The annual Jackie Bradley Jr thread (2019 Edition)

[Maxbialystock]

The Sox clearly didn't think Swihart would drag us to a 5-13 record either.

 

Sox are 7-4 since the trade. They'll end up at 97 wins if they keep up this pace.

 

We all know you are kidding, but still--one would be hard-pressed right now to argue that switching Leon in for Swihart has made things worse.

 

Also, I trust Cora's judgment, and last year he absolutely refused to start Swihart at catcher until one of the two regulars went on the DL. We know he's the best athlete of the three, and we think he is probably the best hitter. But those doubts about his catching, handling of pitchers, etc just linger on.

[cp176]

It's a unique situation, that's for sure.

 

 

It is very strange. Really the only reason i brought it up is because there seems to be some debate hear about whether Swihart could have been handled differently, or whether this or that guy was brought up to soon, or whether or not JBJ should continue on doing his thing for us. It is also possible that for the money he is being paid, Castillo could be a bargain. If he never plays in to any scenario, why not just buy the guy out?

[cp176]

Sox screwed up his development obviously.

 

 

Now I got it. I bet we could compile quite the list. It might have to be titled Wouldas, Shouldas, and Couldas. I think at some point in time it is all about the individual not getting the job done as opposed to anyone doing too much to screw anything up.

[Maxbialystock]

Let's simplify it a bit.

 

He has a WAR of about -1 right now. He's been awful and no, the defense doesn't outweigh offense that's this bad.

 

Those that support him think he'll eventually snap out of this horrific slump and get his WAR back on the plus side. That's how it has worked the past couple of years.

 

Not that complicated.

 

But let's not forget that I also think his defense hasn't done much good so far. I can name two specific examples of not so great plays and a third one, an error. But no one has come forward with examples of great catches he has made this season.

[Bellhorn04]

But let's not forget that I also think his defense hasn't done much good so far. I can name two specific examples of not so great plays and a third one, an error. But no one has come forward with examples of great catches he has made this season.

 

That should all be reflected in his negative WAR.

[notin]

But let's not forget that I also think his defense hasn't done much good so far. I can name two specific examples of not so great plays and a third one, an error. But no one has come forward with examples of great catches he has made this season.

 

 

None of which changes the fact that, despite JBJ’s offensive struggles, no one on this team (or organization) has made a good enough argument for themselves to be starting over him...

[moonslav59]

None of which changes the fact that, despite JBJ’s offensive struggles, no one on this team (or organization) has made a good enough argument for themselves to be starting over him...

 

Pretty much sums it up.

 

Also, nobody has suggested a realistic trade that would help us-- or any trade for that matter.

[Swiharts Ghost]

Going to duck when I drop this name he's got a past PED bust .Starling Marte seems to be on a terrible team unwilling to break the bank on many players .Not saying he's break bank worthy he's an injury risk ,seems like kindof arrogant.The swing and the power is Taylor made for the monster .Contract is pretty decent ? Not that we have a dime to spend .Love Charlie Blackmon but he's out of reach .Moon Slavs right there really is no one now . Edited May 2, 2019 by Swiharts Ghost

[moonslav59]

We just have to hope he ends up around .700- .750. If he does that, it means he hits .780ish the rest of the way. Edited May 2, 2019 by moonslav59

[notin]

Going to duck when I drop this name he's got a past PED bust .Starling Marte seems to be on a terrible team unwilling to break the bank on many players .Not saying he's break bank worthy he's an injury risk ,seems like kindof arrogant.The swing and the power is Taylor made for the monster .Contract is pretty decent ? Not that we have a dime to spend .Love Charlie Blackmon but he's out of reach .Moon Slavs right there really is no one now .

 

 

Marte has two option years left at $12.5mill and $13.5mill. As cheap as the Pirates are, I think they can still afford him...

[Swiharts Ghost]

Marte has two option years left at $12.5mill and $13.5mill. As cheap as the Pirates are, I think they can still afford him...

