A Realistic View at 2018: Part I

[moonslav59]

I would prefer Nunez to JD. For the brief time that Nunez was here, I thought he brought a sense of urgency that our zombies were lacking all year.

 

If he is healthy, I would sign him and pass on JD. Please we have a position available for nunez, but not one JD.

 

So Nunez is far more better than Marco/Lin/Holt then Pedey than JD is over HRam's one year of team control coming off surgery?

 

I get the money savings would allow us to add someone else, but Nunez is not better than JD.

 

We do have a position for JD: DH.

 

We won't have a position for Nunez when Pedey returns.

[moonslav59]

I like Darvish but how far should anyone go for a 31yo pitcher whose already had two arm surgeries?

 

Less than JD by enough to sign someone like Nunez, too.

 

Arrieta, Cobb and Lynn are also secondary options.

[notin]

Less than JD by enough to sign someone like Nunez, too.

 

Arrieta, Cobb and Lynn are also secondary options.

 

I think I prefer Arrieta. He's the only one of the 4 to never miss a season due to arm surgery, right?

[notin]

I'm feeling it - LoMo and Arrieta in 2018...

[moonslav59]

I'm feeling it - LoMo and Arrieta in 2018...

 

I'd be fine with that. I might even like it more than JD at $125M/5, but I'd also be fine with just JD.

[Larry Cook]

So Nunez is far more better than Marco/Lin/Holt then Pedey than JD is over HRam's one year of team control coming off surgery?

 

I get the money savings would allow us to add someone else, but Nunez is not better than JD.

 

We do have a position for JD: DH.

 

We won't have a position for Nunez when Pedey returns.

 

I don’t think I said Nunez was better than JD. But I have read JD would prefer to play the outfield and that means he has to go somewhere else for that.

 

I think Nunez showed enough at the end of last season to convince me, he is a better option as a reserve infielder than anything we have on the roster currently.

 

Plus i’m Guessing pedroia is lucky to play 80 games next season, which means between second, occasional dh, occasional outfield and third, Nunez should get in about 120 games.

 

In addition, Nunez seems to bring an energy and leadership that we were badly lacking last year, especially after pedroia fractured the locker room! Our zombies need leadership and pedroia will never be that type of guy. Neither Vazquez, benintendi, devers, Bogey or mookie appear ready to step up into that role. Hanley is all about Hanley. Bradley and Moreland both appear to be along for the ride.

 

Ps: hosmer could have been that type of guy in the locker room to lead, but that option is not going to happen.

[moonslav59]

I don’t think I said Nunez was better than JD. But I have read JD would prefer to play the outfield and that means he has to go somewhere else for that.

 

I think Nunez showed enough at the end of last season to convince me, he is a better option as a reserve infielder than anything we have on the roster currently.

 

Plus i’m Guessing pedroia is lucky to play 80 games next season, which means between second, occasional dh, occasional outfield and third, Nunez should get in about 120 games.

 

In addition, Nunez seems to bring an energy and leadership that we were badly lacking last year, especially after pedroia fractured the locker room! Our zombies need leadership and pedroia will never be that type of guy. Neither Vazquez, benintendi, devers, Bogey or mookie appear ready to step up into that role. Hanley is all about Hanley. Bradley and Moreland both appear to be along for the ride.

 

Ps: hosmer could have been that type of guy in the locker room to lead, but that option is not going to happen.

 

Preferring the OF is not demanding the OF.

 

Nunez played the best few months of his career with us. There's no guarantee that will be the same Nunez for the next 2 years.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like Nunez, even though he is not that good defensively, and if Pedey returns healthy for 1.5 years of the next 2 years, Nunez has no position to play.

 

JD will play DH FT and can cover the OF'ers when they need a break. That allows Moreland and HRam to play 1B and DH when JD is not. There's no squeeze with JD on the roster. In fact, having JD makes HRam not vesting a legitimate baseball decision and not some unethical choice made by DD/Cora.

 

It's a perfect fit.

 

We need a clean-up hitter more than anything else--certainly more than a utility player, no matter how good he might be.

 

I'm pretty sure the possible upgrade from Marco/Lin/Holt/Marrero/Quiroz to Nunez is not as much that from JD over HRam for 1 or two years & who knows who after that.

[Kimmi]

So Nunez is far more better than Marco/Lin/Holt then Pedey than JD is over HRam's one year of team control coming off surgery?

 

I get the money savings would allow us to add someone else, but Nunez is not better than JD.

 

We do have a position for JD: DH.

 

We won't have a position for Nunez when Pedey returns.

 

Nunez is not better than JD, but Nunez plus Darvish would be.

 

I wouldn't mind re-signing Nunez, but I think he will be looking for a guaranteed starting job, and not just a temporary one.

[Kimmi]

I'm feeling it - LoMo and Arrieta in 2018...

 

I could live with that.

