A Realistic View at 2019: Part II

[notin]

Johnson has been up and down for 3 years now, unable to stick anywhere or stay healthy. He wouldn’t even have pitched as many MLB innings as he did if he had any options left. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s here. Head case or not, he’s really not an MLB-caliber pitcher...

[moonslav59]

Johnson has been up and down for 3 years now, unable to stick anywhere or stay healthy. He wouldn’t even have pitched as many MLB innings as he did if he had any options left. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s here. Head case or not, he’s really not an MLB-caliber pitcher...

 

At times, he has shown promise. That's about the only thing good I can say about him.

 

If we are looking to reset next year, I'm okay with keeping him one more year as a guy to throw into the mix in hopes a few pitch well enough to make the 25 man roster next year and not suck.

 

I would shed a single tear, if we traded or DFA's him this winter.

 

Velazquez still has options, but he's about the same as Johnson.

[dgalehouse]

His previous 5 starts.

 

date IP H R ER BB

8/03 3.0 8 3 3 0

8/09 2.2 2 3 3 2

8/14 2.2 3 1 0 2

8/20 3.2 6 3 3 2

8/25 3.0 4 3 3 3

 

If you think this is a good stat line, then you know nothing about baseball.

 

Did you ever think that Johnson came in to pitch as long as he can? Good for him that he went 3 innings. But they were not going to start him......They were not going to let him put the team behind right away........are you f***ing serious?

I didn't say he was a good starter . I think you are entirely missing my point . And I do think I know a little about baseball . No need to act like a jerk.

[dgalehouse]

Denny's question, though, is what's the difference between starting him and having him pitch innings 3 through 6.

 

The Clarifier.

[jung]

Johnson has been up and down for 3 years now, unable to stick anywhere or stay healthy. He wouldn’t even have pitched as many MLB innings as he did if he had any options left. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s here. Head case or not, he’s really not an MLB-caliber pitcher...

 

He may or may not be. But that particular malady has reached epidemic proportions in MLB whether he is afflicted or not.

[jacksonianmarch]

Johnson sucks and will only stick with the Sox because the Sox pitching depth is woefully inadequate

[Slasher9]

Johnson's a bit of a soft tosser, isn't he? .

 

This made me lol

[jung]

At times, he has shown promise. That's about the only thing good I can say about him.

 

If we are looking to reset next year, I'm okay with keeping him one more year as a guy to throw into the mix in hopes a few pitch well enough to make the 25 man roster next year and not suck.

 

I would shed a single tear, if we traded or DFA's him this winter.

 

Velazquez still has options, but he's about the same as Johnson.

 

Keep BJ, don't keep BJ. It hardly matters. We do not have coaching assets that can work with a pitcher like BJ. If they want to do him a favor, make him a throw in on a trade with a team that actually coaches a variety of pitchers. Clev and Tampa come to mind if he is to stay in the AL. St Louis in the NL comes to mind.

[moonslav59]

Keep BJ, don't keep BJ. It hardly matters. We do not have coaching assets that can work with a pitcher like BJ. If they want to do him a favor, make him a throw in on a trade with a team that actually coaches a variety of pitchers. Clev and Tampa come to mind if he is to stay in the AL. St Louis in the NL comes to mind.

 

I've been suggesting throwing Johnson into trades for half a decade or so.

 

You're right, "It hardly matters," and since he's out of options, it's probably time to move him somewhere else.

[oldtimer]

I suggest that fans take a look at our current 40 man roster and see how many are real keepers going forward, how many are borderline and how many shouldn't be here next season, especially if we do a reset. Perhpas I am harsh, but I see at least 12 current pitchers who should really be gone and 3 who are borderline. I did not include guys who we have on contracts that we can't unload.

 

 

 

In the case of field players I see at least 6 who shouldn't be here next season and 4 more who will need to fight for a position. That means 19 total players who are either contractually hard to move, stalwarts or marginal players. We should be in a better position.I won't bother to identify the players as each fan can decide that one for themselves.