 

No your right .guess that swing has me dreaming .

[jad]

It is very strange. Really the only reason i brought it up is because there seems to be some debate hear about whether Swihart could have been handled differently, or whether this or that guy was brought up to soon, or whether or not JBJ should continue on doing his thing for us. It is also possible that for the money he is being paid, Castillo could be a bargain. If he never plays in to any scenario, why not just buy the guy out?

 

Maybe because he wants his $70 million. I also don't think the luxury tax situation would change. The only way to get out from under that contract is for someone else to take it.

[cp176]

Maybe because he wants his $70 million. I also don't think the luxury tax situation would change. The only way to get out from under that contract is for someone else to take it.

 

He probably is experiencing a feeling of security. it is still sad to me. Not only do I think that he could be a productive asset for another team I think that it is also likely that he could help us. in today's market would he be worth 10 mil. per year? who knows. Likely it just isn't worth the risk to him. For the record, I am much more concerned with a talented player stuck in a sad situation than i am by any of the luxury tax ramifications. In what world does a player like this not get a chance? (another chance)

[moonslav59]

He probably is experiencing a feeling of security. it is still sad to me. Not only do I think that he could be a productive asset for another team I think that it is also likely that he could help us. in today's market would he be worth 10 mil. per year? who knows. Likely it just isn't worth the risk to him. For the record, I am much more concerned with a talented player stuck in a sad situation than i am by any of the luxury tax ramifications. In what world does a player like this not get a chance? (another chance)

 

Although Castillo's contract is subject to the luxury rax, Henry is still paying him.

 

You'd think we'd offer to pay half his deal or more as part of a trade to a team that is well below the luxury tax line.

 

I will say, Castillo must prefer the money over playing at the ML level, so it's not just on DD.

 

[notin]

He probably is experiencing a feeling of security. it is still sad to me. Not only do I think that he could be a productive asset for another team I think that it is also likely that he could help us. in today's market would he be worth 10 mil. per year? who knows. Likely it just isn't worth the risk to him. For the record, I am much more concerned with a talented player stuck in a sad situation than i am by any of the luxury tax ramifications. In what world does a player like this not get a chance? (another chance)

 

 

MLB doesyhave the buyout provisions that the NBA has. Castillo has another full year of AAA left I’m him.

 

He actually looks like he belongs in MLB, but that’s won’t happen. Even if the Sox could trade, they’d likely have to eat all the salary, which adds him to luxury tax calculations. Ditto if they release him.

 

The real tragedy for the Sox is, he’s very likely the fifth best outfielder in the entire organization right now and could be useful to the parent club. But it flat out isn’t going to happen despite the Sox complete lack of outfield depth. The primary beneficiary of Castillo being in CBA purgatory would be either Gorkys Hernandez or Cole Sturgeon, both of whom represent a significant drop in talent...

[notin]

Although Castillo's contract is subject to the luxury rax, Henry is still paying him.

 

You'd think we'd offer to pay half his deal or more as part of a trade to a team that is well below the luxury tax line.

 

I will say, Castillo must prefer the money over playing at the ML level, so it's not just on DD.

 

 

Even if the Sox pay half or three quarters or 100%, if the other team adds Castillo to their 40 man roster, his money becomes eligible for the luxury tax.

 

And there isn’t anything Castillo can do about it. Not only would the MLBPA strongly discourage him trying to get out of his deal, but he has no incentive to. The only way out would be to announce his retirement and void the contract. But then he can’t do that and just become a free agent immediately. He probably has to wait a full season to “unretire” and become eligible to play again. At that point, all he is doing is costing himself money. He’s not even expediting the process.

 

I admit I am not sure if there is a provision in the CBA about retiring and unreturing to be a free agent, but there must be. Otherwise we would have seen at least one dissatisfied player “retire” to get out of an unsatisfactory contract by now...

[Bellhorn04]

One thing about Castillo's contract situation with the Sox that's almost funny is that he is under team control for 4 years AFTER his contract expires in 2020. He's not even eligible for arbitration in 2021.

