A Realistic View at 2020: Part II

[jacksonianmarch]

You're on pace for the #2 pick, the second highest bonus pool, and a tear down. Heck, the sox have the most losses in baseball, so there is a shot they could edge out the Pirates for the 1 spot. If I were Bloom, I would deal off EVERYONE. No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again. Bogaerts gets NTC protection in 7 days, deal his ass off too. Vaz is a catcher and has only two more years of control. It is too bad ERod is down, I would deal him too. I would strip this thing to the studs and build anew

[moonslav59]

You're on pace for the #2 pick, the second highest bonus pool, and a tear down. Heck, the sox have the most losses in baseball, so there is a shot they could edge out the Pirates for the 1 spot. If I were Bloom, I would deal off EVERYONE. No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again. Bogaerts gets NTC protection in 7 days, deal his ass off too. Vaz is a catcher and has only two more years of control. It is too bad ERod is down, I would deal him too. I would strip this thing to the studs and build anew

 

I'm almost at this point, but I think we can compete by 2022, so Devers and Bogey can stay. I's listen to offers, but I'd have to be blown away on Devers.

 

ERod could be traded next summer, as could Eovaldi.

 

I'd deal JD, Vaz, Barnes, JBJ, Pillar and Moreland for the best offers, unless I think I can get more for the 2 year players, this winter or next summer.

[dgalehouse]

Oh brother . Too much .

[illinoisredsox]

T Rump says he supports the police, but I've never known any police department that supports armed vigilante groups or militias roaming their streets, especially after curfew.

 

But, of course, T Rump knows better than everyone, even the people he praises (or gives supportive lip service to.)

 

“GREAT PATRIOTS!” Trump wrote as he shared video of his supporters driving into Portland to confront the protesters.

 

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blamed local officials for failing “to protect their communities.” -Gillian Flaccus

 

1 Person Killed In Portland As Protesters, Trump Supporters Clash

It wasn’t clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by counter-demonstrators in the city’s downtown Saturday night.

 

(The headline)

 

Wrong forum moon.

[dgalehouse]

T Rump says he supports the police, but I've never known any police department that supports armed vigilante groups or militias roaming their streets, especially after curfew.

 

But, of course, T Rump knows better than everyone, even the people he praises (or gives supportive lip service to.)

 

“GREAT PATRIOTS!” Trump wrote as he shared video of his supporters driving into Portland to confront the protesters.

 

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blamed local officials for failing “to protect their communities.” -Gillian Flaccus

 

1 Person Killed In Portland As Protesters, Trump Supporters Clash

It wasn’t clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by counter-demonstrators in the city’s downtown Saturday night.

 

(The headline)

 

Ooh Fah .

[moonslav59]

Wrong forum moon.

 

Sorry. My eyes are failing me. My bad.

[Larry Cook]

I'm almost at this point, but I think we can compete by 2022, so Devers and Bogey can stay. I's listen to offers, but I'd have to be blown away on Devers.

 

ERod could be traded next summer, as could Eovaldi.

 

I'd deal JD, Vaz, Barnes, JBJ, Pillar and Moreland for the best offers, unless I think I can get more for the 2 year players, this winter or next summer.

 

The Moreland deal is done, can hang’em Chaim get something for Martinez, pillar and Perez before tomorrow’s deadline?

[moonslav59]

The Moreland deal is done, can hang’em Chaim get something for Martinez, pillar and Perez before tomorrow’s deadline?

 

I guess there is interest in JBJ, too, so yes- all of 'em! Barnes, too.

[Larry Cook]

You're on pace for the #2 pick, the second highest bonus pool, and a tear down. Heck, the sox have the most losses in baseball, so there is a shot they could edge out the Pirates for the 1 spot. If I were Bloom, I would deal off EVERYONE. No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again. Bogaerts gets NTC protection in 7 days, deal his ass off too. Vaz is a catcher and has only two more years of control. It is too bad ERod is down, I would deal him too. I would strip this thing to the studs and build anew

 

The pitcher from LSU would be a great luck at #2! Assuming the pirates take rocker at first overall.

[Bellhorn04]

No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again.

 

Stupid comment.

[moonslav59]

Stupid comment.

 

He's basically saying the Sox won't be relevant until 2024, since Devers has arbs through 2023 (3 more).

[Bellhorn04]

He's basically saying the Sox won't be relevant until 2024, since Devers has arbs through 2023 (3 more).

 

Yes, I know what he's saying. And it's stupid.

[moonslav59]

Yes, I know what he's saying. And it's stupid.

 

Maybe it's just "hyperbole."

