A Realistic View at 2020: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe it's not too early to try and build the 2021 version of the RedSox. The holes in the boat are large (starting and relief pitching) including is JDM part of it, can Beni recover from his funk, can Dever's gain some consistency, does Bloom look to sign Verdugo to a multi-year , where is Chavis, do the take the $3M option on Moreland ? Aside from Bogaerts and Vazquez very few positions are clearly defined going forward.

Can Erod and Sale both fully recover ? Will Pedey earn his final contract year of $12 million (OK bad joke) ? Peraza would want $3M+.

 

When you need 4 or 5 starting pitchers to enter camp, and 3 or 4 reliable relievers to fill late innings , this off season will be interesting but probably not highly rewarding. Covid will still be a factor throughout 2021 throwing a wet blanket over it all again.

 

I can answer one thing. Verdugo is under control through 2024, so there's no real need to talk extension with him for a while.

[moonslav59]

I can answer one thing. Verdugo is under control through 2024, so there's no real need to talk extension with him for a while.

 

I agree. We need to save pennies for when we are close enough to top contention and then pounce on a good free agent or two (or three).

[moonslav59]

Here's my core to build around:

 

Devers, Bogey & Verdugo

 

Casas, Downs, Mata, Jimenez & Ward

 

I'd keep Sale, because I think his upside is worth more than his trade value, right now.

 

Everyone else is on the table. All 1-2 year control players could or should be traded for the best we can get, regardless of what it is. 2+ year controlled players should only be traded, if it makes us better with the "better" being more about 1-2 years from now and beyond and not good now.

[Larry Cook]

Here's my core to build around:

 

Devers, Bogey & Verdugo

 

Casas, Downs, Mata, Jimenez & Ward

 

I'd keep Sale, because I think his upside is worth more than his trade value, right now.

 

Everyone else is on the table. All 1-2 year control players could or should be traded for the best we can get, regardless of what it is. 2+ year controlled players should only be traded, if it makes us better with the "better" being more about 1-2 years from now and beyond and not good now.

 

I like this plan. I think we have a good half dozen guys with value that we could trade this year.

[oldtimer]

Here's my core to build around:

 

Devers, Bogey & Verdugo

 

Casas, Downs, Mata, Jimenez & Ward

 

I'd keep Sale, because I think his upside is worth more than his trade value, right now.

 

Everyone else is on the table. All 1-2 year control players could or should be traded for the best we can get, regardless of what it is. 2+ year controlled players should only be traded, if it makes us better with the "better" being more about 1-2 years from now and beyond and not good now.

 

We have one of the better catchers in baseball. Why not keep him in the core?

[moonslav59]

Tell me Betts was not ultra-special!

 

The guy has made contact in the zone, 99% of the time, this year!

 

Mookie Betts not missing in zone

WWW.MLB.COM

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If Mookie Betts swings at a pitch in the strike zone this year, he's not going to miss. Really. He’s swung at 101 pitches in the zone thus far this season and missed on just one of those swings, a 99.0% contact rate in the zone that leads all players

[moonslav59]

We have one of the better catchers in baseball. Why not keep him in the core?

 

I did not include him, because his team control ends after 2022. (The team has an option after 2021.)

 

I did not include anybody not controlled beyond 2022.

 

If we can extend Vaz, I'd include him in on the "core," but he's still not really great.

[moonslav59]

I like this plan. I think we have a good half dozen guys with value that we could trade this year.

 

I'd trade guys with very little trade value, too, if they are not part of our 2022 plan or beyond. I'd even chip in part of their contracts, if it got us a better return or freed up Lux tax limit space for 2021 or beyond.

[illinoisredsox]

We have one of the better catchers in baseball. Why not keep him in the core?

 

Vas’s defense is decent, but IMO his game management is not; his pitch selections are somewhat predictable (I realize most are called from the bench). There are times a catcher has to go out and get on a pitcher. He has never done this, even before the mound visit limits. Leon would go out when needed, Vaz won’t.

 

His hitting is always going to be sporadic but I can live with that from a catcher.

 

He’s okay to keep, but he’s not a guy you build around, ergo, not a core guy.

[Bellhorn04]

Darwinzon Hernandez is back with the team.

[notin]

I did not include him, because his team control ends after 2022. (The team has an option after 2021.)

 

I did not include anybody not controlled beyond 2022.

 

If we can extend Vaz, I'd include him in on the "core," but he's still not really great.

 

That puts a big ? after Bogaerts as well, as he can opt out after 2022. If the SS market looks good the year before with the Lindor/Seager/Correa/Story crowd on the market, he might take the chance and opt out...

[notin]

Darwinzon Hernandez is back with the team.

 

Good.

 

I don't like him a a starter but I do like him as a high leverage reliever...

[moonslav59]

That puts a big ? after Bogaerts as well, as he can opt out after 2022. If the SS market looks good the year before with the Lindor/Seager/Correa/Story crowd on the market, he might take the chance and opt out...

 

True, but I counted Bogey, because he will still be a great player at the time of his opt out.

[moonslav59]

Brock Holt was just FDA'd for those who gush over ex-Sox players on the decline.

