2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[notin]

Until the Jays get some sort of pitching rotation, they'll be closer to .500 over the course of 162 games. Right now, their rotation is Ryu, Roark (yuck), Anderson (go back to the Brewers) and nobody (if Pearson doesn't pan out). They need to sign 2 FA starters. Maybe they splurge for Bauer or bring Stroman back?

 

This year, TOR's OPS+ was 108, Sox were 107 (with dreadful years for Beni, Devers, JD). I think these two teams are closer than you think.

 

The big difference is the Blue Jays had a team ERA- of 105 while the Sox pitching had a horrific 121.

 

But bear in mind, this was a Sox staff that had no Sale and no ERod and had Ryan Weber as the third highest IP leader (behind Perez and Eovaldi) and had about 50% of their innings come from borderline MLB pitchers who normally sign MiLB contracts. While it will take a major overhaul for the Sox to build one of the best staffs in MLB, simply improving it to be where the Jays staff is (slightly below average) is actually not a difficult task at all, assuming getting back Sale and ERod doesn't do the trick immediately....

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Wasn't clear when Red Sox started Fall Instructional Camp if they'd play other clubs, but they've added a couple games against TB. Lineup today:

 

Rosario 8

Yorke 4

Decker 9

Baldwin 3

Bonaci 6

Northcut DH

Jordan 5

Marrero 2

Vaughan 7

Groome 1

 

Bazardo, Cellucci in relief.

[mvp 78]

Cavan's offensive numbers look pretty solid.

 

He's also 4-5 years older than Jr and Bo. I just don't think he has the ceiling of the other two.

[mvp 78]

The big difference is the Blue Jays had a team ERA- of 105 while the Sox pitching had a horrific 121.

 

But bear in mind, this was a Sox staff that had no Sale and no ERod and had Ryan Weber as the third highest IP leader (behind Perez and Eovaldi) and had about 50% of their innings come from borderline MLB pitchers who normally sign MiLB contracts. While it will take a major overhaul for the Sox to build one of the best staffs in MLB, simply improving it to be where the Jays staff is (slightly below average) is actually not a difficult task at all, assuming getting back Sale and ERod doesn't do the trick immediately....

 

Exactly, which is why I said the Jays weren't far and away a better team than the Sox.

[notin]

Exactly, which is why I said the Jays weren't far and away a better team than the Sox.

 

I was providing supplementary evidence and commentary...

[mvp 78]

I was providing supplementary evidence and commentary...

 

Sorry, I'm not used to people agreeing with me on here.

[Thunder]

Yup, and the brother; the BJs have some of the most coveted young hitters in the game. Whether any of them can find defensive positions they're good at remains to be seen.

 

Let's not call them the BJs please...

[mvp 78]

Let's not call them the BJs please...

 

Too late. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/471470654715257425/

[Thunder]

Too late. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/471470654715257425/

 

Gross

[Kimmi]

Some early opinions regarding this year's free agent market.

 

Jon Heyman

@jonheyman

·

28m

Not one team claimed Brad Hand for $10M. He was a top 3 finalist for AL reliever of the year with a 0.77 WHIP. and 16 saves. Time to revise free agent contract projections downward! (Hand is now a free agent after Guardians then declined the $10M option and paid $1M buyout.)

 

Christopher Smith

@smittyonmlb

·

9h

Brad Hand clearing waivers is ridiculous. $10M for a shutdown closer. He went 16 for 16 in saves w/ 2.05 ERA. I understand teams suffering significant revenue losses and it may continue next year if no vaccine is available. But this is a very bad sign for offseason spending

 

Chris Cotillo

@chriscotillo

·

24m

PSA: Do not underestimate how absolutely brutal this winter is going to be for free agents.

 

Jon Couture

@joncouture

·

28m

If you thought the MLBPA was mad about the free-agent market before, wait until you see them after this offseason.

[Kimmi]

FTR, I am opposed to signing a reliever for $10 mil a year under normal circumstances. The fact that it would only be for year makes it a little easier to accept, but still too much, IMO.

 

Since no team claimed him, it looks as though he will be signed for less than $10 mil a year.

 

The Sox should definitely look into it. No more than 2 years.

[mvp 78]

Some early opinions regarding this year's free agent market.

 

Jon Heyman

@jonheyman

·

28m

Not one team claimed Brad Hand for $10M. He was a top 3 finalist for AL reliever of the year with a 0.77 WHIP. and 16 saves. Time to revise free agent contract projections downward! (Hand is now a free agent after Guardians then declined the $10M option and paid $1M buyout.)

 

Christopher Smith

@smittyonmlb

·

9h

Brad Hand clearing waivers is ridiculous. $10M for a shutdown closer. He went 16 for 16 in saves w/ 2.05 ERA. I understand teams suffering significant revenue losses and it may continue next year if no vaccine is available. But this is a very bad sign for offseason spending

 

Chris Cotillo

@chriscotillo

·

24m

PSA: Do not underestimate how absolutely brutal this winter is going to be for free agents.

