A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[notin]

Or Durable Dick.

 

I'd take any of them, but I don't think we're getting any of them.

 

Agreed on both counts...

[Bellhorn04]

I'm thinking Durable Dick might settle for 2 million or so at this point.

[notin]

I'm thinking Durable Dick might settle for 2 million or so at this point.

 

Let’s pass the hat...

[Bellhorn04]

Let’s pass the hat...

 

OK. I'll match what you give.

[moonslav59]

The more I think about (which is admittedly not much), I would be OK with Duran opening the season in CF. He might flop, but CF is one of their deepest positions throughout the organization. If they wait too long on Duran, at some point Rosario and/or Jimenez could be knocking on the door as well. This could be a good problem to have, but if they start experimenting now it’s not necessarily a bad thing...

 

I do think there is a some validity to the philosophy that calling someone up, too soon, can slow development of harm a kid's confidence or that much value can be lost by waiting too long.

 

I have always trusted our management to know when the time is right or at least to know more than I do about it.

 

If they think he's ready, I'll trust them.

 

Personally, I think he needs more time due to being relatively new to the OF, and the fact that he has recently made some pretty major adjustments to his hitting approach.

 

We all know Boston is not an easy place to be thrown into the spotlight.

 

The comp to Ellsbury is interesting. Ells did kind of learn on the fly. He had some ups and downs, early on, and it took a while for his D to become a plus, but I do think he turned out to give plus value over his first 2 seasons combined- the first was a late call-up.

 

I'm still leaning no, but I, too, am more open to the idea than I was in December.

 

[notin]

OK. I'll match what you give.

 

Ok so Bellhorn is in for $1.09. Who else?

[notin]

I do think there is a some validity to the philosophy that calling someone up, too soon, can slow development of harm a kid's confidence or that much value can be lost by waiting too long.

 

I have always trusted our management to know when the time is right or at least to know more than I do about it.

 

If they think he's ready, I'll trust them.

 

Personally, I think he needs more time due to being relatively new to the OF, and the fact that he has recently made some pretty major adjustments to his hitting approach.

 

We all know Boston is not an easy place to be thrown into the spotlight.

 

The comp to Ellsbury is interesting. Ells did kind of learn on the fly. He had some ups and downs, early on, and it took a while for his D to become a plus, but I do think he turned out to give plus value over his first 2 seasons combined- the first was a late call-up.

 

I'm still leaning no, but I, too, am more open to the idea than I was in December.

 

 

I question how much of it is slowing development vs burning a year of service time. It’s one thing to promote a 19yo or 20yo, but once players reach an age and physical development slows or stops, maybe they’re in a spot where the only way we can know if they can hit MLB pitching is to have them actually face MLB pitching.

 

And as this team is a borderline contender at best, it’s not like a struggling Duran will rank the season...

[moonslav59]

I question how much of it is slowing development vs burning a year of service time. It’s one thing to promote a 19yo or 20yo, but once players reach an age and physical development slows or stops, maybe they’re in a spot where the only way we can know if they can hit MLB pitching is to have them actually face MLB pitching.

 

And as this team is a borderline contender at best, it’s not like a struggling Duran will rank the season...

 

Burning a season is certainly one factor on the side of giving him at least a couple more months in AAA.

 

Probably, the deciding one for me.

 

Same with Houck, despite Houck being older. He will likely be limited in his IP, anyway, so why not?

[notin]

Sox acquire Bryant from Cubs!!!

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/red-sox-acquire-zach-bryant-from-cubs.html

[moonslav59]

Sox acquire Bryant from Cubs!!!

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/red-sox-acquire-zach-bryant-from-cubs.html

 

Beat me to it.

 

He turns 23,soon, and had a high K rate in college (12.8), but also walked a lot (5.5).

 

In just 21 IP in the minors, it was 10.1 /3.4.

 

He was drafted in the 15th round in 2019.

 

He does not need a slot on the 40 man roster.

 

[a700hitter]

For a second, I thought it was Kris Bryant that was acquired, but then I remembered that Bloom is building a team to lose and doesn’t wanna spend any money. Edited February 28, 2021 by a700hitter

[moonslav59]

I got a second. I thought it was Kris Bryant that was acquired, but then I remembered that Bloom is building a team to lose and doesn’t wanna spend any money.

 

He's the perfect get for CF.

 

Why didn't I think of that!

[notin]

I got a second. I thought it was Kris Bryant that was acquired, but then I remembered that Bloom is building a team to lose and doesn’t wanna spend any money.

 

Well, the implication was that it was Kris Bryant. But you have to remember we’re talking about the PTBNL for Josh Osich...

[oldtimer]

I question how much of it is slowing development vs burning a year of service time. It’s one thing to promote a 19yo or 20yo, but once players reach an age and physical development slows or stops, maybe they’re in a spot where the only way we can know if they can hit MLB pitching is to have them actually face MLB pitching.

 

And as this team is a borderline contender at best, it’s not like a struggling Duran will rank the season...

 

Duran is 24 years old and a terrific athlete. Time to give him an opportunity. I agree that the team doesn't look fully competitive at the highest level so experimenting with Duran will not tank our season. If he can't cut it, we will find out, but give him time enough to show what he can do. The possible upside outweighs the other arguments in my view.

[moonslav59]

Duran is 24 years old and a terrific athlete. Time to give him an opportunity. I agree that the team doesn't look fully competitive at the highest level so experimenting with Duran will not tank our season. If he can't cut it, we will find out, but give him time enough to show what he can do. The possible upside outweighs the other arguments in my view.

