The GM thread

[Fan_since_Boggs]

We'd have to trade prospects and likely would also draft 10 picks lower.

 

 

According to your own numbers, the Red Sox don't go over 237 m even if they sign a SP like Wheeler. And after signing Wheeler, the Red Sox would be about 10 million under 237 if we change Betts to 25 million (rather than your 33 m).

 

The Red Sox have Dalbec who is blocked at 3b and they can trade him for bullpen help. The Red Sox bullpen wasn't a complete disaster this year anyway and they have some young guys like Hernandez and Taylor who look really good.

 

The Red Sox can hold on to their three best prospects, Mata, Casas, and Jimenez, while remaining under 237.

Edited August 9, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

More on Betts:

 

Will Red Sox listen to offers for Mookie Betts?

WWW.MLB.COM

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Could 2019 be Mookie Betts' final year in a Red Sox uniform? It's becoming increasingly possible, with multiple rival executives telling MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi that they expect the Red Sox to listen to offers for the '18 American League MVP this offseason. Betts will be one year away from

 

The idea that the Braves are going to trade for Betts and then pay him is laughable.

[Carpin]

More on Betts:

 

Will Red Sox listen to offers for Mookie Betts?

WWW.MLB.COM

---

Could 2019 be Mookie Betts' final year in a Red Sox uniform? It's becoming increasingly possible, with multiple rival executives telling MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi that they expect the Red Sox to listen to offers for the '18 American League MVP this offseason. Betts will be one year away from

 

I don't think the Braves trade those two prospects for Betts, besides the Braves were after some established SP, they were on the mix for Greinke, Stroman and MadBum

[moonslav59]

According to your own numbers, the Red Sox don't go over 237 m even if they sign a SP like Wheeler. And after signing Wheeler, the Red Sox would be about 10 million under 237 if we change Betts to 25 million (rather than your 33 m).

 

The Red Sox have Dalbec who is blocked at 3b and they can trade him for bullpen help. The Red Sox bullpen wasn't a complete disaster this year anyway and they have some young guys like Hernandez and Taylor who look really good.

 

The Red Sox can hold on to their three best prospects, Mata, Casas, and Jimenez, while remaining under 237.

 

We will need over $10M to make the pen strong enough to improve us from 2019.

 

We also will need a CF'er.

 

Dalbec is not blocked. We need a 1Bman, and Travis/Ockimey are long, long shots.

 

Plus, Wheeler is no sure bet. Look what happened with Eovaldi. Wheeler has never pitched more than 183 IP.

 

I think the plan will be for Eovaldi to start next year. We may spend to just under the max line by signing a much cheaper 5th starter type who can help the pen, if he's not starting. We will spend on upgrading the pen. We will spend less than what JBJ costs on a defensive CF'er. Wemay even spend alittle on a 2Bman or 1Bman.

 

We will not spend almost 75% of our winter budget on a SP'er.

[Carpin]

We will need over $10M to make the pen strong enough to improve us from 2019.

 

We also will need a CF'er.

 

Dalbec is not blocked. We need a 1Bman, and Travis/Ockimey are long, long shots.

 

Plus, Wheeler is no sure bet. Look what happened with Eovaldi. Wheeler has never pitched more than 183 IP.

 

I think the plan will be for Eovaldi to start next year. We may spend to just under the max line by signing a much cheaper 5th starter type who can help the pen, if he's not starting. We will spend on upgrading the pen. We will spend less than what JBJ costs on a defensive CF'er. Wemay even spend alittle on a 2Bman or 1Bman.

 

We will not spend almost 75% of our winter budget on a SP'er.

 

Cameron Maybin might be available for CF, he still covers a lot of ground in CF, he's resurrecting his career in NY. It would be nice for 1 yr, don't see the yankees bringing him back. I'm sure you can get him for 3 millions

[oldtimer]

We will need over $10M to make the pen strong enough to improve us from 2019.

 

We also will need a CF'er.

 

Dalbec is not blocked. We need a 1Bman, and Travis/Ockimey are long, long shots.

