Should Eovaldi be re-sign?

[Hitch]

It's always good to have memories when the present is disappointing.

 

Haha!

[TylerD]

It's always good to have memories when the present is disappointing.

 

Amen to this. You know how many times I watch old Van Damme movies because his new stuff is just crap. Cherish those old memories. Sorry, I was zero help in this convo. One would think Van Damme will get back to the big screen again

[moonslav59]

Amen to this. You know how many times I watch old Van Damme movies because his new stuff is just crap. Cherish those old memories. Sorry, I was zero help in this convo. One would think Van Damme will get back to the big screen again

 

All his movies suck.

[TylerD]

All his movies suck.

 

How friggin dare you!!!!!! hard Target was fantastic.

[Kimmi]

I would not be surprised if they let Kimbrel walk and signed Eovaldi to save $$$.

 

Re-signing Eovaldi should take precedence over re-signing Kimbrel.

[jung]

Re-signing Eovaldi should take precedence over re-signing Kimbrel.

 

Ain't that the truth!

[cp176]

i think that resigning Eovaldi should be a priority during this off-season. I love Kimbrel and what he has done but if we have to decide between an overpay for him at the expense of Eovaldi, we have to let Kimbrel go. I begrudgingly will admit that watching Sale recently kind of makes me nervous. I still think that he will be fine but it does make me nervous. His location of pitches scares me much more than seeing the fastball speed slip from 98 to 96. I think that Sale looking like this makes signing Eovaldi much more important.

[notin]

i think that resigning Eovaldi should be a priority during this off-season. I love Kimbrel and what he has done but if we have to decide between an overpay for him at the expense of Eovaldi, we have to let Kimbrel go. I begrudgingly will admit that watching Sale recently kind of makes me nervous. I still think that he will be fine but it does make me nervous. His location of pitches scares me much more than seeing the fastball speed slip from 98 to 96. I think that Sale looking like this makes signing Eovaldi much more important.

 

Are you talking about re-signing Eovaldi as a reliever or starter? I would agree he'd be an excellent reliever and the reduced workload might help his career. It's just a question of whether or not he prefers to be a starter and won't consider alternative roles..

[Bellhorn04]

Are you talking about re-signing Eovaldi as a reliever or starter? I would agree he'd be an excellent reliever and the reduced workload might help his career. It's just a question of whether or not he prefers to be a starter and won't consider alternative roles..

 

I don't think there's any question - Eovaldi would prefer to be a $$$tarter - as well he should.

[cp176]

Are you talking about re-signing Eovaldi as a reliever or starter? I would agree he'd be an excellent reliever and the reduced workload might help his career. It's just a question of whether or not he prefers to be a starter and won't consider alternative roles..

 

That is the big question i think. I didn't give my preference because I just don't know what the Sox will be thinking. I would love to see him continue being a starter I think. if there is just a slight blip in Sale's game, having him in the rotation wouldn't hurt. I really don't have much faith (a little I guess) in Wright or E-Rod. I understand also that we really haven't seen Eovaldi for any length of time but boy has he looked good. I love the fact that he throws strikes for the most part to go with the rest of the package.

[notin]

That is the big question i think. I didn't give my preference because I just don't know what the Sox will be thinking. I would love to see him continue being a starter I think. if there is just a slight blip in Sale's game, having him in the rotation wouldn't hurt. I really don't have much faith (a little I guess) in Wright or E-Rod. I understand also that we really haven't seen Eovaldi for any length of time but boy has he looked good. I love the fact that he throws strikes for the most part to go with the rest of the package.

 

I've always liked Eovaldi, but the big issue is his health. He missed all of 2017 and has had a spotty record before that. I think he should convert to the bullpen, where he could be a deadly weapon. As a starter, he does have a tendency to go from unhittable to very hittable very quickly. He's good at the back end of a rotation where you can hope for 15-20 good starts over a season as long as you can live with 15-18 clunkers. But getting that many starts out of him in the first place is the issue.

 

Of course, he is still only 28 and can get better...

[cp176]

I've always liked Eovaldi, but the big issue is his health. He missed all of 2017 and has had a spotty record before that. I think he should convert to the bullpen, where he could be a deadly weapon. As a starter, he does have a tendency to go from unhittable to very hittable very quickly. He's good at the back end of a rotation where you can hope for 15-20 good starts over a season as long as you can live with 15-18 clunkers. But getting that many starts out of him in the first place is the issue.

