A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[mvp 78]

Dalbec's fielding per SoxProspects:

 

Field: Hands work well and footwork is usually reliable. A little stiff and has some trouble getting down on ground balls when charging the ball. Doesn't have great range, but makes up for that somewhat with his length, allowing him to cover more ground than his feet would normally allow. Has made great strides since he joined the Red Sox at third base. Regressed somewhat at third base in 2019 and projects as an average defender there. Also has seen significant time at first base at higher levels, in large part due to presence of Rafael Devers at third base in Boston.

[mvp 78]

@Ourand_SBJ

MLB/Turner Sports deal: seven years at $535 million per year through. That's a 65% increase over what Turner had been paying.

 

Oh?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Putting this here, because it's the 2021 thread, but this could kick off a '21 pitching thread:

 

Assuming next season is played in its entirety, and the Red Sox plan to begin most games with actual starters and not openers, I can't see Bloom not acquiring at least two established arms before Spring Training. With around 150 starts needed from starters (I'm conceding a dozen bullpen games and spot starts), and zero guaranteed from Sale and ERod, can Boston expect 30 from Perez? If so, what's the over/under for the oft-injured and/or developing trio of Eovaldi, Pivetta and Houck... 60? That still leaves at least another 60 -- or 30 each from a new pair of veterans.

 

Barring trading a core chip like Vazquez, it seems likely Bloom signs Bauer and another guy, like either Stroman or Ordorizzi (whoever looks healthier and ready to resume a workload). Or the Sox may welcome an older, one-time stud as both a reclamation project and mentor, like Kluber or Lester.

 

I'd prefer they add three of the five... and Liam Hendriks as a closer. These are the kind of moves needed to restore relevancy to Red Sox Nation and the AL East.

[mvp 78]

Putting this here, because it's the 2021 thread, but this could kick off a '21 pitching thread:

 

Assuming next season is played in its entirety, and the Red Sox plan to begin most games with actual starters and not openers, I can't see Bloom not acquiring at least two established arms before Spring Training. With around 150 starts needed from starters (I'm conceding a dozen bullpen games and spot starts), and zero guaranteed from Sale and ERod, can Boston expect 30 from Perez? If so, what's the over/under for the oft-injured and/or developing trio of Eovaldi, Pivetta and Houck... 60? That still leaves at least another 60 -- or 30 each from a new pair of veterans.

 

Barring trading a core chip like Vazquez, it seems likely Bloom signs Bauer and another guy, like either Stroman or Ordorizzi (whoever looks healthier and ready to resume a workload). Or the Sox may welcome an older, one-time stud as both a reclamation project and mentor, like Kluber or Lester.

 

I'd prefer they add three of the five... and Liam Hendriks as a closer. These are the kind of moves needed to restore relevancy to Red Sox Nation and the AL East.

 

They might sign one of Stroman or Bauer, but I doubt they sign both. If they sign a high priced guy, the other move for a starter will be on the much cheaper end of things. I bet they grab two middle priced options instead.

[harmony]

They might sign one of Stroman or Bauer, but I doubt they sign both. If they sign a high priced guy, the other move for a starter will be on the much cheaper end of things. I bet they grab two middle priced options instead.

Who will get a bigger contract: Marcus Stroman or Taijuan Walker?

[mvp 78]

Who will get a bigger contract: Marcus Stroman or Taijuan Walker?

 

Stroman IMO.

[notin]

Who will get a bigger contract: Marcus Stroman or Taijuan Walker?

 

I go Stroman there...

[mvp 78]

Bauer would be fun as hell to watch tho. Kind of a jerkoff tho. Kind of a good pitcher tho. Kind of an overpay tho.

 

If he signed with Boston, I could see him melting down against the city if he ever started struggling.

[notin]

Bauer would be fun as hell to watch tho. Kind of a jerkoff tho. Kind of a good pitcher tho. Kind of an overpay tho.

 

If he signed with Boston, I could see him melting down against the city if he ever started struggling.

 

I do like Bauer as a pitcher, and he is potentially the Cy Young winner in the NL this year.

 

But he did not go year to year through arbitration so he could undervalue himself. I would expect him to star the bidding at David Price dollars. He might end up getting less, but he will certainly be overpriced. Which I would be ok with if it was only for 3 or 4 years, but if he is looking for 6 or 7, it starts to become a legitimate concern for the Sox....