 

Plus, Wheeler is no sure bet. Look what happened with Eovaldi. Wheeler has never pitched more than 183 IP.

 

I think the plan will be for Eovaldi to start next year. We may spend to just under the max line by signing a much cheaper 5th starter type who can help the pen, if he's not starting. We will spend on upgrading the pen. We will spend less than what JBJ costs on a defensive CF'er. Wemay even spend alittle on a 2Bman or 1Bman.

 

We will not spend almost 75% of our winter budget on a SP'er.

 

We still have quality fans who believe we still have a chance at a WC slot in 2019. I believe that position is overly optimistic but am willing to wait until it is obvious to everyone that this team is out of the race. I do agree that Dalbec has possibility of playing 1st n 2020. To do that, he needs to cutdown on his strikeout rate but he is a logical candidate along with Travis for that slot. (Travis can fill in at left field so is more flexible but has less raw power). I believe we will finally look for a change in CF for 2020. JBJ will be expensive and is aq notoriosly streaker hitter. Will Duran be a low cost candidate or will we look in the FA or trade markets. All these things can be discussed in September based on the structural discussions that have already been laid out.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Cameron Maybin might be available for CF, he still covers a lot of ground in CF, he's resurrecting his career in NY. It would be nice for 1 yr, don't see the yankees bringing him back. I'm sure you can get him for 3 millions

 

Interesting thought. I would want to pay Maybin less than 3 million, though. The Red Sox could pursue some kind of low cost CF option, veteran player trying to resurrect his career. That player gets the first shot at CF while Duran gets more minor league experience. If the vet doesn't work out, you promote Duran maybe one-third of the way into the season. The key is go cheap in CF, save that 10 million that would have gone to Bradley.

 

We also have to consider that the Red Sox will have a trade chip in Bradley. He isn't going to bring back an elite prospect, but I would assume that Bradley, due to the dearth of quality CFs in baseball, would bring back a decent relief arm.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

We may spend to just under the max line by signing a much cheaper 5th starter type who can help the pen, if he's not starting. We will spend on upgrading the pen.

 

 

We will not spend almost 75% of our winter budget on a SP'er.

 

Yeah, I think this could be a better strategy. Rather than invest the money in a SP like Wheeler, you spend less on the SP and more on bullpen upgrades. That might be a better approach. It is an approach that reduces risk--spread the money around rather than invest it in one SP.

 

In this scenario, the Red Sox would sign W.Smith. Smith would take over the closer role.

 

Signing Smith does solve a lot of problems. You then have Workman and Hernandez for the 8th. Taylor and Barnes/Brasier for the 7th. That would give Cora a lot of lefty/righty options.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Carpin]

We still have quality fans who believe we still have a chance at a WC slot in 2019. I believe that position is overly optimistic but am willing to wait until it is obvious to everyone that this team is out of the race. I do agree that Dalbec has possibility of playing 1st n 2020. To do that, he needs to cutdown on his strikeout rate but he is a logical candidate along with Travis for that slot. (Travis can fill in at left field so is more flexible but has less raw power). I believe we will finally look for a change in CF for 2020. JBJ will be expensive and is aq notoriosly streaker hitter. Will Duran be a low cost candidate or will we look in the FA or trade markets. All these things can be discussed in September based on the structural discussions that have already been laid out.

 

Looks like one of the WC will be for Guardians or Twins, the other might be up for grabs between the Rays and Oakland, the Sox might get hot and jump into contention but they are still 5.5GB the 2nd WC. They need to take advantage of their soft schedule the rest of the month, they only have 3 vs Cleveland and 2 vs Philly, if they play .600 the rest of the way they have a chance.

September is tough, you have the Yankees, Rays and Twins, if you don't get close during August, it would be very hard during Sept.

[notin]

Cameron Maybin might be available for CF, he still covers a lot of ground in CF, he's resurrecting his career in NY. It would be nice for 1 yr, don't see the yankees bringing him back. I'm sure you can get him for 3 millions

 

Maybin is actually a good target for the Sox if they non-tender Bradley...

