A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[a700hitter]

Zac Grotz is what is euphemistically known as a " depth signing."

Pile the s*** higher.

[harmony]

Triston Casas made the Baseball Prospectus Top 101 prospect list at No. 85:

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/1/21/22242139/boston-red-sox-top-prospects-triston-casas-top-101-mlb-jeter-downs-bobby-dalbec

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/64061/2021-prospects-the-top-101/

[mvp 78]

Or a 'We're saved!' or 'Print the playoff tickets!' signing.

 

Before the internet most of us wouldn't even know about these minor transactions that every team has...

 

As a former PAW season ticket holder, I can confirm that at the start of every season half of the roster were complete unknowns.

[moonslav59]

Man-Oh-Man!

 

We need something to talk about!

[mvp 78]

Bloom's thoughts on 2021:

 

1. "You're gonna see a really hungry group."

2. "Gonna be more exciting than the narrative is saying."

3. "Not only are we competitive in 21 but you can get excited for saying that I can see very clearly where the arrow is pointing."

4. "We got a great chance of surprising people in 2021."

[moonslav59]

Bloom's thoughts on 2021:

 

1. "You're gonna see a really hungry group."

2. "Gonna be more exciting than the narrative is saying."

3. "Not only are we competitive in 21 but you can get excited for saying that I can see very clearly where the arrow is pointing."

4. "We got a great chance of surprising people in 2021."

 

He must be anticipating some of the moves he has in the works coming through.

[notin]

He must be anticipating some of the moves he has in the works coming through.

 

Like signing Carlos Rodon? You know, this market's version of Wade Miller...

[jacksonianmarch]

Like signing Carlos Rodon? You know, this market's version of Wade Miller...

 

Rodon was on his way to being really good until his arm decided it didn't want to be part of his body anymore. Rodon would be a solid signing for the sox

[Kimmi]

Just give us a tidbit, NOW!

 

(lol)

 

I am anxious for something to happen just like everyone else is. But I understand the need for patience and thoroughness on Bloom's part.

[Kimmi]

With the top tier outfielder contract agreed, can JBJ be far behind? We will need at least one outfielder, depending on what we do with Beni, if anything.

 

I want JBJ back, but I'm afraid that he is going to be out of the Sox' price range.

 

I agree that we need one more outfielder, preferably a defensive oriented CFer.

[Kimmi]

I thought this was a down market?

 

It could be, but Springer and Bauer still aren't worth 6 year deals.

[Kimmi]

Zac Grotz is what is euphemistically known as a " depth signing."

 

Depth signings are a necessity.

[Bellhorn04]

It could be, but Springer and Bauer still aren't worth 6 year deals.

 

You are a model of fiscal restraint, Kimmi.

[oldtimer]

I want JBJ back, but I'm afraid that he is going to be out of the Sox' price range.

 

I agree that we need one more outfielder, preferably a defensive oriented CFer.

 

i think the Springer deal has resulted in higher expectations for JBJ. Maybe he will get $12 mil for 2 years. That will put him out of the Sox range. There is also a lot of talk about Beni and now the Brewers. Where there is smoke there probably is fire. Beni for prospects would mean we would not only have to replace JBJ but also Beni. That may mean one from within and perhaps an Ozuna. I expected at least one significant move this week but so far nothing. Due diligence is important but time is slipping by.

[moonslav59]

I am anxious for something to happen just like everyone else is. But I understand the need for patience and thoroughness on Bloom's part.

 

I do, too. I'm pretty certain I'll be fine with the final winter results, and many times, additions come in a flurry.

[mvp 78]

Depth signings are a necessity.

 

Grotz had a 2.69 FIP in 2019 (14 appearances). They've picked up pitchers with worse pedigrees.

[notin]

Grotz had a 2.69 FIP in 2019 (14 appearances). They've picked up pitchers with worse pedigrees.

 

He’s the type of pitcher you’re better off having and not needing instead of needing and not having...

[moonslav59]

Grotz had a 2.69 FIP in 2019 (14 appearances). They've picked up pitchers with worse pedigrees.

 

Agreed, like last year's bunch.

[mvp 78]

He’s the type of pitcher you’re better off having and not needing instead of needing and not having...

 

Yup. They aren't slotting him into a closer's role or anything. He's just a guy to stash in WOO. They already have much better options to round out this year's pen, which they didn't have last year at this time.

[kenmeister]

Yup. They aren't slotting him into a closer's role or anything. He's just a guy to stash in WOO. They already have much better options to round out this year's pen, which they didn't have last year at this time.

 

Speaking of closer ... if we don't get one, we won't even be remotely competitive in 2021.

[mvp 78]

Relievers still available.

