A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[harmony]

Something Tai Walker will not solve for a full season...

Taijuan Walker had consecutive seasons of 29, 25 and 28 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old righthander has not missed a start in posting a 3.42 ERA in six outings this year. With a far better rotation last year the 84-win Red Sox got more than 25 starts from only Eduardo Rodriguez and the departed Rick Porcello.

[notin]

Taijuan Walker had consecutive seasons of 29, 25 and 28 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old righthander has not missed a start in posting a 3.42 ERA in six outings this year. With a far better rotation last year the 84-win Red Sox got more than 25 starts from only Eduardo Rodriguez and the departed Rick Porcello.

 

Six whole starts? He's cured!!!!

[Bellhorn04]

Six whole starts? He's cured!!!!

 

You are Stone Cold Steve Austin.

[harmony]

Six whole starts? He's cured!!!!

Including four quality starts! (the same number as the entire Red Sox staff)

[notin]

Including four quality starts! (the same number as the entire Red Sox staff)

 

And more than the Rays entire staff!!

[Thunder]

The Red Sox may have no shortage of openings

 

That's what she said

[harmony]

That's what she said

Three-plus years at UConn have not cured immaturity.

[Thunder]

Three-plus years at UConn have not cured immaturity.

 

I'm the most mature person I know, at least out of all my peers. That's the scariest part

[mvp 78]

so about JD opting out...

 

@joonlee

Given the level of uncertainty around free-agency -- around the financial state of the game to player evaluation during a shortened season -- JD Martinez said he "would not want to be a free-agent during this time"

[Kimmi]

so about JD opting out...

 

@joonlee

Given the level of uncertainty around free-agency -- around the financial state of the game to player evaluation during a shortened season -- JD Martinez said he "would not want to be a free-agent during this time"

 

He also said not to read anything into that, but I think that statement pretty much tells you what his decision will be. He has a guaranteed contract, for a fairly significant amount, in a city that he says he loves playing in. It would be an awfully big risk to opt out.

[moonslav59]

Sox Prospects just updated their list by adding the prospects we traded for and shuffling a few here and there. Here is the updated list:

 

https://soxprospects.com/

 

1. Casas

2. Downs

3. Mata

4. Duran (up from 7)

5. Song

6. Dalbec

7. Jimenez

8. Groome

9. Ward

10. Houck

11. Rosario

12. Seabold

13. Yorke

14. Lugo

15. Potts

 

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

My top 15:

1. Casas

2. Mata

3. Ward

4. Downs

5. Jimenez

6. Song

7. Dalbec

8. Duran

9. Groome

10. Houck

11. Rosario

12. Potts

13. Seabold

14. Yorke

15. Lugo

 

 

[oldtimer]

My top 15:

1. Casas

2. Mata

3. Ward

4. Downs

5. Jimenez

6. Song

7. Dalbec

8. Duran

9. Groome

10. Houck

11. Rosario

12. Potts

13. Seabold

14. Yorke

15. Lugo

 

 

 

If Dalbec is our 7th best prospect, it doesn't speak well of our farm.

[mvp 78]

If Dalbec is our 7th best prospect, it doesn't speak well of our farm.

 

Should have traded Pedroia after the first month, right? Nixon too?

[notin]

Should have traded Pedroia after the first month, right? Nixon too?

 

And Lester. After all, Kason Gabbard got off to a hotter start than Lester did....

[notin]

If Dalbec is our 7th best prospect, it doesn't speak well of our farm.

 

I remember way back a long, long time ago when the Sox had another infield prospect who struck out 12 times in his first 19 at-bats, and everyone thought he simply could not hit MLB pitching and was overmatched..

 

But you know who liked him? The White Sox, and they were willing to give up Chris Sale to get him.

 

 

(Yes, he was their second choice, but he was still a choice)

[mvp 78]

And Lester. After all, Kason Gabbard got off to a hotter start than Lester did....

 

Exactly. I think there's going to be a learning curve for some hitters the next two years since this season is very abnormal. At the very least, you need to see what you have and at least a poor performance isn't dragging the team down.

 

I think Chavis, Munoz, Arauz and Dalbec should all be playing every day.

[notin]

Exactly. I think there's going to be a learning curve for some hitters the next two years since this season is very abnormal. At the very least, you need to see what you have and at least a poor performance isn't dragging the team down.

 

I think Chavis, Munoz, Arauz and Dalbec should all be playing every day.

 

I am actually starting to like Yairo Munoz, despite how the Sox did acquire him. (He threw a tantrum over playing time and voluntarily left the Cardinals, who later released him.) He hits the ball hard and plays everywhere.

 

No need to play Arauz every day. He's earmarked for Pawtucket next year and probably has the ceiling of a glove-first utility infielder (once he learns to keep his mitt squeezed and hold the ball)...

[notin]

Exactly. I think there's going to be a learning curve for some hitters the next two years since this season is very abnormal. At the very least, you need to see what you have and at least a poor performance isn't dragging the team down.

 

I think Chavis, Munoz, Arauz and Dalbec should all be playing every day.

 

Now if the Sox try this in 2020:

 

C:Vazquez

1b: Devers

2b: Munoz or Chavis

3B: Dalbec

SS: Bogaerts

LF: Benintendi

CF: Duran

RF: Verdugo

DH: Martinez

 

BN: Plawaecki, Chavis (or Munoz), Lin, 4th OF (or Peraza).

