Spring Training 2018 Thread

[mvp 78]

Post for all your Spring Training thoughts.

 

Here's a picture of bearded Rick Porcello.

 

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

#RedSox at Fenway South today include Porcello, Bradley, Barnes, Devers, Leon, Swihart, Price, Workman, Wright, Rodriguez, Scott, Travis, Wright, Thornburg, and Lin.

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Eduardo Rodriguez throwing. The lefty is out to 90 feet and looks confident following knee surgery.

 

 

Hachi Machi!

[Kimmi]

@PeteAbe

 

#RedSox at Fenway South today include Porcello, Bradley, Barnes, Devers, Leon, Swihart, Price, Workman, Wright, Rodriguez, Scott, Travis, Wright, Thornburg, and Lin.

 

Bradley has been an early arrival to camp every year, as far as I know. Not to take anything away from the other guys that also arrive early, but that is something that impressed me with Jackie early on. I've said it before, I probably pull harder for him than I do for any other player. He seems to really want it.

[Kimmi]

Post for all your Spring Training thoughts.

 

Here's a picture of bearded Rick Porcello.

 

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Porcello needs to keep the beard all season. Good mojo.

[Kimmi]

@PeteAbe

 

Eduardo Rodriguez throwing. The lefty is out to 90 feet and looks confident following knee surgery.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]579[/ATTACH]

 

Hachi Machi!

 

This is encouraging.

[Larry Cook]

Supposedly price told someone today that the elbow felt good after throwing today.

 

I think we need to start the countdown click to the big “pop@!

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Alex Cora at Fenway South working with infielders. Devers, Marrero, Lin, Swihart, and Travis were among them.

 

[moonslav59]

@PeteAbe

 

Eduardo Rodriguez throwing. The lefty is out to 90 feet and looks confident following knee surgery.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]579[/ATTACH]

 

Hachi Machi!

 

Maybe the surgery will end the reoccurring issues with his knee once and for all. We should not rush him back!

[Spudboy]

Maybe the surgery will end the reoccurring issues with his knee once and for all. We should not rush him back!

 

I agree.

[moonslav59]

I agree.

 

I've always been high on ERod. I loved the Miller trade (but hoped we resigned Miller that winter).

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I'm in Florida now so I might be able to catch spring training games for the first time ever. Hooray.

[Spudboy]

I've always been high on ERod. I loved the Miller trade (but hoped we resigned Miller that winter).

 

That trade had the possibility to be a win-win.

 

Unfortunately Miller did not return.

 

I just would like to see a complete and healthy season from E-Rod.

[Spudboy]

I'm in Florida now so I might be able to catch spring training games for the first time ever. Hooray.

 

Hope so.

 

Have fun Buddy.

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Andrew Benintendi arrived at #RedSox camp today.

 

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Mookie Betts arriving at JetBlue Park today. #RedSox #SpringTraining2018

 

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Some #RedSox items: Andrew Benintendi has not yet hired a new agent … Marco Hernandez says his surgically repaired shoulder is coming along well but he will need to ease into baseball activities. … Mitch Moreland is very pleased he signed when he did and isn’t a free agent.

 

If Hernandez isn't ready to go on opening day, does that mean we're getting more Brock Holt?

[moonslav59]

@PeteAbe

 

Some #RedSox items: Andrew Benintendi has not yet hired a new agent … Marco Hernandez says his surgically repaired shoulder is coming along well but he will need to ease into baseball activities. … Mitch Moreland is very pleased he signed when he did and isn’t a free agent.

 

If Hernandez isn't ready to go on opening day, does that mean we're getting more Brock Holt?

 

Holt- Marrero (out of options)- Quiroz- Lin with an outside shot for maybe Swihart (yuck)?

 

I hope Marco get ready quickly. I think he's our best shot at mediocrity.

[mvp 78]

Sounds like Mitch is really happy to be back.

 

http://www.weei.com/articles/column/bradford-why-mitch-moreland-didnt-wait-around-jd-martinez-or-any-other-free-agents

 

 

Listen to how the first baseman's 6-year-old son responded upon his father landing for another spring training at JetBlue Park. "He's fired up," Moreland said in a sit-down interview Tuesday afternoon. "Yesterday, as soon as I got on the phone with him he said, 'Have any of the guys asked about me?' He's excited about it."

 

"I just told my agent that if we get close, I'm ready to do it. It's just nice to have the security of knowing everybody here and not having to learn a new organization. Being somewhere where my family is comfortable and somewhere that is a winning environment. All of those things factor into something like free agency. This is a great place to be, so obviously, it was my first choice."

