A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[mvp 78]

Infielder Jedd Gyorko is available:

 

 

That would be a decent fit on a short deal.

[dgalehouse]

Mets360 perdicts the Sox sign Bauer and La Stella

 

http://mets360.com/?p=41472

 

The Mets have a new owner. Look for them to be big time players in the free agent market.

[notin]

The Mets have a new owner. Look for them to be big time players in the free agent market.

 

Realmuto is a perfect fit for them, but Bauer is the bigger media splash....

[notin]

Infielder Jedd Gyorko is available:

 

 

Well if that doesn’t make your nipples explode, what will?

 

Now that I’ve said that, watch Bloom sign him...

[notin]

My early Sox FA predictions

 

First of all, I predict the Sox do NOT claim Brad Hand. As I am operating on the assumption that I have no idea how they really make decisions, I figure it makes absolutely no sense to pass on him. Which is why they will. And since Cleveland was unable to get so much as an A-ball wild card for him in a trade, everyone else will, too.

 

That out of the way, these predictions each carry a standard 50% chance of being correct. Either they sign the guy or they don't. End of explanation.

 

But here are the names.

 

1. Brad Hand. He's signing somewhere. No one needs pitching more. Just not for $10mill

2. Kevin Gausman. Not exactly the starter we want. But he seems like one of those guys analytic-types like too much.

3. Brad Miller. He's just too perfect of a fit as a left-handed bench bat that can play multiple INF/OF positions. If they don't sign him, I plan to invoke my same logic for not claiming Hand. But I think the money saved on Hand pays or him.

4. Trevor May. He's better than you think.

5. Mike Zunino. Bloom acquired him before. He's a good field/no hit catcher they can pair with Plawecki to free up Vazquez for a trade, which they will do. Unless I am also wrong here.

 

That is all...

[mvp 78]

@mlbtraderumors

Blue Jays Decline Chase Anderson's Option

 

Nah.

[moonslav59]

My early Sox FA predictions

 

First of all, I predict the Sox do NOT claim Brad Hand. As I am operating on the assumption that I have no idea how they really make decisions, I figure it makes absolutely no sense to pass on him. Which is why they will. And since Cleveland was unable to get so much as an A-ball wild card for him in a trade, everyone else will, too.

 

That out of the way, these predictions each carry a standard 50% chance of being correct. Either they sign the guy or they don't. End of explanation.

 

But here are the names.

 

1. Brad Hand. He's signing somewhere. No one needs pitching more. Just not for $10mill

2. Kevin Gausman. Not exactly the starter we want. But he seems like one of those guys analytic-types like too much.

3. Brad Miller. He's just too perfect of a fit as a left-handed bench bat that can play multiple INF/OF positions. If they don't sign him, I plan to invoke my same logic for not claiming Hand. But I think the money saved on Hand pays or him.

4. Trevor May. He's better than you think.

5. Mike Zunino. Bloom acquired him before. He's a good field/no hit catcher they can pair with Plawecki to free up Vazquez for a trade, which they will do. Unless I am also wrong here.

 

That is all...

This makes a lot of sense, especially Zunino.

[notin]

@mlbtraderumors

Blue Jays Decline Chase Anderson's Option

 

Nah.

 

Not dazzled by his 7.22 ERA?

[mvp 78]

Not dazzled by his 7.22 ERA?

 

I think he's much better than that.

[harmony]

My early Sox FA predictions

 

First of all, I predict the Sox do NOT claim Brad Hand. As I am operating on the assumption that I have no idea how they really make decisions, I figure it makes absolutely no sense to pass on him. Which is why they will. And since Cleveland was unable to get so much as an A-ball wild card for him in a trade, everyone else will, too.

 

That out of the way, these predictions each carry a standard 50% chance of being correct. Either they sign the guy or they don't. End of explanation.

 

But here are the names.

 

1. Brad Hand. He's signing somewhere. No one needs pitching more. Just not for $10mill

2. Kevin Gausman. Not exactly the starter we want. But he seems like one of those guys analytic-types like too much.

3. Brad Miller. He's just too perfect of a fit as a left-handed bench bat that can play multiple INF/OF positions. If they don't sign him, I plan to invoke my same logic for not claiming Hand. But I think the money saved on Hand pays or him.

4. Trevor May. He's better than you think.

5. Mike Zunino. Bloom acquired him before. He's a good field/no hit catcher they can pair with Plawecki to free up Vazquez for a trade, which they will do. Unless I am also wrong here.

 

That is all...

Tampa Bay is without an MLB-experienced catcher with the jettisons of Mike Zunino, Michael Perez and Kevan Smith.

 

Do the Rays remain interested in Christian Vazquez?

 

BTW, reliever Trevor May maintains an offseason home in Seattle where the Mariners look to rebuild their bullpen:

 

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2020/10/20/21519730/mariners-2021-free-agent-target-trevor-may

[mvp 78]

CT native Charlie Morton?

[notin]

Tampa Bay is without an MLB-experienced catcher with the jettisons of Mike Zunino, Michael Perez and Kevan Smith.

 

Do the Rays remain interested in Christian Vazquez?

 

BTW, reliever Trevor May maintains an offseason home in Seattle where the Mariners look to rebuild their bullpen:

 

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2020/10/20/21519730/mariners-2021-free-agent-target-trevor-may

 

Do players sign with Seattle when they have other choices?