[moonslav59]

Nunez is not better than JD, but Nunez plus Darvish would be.

 

I wouldn't mind re-signing Nunez, but I think he will be looking for a guaranteed starting job, and not just a temporary one.

 

I'm not sure Darvish + Nunez will prove to be better than JD, especially if Pedey comes back, but on paper, it's close.

 

I'd rather go LoMo & a solid starter. At least he brings a chance for a solid clean-up hitter to the roster.

 

[moonslav59]

1) Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale wasn’t as effective in the second half of last season as he was during the first, which has led to a change in routine this winter for the 28-year-old ace, as he explained to Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald. “I’ve made a couple tweaks to my throwing this year,” Sale said. “Started a bit later trying to ease into it a little more. In terms of working out, started working out earlier, doing pilates. The same things I’ve been doing conditioning and strength wise, just kind of dialing back my throwing program.” Manager Alex Cora, pitching coach Dana LeVangie and the Red Sox trainers are all on board with the changes, per Sale, who insists it won’t mean a lighter workload in 2018. Rather, after leading the American League with 214 1/3 innings last season, he expects to be similarly durable this year.

 

2) Although Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is entering a contract year, he and the club have not discussed an extension. The 29-year-old Kimbrel is open to staying with the Sox for the long haul, though, as Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald relays. While Kimbrel has been an elite closer for most of his career, including during an otherworldly 2017 in which he logged a 1.43 ERA with 16.43 K/9 and 1.83 BB/9 over 69 innings, new manager Alex Cora may use him earlier in games this year if the situation calls for it. Kimbrel addressed that, saying: “There will definitely have to be a plan in place, and it’s going to come from both sides, mine and his side. I’m sure we’ll be able to talk something out and it’s going to be based off workload and things like that. It’s just the way the game is going.” Mastrodonato posits that fewer saves in 2018 could mean fewer dollars for Kimbrel on his next contract, though I’d argue that teams already know what he’s capable of in the ninth inning. Thriving in a slightly different role could make him all the more attractive as a free agent, then.

[mvp 78]

Nunez is not better than JD, but Nunez plus Darvish would be.

 

I wouldn't mind re-signing Nunez, but I think he will be looking for a guaranteed starting job, and not just a temporary one.

I want pitchers that can start games in Oct. right now, Darvish, Price and Sale can’t.

[moonslav59]

I want pitchers that can start games in Oct. right now, Darvish, Price and Sale can’t.

 

Before last year's World Series, Yu had 3 decent playoof starts out of 4 starts.

 

IP H ER

6.2 5 2

5.0 5 5

5.0 2 1

6.1 6 1

 

(3.52 ERA combined)

 

[Spudboy]

Not thread worthy but I saw a photo of Broc Holt in Ct. from last night. Either it was a bad angle or an optical effect but s*** he looked fat.

 

Not 6'3" 239 fat , but at least 20 pounds heavier than I have seen him.

 

I need to see more photos of his gut. He looked awful.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR...

 

Red Sox left-hander Brian Johnson has drawn trade interest this offseason, Cafardo reports. The hurler is out of minor league options, meaning the Red Sox could lose him to waivers if they don’t trade him and he doesn’t make their 25-man roster, Cafardo notes. Johnson, a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2012 and a former top 100 prospect, has seen minimal big league action to this point (31 1/3 innings). The 27-year-old tossed 27 1/3 major league frames across five starts last season and did OK, notching a 4.33 ERA/4.90 FIP with 7.0 K/9 and 2.67 BB/9. Johnson fared better over 90 1/3 Triple-A innings (3.09 ERA/4.19 FIP, 6.97 K/9, 2.79 BB/9).

[moonslav59]

MLBTR...

 

While free agent third baseman Mike Moustakas hasn’t drawn much reported interest of late, that wasn’t the case early in the offseason, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com writes. However, teams that initially pursued Moustakas balked at his asking price, Feinsand adds. Now, at least one general manager expects Moustakas to land a far less valuable deal than some outlets – including MLBTR – projected entering the offseason. “When you see what (Jay) Bruce got from the Mets, it’s hard to see Moustakas getting more than that,” said the GM, referring to Bruce’s three-year, $39MM contract. While Bruce will play his age-31 season in 2018 and Moustakas won’t turn 30 until September, the former did not enter the winter with a qualifying offer attached. Moustakas did, which is among a few factors that have worked against him on the market, as Feinsand details in his piece.

 

Makes me wonder how much we might have gotten Moose for. Had we gotten him instead of Moreland, we might have been able to pass on JD and end up with Moose and Darvish with Devers playing 1B and/or DH.

 

Less than $39M/3 looks like a steal against $125M/5 for JD.

[notin]

In that scenario, how much does signing two players with qualifying offers affect the Sox next draft?

[Spudboy]

MLBTR...