 

Jose Alvarez RP

Luis Avilan RP

Anthony Bass RP

Brad Boxberger RP

Trevor Cahill RP / SP

Andrew Chafin RP

Jesse Chavez RP

Steve Cishek RP

Tyler Clippard RP

Alex Colome RP

Sean Doolittle RP

Oliver Drake RP

Thomas Eshelman RP

Ken Giles RP

Shane Greene RP

Junior Guerra RP

Brad Hand RP

Matt Harvey RP

Yoshihisa Hirano RP

Derek Holland RP

Jared Hughes RP

Tommy Hunter RP

Jeremy Jeffress RP

Nate Jones RP

Keone Kela RP

Ian Kennedy RP

Mike Kickham RP

Brandon Kintzler RP

Aaron Loup RP

T.J. McFarland RP

Jake McGee RP

Collin McHugh RP

Mark Melancon RP

Juan Nicasio RP

Darren O'Day RP

Brad Peacock RP

Oliver Perez RP

Yusmeiro Petit RP

David Phelps RP

Nick Ramirez RP

Erasmo Ramirez RP

A.J. Ramos RP

Colin Rea RP

David Robertson RP

Sergio Romo RP

Hector Rondon RP

Trevor Rosenthal RP

Hirokazu Sawamura RP

Chasen Shreve RP

Joakim Soria RP

Pedro Strop RP

Ryan Tepera RP

Tyler Thornburg RP

Nick Tropeano RP

Nick Vincent RP

Edinson Volquez RP

Tony Watson RP

Justin Wilson RP

Brandon Workman RP

[Bellhorn04]

Bass just signed with Marlins. Very fishy.

[notin]

Relievers still available.

 

Jose Alvarez RP

Luis Avilan RP

Anthony Bass RP No longer available

Brad Boxberger RP

Trevor Cahill RP / SP

Andrew Chafin RP

Jesse Chavez RP

Steve Cishek RP

Tyler Clippard RP

Alex Colome RP

Sean Doolittle RP

Oliver Drake RP

Thomas Eshelman RP

Ken Giles RP

Shane Greene RP

Junior Guerra RP

Brad Hand RP

Matt Harvey RP

Yoshihisa Hirano RP

Derek Holland RP

Jared Hughes RP

Tommy Hunter RP

Jeremy Jeffress RP

Nate Jones RP

Keone Kela RP

Ian Kennedy RP

Mike Kickham RP

Brandon Kintzler RP

Aaron Loup RP

T.J. McFarland RP

Jake McGee RP

Collin McHugh RP

Mark Melancon RP

Juan Nicasio RP

Darren O'Day RP

Brad Peacock RP

Oliver Perez RP

Yusmeiro Petit RP

David Phelps RP

Nick Ramirez RP

Erasmo Ramirez RP

A.J. Ramos RP

Colin Rea RP

David Robertson RP

Sergio Romo RP

Hector Rondon RP

Trevor Rosenthal RP

Hirokazu Sawamura RP

Chasen Shreve RP

Joakim Soria RP

Pedro Strop RP

Ryan Tepera RP

Tyler Thornburg RP

Nick Tropeano RP

Nick Vincent RP

Edinson Volquez RP

Tony Watson RP

Justin Wilson RP

Brandon Workman RP

 

Plenty of options still exist...

[moonslav59]

I'd be okay with Colome & Workman, but I'd prefer Hand & Rosenthal.

[Kimmi]

You are a model of fiscal restraint, Kimmi.

 

You should meet my mom. She makes me look like George Steinbrenner.

[Kimmi]

i think the Springer deal has resulted in higher expectations for JBJ. Maybe he will get $12 mil for 2 years. That will put him out of the Sox range. There is also a lot of talk about Beni and now the Brewers. Where there is smoke there probably is fire. Beni for prospects would mean we would not only have to replace JBJ but also Beni. That may mean one from within and perhaps an Ozuna. I expected at least one significant move this week but so far nothing. Due diligence is important but time is slipping by.

 

One day it sounds like Beni is sure to be traded, the next day it sounds like not so much. You hit the nail on the head though. Trading Beni just opens up another hole that we'd need to fill. As it is, we both think that we're already an outfielder short. It sounds like Beni has shed some weight and the FO is a little more optimistic about him having a rebound this year. I'd hate to see them sell low on him.

[Kimmi]

I do, too. I'm pretty certain I'll be fine with the final winter results, and many times, additions come in a flurry.

 

Bloom says that he expects a few more moves to be completed before the season starts. I agree that we'll be fine with the final winter results.

[Kimmi]

Bass just signed with Marlins. Very fishy.

 

LOL Good one.

[oldtimer]

You should meet my mom. She makes me look like George Steinbrenner.

 

Funny. Us older folks have trouble with huge contracts, having come from a time where houses cost one hundredth of what they cost today.

[a700hitter]

You should meet my mom. She makes me look like George Steinbrenner.

Did she have you on a week to week basis for you allowance?