And the off season begins (2018-19)

[Spudboy]

The idea of Cano being the Sox 2nd baseman is f***ing dumb.

 

Taking on that contract to get Diaz is still dumb.

[sk7326]

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.

 

Your instinct here is right - the Red Sox can't offer much in prospects, but they could offer a dumping ground for a bad contract. But Cano's deal is a lot for any management to swallow.

[moonslav59]

Your instinct here is right - the Red Sox can't offer much in prospects, but they could offer a dumping ground for a bad contract. But Cano's deal is a lot for any management to swallow.

 

We are facing some serious financial issues, if we try to reset in a year or two. Bringing in a big contract will just mean we lose another star.

[kenmeister]

We are facing some serious financial issues, if we try to reset in a year or two. Bringing in a big contract will just mean we lose another star.

 

Yup that was my first thought, even if Pedroia and Castillo go to Seattle. That said, Diaz would be an awesome addition to the team.

[kenmeister]

It's too bad that Iglesias is a free agent now and not next year when Bogaerts is. Otherwise he'd be a good safety net in case we lose Bogaerts.

[notin]

It's too bad that Iglesias is a free agent now and not next year when Bogaerts is. Otherwise he'd be a good safety net in case we lose Bogaerts.

 

We might see CJ Chatham as the shortstop in 2020. Good defensive player, but we’ll see how his bat plays in AA this year. He’s on the short list of Sox prospects I can see starting for this team in the near future.

 

And maybe Iglesias will only sign a one year deal this off-season....

[dgalehouse]

Apparently Dustin Pedroia, the one time heart of the Red Sox , has fallen out of favor with some fans. Interesting. Edwin Diaz is the new flavor of the month. And let's take the disgraced Cano also. Pedey ; watch out for that swinging door on your way out.

[notin]

Apparently Dustin Pedroia, the one time heart of the Red Sox , has fallen out of favor with some fans. Interesting. Edwin Diaz is the new flavor of the month. And let's take the disgraced Cano also. Pedey ; watch out for that swinging door on your way out.

 

Pedroia has been out of favor with some people for a while, either due to his questionable health or the “It’s not me” incident.

 

But no one seriously thinks the Sox should trade him for Cano...

[Bellhorn04]

Rumor has it the Mets are close to a deal with Seattle for Cano and Diaz.

[kenmeister]

Apparently Dustin Pedroia, the one time heart of the Red Sox , has fallen out of favor with some fans. Interesting. Edwin Diaz is the new flavor of the month. And let's take the disgraced Cano also. Pedey ; watch out for that swinging door on your way out.

 

I'm just commenting on the prevailing rumors. I'd love to have a Pedroia back who can play 140+ games for us hitting .290 with gold glove defense. I'm not counting on it though.

[dgalehouse]

Rumor has it the Mets are close to a deal with Seattle for Cano and Diaz.

 

If the Mets can stay healthy, they could be a formidable team in 2019.

[dgalehouse]

A lot of Sox fans are taking on many of the characteristics that we hated in Yankee fans. I guess winning does that to you.

[dgalehouse]

Pedroia has been out of favor with some people for a while, either due to his questionable health or the “It’s not me” incident.

 

But no one seriously thinks the Sox should trade him for Cano...

 

Okay . I guess it is just meaningless speculation caused by the boredom of waiting for the hot stove to heat up.

[notin]

Okay . I guess it is just meaningless speculation caused by the boredom of waiting for the hot stove to heat up.

 

 

Pretty much. That and my undying hope this off-season isn’t anywhere nesr as slow and boring as last off-season...

[kenmeister]

Pretty much. That and my undying hope this off-season isn’t anywhere nesr as slow and boring as last off-season...

 

Last off-season consisted of me hitting the refresh button on espn mlb to see if the Sox had signed JD Martinez yet, for like 4 months every day 5 times a day. We eventually got him but, wow it took long enough!!!!

[moonslav59]

Who will be the first big shoe to drop.

 

I get the feeling it will be the Phillies signing someone like Machado, Harper or Corbin.

[moonslav59]

Last off-season consisted of me hitting the refresh button on espn mlb to see if the Sox had signed JD Martinez yet, for like 4 months every day 5 times a day. We eventually got him but, wow it took long enough!!!!

 

That was brutal!

 

I kinda knew he'd end up with us, as nobody else was bidding nearly as high, but the wait was painful.

[dgalehouse]

The difference this year is that we will most likely not be making any major acquisitions. It will be more about trying to maintain the current status as much as possible. We should wind up with a very good roster, although maybe not as good as this year's. If the Yankees and Houston improve themselves, things could get interesting.

[dgalehouse]

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.

 

Harm , it looks like after an existence of 42 years , without a single pennant to wave , the Mariners are looking to break it down and start from scratch. Hang in there.

[S5Dewey]

It's too bad that Iglesias is a free agent now and not next year when Bogaerts is. Otherwise he'd be a good safety net in case we lose Bogaerts.

