A Realistic View at 2018: Part I

[notin]

Let me clarify. Our pitching staff is very good! But counting on them being 100 percent healthy through the entire year is extremely foolish.

 

We need depth. We need another starter signed!

 

The Sox, like every team, needs to have 7-10 starters ready for the season. Much like power hitting, second base, rotation pitchers, and bench players who don't suck, DD is getting around to this.

[Larry Cook]

The Sox, like every team, needs to have 7-10 starters ready for the season. Much like power hitting, second base, rotation pitchers, and bench players who don't suck, DD is getting around to this.

 

I am glad you have faith in dave!

 

I believe that nothing that has happened this offseason, ohtani, Stanton or other free agent signings has been anything he could have changed and most importantly I do not think he wanted to change,

 

I think we are all panicking more than he is over the Stanton signing,

 

Where my brain damage comes in is that dave’s options for making is a better team in 2018, which should be his ultimate goal are shrinking and he may get desperate and do something foolish!

[jacksonianmarch]

Larry, I think the only additions the sox make on the pitching end will be veterans who could rebound. I have said Anibal Sanchez would be a good candidate to sign. Even a Jaime Garcia type. A guy who wont cost a lot who could win the 5th starter spot out of ST and see if they can hold onto it as guys come back from injury or suspension. It makes no sense for DD to deal for a pitcher or spend a lot on one. You've got Sale and Pom at the top. Porcello at least gives you innings. Price takes a slot and ERod will return as will Wright. You need depth at this point, not someone to lock down a spot

[moonslav59]

Larry, I think the only additions the sox make on the pitching end will be veterans who could rebound. I have said Anibal Sanchez would be a good candidate to sign. Even a Jaime Garcia type. A guy who wont cost a lot who could win the 5th starter spot out of ST and see if they can hold onto it as guys come back from injury or suspension. It makes no sense for DD to deal for a pitcher or spend a lot on one. You've got Sale and Pom at the top. Porcello at least gives you innings. Price takes a slot and ERod will return as will Wright. You need depth at this point, not someone to lock down a spot

 

Sanchez might be the type of guy we go after on a 1 year deal. Someone mentioned Garza. I'm not so sure about him: he's been bad for a long time. I'm pretty certain we add a couple vets or "projects" as depth.

 

I like Velazquez and would like to see Johnson get a look at some point, but I do not have much confidence in anyone beyond Wright, and he may not even be here.

[harmony]

Larry, I think the only additions the sox make on the pitching end will be veterans who could rebound. I have said Anibal Sanchez would be a good candidate to sign. Even a Jaime Garcia type. A guy who wont cost a lot who could win the 5th starter spot out of ST and see if they can hold onto it as guys come back from injury or suspension. It makes no sense for DD to deal for a pitcher or spend a lot on one. You've got Sale and Pom at the top. Porcello at least gives you innings. Price takes a slot and ERod will return as will Wright. You need depth at this point, not someone to lock down a spot

MLB Trade Rumors projects Jaime Garcia with a two-year, $16 million contract:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

 

FanGraphs columnist Dave Cameron projected Garcia with a two-year, $20 million contract while the FanGraphs median crowdsource same in at three years and $36 million:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-50-free-agents/

 

Neither MLB Trade Rumors nor FanGraphs projected Anibal Sanchez.

[a700hitter]

MLB Trade Rumors projects Jaime Garcia with a two-year, $16 million contract:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

 

FanGraphs columnist Dave Cameron projected Garcia with a two-year, $20 million contract while the FanGraphs median crowdsource same in at three years and $36 million:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-50-free-agents/

 

Neither MLB Trade Rumors nor FanGraphs projected Anibal Sanchez.

The good thing with both Garcia is and Anibel Sanchez is that they don’t have to find living accommodations, because they both reside on the DL.

[Bellhorn04]

Dare I say it? Clay Buchholz as a depth option?

[cp176]

Dare I say it? Clay Buchholz as a depth option?

 

You are just trying to stir up trouble once again! Is your first name Cliff? lol:)

[sk7326]

First of all, college basketball is about player development for 18 and 19yo kids. They don't recruit by needs becausethey want the best aathletes and are willing to adjust the system to the players as opposed to the other wsy around.

 

I actually think 5 or even 6 years for Martinez is fine given how his career seems to be paralleling that of Edwin Encarnacion at similar ages. If you think DD missed out on 34you Encarnacion through age 37 last year, what the argument for not signing Martinez at 4 years younger to a deal that takes him to 35 or 36?

