Nunez is back

[jacksonianmarch]

Eduardo Nunez picked up his player option for 2019. He will make $5 million

[moonslav59]

Eduardo Nunez picked up his player option for 2019. He will make $5 million

 

I hope he gets his knee fixed.

 

It would be nice, if he could play 2B with Holt, so we don't have to trade for another Kinsler.

[Jasonbay44]

As much as I bitched about Nunez, I do like the guy, he’s a gamer and he wants to be here. Glad he’s back, but hopefully it’s more of a utility role and not full time 2B. Also hope he can get fully healthy.

[oldtimer]

As much as I bitched about Nunez, I do like the guy, he’s a gamer and he wants to be here. Glad he’s back, but hopefully it’s more of a utility role and not full time 2B. Also hope he can get fully healthy.

 

We will have him back and Holt is a no-brainer. If we also get Pearce, we will have a full team assuming we keep only two catchers. Swihart will then become a trade asset if the Sox decide to keep Vaz and Leon. Don't think Leon has as much trade value. It looks like the Sox will not need Kinsler again.

[moonslav59]

We will have him back and Holt is a no-brainer. If we also get Pearce, we will have a full team assuming we keep only two catchers. Swihart will then become a trade asset if the Sox decide to keep Vaz and Leon. Don't think Leon has as much trade value. It looks like the Sox will not need Kinsler again.

 

I doubt we'd get much for Swihart. He may be a throw-in with a prospect or two.

 

I don't see Swihart's bat being good enough to play 1B, 3B or FO. A lot depends on DD & Cora's trust with his defense as a catcher that determines him staying here or not next year.

 

My guess is, he'll be traded, and we'll give Chavis, Ockimey, Dalbec or Travis a look.

 

[Dojji]

Swihart is waiver wire fodder as it stands right now. Sorry Swihart fans, but you don't break up a defensive tandem this good (Leon and Vaz) for a guy who might hit someday. Especially not while said tandem is still cheap.

 

We basically have two starting catchers right now. We have seen both Leon and Vazquez step in more than adequately when the other goes down. Neither of them are exactly All Star material but I don't think fans necessarily appreciate what a rare asset that is. They are both trusted by our pitchers and demonstrably well above average at game calling and this, again, this is very rare.

 

I am very happy with our catching situation right now with or without Swihart. So is DD, or he wouldn't be trying this multi position nonsense with Swihart. Unfortunately even the multiposition role is redundantly blocked. The man just does not have a place on this team.

 

If Swihart went to a bottom feeding team with a gap at catcher and nothing to lose, they'd let him develop everyday as a starting catcher and he might reach some portion of his potential. He's not going to get that opportunity here, we don't have a gap at catcher and we have plenty to lose. He needs to go elsewhere, now, before it's too late.

Edited October 30, 2018 by Dojji

[TylerD]

As much as I bitched about Nunez, I do like the guy, he’s a gamer and he wants to be here. Glad he’s back, but hopefully it’s more of a utility role and not full time 2B. Also hope he can get fully healthy.

 

Agreed with this. So much more respect for him after the Dodgers series. The heart that guy has for the game is like none other. I'm happy he will be playing here next year.

[moonslav59]

Swihart is waiver wire fodder as it stands right now. Sorry Swihart fans, but you don't break up a defensive tandem this good (Leon and Vaz) for a guy who might hit someday. Especially not while said tandem is still cheap.

 

We basically have two starting catchers right now. We have seen both Leon and Vazquez step in more than adequately when the other goes down. Neither of them are exactly All Star material but I don't think fans necessarily appreciate what a rare asset that is. They are both trusted by our pitchers and demonstrably well above average at game calling and this, again, this is very rare.

 

I am very happy with our catching situation right now with or without Swihart. So is DD, or he wouldn't be trying this multi position nonsense with Swihart. Unfortunately even the multiposition role is redundantly blocked. The man just does not have a place on this team.

 

If Swihart went to a bottom feeding team with a gap at catcher and nothing to lose, they'd let him develop everyday as a starting catcher and he might reach some portion of his potential. He's not going to get that opportunity here, we don't have a gap at catcher and we have plenty to lose. He needs to go elsewhere, now, before it's too late.

 

I agree. I seriously doubt we keep Swihart over Leon. I am happy with Leon and how he gets the best from the starters he catches. He is also Sale's caddy.