 

Of course, he is still only 28 and can get better...

 

I think that what you are saying is accurate. I'm looking at a guy that I want to start very badly though. I saw what you saw for most of the season. I thought it was a good pickup but not special but when the games became ultra important he came up very big and very surprising. The potential which is clearly just that, would put him right up near the top of our rotation. not there but close. I just have started becoming very confident when he is pitching. The arm issue and its' health doesn't bother me too much. i have faith and believe that it has been rebuilt and might even be stronger than it was. And he is just 28. I tend to get a little caught up in the moment when a player goes through what he went through and comes up big. Mostly I just like him, and his attitude. I hope we wind up keeping him. He won't be cheap.

Have to add though that when he comes into the game from the bullpen, right now I have more confidence in him getting the job done than anyone else.

[notin]

I think that what you are saying is accurate. I'm looking at a guy that I want to start very badly though. I saw what you saw for most of the season. I thought it was a good pickup but not special but when the games became ultra important he came up very big and very surprising. The potential which is clearly just that, would put him right up near the top of our rotation. not there but close. I just have started becoming very confident when he is pitching. The arm issue and its' health doesn't bother me too much. i have faith and believe that it has been rebuilt and might even be stronger than it was. And he is just 28. I tend to get a little caught up in the moment when a player goes through what he went through and comes up big. Mostly I just like him, and his attitude. I hope we wind up keeping him. He won't be cheap.

Have to add though that when he comes into the game from the bullpen, right now I have more confidence in him getting the job done than anyone else.

 

I actually expect him to be somewhat cheap compared to other free agent pitchers, because of the health issue. And by "somewehat cheap", I'm referring to the total money and the number of years, since to me as a fan, years are more important that the cash.

 

Last off-season, DL mainstays Michael Pineda and Drew Smyly both signed 2 year $10mill deals even though both were expected to miss all of 2018. Eovaldi is probably looking at a lot more than $5mill per, but probably not looking at more than 2 or 3 years, because no one wants to go long term on him given his health history...

[OH FOY]

I say after Post-Season, he'll test the Market. Cant blame him. Has pretty much said it, too, according to Sean McAdam. Edited October 24, 2018 by OH FOY!

[notin]

By thw way, you might not be concerned about his rebuilt arm, but historically, Tommy John surgeries are good for an average of 600 IP.

 

Eovaldi had TJ surgery in high school, and then pitched about 250 minor league innings and 740 major league innings before needing a second TJ. Well above average, but he was like 17 years old when he had the first one.

 

He had his second TJ surgery in 2016 and has thrown 111 IP since. There is a legitimate concern he is a time bomb, and his contract will reflect that, probably with fewer years...

[OH FOY]

So Espinoza had TJ surgery last year, he has 600 innings left in him? You almost have to make him a Reliever then. After a few years in the Minors, to Rehab.

[notin]

So Espinoza had TJ surgery last year, he has 600 innings left in him? You almost have to make him a Reliever then. After a few years in the Minors, to Rehab.

 

I believe they technically mean 600 major league innings, which do differ from minor league innings because major league hitters on average 1) have better strike zone judgment, 2) are more capable of fouling off pitch after [pitch and 3) are better hitters who get more hits, all of which extends pitch counts.

 

Espinonza still might make it as a starter, as might Sox prospect Jason Groome, because the 600 IP is an average, and that means there are some Jarrod Parker/Drew Smyly types who seem to have TJ surgery after far lower IP totals. And plenty of pitchers, including Eovaldi, have more than one TJ surgery. Basically, it means that a starting pitcher who has TJ surgery can expect a second one in 3-4 years.

 

Eovaldi isn't the only MLB starter to have had TJ surgery in high school. Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito also did and he is a starter in MLB...

Edited October 24, 2018 by notin

[Nick]

I don't think it's a bad idea to sign a starter this winter with both Sale and Porcello becoming FA after the 2019 season.

 

What position would you rather be in?

 

A) Price, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Wright/Johnson/Hector for 2019. Then having to sign either Sale or Porcello versus

Pirce, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Eovaldi for 2019. Then having to sign just Sale, Porcello or another starter?

 

Surely each team has a 1 yr, 3yr and 5 yr plans.

[TylerD]

I don't think it's a bad idea to sign a starter this winter with both Sale and Porcello becoming FA after the 2019 season.

