Playing Red Sox GM: salary dump time!

[Behindenemylines]

Rumors starting to float around that the Rangers could be interested in Price as they look for pitching to open their new ballpark. Don’t forget the “Great Punto trade” that gave us 2013. The Sox hired CB because he thinks outside the box. Don’t know what else would be needed for a trade to happen, but you need to explore.

[OH FOY]

Don't do anything at the moment, on Price. Use him to your advantage. Hope his injuries are behind him, and he excels. Keeps you in the hunt. Then move him at Deadline. Don't fall in love with him.

Goal is not to pay much of his contract, and get some decent Prospects to a team, looking for a Pitcher, that might need a 2nd or 3rd Stater.

Patience.

[jacksonianmarch]

There’s a rumor that the Rangers are looking to deal for a Sox starter. It sounds like they’ve zeroed in on Eovaldi. Sox would have to kick in some money, but he’s got enough upside where the Sox could probably get out from under half his contract.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There’s a rumor that the Rangers are looking to deal for a Sox starter. It sounds like they’ve zeroed in on Eovaldi. Sox would have to kick in some money, but he’s got enough upside where the Sox could probably get out from under half his contract.

 

Eovaldi threw 100 mph with a 95 cutter and showed Cy Young potential in the 2018 postseason. He had the same velos at the end of 2019 without the same results. A new pitching coach and management approach should make him a priority, and at 17 mil per year, a better value going forward than the other two injured studs at 30+ mil apiece. But if I was a Yankee fan -- and how effective Eovaldi is at Yankee Stadium and vs. the Yankee righty batters -- he'd be the one guy I'd hope Boston trades... along with Betts, of course.

[notin]

Dealing either Price or Eovaldi would be incredible - preferably Price.

 

If Texas was offering Choo and Odor or San Diego would take him even up for Myers, I make that deal so fast, I’d cause a sonic boom...

[OH FOY]

Eovaldi throughout his career has been a teaser. Always shows you a lot, for a brief period, then stalls. Another one don't fall in love with him too. Hope he does like he does in Tampa, and move on at Deadline.

Hope he has a Cy Young year, and still move on. His history tells you too.

[OH FOY]

Dealing either Price or Eovaldi would be incredible - preferably Price.

 

If Texas was offering Choo and Odor or San Diego would take him even up for Myers, I make that deal so fast, I’d cause a sonic boom...

 

Agree.

[fxkatt]

Eovaldi threw 100 mph with a 95 cutter and showed Cy Young potential in the 2018 postseason. He had the same velos at the end of 2019 without the same results. A new pitching coach and management approach should make him a priority, and at 17 mil per year, a better value going forward than the other two injured studs at 30+ mil apiece. But if I was a Yankee fan -- and how effective Eovaldi is at Yankee Stadium and vs. the Yankee righty batters -- he'd be the one guy I'd hope Boston trades... along with Betts, of course.

 

I agree. And most of his up and down career has been due to untimely injuries--which could end.

[notin]

I agree. And most of his up and down career has been due to untimely injuries--which could end.

 

They could end. But that feels like wishful thinking...

[moonslav59]

Dealing either Price or Eovaldi would be incredible - preferably Price.

 

If Texas was offering Choo and Odor or San Diego would take him even up for Myers, I make that deal so fast, I’d cause a sonic boom...

 

Lets do both in one heartbeat!

[moonslav59]

Does anybody remember who the poster was that swore up and down we'd regret it, if Price opted out?

[notin]

Lets do both in one heartbeat!

 

If the Sox traded Eovaldi for Choo and Odor and then traded Price for Myers, it would reduce the AAV payroll by about $7mill, but the Sox would need to acquire THREE starting pitchers, which is very likely to exceed $7mill.

 

Even if JD opted out and was replaced by Choo, what is the quality of three SPs that can be had for $28mill in AAV?

[moonslav59]

If the Sox traded Eovaldi for Choo and Odor and then traded Price for Myers, it would reduce the AAV payroll by about $7mill, but the Sox would need to acquire THREE starting pitchers, which is very likely to exceed $7mill.

