A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[Bellhorn04]

EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

 

Desperate Dave (he of 3 straight division titles) can't build a team anymore and doesn't know how to sign free agents!

 

It's called complacency, man. He's probably napping in some tropical paradise as we speak!

[notin]

Fortunately none of us is running the team.

 

 

Oh I know I’d be an awful GM. But DD has taken a few pages out of the Notin Playbook this off-season with his signing of minor league contracts and not going overboard signing a closer.

 

He did (understandably) sign Pearce, which is where we differ. I get why he did it, but in general, platoons are very un-Notin moves. I think of them as more of a small market strategy for teams who decide they cannot afford one good player, so instead decide to sign two players who only suck part-time...

[Bellhorn04]

Oh I know I’d be an awful GM. But DD has taken a few pages out of the Notin Playbook this off-season with his signing of minor league contracts and not going overboard signing a closer.

 

He did (understandably) sign Pearce, which is where we differ. I get why he did it, but in general, platoons are very un-Notin moves. I think of them as more of a small market strategy for teams who decide they cannot afford one good player, so instead decide to sign two players who only suck part-time...

 

I might argue that Pearce is not only a platoon but an insurance policy against Moreland's offense really sucking.

[Nick]

I might argue that Pearce is not only a platoon but an insurance policy against Moreland's offense really sucking.

 

And he can even DH when an JD subs in outfield.

[dgalehouse]

It was 99 years ago today that Harry Frazee earned his place in the annals of low life scum by selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $ 125,000 . ( Plus a $ 350,000 loan.) It was reported that some Yankee fans feared that the Bambino acquisition would hamstring the team financially for years to come. On the bright side ; it was said that No - No Nanette was a helluva good play .

[notin]

I might argue that Pearce is not only a platoon but an insurance policy against Moreland's offense really sucking.

 

I would have gone for an upgrade to a full time player who didn’t need an insurance policy.

 

When Philadelphia made Carlos Santana available not to dump salary but to clear 1b for Rhys Hopkins, I would have offered Moreland and Nunez. If they accepted, I upgrade 1b to a full time OBP machine (whose power admittedly is not ideal for Fenway) and clear up the bench logjam for the same cost in the end as signing Pearce.

 

But that’s me. Moreland/Pearce May work out better and I get why the World Series MVP was brought back. And for all I know, maybe DD did make that offer to Philadelphia and got rejected...

[mvp 78]

I would have gone for an upgrade to a full time player who didn’t need an insurance policy.

 

When Philadelphia made Carlos Santana available not to dump salary but to clear 1b for Rhys Hopkins, I would have offered Moreland and Nunez. If they accepted, I upgrade 1b to a full time OBP machine (whose power admittedly is not ideal for Fenway) and clear up the bench logjam for the same cost in the end as signing Pearce.

 

But that’s me. Moreland/Pearce May work out better and I get why the World Series MVP was brought back. And for all I know, maybe DD did make that offer to Philadelphia and got rejected...

 

Why would they take Moreland and Nunez for Santana? Doesn't seem like a trade Philly would take.

[notin]

Why would they take Moreland and Nunez for Santana? Doesn't seem like a trade Philly would take.

 

We’ll never know. But with the goal of just clearing the position for another player, it’s tougher to say than with other fictional trade scenarios.

 

If necessary I would have added a minor sweetener like Dalbec. But again, I’m not sure DD never asked about this himself. So it’s not like I’m holding anything against him here...

[Nick]

Signing Pearce to a one year deal was another excellent move.

 

Sox would like to see Chavis step into the 1B position for 2020. I believe if JD opts out and signs elsewhere, Pearce may get the first call to fill in the DH spot.

 

Basically going from $35M (JD, Moreland, Pearce) to say $8M (Pearce, Chavis) for the reset. Just saying.

Edited January 3, 2019 by Nick

[Nick]

It's interesting that MANY of you did not want the Sox to sign Eovaldi. I think it was brilliant move from the perspective of hedging against both Sale and Porcello leaving the Sox after 2019 season.

 

Not only that, in a jam, Eovaldi can indeed step in and close for us. If we don't sign a closer, Sox will name either Barnes or Brasier as the closer. And If they 1) falter before the trade deadline or 2) a starter emerges from the farm at some point this season or 3) Sox is unable to trade for a closer at trade deadline, you may see Eovaldi move over to the pen to save his arm. We know that Eovaldi is all about winning, he's signed for four years, He's not playing for a new contract in 2019. I can't see him saying no.

 

In essence, if Eovaldi does indeed end up closing, we gave Kimbrel's 4 year deal to Eovaldi. Unlike Kimbrel, our new closer Eovaldi, can start or come in in relief and pitch 7 innings.

Edited January 3, 2019 by Nick

[notin]

I’m not sure why so many people want to see Eovaldi go to the bullpen.

 

The Sox will add a reliever or two at some point. And one of them or Barnes or Brasier will get a shot at closing.

 

The Sox will also have an easier time finding a relief pitcher than a starter in their farm, especially considering the farm will probably already be taxed with replacing Rodriguez during his annual injury...

[Nick]

I’m not sure why so many people want to see Eovaldi go to the bullpen.

 

The Sox will add a reliever or two at some point. And one of them or Barnes or Brasier will get a shot at closing.

 

The Sox will also have an easier time finding a relief pitcher than a starter in their farm, especially considering the farm will probably already be taxed with replacing Rodriguez during his annual injury...

