A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[kenmeister]

Getting Kimbrel and not getting rid of Hembree, whom I am noticing many fans seem to undervalue, would be a bigger plus.

 

Seriously, I do not get all this Hembree Hate and corresponding Workman Love. Or Johnson Love...

 

It's not Hembree hate. It's a matter of analyzing the roster and deciding who, if Kimbrel is signed or Velazquez stays with the big league club, is bumped.

[moonslav59]

I think this team can win it all. But obviously subtracting say Hembree and adding back in Kimbrel would be a plus. Actually I'd rather have Velazquez than Thornburg, Hembree or Workman.

 

Also add Carson Smith to the AAA back-up.

 

Velazquez has options- the others don't. That's the only reason I had HV in AAA on opening day.

[moonslav59]

The knock on Ockimey is his Defense. Hard to figure they bring him up, with this. He wasn't protected, and he wasn't Drafted in Rule 5, seems others see him, as he needs much improvement. Not counting on him too much, this year, especially if he has a weak Triple AAA, season.

 

Could be several teams like him, but don't want to keep him on the 25 man roster all year.

[moonslav59]

It's not Hembree hate. It's a matter of analyzing the roster and deciding who, if Kimbrel is signed or Velazquez stays with the big league club, is bumped.

 

I'd keep Hembree over Workman.

 

Velzquez has options, so Hembree is over him, too.

 

I'd only keep Johnson over Hembree, because our SP'er depth needs him. (Both are out of options.)

[Tedballgame]

I'd keep Hembree over Workman.

 

Velzquez has options, so Hembree is over him, too.

 

I'd only keep Johnson over Hembree, because our SP'er depth needs him. (Both are out of options.)

I think I would keep Hembree over Johnson because Hembree can get out lefties (when he is good) and he has a power arm. Johnson's stuff is average.

[Tedballgame]

I like the low cost move of signing Carson Smith to a minor league deal. If he can get himself right, his stuff is nasty. Worth a flier. Especially since they gave up the great Wade Miley to get him.

[moonslav59]

I think I would keep Hembree over Johnson because Hembree can get out lefties (when he is good) and he has a power arm. Johnson's stuff is average.

 

True, but Johnson starts. Wright may never be back. Trading Johnson leaves just Velazquez and Shawaryn as starter depth.

[cp176]

I'd keep Hembree over Workman.

 

Velzquez has options, so Hembree is over him, too.

 

I'd only keep Johnson over Hembree, because our SP'er depth needs him. (Both are out of options.)

 

I do not think that Workman is going to be with us. Johnson still has value as a back of the rotation starter. Hembree is a guy if used correctly could help any team in the role he plays.

[notin]

I do not think that Workman is going to be with us. Johnson still has value as a back of the rotation starter. Hembree is a guy if used correctly could help any team in the role he plays.

 

OMG I agree with cp176 on all points. Bookmark this post!

[moonslav59]

I do not think that Workman is going to be with us. Johnson still has value as a back of the rotation starter. Hembree is a guy if used correctly could help any team in the role he plays.

 

I agree, but an issue may arise with options, especially if we pick up a RP'er or two without trading a pitcher with options.

 

I have all 3 making the opening day roster with Velazquez starting in AAA. This assumes no injuries (doubtful) and no new additions (doubtful).

[moonslav59]

OMG I agree with cp176 on all points. Bookmark this post!

 

Check your temperature for a fever or something.

[moonslav59]

H a p p y

 

N e w

 

Y e a r !

 

 

[a700hitter]

H a p p y

 

N e w

 

Y e a r !

 

 

Happy New Year!!! 2018 will never be forgotten for all of the fun and excitement of the greatest Red Sox season ever.

[moonslav59]

happy new year!!! 2018 will never be forgotten for all of the fun and excitement of the greatest red sox season ever.

 

so right!

[cp176]

OMG I agree with cp176 on all points. Bookmark this post!

 

stop the presses!!! If I had known you were going to respond thusly, Workman might have looked a lot better to me all of a sudden. lol

You know I am good for you.

[cp176]

Happy New Year!