[harmony]

FanGraphs ranks the Top 50 free agents while projecting contracts but not destinations:

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2021-top-50-free-agents/

[notin]

FanGraphs ranks the Top 50 free agents while projecting contracts but not destinations:

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2021-top-50-free-agents/

 

So Craig Edwards thinks Brad Hand will get 2 yrs/$10 mill when any team in MLB can have him for 1 yr/$10mill by filing a claim instead of negotiating?

[dgalehouse]

Infielder Jedd Gyorko is available:

 

 

That is exactly what we need. A 32 year old utility infielder from jabroniville .

[Bellhorn04]

That is exactly what we need. A 32 year old utility infielder from jabroniville .

 

Yeah, it's not really necessary to list every single player that becomes available here.

[harmony]

According to his Twitter account, the countdown apparently is underway on the Red Sox team option on lefthander Martin Perez:

 

[mvp 78]

Yeah, it's not really necessary to list every single player that becomes available here.

 

Says you.

 

Gyorko plays 2b. We need one.

[cp176]

Says you.

 

Gyorko plays 2b. We need one.

 

Good to know that we are finally going after the Russians for some decent ballplayers!

[moonslav59]

Good to know that we are finally going after the Russians for some decent ballplayers!

 

Wait, we're going after him?

[notin]

Wait, we're going after him?

 

Yes. “We” being us on talksox. And by “going after,” we of course mean “piling on.”

 

The actual Sox team likely has very little interest. This free agent class will have better 2b talent at potential bargain prices. Wong, Schoop, La Stella, etc. Or maybe Semien if he moves to 2b?

 

No reason to look at Gyorko excerpt maybe as competition for a utility spot with Brad Miller..

[moonslav59]

Yes. “We” being us on talksox. And by “going after,” we of course mean “piling on.”

 

The actual Sox team likely has very little interest. This free agent class will have better 2b talent at potential bargain prices. Wong, Schoop, La Stella, etc. Or maybe Semien if he moves to 2b?

 

No reason to look at Gyorko excerpt maybe as competition for a utility spot with Brad Miller..

 

We have enough back up utility men, already. It's the only position we are overloaded.

[moonslav59]

If this winter's market is as depressed as it seems it is, and most players seek one year deals, it's hard to imagine what the Sox plan will be. Certainly some one year deals were likely in the works beforehand, but for a team most likely looking at 2022 and beyond more than 2021, the free agent market may not be where we will be most active.

[Bellhorn04]

If this winter's market is as depressed as it seems it is, and most players seek one year deals, it's hard to imagine what the Sox plan will be. Certainly some one year deals were likely in the works beforehand, but for a team most likely looking at 2022 and beyond more than 2021, the free agent market may not be where we will be most active.

 

Some players will be more than happy to accept multi-year deals, I think.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If this winter's market is as depressed as it seems it is, and most players seek one year deals, it's hard to imagine what the Sox plan will be. Certainly some one year deals were likely in the works beforehand, but for a team most likely looking at 2022 and beyond more than 2021, the free agent market may not be where we will be most active.

 

Have to think Bloom's phone will be ringing off the hook from agents this winter. Boston has to be one of the few markets with both the inclination and resources to invest in improvement. For players, Fenway may also provide one of the last enthusiastic baseball followings, once fans feel it's safe to return to the ballparks.

 

From the looks of the landscape already, the Red Sox could maybe turn over half their 25-man roster, become a .500 team again (which would put them in contention for a postseason berth), and not sign any expensive, big-name free agents.

[moonslav59]

Five finalists for Sox managerial position:

 

MLBTR:

 

"...the likely list of finalists includes Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Marlins bench coach James Rowson, Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, and a new candidate to the race — former big league outfielder Sam Fuld, currently the Phillies’ director of integrative baseball performance."

 

[moonslav59]

Some players will be more than happy to accept multi-year deals, I think.

 

Probably not the players we would think might be part of a longer term prebuild lan.

[moonslav59]

Have to think Bloom's phone will be ringing off the hook from agents this winter. Boston has to be one of the few markets with both the inclination and resources to invest in improvement. For players, Fenway may also provide one of the last enthusiastic baseball followings, once fans feel it's safe to return to the ballparks.

 

From the looks of the landscape already, the Red Sox could maybe turn over half their 25-man roster, become a .500 team again (which would put them in contention for a postseason berth), and not sign any expensive, big-name free agents.

 

We could sign up to 7-9 free agents- many to one year terms and try for a 2021 surprise. It would allow us to start again in 2022 due to another higher spending budget.

 

I'd rather we try to build for 2022 and beyond, but I'm not sure the market will allow it.

 

One thing to think about: if teams are really looking at saving money, I have to think some previous "untradeable players" may now be available via trades at possible discount return values. The problem is, who do we have to trade for these possible bargain players?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

We could sign up to 7-9 free agents- many to one year terms and try for a 2021 surprise. It would allow us to start again in 2022 due to another higher spending budget.

 

I'd rather we try to build for 2022 and beyond, but I'm not sure the market will allow it.

 

One thing to think about: if teams are really looking at saving money, I have to think some previous "untradeable players" may now be available via trades at possible discount return values. The problem is, who do we have to trade for these possible bargain players?

 

When you say discount return values, do you mean the trading team would eat half the contract, like we're doing with Price? That may be hard for a mid-market team to pull the cord on; they'd reduce their payroll, but also their chances if they're giving up their best player. You know, like the Beantown Tankers did in '20 (only for that team, they gave up a great one to get rid of a grate one... and then changed their minds on the graterol).

[harmony]

With only an hour and a half to go until the deadline for extending qualifying offers, the only publicly announced QO has gone to Mets righthander Marcus Stroman.

 

What if that is the only qualifying offer? What would that say about the free agent market?