A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[moonslav59]

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.

 

I swore off the game thread numerous times, for just that reason.

[cp176]

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

 

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

 

few weeks and you'll be back to normal - look at it this way now you have the time to post more frequently here on tsox! lol

 

good for you for saving the procedure for the off-season.

[notin]

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

 

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

 

 

I had that same operation 5 years ago. Recovery was not bad at all. Just don’t lift anything too heavy...

[kenmeister]

I swore off the game thread numerous times, for just that reason.

 

Nevermind the game threads, I got into the habit of turning the tv off when Kimbrel came on, and checking the score about 10 minutes later.

[notin]

Nevermind the game threads, I got into the habit of turning the tv off when Kimbrel came on, and checking the score about 10 minutes later.

 

 

Ah yes. The old “If he doesn’t hold the lead I don’t want to see it anyway” philosophy...

[moonslav59]

Make you wonder if Kimbrel's struggles were just a blip or a sign of impending decline.

[sk7326]

Make you wonder if Kimbrel's struggles were just a blip or a sign of impending decline.

 

The walk rate is a serious problem - really that was the crux of the issue. He just couldn't throw strikes consistently. I have no problem bringing him back - but there are a lot of comparable options out there.

[Bellhorn04]

The walk rate is a serious problem - really that was the crux of the issue. He just couldn't throw strikes consistently. I have no problem bringing him back - but there are a lot of comparable options out there.

 

The surprising thing when I looked at his numbers is that his WHIP with Boston was virtually identical to his WHIP with Atlanta. The one thing that was significantly different was the HR rate - 0.4 with Atlanta and 0.8 with Boston.

[moonslav59]

The walk rate is a serious problem - really that was the crux of the issue. He just couldn't throw strikes consistently. I have no problem bringing him back - but there are a lot of comparable options out there.

 

To me, the main issue with bringing CK back is the money and years.

 

I think it is worth the risk of finding someone else that is cheaper and hopefully younger.

 

CK could decline quickly.

 

The guy we get could end up doing better.

 

I could be wrong on both of these statements.

[Bellhorn04]

To me, the main issue with bringing CK back is the money and years.

 

I think it is worth the risk of finding someone else that is cheaper and hopefully younger.

 

CK could decline quickly.

 

The guy we get could end up doing better.

 

I could be wrong on both of these statements.

 

Or not. Jeez, don't go all harmony on us. Make a guess!

[dgalehouse]

To me, the main issue with bringing CK back is the money and years.

 

I think it is worth the risk of finding someone else that is cheaper and hopefully younger.

 

CK could decline quickly.

 

The guy we get could end up doing better.

 

I could be wrong on both of these statements.

 

That is a lot of " coulds " . The list of available options is slowly shrinking. I would imagine that some negotiating is going on even as we speculate . I still think Ottavino is who we will end up with . He can probably be had for less money and fewer years than Kimbrel or Britton.

[moonslav59]

That is a lot of " coulds " . The list of available options is slowly shrinking. I would imagine that some negotiating is going on even as we speculate . I still think Ottavino is who we will end up with . He can probably be had for less money and fewer years than Kimbrel or Britton.

 

Hopefully less than Robertson.

[notin]

That is a lot of " coulds " . The list of available options is slowly shrinking. I would imagine that some negotiating is going on even as we speculate . I still think Ottavino is who we will end up with . He can probably be had for less money and fewer years than Kimbrel or Britton.

 

 

Given how slowly the reliever/closer market is moving, I wouldn’t take anyone off the list, including Kimbrel. One of the things Dombrowski is probably waiting on is to find this year’s Moustakas - that unsigned player who can’t find a home and ultimately has to settle for a one year deal. On a one year deal, the money might matter less if the Sox plan to reset.

 

If not, Cody Allen might be the cheapest option for money and years while not scraping the bottom of the barrel...

[Kimmi]

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

 

I got mine for Christmas.

[moonslav59]

Who is really desperate to get a solid closer and has the will to spend heavily to get one?

 

MLBTR projected these deals:

 

$70M/4 Kimbrel

 

$33M/3 Britton

 

$30M/3 Ottavino

 

$27M/3 A Miller

 

$18M/2 J Soria

 

$16M/2 Cody Allen

 

$12M/2 Brad Brach

 

$8M/1 K Herrera

 

What teams will go all out to get one of these guys?

 

The Yanks will probably sign Britton,especially if they miss out on Machado/Harper.

 

The Cards, Sox and Braves seem to belookinng for a clser, but how much will they offer?

 

My guess is someone pretty good will end up settling on a 1 year deal or a lower than projected 2-3 year deal after 3 or 4 of these guys are signed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dgalehouse]

Who is really desperate to get a solid closer and has the will to spend heavily to get one?

 

MLBTR projected these deals:

 

$70M/4 Kimbrel

 

$33M/3 Britton

 

$30M/3 Ottavino

 

$27M/3 A Miller

 

$18M/2 J Soria

 

$16M/2 Cody Allen

 

$12M/2 Brad Brach

 

$8M/1 K Herrera

 

What teams will go all out to get one of these guys?

 

The Yanks will probably sign Britton,especially if they miss out on Machado/Harper.

 

The Cards, Sox and Braves seem to belookinng for a clser, but how much will they offer?

