Sox sign Zack Putnam....

[notin]

... minor league deal.

 

Good find if he’s fully recovered from surgery.

I’m giving this a thread so it doesn’t get buried in the three active 1000 page threads on this board.

 

While not an earth-shattering move, I like the idea of getting some depth while the relief market works itself out....

[Larry Cook]

Any time you can add depth, it is a good thing.

 

Looking for the next brassier!

[mvp 78]

I know next to zero about this guy, but you can never have too many bullpen arms. You never know who will be the next Brasier.

[notin]

I know next to zero about this guy, but you can never have too many bullpen arms. You never know who will be the next Brasier.

 

As an inhabitant of the Windy City, I’ve seen Zach pitch multiple times. Not a cannon for an arm, but a good cutter he relies on. When he is on, he’s solid. But like any pitcher who lives on the corners and backdoors, he can have struggles with control.

 

The big issue is he missed 2018 for Tommy John surgery, which he had in June. He may not be ready come April...

[mvp 78]

As an inhabitant of the Windy City, I’ve seen Zach pitch multiple times. Not a cannon for an arm, but a good cutter he relies on. When he is on, he’s solid. But like any pitcher who lives on the corners and backdoors, he can have struggles with control.

 

The big issue is he missed 2018 for Tommy John surgery, which he had in June. He may not be ready come April...

 

Even if he just pitches a few good innings down the stretch, it's a great signing.

[radatz17]

I love when the Red Sox sign pitchers like this guy. Always HUGE possible reward and ZERO risk. What more can you ask for with no real investment?

 

In fact, I would like to see even many more such pitchers signed every winter/off season. Signing a few non-pitchers is not a bad idea either (one catcher, one infielder and one outfielder already signed for a spring training type tryout)

 

If they sign 10 pitchers and only 2 make a contribution in some way within a year the team could benefit in some way with perhaps both guys helping in Boston, some will provide depth at Pawtucket and maybe even a couple could be traded for some younger assets.

[fxkatt]

It looks like Erasmo Ramirez will also be signed to a minor league deal. One thing these 4 relief pitcher signings means to me is that at best we will only sign one free agent reliever.

[mvp 78]

It looks like Erasmo Ramirez will also be signed to a minor league deal. One thing these 4 relief pitcher signings means to me is that at best we will only sign one free agent reliever.

 

So, because they are signing a bunch of guys to MiLB contracts, they won't sign more than one MLB deal? I think they are just waiting out on the market and hoping prices come down.

[moonslav59]

I love when the Red Sox sign pitchers like this guy. Always HUGE possible reward and ZERO risk. What more can you ask for with no real investment?

 

In fact, I would like to see even many more such pitchers signed every winter/off season. Signing a few non-pitchers is not a bad idea either (one catcher, one infielder and one outfielder already signed for a spring training type tryout)

 

If they sign 10 pitchers and only 2 make a contribution in some way within a year the team could benefit in some way with perhaps both guys helping in Boston, some will provide depth at Pawtucket and maybe even a couple could be traded for some younger assets.

 

You want to keep some room at AAA and AA for rising young prospects, so we shouldn't sign 20 guys like this. (Not that this is what you were saying.)

[moonslav59]

So, because they are signing a bunch of guys to MiLB contracts, they won't sign more than one MLB deal? I think they are just waiting out on the market and hoping prices come down.

 

I'm certain we acquire a solid RP'er somehow.

[Kimmi]

... minor league deal.

 

Good find if he’s fully recovered from surgery.

I’m giving this a thread so it doesn’t get buried in the three active 1000 page threads on this board.

 

While not an earth-shattering move, I like the idea of getting some depth while the relief market works itself out....

 

I have always been on board with the minor league depth train.

 

Keep 'em coming Dave!

[cp176]

So, because they are signing a bunch of guys to MiLB contracts, they won't sign more than one MLB deal? I think they are just waiting out on the market and hoping prices come down.

 

It is just a matter of time. These types of recent signings certainly don't hurt. It is what a good GM should do but I also think that sooner or later we will see another significant sign.

[notin]

So, because they are signing a bunch of guys to MiLB contracts, they won't sign more than one MLB deal? I think they are just waiting out on the market and hoping prices come down.

 

 

 

By waiting for the price to come down, perhaps he plans on entering the competitive Jim Johnson Sweepstakes....

[OH FOY]

Ramirez not bad, 14 HRS, in 45 innings, year before, 22 HRS in 131 innings, both years in Pitchers Parks. Should be a lot of balls flying out in Wooster, for the kids.

[Bellhorn04]

It's kind of funny how excited we get at the prospect of finding a gold nugget in the trash.

[cp176]

Ramirez not bad, 14 HRS, in 45 innings, year before, 22 HRS in 131 innings, both years in Pitchers Parks. Should be a lot of balls flying out in Wooster, for the kids.

 

Hey I think that it is a good idea. We need to grow the game without adding more teams. Being able to shag all those home run balls is one way to get the kids interested.

[notin]

Hey I think that it is a good idea. We need to grow the game without adding more teams. Being able to shag all those home run balls is one way to get the kids interested.

 

 

If he struggles and gives up lots of home runs at McCoy Stadium, who cares? The worst thing that happens in that case is he stifles the development of 30yo Marcus Walden until Ramírez gets released.

 

But if he reverts to the pitcher he was pre-2018, he could be a useful addition....