 

What position would you rather be in?

 

A) Price, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Wright/Johnson/Hector for 2019. Then having to sign either Sale or Porcello versus

Pirce, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Eovaldi for 2019. Then having to sign just Sale, Porcello or another starter?

 

Surely each team has a 1 yr, 3yr and 5 yr plans.

 

I want Eovaldi on this team if they can make it happen. The guy has proven himself and has been cool as a cucumber in the playoffs. Definitely would be a nice 3rd or 4th man in the rotation. But we always have Pomeranz if all else............. Oh god.......

[Nick]

I want Eovaldi on this team if they can make it happen. The guy has proven himself and has been cool as a cucumber in the playoffs. Definitely would be a nice 3rd or 4th man in the rotation. But we always have Pomeranz if all else............. Oh god.......

 

Pom's got too much going on inside his head. I hate to be in it.

[Emp9]

Payroll free up by Hanley, Pomeranz, Kelly and Kimbrel close to $50M. We need a RHP starter and Eovaldi pitches well against the Yankees counts.

 

that’s a good point, perhaps the only reason it would make sense.

[notin]

I don't think it's a bad idea to sign a starter this winter with both Sale and Porcello becoming FA after the 2019 season.

 

What position would you rather be in?

 

A) Price, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Wright/Johnson/Hector for 2019. Then having to sign either Sale or Porcello versus

Pirce, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Eovaldi for 2019. Then having to sign just Sale, Porcello or another starter?

 

Surely each team has a 1 yr, 3yr and 5 yr plans.

 

There's always the possibility of signing or trading for another starter who isn't Eovaldi. As we are talking about "Trader Dave" Dombrowski, it's nearly impossible to predict what he does. He might trade Jackie Bradley for a starting pitcher (Jon Gray, for example). He might do something insane like sign Manny Machado and then trade Bogaerts for a starting pitcher (Jameson Taillon? Danny Duffy? Tough to find a match here without way too much research and lucky guesses). He might simply sign J.A. Happ or Patrick Corbin (like the Sox need more lefties).

 

And maybe the chorus of boos for Machado might influence his decision to bring Machado to Boston...

[Nick]

I don't believe we'll re-set CB Payroll to come under the tax for next year. DD will want to "go for it" in 2019. Hopefully back to back scenario. Yankees will be on our heels.

 

In the past, he's always been very single minded about getting what he thinks Sox needs AND getting it done, regardless of cost. With that in mind,

 

1) Kimbrel maybe too expensive for Sox. Will he look to trade for a closer, or go with cheaper closer alternatives? It's highly unlikely to think HE thinks we have internal option. How about Britton or Miller?

2) My guess is he LIKES to have Eovaldi back. I don't think he'll be all in on him but if he perceives Eovaldi is in Sox price range, he'll bump up the $$ or a year in length of the contract.

3) Need a back up plan for Pedey and another 1B. Moreland is breaking down. One bad tweak and he's out extended period of time. Chavis may not be ready until July/August. I'm guessing he is working out at 1B.

4) Having JD play some 1B will go long ways in adding 'depth' to our line up.

5) Why not entertain the idea of playing Betts full time at 2B? It's probably easier to sign a DH with some power opposed to super star 2B.

6) When your payroll is north of $230M, you have to cut corners somewhere and that's our bullpen. Our farm system has to produce relievers. We certainly can't spit out quality starters.

7) Sox will have won 4 world series titles in 15 years, ahead of Giants (3), Cardinals (2), Cubs (1), Yankees (1), White Sox (1), Phillies (1), Royals (1), Astros (1). We're good.

 

And always remember this. It's not important what you think, it's more important what you think DD is thinking.

Edited October 24, 2018 by Nick

[notin]

I don't believe we'll re-set CB Payroll to come under the tax for next year. DD will want to "go for it" in 2019. Hopefully back to back scenario. Yankees will be on our heels.

 

In the past, he's always been very single minded about getting what he thinks Sox needs AND getting it done, regardless of cost. With that in mind,

 

1) Kimbrel maybe too expensive for Sox. Will he look to trade for a closer, or go with cheaper closer alternatives? It's highly unlikely to think HE thinks we have internal option. How about Britton or Miller?

2) My guess is he LIKES to have Eovaldi back. I don't think he'll be all in on him but if he perceives Eovaldi is in Sox price range, he'll bump up the $$ or a year in length of the contract.