 

You're just teasing me now, aren't you? :D

[S5Dewey]

We might see CJ Chatham as the shortstop in 2020. Good defensive player, but we’ll see how his bat plays in AA this year. He’s on the short list of Sox prospects I can see starting for this team in the near future.

 

And maybe Iglesias will only sign a one year deal this off-season....

 

If he'd sign a one year deal to play either 2nd or 3rd for the Sox in '19 I'd be all over it. It would give us insurance against Bogaerts as well as if Pedey can't make a comeback. If things work out for both both Bogaerts and Pedey then move Devers to 1B and award 3B to Iggy, then work to extend him.

[Dojji]

I wouldn't give Iglesias a corner infield position. He's mostly valuable for his defense up the middle. Put him on the corners and it plays to his weaknesses and negates his strengths.

 

That said I wouldn't mind bringing Iggy back if a hole opened up for him -- but at the same time, Bogaerts is second only to Betts on the list of "players I retain at all costs." Either Bogaerts or Betts are good candidates to rebuild a core around.

[notin]

The difference this year is that we will most likely not be making any major acquisitions. It will be more about trying to maintain the current status as much as possible. We should wind up with a very good roster, although maybe not as good as this year's. If the Yankees and Houston improve themselves, things could get interesting.

 

 

The big mysteries for the Sox this off-season are who will close and who joins the rotation st the back end? It’s possible both questions are answered by returning players.

 

If the Sox had not won, maybe we would see something drastic like trading Bogaerts. But as defending champions, the status quo is more likely...

[moonslav59]

If he'd sign a one year deal to play either 2nd or 3rd for the Sox in '19 I'd be all over it. It would give us insurance against Bogaerts as well as if Pedey can't make a comeback. If things work out for both both Bogaerts and Pedey then move Devers to 1B and award 3B to Iggy, then work to extend him.

 

If Iggy is on my team, I play him at SS, even if it means pissing off Bogey by moving him to 3B.

 

Maybe Iggy signs a 1 year deal, and we get him next winter.

[harmony]

Harm , it looks like after an existence of 42 years , without a single pennant to wave , the Mariners are looking to break it down and start from scratch. Hang in there.

The Mariners aren't tearing it down and starting from scratch ... they're merely taking a step back in 2019-20.

 

Barring a trade, Seattle next year will pay only $2.6 million to outfielder Mitch Haniger, closer Edwin Diaz, center fielder Mallex Smith and lefthander Marco Gonzales, who this year posted a combined for 15.1 fWAR, valued at $120.6 million.

 

Let that sink in: $2.6 million next season for four players who contributed $120.6 million in value this year. And the Mariners retain a combined 17 years of team control on those four players.

 

Seattle will likely build around those players unless one is hitched to a trade of Robinson Cano and his contract. Coming off his stellar age 24 season, Edwin Diaz might be dealt independently as was closer Ken Giles following his stellar age 24 season.

 

Regardless of the on-field success or failure, I am likely to remain a Mariner fan.

Edited November 29, 2018 by harmony

[kenmeister]

If Iggy is on my team, I play him at SS, even if it means pissing off Bogey by moving him to 3B.

 

Maybe Iggy signs a 1 year deal, and we get him next winter.

 

Now you have me wondering which is the stronger combo: Bogaerts at 3rd and Iggy at short, or Devers at 3rd and Bogaerts at short.

[harmony]

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...

Seattle is likely to trade only one of their three middle infielders with multiple All Star appearances: 36-year-old Robinson Cano, 30-year-old Dee Gordon or 28-year-old Jean Segura.

 

Unless a promising middle infielder comes back in a trade.

[notin]

Seattle is likely to trade only one of their three middle infielders with multiple All Star appearances: 36-year-old Robinson Cano, 30-year-old Dee Gordon or 28-year-old Jean Segura.

 

Unless a promising middle infielder comes back in a trade.

 

They should probably trade them all, since that trio received roughly $48mill last year and were only valued at a total of 6.7 fWAR, which is worth about $53.5 mill.

 

It’s a break even venture to get rid of them all...

[moonslav59]

Now you have me wondering which is the stronger combo: Bogaerts at 3rd and Iggy at short, or Devers at 3rd and Bogaerts at short.

 

Defensively, it's a no brainer. Offensively, the answer is the opposite and a no brainer as well.

 

It might be nice seeing Iggy at SS, Bogey at 3B and Devers at 1B, but Bogey wants to play SS and would go elsewhere before agreeing to move to 3B and play with the Sox.

[moonslav59]

Seattle is likely to trade only one of their three middle infielders with multiple All Star appearances: 36-year-old Robinson Cano, 30-year-old Dee Gordon or 28-year-old Jean Segura.

 

Unless a promising middle infielder comes back in a trade.

 

Like Marco Hernandez?

 

(LOL)