[moonslav59]

The question seems to be, will JBJ be non-tendered or arbed out and traded.

 

The chances he's with the Sox next year (reset or not) seem slim.

[S5Dewey]

The question seems to be, will JBJ be non-tendered or arbed out and traded.

 

The chances he's with the Sox next year (reset or not) seem slim.

 

That may be the question here but I'm not as certain as some are that it's the question in DD's mind.

 

DD may very well be thinking that losing both JBJ & Mookie in a two year period (IOW, destroying what may be the best defensive OF in baseball) may be being penny wise and pound foolish. I see the Sox paying JBJ's arbitration raise and waiting another year until the situation with Mookie is resolved before making any decisions on JBJ.

[notin]

That may be the question here but I'm not as certain as some are that it's the question in DD's mind.

 

DD may very well be thinking that losing both JBJ & Mookie in a two year period (IOW, destroying what may be the best defensive OF in baseball) may be being penny wise and pound foolish. I see the Sox paying JBJ's arbitration raise and waiting another year until the situation with Mookie is resolved before making any decisions on JBJ.

 

If JBJ is on the 2020 Red Sox, it’s probably because they non-tendered him and re-signed him. I don’t think the Sox are going to be able to afford to increase his $8.8mill salary. And defense-oriented CFs can usually be signed for a lot less than that.

 

I like Bradley, but next month might be his final one in Boston...

[OH FOY]

I just think Mookie is going the Free Agent way, if that's the case, you need JBJ. If other way around and the Sox blow Mookie away, JBJ is odd man out.

I think it starts with 8 years for 280 million for Mookie. He's looking for huge payday. 35 million per year.

Smart move is work with JBJ and Boras, and get what you can for Mookie. Keep the phones working all off season.

Edited August 10, 2019 by OH FOY!

[notin]

I just think Mookie is going the Free Agent way, if that's the case, you need JBJ. If other way around and the Sox blow Mookie away, JBJ is odd man out.

I think it starts with 8 years for 280 million for Mookie. He's looking for huge payday.

Smart move is work with JBJ and Boras, and get what you can for Mookie. Keep the phones working all off season.

 

But then trading Mookie is effectively punting 2020. It’s a move that makes sense long term, like 2021 and beyond. But since you’re not getting equal value, it means one more year of a high-priced rotation, no title, and a set of birthdays that make the following season less likely.

 

But Bradley isnt Mookie’s equal. Losing Mookie and keeping Bradley doesn’t make for a consolation prize.

 

While I don’t think it’s a great plan, I think DD keeps Mookie and takes his best shot at another title in 2020, and he will find that increasingly difficult if he has to commit $10mill+ to Bradley.

 

The one thing Bradley supporters who want him back have going for them is sometimes DD wants to trade players and sets unrealistic targets, like wanting a controllable major league starting pitcher for AAAA utility player Blake Swihart. It’s possible he pays Bradley $10-11 mill and then tries to deal him, but can’t get the All Star or overall top ten prospect he has in his crosshairs...

[Slasher9]

I don’t think JBj is going to get a raise on his arb #.

That said if this is in fact the “reset” year. We should pass on JBj and trade Mookie.

[notin]

I don’t think JBj is going to get a raise on his arb #.

That said if this is in fact the “reset” year. We should pass on JBj and trade Mookie.

 

They all get raises in arbitration unless they settle beforehand.

 

The only way Bradley takes less money is if Scott Boras advises him to do so, which is significantly less likely than a pig getting his pilot’s license. And Bradley didn’t hire Boras to reject his advice...

[Bellhorn04]

They all get raises in arbitration unless they settle beforehand.

 

Are there any cases of players getting the same money or negligible raises in arbitration, or do they always get a bump unless non-tendered?

[notin]

The idea that the Braves are going to trade for Betts and then pay him is laughable.

 

They could certainly trade for him and pay one year of his arbitration raise. They do have $23mill worth of Josh Donaldson coming off the books to free up the bulk of it.

