A Realistic View at 2020: Part I

[a700hitter]

Trading Betts ends any shot of contending in 2020, but opens up with the reset. if they can dump Price somehow that is a win today and tomorrow.

Whether or not this move is a good move in the long run and whether or not Bloom successfully and competently implemented a dictate from the owners, I don't know how anyone could view this as anything other than waving the white flag of surrender for 2020. I am glad that I surrendered my season tickets back in December. I have looked forward to each upcoming season and I am looking forward to Spring Training this year. See you in a couple of weeks, Dewey. But I am not very hopeful that this team has any chance at success. I think it is more likely that there will be further in-season dismantling of the team as it languishes throughout the season.

 

I feel bad for Bloom as ownership made him into a liar. When he was introduced, they rolled him out in front of the season ticket holders with the promise to try to keep Betts in Boston for the long term, and then they gave him his marching orders to move Betts.

[moonslav59]

Trading Betts ends any shot of contending in 2020, but opens up with the reset. if they can dump Price somehow that is a win today and tomorrow.

 

We certainly took a big hit to 2020, but tomorrow does look a heck of a lot brighter.

[notin]

Whether or not this move is a good move in the long run and whether or not Bloom successfully and competently implemented a dictate from the owners, I don't know how anyone could view this as anything other than waving the white flag of surrender for 2020. I am glad that I surrendered my season tickets back in December. I have looked forward to each upcoming season and I am looking forward to Spring Training this year. See you in a couple of weeks, Dewey. But I am not very hopeful that this team has any chance at success. I think it is more likely that there will be further in-season dismantling of the team as it languishes throughout the season.

 

I feel bad for Bloom as ownership made him into a liar. When he was introduced, they rolled him out in front of the season ticket holders with the promise to try to keep Betts in Boston for the long term, and then they gave him his marching orders to move Betts.

 

Does that make him a liar or just a spokesman for a liar? I mean, if you had a parrot that repeatded your untruths, you wouldn't consider it dishonest? (OK, maybe too philosophical.)

 

And maybe, just maybe, "keeping Betts in Boston long term" meant 2021-2030. I do think that, while unlikely, that option is at least back on the table...

[a700hitter]

Does that make him a liar or just a spokesman for a liar? I mean, if you had a parrot that repeatded your untruths, you wouldn't consider it dishonest? (OK, maybe too philosophical.)

 

And maybe, just maybe, "keeping Betts in Boston long term" meant 2021-2030. I do think that, while unlikely, that option is at least back on the table...

LOL!! yeah, a bit too philosophical. They made him carry their lie. I am clearly blaming the owners for making him into a liar.

[notin]

LOL!! yeah, a bit too philosophical. They made him carry their lie. I am clearly blaming the owners for making him into a liar.

 

So you think of him as being like Squealer from "Animal Farm"...

[Bellhorn04]

I've said it before and I'll say it again-when the front office talks to the media they can't possibly win.

 

When Henry was candid about wanting a tax re-set, he got hammered for being too truthful about the plans so other teams could take advantage.

 

Doesn't matter whether you tell the plain truth, or you're evasive, or you lie. It'll get turned against you whatever you say.

[notin]

I've said it before and I'll say it again-when the front office talks to the media they can't possibly win.

 

When Henry was candid about wanting a tax re-set, he got hammered for being too truthful about the plans so other teams could take advantage.

 

Doesn't matter whether you tell the plain truth, or you're evasive, or you lie. It'll get turned against you whatever you say.

 

And that part was silly. You cannot dangle Betts out there without making this the obvious strategy...

[Bellhorn04]

And that part was silly. You cannot dangle Betts out there without making this the obvious strategy...

 

I've been saying the same thing, but you've heard all the criticism of it.

[notin]

I've been saying the same thing, but you've heard all the criticism of it.

 

And you were right about it.

 

But when it came to Betts, there was never going to be a reduced price tag to acquire him. It would be too easy and too tempting for teams to outbid a lowball offer...

[harmony]

We certainly took a big hit to 2020, but tomorrow does look a heck of a lot brighter.

Agreed, but how do the Red Sox go about rebuilding the farm?

[Bellhorn04]

Agreed, but how do the Red Sox go about rebuilding the farm?

 

This trade didn't do anything for the farm, per se, but it did net two cost-controlled players.

[harmony]

This trade didn't do anything for the farm, per se, but it did net two cost-controlled players.

The Red Sox did well. On an MLB Trade Rumors poll, I gave the Red Sox an A and the Dodgers and Twins Bs.

 

Good trade all around (assuming players pass physicals because each team assumes injury risks).

[moonslav59]

Agreed, but how do the Red Sox go about rebuilding the farm?

 

We just did by adding Graterol, but we still have a long way to go.

 

The trade will likely mean we finish with a worse record in 2020 than had we kept Betts & Price. That moves us up a little in the 2021 draft,

 

We will not have not have draft of IFA penalties dues to spending, next year. (I'm hopeful we avoid penalties for the whole sign stealing situation.)

 

We have some far away prospects that may crack the top 100 this summer or next winter.

 

I'm trying to be hopeful, but it's hard to rebuild when your team wins and spends and gets penalized as much as we have.

[Kimmi]

The Red Sox did well. On an MLB Trade Rumors poll, I gave the Red Sox an A and the Dodgers and Twins Bs.

