Who Should the Red Sox Trade For?

[Dojji]

Thoughts on Asdrubal Cabrera? He might be a better player than LeMahieu, and is signed for another year. The Mets do have an abundance of middle infielders and plenty of other needs...

 

Not sure where you're getting that Cabrera is signed through 2019. Baseball Reference has his contract ending this year.

 

And I'm not against Cabrera, in fact I think it might be a solid idea, but I never got the impression he was an elite defender, and in fact B-R has him below replacement level. WHich might not be terrible combined with his bad, except that I'd like one solid defender in that middle infield, and Bogaerts is also below replacement. LeMahieu on the other hand has always been a solid positive dWAR producer.

 

The difference in defensive wins between LeMahieu and Cabrera is usually more than 2 wins in LeMahieu's favor. Add in that LeMahieu can also hit reasonably well, and I do tend to favor the Rockie over the Met.

 

and these rumors about a bad attitude keep leaking out around the guy -- nothing official or damning, but enough to wonder whether there's fire under all the smoke. Never heard anything like that about LeMahieu.

 

LeMahieu is also 3 years younger

 

Then there's Cabrara's career .545 OPS in the postseason, which is very relevant on the subject of renting him for the second half and the postseason. LeMahieu is an unknown, but at least he's not known to have issues producing in October the way Cabrera seems to be.

Edited July 11, 2018 by Dojji

[a700hitter]

Not sure where you're getting that Cabrera is signed through 2019. Baseball Reference has his contract ending this year.

 

And I'm not against Cabrera, in fact I think it might be a solid idea, but I never got the impression he was an elite defender, and in fact B-R has him below replacement level. WHich might not be terrible combined with his bad, except that I'd like one solid defender in that middle infield, and Bogaerts is also below replacement. LeMahieu on the other hand has always been a solid positive dWAR producer.

 

The difference in defensive wins between LeMahieu and Cabrera is usually more than 2 wins in LeMahieu's favor. Add in that LeMahieu can also hit reasonably well, and I do tend to favor the Rockie over the Met.

 

and these rumors about a bad attitude keep leaking out around the guy -- nothing official or damning, but enough to wonder whether there's fire under all the smoke. Never heard anything like that about LeMahieu.

 

LeMahieu is also 3 years younger

 

Then there's Cabrara's career .545 OPS in the postseason, which is very relevant on the subject of renting him for the second half and the postseason. LeMahieu is an unknown, but at least he's not known to have issues producing in October the way Cabrera seems to be.

Cabrera's knees are very bad. And i think you are right that this is the final year of his contract.

[mvp 78]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/red-sox-interested-in-significant-bullpen-addition.html

 

As they look to improve a roster that has performed at a high level this year, the Red Sox are interested in adding impact in their late-inning relief mix, according to a report from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. We heard yesterday that the team has interest in Orioles southpaw Zach Britton (see here and here), but he’s certainly not the only potential target.

 

At the moment, it is not clear if the Boston organization has any particular pitcher in mind. Crasnick indicates that the team is “blanketing the relief market,” so it appears that there are still quite a few possibilities.

 

It’s not surprising, of course, to learn that a clear contender wants to improve its bullpen. That’s almost a given in this day and age, when the ability to deploy a variety of quality relief arms in optimal fashion can make all the difference in high-leverage situations in critical games.

 

The key takeaway, though, is that the Sox aren’t just looking to add another solid set-up option. Rather, the report indicates that the organization wishes to obtain a high-end, difference-making arm. Notably, Crasnick suggests that the pending free agency of elite closer Craig Kimbrel is a factor, perhaps indicating that the Red Sox will be particularly interested in a controllable player.

 

Nothing real eye opening here...

[kenmeister]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24056411/cincinnati-reds-president-dick-williams-expects-nice-increase-team-payroll-2019

 

The last-place Cincinnati Reds, who have been one of the majors' best teams over the past month, plan to increase their payroll next season, according to president of baseball operations Dick Williams.

 

"We do believe that we're creating a good core to invest around," Williams told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "For the first time in a couple of years, I firmly believe we'll have a raised payroll."

