ever saying Blake hits 22 HR he's never done it !!! I am saying he hits 290 and rakes with men on ....I am saying he needs to be given the opportunity right now ....it's time .I am extremely frustrated with his development as a catcher ....the kid could be an All star caliber catcher offensively why not go all in what are we really risking here ?

 

We're risking messing up a staff that already has enough injury issues to deal with. Swihart likely sucks with pitchers. Can we find out some as the season goes on? Sure! But "now" is certainly not that time.

 

Sandy is not pudge Moon he's Sandy Leon a very mediocre catcher bottom third ....Blake Swihart could be much much more .let Sandy be Sales caddy If that's what Sale wants ...and Wright ? The rest ahould go to Vaz and Blake ....you can't take away this kids bat speed ...it's there .I know you see it .my diatribe is over taken its course I've said what I see in the player ...ultimately sometimes it's fate ...I hope he takes this season and blows all the doors and roofs off everyone's low expectations ....but he won't shock me .

 

Leon is much better than you give him credit for being.

 

No one not me not you not anyone can say his Defense is a train wreck it's incomplete .The pop we need is any warm body that can out slug and get oB more than what we have had ...I'm done defending a ghost though ...until he proves me right ....I'm an idiot for my own projections ...I don't mind putting myself out there for this player or that but this iis pointless ...The player needs to get the shot first ...no more zips for Blake no more projections about a player we all know just needs ABs

Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[Natick to NC]

Blake is not Gary Sanchez over there for the yanks who hits moon shots and an elite Power bat ...Blake probably has the same D as Gary though ...The question is will Blake hit ? Yes will Blake hit for high average ohh yeah his bat speed is there ... Will Blake ever hit moon shots or even hit 30 out ? Umm not likely ...Will Blake hit more out than Vaz ? Yes Sandy ? Yes ...but only if he's the number 2 Catcher . Likelihood of Blake given this job ?I hope it's over 70 percent but it's probably closer to 30'.Why not let Blake catch Vel ,Johnson,Price,Porcello and steer clear of Sale ? Let Sandy be his caddy .The line this pitching staff is fragile ..You're right they are and they need as many runs as they can possibly get ...will Blake have passed balls ? Yes will Devers have passed balls ? Yes will just about everyone we have Nunez and the like have issues yes unless you're name is Mookie Or Jackie they will ...This is not saying we don't have a good team we do ...Give this kid his reps Now not later ...figure out by June if he's our future like Devers and Betts . Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[Emp9]

LOOGY's are over-rated, and besides, many of our RH'd RP'ers do very well vs LH'd batters.

 

True on both fronts. Which only highlights my opinion on the significance of panicly adding another SP without any real evidence of needing one quite yet. I’d rather wait and get a good one months ( & months) from now.

 

Also, I feel confident leaning on our offense earlier in the season. It typically takes 4-6 starts in the rotation to start judging any SP. It takes that long for them to start peaking and getting in their own groove (if there’s a groove to be had, that is). I’ll start projecting then.

 

I’d agree with Notin if our budget wasn’t so f***ed. I’d have loved to sign Lynn, but we couldn’t afford even his cheap & short contract (we’d be $8M over the 2nd penalty, right?).

[FredLynn]

If you are basing this on Swihart's 5 HRs in 390 career ML PAs, I'm not getting it.

 

If you're basing it on Spring Training numbers, well... Leon now has a better ST'ing OPS than Swihart.

 

Swihart has never been given a serious chance getting reps at catcher, and his numbers are skewed because of having to coming back from a bad injury. Unfortunately, we all know what Leon can and cannot do.

[Natick to NC]

I'm excited to really watch Valazquez and Johnson come into there own with this opportunity...how great would it be if both these players pitch lights out and up there Value ??? Going to be a very exciting year for so many of our players ...Devers a full year !!!! Nuney !! JD !! Price !! Blake !! Benny !! ...I want 98 wins from this group .The pitching could be much deeper than anyone expected and the Bench the best we have seen in a decade ...Big dreams for this group . Edited March 13, 2018 by Natick to NC

[harmony]

How the heck can zips zaps or nips predict anything in regards to Blake.....I gave you my projection 285 and raking ...

I suspect Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS have more sophisticated methods of reaching their projections than a forum poster does.

 

Still, the range of the Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS projections is interesting.

[Bellhorn04]

I suspect Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS have more sophisticated methods of reaching their projections than a forum poster does.

 

Still, the range of the Marcel, Steamer and ZiPS projections is interesting.

 

Yes, a range like that would suggest that when it comes to a player like Swihart, "Your guess is as good as mine".