2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[moonslav59]

I think Puello, Chatham, Leyer, Covey, Tapia are more likely to be gone than not. There have been a lot of people that think Springs is very likely to stay. I would probably keep Stock too (at least over Hart, Aybar, Walden, Leyer and Tapia).

 

These names on my categories are clearly interchangeable. I'm sure Bloom has them ordered differently than my list. I'm not sure why you like Springs and Stock over some of the names I had above them, but I can't really defend anyone on these lists, either.

 

The fact is, this list is 20 names long! Add 5-8 rule 5 players and 3-6 FAs and we still have about 8-12 slugs leftover. I'm not sure it matters which ones we keep, but I trust Bloom to know better than we do.

[moonslav59]

What's the worst that could happen, right?

 

Well, maybe they look at it the same way they did with the IFA penalties we were hit with, which was all about behind the scenes handshake deals, IIRC.

 

So they could penalize us, and we would then be the MLB team most frequently penalized for cheating, I think...

 

He could retire, and we hire him back 2 years from now (wink-wink).

 

I'm not saying it will or should happen, but I would like that $13M cushion.

[moonslav59]

I think the Sox could just say to Pedey "look, we know you aren't going to play this year and we need your roster spot over the offseason. We either have to waive you or figure something else out. We really want you to retire as a Red Sox." Maybe they think it's more worthwhile to maintain the good relationship and keep him on payroll to just let him be on the bench in a player/coach role? IDK.

 

On the 60 day IL, he takes up no roster spot.

[moonslav59]

2020's Sox Rule 5 List

 

Christopher Acosta

Eduard Bazardo

Garrett Benge

Gary Calvo

Pedro Castellanos

Kutter Crawford

Ricardo Cubillan

Chad De La Guerra

Jerry Downs

Jose Espada

Rio Gomez

Jay Groome

Hunter Haworth

Matt Kent

Jose Larez

Adam Lau

Dominic LoBrutto

Everlouis Lozada

Bryan Lucas

Charlie Madden

Alan Marrero

Joan Martinez

Bryan Mata

Tate Matheny

Alexander Montero

Oddanier Mosqueda

Brendan Nail

Brett Netzer

Tanner Nishioka

Emerson Ortiz

Michael Osinski

Yorvin Pantoja

Isaac Pinales

Antonio Police

Hudson Potts

Bobby Poyner

Roniel Raudes

Austin Rei

Denyi Reyes

Jeremy Rivera

Jeisson Rosario

Jagger Rusconi

Yasel Santana

Zach Schellinger

Alex Scherff

Connor Seabold

Mike Shawaryn

Kervin Suarez

Jake Thompson

Josh Tobias

Connor Wong

Edited October 12, 2020 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

I see 7 rule 5 guys- maybe 8-9 tops. (see previous post)

[mvp 78]

On the 60 day IL, he takes up no roster spot.

 

8. A player cannot be placed on the MLB 60-day Injured List after the conclusion of the MLB regular season, and during the post-season and off-season, up until the start of Spring Training (beginning on the date that pitchers & catchers are scheduled to report).

[moonslav59]

What are the chances C.J. Chatham is claimed in the Rule 5 draft if left unprotected the month he turns 26 years old?

 

The chances are zero. He's not rule 5. He's on our 40 man, now.

 

He may be DFA'd or traded but not claimed rule 5.

[mvp 78]

2020's Sox Rule 5 List

 

Christopher Acosta

Eduard Bazardo

Garrett Benge

Gary Calvo

Pedro Castellanos

Kutter Crawford

Ricardo Cubillan

Chad De La Guerra

Jerry Downs

Jose Espada

Rio Gomez

Jay Groome

Hunter Haworth

Matt Kent

Jose Larez

Adam Lau

Dominic LoBrutto

Everlouis Lozada

Bryan Lucas

Charlie Madden

Alan Marrero

Joan Martinez

Bryan Mata

Tate Matheny

Alexander Montero

Oddanier Mosqueda

Brendan Nail

Brett Netzer

Tanner Nishioka

Emerson Ortiz

Michael Osinski

Yorvin Pantoja

Isaac Pinales

Antonio Police

Hudson Potts

Bobby Poyner

Roniel Raudes

Austin Rei

Denyi Reyes

Jeremy Rivera

Jeisson Rosario

Jagger Rusconi

Yasel Santana

Zach Schellinger

Alex Scherff

Connor Seabold

Mike Shawaryn

Kervin Suarez

Jake Thompson

Josh Tobias

Connor Wong

 

The put Groome, Mata, Potts, Seabold, Rosario and Wong on the 40 man. Maybe 1-2 other guys?

