The GM thread

[notin]

which is exactly what i am counting on. trade him for prospects now. sign him back after 1 season. he is 100% going to FA.

 

I felt that way about Bogaerts...

[notin]

The Dodgers are not a good match for Vazquez or Betts; in the OF they have Bellinger, Pollock & Taylor, with Pederson and Verdugo as backups, unless you get Pollock back, there's no deal there. In the catcher position it's even worse, they have right now Barnes & Martin, for next year either Smith (promoted last month) and Ruiz, who are top 100 prospects, will be ready to step up, my guess is they let go one of the veterans and insert one of them and the 2nd stays in the minors just in case.

 

That’s not what I said. I said teams looking for a catcher will look to the Dodgers, who are loaded there. They won’t want Vazquez period.

 

They might have interest in Betts if they lose their third straight World Series. Pederson and Taylor are not deterrents to acquiring Betts. In fact, they are reasons to make that move.

 

My guess for the Dodgers is they keep Smith and deal Ruiz to Pittsburgh for Felipe Vasquez...

[Carpin]

That’s not what I said. I said teams looking for a catcher will look to the Dodgers, who are loaded there. They won’t want Vazquez period.

 

They might have interest in Betts if they lose their third straight World Series. Pederson and Taylor are not deterrents to acquiring Betts. In fact, they are reasons to make that move.

 

My guess for the Dodgers is they keep Smith and deal Ruiz to Pittsburgh for Felipe Vasquez...

 

I stand corrected on the catchers situation.

 

In the OF, the biggest liability for them is Pollock he's been really bad this year, Taylor is adequate and Verdugo is the future there; I won't deny that Betts is far better than both of them but the price tag is a big factor, as I said before, if the Sox get Polock back you might have the Dodgers attention, they can try try to flip him later for some prospects,

[moonslav59]

Going all out for 2021, you must be talking about Pitching right? 2 years older of Sale and Price and a barren Farm in Pitching, as far as Game changers. You want to do it all over again? Pay big bucks for Pitchers.

 

Certainly pitching would be a big part of going all out in 2021 but maybe 2 good ones- not great.

 

I'm not that worried about Sale's age. Price- yes. ERod is on board for 2021 and maybe Eovaldi will be healthy.

[moonslav59]

Another idea might be to try and replicate the AGon, CC & Beckett deal.

 

Trade Betts with a sunken contract or two for scraps and start over.

 

Betts, Price and Rusney for a couple decent prospects.

 

The problem is, the Dodgers won't be fooled again. Would anyone else?

[Fan_since_Boggs]

If they sense Betts will only go to the highest bidder, I think he will be gone and we will shoot to get the best value in any trade.

 

I don't agree with this at all. The Red Sox probably expect Betts to sign with the highest bidder. But there will be very few bidders, and so the Red Sox have a really good chance of being the top bidder and they must know that.

 

The Yankees aren't bidding on Betts. The Dodgers haven't been giving out these types of contracts. We can start eliminating a lot of teams from making serious bids on Betts. At the end of the day, we will be left with only a few teams that will compete for Betts in free agency. There were a limited number of teams interested in Harper and Machado and both were younger when reaching free agency. I think the Red Sox will let Betts test the free agent waters, let him see what he can get on the open market, and then the Red Sox will probably come in with the best offer.

Edited August 13, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Also, a Nimmo and Matz deal isn't that crazy when you consider Betts is only going for one season.

 

This has got to be the dumbest trade proposal in the history of the internet. At least give the Red Sox something useful, like D.Smith, for example. Matz is already 28 years old, his ceiling isn't what it once was. He has durability issues too. The Mets pulled him from the rotation at one point this season. Nimmo is even more useless than Matz.

 

The Mets are an unrealistic trade partner for Betts in any event.

Edited August 13, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Carpin]

I don't agree with this at all. The Red Sox probably expect Betts to sign with the highest bidder. But there will be very few bidders, and so the Red Sox have a really good chance of being the top bidder and they must know that.

