A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[mvp 78]

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...

 

Seems like right now, they are in uncharted waters and are possibly as clueless as us.

[moonslav59]

Seems like right now, they are in uncharted waters and are possibly as clueless as us.

 

This "unknown" situation is frustrating.

 

When will Sale be healthy?

Will Sale ever be Sale again?

 

When will Eovaldi ever have a full season?

Will he ever have even 150+ IP with us?

Should he be moved to closer?

 

What's up with ERod?

COVID related heart issues are largely unknown. It might take years to find out.

 

Perez & Pivetta seem healthy, but neither are sure bets to be solid in 2021.

 

Without any SP'er additions, we could be looking at no reliable pitchers at some point during the 2021 season, including opening day.

 

However, we could also have 5 solid starters at a given point in 2021, once Sale is back.

 

Zero to five is hard to plan around.

[mvp 78]

It's really hard to predict how this team will perform over the short term.

 

Could ERod come back healthy, get strong seasons from current staff and adding another starter make this team a playoff contender? Yeah.

 

If ERod is unhealthy, Eovaldi gets hurt, Pivetta has a 6 ERA, Houck shows he's not ready, Perez pitches like bad Perez and Sale doesn't come back ready, this team could be back to where they are this year.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's really hard to predict how this team will perform over the short term.

 

Could ERod come back healthy, get strong seasons from current staff and adding another starter make this team a playoff contender? Yeah.

 

If ERod is unhealthy, Eovaldi gets hurt, Pivetta has a 6 ERA, Houck shows he's not ready, Perez pitches like bad Perez and Sale doesn't come back ready, this team could be back to where they are this year.

 

They have to make sure this summer doesn't happen again. All these what-ifs are why I think Boston spends big and/or trades for at least two starting pitchers that are more sure things. Otherwise, there's no reason for any astute fans to believe ownership or the front office that the Red Sox plan on contending in '21.

[notin]

It's really hard to predict how this team will perform over the short term.

 

Could ERod come back healthy, get strong seasons from current staff and adding another starter make this team a playoff contender? Yeah.

 

If ERod is unhealthy, Eovaldi gets hurt, Pivetta has a 6 ERA, Houck shows he's not ready, Perez pitches like bad Perez and Sale doesn't come back ready, this team could be back to where they are this year.

 

The chances of all those things working against the Sox are probably not that great, but the chances they all work out are equally unlikely. Out of those 6 possibilities, what if 3 of them become reality?

[mvp 78]

The chances of all those things working against the Sox are probably not that great, but the chances they all work out are equally unlikely. Out of those 6 possibilities, what if 3 of them become reality?

 

Depends on which 3?

 

My guess is they are a 80 - 84 win team.

[notin]

Depends on which 3?

 

My guess is they are a 80 - 84 win team.

 

And which ones they address prior to the season. If Perez is bad Perez, but they have already added Trevor Bauer, not so big...

[moonslav59]

The chances of all those things working against the Sox are probably not that great, but the chances they all work out are equally unlikely. Out of those 6 possibilities, what if 3 of them become reality?

 

I agree. Count on 3 of the 6 starters needed in 2021. That means adding at least 2 solid and durable starters, although nobody is a guarantee 190+ IP starter.

[notin]

I agree. Count on 3 of the 6 starters needed in 2021. That means adding at least 2 solid and durable starters, although nobody is a guarantee 190+ IP starter.

 

If the plan is to have an opener, the bullpen becomes an even more pressing need...

[kenmeister]

Would I be correct in saying the Sox need to pick up, at a minimum:

2 starters

3 relievers including a closer

2 outfielders

?

[mvp 78]

Would I be correct in saying the Sox need to pick up, at a minimum:

2 starters

3 relievers including a closer

2 outfielders

?

 

1 OFer

The rest looks ok to me. They may even go for finding a temporary 2B of LHH 1B.

[d-money]

What’s our draft position right now? This team needs to keep developing young players.

[mvp 78]

What’s our draft position right now? This team needs to keep developing young players.

 

3rd today. Could drop lower.

[mvp 78]

@byJulianMack

“I’ve sucked.” — J.D. Martinez. Said he’s frustrated.

 

We've noticed.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

JD Martinez on trying to move on from 2020: ‘I’m going to go back to work. I’m going to get back to training...not be stuck in my house under quarantine for two months.’

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

J.D. Martinez on his impending opt-out: ‘Given the situation, I’m probably not leaning that way’ (opting out). But also said that's a question for Scott Boras, his agent.

 

That concludes this edition of the JD Martinez Corner.

[Swiharts Ghost]

@jcmccaffrey

J.D. Martinez on his impending opt-out: ‘Given the situation, I’m probably not leaning that way’ (opting out). But also said that's a question for Scott Boras, his agent.

 

That concludes this edition of the JD Martinez Corner.

 

Expected .Liars season starts early this year who knows .I would like to see JD traded to Arizona they know this player well but who knows ? Devers to me is a DH that occasionally should play 3b .Go Get Semien for 3b .See what’s out there for LF .Keep JBJ and Verdugo let’s move off Benny .I look to trade Vaz for Pitching .

