A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[mvp 78]

That may be part of the equation. I'm not all that high on Duran's chances at proving he can be our FT CF'er, but either way, Marisnick would be just a place-holder for the next "real deal" CF'er.

 

Right now, our major focus should be pitching. Getting a plus defender in CF would help in that area, too.

 

It's more likely than not that Duran gets a shot to stick at CF by the end of 2022. He could certainly play himself off the position, but I think the Sox would be better off with a young guy like Duran getting reps than Marisnick or whoever (once they determine Duran won't be overwhelmed by MLB pitchers).

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

That may be part of the equation. I'm not all that high on Duran's chances at proving he can be our FT CF'er, but either way, Marisnick would be just a place-holder for the next "real deal" CF'er.

 

Right now, our major focus should be pitching. Getting a plus defender in CF would help in that area, too.

 

I'm in on Marisnick, a righty stick in a potentially all-lefty outfield. However, he's a worse hitter than JBJ, and at best a platoon partner for Duran or late-inning defensive replacement. Good glove off the bench.

 

Yankee fans or players named CC can complain all they want about Altuve's HR that ended their 2019 postseason, but I still can't believe Boone didn't pitch around a three-time batting champ to get to Marisnick, who was on deck.

[mvp 78]

If Duran's glove was better, he'd be penciled in as next year's CF IMO.

[moonslav59]

It's more likely than not that Duran gets a shot to stick at CF by the end of 2022. He could certainly play himself off the position, but I think the Sox would be better off with a young guy like Duran getting reps than Marisnick or whoever (once they determine Duran won't be overwhelmed by MLB pitchers).

 

That determination is the wild card. That time could come in June or next June/July.

[moonslav59]

If Duran's glove was better, he'd be penciled in as next year's CF IMO.

 

He has to be mentally and developmentally ready, too.

[notin]

If Duran's glove was better, he'd be penciled in as next year's CF IMO.

 

A big part of that is how little time he has spent as an outfielder. He only moved there in 2018 for 15 games before a full time move in 2019, and then had no real season in 2020...

[moonslav59]

A big part of that is how little time he has spent as an outfielder. He only moved there in 2018 for 15 games before a full time move in 2019, and then had no real season in 2020...

 

His speed may help him compensate for lack of experience or instincts. One never knows. Look how quickly Mookie adjusted to OF play.

 

We certainly cannot count on Duran as our CF'er for 2021.

 

Tell me what you think of Marisnick. To me, he seems like the best of the cheaper CF options.

[mvp 78]

A big part of that is how little time he has spent as an outfielder. He only moved there in 2018 for 15 games before a full time move in 2019, and then had no real season in 2020...

 

In 2018 he played OF for 45 games. He only played 20 games at 2b in 2018. Yes, he's still new at the position, but Betts took to OF much more quickly after moving off 2b than Duran has.

[mvp 78]

Mookie only played 50 games total in the OF before being moved up to BOS to play OF. He played almost 250 in the IF in MiLB. Duran has had much longer to acclimate himself and reports are that he still has a ways to go.

[notin]

In 2018 he played OF for 45 games. He only played 20 games at 2b in 2018. Yes, he's still new at the position, but Betts took to OF much more quickly after moving off 2b than Duran has.

 

Yeah but "Not Being Mookie" isn't the worst criticism a player will ever get...

[notin]

His speed may help him compensate for lack of experience or instincts. One never knows. Look how quickly Mookie adjusted to OF play.

 

We certainly cannot count on Duran as our CF'er for 2021.

 

Tell me what you think of Marisnick. To me, he seems like the best of the cheaper CF options.

 

Marisnick is certainly a good option for CF if the goal is to get a dirt cheap glove.

 

A couple others who might fit that bill include Pillar and Billy Hamilton. Of course, we do not know who will be non-tendered this off-season, but some candidates who might be non-tendered that fit the requirements of being a potentially dirt cheap glove player include Juan Lagares, Adam Engel, Albert Almora, and Delino DeShields Jr.. Not sure if any of them actually will be non-tendered (except Lagares. Book him.), but none of them would surprise me either.

 

And some more expensive names that will be salary dumps for the other team include Ender Inciarte and Lorenzo Cain. Both are expensive and superfluous for their teams and can probably be acquired with dumping an undesirable deal or taking some cash back...

[moonslav59]

Marisnick is certainly a good option for CF if the goal is to get a dirt cheap glove.

 

A couple others who might fit that bill include Pillar and Billy Hamilton. Of course, we do not know who will be non-tendered this off-season, but some candidates who might be non-tendered that fit the requirements of being a potentially dirt cheap glove player include Juan Lagares, Adam Engel, Albert Almora, and Delino DeShields Jr.. Not sure if any of them actually will be non-tendered (except Lagares. Book him.), but none of them would surprise me either.

 

And some more expensive names that will be salary dumps for the other team include Ender Inciarte and Lorenzo Cain. Both are expensive and superfluous for their teams and can probably be acquired with dumping an undesirable deal or taking some cash back...

 

Hamilton's offense is just so horrific.

 

Pillar will likely make 2-3 times what these others make. JBJ 4-5 times, maybe.

[notin]

Hamilton's offense is just so horrific.

 

Pillar will likely make 2-3 times what these others make. JBJ 4-5 times, maybe.

 

The Sox just reset the penalty. If they go "all in" for JBJ or Pillar I don't see the harm.