 

The Yankees aren't bidding on Betts. The Dodgers haven't been giving out these types of contracts. We can start eliminating a lot of teams from making serious bids on Betts. At the end of the day, we will be left with only a few teams that will compete for Betts in free agency. There were a limited number of teams interested in Harper and Machado and both were younger when reaching free agency. I think the Red Sox will let Betts test the free agent waters, let him see what he can get on the open market, and then the Red Sox will probably come in with the best offer.

 

I think the Yankees will show some interest on Betts, at least to drive the price up for the Sox, but if they can get him in their own terms they will do it, addition by subtraction, Cashman has done this in the past and I'm sure he'll do it again

[moonslav59]

It doesn't matter. The Sox set a price on their own free agents to be and rarely stray from that number.

 

It has been one of the organization's strongest area of player valuation. They rarely make mistakes on when to keep or let go their own players.

 

It might not matter, if they think they can sign him or not, they may still want to trade him and then submit their bid when the time comes.

[notin]

This has got to be the dumbest trade proposal in the history of the internet. At least give the Red Sox something useful, like D.Smith, for example. Matz is already 28 years old, his ceiling isn't what it once was. He has durability issues too. The Mets pulled him from the rotation at one point this season. Nimmo is even more useless than Matz.

 

The Mets are an unrealistic trade partner for Betts in any event.

 

Nimmo wouldn’t be useful to the Sox if they trade Betts? The Sox couldn’t use an outfielder with a career .383 OBP?

 

I think Nimmo is a nice starting point, but pass on the oft-injured Matz. Also pass on Smith.

 

Bear in mind, as the deal is before the season, it isn’t simply one year of Betts. It’s one year of Betts plus a draft pick....

[jung]

Geezus....Did any of you guys just see DD on the field in Cleveland clutching at Mookie. He looked like he was trying to sell Mookie a used car and he had just about that much attention from Mookie.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Nimmo wouldn’t be useful to the Sox if they trade Betts? The Sox couldn’t use an outfielder with a career .383 OBP?

 

I think Nimmo is a nice starting point, but pass on the oft-injured Matz. Also pass on Smith.

 

Bear in mind, as the deal is before the season, it isn’t simply one year of Betts. It’s one year of Betts plus a draft pick....

 

I know about Nimmo's OBP, I think everyone does, but (1) he doesn't have much of a track record as a MLB player and (2) he seems to get hurt every year. His 2018 season was nice, but his 2019 season was discouraging prior to getting hurt.

 

If you trade Betts for Nimmo and Matz, you are punting on the 2020 season. Nimmo is going to be considerable worse than Betts and Matz is a bottom of the rotation starter. That deal doesn't get the Red Sox anywhere.

[OH FOY]

The Dodgers are not a good match for Vazquez or Betts; in the OF they have Bellinger, Pollock & Taylor, with Pederson and Verdugo as backups, unless you get Pollock back, there's no deal there. In the catcher position it's even worse, they have right now Barnes & Martin, for next year either Smith (promoted last month) and Ruiz, who are top 100 prospects, will be ready to step up, my guess is they let go one of the veterans and insert one of them and the 2nd stays in the minors just in case.

 

Agree, Friedman wants to keep those Prospects. They will just wait him out if they want him as a FA. They have a good chance at 108 wins too this year, with kids. That whole line-up is Prospects except, Turner and Pollock.

Not counting Pitching staff. They will be a force a long time.

Last year they got Machado because Seager got hurt, and really didn't give up a bunch. Seager is back, they will wait if they want Betts, and they will loads of cash to spend, if they want him.

Edited August 14, 2019 by OH FOY!

[notin]

Agree, Friedman wants to keep those Prospects. They will just wait him out if they want him as a FA. They have a good chance at 108 wins too this year, with kids. That whole line-up is Prospects except, Turner and Pollock.

Not counting Pitching staff. They will be a force a long time.

Last year they got Machado because Seager got hurt, and really didn't give up a bunch. Seager is back, they will wait if they want Betts, and they will loads of cash to spend, if they want him.

 

 

The Dodgers won’t spend on Betts. They don’t give out those mega contracts. There’s a reason they passed on Harper and passed on Stanton’s contract..,

[notin]

That whole line-up is Prospects except, Turner and Pollock.