[moonslav59]

1 OFer

The rest looks ok to me. They may even go for finding a temporary 2B of LHH 1B.

 

I'm not sure I want Chavis in LF much, next year.

I'm not sure Duran is ready for 2021.

 

I'd like to see us get a CF'er, even if on a 1-2 year deal and a 4th OF'er on a 1 yr deal.

 

We could get a 1B/OF type or a 2B/OF type as the "4th OF'er."

[notin]

I'm not sure I want Chavis in LF much, next year.

I'm not sure Duran is ready for 2021.

 

I'd like to see us get a CF'er, even if on a 1-2 year deal and a 4th OF'er on a 1 yr deal.

 

We could get a 1B/OF type or a 2B/OF type as the "4th OF'er."

 

 

 

So... Brad Miller?

[notin]

Expected .Liars season starts early this year who knows .I would like to see JD traded to Arizona they know this player well but who knows ? Devers to me is a DH that occasionally should play 3b .Go Get Semien for 3b .See what’s out there for LF .Keep JBJ and Verdugo let’s move off Benny .I look to trade Vaz for Pitching .

 

 

 

Possible

 

Per BTV, the following pitchers have roughly the same trade value as Christian Vazquez

 

Yonny Chirinos (Rays), Brady Singer and Kris Bubic (Royals), Framber Valdez (Astros), Domingo German (Yankees), Sean Manaea (Athletics), Dane Dunning (White Sox), Adrian Morejon (Padres), Caleb Ferguson (Dodgers), and Edwin Diaz (Mets).

 

Now some of those teams, notably the Athletics, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees and maybe the Padres, might not be looking for a catcher. The Rays and Mets are extremely likely to be looking for a catcher, and the Royals might be as well given that Perez iisn't the player he used to be and has only one year left on his deal.

 

So which of these arms is most desirable for a trade of Vazquez? And does the other team want him badly enough to make the deal?

 

I would think Valdez is the best option, but I do not know if Houston goes there. The Mets, per my own completely uneducated opinion, are most likely to be interested with the names involved...

[oldtimer]

I'm not sure I want Chavis in LF much, next year.

I'm not sure Duran is ready for 2021.

 

I'd like to see us get a CF'er, even if on a 1-2 year deal and a 4th OF'er on a 1 yr deal.

n

We could get a 1B/OF type or a 2B/OF type as the "4th OF'er."

 

One way to have determined if Duran was ready was to bring him up and let him play some outfield. He was getting positive reviews at the alternate site, so I imagine they didn't bring him up to preserve his years of arbitration or something like that. They brought up Puello who I doubt will be on the roster next year instead.

[notin]

If Puello is on the roster, it’s as a 4th outfielder who gets maybe 50-75 at bats. He’s not fighting with Duran for a position.

 

I’m surprised Duran and Mata did not get the call. I don’t think 1 week of service time gets them significantly closer to arbitration...

[Kimmi]

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.

 

To me, signing Bauer goes against the whole 'plan' and makes no sense, unless they can sign him for 3 years or less. I've been shocked before, but I will be shocked if the Sox give Bauer a long term deal.

[Kimmi]

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

 

Bringing Perez back is a Buchholz level no brainer. That would be my first off season move.

[Kimmi]

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 just don't see the bullpen in as much of a shambles as everyone else does.

 

(Roenicke agrees with me.)

[Bellhorn04]

To me, signing Bauer goes against the whole 'plan' and makes no sense, unless they can sign him for 3 years or less. I've been shocked before, but I will be shocked if the Sox give Bauer a long term deal.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping we can go in another direction from that too.

[moonslav59]

So... Brad Miller?

 

As out 4th OF'er, sure.

[notin]

I just don't see the bullpen in as much of a shambles as everyone else does.

 

(Roenicke agrees with me.)

 

The Sox are 26th in bullpen fWAR....

[notin]

As out 4th OF'er, sure.

 

Soxprospects.com has the Sox acquiring 1 starter (they do assume ERod pitches), 2 relievers, a CF, a 2b, and a LHH for the bench. Miller can fill that last role. Bloom has acquired him before...

[harmony]

Possible

 

Per BTV, the following pitchers have roughly the same trade value as Christian Vazquez

 

Yonny Chirinos (Rays), Brady Singer and Kris Bubic (Royals), Framber Valdez (Astros), Domingo German (Yankees), Sean Manaea (Athletics), Dane Dunning (White Sox), Adrian Morejon (Padres), Caleb Ferguson (Dodgers), and Edwin Diaz (Mets).

 

Now some of those teams, notably the Athletics, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees and maybe the Padres, might not be looking for a catcher. The Rays and Mets are extremely likely to be looking for a catcher, and the Royals might be as well given that Perez iisn't the player he used to be and has only one year left on his deal.

 

So which of these arms is most desirable for a trade of Vazquez? And does the other team want him badly enough to make the deal?

 

I would think Valdez is the best option, but I do not know if Houston goes there. The Mets, per my own completely uneducated opinion, are most likely to be interested with the names involved...

The Astros might want to keep lefthander Framber Valdez with Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers scheduled to enter free agency after the 2021 season.