 

LOL.

[moonslav59]

The pitcher from LSU would be a great luck at #2! Assuming the pirates take rocker at first overall.

 

MLB.com has this...

 

1. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

Rocker was ranked No. 23 on our Draft Top 200 in 2018 as a Georgia prepster with a ton of arm strength. There were command issues and that, along with a strong commitment to Vandy, pushed him to the 38th round. A dominant freshman year and strong start to his sophomore year, with the same high octane fastball-slider combination but with better command, makes him the clear choice atop this list.

 

2. Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt

No. 33 on the 2019 Draft Top 200 as a New Jersey prepster with an advanced feel to pitch, Al’s kid was taken in the 20th round by the Yankees last year, but everyone knew he was headed to Vandy. He pitched in just four games before the shutdown, but quickly vaulted to the top of the 2021 list as a Draft-eligible sophomore with a fastball that averaged around 92 mph and touched 96, to go along with good feel for a curve, slider and changeup.

 

3. Brady House, 3B/RHP, Winder-Barrow HS (Ga.)

Depending on who you talk to, House is either a power-hitting future third baseman or a right-handed pitching prospect with a ton of arm strength. At the plate, he has 60-grade raw power with good feel to hit. House plays shortstop now but will likely need to slide over at the next level. On the mound, the Tennessee recruit has a 92-95 mph fastball with a good changeup and decent breaking ball.

 

4. Jud Fabian, OF, Florida

Fabian had a very strong Cape Cod League last summer as an 18-year-old (he enrolled at Florida a year early) and it carried over into a strong start to his 2020 campaign. He makes a ton of hard contact and the power started showing up on the Cape; that continued this spring, with more to come. He has good speed and should be able to play center long-term.

 

5. Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers HS (Mo.)

Little, who is one of many top high school players at this week’s Perfect Game National Showcase, is a super-athletic and projectable right-hander committed to Vanderbilt. He has an exciting three-pitch mix with a lively fastball up to 94 mph, a solid breaking ball with good depth and a very good feel for a changeup.

 

6. Braylon Bishop, OF, Arkansas HS (Ark.)

The Arkansas commit might be the most athletic and toolsy player in the class and will show off those tools at PG National. The center fielder has incredible speed that will work on both sides of the ball. Bishop has outstanding bat speed from the left side of the plate with the ability to impact the ball and the potential to grow into excellent power.

 

7. Matt McLain, SS/OF, UCLA

In 2018, McLain was ranked No. 54 on our Draft Top 200 and was taken at the end of the first round by the D-backs, but he opted to head to UCLA. After an All-Star turn in the Cape Cod League, his bat seemed to take a big step forward this spring. He’s always had a knack for making contact, but it was louder this year, with more extra-base thump, to go along with his plus speed and the potential for him to play up the middle somewhere defensively.

 

8. Luke Leto, SS/RHP, Portage Central HS (Mich.)

The LSU recruit will get the chance to show off at the plate and on the mound at PG National and might be the best high schooler from Michigan since Drew Henson created buzz back in the 1990s. He’s a left-handed hitter with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. His speed and athleticism make him a threat on the basepaths and he has the actions to stick at shortstop. He also has a low-90s fastball with a good hard breaking ball on the mound.

 

9. Adrian Del Castillo, C, Miami

Del Castillo snuck into the back end of our Top 200 in 2018, at No. 198, as a Miami area prepster with a strong commitment to attend his hometown school. Since he joined the Hurricanes, he’s done nothing but hit from the left side -- for average and power and with more walks than strikeouts. Whether he can stick behind the plate remains to be seen, but he’s also shown he can capably handle an outfield corner.

 

10. Tyree Reed, OF, American Canyon HS (Calif.)

This Northern California standout is committed to attend Oregon State should the 2021 Draft not work out. The left-handed hitter has long limbs and a projectable frame, one that should continue to add strength and allow him to grow into even more power with excellent bat speed. Reed runs well and is a threat on the basepaths while also showing the ability to play center field long-term.

 

11. Izaac Pacheco, SS/3B, Friendswood HS (Tex.)

Another PG National participant, Pacheco has long stood out because of the damage he can do from the left side of the plate. There’s a ton of present, and even more future, power with excellent bat speed. He has smooth and athletic actions defensively, with plenty of arm, giving him the chance to play short. If the Texas A&M recruit outgrows shortstop, he could be an outstanding fit at third base with the offensive profile to match.