 

But in no way do they deal Pache for Betts. Not even straight up. Anderson isn’t very likely either, but in comparison it’s a little less outrageous. A package like Drew Waters and Kyle Wright for one year of Betts is more plausible...

[notin]

Are there any cases of players getting the same money or negligible raises in arbitration, or do they always get a bump unless non-tendered?

 

I don’t think any player ever has gone through arbitration and not received a raise. They might settle beforehand on a pay cut, but I am not sure how often that has happened. But so many players settle to avoid arbitration each year that it’s impossible to keep track. At least for me...

[Bellhorn04]

I don’t think any player ever has gone through arbitration and not received a raise. They might settle beforehand on a pay cut, but I am not sure how often that has happened. But so many players settle to avoid arbitration each year that it’s impossible to keep track. At least for me...

 

In a case like JBJ's, the automatic raise policy could be to his detriment.

[notin]

In a case like JBJ's, the automatic raise policy could be to his detriment.

 

That’s my entire point.

 

Bradley is more likely to stay if he keeps his pay the same or takes a pay cut. But his agent is Scott Boras, who is not very likely to advise that course of action, since his job entails maximizing Bradley’s earnings and not doing favors for the Red Sox.

 

I think a non-tender is very likely.

 

It won’t be detrimental to Bradley, if he becomes a free agent, he can finally get a contract he is happy with...

[jacksonianmarch]

Betts isn’t going to Atlanta. They’re small market for the most part and are more inclined to extend their big talents than pay FA market value. It would be against their model to deal a guy like Pache who they could control for six years for an expensive 1 yr rental. They signed Donaldson for big money, but only for one year and have a ready made replacement in the wings. They gave up nothing else for him. With Acuna in the OF already, it makes more sense that they’d promote Pache and create a young, dominant OF tandem for years to come

[notin]

Betts isn’t going to Atlanta. They’re small market for the most part and are more inclined to extend their big talents than pay FA market value. It would be against their model to deal a guy like Pache who they could control for six years for an expensive 1 yr rental. They signed Donaldson for big money, but only for one year and have a ready made replacement in the wings. They gave up nothing else for him. With Acuna in the OF already, it makes more sense that they’d promote Pache and create a young, dominant OF tandem for years to come

 

I could see Atlanta trying to deal Waters and Wright as opposed to the two mentioned in the article. I doubt they deal Pache for Betts straight up. But in a very competitive NL East they might view Betts as a missing piece for a title. And they aren’t likely to miss Waters if they have several more years of Pache-Acuna...

[Bellhorn04]

I wonder what offers the Birds got for Machado last offseason and why they ended up dealing at the deadline instead.

[notin]

I wonder what offers the Birds got for Machado last offseason and why they ended up dealing at the deadline instead.

 

Interesting question.

 

Hopefully Duquette wasn’t so blind as to think they had a shot before the season. Possible he held out because either a) he was hoping to work out an e tension mid season or there were literally no other players in Baltimore worth buying tickets to watch or c) both?

[Bellhorn04]

If the Sox do entertain offers for Betts this offseason I think there's a pretty good chance they don't get one that's a slam-dunk, and end up holding onto him, dealing him at the deadline if the team is out of it.

[jacksonianmarch]

The birds had just added Cashner and Cobb and had a misguided thought that they could compete.

[jacksonianmarch]

If the Sox do entertain offers for Betts this offseason I think there's a pretty good chance they don't get one that's a slam-dunk, and end up holding onto him, dealing him at the deadline if the team is out of it.

 

There is zero chance DD deals Betts. So if the Sox stay under the same leadership, he’s staying. If the GM changes, then Betts is a goner

[notin]

If the Sox do entertain offers for Betts this offseason I think there's a pretty good chance they don't get one that's a slam-dunk, and end up holding onto him, dealing him at the deadline if the team is out of it.

 

Agree 100%.

 

Although one of the best fan-proposed non-rumors I would think about pulling the trigger on is Hunter Renfroe and Luis Patino from the Padres...