[cp176]

Happy New Year!!! 2018 will never be forgotten for all of the fun and excitement of the greatest Red Sox season ever.

 

I think that this is very true. The best Red Sox team of all time with respect to every aspect that makes a team great.

[harmony]

I like the low cost move of signing Carson Smith to a minor league deal. If he can get himself right, his stuff is nasty. Worth a flier. Especially since they gave up the great Wade Miley to get him.

I doubt Wade Miley will settle for a minor league contract this offseason.

[Bellhorn04]

I doubt Wade Miley will settle for a minor league contract this offseason.

 

Miley has had an interesting career.

[notin]

I doubt Wade Miley will settle for a minor league contract this offseason.

 

No one suggested he would (despite that he did so 11 months ago)...

[moonslav59]

I think that this is very true. The best Red Sox team of all time with respect to every aspect that makes a team great.

 

Best manager ever.

 

Best RF'er ever.

 

Best team balance ever- pitching, offense and defense.

 

YES!

 

 

[Kimmi]

Best manager ever.

 

Best RF'er ever.

 

Best team balance ever- pitching, offense and defense.

 

YES!

 

 

Best managed season ever? Yes

 

Best manager ever? Too soon to say.

 

The same thing can be said about the RFer.

[moonslav59]

Best managed season ever? Yes

 

Best manager ever? Too soon to say.

 

 

I stick to my positions, and I felt that way about Cora before the ring.

[oldtimer]

To do list for January 2019? This based upon staying below the second tier of the luxury tax penalty tier.

 

1. Look for and add a closer and perhaps another reliever. Make staff adjustments accordingly.

 

2. Evaluate Pedey and his physical progress. Develop a plan based on the findings

 

3. Trade a catcher, possibly for prospects or a reliever.

 

4. Initiate negotiation of contracts for Bogey, Betts and Sale if that is not already in progress.

[notin]

To do list for January 2019? This based upon staying below the second tier of the luxury tax penalty tier.

 

1. Look for and add a closer and perhaps another reliever. Make staff adjustments accordingly.

 

2. Evaluate Pedey and his physical progress. Develop a plan based on the findings

 

3. Trade a catcher, possibly for prospects or a reliever.

 

4. Initiate negotiation of contracts for Bogey, Betts and Sale if that is not already in progress.

 

At this point, negotiations with Sale and Bogaerts are not likely to do much except maybe pay them the contracts they would earn in free agency anyway. Bogaerts is a Boras client, and Boras famously disagrees with his clientele signing “team friendly” extensions. Either could be signed, but the Sox have very little in the way of leverage to negotiate from, what with both players one year away from free agency.

 

They are in a better position with Betts, but Mookie reportedly has turned down extensions in the past when they made more sense for him. Any extension for Betts would be enormous and basically be the same deal he’d get as a free agent.

 

The Sox will certainly be in a better position to re-sign Betts if the Yankees sign Machado and the Dodgers sign Harper, since both notorious high spenders will have less budget to work with. The less competition the better...

Edited January 2, 2019 by notin

[cp176]

It is going to be very interesting to see if the Yankees will sign Machado. Obviously they might not now.

[notin]

It is going to be very interesting to see if the Yankees will sign Machado. Obviously they might not now.

 

I have mixed emotions on that subject.

 

I don’t want to see them get better. But I really don’t want to see them get Betts...

[moonslav59]

It won't bother me at all, if the Yanks get Machado. He'll help in the short term but will limit them down the road.

 

We're still better than them with MM and us without CK.

[notin]

It won't bother me at all, if the Yanks get Machado. He'll help in the short term but will limit them down the road.

 

We're still better than them with MM and us without CK.

 

 

The more I think about it, I’d actually prefer they signed Harper, because it would mitigate their need for an outfielder when Betts’ contract is up. The downside is - whoever doesn’t sign Harper still has the money and needs an outfielder...

Edited January 2, 2019 by notin

[moonslav59]

The more I think about it, I’d actually prefer they signed Harper, because it would mitigate their need for an outfielder when Betts’ contract is up. The downside is - whoever doesn’t sign Harper still has the money and needs an outfielder...

 

...like LAD.