 

12. Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

The Wisconsin high school ranks produced first-rounder Jarred Kelenic in 2018, but it also included Binelas, who was a 35th-round pick of the Nationals before heading to Louisville. He put up excellent power numbers as a freshman, though he played in just two games this spring because of a hand injury. The pop from the left side is legit; whether he shows it off as a third baseman, where he’s played almost exclusively at Louisville, remains to be seen.

 

13. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS (Calif.)

This Southern Cal commit is the best player in the San Diego area for 2021 and the top prep prospect in all of Southern California. He has a pretty left-handed swing and makes a ton of hard contact, with power to come. The 6-foot-3 infielder has all the tools to play shortstop long-term, with good actions and hands to go along with a strong arm.

 

14. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss

Ranked No. 66 on our 2018 Draft Top 200, Hoglund was selected in Competitive Balance Round A by the Pirates that June as a bit of a pop-up guy from the Florida high school ranks. He scuffled as a freshman, but was dominant out of the gate as a sophomore, with a fastball that touches the mid-90s with very good breaking stuff and a changeup that has improved.

 

15. Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU

Tall and athletic, Hill was No. 78 on our Draft Top 200 in 2018 as a high schooler who was a two-sport star and was drafted by the Cardinals in the 38th round before heading to LSU. Based on pure stuff and upside, he belongs higher on this list, with a low-90s fastball, an outstanding changeup and an improving slider. But he was shut down with an elbow strain in his freshman year and while he was dominant this spring, it was in a relief role and he’ll have to show he’s healthy to move up boards in 2021.

 

Prospects365 has Hill going 7th.

 

Throughthefence 8th.

 

Bleacher report not in the first round.

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by moonslav59

[Larry Cook]

MLB.com has this...

 

1. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

Rocker was ranked No. 23 on our Draft Top 200 in 2018 as a Georgia prepster with a ton of arm strength. There were command issues and that, along with a strong commitment to Vandy, pushed him to the 38th round. A dominant freshman year and strong start to his sophomore year, with the same high octane fastball-slider combination but with better command, makes him the clear choice atop this list.

 

2. Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt

No. 33 on the 2019 Draft Top 200 as a New Jersey prepster with an advanced feel to pitch, Al’s kid was taken in the 20th round by the Yankees last year, but everyone knew he was headed to Vandy. He pitched in just four games before the shutdown, but quickly vaulted to the top of the 2021 list as a Draft-eligible sophomore with a fastball that averaged around 92 mph and touched 96, to go along with good feel for a curve, slider and changeup.

 

3. Brady House, 3B/RHP, Winder-Barrow HS (Ga.)

Depending on who you talk to, House is either a power-hitting future third baseman or a right-handed pitching prospect with a ton of arm strength. At the plate, he has 60-grade raw power with good feel to hit. House plays shortstop now but will likely need to slide over at the next level. On the mound, the Tennessee recruit has a 92-95 mph fastball with a good changeup and decent breaking ball.

 

4. Jud Fabian, OF, Florida

Fabian had a very strong Cape Cod League last summer as an 18-year-old (he enrolled at Florida a year early) and it carried over into a strong start to his 2020 campaign. He makes a ton of hard contact and the power started showing up on the Cape; that continued this spring, with more to come. He has good speed and should be able to play center long-term.

 

5. Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers HS (Mo.)

Little, who is one of many top high school players at this week’s Perfect Game National Showcase, is a super-athletic and projectable right-hander committed to Vanderbilt. He has an exciting three-pitch mix with a lively fastball up to 94 mph, a solid breaking ball with good depth and a very good feel for a changeup.

 

6. Braylon Bishop, OF, Arkansas HS (Ark.)

The Arkansas commit might be the most athletic and toolsy player in the class and will show off those tools at PG National. The center fielder has incredible speed that will work on both sides of the ball. Bishop has outstanding bat speed from the left side of the plate with the ability to impact the ball and the potential to grow into excellent power.

 

7. Matt McLain, SS/OF, UCLA

In 2018, McLain was ranked No. 54 on our Draft Top 200 and was taken at the end of the first round by the D-backs, but he opted to head to UCLA. After an All-Star turn in the Cape Cod League, his bat seemed to take a big step forward this spring. He’s always had a knack for making contact, but it was louder this year, with more extra-base thump, to go along with his plus speed and the potential for him to play up the middle somewhere defensively.

 

8. Luke Leto, SS/RHP, Portage Central HS (Mich.)

The LSU recruit will get the chance to show off at the plate and on the mound at PG National and might be the best high schooler from Michigan since Drew Henson created buzz back in the 1990s. He’s a left-handed hitter with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. His speed and athleticism make him a threat on the basepaths and he has the actions to stick at shortstop. He also has a low-90s fastball with a good hard breaking ball on the mound.

