2019 Spring Training Thread

[Kimmi]

I have been a fan since the late 1940's and like fans from my era, we learned to have hopes for our team coming out of Spring training. Most of the time they were dashed along the way, but we still had hopes and finally those have been fulfilled multiple times. This year my hopes are that JBJ will have finally learned through better hitting coaching, listening to JDM and reaching a level of maturity that his bat will be consistent during the season and that he will remain healthy.

 

In fact, good heallth in the rest of the Sox outfield will be imperative for us to have a good season, with really only three solid players backed up by JDM for 10% of the games and possibly Holt for another 10%. We may have the best overall outfield in the majors. Great fielding and good hitting. Lot to be hopeful about.

 

Well said. You said that much better than I did.

[Larry Cook]

I’ve been noticing how selective dalbec is at the plate. Another couple of walks today.

 

His swing is really long but at least he is not hacking at stuff out of the strike zone.

[BillyWilliams]

Which Yankees player recently died in a plane crash?

 

2 things

 

1)What the hell does how recently they died have anything to do with it??

 

2)Which sox player recently died?

[TylerD]

I’ve been noticing how selective dalbec is at the plate. Another couple of walks today.

 

His swing is really long but at least he is not hacking at stuff out of the strike zone.

 

He's a very patient player. takes after the Houston Astros gameplan. Only swing at an absolute picture perfect pitch.

 

picture perfect pitch.... wow.... say that 3 times fast.

[Slasher9]

 

picture perfect pitch.... wow.... say that 3 times fast.

 

Hahaha. Dang. Tongue twister

[oldtimer]

These spring training games don't tell us much and are more about seeing some new faces and for the coaches to watch at bats and defensve play of some of the almost ready guys. Today we were blown out but it really doesn't matter. I would like to see Pedroia make it back soon as he is an open question. Other of note are Devers looks slimmer and more mobile, JBJ's swng mechanics are different. Nothing really has differentiated the catchers as yet. Hitting against scrub pitchers doesn't really give much information of how they will do against solid ML pitchers. I suppose they can watch the defensive moves of Swihart to assess improvement there.

 

It is fun to go to the ST games but in Ft Meyers, the sun beats down and it is impossible to sit in the sun for long. I made it to 4.5 innings and 4 innings before being fried to a crisp.

[Larry Cook]

Watched lakins pitch twice this spring. I like the stuff, control needs some work though.

 

Ps: has brewer been sent to Pawtucket yet?

[Kimmi]

These spring training games don't tell us much and are more about seeing some new faces and for the coaches to watch at bats and defensve play of some of the almost ready guys. Today we were blown out but it really doesn't matter. I would like to see Pedroia make it back soon as he is an open question. Other of note are Devers looks slimmer and more mobile, JBJ's swng mechanics are different. Nothing really has differentiated the catchers as yet. Hitting against scrub pitchers doesn't really give much information of how they will do against solid ML pitchers. I suppose they can watch the defensive moves of Swihart to assess improvement there.

 

It is fun to go to the ST games but in Ft Meyers, the sun beats down and it is impossible to sit in the sun for long. I made it to 4.5 innings and 4 innings before being fried to a crisp.

 

I am envious of those of you who get to attend spring training games. Not only for the great baseball that you get to see, but also for the nice weather that you get to enjoy. I'm at the point where I would welcome the sun beating down on me for a few hours.

 

I am also interested in seeing Pedroia get into a game. I believe he's supposed to play this week.

[Bellhorn04]

I am envious of those of you who get to attend spring training games. Not only for the great baseball that you get to see, but also for the nice weather that you get to enjoy. I'm at the point where I would welcome the sun beating down on me for a few hours.

 

I am also interested in seeing Pedroia get into a game. I believe he's supposed to play this week.

 

Cora says Pedey is going to have a full workout tomorrow and if all goes well he'll play next weekend.

[oldtimer]

I am envious of those of you who get to attend spring training games. Not only for the great baseball that you get to see, but also for the nice weather that you get to enjoy. I'm at the point where I would welcome the sun beating down on me for a few hours.

 

I am also interested in seeing Pedroia get into a game. I believe he's supposed to play this week.

 

It 79 degrees here now and not a cloud in the sky. We have company now so all I can so is to sneak off for a few hours and play in my softball league. Florida is a great place to be this time of year and we get out in mid April when temps can get to 95 and above with high humidity.

 

They are going very slow with Pedroia so it is hard to tell how he is really doing. From what I hear, he will be into full participation next week. Second base is the most unsettled field position since we know we willl have two solid catchers no matter how we go. Relief pitching is also unsettled but we have all the elements that we are likely to see opening day.

