Who Should the Red Sox Trade For?

[oldtimer]

It won't come close to doing it.

 

Chavis was a huge question mark before the PED discovery. Mata holds some value, but he's so young, I'm not sure how much the Reds value him. Beeks, Shawaryn, Johnson? I don't think so. Groome is hurt. We probably need to keep Velazquez to take Wright or Pom's place next year (assuming Wright becomes the #5).

 

I seriously doubt we have the prospects needed to get Scooter, and besides, do we really want to trade away the remaining best 3-4 prospects and totally ruin any chance at getting the youth infusion we will need around 2020 or 2021 and beyond?

 

I still think we'll make the type of trades we made last summer- A Reed and E Nunez.

 

 

I still view second base as our weakest position and don't believe Pedroia is coming back able to play more than token appearances. Nunez is a weak defender and Holt is our only other viable fill in player, but at many positions. If there is any chance to deal for a competitive full time second baseman, I think we should make that a priority. The Sox will not want to advertise this weakness and will put out positive statements about Pedroia, but that might just be a smokescreen to help them trade for a replacement. I believe DD is cagy enough to be pursuing this line of thinking about team improvement. Beltre as a 3rd base/DH sub is okay but not as needed right now as 2nd and we can get by with JBJ although he too is replaceable.

[Slasher9]

I still view second base as our weakest position and don't believe Pedroia is coming back able to play more than token appearances. Nunez is a weak defender and Holt is our only other viable fill in player, but at many positions. If there is any chance to deal for a competitive full time second baseman, I think we should make that a priority.

i LOVE this post and agree 1000000 billion percent.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm pretty sure DD will at least inquire about Jed Lowrie.

[mvp 78]

Best bet would be to get Dozier while he's slumping and hope his bat turns around in the second half. Not sure what the trade would cost though. Career 744 OPS first half, 813 second half.

[harmony]

I still view second base as our weakest position and don't believe Pedroia is coming back able to play more than token appearances. Nunez is a weak defender and Holt is our only other viable fill in player, but at many positions. If there is any chance to deal for a competitive full time second baseman, I think we should make that a priority. The Sox will not want to advertise this weakness and will put out positive statements about Pedroia, but that might just be a smokescreen to help them trade for a replacement. I believe DD is cagy enough to be pursuing this line of thinking about team improvement. Beltre as a 3rd base/DH sub is okay but not as needed right now as 2nd and we can get by with JBJ although he too is replaceable.

Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier is a power-hitting right handed bat who at the trade deadline will have about $3 million left on his expiring contract.

 

Dozier is off to a slow start this year after posting 6.2 and 5.0 fWAR the last two seasons. Batting lead off, Dozier posted triple-digit runs and double-digit steals in each of the last four seasons with a combined 127 home runs.

[oldtimer]

I went over to the Cinncinnati Red Trade site to see what they are saying. They definitely don't think they are in the running this year and their posters have Gennett's name up there but not in conjunction with Boston except for a resource we wouldn't ant to part with. One poster there proposed Billy Hamilton for JBJ straight up or with another secondary Sox player. NOt much team control left on Hamilton though. Hamilton is a premier speed guy and can play center. Not the best of hitters though but an interesting thought that the Reds poster had.

[mvp 78]

I went over to the Cinncinnati Red Trade site to see what they are saying. They definitely don't think they are in the running this year and their posters have Gennett's name up there but not in conjunction with Boston except for a resource we wouldn't ant to part with. One poster there proposed Billy Hamilton for JBJ straight up or with another secondary Sox player. NOt much team control left on Hamilton though. Hamilton is a premier speed guy and can play center. Not the best of hitters though but an interesting thought that the Reds poster had.

 

Billy Hamilton is basically JBJ on a cold streak, but able to steal bases. I think I'd rather hold onto JBJ and hope he gets hot.

[jacksonianmarch]

Dozier isn’t getting moved. The Twins are only 5.5 our in the central with their ace returning. They were the best team in the second half last year. There’s no incentive to deal him off

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

We have less than $2M to spend this summer. Beltre will be owed about $6M at the deadline. We might need the Rangers to pay about $4.5M out of the $6M to make it work for us. We'd have to sweeten the pot to get them to do that. Other teams can offer a lot without demanding money.