 

While free agent third baseman Mike Moustakas hasn’t drawn much reported interest of late, that wasn’t the case early in the offseason, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com writes. However, teams that initially pursued Moustakas balked at his asking price, Feinsand adds. Now, at least one general manager expects Moustakas to land a far less valuable deal than some outlets – including MLBTR – projected entering the offseason. “When you see what (Jay) Bruce got from the Mets, it’s hard to see Moustakas getting more than that,” said the GM, referring to Bruce’s three-year, $39MM contract. While Bruce will play his age-31 season in 2018 and Moustakas won’t turn 30 until September, the former did not enter the winter with a qualifying offer attached. Moustakas did, which is among a few factors that have worked against him on the market, as Feinsand details in his piece.

 

Makes me wonder how much we might have gotten Moose for. Had we gotten him instead of Moreland, we might have been able to pass on JD and end up with Moose and Darvish with Devers playing 1B and/or DH.

 

Less than $39M/3 looks like a steal against $125M/5 for JD.

 

I know he's one of your boys and I respect that. But 3/39 sounds like about what he is worth, if that.

 

I think he can have a fun bat sometimes but nothing really special. His defense, to me, is maybe replacement level and over rated.

 

Sox f***ed up on Fatboy, albeit at a higher rate. No sense messing up at 3rd again. We have Devers there where he has been playing and with some experience and work on his footwork and release point he could be a good defensive player. His bat will grow to be consistently better than Moose. I think anyway.

 

Save the money and get someone like Moreland. Makes sense to me.

 

Besides, MVP says he is HOF bound.

[moonslav59]

In that scenario, how much does signing two players with qualifying offers affect the Sox next draft?

 

After a championship, our pick will be low anyway.

[moonslav59]

I know he's one of your boys and I respect that. But 3/39 sounds like about what he is worth, if that.

 

I think he can have a fun bat sometimes but nothing really special. His defense, to me, is maybe replacement level and over rated.

 

Sox f***ed up on Fatboy, albeit at a higher rate. No sense messing up at 3rd again. We have Devers there where he has been playing and with some experience and work on his footwork and release point he could be a good defensive player. His bat will grow to be consistently better than Moose. I think anyway.

 

Save the money and get someone like Moreland. Makes sense to me.

 

Besides, MVP says he is HOF bound.

 

Mouse has one negative UZR year and you write him off as replacement level on defense, yet you discount all the "fun" that went with his 38 dingers in 2017.

 

BTW, if Moose and his +4.5 career UZR/150 is replacement level on defense, what is Devers and his -12.7 UZR/150?

 

Only 6 3Bmen have a better UZR/150 and more innings at 3B since 2012.

 

Moose places 12th out of 35 3Bmen on defense since 2012 (17th in DRS). That's better than average and far from replacement level.

[moonslav59]

In that scenario, how much does signing two players with qualifying offers affect the Sox next draft?

 

Isn't there no QO for Darvish. He was traded.

[cp176]

I want pitchers that can start games in Oct. right now, Darvish, Price and Sale can’t.

 

lol - Since the extension of the playoff season (second mini-season maybe), I bet it is getting harder and harder to find guys that can pitch effectively from late March until November. Maybe the answer is we just don't let them pitch until the first of July then take our chances.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm feeling it - LoMo and Arrieta in 2018...

 

LoMo's projected AAV is 12 million

Arrieta's is 25 million (same as JDM)

Total 37 million

[Kimmi]

I'm not sure Darvish + Nunez will prove to be better than JD, especially if Pedey comes back, but on paper, it's close.

 

I'd rather go LoMo & a solid starter. At least he brings a chance for a solid clean-up hitter to the roster.

 

 

I am good with LoMo and a solid starter as well.

 

Then again, I think we will contend if we stayed status quo, provided that our starting rotation, namely Price, stays healthy.

[Kimmi]

I want pitchers that can start games in Oct. right now, Darvish, Price and Sale can’t.

 

You have to get to October first.

 

I'm not a believer in the idea that Darvish, Price, or Sale are postseason chokers. Get pitchers who can get the team to October, and they should be able to get you through October as well.

 

In other words, I'm not making my decision on whether to sign or not sign a player based on postseason performance.

[notin]

I want pitchers that can start games in Oct. right now, Darvish, Price and Sale can’t.

 

So you think the Red Sox would be better off dealing Chris Sale for Charlie Morton?

[notin]

LoMo's projected AAV is 12 million

Arrieta's is 25 million (same as JDM)

Total 37 million

 

But for how many years?

[notin]

Isn't there no QO for Darvish. He was traded.

 

Good point. That does help his case.

[Bellhorn04]

But for how many years?

 

LoMo 3

Arrieta 4

[notin]

LoMo 3

Arrieta 4

 

For those years, sign me up.

 

Id prefer that over a $25mill 36yo JD Martinez. (Imagine if he ages like Hanley, who isn't 36 for 22 more months)...