[Larry Cook]

I know pitchers like to work on certain things during spring training, but Thornburg should probably work on not throwing so many meatballs and having average stuff.

[oldtimer]

CJ Chatham is making a case for his development into a SS of the future. I assume we will try to keep Betts above all of our young players and will need to keep starting pitching resources. If Bogaets becomes too expensive to keep, and I definitely would not want to see him go, then perhaps Chatham would become a reasonable replacement.

[moonslav59]

CJ Chatham is making a case for his development into a SS of the future. I assume we will try to keep Betts above all of our young players and will need to keep starting pitching resources. If Bogaets becomes too expensive to keep, and I definitely would not want to see him go, then perhaps Chatham would become a reasonable replacement.

 

He's making a case in 1 week of early spring training playing against AA and AAA players?

 

(I'm glad he's looking good, but it's way too early to know anything.)

[Larry Cook]

He's making a case in 1 week of early spring training playing against AA and AAA players?

 

(I'm glad he's looking good, but it's way too early to know anything.)

 

Just the fact that he is on the field healthy and playing and hitting well, regardless of the pitcher is a win for the organization.

 

Injuries are a fact of life over a 162 game season. I’m hoping we don’t need him this year, but if we do, it’s nice to know he is ready willing and able to contribute!

[cp176]

If any young pitcher picture gets Sale's nod of approval, it can't be a bad thing. Darwinzon Hernandez!

[kenmeister]

CJ Chatham is making a case for his development into a SS of the future. I assume we will try to keep Betts above all of our young players and will need to keep starting pitching resources. If Bogaets becomes too expensive to keep, and I definitely would not want to see him go, then perhaps Chatham would become a reasonable replacement.

 

Ahem ...

 

My boy Tony Lin has a 1.167 OPS so far this spring. Chatham has a .697. I think Lin is the heir apparent.

[Bellhorn04]

Ahem ...

 

My boy Tony Lin has a 1.167 OPS so far this spring. Chatham has a .697. I think Lin is the heir apparent.

 

SSSS (Small Sample Size even for Spring)

[notin]

Ahem ...

 

My boy Tony Lin has a 1.167 OPS so far this spring. Chatham has a .697. I think Lin is the heir apparent.

 

 

Bogaerts is the clear shortstop, regardless of how Lin does. If Bogaerts misses time, Lin is certainly more likely to replace him than Chatham, especially for short stretches.

 

But for 2020, it’s a little more wide open. Lin likely has a future in Boston as a utility infielder. Chatham might replace Bogaerts in 2020 or might fall into minor league obscurity for the rest of his career. It’s too early to tell either way...

[moonslav59]

It would be a huge boost, if Chatham could take over SS next year and do well enough to not be a net negative.

 

If we can cover the loss of Moreland/Pearce with Chavis & Dalbec, we might be able to keep some other big names and not see a bad rebuilding stretch.

 

Of course, the spending budget will have a lot to do with where we will be going forward.

[oldtimer]

It would be a huge boost, if Chatham could take over SS next year and do well enough to not be a net negative.

 

If we can cover the loss of Moreland/Pearce with Chavis & Dalbec, we might be able to keep some other big names and not see a bad rebuilding stretch.

 

Of course, the spending budget will have a lot to do with where we will be going forward.

 

 

There has been a lot of chatter that budget considerations will not allow us to keep all of our younger stars based solely on the budget impacts going into 2020 and beyond. Since Betts seem like priority 1, and our young core players of Beni and Devers are keepers, it does make sense to look to younger players to replace our current tandem ist basemen. If JBJ has a good 2019, he too may be on the keeper list. Bogaert may be a possible loss to the team and if so a guy like Chatham at least comes to mind. He looks like a solid fielding presence but his hitting is unlikely to come close to what Bogaerts can do. There will be hard choices and 2nd base is also an area of consideration.

[moonslav59]

There has been a lot of chatter that budget considerations will not allow us to keep all of our younger stars based solely on the budget impacts going into 2020 and beyond. Since Betts seem like priority 1, and our young core players of Beni and Devers are keepers, it does make sense to look to younger players to replace our current tandem ist basemen. If JBJ has a good 2019, he too may be on the keeper list. Bogaert may be a possible loss to the team and if so a guy like Chatham at least comes to mind. He looks like a solid fielding presence but his hitting is unlikely to come close to what Bogaerts can do. There will be hard choices and 2nd base is also an area of consideration.

 

Yes, I agree.