Edited October 12, 2020 by mvp 78

[moonslav59]

8. A player cannot be placed on the MLB 60-day Injured List after the conclusion of the MLB regular season, and during the post-season and off-season, up until the start of Spring Training (beginning on the date that pitchers & catchers are scheduled to report).

 

So? Do we have a roster crunch, this winter?

 

I count 20 guys w e could DFA and I wouldn't blink.

[moonslav59]

The put Groome, Mata, Potts, Seabold and Wong on the 40 man. Maybe 1-2 other guys?

 

I'd add Rosario, so likely 6 total, IMO.

[mvp 78]

So? Do we have a roster crunch, this winter?

 

I count 20 guys w e could DFA and I wouldn't blink.

 

That's a question for Bloom. I'd rather him have every available option.

 

Just as an FYI, the way it works for 60 day IL guys is that they are all taken off IL following the World Series. They can't go back on IL until Spring Training.

[mvp 78]

I'd add Rosario, so likely 6 total, IMO.

 

I agree. I'd be shocked if any of those guys weren't on the 40 man (barring trade of course).

[moonslav59]

20 current Slugs- not counting Pedey.

 

Minus 6 Rule 5 Players

 

Minus 6 Free Agents (I suppose we could sign a bunch more at low to moderate costs)

 

That leaves maybe 4-8 Slugs.

 

When opening day come, you place Pedey, Sale and ERod on the 60 day list and recall some you just cut or add players who were cut in other teams' final cuts- players likely better than our slugs.

[moonslav59]

That's a question for Bloom. I'd rather him have every available option.

 

Just as an FYI, the way it works for 60 day IL guys is that they are all taken off IL following the World Series. They can't go back on IL until Spring Training.

 

Okay, I knew that but had not remembered. It does mean we have 3 guys (Sale, ERod and Pedey) who will likely go to the 60-day list on opening day. That means 3 guys will have to be cut or traded.

 

Quite frankly, I'm pretty sure none of those three show much promise. There will probably be 6-9 slugs to choose from at the end. Some may even accept minor league demotions or won't be added by anyone else. We have one of the worst 25-40th players of any team in MLB, right now. Nobody wants our slugs- many were cut my other teams, including some of our keepers not even on the list! (Arroyo, Munoz...)

[notin]

So? Do we have a roster crunch, this winter?

 

I count 20 guys w e could DFA and I wouldn't blink.

 

No.

 

The Sox currently have 46 MLB players (counting those on IL but not counting Bradley) for their 40 man roster spots. But they also have 15 players by my count they could DFA and watch clear waivers. 17 if you think Weber and Mazza could.

 

They can DFA enough players to cover their minor leaguers needing protection. Having very little talent in the upper levels (who are more likely to be selected over A ball players) certainly does help here...

[notin]

So? Do we have a roster crunch, this winter?

 

.

 

The Sox 40 man roster has far too much fluff for there to be any crunch...

[moonslav59]

So, we add Mata, Groome, Seabold, Potts, Wong and Rosario.

 

We DFA Lin, Kickham, Brice & Godley (all out of options) and Triggs and non-tender Peraza (arb year).

 

I'll move Springs & Stock to the next tier, based on MVP's thoughts. (I think notin like Tapia.)

 

Then, we begin making room for free agents:

 

SP, SP, RP, RP, CF, OF and maybe 2B and/or another RP and 1B/2B or 1B/OF type. 6 Min/ maybe 9 max.

