A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[SoxnCycles]

Based on what we are seeing from the Yankees -- all-stars at pretty much every position -- the Red Sox are going to be second rate citizens in the AL East. The Red Sox are limited in their ability to add value to the major league team through the minor leagues. Maybe the only way the Red Sox can reach another level is to sign Harper next season, move Mookie Betts to CF. How else do you add value to this team? You can't do it through the minor leagues. Dombrowski has surrendered significant talent in all of his asinine trades. Thus, you aren't going to add value through trades. That leaves free agency as the only avenue to significantly improve the team and Harper is going to be the best free agent.

 

It's a bit early to concede the division, in spite of how ugly the last two games have been.

The bullpen definitely needs some help, but pens are fickle. I'm hoping Smith and/or Johnson can step up and take over 7th/8th innings duties on a consistent basis.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

If you're not going to use Swihart to pinch hit for one of the catchers, what's the point of even carrying him on the roster? Vazquez came up with runners on second and third and one out (after the dreadful and predictable Devers strikeout) and Vazquez of course struck out too. What is Swihart doing here if he can't be used in a situation like that? And maybe Devers shouldn't have been up there against the lefty, I don't know, would need to check the splits.

[oldtimer]

Tough to hear that Groome is now to undergo TJ surgery. He was our top pitching prospect and now another year before he can even be considered for the roster.

[S5Dewey]

If you're not going to use Swihart to pinch hit for one of the catchers, what's the point of even carrying him on the roster? Vazquez came up with runners on second and third and one out (after the dreadful and predictable Devers strikeout) and Vazquez of course struck out too. What is Swihart doing here if he can't be used in a situation like that? And maybe Devers shouldn't have been up there against the lefty, I don't know, would need to check the splits.

 

I keep thinking that since he's out of options he may be figuring in next year's plans. That's the only rationale I can think of.

[S5Dewey]

Tough to hear that Groome is now to undergo TJ surgery. He was our top pitching prospect and now another year before he can even be considered for the roster.

 

Good news, bad news. To put the best spin on it, at least that will be out of the way while we still have control over him and we're not paying him a fortune.

[notin]

If you're not going to use Swihart to pinch hit for one of the catchers, what's the point of even carrying him on the roster? Vazquez came up with runners on second and third and one out (after the dreadful and predictable Devers strikeout) and Vazquez of course struck out too. What is Swihart doing here if he can't be used in a situation like that? And maybe Devers shouldn't have been up there against the lefty, I don't know, would need to check the splits.

 

Swihart should have been dealt in ST when teams were interested.

 

Now, on the other hand, Deven Mesoraco, who has played 115 games in the past 4 seasons combined, was just dealt for Matt Harvey, in a rare trade where Harvey would be considered the durable guy. While Harvey isn't much, it does leave some hope that some team might be interested in Swihart. Maybe he, too, can fetch a talented pitcher who can't stay on the field.

 

Swihart for Joe Ross?

[moonslav59]

This site is depressing me more than the 2 recent losses to the Yanks.

[illinoisredsox]

This site is depressing me more than the 2 recent losses to the Yanks.

 

I hated to do it, but I've gone ahead and blocked the biggest naysayers (the ones who don't like anything and who aren't happy unless they aren't happy). So long as you log in to read, that just leaves the posters who want to actually discuss baseball.

[harmony]

Swihart should have been dealt in ST when teams were interested.

 

Now, on the other hand, Deven Mesoraco, who has played 115 games in the past 4 seasons combined, was just dealt for Matt Harvey, in a rare trade where Harvey would be considered the durable guy. While Harvey isn't much, it does leave some hope that some team might be interested in Swihart. Maybe he, too, can fetch a talented pitcher who can't stay on the field.

 

Swihart for Joe Ross?

Joe Ross of the Nationals would be a great target as a potential replacement for Drew Pomeranz and/or Rick Porcello.

 

However, I question whether Blake Swihart would be enough to land the Washington right-hander who is sidelined this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

 

Ross has posted 3.8 fWAR and 3.7 bWAR in two years and 67 days of MLB service while Swihart has posted 1.7 fWAR and 0.4 bWAR in one year and 164 days of MLB service.

 

Ross and Swihart were drafted out of high school with consecutive picks (No 25 and No. 26) of the 2011 draft even though Ross is a year younger than Swihart.

[jacksonianmarch]

You aren't getting anything of value for Swihart. Ross is a highly regarded pitcher and one who should return to his prior levels of production. Swihart doesn't have a position and his inclusion on the big league roster is only due to his lack of option status. Teams who want him are waiting for the sox to need his roster spot and DFA him

[Maxbialystock]

This site is depressing me more than the 2 recent losses to the Yanks.