 

Here are the most likely candidates to fill some holes that might develop as some players possibly depart:

 

1B: Chavis, Dalbec, Casas, Travis (Moreland/Pearce)

2B: Lin, Chatham, Chavis, M Hernandez (Pedey, Nunez, Holt)

SS: Lin, Catham (Bogaerts)

OF: Lin, G Hernandez, Brentz, Travis, Metheny (JBJ)

 

We could also extend or re-sign Holt and have him play 1B or OF.

 

SP: Johnson, Velazquez, Shawaryn, D Hernandez (Porcello/Sale)

[Maxbialystock]

Bogaerts is the clear shortstop, regardless of how Lin does. If Bogaerts misses time, Lin is certainly more likely to replace him than Chatham, especially for short stretches.

 

But for 2020, it’s a little more wide open. Lin likely has a future in Boston as a utility infielder. Chatham might replace Bogaerts in 2020 or might fall into minor league obscurity for the rest of his career. It’s too early to tell either way...

 

Anything good about Lin is good, period. He can field well at 3b, 2b, and SS and now maybe finally he can hit too. If Pedroia's knee holds him back, Lin backs up Holt at 2b. Also SS. At 3B we have Nunez and Devers, but you never can tell.

[Maxbialystock]

Any word on how Pedroia looked today in his "full" workout?

[notin]

Yes, I agree.

 

Here are the most likely candidates to fill some holes that might develop as some players possibly depart:

 

1B: Chavis, Dalbec, Casas, Travis (Moreland/Pearce)

2B: Lin, Chatham, Chavis, M Hernandez (Pedey, Nunez, Holt)

SS: Lin, Catham (Bogaerts)

OF: Lin, G Hernandez, Brentz, Travis, Metheny (JBJ)

 

We could also extend or re-sign Holt and have him play 1B or OF.

 

SP: Johnson, Velazquez, Shawaryn, D Hernandez (Porcello/Sale)

 

 

Those are just the internal options.

 

Jose Iglesias might not be a bad stopgap option a year from now...

[moonslav59]

This is what soxprospects has projected for 2021, assuming no additions and all free agents depart...

 

http://soxprospects.com/future.htm

 

C Vaz/Swihart

1B Chavis

2B Pedey/MHernandez

3B Devers

SS Chatham/Lin

LF JD/Matheny

CF Beni

RF Castillo

DH Dalbec

 

SP

Price

Eovaldi

ERod

DHernandez

BMata

 

Pen

Feltman

Barnes

Brasier

Lakins

Houck

Shawaryn

BJohnson

[S5Dewey]

There has been a lot of chatter that budget considerations will not allow us to keep all of our younger stars based solely on the budget impacts going into 2020 and beyond. Since Betts seem like priority 1, and our young core players of Beni and Devers are keepers, it does make sense to look to younger players to replace our current tandem ist basemen. If JBJ has a good 2019, he too may be on the keeper list. Bogaert may be a possible loss to the team and if so a guy like Chatham at least comes to mind. He looks like a solid fielding presence but his hitting is unlikely to come close to what Bogaerts can do. There will be hard choices and 2nd base is also an area of consideration.

 

JBJ's defense is going to be what it is...outstanding...regardless of how he does offensively. Being one of his biggest home boys I have mixed emotions about what I want him to do in 2019.

On the one hand I'd like to see him hit .275+ with 30 HR's and I don't think that's outside his ceiling. OTOH if he starts to hit like that we may not be able to keep him when he hits FA, and if we can't keep him we lose his defense.

[notin]

This is what soxprospects has projected for 2021, assuming no additions and all free agents depart...

 

http://soxprospects.com/future.htm

 

C Vaz/Swihart

1B Chavis

2B Pedey/MHernandez

3B Devers

SS Chatham/Lin

LF JD/Matheny

CF Beni

RF Castillo

DH Dalbec

 

SP

Price

Eovaldi

ERod

DHernandez

BMata

 

Pen

Feltman

Barnes

Brasier

Lakins

Houck

Shawaryn

BJohnson

 

 

JD Martinez OR Tate Matheny? Boy that really is a conundrum...

[kenmeister]

Those are just the internal options.

 

Jose Iglesias might not be a bad stopgap option a year from now...

 

Did anyone ever pick up Jose?

[harmony]

Did anyone ever pick up Jose?

The Cincinnati Reds signed Jose Iglesias:

 

 

[notin]

The Cincinnati Reds signed Jose Iglesias:

 

 

 

 

Minor league deal. He’ll be a free agent again next off-season...