A Realistic View at 2020: Part II

[mvp 78]

Lakins was traded in January. I don't really see the connection with him and Weber, but roster management is admittedly not my thing.

 

Well, it was something that we talked about on here and I've seen elsewhere (SoxProspects, Over the Monster, etc.).

 

Earlier Friday evening, the Red Sox made a minor trade — a theme of the last few weeks for them — acquiring left-handed pitcher Matt Hall from the Tigers in exchange for minor-league catcher Jhon Nuñez. At the time of the deal, they had not announced what the corresponding roster move would be to make room for Hall on the 40-man roster. Now we know. The Red Sox announced they have designated Travis Lakins for assignment. They now have ten days to either trade him or move him through waivers to try and keep him as a depth option.

 

There are other pitchers who I would have designated ahead of him, like Hector Velázquez, Ryan Weber or Chris Mazza. All of them could serve as rotation depth, however, and the Red Sox both don’t have a lot of that while also boasting a rotation with plenty of injury risk.

 

In terms of the three guys mentioned above, Velazquez was eventually DFA'd and Mazza struggled as a starter, but has pitched rather well in a SSS out of the pen.

Edited September 24, 2020 by mvp 78

[notin]

We also had a bunch of guys who pitched worse than Weber, so I don't know why you'd single him out.

 

All of the pitcher we had who were DFA'd were younger than Weber, and at least had the possibility of improving. Weber was 29 and pretty much established himself as what he is.

Edited September 24, 2020 by notin
Exception: Hector Velasquez is not younger than Weber.

[notin]

Lakins was traded in January. I don't really see the connection with him and Weber, but roster management is admittedly not my thing.

 

Lakins was DFA'd, which really just removes him from the 40 man roster. He was traded before a decision had to be made to reassign him or release him...

[mvp 78]

Lakins was DFA'd, which really just removes him from the 40 man roster. He was traded before a decision had to be made to reassign him or release him...

 

They couldn't reassign him, they had to put him through waivers. They traded him, then the Cubs tried to put him through waivers and the O's grabbed him. If the Sox put him through waivers, they would have gotten nothing for losing him (rather than getting a MiLB catcher in return).

[notin]

They couldn't reassign him, they had to put him through waivers. They traded him, then the Cubs tried to put him through waivers and the O's grabbed him. If the Sox put him through waivers, they would have gotten nothing for losing him (rather than getting a MiLB catcher in return).

 

They must not have likd him much. I would think if the Sox had a chance of sneaking any pitcher through waivers, Weber would be the guy...

[mvp 78]

They must not have likd him much. I would think if the Sox had a chance of sneaking any pitcher through waivers, Weber would be the guy...

 

I think that's why everyone found the move so curious. He was young and pitched ok in 2019. Guys like Mazza and Weber are very easy to come by. Why give up so quickly on a younger guy?

[notin]

I think that's why everyone found the move so curious. He was young and pitched ok in 2019. Guys like Mazza and Weber are very easy to come by. Why give up so quickly on a younger guy?

 

My only thought would be that Bloom was not real high on him and figured trading him to open up the roster spot was the best way to help the pipeline...

[mvp 78]

My only thought would be that Bloom was not real high on him and figured trading him to open up the roster spot was the best way to help the pipeline...

 

I guess? Even if you aren't high on him, I think Lakins is better for your club than Weber or Walden. If he plays well during the season, you could spin him off for someone else. If he stinks, well that's probably not much worse than some of the guys at the bottom end of the roster.

 

I wonder if there was an off the field reason they moved on from him. Cubs moved him really quick too.

[moonslav59]

The guys who may have a lasting impact brought from outside and currently on the roster include

Verdugo

Arroyo

Munoz

Pivetta

Valdez

 

The internal additions to our roster who have had an impact are

Houck

Dalbec

 

That represents 7 of 26 in my book and with Mata, Downs and Duran likely to make the jump next season plus a FA starter and several FA/Trade relief pitchers, and possibly a FA outfielder, we could see more than `1/2 the team changing from the beginning of 2020.

 

Nice list.

 

Some others Bloom has added that might have an impact:

 

Perez (only has one more year of control- so, not so "lasting", unless we re-sign him.

 

Not currently on 40 man roster but could be "lasting":

Downs

Potts

Seabold

Wong

Rosario

Wallace

 

Drafted:

Yorke

Jordan

Wu-Yelland

Drohan

[notin]

The guys who may have a lasting impact brought from outside and currently on the roster include

Verdugo

Arroyo

Munoz

Pivetta

Valdez

 

The internal additions to our roster who have had an impact are

Houck

Dalbec

 

That represents 7 of 26 in my book and with Mata, Downs and Duran likely to make the jump next season plus a FA starter and several FA/Trade relief pitchers, and possibly a FA outfielder, we could see more than `1/2 the team changing from the beginning of 2020.

 

I could argue that Munoz and Arroyo are question marks at best, but trending positive. And I think Potts is probably closer to MLB than Downs. But the fact remains the farm is getting stronger which should, in turn. have the same effect on the parent club...

[mvp 78]

I could argue that Munoz and Arroyo are question marks at best, but trending positive. And I think Potts is probably closer to MLB than Downs. But the fact remains the farm is getting stronger which should, in turn. have the same effect on the parent club...

 

The argument I'd make is that it seems like Verdugo seems like more of a certainty to be a part of the future. The book is out on the other guys.