 

I don't see how holding off a few weeks and gaining another year of control is outweighed by anything else.

 

The kid will get his chance, and if he is what many feel he is, all the more reason to gain another year at low cost, and the fact that we are not likely to be highly competitive, this year, adds to the idea of holding him back just enough to get the extra year.

[notin]

I don't see how holding off a few weeks and gaining another year of control is outweighed by anything else.

 

The kid will get his chance, and if he is what many feel he is, all the more reason to gain another year at low cost, and the fact that we are not likely to be highly competitive, this year, adds to the idea of holding him back just enough to get the extra year.

 

That's so Seattle Mariners baseball.

 

The Sox do have a good argument for holding Duran back a few weeks since his MiLB numbers above A ball were weak and his MiLB numbers in A ball were carried by a very high BABIP...

[moonslav59]

That's so Seattle Mariners baseball.

 

The Sox do have a good argument for holding Duran back a few weeks since his MiLB numbers above A ball were weak and his MiLB numbers in A ball were carried by a very high BABIP...

 

There are times you need to act like the Mariners.

 

There are several reasons to not start with Duran as our CF'er.

[harmony]

That's so Seattle Mariners baseball.

The Sox do have a good argument for holding Duran back a few weeks since his MiLB numbers above A ball were weak and his MiLB numbers in A ball were carried by a very high BABIP...

After Evan White signed a six-year, $24 million contract, the Seattle Mariners had the 24-year-old first baseman in the Opening Day 2020 lineup even though White had never played above Double A.

 

The Mariners reportedly offered top prospect Jarred Kelenic an extension in the same 2019-20 offseason. Kelenic said he was told he would be on the MLB club if he signed the extension; Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto said Kelenic was offered an extension and a slot on the 40-man roster but with a minor league assignment.

 

The Mariners have reasons other than service time to delay the MLB debut of Kelenic, a 21-year-old Top 5 prospect whose highest level has been 21 games at Double A. Seattle has no established pattern of holding back as last season four former Top 100 prospects lost prospect status with a full year of MLB service.

 

Jarren Duran, a 24-year-old who has been shut out on most Top 100 prospect lists, has never played above Double A. The Red Sox have enough reasons to hold him back.

[moonslav59]

Sox acquire Bryant from Cubs!!!

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/red-sox-acquire-zach-bryant-from-cubs.html

 

I doubt he cracks the top 40 Sox prospects, but someday...

[mvp 78]

I doubt he cracks the top 40 Sox prospects, but someday...

 

He grew up a Sox fan, so that’s cool.

[Elktonnick]

There are times you need to act like the Mariners.

 

There are several reasons to not start with Duran as our CF'er.

 

Guess who is starting in CF in today's game?

[notin]

There are times you need to act like the Mariners.

 

There are several reasons to not start with Duran as our CF'er.

 

Yes, there are several reasons not to. His MiLB track record. His subpar defense. Etc., etc. Should service time really be one? (I know it is, but should it be?)

[Bellhorn04]

Yes, there are several reasons not to. His MiLB track record. His subpar defense. Etc., etc. Should service time really be one? (I know it is, but should it be?)

 

Should fix the stupid service time rules. Call it the Kevin Mather Amendment.

[moonslav59]

Guess who is starting in CF in today's game?

 

Not surprising.

 

Verdugo not playing.

 

Duran >>> Verdugo.

 

Chavis at DH.

 

Chavis >>> JD.

 

 

(Sarcasm alert.)

[notin]

Not surprising.

 

Verdugo not playing.

 

Duran >>> Verdugo.

 

Chavis at DH.

 

Chavis >>> JD.

 

 

(Sarcasm alert.)

 

Yes because these February spring trainnig games are sooooooooooo meaningful.. What's that old wives' tale - whoever is in first place by St Patrick's day will clinch the pennant? Or does that not exist anymore?

 

(That's how I do sarcasm)

[moonslav59]

Yes, there are several reasons not to. His MiLB track record. His subpar defense. Etc., etc. Should service time really be one? (I know it is, but should it be?)

 

Why not?

 

It's not just something you use with young studs.

 

The rules are the rules, and if a GM does not use them to help his club, he'd be losing ground to all the others that do it.

 

And, they all do it.

 

Yes, the rules need to be fixed.

 

It will be interesting to see how much more quickly players are brought up once the rules are changed. We could see the reverse happen, if the rules are set up in certain ways: young players brought up, too early, so as to maximize ML playing time.

[notin]

That is one thing. It looks the plan for the starting OF really is Cordero in LF, Verdugo in CF and Renfroe in RF.

 

Not wild about a lot of that...

[Elktonnick]

That is one thing. It looks the plan for the starting OF really is Cordero in LF, Verdugo in CF and Renfroe in RF.

 

Not wild about a lot of that...

 

You have no idea what their plan is. Neither do I nor anyone else who posts here. But if Morosi is to be believed ( and there is no reason to doubt him) Cora got A good long look at Duran in the Puerto Rico

[moonslav59]

That is one thing. It looks the plan for the starting OF really is Cordero in LF, Verdugo in CF and Renfroe in RF.

 

Not wild about a lot of that...

 

Agreed.

 

I like this better:

 

LF: Renfroe (Cordero platoon, if EHern in CF)

 

CF: Cordero (EHern)

 

RF: Verdugo

[moonslav59]

I keep thinking I will start Part II, but I want to make sure the roster is set.

 

My guess is, we make no more significant moves, but with Odorizzi & JBJ still out there, and the possibility of some sort of cut-rate bargain deal being out there, I've been holding off.