Blake Swihart

[moonslav59]

I found this... (I'm learning or re-learning a lot about the waiver processes the last day or two )

 

The Red Sox could have placed Leon on unconditional release waivers, which would have prevented his contract from counting towards the CBT because it’s a non-guaranteed contract until Opening Day.

 

They instead placed him on outright waivers.

 

Unconditionally releasing Leon would have given the Red Sox $2.475 million more in CBT flexibility this regular season as they look to avoid the third threshold. But the Red Sox obviously feel keeping Leon as depth in the organization is more important.

 

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/03/sandy-leons-2475m-boston-red-sox-salary-to-count-towards-cbt-if-he-accepts-outright-to-pawtucket-despite-non-guaranteed-contract.html

 

This is different from what others are saying.

 

If you are right, then I wonder why we decided to pay him $2.4M to play in AAA and be insurance.

 

That $2.4M added to what we have could have made a big difference in July.

[notin]

This is different from what others are saying.

 

If you are right, then I wonder why we decided to pay him $2.4M to play in AAA and be insurance.

 

That $2.4M added to what we have could have made a big difference in July.

 

 

Not if the biggest need is a catcher....

[Bellhorn04]

This is different from what others are saying.

 

If you are right, then I wonder why we decided to pay him $2.4M to play in AAA and be insurance.

 

Likely because they have some of the same concerns about losing Leon that you do.

[mvp 78]

Likely because they have some of the same concerns about losing Leon that you do.

 

b i n g o

[Kimmi]

Kind of surprising, with all of the concerns about going over the third tax level, that they're going to eat the $2.5 million when they did not have to (assuming the above is correct)...that could be money for a July trade acquisition.

 

I feel better about having Leon as depth and insurance. Hopefully, Swihart will get the job done, but he is too much of a question mark for me at this time.

[Kimmi]

Annoying to have the $2.5 sitting in the minors, but if he accepts the assignment it's the best possible out come for us I believe. See how the catching goes with Vaz and Swilhart, if it doesn't woork out we've got a guy everyone loves throwing to, ready and waiting. Great cover for any injuries, too.

 

100% agree.

[Kimmi]

Likely because they have some of the same concerns about losing Leon that you do.

 

So this was the best of both worlds for the Sox. They kept all 3 catchers, while not using a spot on the 25 man roster, and they will finally get to give Swihart more playing time to see what he can bring. If he fails, we still have Leon.

[moonslav59]

So this was the best of both worlds for the Sox. They kept all 3 catchers, while not using a spot on the 25 man roster, and they will finally get to give Swihart more playing time to see what he can bring. If he fails, we still have Leon.

 

I guess keeping all 3 was worth $2.4M. Catchers always get hurt.

 

I do think we have a nice cushion already for a July trade. $2.4M more might be needed, but I like still having Leon in the system.

 

As much as I have been tough on Swihart, I hope he proves himself and finally shows us that his potential becomes helpful reality.

 

Vaz will likely catch Sale, Price and either Eovaldi or Porcello (or both). My guess is Swihart catches ERod and maybe some or most of the starts by Porcello or Eovaldi. Maybe a 70-30 split.

 

[dgalehouse]

Simply put , Swihart beat out Leon for the roster spot . Spring training was not at all meaningless for these two guys . It remains to be seen if Blake can keep his spot or maybe even challenge Vazquez for the starting job . Stay tuned.

[moonslav59]

IMO, he's got a long way to go to pass Vaz as our #1 catcher.

[SCM33]

This is different from what others are saying.

 

If you are right, then I wonder why we decided to pay him $2.4M to play in AAA and be insurance.

 

That $2.4M added to what we have could have made a big difference in July.

 

I said this as well!!!!!

 

They were paying him, regardless. Its better we have him as insurance, then paying him to be released.

 

We didn't have a choice. He was getting paid the 2.4 regardless.

[notin]

I said this as well!!!!!

 

They were paying him, regardless. Its better we have him as insurance, then paying him to be released.

 

We didn't have a choice. He was getting paid the 2.4 regardless.

 

 

No.

 

If the Sox had used outright waivers, his salary would not be guaranteed (if the waivers are before opening day)...

[notin]

This is different from what others are saying.

 

If you are right, then I wonder why we decided to pay him $2.4M to play in AAA and be insurance.

 

That $2.4M added to what we have could have made a big difference in July.

 

 

Honestly, do you think Henry and Dombrowski are going to avoid a 40% penalty on $2.4mill? They get more than that back by making the postseason (I think)...

[SCM33]

No.

 

If the Sox had used outright waivers, his salary would not be guaranteed (if the waivers are before opening day)...

 

Wrong.

 

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/guaranteed-contract

 

He was signed to a MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT. Major league contracts are guaranteed.

 

Straight from the MLB website.

[harmony]

Wrong.

 

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/guaranteed-contract

 

He was signed to a MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT. Major league contracts are guaranteed.

 

Straight from the MLB website.