 

The Reds have an estimated payroll of $110.9 million this season, the seventh-lowest in the majors.

 

After losing 43 of their first 65 games, the Reds have gone 18-8 over the past month and will send three players -- Joey Votto, Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez -- to next week's All-Star Game.

 

Williams told the Enquirer that he did not have a set number on the Reds' anticipated payroll for 2019 but said he expected a "nice increase."

 

"I'm not talking like 1 or 2 percent," Williams told the paper. "But it's too early to know for sure. A lot of it will depend on how we play the rest of the year, the support we get from the fans and strategic decisions we make about where our investments will go in the offseason -- payroll or otherwise."

 

Oh well.

[notin]

Cabrera's knees are very bad. And i think you are right that this is the final year of his contract.

 

I thought it was a 2 year deal, but pending free agency increases the likelihood he is available.

 

His knees may be an issue.

 

I don’t worry about post-season stats. They typically represent small sample sizes spread out over a number of years. One good series can take them from sub-par to excellent...

[Dojji]

He's had several chances to have that one good season and it hasn't happened for him. Quite frankly Cabrera's had more chances than most athletes ever get to produce in the postseason and he can't seem to make that happen. I wouldn't consider it damning, but if considering Cabrera vs another option I would be somewhat swayed by it.

[oldtimer]

I'm here to give the answer to the question posed by the thread title: Scooter Gennett!

 

Age: 28

Position: 2B

Avg: .322

OPS: .876

HR: 14

RBI: 58

 

What a difference he would make!

 

I have no idea what they have in the system that could be traded for him. But Pedroia isn't coming back.

 

Reading the latest on Pedroia it seems he still wants to come back but it is looking for doubtful for this year. As he ages and time continues to take its toll, we probably will never see the Pedroia we once knew as an all star player and if he does return it will be in a diminished state. My opinion is we should continue to look for a full time 2nd base prospect. It doesn't need to be Scooter Gennett as there are other capable candidates. The second base needs rank up there but probably lower in priority with catcher and relief pitching. Hope to see that addressed for next season.

[Jasonbay44]

Scooter Gennett is going to cost a lot in terms of prospects, something we don't have. He's a pipe dream.

[Natick to NC]

Who the hell knows what teams like Cincy or Tampa or the Metropolitans even covet ? We could land Scooter we have plenty to offer .

[Larry Cook]

Sale pitches seven stupendous innings tonight and hembree nearly costs us the game in the 8th. Kimbrel comes in and needs to do the four out save.

 

We need a closer for the 8th inning. Not another set up guy, but a closer for the 8th inning.

[jacksonianmarch]

That's what they are looking at. I read that the sox are looking at more than just a rental. They're looking for closers available for next yr as well in preparation of losing Kimbrel in FA.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I would think that Bobby Dalbec is now a legit trade chip perhaps even coveted by teams that want power. A package of Dalbec and Beeks should get the Red Sox an excellent major league player.

[oldtimer]

That's what they are looking at. I read that the sox are looking at more than just a rental. They're looking for closers available for next yr as well in preparation of losing Kimbrel in FA.

 

The acquisition of Pearse and Brasier have produced instant improvement where we have been weak. The acquisition of a versatille full time second base prospect would improve the team as well Whit Merrifield instead of Nunez on the team would be a plus. Thornburg has not been any kind of help as yet and Smith self destructed while we almost never see Robbie Scott and perhaps wish we didn't see Hembree. There is a lot of room for improvement in the relief pitching. Also Pom hasn't done the job as a starter. He is an $8.5 mil player and is he worth that to the club now and will he be in future? A viable starter is hard to find but a switch there going into next year would also be a plus.

 

Get rid of possible trading chips from the team and replace at least some of them with positive impact players.

[notin]

He's had several chances to have that one good season and it hasn't happened for him. Quite frankly Cabrera's had more chances than most athletes ever get to produce in the postseason and he can't seem to make that happen. I wouldn't consider it damning, but if considering Cabrera vs another option I would be somewhat swayed by it.