 

Not sure if you read my post carefully but I said, Not only that, in a jam, Eovaldi can indeed step in and close for us. If we don't sign a closer, Sox will name either Barnes or Brasier as the closer.

[notin]

Not sure if you read my post carefully but I said, Not only that, in a jam, Eovaldi can indeed step in and close for us. If we don't sign a closer, Sox will name either Barnes or Brasier as the closer.

 

 

I’m pretty sure Eovaldi’s role will remain constant throughout the season. And that role will be starting. His lengthy history of arm troubles is going to be enough to overcome without being placed in varying roles.

 

The Sox will find someone to close. Even with Robertson signing today, there are still plenty of closers still on the market, and a few more options can and will emerge via trade, which has always been Dombrowski’s preferred method of acquiring players. He does have a couple extra options in the system - notably Chavis and Dalbec - who can be moved in the right deal and are actually decent trade chips...

[cp176]

ok - here goes - my bet is that Kimbrel comes back to Boston.

[Bellhorn04]

ok - here goes - my bet is that Kimbrel comes back to Boston.

 

It does seem like a possibility still.

[dgalehouse]

ok - here goes - my bet is that Kimbrel comes back to Boston.

 

About the only top guys left are Kimbrel , Britton and Ottavino . ( No doubt someone will mention a few more ) The Yankees are rumored to be going hard after Britton. He will probably cost less than Kimbrel , but more than Ottavino . I think we will hear something soon. Personally , I think Barnes and Brasier would be more suited to the seventh and eighth innings . Wright is kind of a wild card . The way the game is today , you really need at least three or four quality arms in the pen . Using starters in relief is really only something you would do in the post season.

[Bellhorn04]

About the only top guys left are Kimbrel , Britton and Ottavino .

 

Those are the top tier guys left alright.

 

Next tier would be Herrera and Allen, both of whom have been top tier before.

[kenmeister]

ok - here goes - my bet is that Kimbrel comes back to Boston.

 

Mine too. The Sox learned the waiting game last year with JD, and they're applying it again. There are still multiple good closers left as the previous poster outlined, so I'm not worried.

[dgalehouse]

Those are the top tier guys left alright.

 

Next tier would be Herrera and Allen, both of whom have been top tier before.

 

Yeah . They are definitely the best of the rest . I wouldn't be satisfied with one of them unless it was in addition to one of the top tier guys .

[moonslav59]

Oh I know I’d be an awful GM. But DD has taken a few pages out of the Notin Playbook this off-season with his signing of minor league contracts and not going overboard signing a closer.

 

He did (understandably) sign Pearce, which is where we differ. I get why he did it, but in general, platoons are very un-Notin moves. I think of them as more of a small market strategy for teams who decide they cannot afford one good player, so instead decide to sign two players who only suck part-time...

 

The good thing about Pearce is he can hit righties well enough,if Moreland gets hurt again.

 

[moonslav59]

Just returned from a laproscopic double hernia operation. All went well.

 

A little sore, but all in all, I'm okay.

[Kimmi]

Anyone a tiny bit surprised Harper and f***face Machado still haven't signed yet?

 

Not really surprised, but I'm beginning to wonder if Harper is going to regret turning down the reported offer of 10 yrs/$300 mil.

[Kimmi]

Going with Brasier or Barnes would not be "devastating," when you look how stacked the rest of the team is. Besides, we will add another RP'er by opening day. It doesn't have to a be a great one.

 

I agree that going with Brasier or Barnes would not be devastating, but I will be highly surprised if Dombrowski doesn't add a known closer. I just can't see that happening.

[Kimmi]

Normally, I am the optimist . Calm and confident while some others are sweating bullets , nervous , worried , cursing and fearing the worst. One eye on the Yankees and the other eye twitching. However, what I see here is a bit of false bravado. Should the Yanks acquire Machado , Paxton and a quality bullpen piece while the Sox lose Kimbrel and Kelly without getting any significant replacement for the bullpen, it is definitely a cause for concern. We should not pretend otherwise. I do realize it is still early , but I wouldn't want to wait until mid season to address it.

 

As I told you before, relax. Stop sweating bullets.

 

Dombrowski will get you a closer that you will be pleased with.

[Kimmi]

It's called complacency, man. He's probably napping in some tropical paradise as we speak!

 

I think he's just waiting as long as possible to give Jacko some false hope.

[Kimmi]

Just returned from a laproscopic double hernia operation. All went well.

 

A little sore, but all in all, I'm okay.

 

Good to hear Moon.

 

Don't overdo it.

[oldtimer]

Just returned from a laproscopic double hernia operation. All went well.

 

A little sore, but all in all, I'm okay.

 

You sure do have your problems. Get well and be ready for spring training.

[Bellhorn04]

Just returned from a laproscopic double hernia operation. All went well.

 

A little sore, but all in all, I'm okay.

 

Look after yourself. Did you get the Red Sox 2018 deluxe World Series DVD set yet? Just got mine today.

[moonslav59]

Look after yourself. Did you get the Red Sox 2018 deluxe World Series DVD set yet? Just got mine today.

 

Not yet.

 

One personal connection I will always have with Kimbrel, is that I hold him responsible for my literally busting a gut screaming at the TV during his "saves" in the playoffs.

 

 

[dgalehouse]

Not yet.

 

One personal connection I will always have with Kimbrel, is that I hold him responsible for my literally busting a gut screaming at the TV during his "saves" in the playoffs.

 

 

:mad

If you had stayed away from the hysterical game threads , it would not have happened. There was never any real reason to worry. Seriously, glad you are feeling better.