[moonslav59]

If he struggles and gives up lots of home runs at McCoy Stadium, who cares? The worst thing that happens in that case is he stifles the development of 30yo Marcus Walden until Ramírez gets released.

 

But if he reverts to the pitcher he was pre-2018, he could be a useful addition....

 

Yes. It's not like we have oodles of ML ready prospects needing innings at AA and AAA. We still have room for a couple more guys like Putnam and Ramirez.

[mvp 78]

Hey I think that it is a good idea. We need to grow the game without adding more teams. Being able to shag all those home run balls is one way to get the kids interested.

 

Are you the type of guy that cares what the AAA team's record is and believe that's the best indicator of the talent down there?

[notin]

Yes. It's not like we have oodles of ML ready prospects needing innings at AA and AAA. We still have room for a couple more guys like Putnam and Ramirez.

 

I agree.

 

After blasting Dombrowski last off-season for not making these types of moves, it’s nice to see him finally taking my advice...

[moonslav59]

I agree.

 

After blasting Dombrowski last off-season for not making these types of moves, it’s nice to see him finally taking my advice...

 

I thought we had sufficient pitching depth last year, although we ended up needing to trade Beeks for Eovaldi.

 

Sale

Price

Porcello

ERod

Pomeranz

Wright

Johnson

Velazquez

Beeks

Cuevas

Haley

 

We basically got nothing from Wright & Pom, Sale and ERod missed significant time and we still won by a pretty comfortable margin, in hindsight.

 

Our pen consisted of...

 

Kimbrel

Kelly

C Smith

Thornburg

Barnes

Hembree

Workman

 

Smith and Thornburg gave us just about zilch, but we had this depth:

 

Brasier

Wright, Johnson & Velazquez

Poyner

Walden

Scott

 

Brasier turned into a gem. Beeks got us Eovaldi. Despite all the missed time by so many key pitchers, we only needed to add one pitcher (Eovaldi).

 

We have the same starters returning, except for Pom. Beeks & Pom are replaced by Eovalid.

 

Our pen looks short, but I don't think DD is done.

 

 

 

[cp176]

Are you the type of guy that cares what the AAA team's record is and believe that's the best indicator of the talent down there?

 

No of course not. I'm pretty sure that some people really do want too see some good entertainment though. Normally a consistent loser doesn't produce much in the way of entertainment for most folk. For the record, i'm not opposed to any of these signings. I don't even know who this guy is but I still think that there is great value in going after low cost players who might possibly recapture some pat magic.

I was actually being a little serious though - attendance is down and I think that the "real" baseball fan is becoming a thing of the past in a way. I do not think that the way to grow the game is to add teams. Also - i'm still that guy that sees that we don't have an abundance of talent in the system but i do see some talent - some with really good potential. I'm anxious to see how it works out for them.

[mvp 78]

No of course not. I'm pretty sure that some people really do want too see some good entertainment though. Normally a consistent loser doesn't produce much in the way of entertainment for most folk. For the record, i'm not opposed to any of these signings. I don't even know who this guy is but I still think that there is great value in going after low cost players who might possibly recapture some pat magic.

I was actually being a little serious though - attendance is down and I think that the "real" baseball fan is becoming a thing of the past in a way. I do not think that the way to grow the game is to add teams. Also - i'm still that guy that sees that we don't have an abundance of talent in the system but i do see some talent - some with really good potential. I'm anxious to see how it works out for them.

 

I don't think you grow the game at the AAA level. You need to increase the outreach of the MLB and get kids to actually play little league again. Population is up in my town, but the participation in little league is lower than ever.

[cp176]

I don't think you grow the game at the AAA level. You need to increase the outreach of the MLB and get kids to actually play little league again. Population is up in my town, but the participation in little league is lower than ever.

 

I wasn't suggesting that you grow the game at the AAA level at all. I agree with you entirely or maybe not. If young kids are going and want to keep going to minor league games at any level, then I guess I would say that you are growing the game. I'm pretty sure that you know as well as I do what some of the obstacles are that baseball growth faces today. I'm not sure that many of these obstacles can even be overcome. It is a dramatically different world today.

[Jack Flap]

Taking a flyer on a few of these types each year is just good business. If for every twenty Francisco Cordero or Carlos Marmol signings that amount to nothing you stumble upon one Rich Hill or Ryan Brasier, it's well worth it.

[Kimmi]

It's kind of funny how excited we get at the prospect of finding a gold nugget in the trash.

 

This type of signing, if it works out, gets me a lot more excited than the superstar signings.

[a700hitter]

This type of signing, if it works out, gets me a lot more excited than the superstar signings.

That is because you are a bit odd, and I don't mean that in an insulting way.

[Kimmi]

That is because you are a bit odd, and I don't mean that in an insulting way.

 

I appreciate the challenge of finding those under the radar players.

 

It's not difficult to target a superstar.

[a700hitter]

I appreciate the challenge of finding those under the radar players.

 

It's not difficult to target a superstar.

To each his/her own. I enjoy getting superstars like Price, Sale and JD and watching them play for the Sox. Not since the other DD picked up Pedro and Manny have we had big guns like this latest group come to Fenway. It pushes a team to a whole different level. I enjoy the value guys, but the big boys make it fun for me.

[notin]

To each his/her own. I enjoy getting superstars like Price, Sale and JD and watching them play for the Sox. Not since the other DD picked up Pedro and Manny have we had big guns like this latest group come to Fenway. It pushes a team to a whole different level. I enjoy the value guys, but the big boys make it fun for me.

 

 

What about Crawford?