 

Even if JD opted out and was replaced by Choo, what is the quality of three SPs that can be had for $28mill in AAV?

 

Better than Eovaldi & Price, but the main thing is the AVV savings is $7M in 2020, but isn't it much less year 2 & 3?

[notin]

Better than Eovaldi & Price, but the main thing is the AVV savings is $7M in 2020, but isn't it much less year 2 & 3?

 

Yes because Choo has only one year left...

[moonslav59]

Yes because Choo has only one year left...

 

That alone, makes it worth it.

 

His money dropping off may help us keep or bring back Betts.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Injuries obviously cast doubt on Sale and Price going forward, but let’s compare and contrast their Boston contributions so far.

Sale: 3 years, 35-23, 84 starts plus 4 postseason (1 bad, 1 good), 519 IP, 3.08 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 15.1 WAR for 39.5 million dollars. Two Top-4 Cy Young finishes.

Price: 4 years, 46-24, 98 starts plus 6 postseason (3 bad, 3 great), 588 IP, 3.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 10.8 WAR for 91 million dollars. Zero Cy Young votes.

 

Price is owed three more years on his $30+ mil per contract. Sale’s new deal at $30+ mil per is just about to begin. The latter may seem more onerous, but age has to be a factor when considering a possible rebound – Sale’s five-year contract will run through his age 35 season… Price will be 35 next August.

 

A final aspect is public perception. While both have reps as good teammates, fans cannot confirm what they don’t see or hear. We can see and hear that Sale at least appears to like being a Red Sox, and is accountable and respectful to the media (the conduit to the Nation).

 

Price is the opposite, talking about holding all the cards minutes after his team won a ring or calling a press conference to smear a Hall of Fame alumni. Maybe he is shooting his mouth off to shoot his way out of town (he wouldn’t be the first Boston athlete to do so) – he suggested that he and others might be traded during last spring’s lackluster start. Or maybe he is just petulant. Either way, it’s a bad look for a franchise in a sports industry, especially one determined to revamp its product.

 

One grabs the ball and challenges hitters, the other takes ages to throw pitches that nibble at the corners. If you owned or ran the team, who would you try to trade first?

[jacksonianmarch]

They’re both entirely untreadeable or at least should be. Both ended the year hurt and needed procedures on their pitching arms. You don’t salary dump them now while their value is at its absolute lowest.

[harmony]

From Sunday evening's chat with MLB Trade Rumors columnist Mark Polishuk:

I believe in Bloom

9:30 Eovaldi and Bradley for Odor and Gallo or Mazara. Who says no?

Mark P

9:31 There is zero chance the Rangers trade Gallo. But I think Texas would be interested in a JBJ/Eovaldi for Odor/Mazara swap

https://www.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-chat-with-mark-polishuk-6346.html

[notin]

From Sunday evening's chat with MLB Trade Rumors columnist Mark Polishuk:

 

https://www.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-chat-with-mark-polishuk-6346.html

 

I’d be interested, although I would wonder what Texas would hope to get Price for.

 

Moving Price, as insanely difficult as it would be, would make for a successful offseason.

 

But if Texas would take Eovaldi/Bradley for Odor/Mazara, Boston should do it today!!

Edited November 4, 2019 by notin

[VJCPatriot]

I’d be interested, although I would wonder what Texas would hope to get Price for.

 

Moving Price, as insanely difficult as it would be, would make for a successful offseason.

 

But if Texas would take Eovaldi/Bradley for Odor/Mazara, Boston should do it today!!

 

True. Saving salary for the Red Sox should be a key consideration in this deal. Odor is on 8.5m and Mazara on 3.3m. In the long term dumping Eovaldi's contract is crucial even at the price of JBJ.

 

It's true that Odor's deal jumps up to 12m in 21 and 22, but the club can opt out in 23 season. Still that's 18m saved over the course of the contract assuming that we opt out in 2023 and it's actually a reasonable deal for a starting quality 2B.

