Blake Swihart

[moonslav59]

I like Sandy Leon as a defensive mentor to bat-first Seattle catcher Omar Narvaez, a fellow squat Venezuelan. However, I doubt the Mariners would surrender much in a trade for Leon

 

But they likely would pick him up, if he is DFA'd, right?

[harmony]

But they likely would pick him up, if he is DFA'd, right?

I have no idea whether the Mariners share my opinion on Sandy Leon. And the Mariners don't have a particularly high waiver priority.

[notin]

I have no idea whether the Mariners share my opinion on Sandy Leon. And the Mariners don't have a particularly high waiver priority.

 

Sandy Leon to Seattle for Eric Filia?

 

Dombrowski acquired Filia before so he must like something about him and presumably his physical issues have healed.

 

As Filia is getting a bit older, I doubt he fits in the Mariners’ plans

[harmony]

Sandy Leon to Seattle for Eric Filia?

 

Dombrowski acquired Filia before so he must like something about him and presumably his physical issues have healed.

 

As Filia is getting a bit older, I doubt he fits in the Mariners’ plans

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2018/06/boston_red_sox_return_eric_fil.html

[notin]

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2018/06/boston_red_sox_return_eric_fil.html

 

 

Yes I mentioned that...

[harmony]

Yes I mentioned that...

Speculation was that the failed physical was related to Eric Filia's suspension earlier last year.

 

The 26-year-old Filia, who would be subject to the Rule 5 draft this December if not placed on the 40-man roster, could be a trade candidate after the Mariners significantly upgraded their farm system's outfield depth. Teenagers Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez are the prized outfield prospects but outfielders Kyle Lewis, Dom Thompson-Williams and Jake Fraley will be subject the the Rule 5 draft in December if not protected.

[notin]

Speculation was that the failed physical was related to Eric Filia's suspension earlier last year.

 

The 26-year-old Filia, who would be subject to the Rule 5 draft this December if not placed on the 40-man roster, could be a trade candidate after the Mariners significantly upgraded their farm system's outfield depth. Teenagers Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez are the prized outfield prospects but outfielders Kyle Lewis, Dom Thompson-Williams and Jake Fraley will be subject the the Rule 5 draft in December if not protected.

 

 

Which is why the deal makes sense for both sides.

 

The Sox have open spots on the 40 man roster but also have no outfielders in the occupied spots, unless you count Sam Travis’ limited experience out there. The move gives the Sox a little depth in the outfield just in case for a catcher who was never going to bring back a reliever that would be of any help to the Sox anyway...

[moonslav59]

Which is why the deal makes sense for both sides.

 

The Sox have open spots on the 40 man roster but also have no outfielders in the occupied spots, unless you count Sam Travis’ limited experience out there. The move gives the Sox a little depth in the outfield just in case for a catcher who was never going to bring back a reliever that would be of any help to the Sox anyway...

 

One could count Lin and his limited OF experience as a possible OF'er, too.

[notin]

One could count Lin and his limited OF experience as a possible OF'er, too.

 

 

I hope you let Marco Hernandez down gently while embracing your new crush on Lin...

 

[moonslav59]

I hope you let Marco Hernandez down gently while embracing your new crush on Lin...

 

 

I like Lin's defense at SS, but I'd be fine if we replaced him.

 

Marco now is 14th on the Sox 40man roster seniority list!

 

[Jack Flap]

Sandy Leon to Seattle for Eric Filia?

 

Dombrowski acquired Filia before so he must like something about him and presumably his physical issues have healed.

 

As Filia is getting a bit older, I doubt he fits in the Mariners’ plans

 

Speak of the devil...

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26334586/mariners-prospect-filia-suspended-100-games

[harmony]

Speak of the devil...

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26334586/mariners-prospect-filia-suspended-100-games

!!!!!

 

Perhaps baseball should reconsider substance use that is legal on the West Coast and in Massachusetts.

 

From Lookout Landing:

 

The distinction of “drug of abuse” separates it from the “performance-enhancing drug” section, and while the drugs in question are not typically disclosed we’ve heard from multiple sources that marijuana is the drug in question that has gotten Filia warned and subsequently suspended twice. As always, it’s worth noting that minor leaguers are subject to testing for drugs of abuse while major leaguers are not.