 

9. Adrian Del Castillo, C, Miami

Del Castillo snuck into the back end of our Top 200 in 2018, at No. 198, as a Miami area prepster with a strong commitment to attend his hometown school. Since he joined the Hurricanes, he’s done nothing but hit from the left side -- for average and power and with more walks than strikeouts. Whether he can stick behind the plate remains to be seen, but he’s also shown he can capably handle an outfield corner.

 

10. Tyree Reed, OF, American Canyon HS (Calif.)

This Northern California standout is committed to attend Oregon State should the 2021 Draft not work out. The left-handed hitter has long limbs and a projectable frame, one that should continue to add strength and allow him to grow into even more power with excellent bat speed. Reed runs well and is a threat on the basepaths while also showing the ability to play center field long-term.

 

11. Izaac Pacheco, SS/3B, Friendswood HS (Tex.)

Another PG National participant, Pacheco has long stood out because of the damage he can do from the left side of the plate. There’s a ton of present, and even more future, power with excellent bat speed. He has smooth and athletic actions defensively, with plenty of arm, giving him the chance to play short. If the Texas A&M recruit outgrows shortstop, he could be an outstanding fit at third base with the offensive profile to match.

 

12. Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

The Wisconsin high school ranks produced first-rounder Jarred Kelenic in 2018, but it also included Binelas, who was a 35th-round pick of the Nationals before heading to Louisville. He put up excellent power numbers as a freshman, though he played in just two games this spring because of a hand injury. The pop from the left side is legit; whether he shows it off as a third baseman, where he’s played almost exclusively at Louisville, remains to be seen.

 

13. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS (Calif.)

This Southern Cal commit is the best player in the San Diego area for 2021 and the top prep prospect in all of Southern California. He has a pretty left-handed swing and makes a ton of hard contact, with power to come. The 6-foot-3 infielder has all the tools to play shortstop long-term, with good actions and hands to go along with a strong arm.

 

14. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss

Ranked No. 66 on our 2018 Draft Top 200, Hoglund was selected in Competitive Balance Round A by the Pirates that June as a bit of a pop-up guy from the Florida high school ranks. He scuffled as a freshman, but was dominant out of the gate as a sophomore, with a fastball that touches the mid-90s with very good breaking stuff and a changeup that has improved.

 

15. Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU

Tall and athletic, Hill was No. 78 on our Draft Top 200 in 2018 as a high schooler who was a two-sport star and was drafted by the Cardinals in the 38th round before heading to LSU. Based on pure stuff and upside, he belongs higher on this list, with a low-90s fastball, an outstanding changeup and an improving slider. But he was shut down with an elbow strain in his freshman year and while he was dominant this spring, it was in a relief role and he’ll have to show he’s healthy to move up boards in 2021.

 

Prospects365 has Hill going 7th.

 

Throughthefence 8th.

 

Bleacher report not in the first round.

 

 

Thanks, I saw him pitch several times and was extremely impressed with his stuff. I did not realize he was shut down due to the elbow.

 

that is terrible because he has fantastic stuff.

 

I am not a fan of leiter’s kid. We need to go all out for rocker!

[Kimmi]

The Mookie and Price trade doesn't even look bad at present, under the circumstances. Verdugo is an above average outfielder at low cost and we have two other high prospects. We would have paid Mookie $30 Mil with our offer of 10 years and would have had the full Price contract at $32 Mil, now reduced to half that. I doubt if Price is worth half his contract going forward.

 

The Workman and Hembree trade for one possible ML pitcher and a high prospect starting pitcher looks like a very good trade for the Sox. We were going nowhere in 2019 and Workman was going into FA next year.

 

It's not easy making beneficial trades and I hope that Bloom makes no giveaway trades. It has to help us or don't make the trade and don't worry about the inevitable criticism by the fan base.

 

I am not disappointed with the Mookie trade at present. My point was that some people only consider the present and not the long term. I posted about the difference in WAR per salary, and Verdugo is the clear winner there.

 

In the very short time that he has been here, Bloom has done a good job improving our long term vision. That said, it remains to be seen how he will keep us competitive in 2021.

[Kimmi]

22 short ( long ? ) months ago , the Sox dominated the Dodgers to win the World Series , only one untimely error preventing a sweep . Today , the Dodgers have the best record in baseball . The Sox have the second worst . You can provide all the spin and all the excuses you can think of , but that is the all important bottom line .

 

I'm assuming that you are applauding the Dodgers for their willingness to spend big and to sign Mookie to that enormous deal. Two things to also consider about that.