 

Not a great athlete - it's all in his bat ... Pujols dove down in production over that age range (and was one of the league's worst regulars at age 36). Adrian Gonzalez was another cautionary tale - although he remained decent but not at all worth the price.

[moonslav59]

Dare I say it? Clay Buchholz as a depth option?

 

I triple dare you!

[Bellhorn04]

I triple dare you!

 

I'm sayin' it! Who's with me? I know Slasher is. Maybe Kimmi as well.

 

I think Clay is just about ready to reach his potential.

[moonslav59]

I'm sayin' it! Who's with me? I know Slasher is. Maybe Kimmi as well.

 

I think Clay is just about ready to reach his potential.

 

He already reached his potential- for three short periods of glorious time.

[cp176]

I'm sayin' it! Who's with me? I know Slasher is. Maybe Kimmi as well.

 

I think Clay is just about ready to reach his potential.

 

Yup - And I can deal from a deck of 5 aces also.

[notin]

MLB Trade Rumors projects Jaime Garcia with a two-year, $16 million contract:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

 

 

 

FanGraphs columnist Dave Cameron projected Garcia with a two-year, $20 million contract while the FanGraphs median crowdsource same in at three years and $36 million:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-50-free-agents/

 

Neither MLB Trade Rumors nor FanGraphs projected Anibal Sanchez.

 

But then Dave Cameron is not a GM charged with upgrading a pitching staff. ..

[moonslav59]

But then Dave Cameron is not a GM charged with upgrading a pitching staff. ..

 

...or managing a budget.

[mvp 78]

Dare I say it? Clay Buchholz as a depth option?

 

sdl;kfnj;wrealfgweilngwengslmngflsdknfvlsdn

[FredLynn]

sdl;kfnj;wrealfgweilngwengslmngflsdknfvlsdn

 

^^^^^^

This.

[mvp 78]

If they re-sign Buchholz, it will break me.

[Bellhorn04]

If they re-sign Buchholz, it will break me.

 

Minor league deal? He's got a little more upside than Kyle Kendrick if healthy.

[mvp 78]

Minor league deal? He's got a little more upside than Kyle Kendrick if healthy.

 

Even then...

[Bellhorn04]

Even then...

 

Yeah, I know. There's just so little actual news to talk about.

[notin]

Yeah, I know. There's just so little actual news to talk about.

 

To the point of bad business.

 

The Sox really did need and probably would have liked a big splash before tickets went on sale. But that did not happen. And who here bought tickets anyway?

[S5Dewey]

To the point of bad business.

 

The Sox really did need and probably would have liked a big splash before tickets went on sale. But that did not happen. And who here bought tickets anyway?

 

I've got the bill for my ST tickets and plan on paying it.

[Spudboy]

I've got the bill for my ST tickets and plan on paying it.

 

Do you plan on meeting up with Ted in ST?

 

I think that would be cool. You guys would have a blast talking.

[S5Dewey]

Do you plan on meeting up with Ted in ST?

 

I think that would be cool. You guys would have a blast talking.

 

Yep. We did last year and we've already made plans to do it again. He's a nice guy and knowledgeable about the Sox. I'm looking forward to it.

 

I've met maybe a half dozen people who post.

 

I met a guy from the midwest there when we were on the old BDC thread. cp176 reminds me of him. A high school & Legion baseball coach with a love for the Sox. He came down every year to visit with his father-in-law and his FIL had the tickets but since then his FIL has passed away so he's not coming down. Too bad. Another great guy.

[FredLynn]

To the point of bad business.

 

The Sox really did need and probably would have liked a big splash before tickets went on sale. But that did not happen. And who here bought tickets anyway?

 

I have tickets to the first ST game against the Twins. Not going there just for that game, obviously.....I have family in the Tampa area.

[Nick]

The good thing with both Garcia is and Anibel Sanchez is that they don’t have to find living accommodations, because they both reside on the DL.

 

I'm giving you a standing ovation. Best line of the Year.

[Larry Cook]

If January is the new December, I guess we should see dave start to saddle up here soon.

[moonslav59]

Happy Saint Stephen's Day!

[moonslav59]

Mexican Pacific League Update:

Recently signed infielder (Jesus) Esteban Quiroz continues to see action as the regular second baseman for Mazatlan. He appeared in six games, going 4 for 23. Hector Velazquez was excellent in his second start of the winter league, giving up just one hit in four shutout innings, striking out three and walking one.