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2019/3/22/18277812/mariners-of-1b-prospect-eric-filia-100-game-suspension-for-3rd-failed-test-for-a-drug-of-abuse

 

Red Sox pitching prospect Chase Shugart was dinged Friday as well:

 

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/03/boston-red-sox-prospect-chase-shugart-suspended-50-games-for-second-positive-drug-test.html

Edited March 22, 2019 by harmony

[notin]

Speak of the devil...

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26334586/mariners-prospect-filia-suspended-100-games

 

 

Oh well. Guess the Sox shouldn’t make that deal.

 

Not like Dombrowski reads my posts anyway...

[Jack Flap]

A possible solution to the catcher quandry?

 

In the absence of what the Red Sox view as a favorable trade market for any of the catchers, the team could try to send Leon through outright waivers. With a $2.475 million salary — a relatively big number for a backup catcher, considering that Martin Maldonado received $2.5 million to be Kansas City’s starting catcher this spring — there’s a reasonable chance the 30-year-old could go unclaimed.

 

If so, he would have the right to reject the assignment and declare free agency, but given that he’d have to walk away from his salary to do so, there’s a chance he would accept an assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket to remain part of the team’s roster depth.

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/03/22/red-sox-catcher-situation-remains-flux/iVsnFDeNin7SAuF3OPvBdI/story.html

[Fan_since_Boggs]

A possible solution to the catcher quandry?

 

 

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/03/22/red-sox-catcher-situation-remains-flux/iVsnFDeNin7SAuF3OPvBdI/story.html

 

I believe and have been saying that this is the most likely scenario. (1) You can't get much for Leon on the trade market anyway. (2) Even though the Red Sox would like to jettison his contract, they like him enough to continue paying him 2.5 million for depth purposes. (3) There is a good chance that no team will touch Leon for 2.5 million. (4) There is a good chance that Leon will accept his assignment to the minors, wanting to collect 2.5 million.

[moonslav59]

I believe and have been saying that this is the most likely scenario. (1) You can't get much for Leon on the trade market anyway. (2) Even though the Red Sox would like to jettison his contract, they like him enough to continue paying him 2.5 million for depth purposes. (3) There is a good chance that no team will touch Leon for 2.5 million. (4) There is a good chance that Leon will accept his assignment to the minors, wanting to collect 2.5 million.

 

He might still get close to the MLB playing time he got last year by choosing this route.

[harmony]

I believe and have been saying that this is the most likely scenario. (1) You can't get much for Leon on the trade market anyway. (2) Even though the Red Sox would like to jettison his contract, they like him enough to continue paying him 2.5 million for depth purposes. (3) There is a good chance that no team will touch Leon for 2.5 million. (4) There is a good chance that Leon will accept his assignment to the minors, wanting to collect 2.5 million.

The same points apply to Blake Swihart despite his lower salary and two additional years of team control.

 

Sandy Leon has established that he is quite good at one aspect of the game while Swihart has not established a single definite strength.

[Bellhorn04]

The same points apply to Blake Swihart despite his lower salary and two additional years of team control.

 

Sandy Leon has established that he is quite good at one aspect of the game while Swihart has not established a single definite strength.

 

That's true. But all we can go on is the rumors that Leon is the one on the block.

[notin]

Rene Rivera was released today.

 

Rivera is a no bat/all glove catcher who was once valued at over 5.0 fWAR despite playing part time and providing 0 offense. In the last 3 years, he has totaled 3.2 fWAR despite combining for about 530 unproductive plate appearances. Very similar to Leon.

 

Rivera is older, but his presence on the market for free does make it tougher to trade Leon...

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe this should have been the Sandy Leon thread.

[Spudboy]

I see no reason that Leon would accept a demotion to MiLB.

 

If they release/designate him he would still have to be paid. Even if he chose to go home.

[oldtimer]

Maybe this should have been the Sandy Leon thread.

 

That wasn't an option in the poll!

[Kimmi]

Remember when Mirabelli got a police escort to return to the Sox in time for a game?

 

Could the same happen with Leon?

 

 

Theo admitted that he 'panicked' with deal and vowed never to make a similar mistake.

 

I can only see Leon coming back (if he's even traded) if there is a long term injury to Vaz or Swihart.