 

Here's the remaining bubble players: (6 for the min FAs we sign)

 

Hall

Wilson (assuming we add 2 OF'ers)

Hart

Aybar

Walden

Puello (assuming we add 2-3 OF'er)

 

Likely to stay, but if we sign 7+ FAs... (In rough order from worst to best)

 

Springs

Stock

Leyer

Chatham

Arauz

Tapia

Covey

Brewer

Edited October 12, 2020 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

No.

 

The Sox currently have 46 MLB players (counting those on IL but not counting Bradley) for their 40 man roster spots. But they also have 15 players by my count they could DFA and watch clear waivers. 17 if you think Weber and Mazza could.

 

They can DFA enough players to cover their minor leaguers needing protection. Having very little talent in the upper levels (who are more likely to be selected over A ball players) certainly does help here...

 

Agreed, this is the least worrisome roster crunch winter I have seen from a Sox team since pre-Henry.

[mvp 78]

So, we add Mata, Groome, Seabold, Potts, Wong and Rosario.

 

We DFA Lin, Kickham, Brice & Godley (all out of options and non-tender Peraza (arb year).

 

I'll move Springs & Stock to the next tier, based on MVP's thoughts. (I think notin like Tapia.)

 

Then, we begin making room for free agents:

 

SP, SP, RP, RP, CF, OF and maybe 2B and/or another RP and 1B/2B or 1B/OF type. 6 Min/ maybe 9 max.

 

Here's the remaining bubble players:

 

Triggs

Hall

Wilson (assuming we add 2 OF'ers)

Hart

Aybar

Walden

 

Likely to stay, but... (In rough order from worst to best)

Puello (assuming we add 2-3 OF'er)

Springs

Stock

Leyer

Chatham

Arauz

Tapia

Covey

Brewer

 

It'd be wild if they kept Arauz in BOS all year just to try to get him off the 40 man the following offseason.

 

Also, I think Brewer stays. He was ok as a reliever, just dreadful as a starter. Take out his last two starts and he was one of the better options this year.

[mvp 78]

Agreed, this is the least worrisome roster crunch winter I have seen from a Sox team since pre-Henry.

 

I think the crunch will be the bottleneck as that happens when they non-tender 10 guys and they are all out on the corner waiting for an uber.

[mvp 78]

The Sox 40 man roster has far too much fluff for there to be any crunch...

 

But it would be nice to have one extra spot by figuring out what to do with Pedroia. At least Sale and ERod have a place on next year's team.

[moonslav59]

It'd be wild if they kept Arauz in BOS all year just to try to get him off the 40 man the following offseason.

 

Also, I think Brewer stays. He was ok as a reliever, just dreadful as a starter. Take out his last two starts and he was one of the better options this year.

 

I tweaked the post you responded to, since I had only 5 names for the 6 rule 5 guys.

 

Yes, I think we keep Arauz, since he no longer has to stay on the 26 man roster.

 

I agree on Brewer, but I included his name, because I would not care if the DFA'd him. I'd say Brewer, Chatham, Covey and Arauz are close to sure bets.

 

Weber, Mazza and Brasier are not guys I'm too thrilled about, either, but they'll stay.

[moonslav59]

But it would be nice to have one extra spot by figuring out what to do with Pedroia. At least Sale and ERod have a place on next year's team.

 

We agreed on six rule 5 players. How many free agents do you think we'll sign (or 40 man roster players we trade for without giving equal 40 man roster players in return)?

 

I'm thinking 6-9.

1.Hall

2. Hart

3. Aybar

4. Wilson (assuming we add 2 OF'ers)

5. Walden

6. Puello (assuming we add 2-3 OF'er)

7. Leyer

8. Springs

9. Stock

10. Chatham

11. Tapia

12. Arauz

13. Covey

14. Brewer

 

You think Stock, Springs or Tapia would even be claimed, if we cut them the week before opening day?

 

Those are the guys Pedey is putting at risk.

 

I guess if Bloom really wants these guys, he could DFA Pedey. It may matter, if there is any hope Pedey can play, but I'd put his odds at

 

I'd think we DFA all 3 of them for Sale, ERod & Pedey, the put those 3 on the 60 day and add 3 players cut from deeper team rosters.