 

"I knew I had a good time here. Obviously, all of our conversations with staff and front office were good heading out. I guess the way everything has been going the last few years, you never know what's going to happen. This year has been a prime example of that even more. I really didn't know what to think. Just keep an open mind and let them know I had fun playing being part of this organization and playing for the Red Sox. I would love to come back, but I also understand it's a business. That's kind of the way I approached it. Obviously, when the time rolled around and we started talking a little bit, I was happy to come back. I wanted to be here.

 

"I told my agent, 'Listen, man, I want to be somewhere I'm going to be happy and somewhere I'm going to win.' I loved playing here last year. So when the opportunity came about, it checked all the boxes. I've got to take care of my family. I'm not worried about the market part of it. When I saw the opportunity, with something I was happy with, and my family was happy with, I jumped at it."

 

"I go to the field ready to go every day," Moreland said. "That's what I do. I try and be ready to go when my number is called, whether it's in the first inning, fifth inning, whenever. That's what I shoot for. Last year I was supposed to be part-time and I got more at-bats than I have ever had. I don't think you can look at a scheduled set-up of playing time because we're still two months away from the season right now and there is a lot of stuff that can happen. I'm going to be focused on getting ready to play every day and being ready to go when that time comes here."

 

"I got in yesterday and went and hung out with the guys the first night. I told my wife, "Hey, I got invited to hang out with the guys the first night.' Last year it took me a week before I hung out with the guys. It's nice," he said. "Just having familiar faces and knowing the situation. Everyone talks about how it helps having that comfort level in baseball whether you're on the field or off the field. It makes those adjustments easier. We had a blast, so I'm happy to do it a couple of more years."

[mvp 78]

Holt- Marrero (out of options)- Quiroz- Lin with an outside shot for maybe Swihart (yuck)?

 

I hope Marco get ready quickly. I think he's our best shot at mediocrity.

 

It'll be interesting to see how Quiroz does in ST, but he's destined for AAA to start the season.

 

I'm not sure they've been playing Swihart at 2b. He's worked out at 1b, 3b and LF from what I've read.

[mvp 78]

Blake Swihart, erstwhile Red Sox catching prospect, on the spring-training experiment to turn him into a super-utilityman: "I pride myself on being an athlete. I feel like I can play other positions. Catcher is my favorite position to play, but if I need to play somewhere else I can. I feel like if I put in work, I can play anywhere."

[notin]

I'd avoid Cobb and Lynn. Both have missed significant time in the past three years and consequently have been outperformed by Cashner and Liriano over that stretch. And as Cobb and Lynn are more talented, both appear to want more money and years. But both also have issues showing up for work and their recent TJ surgeries would indicate both are more likely to miss a full season during their next deals.

 

At this point, sign Morrison or Duda, Cashner or Liriano, and Watson and Nunez, assuming Nunez is happy with AA super sub role. If Nunez prefers a team that can guarantee him a bigger role, the surprisingly still productive Brandon Phillips might be an excellent stopgap 2B. Or Neil Walker, who is somehow still available and getting no buzz...

[moonslav59]

I'd avoid Cobb and Lynn. Both have missed significant time in the past three years and consequently have been outperformed by Cashner and Liriano over that stretch. And as Cobb and Lynn are more talented, both appear to want more money and years. But both also have issues showing up for work and their recent TJ surgeries would indicate both are more likely to miss a full season during their next deals.

 

At this point, sign Morrison or Duda, Cashner or Liriano, and Watson and Nunez, assuming Nunez is happy with AA super sub role. If Nunez prefers a team that can guarantee him a bigger role, the surprisingly still productive Brandon Phillips might be an excellent stopgap 2B. Or Neil Walker, who is somehow still available and getting no buzz...

 

Makes sense to me, notin.

 

Signing LoMo would probably mean we can only sign two of these three: Cashner or Liriano, Watson & Nunez. We could probably sign Duda plus the 3 and still stay under the $40M over penalty level.

 

We'd have a major roster crunch, but I wouldn't be saddened to lose out- of- options Brentz, Marrero and Swihart or maybe Holt and save $2M. Signing 2 pitchers would put the squeeze on Hembree, Wright and Johnson, who are all out of options.

 

25 man roster with all 4 signed (Duda, Cashner, Watson & Nunez):

 

SP (6): Sale, Price, Pom, Porcello, Wright (phanton DL?), Cashner

RP (7): Kimbrell, Smith, Watson, Kelly, Barnes, Johnson, Hembree

DL: ERod & Thornburg

AAA: Velazquez, Elias, Beeks, Scott, Maddox, Workman

 

C (2): Vaz & Leon (Swihart)

AAA: Butler

 

1B/DH (3): Moreland, HRam, Duda

AAA: Travis (Ockimey?)