 

I do think we may look for a catcher who can hit over .500 and give us the defense and intangibles Leon brings to this team.

 

Leon had a .339 OPS over his last 49 games of the season going back to July 8th. While I like Leon a lot, .340 is really tough to look at.

[Dojji]

I agree. I seriously doubt we keep Swihart over Leon. I am happy with Leon and how he gets the best from the starters he catches. He is also Sale's caddy.

 

I do think we may look for a catcher who can hit over .500 and give us the defense and intangibles Leon brings to this team.

 

Leon had a .339 OPS over his last 49 games of the season going back to July 8th. While I like Leon a lot, .340 is really tough to look at.

 

Oh I'm sure we'll look, but a raw cost benefit analysis favors keeping Leon unless the upgrade is massive.

 

It is true, we got very little offense from the catcher's position and that hurt our value there, but not so greatly that I'd be willing to downgrade our pitching across the board simply to pick up a couple hundred OPS points at one position.

[Slasher9]

wb nunie. feels like you never left....

[moonslav59]

Oh I'm sure we'll look, but a raw cost benefit analysis favors keeping Leon unless the upgrade is massive.

 

It is true, we got very little offense from the catcher's position and that hurt our value there, but not so greatly that I'd be willing to downgrade our pitching across the board simply to pick up a couple hundred OPS points at one position.

 

I've been on the Leon bandwagon for years- Vaz, too. You don't have to convince me.

 

I wasn't suggesting a downgrade on catcher defense and catcher-pitcher comfort value. My thought was that there must be a catcher out there, who can do what Leon does with our staff and hit .500 or .550 not .339. A .500 catcher should not cost much, after all, we got Leon for just cash.

 

I'd be very happy with Vaz-Leon next year, and I'm not sure it would be worth the risk to switch catchers with Sale on the mound, even if the new guy has a great track record like sandy's behind the plate. I'm just saying I think there are some very good defensive catchers out there that can hit .500-.600.

 

One could argue, so can Leon, since he's over .630 with the Sox. maybe he'll hit .650 next year.

 

[Dojji]

I've been on the Leon bandwagon for years- Vaz, too. You don't have to convince me.

 

I wasn't suggesting a downgrade on catcher defense and catcher-pitcher comfort value. My thought was that there must be a catcher out there, who can do what Leon does with our staff and hit .500 or .550 not .339. A .500 catcher should not cost much, after all, we got Leon for just cash.

 

I'd be very happy with Vaz-Leon next year, and I'm not sure it would be worth the risk to switch catchers with Sale on the mound, even if the new guy has a great track record like sandy's behind the plate. I'm just saying I think there are some very good defensive catchers out there that can hit .500-.600.

 

One could argue, so can Leon, since he's over .630 with the Sox. maybe he'll hit .650 next year.

 

 

 

I think we can count on both of our catchers to regress to the mean somewhat in 2019. Both of them underperformed offensively compared to their normal values.

[moonslav59]

I think we can count on both of our catchers to regress to the mean somewhat in 2019. Both of them underperformed offensively compared to their normal values.

 

I hope so.

 

Catcher OPS

.665 2016

.690 2017

.533 2018

 

Hell, a .157 OPS gain at catcher would be greater than our OPS gain at DH from 2017 to 2018!

 

.747 in 2017

.862 in 2018 (with JD getting almost 2/3 of the PAs at DH!)

 

So, here's to adding another JD to the line-up next year! (sarcasm alert)

[notin]

Swihart is waiver wire fodder as it stands right now. Sorry Swihart fans, but you don't break up a defensive tandem this good (Leon and Vaz) for a guy who might hit someday. Especially not while said tandem is still cheap.

 

We basically have two starting catchers right now. We have seen both Leon and Vazquez step in more than adequately when the other goes down. Neither of them are exactly All Star material but I don't think fans necessarily appreciate what a rare asset that is. They are both trusted by our pitchers and demonstrably well above average at game calling and this, again, this is very rare.

 

I am very happy with our catching situation right now with or without Swihart. So is DD, or he wouldn't be trying this multi position nonsense with Swihart. Unfortunately even the multiposition role is redundantly blocked. The man just does not have a place on this team.

 

If Swihart went to a bottom feeding team with a gap at catcher and nothing to lose, they'd let him develop everyday as a starting catcher and he might reach some portion of his potential. He's not going to get that opportunity here, we don't have a gap at catcher and we have plenty to lose. He needs to go elsewhere, now, before it's too late.