 

Huh?

 

He's had 75 plate appearances spread out over 10 years. That's hardly an unusually high amount. He has only played in 5 post-season series. Have you checked out the performance of Justin Verlander through his first 5 post-season series?

 

Post-season stats are usually worth ignoring for the exact reasons I stated earlier...

[notin]

The acquisition of Pearse and Brasier have produced instant improvement where we have been weak. The acquisition of a versatille full time second base prospect would improve the team as well Whit Merrifield instead of Nunez on the team would be a plus. Thornburg has not been any kind of help as yet and Smith self destructed while we almost never see Robbie Scott and perhaps wish we didn't see Hembree. There is a lot of room for improvement in the relief pitching. Also Pom hasn't done the job as a starter. He is an $8.5 mil player and is he worth that to the club now and will he be in future? A viable starter is hard to find but a switch there going into next year would also be a plus.

 

Get rid of possible trading chips from the team and replace at least some of them with positive impact players.

 

If it was only so easy to unload the players you name. Maybe Hembree can be traded. But Pomeranz and Nunez?

 

Really the Sox shoud probably get a bullpen arm. (30yo Ryan Brasier is not likely to hold this pace.) And a 2B who is an upgrade over Brock Holt might be the only other acquisition thought. If the player isn't an upgrade over Holt, why bother trading for him?

[mvp 78]

If it was only so easy to unload the players you name. Maybe Hembree can be traded. But Pomeranz and Nunez?

 

Really the Sox shoud probably get a bullpen arm. (30yo Ryan Brasier is not likely to hold this pace.) And a 2B who is an upgrade over Brock Holt might be the only other acquisition thought. If the player isn't an upgrade over Holt, why bother trading for him?

 

There's also no way the Royals would give up Whit Merrifield. He's the only guy there putting butts in the seats and wouldn't be a FA until 2023.

[notin]

There's also no way the Royals would give up Whit Merrifield. He's the only guy there putting butts in the seats and wouldn't be a FA until 2023.

 

Any deal the Sox can negotiate for Merrifield probably involves players the Sox shouldn’t trade...

[moonslav59]

Huh?

 

He's had 75 plate appearances spread out over 10 years. That's hardly an unusually high amount. He has only played in 5 post-season series. Have you checked out the performance of Justin Verlander through his first 5 post-season series?

 

Post-season stats are usually worth ignoring for the exact reasons I stated earlier...

 

It still amazes me this needs to be repeated so often.

 

Small sample sizes are one thing, but when they are scattered over multiple seasons, their significance should be even more minimized.

[moonslav59]

If it was only so easy to unload the players you name. Maybe Hembree can be traded. But Pomeranz and Nunez?

 

Really the Sox shoud probably get a bullpen arm. (30yo Ryan Brasier is not likely to hold this pace.) And a 2B who is an upgrade over Brock Holt might be the only other acquisition thought. If the player isn't an upgrade over Holt, why bother trading for him?

 

Pom has very little time to build trade value, but he could be a waiver wire trade guy, if he gets his act together in time.

 

The thing is, if he gets his act together, we might need him.

[Bellhorn04]

It still amazes me this needs to be repeated so often.

 

Small sample sizes are one thing, but when they are scattered over multiple seasons, their significance should be even more minimized.

 

But I don't really see the foundation to this argument. I don't think the fact that a sample is spread out necessarily diminishes its value.

[moonslav59]

But I don't really see the foundation to this argument. I don't think the fact that a sample is spread out necessarily diminishes its value.

 

If I tried to tell you I think player A is going to have a bad game tonight, because he has stunk for last 10-15 games, you might think, "okay with that," but if I told you he has stunk every July 12th for the last 10-15 seasons, you'd probably think, "what the hell?"

[kenmeister]

Pom has very little time to build trade value, but he could be a waiver wire trade guy, if he gets his act together in time.

 

The thing is, if he gets his act together, we might need him.