 

Hamilton certainly cannot hit, but the only two times Marisnick has posted an OPS north of .700 were in a shortened season last year and during the scandal-riddled 2017 Astros season. Not only might he not be so good without someone banging a trash can, but maybe re-untiing him with Cora (?) might not create the most positive image for the Sox in 2021...

[Bellhorn04]

If you can sign Pillar again for $4.5 million or so, you gotta do it.

[moonslav59]

The Sox just reset the penalty. If they go "all in" for JBJ or Pillar I don't see the harm.

 

Hamilton certainly cannot hit, but the only two times Marisnick has posted an OPS north of .700 were in a shortened season last year and during the scandal-riddled 2017 Astros season. Not only might he not be so good without someone banging a trash can, but maybe re-untiing him with Cora (?) might not create the most positive image for the Sox in 2021...

 

They may still be looking at not starting the clock on lux taxes, this year. If they do, they may look to pay as little taxes as possible.

 

With JBJ, if he wants 2-3 years, then the tax implications may deter a re-signing.

 

On Marisnick vs Hamilton: Yes, Marisnick sandwiched those two good seasons around .700 and .674 OPS seasons, but even those seasons were light years better than Hamilton's:

 

.634 in 2017

.626 in 2018

.564 in 2019

.390 in 2020

 

.611 from 2017-2020. That overall average is .063 worse than Marisnick's worst season in the last 4 years!

[notin]

If you can sign Pillar again for $4.5 million or so, you gotta do it.

 

I'd be fine with that. and unless the money or (more importantly) the years are ridiculous, I really don't care what they offer. 1 yr / $7mill? Fine with me.

 

THese 1-2 year deals almost never bug me, because they have almost no potential for hampering financially the team going forward...

[moonslav59]

If you can sign Pillar again for $4.5 million or so, you gotta do it.

 

What if Pillar's number is $10M/2 vs Marisnick at $3M/2 or $2M/1?

[moonslav59]

I'd be fine with that. and unless the money or (more importantly) the years are ridiculous, I really don't care what they offer. 1 yr / $7mill? Fine with me.

 

THese 1-2 year deals almost never bug me, because they have almost no potential for hampering financially the team going forward...

 

Signing lots of 1 years deals often help at the trade deadline, too- assuming we are sellers.

[Bellhorn04]

What if Pillar's number is $10M/2 vs Marisnick at $3M/2 or $2M/1?

 

Good question. I'll leave that in Bloom's lap.

[oldtimer]

In 2018 he played OF for 45 games. He only played 20 games at 2b in 2018. Yes, he's still new at the position, but Betts took to OF much more quickly after moving off 2b than Duran has.

 

Duran was getting positive reviews for his hitting and would be the fastest player on the roster if he makes the team following spring training. I believe he is 24 years old so no kid. Time to bring him up and give him an opportunity to play CF. Bringing in some low cost poor hitting glove man if we lose JBJ sounds like a poor idea.

[notin]

Duran was getting positive reviews for his hitting and would be the fastest player on the roster if he makes the team following spring training. I believe he is 24 years old so no kid. Time to bring him up and give him an opportunity to play CF. Bringing in some low cost poor hitting glove man if we lose JBJ sounds like a poor idea.

 

What if Duran is a poor-hitting weak defender? A poor-hitting glove man at least contributes part time...

[dgalehouse]

Two years ago we were celebrating " the greatest team ever assembled ". Now , we are debating whether to sign Pillar or Marisnick.

[mvp 78]

Two years ago we were celebrating " the greatest team ever assembled ". Now , we are debating whether to sign Pillar or Marisnick.

 

We debated stupid moves back then too.

[moonslav59]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/red-sox-rumors-luis-urueta-dbacks-coach-interview-manager.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

maybe re-untiing him with Cora (?) might not create the most positive image for the Sox in 2021...

 

Maybe not in '21, but don't be surprised wherever Cora resurfaces that he'll eventually recruit a few guys who once played for and loved him -- whether it's ex-Astros landing here or ex-Red Sox somewhere else.

[notin]

Two years ago we were celebrating " the greatest team ever assembled ". Now , we are debating whether to sign Pillar or Marisnick.

 

Well, if you want expensive players, you need cheap ones to offset them. Normally, these come from the farm system. But the Sox farm system might not have anyone ready to step in just yet. So it does turn into "Pillar or Marisnick" type players...

[moonslav59]

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/former-red-sox-daniel-bard-earns-nl-comeback-player-year-award?fbclid=IwAR0jSWuEb8kRTMB6j91wG__YljrGXkKZJVLcde9h5Rg3Vn7IVqBVP2MbFhE

[notin]

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/former-red-sox-daniel-bard-earns-nl-comeback-player-year-award?fbclid=IwAR0jSWuEb8kRTMB6j91wG__YljrGXkKZJVLcde9h5Rg3Vn7IVqBVP2MbFhE

 

Who deserved it more?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Who deserved it more?

 

Freddie Freeman? Covid-positive in July, voted by peers as MLB Player of the Year in October... (make that 37% of a year).

[notin]

Freddie Freeman? Covid-positive in July, voted by peers as MLB Player of the Year in October... (make that 37% of a year).

 

C'mon. Get real. Bard has been out of MLB since 2013, and he only threw one inning then.

 

During his last full season before this one, his teammates included Will Middlebrooks, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Scott Posednik, and the Sox had just hired a new GM named Ben Cherington...