[mvp 78]

https://www.pitcherlist.com/trevor-bauer-gets-some-extra-help/

 

Do we want to sign a cheater tho?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bauer would be fun as hell to watch tho. Kind of a jerkoff tho. Kind of a good pitcher tho. Kind of an overpay tho.

 

If he signed with Boston, I could see him melting down against the city if he ever started struggling.

 

Right -- would ownership want another loose cannon and possible PR nightmare so soon after just getting rid of Price? Then again, if Bauer came in and mouthed off about Cole and the Yanks -- and put his pitches where his mouth was -- that'd be a great way to re-spark the rivalry. Sox fans would love him as long as he beat NY, but the Boston columnists would be ready to pounce the second he dissed the wrong peeps.

 

As for the others mentioned, who would be more of a gamble: a guy whose stock this summer plummeted because of performance, like Robbie Ray, or someone whose wing rested this whole season -- but didn't compete -- like Stroman, who opted out, or Odorizzi, who had a non-throwing arm injury.

[moonslav59]

Devers also has a lot of athleticism. His defensive issues are less about his glove and more about his arm. He could actually be a very good fielding 1B.

 

Agreed. He also seems to have some issues with foot work, which could hurt at 1B.

[moonslav59]

Dalbec is not a "plus defender" at 3B. By all accounts, he's average.

 

He did win Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year, but even soxprospects has him as average...

 

Field: Hands work well and footwork is usually reliable. A little stiff and has some trouble getting down on ground balls when charging the ball. Doesn't have great range, but makes up for that somewhat with his length, allowing him to cover more ground than his feet would normally allow. Has made great strides since he joined the Red Sox at third base. Regressed somewhat at third base in 2019 and projects as an average defender there. Also has seen significant time at first base at higher levels, in large part due to presence of Rafael Devers at third base in Boston.

 

Arm: Plus arm strength. Touched the mid-90s off the mound in college. Plenty of arm for third base, able to make all the throws including balls fielded on the foul line. Has regressed slightly but still fine for third base.

[moonslav59]

Who will get a bigger contract: Marcus Stroman or Taijuan Walker?

 

I could see us going for both.

[mvp 78]

He did win Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year, but even soxprospects has him as average...

 

Field: Hands work well and footwork is usually reliable. A little stiff and has some trouble getting down on ground balls when charging the ball. Doesn't have great range, but makes up for that somewhat with his length, allowing him to cover more ground than his feet would normally allow. Has made great strides since he joined the Red Sox at third base. Regressed somewhat at third base in 2019 and projects as an average defender there. Also has seen significant time at first base at higher levels, in large part due to presence of Rafael Devers at third base in Boston.

 

Arm: Plus arm strength. Touched the mid-90s off the mound in college. Plenty of arm for third base, able to make all the throws including balls fielded on the foul line. Has regressed slightly but still fine for third base.

 

Devers won the same award.

[notin]

https://www.pitcherlist.com/trevor-bauer-gets-some-extra-help/

 

Do we want to sign a cheater tho?

 

Now that prolonged case does say it is a very strong possibility, but the author does come up short of saying he can prove anything. I have no idea if Bauer is cheating or not. All we really know about the guy is his feverish addiction to sabermetrics and advanced stats.

 

I'm just not one to label someone as a cheater without actual proof. Unless it's the Yankees...

[mvp 78]

Now that prolonged case does say it is a very strong possibility, but the author does come up short of saying he can prove anything. I have no idea if Bauer is cheating or not. All we really know about the guy is his feverish addiction to sabermetrics and advanced stats.

 

I'm just not one to label someone as a cheater without actual proof. Unless it's the Yankees...

 

Defector ran a similar story on it today, but I'm not a paying customer of theirs so I can't share.

 

https://defector.com/trevor-bauer-should-just-admit-it/

 

I think the first few views on the site are free, so if anyone hasn't been there yet, feel free to go read.

[Kimmi]

Bauer would be fun as hell to watch tho. Kind of a jerkoff tho. Kind of a good pitcher tho. Kind of an overpay tho.

 

If he signed with Boston, I could see him melting down against the city if he ever started struggling.

 

He is going to cost too much. I don't see it happening. Nor should it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

He is going to cost too much. I don't see it happening. Nor should it.