 

I'm not a fan of trading when a player's value is low. I'd rather Pomeranz, like Pedroia, just tries to come back and help next year. Steven Wright is the guy who I'm hoping gets healthy and goes on another tear.

[Bellhorn04]

If I tried to tell you I think player A is going to have a bad game tonight, because he has stunk for last 10-15 games, you might think, "okay with that," but if I told you he has stunk every July 12th for the last 10-15 seasons, you'd probably think, "what the hell?"

 

Yes, if you were going to use one day that would be silly.

 

But if you looked at a guy's splits and he was bad every April it might be fair to conclude that he's a slow starter.

 

And if you looked at Chris Sale's splits...well you know where that's going.

[dgalehouse]

I think obtaining a top notch bullpen arm would be the priority , as well as the most doable deal. My choice would be Britton. As for second base , with Pedroia's return looking less and less likely , it will be interesting to see what Phillips has to offer. He just might be the solution. Worse comes to worse , we stick with Holt and Nunez . We seem to be doing pretty well with them so far.

[moonslav59]

Yes, if you were going to use one day that would be silly.

 

But if you looked at a guy's splits and he was bad every April it might be fair to conclude that he's a slow starter.

 

And if you looked at Chris Sale's splits...well you know where that's going.

 

The thing is, for starting pitchers, many times you are just looking at one game per season in the post season, especially, if they had a bad game.

 

It's not like a whole month. It might be like saying, Joe Smoe has pitched terribly every July 5th to 15th, so it would be stupid to start him tonight.

[moonslav59]

I'm not a fan of trading when a player's value is low. I'd rather Pomeranz, like Pedroia, just tries to come back and help next year. Steven Wright is the guy who I'm hoping gets healthy and goes on another tear.

 

Well, with a guy who only has 2.5 months of team control left and some will be for rehabbing, I'm not sure the high or low stock point is as strong as usual.

[moonslav59]

I think obtaining a top notch bullpen arm would be the priority , as well as the most doable deal. My choice would be Britton. As for second base , with Pedroia's return looking less and less likely , it will be interesting to see what Phillips has to offer. He just might be the solution. Worse comes to worse , we stick with Holt and Nunez . We seem to be doing pretty well with them so far.

 

Maybe since Holt looks to be in much better physical condition, strength wise, he won't peter out this year.

 

Maybe Nunez's knee will improve and he'll have a second half like last year.

 

Maybe, maybe...

 

(I agree, a pen arm is a higher priority than 2B.)

[Fan_since_Boggs]

It is hard to know what the Red Sox should pursue in the trade market without more info on Pedroia's knee. I'm starting to like the idea of acquiring a SP. True, the Red Sox don't need one, but it would give them the flexibility to move Price to the bullpen in October. And Pomeranz should be moved to the bullpen now.

 

I would rather acquire a SP and move Pomeranz to the pen now and Price later than acquire a relief pitcher.

 

A package of Dalbec and Beeks would bring back an excellent starting pitcher.

Edited July 12, 2018 by Fan_since_Boggs

[a700hitter]

I think obtaining a top notch bullpen arm would be the priority , as well as the most doable deal. My choice would be Britton. As for second base , with Pedroia's return looking less and less likely , it will be interesting to see what Phillips has to offer. He just might be the solution. Worse comes to worse , we stick with Holt and Nunez . We seem to be doing pretty well with them so far.

Plus, we have Phillips waiting in the wings. A couple of bullpen arms would be nice. i don't like the quality of the available starters being mentioned, so I will hope that a one of or a combination of Pom, Wright, and Velasquez can hold down the 5th slot. Unless we can steal Manny Machado, I don't see the need for another bat, but I would kick the tires on Wilson Ramos at catcher.

[oldtimer]

Pom has very little time to build trade value, but he could be a waiver wire trade guy, if he gets his act together in time.

 

The thing is, if he gets his act together, we might need him.

 

If Pom is not providing anything to the team success and has a salary of 8.5 mil, can we free up some cap space by working a deal. Same with Nunez at $4 mil. Maybe a versatile infielder would with a couple of years of control would woerk better for us than Nunez.