[notin]

Brock Holt was just FDA'd for those who gush over ex-Sox players on the decline.

 

He’s BROCK FREAKIN’ HOLT!!!

[moonslav59]

He’s BROCK FREAKIN’ HOLT!!!

 

No, he's...

 

Freakin' Brock Holt!

[Larry Cook]

Hang’em Chaim loves to pick up other people’s garbage. Maybe holt comes back on the super cheap!

[Kimmi]

Hang’em Chaim loves to pick up other people’s garbage. Maybe holt comes back on the super cheap!

 

Can he pitch?

[Larry Cook]

Can he pitch?

 

No, but he could allow us to send peraza as far away as possible.

[Kimmi]

No, but he could allow us to send peraza as far away as possible.

 

I am a Brock Holt fan, but Peraza is not the problem on this team.

[oldtimer]

I am a Brock Holt fan, but Peraza is not the problem on this team.

We have thrown in the towel and well we should have with our record,lack of pitching depth and also problems generating runs. Our schedule going forward will pit us against teams that have more capability than we have. We might have won one more against the O's for instance, but for the Workman trade. That was necessary since we weren't going anywhere as configured and need to rebuild both the team and the farm. I would like us to field a somewhat competitive team in 2021. We can do that by keeping our core and bolstering it with trades, smart FA signings and through our better position in the draft. I see no advantage in trading away other low cost options who can help us in 2021 but will be gone afterward.

 

 

You mentioned management in an earlier post. I do think the team is playing in a dispirited manner with the exception of a few who have sufficient drive and pride to keep themselves striving in the face of poor results. We need a more spirited manager and perhaps we need to weed out players who hang their heads. I have no suggestions other than being a baseball man is only part of the picture.

[Larry Cook]

I am a Brock Holt fan, but Peraza is not the problem on this team.

 

He is when you consider he takes at bats away from arauz,

[notin]

He is when you consider he takes at bats away from arauz,

 

Arauz is not the solution...

[moonslav59]

Arauz is not the solution...

 

He probably won't be, but I'd give him a longer look than anyone else we have at 2B, right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

No, he's...

 

Freakin' Brock Holt!

 

There is zero need for Holt. You’ve got a month left, best to see if Arauz can catch fire and be a real solution for 2021 or if you need to get a 2b of the future for 2021. You can always bring Holt off the scrap heap this offseason

[notin]

He probably won't be, but I'd give him a longer look than anyone else we have at 2B, right now.

 

Why?

 

Small sample size, but far from impressive.

 

Nice batting average, but it’s supported by a .364 BABIP. No power (.051 ISO), and questionable plate disciple (6K/BB). His OBP and SLG are both basically carried by his BA, hence the sub-.700 OPS. He’s basically a bucketful of singles.

 

Defensively he’s only got 57 innings in the field at 2b, so his UZR (-19) is probably not representative.

 

He has options. As he’s very young, he probably needs time in Pawtucket, which he can get once his Rule 5 status clears...

Edited August 24, 2020 by notin

[Nick]

Here's my core to build around:

 

Devers, Bogey & Verdugo

 

Casas, Downs, Mata, Jimenez & Ward

 

I'd keep Sale, because I think his upside is worth more than his trade value, right now.

 

Everyone else is on the table. All 1-2 year control players could or should be traded for the best we can get, regardless of what it is. 2+ year controlled players should only be traded, if it makes us better with the "better" being more about 1-2 years from now and beyond and not good now.

 

I agree....

 

I'll pay my $150 to watch the Sox in 2021 if I see we are looking at young talent. Pillars of the world are just fill ins. Just get ready for 2022 and beyond.

 

We need to address starting pitching for 2022. We are not making playoffs in 2021. I'd budget $100M for 5 starting pitchers, but remember Chris Sales already takes up $25.6M and Nathan another $17M. If a guy like Mata can step in, that leaves money for two aces, making $30M apiece. If two young guys step in, money can go elsewhere.

 

You have to have starting pitching in order to give a team chance to win every time out. And it becomes even more critical in the playoffs. Pitching, pitching, pitching....

[mvp 78]

There is zero need for Holt. You’ve got a month left, best to see if Arauz can catch fire and be a real solution for 2021 or if you need to get a 2b of the future for 2021. You can always bring Holt off the scrap heap this offseason

 

Bench coach maybe.

[moonslav59]

Why?

 

Small sample size, but far from impressive.

 

Nice batting average, but it’s supported by a .364 BABIP. No power (.051 ISO), and questionable plate disciple (6K/BB). His OBP and SLG are both basically carried by his BA, hence the sub-.700 OPS. He’s basically a bucketful of singles.

 

Defensively he’s only got 57 innings in the field at 2b, so his UZR (-19) is probably not representative.

 

He has options. As he’s very young, he probably needs time in Pawtucket, which he can get once his Rule 5 status clears...

 

I didn't say he was all that promising, but who in our system should get more playing time (with an eye towards 2022 & beyond)?

[mvp 78]

He probably won't be, but I'd give him a longer look than anyone else we have at 2B, right now.

 

Chavis needs more time at 2b. Peraza is who he is. Arauz will get more development in AAA next year.