 

Good trade all around (assuming players pass physicals because each team assumes injury risks).

 

Thank you. I thought the Sox did well also.

[moonslav59]

The Red Sox did well. On an MLB Trade Rumors poll, I gave the Red Sox an A and the Dodgers and Twins Bs.

 

Good trade all around (assuming players pass physicals because each team assumes injury risks).

 

The added plus for the Dodgers is that now they can trade Pederson for prospects.

[Tedballgame]

Trading Betts ends any shot of contending in 2020, but opens up with the reset. if they can dump Price somehow that is a win today and tomorrow.

 

They can still contend in 2020. The roster isn't set yet and they have money now to add talent at the trade deadline.

[harmony]

The added plus for the Dodgers is that now they can trade Pederson for prospects.

The Dodgers reportedly will trade Joc Pederson and one-time All Star pitcher Ross Stripling to the Angels, who might compete in the loaded American League West.

[moonslav59]

They can still contend in 2020. The roster isn't set yet and they have money now to add talent at the trade deadline.

 

Making trades to get better just for 2020 probably won't happen, but any deal for someone that can be expected to help in 2021 and beyond makes sense, The problem is, who do we trade to get better?

 

It shouldn't be prospects, unless Bloom thinks their stock is at an all time high.

 

If it's a one player like JBJ or Workman, we would likely be getting worse in 2020. If we trade a two year player like Barnes, it will look like we are settling on a 2 year rebuild. I didn't mention ERod, because I'm hoping we extend him.

 

[moonslav59]

The Dodgers reportedly will trade Joc Pederson and one-time All Star pitcher Ross Stripling to the Angels, who might compete in the loaded American League West.

 

For prospects, right?

 

The Dodgers often deal for studs and prospects at or nearly at the same time.

[Tedballgame]

Making trades to get better just for 2020 probably won't happen, but any deal for someone that can be expected to help in 2021 and beyond makes sense, The problem is, who do we trade to get better?

 

It shouldn't be prospects, unless Bloom thinks their stock is at an all time high.

 

If it's a one player like JBJ or Workman, we would likely be getting worse in 2020. If we trade a two year player like Barnes, it will look like we are settling on a 2 year rebuild. I didn't mention ERod, because I'm hoping we extend him.

 

 

I don't think Bloom is a guy who is going to trade prospects like DD. He will try to build up the farm system and make smart FA signings like TB did with Charlie Morton.

[moonslav59]

Assuming no more acquisitions and total good health (except Pedey), here's my projected opening day 26 man roster:

 

4 SP: Sale, ERod, Eovaldi, Perez

1 Opener: D Hernandez

8 RP: Workman, Barnes, Taylor, Walden, Graterol, Hembree, Brice, Brasier

 

2 C: Vazquez, Plawecki

1 1B: Moreland

2 2B: Peraza, Chavis

1 3B: Devers

1 SS: Bogaerts

2 IF: Lin, Arauz (Rule 5)

1 LF: Benintendi

1 CF: Bradley

1 RF: Verdugo

1 DH: Martinez

 

Should see ML time at some point:

P: Velazquez, Brewer, Osich, Poyner, Shawaryn, Hart, Houck (Johnson not on 40)

IF: Dalbec, M Hernandez, Chatham

OF: Longhi, Sturgeon(Castillo?)

 

 

[mvp 78]

Webber is the opener IMO.

[Tedballgame]

Red Sox spooked by Graterol's medicals. Trade is held up. Possible revision.

[Bellhorn04]

The docs are doing their job. Good.

[Slasher9]

the docs are doing their job. Good.

 

its about time!

[notin]

Webber is the opener IMO.

 

I’d choose Barnes, since he is so rest-dependent anyway

[Bellhorn04]

I’d choose Barnes, since he is so rest-dependent anyway

 

You really want to consume Barnes's 3 outs that way?

[notin]

Red Sox spooked by Graterol's medicals. Trade is held up. Possible revision.

 

The revision looks like another player going to Boston and not the complete dissolution of the deal. Whether that player replaces Graterol or is in addition is not known yet...

[notin]

You really want to consume Barnes's 3 outs that way?

 

Yes!!

 

In a traditional reliever role, he is completely worthless on the tail end of back-to-back games, and as he is a late inning pitcher, he occasionally faces bottom-of-the-order hitters.

 

The whole idea of the opener is to use a better reliever in a role where he is ALWAYS facing better hitters in the opposing lineup...

[vegasbob]

Assuming the LA-Twins trade holds up, and the budget dilemma is off dead center, is there any chance Rusney Castillo could figure into the 2020 Red Sox as he enters the end of his very unproductive contract. He has become such an afterthought , maybe rightfully, but when you look at Moon's possible roster you can see that you better not suffer much downtime in that OF. Maybe Rusney could have a big Spring and be available as a player later . Or he could just disappear come September .

 

It is tempting to say that Brock Holt is worth considering again and could be paid for 2 or 3 years at the $4M level. If MLB talent evaluators/GMs valued him , he should have signed a deal by now. The injury bug and low upside for a mature player probably holds his value way down. He does fill several positions where an opening is likely to develop as the inevitable injury occurs . I would rather have Brock than Lin on the bench.