[notin]

One thing about Castillo's contract situation with the Sox that's almost funny is that he is under team control for 4 years AFTER his contract expires in 2020. He's not even eligible for arbitration in 2021.

 

 

It’s a safe bet he gets non-tendered...

[Bellhorn04]

It’s a safe bet he gets non-tendered...

 

But can they sign him for minimum wage in 2021 like any other pre-arb player?

[notin]

But can they sign him for minimum wage in 2021 like any other pre-arb player?

 

 

Probably. But reportedly Dombrowski is not a fan and will likely just let him walk...

[Bellhorn04]

Well, he's putting up some nice numbers for the PawSox fans this year. 21 Ribbies in 22 games!

[Slasher9]

One thing about Castillo's contract situation with the Sox that's almost funny is that he is under team control for 4 years AFTER his contract expires in 2020. He's not even eligible for arbitration in 2021.

 

ahahahahaha. thats crazy.

[notin]

Well, he's putting up some nice numbers for the PawSox fans this year. 21 Ribbies in 22 games!

 

 

As I’ve been saying, he’s the best outfielder in the organization after Betts, Bradley, Benintendi, and Martinez...

[moonslav59]

Even if the Sox pay half or three quarters or 100%, if the other team adds Castillo to their 40 man roster, his money becomes eligible for the luxury tax.

 

And there isn’t anything Castillo can do about it. Not only would the MLBPA strongly discourage him trying to get out of his deal, but he has no incentive to. The only way out would be to announce his retirement and void the contract. But then he can’t do that and just become a free agent immediately. He probably has to wait a full season to “unretire” and become eligible to play again. At that point, all he is doing is costing himself money. He’s not even expediting the process.

 

I admit I am not sure if there is a provision in the CBA about retiring and unreturing to be a free agent, but there must be. Otherwise we would have seen at least one dissatisfied player “retire” to get out of an unsatisfactory contract by now...

 

Yes, assuming we find a trade partner, the amount we pay on his contract would count towards our luxury tax.

[mvp 78]

Probably. But reportedly Dombrowski is not a fan and will likely just let him walk...

 

I think he's just not a fan of the contract.

[notin]

I think he's just not a fan of the contract.

 

No. Reportedly Dombrowski left Castillo’s showcase, citing him as a “fourth outfielder.” This was before anyone signed him...

[mvp 78]

No. Reportedly Dombrowski left Castillo’s showcase, citing him as a “fourth outfielder.” This was before anyone signed him...

 

I think that's his ceiling too.

[cp176]

MLB doesyhave the buyout provisions that the NBA has. Castillo has another full year of AAA left I’m him.

 

He actually looks like he belongs in MLB, but that’s won’t happen. Even if the Sox could trade, they’d likely have to eat all the salary, which adds him to luxury tax calculations. Ditto if they release him.

 

The real tragedy for the Sox is, he’s very likely the fifth best outfielder in the entire organization right now and could be useful to the parent club. But it flat out isn’t going to happen despite the Sox complete lack of outfield depth. The primary beneficiary of Castillo being in CBA purgatory would be either Gorkys Hernandez or Cole Sturgeon, both of whom represent a significant drop in talent...

 

This pretty much sums up how I feel about him. He deserves a shot and likely will not get it. He could be better than the fifth outfielder in the system as well. anyway - on to other things I guess

[OH FOY]

If I was Rusney I would be pissed off, if they called me up. 11+million, next year 14 Million, No pressure, nothing to worry about. Living wonderful, I'm sure. Family set. I bet he's the happiest Man, who ever signed a Major League contract. Or at least its up there, with other signings.

58 + million and only 89 games in the Majors. Wonder what it breaks down, to pitches he faced.

Edited May 2, 2019 by OH FOY!

[notin]

I think that's his ceiling too.

 

 

So maybe we’re in agreement. Dombrowski doesn’t like him because his contract it too expensive for a fourth outfielder...