A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[notin]

Xander's quite heavy for a SS and his range took a step backwards this year. The bat still makes it an excellent overall package, but there's a decent chance that Xander does the Ernie Banks/John Valentin/Rico Petrocelli thing and has to move to the corners as he gets older.

 

Those are not exactly names from a bad club.

 

There was also that Ripken guy who held on pretty long at shortstop. He was pretty big...

[Bellhorn04]

It seems like with these new-style offseasons, you get some signings in December, and then virtually nothing happens in January.

[notin]

It seems like with these new-style offseasons, you get some signings in December, and then virtually nothing happens in January.

 

Less than one month until pitchers and catchers report for most teams. Right now there are 73 pitchers with nowhere to report to...

[Bellhorn04]

Less than one month until pitchers and catchers report for most teams. Right now there are 73 pitchers with nowhere to report to...

 

It really does seem like teams in general are kind of saying 'fk you' to the players.

[S5Dewey]

It really does seem like teams in general are kind of saying 'fk you' to the players.

 

IMO the bigger question is whether there's collusion among the owners, or if the player's salary demands are catching up with them.

[notin]

IMO the bigger question is whether there's collusion among the owners, or if the player's salary demands are catching up with them.

 

 

Ah the dreaded “C Word.”

 

The agents throw it around so fast as well, mostly because it has worked 3 times already.

 

But baseball is a $10 billion dollar industry. If owners are going to try to collide to keep salaries down a few million here and there, I would expect at least one opportunistic owner to break ranks and take advantage of the inactivity.

 

Now selfish owners working independently to not spend because those long term mega contracts are financial sinkholes and everyone knows it? I can see that...

[moonslav59]

Those are not exactly names from a bad club.

 

There was also that Ripken guy who held on pretty long at shortstop. He was pretty big...

 

...and he was not all that great on defense towards the middle and end of his career.

[notin]

...and he was not all that great on defense towards the middle and end of his career.

 

Cut him some slack. He played shortstop every day until he was 35 years old and never took a day off. And even after that still hung on for 5 more years...

[kenmeister]

IMO the bigger question is whether there's collusion among the owners, or if the player's salary demands are catching up with them.

 

I think it's a recognition that players in their 20s - most of whom aren't free agents - are far better performers than players in their 30s - most of whom who are.

[cp176]

I think it's a recognition that players in their 20s - most of whom aren't free agents - are far better performers than players in their 30s - most of whom who are.

 

I for sure don't know much about how the financials work but it seems to me that whoever is responsible for the current financial rules and regulations created to create parity or what some might think is fairness in ml baseball, really blew it this time. Rich owners have absolute reasons now for not over paying anyone. It is possible that maybe the Luxury taxes etc. etc. have given them what they have wanted. A legal means to collude and keep their market costs down.

[moonslav59]

Cut him some slack. He played shortstop every day until he was 35 years old and never took a day off. And even after that still hung on for 5 more years...

 

No disrespect intended, but his streak became a detriment to the team goal of winning.

[BillyWilliams]

No disrespect intended, but his streak became a detriment to the team goal of winning.

 

I agree.

[Kimmi]

I don't either, and I'm not concerned much at all about his weight.

 

I was glad to see some progress on defense by the end of 2019. I hope he continues to build on that growth on defense.

 

Devers weight is not much of a concern, at the moment. But he is only 22 and it is probably something that should be monitored fairly closely. The Red Sox are concerned enough with it to have him working with a nutritionist or something.

[Kimmi]

Ah the dreaded “C Word.”

 

The agents throw it around so fast as well, mostly because it has worked 3 times already.

 

But baseball is a $10 billion dollar industry. If owners are going to try to collide to keep salaries down a few million here and there, I would expect at least one opportunistic owner to break ranks and take advantage of the inactivity.

 

Now selfish owners working independently to not spend because those long term mega contracts are financial sinkholes and everyone knows it? I can see that...

 

Maybe the owners are finally starting to wise up against the mega deals? One can only hope.

[oldtimer]

IMO the bigger question is whether there's collusion among the owners, or if the player's salary demands are catching up with them.

 

When owners have laid out big contracts only to get very little value in return, I think the reaction of being more cautious is expected. Long contracts at high AAVs may become rare.

[notin]

When owners have laid out big contracts only to get very little value in return, I think the reaction of being more cautious is expected. Long contracts at high AAVs may become rare.

 

 

But if there were ever two players who checked all the boxes for a long term high AAV contract, it’s Machado and Harper...

[cp176]

A young guy who is about 6' tall and weighs 235# is too heavy. The Sox said he was getting help from a nutritionist. Hope so if he is to have a long career.

 

You may be right in your judgement here but you may be wrong as well. I would hope that all professional athletes would have some exposure to nutritionists. i'm guessing that you have been around athletes for many years and that you know that we all come in different shapes and sizes. Assuming that someone is overweight using only their height and weight as criteria is really moving down a slippery slope.