 

Jon Couture

@joncouture

·

28m

If you thought the MLBPA was mad about the free-agent market before, wait until you see them after this offseason.

 

Collusion

[Kimmi]

Collusion

 

Possibly.

 

I am very interested to see how the market plays out this year.

 

I'm thinking that many players will opt for 1-2 year contracts to see how things look once the whole pandemic thing clears up.

[Bellhorn04]

Collusion

 

With side orders of pandemic-related losses and uncertainty about 2021.

[moonslav59]

If the contracts are going to be "brutal," maybe this is the time to pounce. We may be the only team looking to spend large.

 

Maybe there will be a lot of one year deals.

[harmony]

If the contracts are going to be "brutal," maybe this is the time to pounce. We may be the only team looking to spend large.

 

Maybe there will be a lot of one year deals.

Many arbitration-eligible players may be non-tendered on December 2 because the collapsed market may provide cheaper options.

 

Or not.

 

In light of recent reported option decisions, the Red Sox are unlikely to exercise the team option on lefthander Martin Perez.

[dgalehouse]

Many arbitration-eligible players may be non-tendered on December 2 because the collapsed market may provide cheaper options.

 

Or not.

 

In light of recent reported option decisions, the Red Sox are unlikely to exercise the team option on lefthander Martin Perez.

Perez is nothing much . He looked good only in comparison to the other jabronis on the staff. Let him go.

[harmony]

Perez is nothing much . He looked good only in comparison to the other jabronis on the staff. Let him go.

In a normal offseason a "nothing much" pitcher who did not miss a start would be worth the net $5.75 million option.

 

This is not a normal offseason.

[moonslav59]

In a normal offseason a "nothing much" pitcher who did not miss a start would be worth the net $5.75 million option.

 

This is not a normal offseason.

 

Makes you wonder how much a guy like Porcello will get.

[harmony]

Makes you wonder how much a guy like Porcello will get.

The free agent market is likely to be flooded with non-tenders on December 2. Perhaps fewer than half of arbitration-eligible players will be tendered contracts. The percentage could be even lower.

 

Players are facing a dismal offseason.

[Larry Cook]

Cardinals are letting wong go.

 

He could solve our hole at 2nd base.

[harmony]

The Red Sox' 40-man roster up to 37 after today's moves:

 

https://twitter.com/bradfo/status/1322568128132513793/photo/1

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Elq0sgAXYAESQd1?format=png&name=large

[notin]

The free agent market is likely to be flooded with non-tenders on December 2. Perhaps fewer than half of arbitration-eligible players will be tendered contracts. The percentage could be even lower.

 

Players are facing a dismal offseason.

 

The talking heads on Sirius MLB Network predicted this about 6 weeks ago.

 

They also said Boston would be one of very few teams to spend...

[notin]

The free agent market is likely to be flooded with non-tenders on December 2. Perhaps fewer than half of arbitration-eligible players will be tendered contracts. The percentage could be even lower.

 

Players are facing a dismal offseason.

 

One odd prediction - more players sign with NPB, Pacific Coast and KBO teams than in any previous off-season.

[Kimmi]

If the contracts are going to be "brutal," maybe this is the time to pounce. We may be the only team looking to spend large.

 

Maybe there will be a lot of one year deals.

 

One of the writers made a good point against the Sox spending large. The Sox laid off a lot of employees during the pandemic due to 'financial hardship'. How would it look if they turned around and spend really big on players after that?

 

I'm not saying they won't spend. I'm just saying this is a good point to keep in mind, not only for the Sox, but for all other teams who have let many employees go.

[moonslav59]

One of the writers made a good point against the Sox spending large. The Sox laid off a lot of employees during the pandemic due to 'financial hardship'. How would it look if they turned around and spend really big on players after that?

 

I'm not saying they won't spend. I'm just saying this is a good point to keep in mind, not only for the Sox, but for all other teams who have let many employees go.

 

It's all about winning.

 

Many people will be hired or hired back once things get rolling again- hopefully sooner than later.

[notin]

One of the writers made a good point against the Sox spending large. The Sox laid off a lot of employees during the pandemic due to 'financial hardship'. How would it look if they turned around and spend really big on players after that?

 

I'm not saying they won't spend. I'm just saying this is a good point to keep in mind, not only for the Sox, but for all other teams who have let many employees go.

 

Eh.

 

Remember when the Yankees cut the corporate dental plan do they could sign Hideki Matsui?

[cp176]

If the the Sox put the "right players" on the field which leads to the seats being filled, then all employees will be happy again.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hand not getting picked up is ominous for the players. This absolutely opens up the chance that the top guys take single year deals.

[moonslav59]

Hand not getting picked up is ominous for the players. This absolutely opens up the chance that the top guys take single year deals.

 

They should- in hopes that things turn around and next winter is a better market situation.