[notin]

The argument I'd make is that it seems like Verdugo seems like more of a certainty to be a part of the future. The book is out on the other guys.

 

Fair point. I was just bottom feeding...

[moonslav59]

I could argue that Munoz and Arroyo are question marks at best, but trending positive. And I think Potts is probably closer to MLB than Downs. But the fact remains the farm is getting stronger which should, in turn. have the same effect on the parent club...

 

He did say "may" have an impact.

[moonslav59]

All-in-all, this season has been about what I expected.

 

I fell better about the emphasis being placed on building and replenishing the farm.

 

The questions about Verdugo and his health seem to be answered.

 

We know a little more about Dalbec, Houck and a few others (some good-some bad).

 

We know we have some major need areas to address, this winter and more about which areas we may want to try to fill from within the system.

 

The season was not the funnest to watch, but there some exciting things to watch and hope is building.

[mvp 78]

I voted 76-80, but I'm thinking more like 78-82. That wasn't a choice.

 

We're likely not done with off season moves, but I guess it's time for Part II.

 

We need a lot to go right to be a top contender, but it could happen. More likely, we'll fight hard to make the wild card game and hope for a surprise.

 

 

 

You expected this?

[Bellhorn04]

You expected this?

 

moon's W-L prediction was posted before we found out Sale and E-Rod were goners.

[moonslav59]

moon's W-L prediction was posted before we found out Sale and E-Rod were goners.

 

Regardless of what many people may think about me, I'm usually an optimist.

[mvp 78]

Regardless of what many people may think about me, I'm usually an optimist.

 

I assume you're on the optimist side of the "pollyanna" scale. I think your opinions are typically grounded in data and facts (more so than say... mine). I wouldn't say you come across as a pessimist by any means.

[mvp 78]

moon's W-L prediction was posted before we found out Sale and E-Rod were goners.

 

I couldn't find the post ERod prediction and really don't remember the timing of Sale getting TJS. Also, I wasn't going for a gotcha question. Just more for a laugh.

[mvp 78]

If they really want to tank, the next 4 lineups should look pretty ugly. If they want to tank, Arauz, Puello, Chavis and Lin should be in every lineup. You can even keep JD in there too.

 

itshappening.gif

[Nick]

Regardless of what many people may think about me, I'm usually an optimist.

 

Yes you are....

[moonslav59]

I assume you're on the optimist side of the "pollyanna" scale. I think your opinions are typically grounded in data and facts (more so than say... mine). I wouldn't say you come across as a pessimist by any means.

 

I was one of the first to give up on the 2019 team, and usually I'm one of the last.

 

I have been a "cliff" dweller for several seasons,so I thought some must see me as a "downer."

 

I've been highly critical of those who said it would be easy or quick to rebuild the farm.

 

I don't gush over every Sox prospect, which is not an area I consider myself any more knowledgeable than many on this site. (I admit my liking some prospects over others is often based on non evidence based conjecture.

 

That being said, I watched nearly very pitch of every game for decades (until this year) and love my Sox like no one else I know.

[moonslav59]

You expected this?

 

I expected a team just under .500, assuming normal health issues. Nothing from Sale & ERod was huge.

 

I did not expect the Jays to be this good. I thought we'd mop upon them and the O's.

[notin]

itshappening.gif

 

I think you need to launch a Tweet Storm at Bloom and get him to call up the MataHorn. Also, to make sure he gets that nickname...

[oldtimer]

I expected a team just under .500, assuming normal health issues. Nothing from Sale & ERod was huge.

 

I did not expect the Jays to be this good. I thought we'd mop upon them and the O's.

 

I didn't expect both Beni and JDM to fall flat on their faces this year either.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I didn't expect both Beni and JDM to fall flat on their faces this year either.

 

Fa-la-at... as in, face up, and run over by the machine that rolls the infield before every game. Or Kevin Bacon's face, after Delta House ruined the parade at the end of Animal House.

 

When history reflects on this Red Sox season, who's looking better: Beni and JD... or Colin McHugh, who opted out?

[Bellhorn04]

Fa-la-at... as in, face up, and run over by the machine that rolls the infield before every game. Or Kevin Bacon's face, after Delta House ruined the parade at the end of Animal House.

 

When history reflects on this Red Sox season, who's looking better: Beni and JD... or Colin McHugh, who opted out?

 

JD deserves a pass for 2020 after his first 2 seasons. And his contract is still looking pretty good - for him for sure - hopefully for us too.

[mvp 78]

I think you need to launch a Tweet Storm at Bloom and get him to call up the MataHorn. Also, to make sure he gets that nickname...

 

I’d get blocked real quick.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

JD deserves a pass for 2020 after his first 2 seasons. And his contract is still looking pretty good - for him for sure - hopefully for us too.

 

I'm giving Beni a pass, as he was clearly not himself - because he had to shut down due to injury, it's reasonable to suspect that was a major factor in his slump; young pros don't suddenly forget how to do their jobs.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think you need to launch a Tweet Storm at Bloom and get him to call up the MataHorn. Also, to make sure he gets that nickname...

 

Not bad. As long as we don't become the Sons of Doesn't Mata Horn.

 

I invented Verdirtdog today, after watching him slide safely under the swipe tag of the pitcher he beat on his grounder to first this week.

Edited September 25, 2020 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75