[harmony]

The chances are zero. He's not rule 5. He's on our 40 man, now.

 

He may be DFA'd or traded but not claimed rule 5.

Thank you for the clarification.

[mvp 78]

We agreed on six rule 5 players. How many free agents do you think we'll sign (or 40 man roster players we trade for without giving equal 40 man roster players in return)?

 

I'm thinking 6-9.

1.Hall

2. Hart

3. Aybar

4. Wilson (assuming we add 2 OF'ers)

5. Walden

6. Puello (assuming we add 2-3 OF'er)

7. Leyer

8. Springs

9. Stock

10. Chatham

11. Tapia

12. Arauz

13. Covey

14. Brewer

 

You think Stock, Springs or Tapia would even be claimed, if we cut them the week before opening day?

 

Those are the guys Pedey is putting at risk.

 

I guess if Bloom really wants these guys, he could DFA Pedey. It may matter, if there is any hope Pedey can play, but I'd put his odds at

 

I'd think we DFA all 3 of them for Sale, ERod & Pedey, the put those 3 on the 60 day and add 3 players cut from deeper team rosters.

 

I think 6-9 is probably close. I think they'll sign a lot of MiLB guys and do lots of hokey pokey with the guys at the bottom of the 40 man roster like they did last season.

 

I bet Bloom makes 1 - 2 moves that nobody on here sees coming.

[notin]

It'd be wild if they kept Arauz in BOS all year just to try to get him off the 40 man the following offseason.

 

Also, I think Brewer stays. He was ok as a reliever, just dreadful as a starter. Take out his last two starts and he was one of the better options this year.

 

At some point, being "one of the better options" from this year's Sox pitching staff is an honor akin to "having the one of the more fearsome goldfish on your street"...

[moonslav59]

I think 6-9 is probably close. I think they'll sign a lot of MiLB guys and do lots of hokey pokey with the guys at the bottom of the 40 man roster like they did last season.

 

I bet Bloom makes 1 - 2 moves that nobody on here sees coming.

 

I was thinking that with our 40 man roster so weak at the bottom, maybe Bloom tries something very unique- like signing 9-11 free agents to low/moderate contracts- mostly 1-2 year deals. The problem might be making the 26 man roster. I guess, if some have options, we could pack our AAA team with a few and then let the season play out, in hopes that 6-8 workout.

 

He's so good at signing marginal players that surprise.

 

A look at the 26 man roster and options:

 

Assume Sale, Pedey and ERod start on the 60 day IL, but when they comeback, someone needs to be DFA'd or demoted (see options remaining)

 

2020 Roster

3 Bogaerts

3 Devers

2 Verdugo

1 JD

0 Vazquez

0 Eovaldi

0 Perez

2 Barnes

2 DHern

2 Taylor

3 Houck

1 Pivetta

3 Beni

2 Valdez

1 Covey

0 Arroyo

2 Chavis

1 Munoz

 

Red= not likely demoted or can't be demoted

 

There are only 13 players that look like locks- add Houck, who may see his innings limited in 2021, and we're at 14. That leaves room for 11 free agents to fight for a spot on the big club and players we can demote, if they win the job.

Edited October 12, 2020 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

I think 6-9 is probably close. I think they'll sign a lot of MiLB guys and do lots of hokey pokey with the guys at the bottom of the 40 man roster like they did last season.

 

I bet Bloom makes 1 - 2 moves that nobody on here sees coming.

 

Agreed. I also think he makes a pretty big trade. (JD, Eovaldi Vaz or Beni or a shocker like Bogey, due to his opt out coming soon.)

[notin]

Agreed. I also think he makes a pretty big trade. (JD, Eovaldi Vaz or Beni or a shocker like Bogey, due to his opt out coming soon.)

 

I think he trades for Jessica Biel and surprises us all...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Agreed. I also think he makes a pretty big trade. (JD, Eovaldi Vaz or Beni or a shocker like Bogey, due to his opt out coming soon.)

 

Or Devers... if he doesn't bring Cora back. Or put it this way: can Sox fans really envision Boston's next deep run in a postseason happening with Rafie's D at third?