 

And Taylor and Muncy...

[Fan_since_Boggs]

We need to see more from Cashner as a relief arm, obviously, but if Cashner performs really well as a reliever maybe the Red Sox could sign both Cashner and W.Smith. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Maybe Cashner and W.Smith are the two bullpen upgrades for 2020 and then use Chavis as a trade chip for a SP. Duran in CF (although, I'm open to a low cost veteran for the first part of the season), Dalbec at 1b, Hernandez at 2b. Trade Bradley for some Double A reliever that had mediocre upside.

 

While I like this plan, and it is a plan that would allow the Red Sox to stay below 237 m, the Red Sox will be dangerously thin at 2b. If Hernandez gets hurt like he always does, I guess Lin becomes the starter at 2b. I'm assuming Holt is gone.

[Bellhorn04]

If Cashner does become a closer, he's got a ready-made announcer call:

 

'Cashin' er in!'

 

Pretty lame, I know, but for long-time Sox fans, it's no worse than 'Soup's on!'

[notin]

We need to see more from Cashner as a relief arm, obviously, but if Cashner performs really well as a reliever maybe the Red Sox could sign both Cashner and W.Smith. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Maybe Cashner and W.Smith are the two bullpen upgrades for 2020 and then use Chavis as a trade chip for a SP. Duran in CF (although, I'm open to a low cost veteran for the first part of the season), Dalbec at 1b, Hernandez at 2b. Trade Bradley for some Double A reliever that had mediocre upside.

 

While I like this plan, and it is a plan that would allow the Red Sox to stay below 237 m, the Red Sox will be dangerously thin at 2b. If Hernandez gets hurt like he always does, I guess Lin becomes the starter at 2b. I'm assuming Holt is gone.

 

Some rumors have the plan going below the first line. Per sportrac, that would give the Sox less than $57mill for arbitration/raises and free agents. Mookie Betts will take a very big chunk of that if he is not traded.

 

They do get more if JD Martinez opts out, but why would he?

[a700hitter]

If Cashner does become a closer, he's got a ready-made announcer call:

 

'Cashin' er in!'

 

Pretty lame, I know, but for long-time Sox fans, it's no worse than 'Soup's on!'

Not bad. I like it.

[oldtimer]

Some rumors have the plan going below the first line. Per sportrac, that would give the Sox less than $57mill for arbitration/raises and free agents. Mookie Betts will take a very big chunk of that if he is not traded.

 

They do get more if JD Martinez opts out, but why would he?

 

Mookie is getting $20 now. He really hasn't shown that he is worth a lot more this year. I see him getting maybe $5 mil in arbitration benefits. Thats not a lot in comparison to $57 mil.

[notin]

Mookie is getting $20 now. He really hasn't shown that he is worth a lot more this year. I see him getting maybe $5 mil in arbitration benefits. Thats not a lot in comparison to $57 mil.

 

If Mookie gets $25mill, which is likely, that leaves $32mill for Bradley, Barnes, Hembree, Wright, Workman, Benintendi, ERod and Leon. That total of $57mill isn't just for the raise; it is for the whole salary.

 

Bradley would command the biggest chunk, from $10-12mill. Benintendi and ERod probably looking at a combined $13-15mill. That leaves $5-9mill for Barnes and Workman and maybe Hembree. I suspect Wright and Leon will get non-tendered. If Barnes and Workman get even a paltry total of $4mill combined, that leaves $1-5mill for new acquisitions (and Hembree). Still want a new closer? Or another fifth starter?

 

This is why I suspect Bradley and Hembree to get non-tendered, and Barnes to get traded...

[Fan_since_Boggs]

If Mookie gets $25mill, which is likely, that leaves $32mill for Bradley, Barnes, Hembree, Wright, Workman, Benintendi, ERod and Leon.

 

???

 

What top figure are you using? 236 million or something below that?

 

I agreed with Moon's projection that had the Red Sox at 216m after Bradley Jr is dumped. That includes the arbitration contracts. That would leave the Red Sox with around 20m to spend in free agency.