 

My guess is someone pretty good will end up settling on a 1 year deal or a lower than projected 2-3 year deal after 3 or 4 of these guys are signed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to predict the market here . Two of the big spending teams , the Yanks and Dodgers are set at closer . The Yanks are also set at the set up role. They would still like to strengthen the pen , but for how much ? I don't think teams like the Cards or Braves are going to spend too much . Maybe if the Phillies strike out with Harper and Machado , they will spend big on the bullpen. The Sox did well playing the waiting game last year . Maybe it will work again .

[notin]

Hard to predict the market here . Two of the big spending teams , the Yanks and Dodgers are set at closer . The Yanks are also set at the set up role. They would still like to strengthen the pen , but for how much ? I don't think teams like the Cards or Braves are going to spend too much . Maybe if the Phillies strike out with Harper and Machado , they will spend big on the bullpen. The Sox did well playing the waiting game last year . Maybe it will work again .

 

 

Philly just signed Robertson and now has an overcrowded bullpen they might be looking to move parts of. Reportedly they would like to deal Hunter and Neshek...

[moonslav59]

Hard to predict the market here . Two of the big spending teams , the Yanks and Dodgers are set at closer . The Yanks are also set at the set up role. They would still like to strengthen the pen , but for how much ? I don't think teams like the Cards or Braves are going to spend too much . Maybe if the Phillies strike out with Harper and Machado , they will spend big on the bullpen. The Sox did well playing the waiting game last year . Maybe it will work again .

 

Even if the Yanks get Britton and rge Cards sign Kimbrel, Lets say the Braves get Miller or Ottavino. Who would we be in competition with us over the left-overs.

[dgalehouse]

Even if the Yanks get Britton and rge Cards sign Kimbrel, Lets say the Braves get Miller or Ottavino. Who would we be in competition with us over the left-overs.

 

The Cards already signed Miller .

[notin]

Even if the Yanks get Britton and rge Cards sign Kimbrel, Lets say the Braves get Miller or Ottavino. Who would we be in competition with us over the left-overs.

 

Angels, Cubs, Braves and possibly the White Sox, although I think they want their impactful spending to be elsewhere.

 

But for Britton, Ottavino and Kimbrel, those are the suitors. If Britton goes to the Yankees, then the Cubs, Angels and Braves and Red Sox are the market for Kimbrel, Ottavino, and probably Cody Allen...

[moonslav59]

The Cards already signed Miller .

 

Did Soria sign, too?

[moonslav59]

I think we're fine as is, but if we end up with juts Allen, Brach or Herrera (or maybe 2 of them), I'll like our chances even more.

 

[dgalehouse]

Did Soria sign, too?

 

Soria signed with the A's.

[Northern Star]

As far as I'm concerned, this is an off year. They can miss the playoffs and I'm still kicking back, because reigning World Series champs.

[moonslav59]

Next year will be the off year.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR reports...

 

Pitching has gone from a weakness to a strength for the Red Sox over the last five seasons, and Alex Speier of the Boston Globe details how the club upgraded its scouting and development system to better identify talent and then further build on that talent once on the Sox roster. Speier delves into the team’s acquisition of Nathan Eovaldi at the trade deadline, and how Eovaldi took on some tips from pitching coach Dana LeVangie and assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister to make his fastball more of a weapon. These tweaks and an increased usage of his curveball took Eovaldi’s performance up another notch (after he already pitching well for the Rays) after joining the Red Sox, and he then was one of the stars of Boston’s World Series run.

[Kimmi]

As far as I'm concerned, this is an off year. They can miss the playoffs and I'm still kicking back, because reigning World Series champs.

 

Normally, I could agree with this thinking, but the 2019 Red Sox are built to win in a way that we may not see again for several years.

[Kimmi]

MLBTR reports...

 

Pitching has gone from a weakness to a strength for the Red Sox over the last five seasons, and Alex Speier of the Boston Globe details how the club upgraded its scouting and development system to better identify talent and then further build on that talent once on the Sox roster. Speier delves into the team’s acquisition of Nathan Eovaldi at the trade deadline, and how Eovaldi took on some tips from pitching coach Dana LeVangie and assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister to make his fastball more of a weapon. These tweaks and an increased usage of his curveball took Eovaldi’s performance up another notch (after he already pitching well for the Rays) after joining the Red Sox, and he then was one of the stars of Boston’s World Series run.

 

Analytics, analytics, analytics.

 

Thank you Brian Bannister.

[moonslav59]

This is certainly not an "off year."

 

I know the saying about standing still is really going backwards, but in our case, I don't see it that way. With Eovaldi here from day one, we are better on paper for opening day. Hopefully, players who misses time with injuries will return to form, and we won't have major health issues in 2019. To me, injuries are our biggest concern.

 

(I'm assuming we add a pen piece.)

 

 

[Kimmi]

This is certainly not an "off year."

 

I know the saying about standing still is really going backwards, but in our case, I don't see it that way. With Eovaldi here from day one, we are better on paper for opening day. Hopefully, players who misses time with injuries will return to form, and we won't have major health issues in 2019. To me, injuries are our biggest concern.

 

(I'm assuming we add a pen piece.)

 

 

 

We will add a pen piece.

 

And look for Devers to take a step forward.