 

Another choice could be to shed some salary before acquiring salary, or to trade someone like JBJ for Beltre. JBJ would have about $2M owed to him, so Texas would only have to pay $2.5M not $4.5M.

 

On the $40M penalty level: It's really not as bad as it might seem to be. We're already paying a big tax on the $38M we are spending over the limit. The tax on a few million more is not a deal breaker. The draft pick penalty of moving down 10 slots may seem like a deal breaker, but is moving down from 27th to 37th really a horrible thing?

 

There are some options, but creating new holes in our system to patch one we think is too big to overcome is not what I think is a good strategy.

 

 

Moon, when the SOX DFA'd Hanley, even though they still have to pay him his remaining salary for this year, is that remaining salary treated as if Hanley was still on the team?

[mvp 78]

I went over to the Cinncinnati Red Trade site to see what they are saying. They definitely don't think they are in the running this year and their posters have Gennett's name up there but not in conjunction with Boston except for a resource we wouldn't ant to part with. One poster there proposed Billy Hamilton for JBJ straight up or with another secondary Sox player. NOt much team control left on Hamilton though. Hamilton is a premier speed guy and can play center. Not the best of hitters though but an interesting thought that the Reds poster had.

 

I just saw:

 

CIN trades:

Tucker Barnhart

Scooter Gennett

 

BOS trades:

Andrew Benintendi

 

OR:

 

CIN trades:

Winker

Barnhart

 

BOS trades:

Benintendi

Swihart

Lottery ticket

[jacksonianmarch]

Barnhart and Gennett for Beni. That’d be enticing for the Sox, but with money getting dicey, cost controlled Beni is more valuable

[mvp 78]

Barnhart and Gennett for Beni. That’d be enticing for the Sox, but with money getting dicey, cost controlled Beni is more valuable

 

And only one more year of Gennett. Can't say that it's a deal I'd be chomping at the bit for. Beni's best days are still ahead of him. Gennett is already 28 and doesn't have the same pedigree.

[harmony]

Dozier isn’t getting moved. The Twins are only 5.5 our in the central with their ace returning. They were the best team in the second half last year. There’s no incentive to deal him off

FanGraphs currently gives the Twins a 6.8 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds

 

If that number does not increase significantly as the trade deadline approaches, Brian Dozier could be available.

 

However, I question.whether the Red Sox have the pieces needed for even a two-month rental.

[jacksonianmarch]

I get that their odds are long, but they’ve got the same club that ran roughshod over the MLB in the second half last yr

[Jack Flap]

Jack, I do think the sox can nab Beltre. Beltre's market will be limited due to his age and his 10 and 5 rights. I know people seem to think Devers is on the verge of a breakout, but even in his "hottest" month, he's only reaching base 29% of the time and has only 3 bombs. He needs a breather to work on approach as he has forgotten entirely how to work a count. Even if Devers gets 2-3 weeks in the minors, it would bring him back reinvigorated offensively. Beltre would also give you a lineup extension. Beltre wont be able to play 3b every day for a prolonger period of time, but he could split time with Devers once Devers gets his act together. That time split will also be a time split at 1b and DH while pushing JDM into the OF a bit more to extend the lineup. It will add contingencies to your offense that you don't currently have.

 

I certainly wouldn't argue with bringing Beltre back, but ultimately I think Devers will be fine, and the Sox seem committed to staying patient through his growing pains. Assuming we can probably only make a legitimate upgrade at one spot, I think there should be several higher priorities than third base.

[notin]

With Beltre all you need is stay under the Tax. Wink, wink, kind of deal with the Rangers. He hits Lefties great, plays enough 3rd base, against Lefties, Righties DH's, JDM to Outfield, JBJ in for Defensive replacement, later in the game.

Might help out Devers too, as a Mentor, even for short time.

 

What's he going to teach Devers? How to fracture the left fielder's ribs? How to throw a tantrum when someone touches his head?

[moonslav59]

I certainly wouldn't argue with bringing Beltre back, but ultimately I think Devers will be fine, and the Sox seem committed to staying patient through his growing pains. Assuming we can probably only make a legitimate upgrade at one spot, I think there should be several higher priorities than third base.