 

Otherwise, Vaz will handle the majority of the catching.

[notin]

Maybe this should have been the Sandy Leon thread.

 

 

Maybe someone needed to start one...

[oldtimer]

When do the Sox need to make the decision to keep either Leon's or Swihart's salary off the books? Is it Tuesday?

[FredLynn]

The same points apply to Blake Swihart despite his lower salary and two additional years of team control.

 

Sandy Leon has established that he is quite good at one aspect of the game while Swihart has not established a single definite strength.

 

True, but its hard to establish oneself if you are not given the chance to do so.

[harmony]

The Colorado Rockies have placed Tom Murphy on waivers.

 

Tom Murphy placed on waivers by Rockies

WWW.MLB.COM

---

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies have settled on Tony Wolters and Chris Iannetta as their catchers -- a decision that came into focus Saturday when Major League sources told MLB.com that the club has placed Tom Murphy on waivers to gauge trade interest. Last season, Iannetta appeared defensively at catcher

 

Murphy and Blake Swihart are catchers, born on April 3 a year apart, who are out of options. Murphy, who is older, comes with five years of team control including two seasons at a salary near the league minimum. Swihart comes with four arbitration years of team control, including this season at a salary of $900,000.

 

Steamer projects Murphy with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 69 and 0.0 in 60 plate appearances and Swihart with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 75 and 0.4 in 202 plate appearances.

 

ZiPS projects Murphy with 2019 wERC+ and WAR of 72 and 0.2 in 349 plate appearances and Swihart with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 62 and 0.0 in 242 plate appearances.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13499&position=C

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

Murphy was a one-time Baseball America Top 100 prospect, peaking at No. 97 in 2016. Swihart was a three-time BA Top 100 prospect, peaking at No. 17 in 2015.

 

Compare their defensive metrics (scroll down):

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/card/70673/tom-murphy

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/card/70407/blake-swihart

 

The Rockies and Red Sox have decisions with relatively weak catching corps comprised of players out of options.

 

What are the relative trade values of Murphy and Swihart?

Edited March 24, 2019 by harmony

[Bellhorn04]

The Colorado Rockies have placed Tom Murphy on waivers.

 

Tom Murphy placed on waivers by Rockies

WWW.MLB.COM

---

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies have settled on Tony Wolters and Chris Iannetta as their catchers -- a decision that came into focus Saturday when Major League sources told MLB.com that the club has placed Tom Murphy on waivers to gauge trade interest. Last season, Iannetta appeared defensively at catcher

 

Murphy and Blake Swihart are catchers, born on April 3 a year apart, who are out of options. Murphy, who is older, comes with five years of team control including two seasons at a salary near the league minimum. Swihart comes with four arbitration years of team control, including this season at a salary of $900,000.

 

Steamer projects Murphy with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 69 and 0.0 in 60 plate appearances and Swihart with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 75 and 0.4 in 202 plate appearances.

 

ZiPS projects Murphy with 2019 wERC+ and WAR of 72 and 0.2 in 349 plate appearances and Swihart with 2019 wRC+ and WAR of 62 and 0.0 in 242 plate appearances.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13499&position=C

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13176&position=C

 

Murphy was a one-time Baseball America Top 100 prospect, peaking at No. 97 in 2016. Swihart was a three-time BA Top 100 prospect, peaking at No. 17 in 2015.

 

Compare their defensive metrics (scroll down):

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/card/70673/tom-murphy

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/card/70407/blake-swihart

 

The Rockies and Red Sox have decisions with relatively weak catching corps comprised of players out of options.

 

What are the relative trade values of Murphy and Swihart?

 

It matters not. The evidence suggests that Sandy Leon will be DFA'd.

 

And the Swihart era in Boston is here.

[dgalehouse]

It matters not. The evidence suggests that Sandy Leon will be DFA'd.

 

And the Swihart era in Boston is here.

 

A difficult decision , but I think it is the correct one . If we are choosing up sides for our teams , all things considered, I would take Swihart over Leon .

[FredLynn]

It matters not. The evidence suggests that Sandy Leon will be DFA'd.

 

And the Swihart era in Boston is here.

 

What evidence-besides the fact the Leon is helpless with a bat in his hands?