 

I'm not so sure ownership would agree with you... not IF they're worried about selling tickets for '21 (depending, of course, on what happens this winter in regards to an approved and available vaccine, and whether scientists have convinced the populace it's safe).

 

However, if circumstances give the franchise another free pass on its standing -- and thus, the opportunity to rebuild sensibly and progressively (doormat to also-ran to contender to go-for-it) -- there will be less pressure on Bloom to make an immediate PR splash.

[mvp 78]

speier:

 

Martin Perez thanks Red Sox fans for their support. 'I want to be back next year,' he says, at a time when the Sox have a 2021 option. 'We're going to have a great season next year.'

 

Perez replies:

 

Moving forward to be back next season. Thank you for all your words towards me @alexspeier. I hope to see you soon again

[mvp 78]

Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t the way how I wanted to end the season. However, I feel blessed for this season even though it wasn’t season we used to see. I’m grateful to all the fans for the love and support, and make #PerezDay very special. Hopefully I’ll see you next year✌

 

Thank you my friends @Section10Pod for all the support that you have given me this season. I had so much fun listening to you and reading you. Hopefully I’ll enjoy more of this next season. Whenever you want, I’m down to participate in one of your podcast’s episode for sure

 

Seems like Perez wants to stay!

[moonslav59]

It would have been nice for Perez to end the season with a gem, but it was nice to get a jolt of optimism these last 2 weeks.

 

We got a little better idea of what some of our youth can or might do.

 

We've got a clearer look at what our high need areas will be, this winter.

 

We will likely have a winter spending budget that could near or pass $70M.

[notin]

Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t the way how I wanted to end the season. However, I feel blessed for this season even though it wasn’t season we used to see. I’m grateful to all the fans for the love and support, and make #PerezDay very special. Hopefully I’ll see you next year✌��

 

Thank you my friends @Section10Pod for all the support that you have given me this season. I had so much fun listening to you and reading you. Hopefully I’ll enjoy more of this next season. Whenever you want, I’m down to participate in one of your podcast’s episode for sure����

 

Seems like Perez wants to stay!

 

I think he does. The Sox have too many holes in the staff to go replacing the guys who aren’t...

[mvp 78]

I think he does. The Sox have too many holes in the staff to go replacing the guys who aren’t...

 

To me, it's just nice seeing a player state that he really wants to be here next year. All too often, we hear about players not wanting to be here. It's nice to get the buy in.

[notin]

To me, it's just nice seeing a player state that he really wants to be here next year. All too often, we hear about players not wanting to be here. It's nice to get the buy in.

 

And really, the Sox cannot even think about heading into 2021 and hoping to compete with only Eovaldi returning to the rotation. When you're smallest question mark is still a pretty big question mark, that is a bad thing.

Edited September 25, 2020 by notin

[mvp 78]

And really, the Sox cannot even think about heading into 2021 and hoping to compete with only Eovaldi returning to the rotation. When you're smallest question mark is still a pretty big question mark, that is a bad thing.

 

He should be back 100%. Seems like a good team guy. At 6.25M, he has good upside as a 4 or 5.

[notin]

He should be back 100%. Seems like a good team guy. At 6.25M, he has good upside as a 4 or 5.

 

So the Sox might have their 3-4-5 in Eovaldi-Perez-Pivetta. Now they just need to add a 1 and 2.

 

And most of a bullpen..

[mvp 78]

So the Sox might have their 3-4-5 in Eovaldi-Perez-Pivetta. Now they just need to add a 1 and 2.

 

And most of a bullpen..

 

I agree. You can't count on ERod. When Sale comes back, he will probably not be 100%. Most likely, there'll be another injury and Sale just slides in as 5.

[notin]

I agree. You can't count on ERod. When Sale comes back, he will probably not be 100%. Most likely, there'll be another injury and Sale just slides in as 5.

 

ERod should be treated like a bonus if he comes back. Of course I would think the Sox have more insight into his condition than Uninformed Fan Notin...

[moonslav59]

So the Sox might have their 3-4-5 in Eovaldi-Perez-Pivetta. Now they just need to add a 1 and 2.

 

And most of a bullpen..

 

That's how I see it, but in reality, we may end up adding a solid #2 and maybe a #4 type plus some minor league SP'er depth signings.

 

I see us adding 3 ML level RP'ers minimum. (I hope it's 4-5.)

 

Then, there's CF, 4th OF'er and maybe 2B/1B.