 

The 2 recent losses to the Yanks didn't depress me. I actually saw confirmation of what you have been saying all along--that the Sox have a very competitive team this year. We could have won both games but for the bullpen collapsing both nights. Game 1 should have been a home team cakewalk with Severino going against Pom the bomb, but Pom came thru--as you suggested he might--with 2 runs in 6 innings. But Hembree blew that one.

 

Last night Porcello stunk, but the lineup came through and got us that 6-5 lead going into the 8th (thanks to the 5 outs by Johnson and Smith). Then Barnes and Kimbrel catered a Yanks rally party that scored 4 runs before the two of them could get a second out. Horrible.

 

But the rest of the team did pretty darn good given we were struggling and the Yankees are red hot. If ERod and the lineup and the bullpen can come thru tonight, we're tied with the juggernaut.

[mvp 78]

It's a bit early to concede the division, in spite of how ugly the last two games have been.

The bullpen definitely needs some help, but pens are fickle. I'm hoping Smith and/or Johnson can step up and take over 7th/8th innings duties on a consistent basis.

 

I was hoping Ty Buttrey would be able to make a leap this year to help out, but it's still too early. Workman isn't exactly lighting things up in AAA either.

 

Looks like they are stuck with this bunch for the most part.

[mvp 78]

If you're not going to use Swihart to pinch hit for one of the catchers, what's the point of even carrying him on the roster? Vazquez came up with runners on second and third and one out (after the dreadful and predictable Devers strikeout) and Vazquez of course struck out too. What is Swihart doing here if he can't be used in a situation like that? And maybe Devers shouldn't have been up there against the lefty, I don't know, would need to check the splits.

 

No one knows what the plan with Swihart is. I think he'll be moved when Pedroia comes back, but who knows.

[moonslav59]

I hated to do it, but I've gone ahead and blocked the biggest naysayers (the ones who don't like anything and who aren't happy unless they aren't happy). So long as you log in to read, that just leaves the posters who want to actually discuss baseball.

 

How do you block someone?

 

Some of these guys are killing me!

[moonslav59]

I was hoping Ty Buttrey would be able to make a leap this year to help out, but it's still too early. Workman isn't exactly lighting things up in AAA either.

 

Looks like they are stuck with this bunch for the most part.

 

Despite Workman's high ERA, he has an 0.98 WHP and .661 OPS against.

 

Maybe he can help at some point.

 

Scott and Buttrey have some proving to do.

[dgalehouse]

Swihart is a young player with potential to be good. We don't really know if he can achieve it at this time. With Pedroia coming back , we have more than enough utility type players. I would give Swihart a shot behind the plate and see what happens. His trade value is minimal right now. When Pedroia does return , either Swihart or Leon goes.

[notin]

Joe Ross of the Nationals would be a great target as a potential replacement for Drew Pomeranz and/or Rick Porcello.

 

However, I question whether Blake Swihart would be enough to land the Washington right-hander who is sidelined this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

 

Ross has posted 3.8 fWAR and 3.7 bWAR in two years and 67 days of MLB service while Swihart has posted 1.7 fWAR and 0.4 bWAR in one year and 164 days of MLB service.

 

Ross and Swihart were drafted out of high school with consecutive picks (No 25 and No. 26) of the 2011 draft even though Ross is a year younger than Swihart.

 

 

Maybe not, but then Devin Mesoraco (-0.2 fWAR in the past 3 seasons) was enough to get Matt Harvey (5.4 fWAR in the past 3 seasons)..

 

Ross is good, but his value itself is hurt by his missed time. When the season starts in 2019, he will have not pitched for a season and a half. And he will be eligible for arbitration, putting his salary maybe around $5-6mill.

 

The Nationals may or may not trade Ross, and might get better offers than Swihart. But right now, Ross is the less risky of the two, due to his combination of health and potential salary...

[Bellhorn04]

How do you block someone?

 

Some of these guys are killing me!

 

It's just words on a screen. Scroll past 'em.

[notin]

You aren't getting anything of value for Swihart. Ross is a highly regarded pitcher and one who should return to his prior levels of production. Swihart doesn't have a position and his inclusion on the big league roster is only due to his lack of option status. Teams who want him are waiting for the sox to need his roster spot and DFA him

 

Really it also depends on the willingness of the Sox to take on money, right?

 

And Ross is a complete wild card after missing so much time. If he follows the same career trajectory as his brother, he may not have it so easy returning to prior levels of production...

[mvp 78]

Constantly injured Joe Ross IS A GREAT replacement for constantly injured Drew Pomeranz.

[harmony]

Really it also depends on the willingness of the Sox to take on money, right?