[moonslav59]

I suggest that fans take a look at our current 40 man roster and see how many are real keepers going forward, how many are borderline and how many shouldn't be here next season, especially if we do a reset. Perhpas I am harsh, but I see at least 12 current pitchers who should really be gone and 3 who are borderline. I did not include guys who we have on contracts that we can't unload.

 

 

 

In the case of field players I see at least 6 who shouldn't be here next season and 4 more who will need to fight for a position. That means 19 total players who are either contractually hard to move, stalwarts or marginal players. We should be in a better position.I won't bother to identify the players as each fan can decide that one for themselves.

 

I did this a few weeks ago. I can't remember how many players were sure keepers, but it wasn't many.

 

There are 6-8 guys that have absolutely no business being on the roster, today.

[oldtimer]

I did this a few weeks ago. I can't remember how many players were sure keepers, but it wasn't many.

 

There are 6-8 guys that have absolutely no business being on the roster, today.

 

One of the guys that I don't know that much about is Reyes. I hope he has some lasting value to the team but haven't seen him in action.

[moonslav59]

Grouping the current 40 Man Roster:

 

Vets under contract after this year:

Price

Sale

JD (player opt outs)

Bogaerts

Eovaldi

Vaz

 

Arbs:

Keepers-

Betts (1 more arb)

ERod (2)

Beni (3)

Workman (1)

Barnes (2)

Hembree (2)

 

Maybe-

JBJ (1)

Wright (1)

 

Pre-arb:

Devers

Marco

Walden

DHernandez

Taylor

Chavis

Travis

Weber

Kelley

 

Likely Non-Tender (due for arb)-

Leon

Owings

 

Probable Deadwood Vets:

Pedroia

 

Borderline 40 Man Roster Materiial (Trade, DFA?):

Shawaryn (pre arb)

Brewer (pre arb)

Lin (pre arb)

Reyes (pre arb)

Poyner (pre arb)

Johnson (pre-arb-out of options)

Velazquez (pre-arb)

Lakins (pre-arb)

Smith (pre arb)

Centeno (pre arb)

G Hernandez (pre arb)

 

Free Agents:

Porcello

Moreland

Pearce

Holt

Cashner

 

Red= would not be missed.

 

That's over half the roster.

 

Rule 5 or prospects additions: Dalbec, Chatham, Ockimey, Houck and maybe 1-2 more.

 

I count about 23-25 worth keeping around. If you look to 2021 and beyond, it's maybe 20 tops.

 

[notin]

You think Hembree is tendered a contract?

 

Tough call for me. There are two clear sides that have a good argument...

[moonslav59]

You think Hembree is tendered a contract?

 

Tough call for me. There are two clear sides that have a good argument...

 

I doubt he makes much in arb,so I think we keep him. I wouldn't be shocked or hurt, if we non tendered him.

 

My guess is a guy like him would cost more as a FA, so we keep him.

[notin]

I doubt he makes much in arb,so I think we keep him. I wouldn't be shocked or hurt, if we non tendered him.

 

My guess is a guy like him would cost more as a FA, so we keep him.

 

I could see non-tendering him because it might be possible to replace him with minor league arms like like Tanner Houck or Travis Lakins for less money.

 

I could see tendering him because he will likely be about $2mill or so and free agent relievers will cost more.

[moonslav59]

I could see non-tendering him because it might be possible to replace him with minor league arms like like Tanner Houck or Travis Lakins for less money.

 

I could see tendering him because he will likely be about $2mill or so and free agent relievers will cost more.

 

I would think he was tradable, so if we don't want him, offer arb and trade him or trade him before the arb is offered.