 

He isn’t going to net a valuable piece on his own, but Swihart might have some modest trade value in a package.

 

For example, Brian Johnson might be in a similar situation, especially if Eovaldi returns. What might the Sox get for Swihart and Johnson?

[notin]

Eduardo Nunez picked up his player option for 2019. He will make $5 million

 

He might also be the starting 2b...

[Bellhorn04]

He isn’t going to net a valuable piece on his own, but Swihart might have some modest trade value in a package.

 

For example, Brian Johnson might be in a similar situation, especially if Eovaldi returns. What might the Sox get for Swihart and Johnson?

 

Still not much. But Johnson has some value as a spot starter/long reliever guy, which is something every team needs-including us.

[notin]

Still not much. But Johnson has some value as a spot starter/long reliever guy, which is something every team needs-including us.

 

Don’t we have Steven Wright for that role?

[Bellhorn04]

Don’t we have Steven Wright for that role?

 

I thought you were a big believer in pitching depth.

 

Plus Wright's knee seems just a tad iffy.

[moonslav59]

He isn’t going to net a valuable piece on his own, but Swihart might have some modest trade value in a package.

 

For example, Brian Johnson might be in a similar situation, especially if Eovaldi returns. What might the Sox get for Swihart and Johnson?

 

Both have no options left, so a team without a 25 man roster squeeze would be a good match. If we could trade Johnson and Swihart for a marginally better starter than Johnson, why not do it?

 

I'm also thinking we have a lot of duplicated corner IF positional value in Chavis, Dalbec, Ockimey & Travis.

 

Assuming we keep Pearce for 3 years, what can we get for Ockimey, Johnson & Swihart?

 

[moonslav59]

I thought you were a big believer in pitching depth.

 

Plus Wright's knee seems just a tad iffy.

 

My thought is any trade involving Johnson plus add-ons would be fore a better 5/6 slot starting pitcher.

[notin]

I thought you were a big believer in pitching depth.

 

Plus Wright's knee seems just a tad iffy.

 

Big time.

 

But you need depth stored in the minors. Johnson cannot be optioned...

[moonslav59]

Big time.

 

But you need depth stored in the minors. Johnson cannot be optioned...

 

That's the main reason, I'm thinking trading him makes sense.

[notin]

That's the main reason, I'm thinking trading him makes sense.

 

It’s the only reason for me. He simply might not be one of the best 25.

 

But if the Sox wait until spring training to deal him, it makes sense. Injuries do happen..,

[mvp 78]

As much as I bitched about Nunez, I do like the guy, he’s a gamer and he wants to be here. Glad he’s back, but hopefully it’s more of a utility role and not full time 2B. Also hope he can get fully healthy.

 

I think we mostly bitched about him because he was playing poorly, which was caused by his health. I hope he heals up this winter and gets back to 100%.

[moonslav59]

It’s the only reason for me. He simply might not be one of the best 25.

 

But if the Sox wait until spring training to deal him, it makes sense. Injuries do happen..,

 

Well, if we trade him with others for a (better) starting pitcher, then there's no need to wait.

[moonslav59]

I think we mostly bitched about him because he was playing poorly, which was caused by his health. I hope he heals up this winter and gets back to 100%.

 

He was able to hide his gimpiness at 3b better than 2B.

 

We could really use him more at 2B next year, assuming Devers is the FT 3Bman going forward and Holt is not up to the task as a FT 2Bman. (And, Pedey does not return.)

[mvp 78]

He was able to hide his gimpiness at 3b better than 2B.

 

We could really use him more at 2B next year, assuming Devers is the FT 3Bman going forward and Holt is not up to the task as a FT 2Bman. (And, Pedey does not return.)

 

If Devers plays 3b the way he did the last month or two, he stays there until he's 30.

[Bellhorn04]

If Devers plays 3b the way he did the last month or two, he stays there until he's 30.

 

The kid is gonna be a big star.

[moonslav59]

If Devers plays 3b the way he did the last month or two, he stays there until he's 30.

 

Agreed, all the more reason for Nunez to fix the knee, so he can play 2B more often.

[moonslav59]

The kid is gonna be a big star.

 

I have always felt his bat will be 5 star. I'm thrilled to see the improved defense.