 

And Ross is a complete wild card after missing so much time. If he follows the same career trajectory as his brother, he may not have it so easy returning to prior levels of production...

If Washington placed Joe Ross on the trade block I suspect the Nats would attract better offers than Blake Swihart.

 

Or not.

[harmony]

Maybe not, but then Devin Mesoraco (-0.2 fWAR in the past 3 seasons) was enough to get Matt Harvey (5.4 fWAR in the past 3 seasons)..

 

Ross is good, but his value itself is hurt by his missed time. When the season starts in 2019, he will have not pitched for a season and a half. And he will be eligible for arbitration, putting his salary maybe around $5-6mill.

 

The Nationals may or may not trade Ross, and might get better offers than Swihart. But right now, Ross is the less risky of the two, due to his combination of health and potential salary...

Joe Ross underwent Tommy John surgery after posting an ERA of 3.95 in 48 appearances, including 45 starts, covering 255.1 innings.

 

New York Mets right-hander Zach Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery after posting an ERA of 3.50 in 49 appearances, all starts, covering 285.1 innings.

 

Following his TJS, in his first arbitration season, Wheeler settled for an $800,000 salary. In his second turn through arbitration, following a disappointing season, Wheeler settled for a 2018 salary of $1.9 million.

 

I question whether Ross will land a $5 million salary next year in his first arbitration season.

[mvp 78]

How do you block someone?

 

Some of these guys are killing me!

 

Click the poster's user name > Click view profile > Click add to ignore list

 

Or just do what Bellhorn said and not take this place too seriously.

[jad]

Click the poster's user name > Click view profile > Click add to ignore list

 

Or just do what Bellhorn said and not take this place too seriously.

 

I don't take the content real seriously, but the juvenile sexist and homophobic slurs are tedious and should be embarrassing to those who cannot seem to restrain themselves. I'm sure all this seemed extremely bad-ass when we were, say, 10 years old. It's boring now. Another way to block these overgrown pre-pubescents is to go to "settings" on the upper right of the page (on the red border).

[mvp 78]

I don't take the content real seriously, but the juvenile sexist and homophobic slurs are tedious and should be embarrassing to those who cannot seem to restrain themselves. I'm sure all this seemed extremely bad-ass when we were, say, 10 years old. It's boring now. Another way to block these overgrown pre-pubescents is to go to "settings" on the upper right of the page (on the red border).

 

I agree that the sexist and homophobic stuff is pretty embarrassing.

[moonslav59]

It's just words on a screen. Scroll past 'em.

 

That sounds easier than it is.

 

I find myself reading evrything. Sometimes, I don't even look at the poster's name, unless I'm going to respond. For years, I never paid attention to who each poster was, except for certain clowns or noticeably good posters.

[Bellhorn04]

That sounds easier than it is.

 

I find myself reading evrything. Sometimes, I don't even look at the poster's name, unless I'm going to respond. For years, I never paid attention to who each poster was, except for certain clowns or noticeably good posters.

 

I highly recommend you try being more selective.

 

When I look at the game threads I usually just look at the last few pages of them, and skim.

[Jasonbay44]

I highly recommend you try being more selective.

 

When I look at the game threads I usually just look at the last few pages of them, and skim.

 

I've honestly for the most part been trying to avoid game threads, there is not a lot of reading material really in them. I refuse to block people, but I've come close with a few people.

[Bellhorn04]

In spite of the negative stuff, I love having a forum like this to hang out in. In the olden times, if the Sox blew a game or were going bad, I suffered through it all on my own.

[User Name]

So many negative comments. Sure Barnes and Hembree have looked bad the last two days. That is their bugaboo. Relief pitchers generally only have a couple of good pitches they can use and those two are like that. Both seem to have difficulty in high leverage situations. Kelly is an exception in that he has at least 4 quality pitches he can make and after the first game disaster, he has been solid.

 

Putting Kimbrel in a situation with a man on first and third and a one run lead made it hard for him to throw the Knuckle curve and he tried to paint the corner with his fast ball and that was unsuccessful. He also couldn't get ahead so he couldn't use his high fastball slightly out of the zone to get a strike. He had to come over and Garner was waiting for it. then with another man on third, he tried again to go with the fastball to get Judge. Tough to bring him into a situation he was unsuited for but who else was there?

 

The Sox offense looked solid last night and the defense was good with the exception of Devers who continues to flounder. No time for thinking the Sox are dead meat when compared to the Yankees. I agree Thornburg might help out situation goiing forward and JBJ needs to work hard on his hitting or be a bench player. The team still is formidable and should be in it with the Yankees to the end. A win today puts them in a tie with the Yankees.

 

Oh look. Common sense.