Sandy Leon has an arbitration contract:

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/red-sox-arbitration-tracker-will-mookie-betts-get-paid-deadline

 

... which was not guaranteed:

Arbitration contracts are not guaranteed either, as a club can release a player on or before the 16th day of Spring Training and be responsible for only 30 days worth of pay. Players cut between the 17th and the final day of Spring Training must be compensated for 45 days worth of pay (at the prorated version of their arbitration salary). But if a player that agreed to an arbitration salary breaks camp with the club, his contract is fully guaranteed.

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/guaranteed-contract

[SCM33]

Sandy Leon has an arbitration contract:

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/red-sox-arbitration-tracker-will-mookie-betts-get-paid-deadline

 

... which was not guaranteed:

 

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/guaranteed-contract

 

No. You still don't get it. He was eligible for arbitration, to negotiate for MORE money.....he is still guaranteed his contract. ALL MLB CONTRACTS ARE GUARANTEED. End of argument.

 

Just because they are scheduled for arbitration doesn't mean the club is off the hook. It only means the player has a right to negotiate for more money before his preliminary contract expires. MLB CONTRACTS ARE GUARANTEED.

 

WHY DO YOU THINK THE METS ARE PAYING FOR BOBBY BONILLA FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

MLB contracts are guaranteed.

 

EDIT: I did a little more research, you may have been right. If Leon elected free agency rather than assignment, it would have cost him 2.475M

 

Im never afraid to admit I am wrong, you were right.

Edited March 28, 2019 by SCM33

[Bellhorn04]

No. You still don't get it. He was eligible for arbitration, to negotiate for MORE money.....he is still guaranteed his contract. ALL MLB CONTRACTS ARE GUARANTEED. End of argument.

 

Just because they are scheduled for arbitration doesn't mean the club is off the hook. It only means the player has a right to negotiate for more money before his preliminary contract expires. MLB CONTRACTS ARE GUARANTEED.

 

WHY DO YOU THINK THE METS ARE PAYING FOR BOBBY BONILLA FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

MLB contracts are guaranteed.

 

EDIT: I did a little more research, you may have been right. If Leon elected free agency rather than assignment, it would have cost him 2.475M

 

Im never afraid to admit I am wrong, you were right.

 

I too have learned that when it comes to the niceties of MLB contracts, it doesn't pay to be too sure of yourself.

[Slasher9]

no player in similar circumstance would accept FA to sign a league minimum salary instead of accepting the assignment for $2.4MM.

Especially Catcher or Pitcher when you know chances are pretty darn good you will get called up to cover injury at some point in the season.

[Bellhorn04]

No official word that Sandy has accepted the assignment yet, but yes, it would be very surprising if he doesn't.

[Dalas21000]

I hope Cora is just giving Swihart a rest today....Swihart seemed to be one of the only guys that could hit the ball yesterday and is hitting .500 so far(I understand its early)...If I were Cora I'd give Swihart as much play time as possible and move him up higher in the lineup until some of the other guys start hitting the ball...I was extremely shocked to see Swihart not in the lineup today

[Dalas21000]

Correction:The team got a couple runs at the end to make it a closer game, but I think Swihart needs to be rewarded for how well he has been hitting so far

[moonslav59]

We got what we wanted!

 

Our .830 catcher OPS (before tonight's game) leads all Sox positions, so far!

 

Isn't it wonderful?

[BillyWilliams]

We got what we wanted!

 

Our .830 catcher OPS (before tonight's game) leads all Sox positions, so far!

 

Isn't it wonderful?

 

Fantastic, but what's his CERA?!

[oldtimer]

We got what we wanted!

 

Our .830 catcher OPS (before tonight's game) leads all Sox positions, so far!

 

Isn't it wonderful?

 

 

You seem to be advocating putting another .170 hitter into the lineup when we are having trouble scoring runs. Our starters have been very weak, but our BP has been pretty good with some exceptions. Maybe Leon being out only impacts the starters and not the BP. (Reductio ad absurdum)

[cp176]

You seem to be advocating putting another .170 hitter into the lineup when we are having trouble scoring runs. Our starters have been very weak, but our BP has been pretty good with some exceptions. Maybe Leon being out only impacts the starters and not the BP. (Reductio ad absurdum)

 

I'm with you on this one as well. People can make all of the comments they like with respect to why our starting pitchers have looked so poorly. The simple answer I guess is to look for any change that has been made to the roster as an explanation - primarily the catching position but how does anyone explain what the bullpen has done? It is all just a guess.

[Kimmi]

You seem to be advocating putting another .170 hitter into the lineup when we are having trouble scoring runs. Our starters have been very weak, but our BP has been pretty good with some exceptions. Maybe Leon being out only impacts the starters and not the BP. (Reductio ad absurdum)

 

Leon being out is not the reason our pitchers have done so poorly. However, weak hitting Vazquez (or Leon) is not the reason our offense is not scoring runs. We expected to have that 'hole' in the line up.