And the off season begins (2018-19)

[sk7326]

Yes he was, he just wasn't as very good as you wanted him to be.

 

It was Kimbrel's worst year of his career so far but it was still more than acceptable. Heck, nearly every closer I've seen suggested to replace him had at least one season worse than Kimbrel's 2016. A certain variability is a given when dealing with relief pitching, and if that's Kimbrel's worst, then his worst was still pretty darn good.

 

2.92 FIP with a 13.6% walk rate is ... an above average Fernando Rodney season. That is not worth eight figures.

[moonslav59]

2.92 FIP with a 13.6% walk rate is ... an above average Fernando Rodney season. That is not worth eight figures.

 

And we didn't even include his last 4 playoff series, where he had a WHIP above 1.70 in 3 of them.

 

12.2 IP

9 BB

3 HBP

9 Hits (2 HRs)

8 ERs

 

If you added this to his 3 regular season numbers, he barely top 5.

 

Edited November 29, 2018 by moonslav59

[harmony]

WEEI columnist Rob Bradford reports that the Red Sox have "strong interest" in Seattle closer Edwin Diaz:

 

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/red-sox-reportedly-showing-strong-interest-mariners-closer-edwin-diaz

[moonslav59]

WEEI columnist Rob Bradford reports that the Red Sox have "strong interest" in Seattle closer Edwin Diaz:

 

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/red-sox-reportedly-showing-strong-interest-mariners-closer-edwin-diaz

 

I don't see what combination of long-shot prospects could land us Diaz. We could offer our top 5 and it still might not be enough.

[Jasonbay44]

Yeah I can't see anyway Sox could afford the prospects required for Diaz. I'd probably rather pay Kimbrel than give up prospects for Diaz anyway.

[cp176]

Yeah I can't see anyway Sox could afford the prospects required for Diaz. I'd probably rather pay Kimbrel than give up prospects for Diaz anyway.

 

I don't necessarily disagree with you here but I'm not above playing a little devil's advocate. I have heard over and over again how literally awful our current crop of minor leaguers are. One of the 2 or 3 worst farm systems in the league right. What is there to lose? What I will say and actually mean is that this move would not surprise me. Tomase's column this morning sums things up pretty well. It is the kind of move DD is apt to make. We shall see.

[Dojji]

2.92 FIP with a 13.6% walk rate is ... an above average Fernando Rodney season. That is not worth eight figures.

 

not worth 8 figures no, but if that's a guy's worst year, he's pretty darn good.

[notin]

Yeah I can't see anyway Sox could afford the prospects required for Diaz. I'd probably rather pay Kimbrel than give up prospects for Diaz anyway.

 

I’d actually rather give up our prospects. Do we have anyone you’d consider untouchable?

 

That said, the only way the Sox could get Diaz is if they also took Cano and probably one other bad contract as well.

 

And for what Cano costs, the Sox could probably sign Kimbrel and Britton, which would be a much better move for every readon...

[Bellhorn04]

not worth 8 figures no, but if that's a guy's worst year, he's pretty darn good.

 

One thing about Kimbrel is/was, no matter what the peripherals, he doesn't blow many saves and his save % is always high. We saw some where he got his ass saved by fielders, of course.

[notin]

I don't necessarily disagree with you here but I'm not above playing a little devil's advocate. I have heard over and over again how literally awful our current crop of minor leaguers are. One of the 2 or 3 worst farm systems in the league right. What is there to lose? What I will say and actually mean is that this move would not surprise me. Tomase's column this morning sums things up pretty well. It is the kind of move DD is apt to make. We shall see.

 

 

I agree 100% here. With cp176? Yes I do.

 

If we could get Díaz for our prospects, it’s a no-brainer. But that’s like trying to buy a Bentley with Monopoly money...

[Dojji]

We saw some where he got his ass saved by fielders, of course.

 

You can literally say that about every single successful pitcher in the history of major professional sports.

[notin]

You can literally say that about every single successful pitcher in the history of major professional sports.

 

But not always equally. Kimbrel had some terrific defense - especially outfield defense - behind him that came in very handy in the postseason...

[Dojji]

It did indeed, but if you're looking for an excuse to hold that against him, I strongly suggest you look elsewhere.

[Bellhorn04]

But not always equally. Kimbrel had some terrific defense - especially outfield defense - behind him that came in very handy in the postseason...

 

Kimbrel's 6-out save in Game 4 of the ALCS must be the heart attack save of all time. It started with Tony Kemp getting gunned down by Mookie to prevent a double and ended with the catch by Benintendi on Bregman with the bases loaded. That was some crazy stuff.

[Bellhorn04]

Not trying to knock Kimbrel at all. He's one of the best relief pitchers in history. He was a great acquisition by DD. But his stuff is clearly diminished and his price will now be exorbitant.

[notin]

Kimbrel's 6-out save in Game 4 of the ALCS must be the heart attack save of all time. It started with Tony Kemp getting gunned down by Mookie to prevent a double and ended with the catch by Benintendi on Bregman with the bases loaded. That was some crazy stuff.

 

And in between those plays, Kimbrel had 3 walks and a hit batsman...

Edited November 29, 2018 by notin

[cp176]

I agree 100% here. With cp176? Yes I do.

 

If we could get Díaz for our prospects, it’s a no-brainer. But that’s like trying to buy a Bentley with Monopoly money...