3) Need a back up plan for Pedey and another 1B. Moreland is breaking down. One bad tweak and he's out extended period of time. Chavis may not be ready until July/August. I'm guessing he is working out at 1B.

4) Having JD play some 1B will go long ways in adding 'depth' to our line up.

5) Why not entertain the idea of playing Betts full time at 2B? It's probably easier to sign a DH with some power opposed to super star 2B.

6) When your payroll is north of $230M, you have to cut corners somewhere and that's our bullpen. Our farm system has to produce relievers. We certainly can't spit out quality starters.

7) Sox will have won 4 world series titles in 15 years, ahead of Giants (3), Cardinals (2), Cubs (1), Yankees (1), White Sox (1), Phillies (1), Royals (1), Astros (1). We're good.

 

 

1) While I am opposed to bringing Kimbrel back for the rumored years, I do think re-signing him is on DD's radar. I like the idea of signing oft-injured Garret Richards as a closer with the hopes that the lesser workload works in his favor. But I think DD will stick to the experienced closer market and if he doesn' bring back Kimbrel, he will try to land someone like Jeurys Familia, Britton, AJ Ramos, Cody Allen, or Kelvin Herrera. The closer market actually has enough options that I doubt DD gets creative.

2) I'm sure Eovaldi is on is radar. He did trade for him, after all. So it will come down to what the demands are.

3) If the Sox do pursue a 2B despite having some depth (Quiroz, Hernandez, Holt, Nunez), maybe someone like Logan Forsythe? I have heard rumors about DJ LaMahieu as a good fit, whcih he is. But that depends as he is an excessive get if Pedroia is actually healthy. At 1B, the Sox might pursue Matt Adams or bring back Pearce. I doubt they go even heavy enough to acquire Justin Smoak, since they do appear to like Moreland. Siging Marwin Gonzalez would give them both 1B and 2B, among other positions. However, unless the Sox deal a few MLB players, there might be issues squeezing these players along with Swihart, Holt, Nunez and Leon on to a 4 man bench. I do think Swihart is trade bait.

4) I wish they tried that this year.

5) Mostly because he is the best defensive RF in the game today. It's not broken. Don't fix it.

6) The Sox will certainly try farm system relievers. They do every year. But probably not on opening day, unless the pitcher is out of options.

[Dojji]

I'm still on the "no" camp. I think it's a little too easy to be wowed by the performance of the moment. I strongly suspect we will need to lean on homegrown talent at the bottom of our rotation for several years going forward while we try to pay for all the young studs we currently have. You can not have a well paid mercenary in every single position, even on the Boston Red Sox.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm still on the "no" camp. I think it's a little too easy to be wowed by the performance of the moment. I strongly suspect we will need to lean on homegrown talent at the bottom of our rotation for several years going forward while we try to pay for all the young studs we currently have.

 

The problem is we don't have any homegrown starter talent.

[fxkatt]

Eovaldi's price will depend in large part in the rest of his Series performances. So, we can wish for the best from him and pay more, or... and pay less. Pick your poison.

 

His stuff, though, is remarkable. If we could have him for two years 13 million per year, that would be ideal, but almost certainly isn't happening. So, we're left with the same risk all bidders will have.

[moonslav59]

I'm still on the "no" camp. I think it's a little too easy to be wowed by the performance of the moment. I strongly suspect we will need to lean on homegrown talent at the bottom of our rotation for several years going forward while we try to pay for all the young studs we currently have. You can not have a well paid mercenary in every single position, even on the Boston Red Sox.

 

This how I feel.

 

I think Eovaldi will be too expensive for our limited budget.

[cp176]

This how I feel.

 

I think Eovaldi will be too expensive for our limited budget.

 

Moon - really - "limited budget" - Could you make me feel better by using another expression? LOL

Regardless of how much money the organization chooses to spend, it isn't limited. I wonder if any of the other teams in the game feel sorry for us having to get by on our limited budget. I'm just kidding around there but what I'm serious about is that if John Henry wants any of these guys badly enough, he isn't going to feel restricted by any budgetary restraints particularly if we win the series this year.

[dgalehouse]

This is a great team. You would like to keep it intact as much as possible. It is up to John Henry to decide what the budget limitations are. If any key players are lost , it is important to have a good alternative for filling their shoes. The onus for that will be on Dombrowski, who I think has done a terrific job so far.