 

Is that lineup sufficient to just allocate resources to the mound? If not, which position should the Sox focus on upgrading?

[mvp 78]

I am actually starting to like Yairo Munoz, despite how the Sox did acquire him. (He threw a tantrum over playing time and voluntarily left the Cardinals, who later released him.) He hits the ball hard and plays everywhere.

 

No need to play Arauz every day. He's earmarked for Pawtucket next year and probably has the ceiling of a glove-first utility infielder (once he learns to keep his mitt squeezed and hold the ball)...

 

There must be more to the Munoz story since we haven't heard of him bitching while at the alternate site.

[mvp 78]

Now if the Sox try this in 2020:

 

C:Vazquez

1b: Devers

2b: Munoz or Chavis

3B: Dalbec

SS: Bogaerts

LF: Benintendi

CF: Duran

RF: Verdugo

DH: Martinez

 

BN: Plawaecki, Chavis (or Munoz), Lin, 4th OF (or Peraza).

 

Is that lineup sufficient to just allocate resources to the mound? If not, which position should the Sox focus on upgrading?

 

OF bat. LHB 1B.

 

I bet they go for a short term CFer too. Probably want Duran to play his way onto the squad rather than it being given to him.

[mvp 78]

I'd say 2B would be good to upgrade at, but nobody stood out for this FA class.

[notin]

I'd say 2B would be good to upgrade at, but nobody stood out for this FA class.

 

Agree. My favorite target has been Jonathan Schoop, but only becuase 1) he is an adequate player, 2) he takes short contracts and 3) he is a buddy of Bogaerts.

 

He's nothing special.

 

I figure CF is more likely. Duran has not played any real games this year and I dislike the idea of trying to win with 2 rookies in the everyday lineup. Dalbec and Duran have very little in common with Rice and Lynn...

[notin]

I'd say 2B would be good to upgrade at, but nobody stood out for this FA class.

 

So I was listening to The Happy Hour on MLB Network radio, and they were talking about this season's freeagent class. They mentioned that a lot of options previously thought to be no braimers were potentialyl not going to be picked up this off-season. Most of them, like Danny Murphy ($12mill/$6mill buyout), Brett Gardiner ($10mill) and Edwin Encarnacion ($12mill) did not intrigue me much. But they did mention Kolten Wong ($12.5mill / $1mill buyout).

 

If Wong is available, he actually might be a nice fit for the Sox at 2B/leadoff hitter...

[oldtimer]

I remember way back a long, long time ago when the Sox had another infield prospect who struck out 12 times in his first 19 at-bats, and everyone thought he simply could not hit MLB pitching and was overmatched..

 

But you know who liked him? The White Sox, and they were willing to give up Chris Sale to get him.

 

 

(Yes, he was their second choice, but he was still a choice)

 

Dalbec is 26 years old and has spent a long while in the minors where he also had a high strikeout rate. The Sox brought him up because he has power when he makes contact and he is a tolerable 1st/3rd base prospect. He should be given some leeway this season but it may be a choice between Dalbec and Chavis next season (or neither). I see it as he either performs now or loses his chance with the organization. Casas is waiting in the wings and may turn out to be the better option.

[oldtimer]

I'd say 2B would be good to upgrade at, but nobody stood out for this FA class.

 

Pitching has to take precedent. Will none of the prospects be able to fill the 2 base slot?

[notin]

Dalbec is 26 years old and has spent a long while in the minors where he also had a high strikeout rate. The Sox brought him up because he has power when he makes contact and he is a tolerable 1st/3rd base prospect. He should be given some leeway this season but it may be a choice between Dalbec and Chavis next season (or neither). I see it as he either performs now or loses his chance with the organization. Casas is waiting in the wings and may turn out to be the better option.

 

Actually Dalbec just turned 25 in June. But he is at an age where he goes from prospect to suspect rather rapidly.

 

Casas is 20 and has never played above A ball. He’s not an option for 2021. But he is better than Chavis.

 

 

Oldtimer, you’re going to seize your engine changing gears that fast. Let’s let Dalbec have a chance larger than 15 at bats before we write him off. You know, like the Moncada example I cited. And let’s let Casas play AA ball and maybe even AAA ball before we give him 15 at-bats and decide to look elsewhere, too...

[notin]

Pitching has to take precedent. Will none of the prospects be able to fill the 2 base slot?

 

Pitching will certainly take precedent. But that doesn’t mean the Sox can’t spend some cash anywhere else.

 

I don’t think 2021 will be the debut of Hudson Potts or of Jeter Downs...

[notin]

Pitching has to take precedent. Will none of the prospects be able to fill the 2 base slot?

 

Since no one likes Benintendi any more, maybe he could be dealt for a 2b?

 

Benintendi to Pittsburgh for Adam Frazier?

[mvp 78]

Dalbec is 26 years old and has spent a long while in the minors where he also had a high strikeout rate. The Sox brought him up because he has power when he makes contact and he is a tolerable 1st/3rd base prospect. He should be given some leeway this season but it may be a choice between Dalbec and Chavis next season (or neither). I see it as he either performs now or loses his chance with the organization. Casas is waiting in the wings and may turn out to be the better option.

He has not been in the minors for “a long while.”