[oldtimer]

Grouping the current 40 Man Roster:

 

Vets under contract after this year:

Price

Sale

JD (player opt outs)

Bogaerts

Eovaldi

Vaz

 

Arbs:

Keepers-

Betts (1 more arb)

ERod (2)

Beni (3)

Workman (1)

Barnes (2)

Hembree (2)

 

Maybe-

JBJ (1)

Wright (1)

 

Pre-arb:

Devers

Marco

Walden

DHernandez

Taylor

Chavis

Travis

Weber

Kelley

 

Likely Non-Tender (due for arb)-

Leon

Owings

 

Probable Deadwood Vets:

Pedroia

 

Borderline 40 Man Roster Materiial (Trade, DFA?):

Shawaryn (pre arb)

Brewer (pre arb)

Lin (pre arb)

Reyes (pre arb)

Poyner (pre arb)

Johnson (pre-arb-out of options)

Velazquez (pre-arb)

Lakins (pre-arb)

Smith (pre arb)

Centeno (pre arb)

G Hernandez (pre arb)

 

Free Agents:

Porcello

Moreland

Pearce

Holt

Cashner

 

Red= would not be missed.

 

That's over half the roster.

 

Rule 5 or prospects additions: Dalbec, Chatham, Ockimey, Houck and maybe 1-2 more.

 

I count about 23-25 worth keeping around. If you look to 2021 and beyond, it's maybe 20 tops.

 

 

That is very similar to my list. I don't think Hembree is more than marginal and though he throws hard he is inconsistent. I am not enamored with Barnes either although he is more of a keeper than Hembree. I don't know Reyes so no comment on him. I do like Holt as a glue guy and despite his age I would try and resign him.

 

The fact that 50% of our 40 man roster are marginal or less than marginal speaks to the status of our team and the need for improvement, either through some of our minor league resources. I include Chatham, Dalbec, Houck and Mata as probables while Duran is a possible if we need outfield replenishment and Ockimey as also a possible.

 

Resigning Mookie is a priority provided a contract can be worked out that reflects his true value. I think JBJ will probably have to be sacrificed to get a true reset. While he is a good player, he probably can be replaced more inexpensively without much impact on tthe team's play.

 

What comes out of this is we are in the most need of pitching. With 3 veteran highly paid pitchers, possibly all on the decline, and a thin BP, the need is there and the resources to improve are slim. Thats why getting one or more starters from DHern, Houck and Mata is the best hope. We need to be active on improving the BP in the offfseason. It appears the new form for teams is carrying 12 position players and 13 pitchers, which having reasonable substitute pitching on the 40 man.

 

Trading away one of our high paid starters would be difficult but would open up some resources to go after a better option. I see Eovaldi as the most likely to be of interest to others, but even as the most likely it is probably still a 1 in 5 shot.

[kenmeister]

 

Resigning Mookie is a priority provided a contract can be worked out that reflects his true value.

 

That's my concern; he'll probably ask $30 million a year.

[OH FOY]

Dalbec is up but they wont activate him. The Club is working him out at 1st Base, and his swing. He'll play team USA in Nov.-Sean McAdam Edited September 3, 2019 by OH FOY!

[notin]

That's my concern; he'll probably ask $30 million a year.

 

I’m predicting his next deal is similar to Molan Arenado’s deal - neighborhood of 8 years / $260mill...

[oldtimer]

I’m predicting his next deal is similar to Molan Arenado’s deal - neighborhood of 8 years / $260mill...

 

Hard to afford that and reset. I do hope we can resign him but if he tests the FA market, we may not be able to.

[moonslav59]

That is very similar to my list. I don't think Hembree is more than marginal and though he throws hard he is inconsistent. I am not enamored with Barnes either although he is more of a keeper than Hembree. I don't know Reyes so no comment on him. I do like Holt as a glue guy and despite his age I would try and resign him.

 

The fact that 50% of our 40 man roster are marginal or less than marginal speaks to the status of our team and the need for improvement, either through some of our minor league resources. I include Chatham, Dalbec, Houck and Mata as probables while Duran is a possible if we need outfield replenishment and Ockimey as also a possible.

 

Resigning Mookie is a priority provided a contract can be worked out that reflects his true value. I think JBJ will probably have to be sacrificed to get a true reset. While he is a good player, he probably can be replaced more inexpensively without much impact on tthe team's play.

