And the off season begins (2018-19)

[harmony]

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...

That includes Dee Gordon’s 0.0 fWAR and $10.5 million salary.

[oldtimer]

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 TV pundits are saying Kelly is almost certainly gone, although they offer no details. They also indicate there is a lot of interest in Eovaldi with the phillies possible and also the Yankees. At least some believe the Red Sox still have a good chance.

[Kimmi]

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.

 

I don't see how we could beat out packages from other teams. Maybe Dombrowski is considering taking on part of Cano's contract? I would hope not.

 

In the end, I don't see us being able to get Diaz. He is a top commodity right now. However, I do see believe that Dave will bring in a proven closer one way or another. I can't see him going the route of letting one of our current relievers win the role.

[Kimmi]

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.

 

Kimbrel served his purpose here, and served it well. It's time to move on.

[Kimmi]

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.

 

Why would Seattle want Pedroia, much less kick in a chunk of money?

 

From what I understand, they are looking for someone to take on Cano's entire contract as part of the deal to get Diaz. They don't want to take on a contract in return, even if it's a better contract.

[Kimmi]

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...

 

I am still on the Pedroia bandwagon.

 

Then again, I might be the only person here who would happily take Hanley back.

[notin]

I am still on the Pedroia bandwagon.

 

Then again, I might be the only person here who would happily take Hanley back.

 

And on the short Clay Buchholz Needs to Come Back List...

[Kimmi]

And on the short Clay Buchholz Needs to Come Back List...

 

Yeah, that too.

[notin]

Why would Seattle want Pedroia, much less kick in a chunk of money?

 

From what I understand, they are looking for someone to take on Cano's entire contract as part of the deal to get Diaz. They don't want to take on a contract in return, even if it's a better contract.

 

Ultimately they’ll take what they can get.

 

But if I think Kimbrel for 5 years $80-90 mill is too risky, no way I want any part of Cano. Just pass on Diaz and bring Kimbrel back...

[dgalehouse]

I doubt that we lose all three of Kimbrel , Eovaldi and Kelly. But if we do , we are going to need some capable replacements. No matter how you look at it , it comes down to making good decisions and just how much John Henry is willing to spend. We will find out before long.

[notin]

Yeah, that too.

 

Three names and growing.

 

I nominate Bellhorn to chair the chapter meetings...

[S5Dewey]

Yeah, that too.

 

That list may be short but the list is growing.

[Larry Cook]

I doubt that we lose all three of Kimbrel , Eovaldi and Kelly. But if we do , we are going to need some capable replacements. No matter how you look at it , it comes down to making good decisions and just how much John Henry is willing to spend. We will find out before long.

 

I’m going with happ, Britton and Herrera as three replacements.

[oldtimer]

I am still on the Pedroia bandwagon.

 

Then again, I might be the only person here who would happily take Hanley back.

 

You probably are! Sentimentality doesn't make for a good team.

[oldtimer]

Three names and growing.

 

I nominate Bellhorn to chair the chapter meetings...

 

Is Buckner still alive?

[moonslav59]

I’m going with happ, Britton and Herrera as three replacements.

 

I doubt we sign a lefty SP'er. I think it will be Eovaldi or maybe a fall back like Anibal Sanchez/Matt Harvey type.

 

I think we might sign Familia, Ottavino or Herrera. I think Britton will be too costly, and for some reason, I just think he will never be the same again.

[notin]

I doubt we sign a lefty SP'er. I think it will be Eovaldi or maybe a fall back like Anibal Sanchez/Matt Harvey type.

 

I think we might sign Familia, Ottavino or Herrera. I think Britton will be too costly, and for some reason, I just think he will never be the same again.

 

The simplified approach is to think Familia will be the free agent target. Dombrowski has a reputation for liking harder throwers and Famili is the hardest throwing closer available in free agency. But I know he’ll look at more than just radar gun readings. Ottavino has minimal closing experience, which might make him the cheapest option of these (as well as the most questionable if no one else is acquired).

 

If money is the issue, sign a starter (Eovaldi? Pomeranz? Sanchez?), sign Ottavino or Kelly, and trade for a closer (Colome? LeClerc? Kela? Knebel? Yates?) using either Chavis or Dalbec, and Johnson as the starter package of trade bait...

Edited November 30, 2018 by notin

[OH FOY]

I see the Mariners want to include Gerson Bautista too, who we Traded for Addison Reed. This was one of those includes, by Dombrowski, wish he would stay away from our Minor Leaguers.

[moonslav59]

The simplified approach is to think Familia will be the free agent target. Dombrowski has a reputation for liking harder throwers and Famili is the hardest throwing closer available in free agency. But I know he’ll look at more than just radar gun readings. Ottavino has minimal closing experience, which might make him the cheapest option of these (as well as the most questionable if no one else is acquired).