 

What - wait - what just happened? Don't make a habit of this notin. It jeopardizes the entertainment factor of our posts to each other!

[notin]

What - wait - what just happened? Don't make a habit of this notin. It jeopardizes the entertainment factor of our posts to each other!

 

 

I blame you for your rare attack of common sense

[kenmeister]

Yeah this Diaz & Cano trade talk is interesting but I don't think it will amount to anything. If Pedroia is part of the deal, he may not wave his no-trade rights. If he isn't, we have a 2B headache. Plus we'd undoubtedly have to send Brasier, Barnes, or both to Seattle.

[oldtimer]

Yeah this Diaz & Cano trade talk is interesting but I don't think it will amount to anything. If Pedroia is part of the deal, he may not wave his no-trade rights. If he isn't, we have a 2B headache. Plus we'd undoubtedly have to send Brasier, Barnes, or both to Seattle.

 

Cano is 36 now and served a suspension for failing a drug policy test. Why in the world would the Sox want him?

[notin]

Yeah this Diaz & Cano trade talk is interesting but I don't think it will amount to anything. If Pedroia is part of the deal, he may not wave his no-trade rights. If he isn't, we have a 2B headache. Plus we'd undoubtedly have to send Brasier, Barnes, or both to Seattle.

 

The cold, calculating perspective of a Pedroia/Cano swap does make sense for the Sox. Cano could play 2b this year and shift over to 1b next year after Moreland and Pearce depart. Cano’s AAV of $24mill would be offset by the losses of Pedroia ($13mil), Moreland($6.5mill), and Pearce ($6.5mill).

 

But from a Sox fan perspective, I could never deal Pedroia for Cano...

[moonslav59]

The cold, calculating perspective of a Pedroia/Cano swap does make sense for the Sox. Cano could play 2b this year and shift over to 1b next year after Moreland and Pearce depart. Cano’s AAV of $24mill would be offset by the losses of Pedroia ($13mil), Moreland($6.5mill), and Pearce ($6.5mill).

 

But from a Sox fan perspective, I could never deal Pedroia for Cano...

 

I'd want SEA to kick in a chunk of money to offset much of the Pedey-Can differential to make the deal.

[notin]

I'd want SEA to kick in a chunk of money to offset much of the Pedey-Can differential to make the deal.

 

Or they could take Rusney Castillo, too.

 

It doesn’t help the Sox luxury tax implications, but Henry could pay the tax instead of paying Rusney...

[moonslav59]

Or they could take Rusney Castillo, too.

 

It doesn’t help the Sox luxury tax implications, but Henry could pay the tax instead of paying Rusney...

 

Yes, but we will mostly need the cost relief after Rusney & Pedey's deal expire. (Bigtime)

 

If we can get Diaz in the deal, then the financial help could be lessened, since we have no great prospects to get Diaz without taking on more of Cano's contractual costs.

 

Taking Cano just doesn't seem right to me, even by moving him to 1B in 2020.

[harmony]

Yeah this Diaz & Cano trade talk is interesting but I don't think it will amount to anything. If Pedroia is part of the deal, he may not wave his no-trade rights. If he isn't, we have a 2B headache. Plus we'd undoubtedly have to send Brasier, Barnes, or both to Seattle.

Seattle would still have 2017 American League saves leader Alex Colome.

 

I agree that the trade talk won't amount to anything. And the Mariners would have little interest in Dustin Pedroia when the M's would still have two other middle infielders -- 28-year-old Jean Segura and 30-year-old Dee Gordon -- with multiple All Star appearances.

Edited November 29, 2018 by harmony

[Nick]

Yes, but we will mostly need the cost relief after Rusney & Pedey's deal expire. (Bigtime)

 

If we can get Diaz in the deal, then the financial help could be lessened, since we have no great prospects to get Diaz without taking on more of Cano's contractual costs.

 

Taking Cano just doesn't seem right to me, even by moving him to 1B in 2020.

 

Trading for Cano is the dumbest thing Sox can do.

[notin]

Yes, but we will mostly need the cost relief after Rusney & Pedey's deal expire. (Bigtime)

 

If we can get Diaz in the deal, then the financial help could be lessened, since we have no great prospects to get Diaz without taking on more of Cano's contractual costs.

 

Taking Cano just doesn't seem right to me, even by moving him to 1B in 2020.

 

The entire point was to get Díaz...

[notin]

Seattle would still have 2017 American League saves leader Alex Colome.

 

I agree that the trade talk won't amount to anything. And the Mariners would have little interest in Dustin Pedroia when the M's would still have two other middle infielders -- 28-year-old Jean Segura and 30-year-old Dee Gordon -- with multiple All Star appearances.

 

 

1. They might not have either Segura or Gordon come April. Both have been the subject of trade rumors, particularly Segura.

2. They would also have no need for Jacoby Ellsbury, but his name has surfaced in Cano trade talks as well...

[notin]

Trading for Cano is the dumbest thing Sox can do.

 

Not true, but it is on the list...

Edited November 29, 2018 by notin

[sk7326]

One thing about Kimbrel is/was, no matter what the peripherals, he doesn't blow many saves and his save % is always high. We saw some where he got his ass saved by fielders, of course.

 

There is a level of bias in save %. If somebody's save % is low, he is not saving games for long ...