 

What comes out of this is we are in the most need of pitching. With 3 veteran highly paid pitchers, possibly all on the decline, and a thin BP, the need is there and the resources to improve are slim. Thats why getting one or more starters from DHern, Houck and Mata is the best hope. We need to be active on improving the BP in the offfseason. It appears the new form for teams is carrying 12 position players and 13 pitchers, which having reasonable substitute pitching on the 40 man.

 

Trading away one of our high paid starters would be difficult but would open up some resources to go after a better option. I see Eovaldi as the most likely to be of interest to others, but even as the most likely it is probably still a 1 in 5 shot.

 

I don't totally agree with everything here, but your points are all valid and logical.

 

Other teams will be scrambling to try and keep all their assets on the 40 man roster with rule 5 choices to be made. We have 10 guys we could cut and not be any worse.

[moonslav59]

Dalbec is up but they wont activate him. The Club is working him out at 1st Base, and his swing. He'll play team USA in Nov.-Sean McAdam

 

He's played 230 innings at 1B- career.

 

I'd have thought they'd play him more there this year.

 

He may be a better defensive 3Bman than Devers, so maybe that's why the resisted, but still...

[moonslav59]

Hard to afford that and reset. I do hope we can resign him but if he tests the FA market, we may not be able to.

 

If we reset in 2020 and go back to spending large quickly afterwards, we can afford him.

 

Can vs should is the debate, IMO, not if we can.

[Larry33]

Hard to afford that and reset. I do hope we can resign him but if he tests the FA market, we may not be able to.

 

Mookie is no dummy he knows what some of superstars of game got for contracts like Harper,Trout and Stanton. The Red Sox are lucrative franchise it's not Mookie's fault that they dished out lucrative contract to Price, Sale, JD Martinez 30 mil and 25 mil or even Porcello that they gave 21 mil for nothing. Why would Mookie need to accept a hometown deal just the Red Sox can be under the luxury tax he's not the problem others that are the under achievers and got the hefty payday for their mediocracy.

 

Hopefully they can work out a deal but I won't blame him he goes elsewhere to find his deal if the Red Sox are too stupid to reward their good player and keep on rewarding mediocracy.

[notin]

Hard to afford that and reset. I do hope we can resign him but if he tests the FA market, we may not be able to.

 

That’s why you reset after 2020, before Mookie becomes a free agent and makes that kind of cash...

[notin]

He's played 230 innings at 1B- career.

 

I'd have thought they'd play him more there this year.

 

He may be a better defensive 3Bman than Devers, so maybe that's why the resisted, but still...

 

Dalbec is really the Sox best completely expendable trade chip. If they have to fill a need cheaply - and they will, probably more than one - this guy is obviously on his way elsewhere. I see South Beach in his future, where they like minimum wage baseball players and the hot corner is no longer contaminated with the skeletal remains of Martin Prado.

 

Sox get Jose Urena to replace Porcello...

[oldtimer]

Mookie is no dummy he knows what some of superstars of game got for contracts like Harper,Trout and Stanton. The Red Sox are lucrative franchise it's not Mookie's fault that they dished out lucrative contract to Price, Sale, JD Martinez 30 mil and 25 mil or even Porcello that they gave 21 mil for nothing. Why would Mookie need to accept a hometown deal just the Red Sox can be under the luxury tax he's not the problem others that are the under achievers and got the hefty payday for their mediocracy.

 

Hopefully they can work out a deal but I won't blame him he goes elsewhere to find his deal if the Red Sox are too stupid to reward their good player and keep on rewarding mediocracy.

 

I wonder if his value is that high based on this year. No doubt he is a 5 tool player and is very good. On the other hand, he is not a Trout so somehow we have to value him fairly and offer accordingly. If some are willing to pay much more, then that is up to their organization and will hamper them in future.

[Bellhorn04]

That’s why you reset after 2020, before Mookie becomes a free agent and makes that kind of cash...

 

You mean reset before 2020, right?