 

1. As much as they are willing to spend, they too, will not spend without limit. They reset their luxury tax penalty in 2018 (I believe) so that they would be better equipped financially to make such a deal.

 

2. The most important point. The Dodgers have a topped ranked farm system and have had one for about 10 years. You can accomplish so much more with a strong farm, including breaking the bank on a player like Mookie (even though I still would not have done it). However, Henry might have done it under the conditions that the Dodgers have.

 

The Red Sox are in no such position, thanks to the 'win now' philosophy of the past few year.

[Kimmi]

Dodgers haven’t won a WS since Thunder was born.

 

#PlayoffsAreACraphoot

[Kimmi]

You're on pace for the #2 pick, the second highest bonus pool, and a tear down. Heck, the sox have the most losses in baseball, so there is a shot they could edge out the Pirates for the 1 spot. If I were Bloom, I would deal off EVERYONE. No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again. Bogaerts gets NTC protection in 7 days, deal his ass off too. Vaz is a catcher and has only two more years of control. It is too bad ERod is down, I would deal him too. I would strip this thing to the studs and build anew

 

Unfortunately, Manfred is likely going to screw the Sox over on their #1 or #2 pick by incorporating last year's results into his 'formula'. The Sox may not be picking until about 7, 8, or 9 based on what I've read.

 

Also, stop with your massive rebuild talk.

[Kimmi]

Yes, I know what he's saying. And it's stupid.

 

Jacko tends to get a little overly excited sometimes. LOL

[Bellhorn04]

Jacko tends to get a little overly excited sometimes. LOL

 

"No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again," Jacko says.

 

(Even if he's right that we won't contend again until 2023 or 2024, Devers will still be in prime years.)

 

His credibility as a baseball analyst flies out the window sometimes...

[Kimmi]

"No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again," Jacko says.

 

(Even if he's right that we won't contend again until 2023 or 2024, Devers will still be in prime years.)

 

His credibility as a baseball analyst flies out the window sometimes...

 

Jacko is way off with his whole "massive rebuild" posts. He knows it. It's wishful thinking on his part.

[notin]

"No need to keep Devers, he will be on a big boy contract by the time the sox are relevant again," Jacko says.

 

(Even if he's right that we won't contend again until 2023 or 2024, Devers will still be in prime years.)

 

His credibility as a baseball analyst flies out the window sometimes...

 

He thinks "full blown rebuild" nd only full blown rebuild.

 

Was he not watching baseball in 2012 through 2016?

[mvp 78]

Unfortunately, Manfred is likely going to screw the Sox over on their #1 or #2 pick by incorporating last year's results into his 'formula'. The Sox may not be picking until about 7, 8, or 9 based on what I've read.

 

Also, stop with your massive rebuild talk.

 

The most important thing was the tax reset. The draft is just a crap shoot.

[oldtimer]

Be interesting to see where we sit with Salary and benefits relative to the CBT threshold after the trade deadline. We will reset and may have significant money to spend just to reach the threshold. Will we play it cool in 2021 and go big in 2022? I can see the logic of staying reset until we think we have a chance to win the pennant.

[notin]

Be interesting to see where we sit with Salary and benefits relative to the CBT threshold after the trade deadline. We will reset and may have significant money to spend just to reach the threshold. Will we play it cool in 2021 and go big in 2022? I can see the logic of staying reset until we think we have a chance to win the pennant.

 

But every year you rebuild becomes expensive to the team. They need to get interest back ASAP.

 

This year is a weird pandemic year, but if next year isn't and there is no reason to watch after July 31st, that will become a big issue...

[mvp 78]

But every year you rebuild becomes expensive to the team. They need to get interest back ASAP.

 

This year is a weird pandemic year, but if next year isn't and there is no reason to watch after July 31st, that will become a big issue...

 

In a normal year, this team makes money hand over fist. Rebuilding will only help Henry's bottom line.

[vegasbob]

There is a hidden factor looming over the 2021 season which may limit some big time FA type deals , possibly JDM's opt out decision. ST is a mere 5 1/2 months from starting. Covid, combined with the flu, will still be present and very unlikely to have a tested vaccine available widely, if at all.

 

The debate will rage on about how to deal with sports in general. Revenues from fan attendance and all its peripheral income will be uncertain. 2021 will start off about as much a wild card as 2020 turned into.

 

I think big player moves and signings will be weak over the winter .

[Kimmi]

The most important thing was the tax reset. The draft is just a crap shoot.

 

I agree. Still, it would be nice to get the #1 draft pick if we end up in last place.

[Larry Cook]

Rocker is a stud, sure to go first overall.