Edited November 4, 2019 by VJCPatriot

[harmony]

True. Saving salary for the Red Sox should be a key consideration in this deal. Odor is on 8.5m and Mazara on 3.3m. In the long term dumping Eovaldi's contract is crucial even at the price of JBJ.

 

It's true that Odor's deal jumps up to 12m in 21 and 22, but the club can opt out in 23 season. Still that's 18m saved over the course of the contract assuming that we opt out in 2023 and it's actually a reasonable deal for a starting quality 2B.

Nomar Mazara has a projected 2020 arbitration salary of $5.7 million:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/mlb-arbitration-salaries-2020.html

[moonslav59]

Nomar Mazara has a projected 2020 arbitration salary of $5.7 million:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/mlb-arbitration-salaries-2020.html

 

It would still be worth it. We might even be able to deal one or both to further reduce payroll.

 

If we can trade Price, also, we'll be that much closer to the rebuild being complete.

 

Free up some budget space and let Bloom do his thing.

[notin]

True. Saving salary for the Red Sox should be a key consideration in this deal. Odor is on 8.5m and Mazara on 3.3m. In the long term dumping Eovaldi's contract is crucial even at the price of JBJ.

 

It's true that Odor's deal jumps up to 12m in 21 and 22, but the club can opt out in 23 season. Still that's 18m saved over the course of the contract assuming that we opt out in 2023 and it's actually a reasonable deal for a starting quality 2B.

 

The later years don't matter. What matters towards luxury tax is the average annual value of the contract. For Odor, that's $8.25mill, so even with Mazara at $5.7mill, it's far less than the $17mill for Eovaldi's AAV. The Sox would save about $3.05mill towards to luxury tax with this deal...

[moonslav59]

The later years don't matter. What matters towards luxury tax is the average annual value of the contract. For Odor, that's $8.25mill, so even with Mazara at $5.7mill, it's far less than the $17mill for Eovaldi's AAV. The Sox would save about $3.05mill towards to luxury tax with this deal...

 

The later years do matter, and couple the big savings in the following years with $3M in 2020, and it's worth it.

 

My hope is Bloom can do wonders with $3M.

[notin]

The later years do matter, and couple the big savings in the following years with $3M in 2020, and it's worth it.

 

My hope is Bloom can do wonders with $3M.

 

I'm assuming the reset is a one time thing. But they don't matter in that the AAV doesn't escalate just because the salary does...

[moonslav59]

I'm assuming the reset is a one time thing. But they don't matter in that the AAV doesn't escalate just because the salary does...

 

The reset will likely be a one year thing, but the second and final tax lines matter, too.

 

Also, Mazara's AVV does go up with each arb, although we can always trade him or non tender him, if we don't think it's worth it.

[notin]

The reset will likely be a one year thing, but the second and final tax lines matter, too.

 

Also, Mazara's AVV does go up with each arb, although we can always trade him or non tender him, if we don't think it's worth it.

 

But once they reset, I expect them back over the limit in 2021, with Betts back for the long haul...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Odor and Mazara are both all-or-nothing type batters (Odor just led the AL in Ks) and negative dWAR fielders. At least age is on their side, at 25 and 24, respectively. Maybe Bloom could flip one or both in a three-way for an A-ball arm from someone looking for some proven pop... seriously, that's the kind of return we should expect and be happy with in order to reset.

[moonslav59]

But once they reset, I expect them back over the limit in 2021, with Betts back for the long haul...

 

I agree, but I still think we'll try not to go over the second or final tax lines.

[moonslav59]

Odor and Mazara are both all-or-nothing type batters (Odor just led the AL in Ks) and negative dWAR fielders. At least age is on their side, at 25 and 24, respectively. Maybe Bloom could flip one or both in a three-way for an A-ball arm from someone looking for some proven pop... seriously, that's the kind of return we should expect and be happy with in order to reset.

 

Anything they give us would be a plus. The real gain is with the budget.

 

At their ages, we might strike gold.