Spring Training 2018 Thread

[a700hitter]

If Swihart continues to look good at bat, I would trade him. I don't see him developing into a good defensive catcher.

[mvp 78]

DFA both Sandy and Hanley, huh? Chill, man.

 

If I was GM, there'd be no chill.

 

There just isn't enough room for everyone to be on the roster. Sandy is a backup and Hanley is too overpriced. I don't want the option to vest.

[mvp 78]

And kick Pedroia to the curb too.

 

Would save $16M this year alone.

[mvp 78]

 

42 Travis (to AAA)

36 Swihart (to bench)

35 Castillo (AAA)

34 De Jesus (AAA)

32 Devers (HOF)

32 Marrero (to bench)

31 Tavarez (AAA)

29 HRam (DFA)

27 Lin (AAA)

 

 

 

Added Marrero for you.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

 

Christian Vazquez just hit a two-out, two-run homer on a changeup from a lefty. Spring training stats are pretty useless, but he's 7-for-19 this spring with 1 K (and no walks) in 20 PAs.

 

CV needs to start 120 games this year. DFA Sandy.

[Bellhorn04]

@alexspeier

 

Christian Vazquez just hit a two-out, two-run homer on a changeup from a lefty. Spring training stats are pretty useless, but he's 7-for-19 this spring with 1 K (and no walks) in 20 PAs.

 

CV needs to start 120 games this year. DFA Sandy.

 

And Sandy is 5 for 14 this spring.

[notin]

It doesn't sound like the Sox are going to DFA anyone. I've even heard Dombrowski talk about how he likes Marrero.

 

It looks like either Holt starts the year in AAA or Swihart gets traded, which is not as unrealistic as many fans want it to be. ..

[harmony]

It doesn't sound like the Sox are going to DFA anyone. I've even heard Dombrowski talk about how he likes Marrero.

 

It looks like either Holt starts the year in AAA or Swihart gets traded, which is not as unrealistic as many fans want it to be. ..

What kind of return could the Red Sox expect in a trade of five years of Blake Swihart in light of his divergent 2018 projections as the switch-hitter approaches his 26th birthday in a few weeks?

 

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

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=swihar000bla

[mvp 78]

And Sandy is 5 for 14 this spring.

 

Spring Training stats don't count.

[mvp 78]

It doesn't sound like the Sox are going to DFA anyone. I've even heard Dombrowski talk about how he likes Marrero.

 

It looks like either Holt starts the year in AAA or Swihart gets traded, which is not as unrealistic as many fans want it to be. ..

 

I'm fine with them trading Swihart if they can get an ML ready arm. I'm just not sure what his market is.

 

The reality is that Swihart's ceiling is basically Jason Kendall. If they have to move him, it's not a franchise killer.

[harmony]

I'm fine with them trading Swihart if they can get an ML ready arm. I'm just not sure what his market is.

 

The reality is that Swihart's ceiling is basically Jason Kendall. If they have to move him, it's not a franchise killer.

Jason Kendall had already posted 20.1 fWAR when he was the current age of Blake Swihart, who has posted 2.0 fWAR.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=993&position=C

[cp176]

It doesn't sound like the Sox are going to DFA anyone. I've even heard Dombrowski talk about how he likes Marrero.

 

It looks like either Holt starts the year in AAA or Swihart gets traded, which is not as unrealistic as many fans want it to be. ..

 

 

Looks obvious to me. Holt has that option right so away he goes.

[cp176]

I guess nothing is impossible, but when you watch a player's growth curve, you can pretty much project where the best he can be might occur. Sure, it's not an exact science, and writing Swihart off as possibly becoming a decent defender at the catching position is probably premature, but he's currently way behind Vaz and Leon right now, IMO. By playing him in LF, 1B and next 3B, it's not going to be easy for him to excel or grow quickly at catching.

 

It's just not how it works.

 

 

It is starting to look obvious that the Sox don't see him as being their first or second catcher moving forward. They wouldn't have him playing so much elsewhere if their plan was to catch him often. I still think that they will look very hard at this kid before giving him away. He is to talented and athlete just to give away.

[notin]

I'm fine with them trading Swihart if they can get an ML ready arm. I'm just not sure what his market is.

 

The reality is that Swihart's ceiling is basically Jason Kendall. If they have to move him, it's not a franchise killer.

 

He's nowhere near Kendall. Might as well have his ceiling as Joe Mauer.

 

BR Hall of Fame Monitor has Kendall as a borderline Cooperstown candidate. I think you undervalue Jason

[a700hitter]

Price was sharp today over 4 innings.

 

Elias looked like garbage.