 

I agree, and if we did get Beltre, we'd probably move Devers to DH and back up 3Bman for just 2 months. He'd be back at 3B next season.

[notin]

Barnhart and Gennett for Beni. That’d be enticing for the Sox, but with money getting dicey, cost controlled Beni is more valuable

 

That's absolutely NOT an enticing deal for Boston.

 

 

The Yankees have seen Torres struggle. Do you think Miguel Angular and Justus Sheffield for those same two Reds is "enticing"?

[notin]

I agree, and if we did get Beltre, we'd probably move Devers to DH and back up 3Bman for just 2 months. He'd be back at 3B next season.

 

2b, bullpen, and outfield (yes, outfield) are all higher priorities than 3b. And it's doubtful all of them get addressed...

[mvp 78]

What's he going to teach Devers? How to fracture the left fielder's ribs? How to throw a tantrum when someone touches his head?

 

Beltre is a HOF 3b. Devers could learn a lot from him, but probably not on the hitting side of things. Lowell was working with him in ST, probably can just bring him back in.

[notin]

Beltre is a HOF 3b. Devers could learn a lot from him, but probably not on the hitting side of things. Lowell was working with him in ST, probably can just bring him back in.

 

Beltre is a Hall of Famer but not everyone who excels at something is a good teacher.

 

And certainly not everyone wants to train their replacement. ..

[mvp 78]

Beltre is a Hall of Famer but not everyone who excels at something is a good teacher.

 

And certainly not everyone wants to train their replacement. ..

 

Your first point is fair, the second one isn't. Beltre isn't the incumbent here. He wouldn't see Devers as his replacement.

 

Neither of which address your nonsense post about Ellsbury being made of glass or lighthearted joking about Beltre not wanting to be touched on the head.

[jacksonianmarch]

That's absolutely NOT an enticing deal for Boston.

 

 

The Yankees have seen Torres struggle. Do you think Miguel Angular and Justus Sheffield for those same two Reds is "enticing"?

 

Beni is having a hell of a season. So is Gennett. Barnhart would immediately be your unquestioned starter at catcher. It would make sense for the Sox if this was the final year of the window. It doesn’t make sense for a team needing a guy like Beni on a prearb deal to fit all the pieces under the cap in 2019

[Natick to NC]

I'm all aboard on Scooter but no way in hell is Benny Mookie or Devers in that deal .

[moonslav59]

2b, bullpen, and outfield (yes, outfield) are all higher priorities than 3b. And it's doubtful all of them get addressed...

 

I agree.

 

I am not for trading for a 3Bman. I was just responding to the idea of trading for Beltre and how it might affect Devers.

[moonslav59]

I'm all aboard on Scooter but no way in hell is Benny Mookie or Devers in that deal .

 

Then try to give a realistic offer that does not include guys like Pom, who the Reds do not want.

 

Be at least 50% realistic.... for once.

[moonslav59]

2b, bullpen, and outfield (yes, outfield) are all higher priorities than 3b. And it's doubtful all of them get addressed...

 

 

 

I do agree we could use an upgrade at 2B, RP and OF, especially one that kills lefties. However, we may only be able to fill one or two out of the 3 you identified. I'm not sure we know which one(s) will be the weakest link by the end of July.

 

Maybe another weaker slot opens up before then, and deciding now may mess up our chances later.

 

[oldtimer]

I do agree we could use an upgrade at 2B, RP and OF, especially one that kills lefties. However, we may only be able to fill one or two out of the 3 you identified. I'm not sure we know which one(s) will be the weakest link by the end of July.

 

Maybe another weaker slot opens up before then, and deciding now may mess up our chances later.

 

 

The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself. Waiting until the last minute might mean the opportunity is lost and waiting for the perfect opportunity is a losers game as there never will be a perfect one. That said, the Reds are playing better of late and may feel their season is still viable.

[Slasher9]

I get that their odds are long, but they’ve got the same club that ran roughshod over the MLB in the second half last yr

 

perfect. the Sox have the same team that won the ALE.

[moonslav59]

perfect. the Sox have the same team that won the ALE.

 

Plus JD and minus Young (276 PAs), Marrero (188) Rutledge (118), Pablo (108) and Raj Davis (38).