[jacksonianmarch]

He is right. He is too big at an age when losing weight should be easy. As he ages, he will have trouble keeping it off. And it isn't like he's a ripped individual. He has a very thick lower half, meaning he is going to struggle staying quick. Just move him to 1b after 2019 and the problem solves itself

[cp176]

He is right. He is too big at an age when losing weight should be easy. As he ages, he will have trouble keeping it off. And it isn't like he's a ripped individual. He has a very thick lower half, meaning he is going to struggle staying quick. Just move him to 1b after 2019 and the problem solves itself

 

I understand that you are a medical professional but saying that anyone who is 6'0" tall and weighs 200+ pounds is overweight without knowing the necessary facts and stats is an arbitrary call that may or may not be right. You can post a very educated response I'm sure but sorry it won't be one that I buy. I liken it to a bmi test without further tests or even a cholesterol test that fails to mention good cholesterol.

[Bellhorn04]

Well, it's not the worst thing in the world if Devers slides over to first base. We will have an opening there after this year.

[cp176]

Well, it's not the worst thing in the world if Devers slides over to first base. We will have an opening there after this year.

 

Hopefully they put him where he can best help the team. I wonder what the people in Toronto are saying about their about up and coming star Vlad junior. He looks just about one and a half times the size of Devers right now. lol

[moonslav59]

For 2020, the main choice might come down to who is a better defender?

 

Devers or Chavis

 

(If Dalbec passes Chavis, I think he would win 3B and Devers would move to 1B.)

[mvp 78]

For 2020, the main choice might come down to who is a better defender?

 

Devers or Chavis

 

(If Dalbec passes Chavis, I think he would win 3B and Devers would move to 1B.)

 

Devers is a better defender than Chavis and it isn't close.

 

Dalbec is the best defender out of the 3.

[cp176]

Devers is a better defender than Chavis and it isn't close.

 

Dalbec is the best defender out of the 3.

 

One of the reasons I will be disappointed if Dalbec gets dealt. A real athlete learning.

[mvp 78]

One of the reasons I will be disappointed if Dalbec gets dealt. A real athlete learning.

 

I agree. I think Dalbec is a better prospect than Chavis. Right now, Chavis is better (i.e. higher floor), but I think if Dalbec refines his approach a little that he could be a perennial All Star. Dalbec's ceiling is so much higher than Chavis'.

[oldtimer]

Devers is a better defender than Chavis and it isn't close.

 

Dalbec is the best defender out of the 3.

 

The scouting report indicates Dalbec is an average fielder with a strong arm. Chavis came up from being a shortstop. Neither of them is particularly quick and both need to get more consistent in the batters box. Dalbec has a lot of raw power but also whiffs a lot. Chavis also has good power and may be closer to being competitive against major league pitching. Devers will probably make a step forward but I stand behind saying that 6' and 237#s is too heavy for him. The good news is the Sox have recognized this and are working with him to get better control. I am 6'1" and weigh 233# so have some acquaintance with being too heavy. I've continued to play ball for many years and know first hand that the weight is not a plus other than on a scale. It's like carrying a bowling ball around with you all the time.

[moonslav59]

Devers is a better defender than Chavis and it isn't close.

 

Dalbec is the best defender out of the 3.

 

That's what I was thinking, so maybe we shouldn't be so quick to anoint Devers the 2020 1Bman, until we find out a few things.

 

1) Does Devers improve enough at 3B in 2019 that we want to keep him there or give him more time to get adequate?

 

2) Will Chavis prove he can play a major role at the big league level by 2020?

 

3) Will Dalbec prove he can play a major role at the big league level by 2020?

 

We may end up having to sign a corner IF'er next winter, even if we reset.

[mvp 78]

That's what I was thinking, so maybe we shouldn't be so quick to anoint Devers the 2020 1Bman, until we find out a few things.

 

1) Does Devers improve enough at 3B in 2019 that we want to keep him there or give him more time to get adequate?

 

2) Will Chavis prove he can play a major role at the big league level by 2020?

 

3) Will Dalbec prove he can play a major role at the big league level by 2020?

 

We may end up having to sign a corner IF'er next winter, even if we reset.

 

I think Chavis slides into a platoon 1B/utility role in 2020. If Dalbec is good enough, it would push Devers to 1b or DH depending on JD's contract.

 

However, what I think will happen is the following:

 

Dalbec is traded

 

Devers stays at 3b

 

Chavis platoons 1b and plays some 2b/3b and corner OF

[moonslav59]

I think Chavis slides into a platoon 1B/utility role in 2020. If Dalbec is good enough, it would push Devers to 1b or DH depending on JD's contract.

 

However, what I think will happen is the following:

 

Dalbec is traded

 

Devers stays at 3b

 

Chavis platoons 1b and plays some 2b/3b and corner OF

 

I think Chavis gets traded for a RP'er, and we hope for Dalbec to rise or get a cheap 1Bman for 2020.

[mvp 78]

I think Chavis gets traded for a RP'er, and we hope for Dalbec to rise or get a cheap 1Bman for 2020.

 

If Chavis didn't get popped for performance enhancers, I think he'd get traded too. I think they are stuck with him until he starts to perform at the MLB level.