Edited August 14, 2019 by Fan_since_Boggs

[notin]

???

 

What top figure are you using? 236 million or something below that?

 

I agreed with Moon's projection that had the Red Sox at 216m after Bradley Jr is dumped. That includes the arbitration contracts. That would leave the Red Sox with around 20m to spend in free agency.

 

Using figures from here

 

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/payroll/2020/

[oldtimer]

If Mookie gets $25mill, which is likely, that leaves $32mill for Bradley, Barnes, Hembree, Wright, Workman, Benintendi, ERod and Leon. That total of $57mill isn't just for the raise; it is for the whole salary.

 

Bradley would command the biggest chunk, from $10-12mill. Benintendi and ERod probably looking at a combined $13-15mill. That leaves $5-9mill for Barnes and Workman and maybe Hembree. I suspect Wright and Leon will get non-tendered. If Barnes and Workman get even a paltry total of $4mill combined, that leaves $1-5mill for new acquisitions (and Hembree). Still want a new closer? Or another fifth starter?

 

This is why I suspect Bradley and Hembree to get non-tendered, and Barnes to get traded...

 

Yes, I believe our hand will be forced to lose JBJ. His arb value is more than the team can afford, especially for a streaky 220 hitter. We will miss his glove but one would assume we can find a less expensive option that will roam CF well enough. I do think Hembree and Barnes are likely gone as well. I don't think we will save money by thatose moves as we will need to replace them with more consistent RPs.

[kenmeister]

It makes me very sad but I think Mookie gets traded this offseason both to free up cash and to bring back young pitching. Remember this fearsome foursome of Betts - Devers - Bogaerts - Martinez folks; you may not see its equal again in your lifetime.

[Bellhorn04]

It makes me very sad but I think Mookie gets traded this offseason both to free up cash and to bring back young pitching.

 

That's going to be a tough thing for this front office to do. Because it will send an up-front message to the fans that the 2020 Red Sox are probably not a playoff contender.

 

From a PR perspective, a much more palatable decision would be to keep Mookie and only trade him at the deadline if we're out of it.

[kenmeister]

That's going to be a tough thing for this front office to do. Because it will send an up-front message to the fans that the 2020 Red Sox are probably not a playoff contender.

 

From a PR perspective, a much more palatable decision would be to keep Mookie and only trade him at the deadline if we're out of it.

 

Hmm... if they get one bonafide starter along with those strong prospects it makes it easier to sell to the fanbase.

[jacksonianmarch]

It makes me very sad but I think Mookie gets traded this offseason both to free up cash and to bring back young pitching. Remember this fearsome foursome of Betts - Devers - Bogaerts - Martinez folks; you may not see its equal again in your lifetime.

 

You had a fearsome twosome for a bunch of years that you typically don't see in a singular lineup as well with Manny and Papi. I doubt you'll be hurting for long. Time passes, people

[Nick]

You had a fearsome twosome for a bunch of years that you typically don't see in a singular lineup as well with Manny and Papi. I doubt you'll be hurting for long. Time passes, people

 

As early as spring training, many here were down on Devers. You just need to let the kids play. Chavis will be a solid major league player. You'll probably disagree. I also think Marco is a very serviceable 2B (obviously he has to stay healthy). He's the best option as long as we're paying Pedey.

 

Pitching, pitching, pitching....why hast thou forsaken me?

[notin]

It makes me very sad but I think Mookie gets traded this offseason both to free up cash and to bring back young pitching. Remember this fearsome foursome of Betts - Devers - Bogaerts - Martinez folks; you may not see its equal again in your lifetime.

 

Hopefully if they do trade Betts, they reset and sign him back after 2020. They will be in a good position to do so given their past spending limits and available budget. But if I were to guess, they won’t move Betts until they have to. Not really sure what one season if Betts brings back, but it’s tough to imagine getting a frontline starter for him in a two team trade, simply because, with one year left, any team acquiring him is looking to contend immediately and therefore won’t give up a frontline starter.

 

A team like Atlanta might deal a good prospect or two for one season and make a solid run at 2020. But I think Atlanta will be more interested in Barnes...