 

2B (1): Nunez

DL: Pedey & Marco

AAA: Quiroz

 

3B (1): Devers

AAA: Chavis

 

SS (1): Bogey

AAA: Lin

 

IF Utility: Marrero & Swihart

AAA: Holt

 

LF (1): Beni

CF (1): JBJ

RF (1): Betts

AAA: Castillo (Mars)

 

Traded/DFA: Brentz

 

 

[mvp 78]

I'd avoid Cobb and Lynn. Both have missed significant time in the past three years and consequently have been outperformed by Cashner and Liriano over that stretch. And as Cobb and Lynn are more talented, both appear to want more money and years. But both also have issues showing up for work and their recent TJ surgeries would indicate both are more likely to miss a full season during their next deals.

 

At this point, sign Morrison or Duda, Cashner or Liriano, and Watson and Nunez, assuming Nunez is happy with AA super sub role. If Nunez prefers a team that can guarantee him a bigger role, the surprisingly still productive Brandon Phillips might be an excellent stopgap 2B. Or Neil Walker, who is somehow still available and getting no buzz...

 

That's just not true at all.

 

When looking at your 3 year stretch, Lynn has a higher WAR than either Cashner or Liriano.

 

Cashner has a higher career FIP after spending most of his time in pitcher friendly SD. Liriano has been less than a 1 WAR player the past two seasons. Lance Lynn has been far and away the best of the 4 over the past 4 years when accounting for WAR (+4 WAR over the other guys). Cobb iwas out for a long stretch so it's really hard to compare in that small sample. He has been above W WAR in every season he's appeared in 10 games. You certainly can't say that for Liriano.

Edited February 14, 2018 by mvp 78

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

 

Sale said earlier today he’d throw to Leon or Vazquez this year despite sticking with Leon a majority of starts last year. Just threw a bullpen now to Vazquez.

[notin]

That's just not true at all.

 

When looking at your 3 year stretch, Lynn has a higher WAR than either Cashner or Liriano.

 

Cashner has a higher career FIP after spending most of his time in pitcher friendly SD. Liriano has been less than a 1 WAR player the past two seasons. Lance Lynn has been far and away the best of the 4 over the past 4 years when accounting for WAR (+4 WAR over the other guys). Cobb iwas out for a long stretch so it's really hard to compare in that small sample. He has been above W WAR in every season he's appeared in 10 games. You certainly can't say that for Liriano.

 

You're looking at Lynn's last 3 fWAR totals and ignoring his missed season. In 2015 through 2017, he was worth 4.5 fWAR. Cashner was worth 4.5 (so I did misspeak about being more productive, but he was as productive)

as well in those seasons and Liriano was worth 5.0. (Cobb was worth 2.3).

 

Cobb and Lynn are better pitchers, but neither has been as reliable, which is the entire point. Given that TJ surgery has an average lifespan of about 600 innings, both are high risk to miss more time.

 

As neither Liriano nor Cashner are likely to command the money or years, both are safer options...

[mvp 78]

You're looking at Lynn's last 3 fWAR totals and ignoring his missed season. In 2015 through 2017, he was worth 4.5 fWAR. Cashner was worth 4.5 (so I did misspeak about being more productive, but he was as productive)

as well in those seasons and Liriano was worth 5.0. (Cobb was worth 2.3).

 

Cobb and Lynn are better pitchers, but neither has been as reliable, which is the entire point. Given that TJ surgery has an average lifespan of about 600 innings, both are high risk to miss more time.

 

As neither Liriano nor Cashner are likely to command the money or years, both are safer options...

 

Even so, I'm not sure Liriano is a more reliable option when he didn't even get 1 WAR in 2016 or 2017.

[Spudboy]

@PeteAbe

 

Some #RedSox items: Andrew Benintendi has not yet hired a new agent … Marco Hernandez says his surgically repaired shoulder is coming along well but he will need to ease into baseball activities. … Mitch Moreland is very pleased he signed when he did and isn’t a free agent.

 

If Hernandez isn't ready to go on opening day, does that mean we're getting more Brock Holt?

 

I know I keep harping on it but Jesus has Holt porked out. It similar to what Robert De Niro went through in Raging Bull.

 

Holt was a speedy athletic type. Now he is about half a Panda.

 

I think his mobility will be impaired.

[moonslav59]

I know I keep harping on it but Jesus has Holt porked out. It similar to what Robert De Niro went through in Raging Bull.

 

Holt was a speedy athletic type. Now he is about half a Panda.

 

I think his mobility will be impaired.

 

I know with Pedey out, we want "all hands on deck", and now we hear Marco might "need more time," but I wonder why we spent $2M on Holt when we have Lin, Marrero, Quiroz and eventually Marco on board.

[Larry Cook]

I know with Pedey out, we want "all hands on deck", and now we hear Marco might "need more time," but I wonder why we spent $2M on Holt when we have Lin, Marrero, Quiroz and eventually Marco on board.

 

Marrero has an above average glove. If he could put it together at the plate, that would be a huge problem solved for us.