 

If money is the issue, sign a starter (Eovaldi? Pomeranz? Sanchez?), sign Ottavino or Kelly, and trade for a closer (Colome? LeClerc? Kela? Knebel? Yates?) using either Chavis or Dalbec, and Johnson as the starter package of trade bait...

 

I really want Eovaldi the most but not for more than 2 years, so it's a tough call for me. I'm just not sure I want Eovaldi over Porcello and Sale, and if we sign him to 4 years, we'll probably have to say good bye to Rick or Chris (or Bogey or Betts).

 

Maybe a hefty buy out option on a 3rd and 4th season might get Eovaldi to agree to a 2 year deal with the Sox.

 

Trading for a more cost controlled closer makes a lot of sense, and I'm fine with trading Chavis and Johnson (and Swihart) to get a good one.

[Bellhorn04]

I see the Mariners want to include Gerson Bautista too, who we Traded for Addison Reed. This was one of those includes, by Dombrowski, wish he would stay away from our Minor Leaguers.

 

I don't think we would have won the 2018 World Series without the players he traded Minor Leaguers for.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we would have won the 2018 World Series without the players he traded Minor Leaguers for.

 

It certainly would have been harder. I think the Reed trade was a good one. I doubt Bautista amounts to anything.

[S5Dewey]

I am still on the Pedroia bandwagon.

 

Then again, I might be the only person here who would happily take Hanley back.

 

Buch yes. Hanley no.

[S5Dewey]

Is Buckner still alive?

 

Assuming this is a serious question, as far as I can find out he's still alive although he did reportedly try to take his own life because of the guilt and media (and fan) pressure after the '86 World Series.

[kenmeister]

I really want Eovaldi the most but not for more than 2 years, so it's a tough call for me. I'm just not sure I want Eovaldi over Porcello and Sale, and if we sign him to 4 years, we'll probably have to say good bye to Rick or Chris (or Bogey or Betts).

 

I would like them to sign Eovaldi for 4 years, trade for a closer as you mentioned, and I'm prepared to say goodbye to Chris.

[notin]

Assuming this is a serious question, as far as I can find out he's still alive although he did reportedly try to take his own life because of the guilt and media (and fan) pressure after the '86 World Series.

 

I never heard of any serious suicide attempts by Buckner, although there were jokes about his trying. “Did you hear Bill Buckner tried to commit suicide? He stepped in front of a bus but it went through his legs.”

 

But Buckner’s legend always seemed larger than deserved. He came back to the Red Sox in 1990 and hit that memorable inside-the-park home run and was welcomed by many fans despite the ignominy. He stuck around baseball as a coach for another several years before moving to Idaho and working as a real estate developer.

 

And he named his first development “Fenway Park.” True story.

 

I’d say he coped well...

[notin]

I don't think we would have won the 2018 World Series without the players he traded Minor Leaguers for.

 

Gerson Bautista was not one of those minor leaguers. Nor will he be missed as badly as the post implies. The Sox farm system doesn’t suffer from a lack of pitchers and players who might be mediocre major leaguers one day.

 

And apparently to get some decent prospects, the Mariners are willing to pay $60mill of Cano’s deal and take on some bad Mets’ contracts. The end result is the Mets will get Cano for 5 years and only pay about a $26mill increase in that timeframe.

 

And they get Diaz as well.

 

That new GM they hired is off to an interesting start to his career...

[OH FOY]

It certainly would have been harder. I think the Reed trade was a good one. I doubt Bautista amounts to anything.

 

That's how I feel about the Espinoza Trade too.

Edited November 30, 2018 by OH FOY!

[moonslav59]

That's how I feel about the Espinoza Trade too.

 

Well, the injury hurt his cause, but he was a much prospect. (of course, Pom > Reed, too.)

 

[OH FOY]

He's 23, started out at 19 with us. Already Pitching in the Majors. Read he hits, 100+ consistently. Did you read that?

[cp176]

I never heard of any serious suicide attempts by Buckner, although there were jokes about his trying. “Did you hear Bill Buckner tried to commit suicide? He stepped in front of a bus but it went through his legs.”

 

But Buckner’s legend always seemed larger than deserved. He came back to the Red Sox in 1990 and hit that memorable inside-the-park home run and was welcomed by many fans despite the ignominy. He stuck around baseball as a coach for another several years before moving to Idaho and working as a real estate developer.

 

And he named his first development “Fenway Park.” True story.

 

I’d say he coped well...

 

I'm sure that Billy Buck suffered after the error of '86 but it is surprising to me that if you ask people today what they remember about Buckner it is just that one thing. Actually, it really doesn't surprise me - that was probably silly even to say. I should have simply said that in addition to the event of '86, I remember BB for being an outstanding professional baseball player. By the end of '86 he was a beaten up 35+ year old player trying to keep it going. 21 years in the bigs. I have always admired athletes like Bill Buckner.