[Bellhorn04]

Spring Training stats don't count.

 

But you posted CV's...you old trickster you.

[Spudboy]

Price was sharp today over 4 innings.

 

Elias looked like garbage.

 

Of course we all understand that spring training stats mean s***. Right?

 

Still, Price looked dominant with command and velocity. It will be pretty interesting if he can stay healthy all season.

[Kimmi]

he has an option and everybody knows that if you have an option you go down before someone who doesn't have an option even if you are better than they are. That is pure sarcasm because I don't believe in that theory at all. Best players make the team. Now in Holt's case there really isn't much not to like but when you get the most at bats you have ever gotten in any season before or since on one of the poorest teams in baseball - that doesn't scream indispensable to me. Send him down and at least keep Marrero around for the glove.

 

Sure, if you're talking about one of your regular starters versus a role player.

 

But if you're talking about the difference between two bench players or 2 mediocre pitchers, the one with the option is going to be sent down.

 

It's a fact of life.

[Kimmi]

Okay so you believe that Vazquez can still make it to elite level. Maybe so.

 

However, what is to prevent Swihart from achieving a similar goal? That fact that he is further away from being elite does not preclude his ability to improve significantly.

 

Unless he has some drastic deformity or incurable flaw in his mechanics I see no reason that Swihart could not become a very good catcher on both sides of the ball. Given the chance, that is.

 

He is already a superior athlete and most likely will continue to be so.

 

Swihart could possibly reach elite level too, I suppose. I'm not trying to knock him. I really like the guy. I'm going off of what the scouting reports said before either one of them got injured. Vazquez was touted as an elite defensive catcher, while Swihart could become a good defensive catcher and the better overall catcher.

 

If Swihart reached the elite level defensively, I'd be thrilled.

[Kimmi]

Swihart is not getting DFA'd.

 

Not a chance. Not anytime soon, anyway.

[Kimmi]

Just DFA Sandy and be done with it. Have Vaz catch 120 games, Swihart can catch 42.

 

That's not happening either. Not anytime soon, anyway.

[Kimmi]

The tanking Miami Marlins are 11-6 in Grapefruit League play (a game and a half up on the Red Sox).

 

A Spring Training record is not indicative of a team's quality but I suspect the Marlins are not nearly as bad as many fans think.

 

Fans tend to exaggerate prognoses: the strengths of the Yankees are exaggerated just as the weaknesses of the Marlins are exaggerated.

 

I really like this.

[TylerD]

Of course we all understand that spring training stats mean s***. Right?

 

Still, Price looked dominant with command and velocity. It will be pretty interesting if he can stay healthy all season.

 

Regardless if it means s*** or not it's a good thing to see. He looked awesome in the playoffs and really good today. Definitely something you want to see moving toward the regular season. I didn't catch any of the game today but seeing him go 4 strong innings only giving up a hit puts a smile on my face.

[harmony]

I'm fine with them trading Swihart if they can get an ML ready arm. I'm just not sure what his market is.

 

The reality is that Swihart's ceiling is basically Jason Kendall. If they have to move him, it's not a franchise killer.

A week ago this Over the Monster podcast discussed the likelihood of a Blake Swihart trade:

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2018/3/8/17097978/red-sox-podcast-blake-swihart-trade-david-price-bullpen-usage

[cp176]

Sure, if you're talking about one of your regular starters versus a role player.

 

But if you're talking about the difference between two bench players or 2 mediocre pitchers, the one with the option is going to be sent down.

 

It's a fact of life.

 

You saying that it is a fact of life implies to me that you don't think that I understand that. I do. Most people I hope would when you are talking about two role players at best who have a very similar skill set.

[cp176]

Based on everything that I have read, heard , and now seen, I think that this could be the year of dueling aces. And believe me they will duel in a friendly sort of way. Good luck with that Yankee fans.

[Carpin]

Based on everything that I have read, heard , and now seen, I think that this could be the year of dueling aces. And believe me they will duel in a friendly sort of way. Good luck with that Yankee fans.

 

Bring it on!!!!

 

Good old days, the rivalry is back!!!!!!!!

[cp176]

Bring it on!!!!

 

Good old days, the rivalry is back!!!!!!!!

 

I think I could like it again.

[jacksonianmarch]

Based on everything that I have read, heard , and now seen, I think that this could be the year of dueling aces. And believe me they will duel in a friendly sort of way. Good luck with that Yankee fans.

 

We can deal with having a healthy starting 5 as of right now. You're a David Price elbow twinge away from having your rotation completely collapse

[moonslav59]

Would save $16M this year alone.

 

How?