2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[moonslav59]

It's a shame that this won't happen during the week while I'm avoiding work.

 

Would that be next week?

[mvp 78]

Would that be next week?

 

Next week I'm on vacation so I hope to be doing something more exciting than posting on here.

[notin]

Next week I'm on vacation so I hope to be doing something more exciting than posting on here.

 

So you'll take the week off and post on other Sox sites?

[harmony]

MLB.com lists the Rule 5 eligible players from each club's Top 30 prospect list (as determined by MLB.com):

 

Rule 5 Draft eligible prospects 2020

WWW.MLB.COM

---

All 30 Major League organizations had some serious decisions to make by Friday. They had until 6 p.m. ET to decide what they would do with their 40-man rosters. Some prospects have earned a coveted spot, some have not and will thus be eligible to be taken by the other

 

Some teams' non-Top 30 prospects have already been protected.

[notin]

MLB.com lists the Rule 5 eligible players from each club's Top 30 prospect list (as determined by MLB.com):

 

Rule 5 Draft eligible prospects 2020

WWW.MLB.COM

---

All 30 Major League organizations had some serious decisions to make by Friday. They had until 6 p.m. ET to decide what they would do with their 40-man rosters. Some prospects have earned a coveted spot, some have not and will thus be eligible to be taken by the other

 

Some teams' non-Top 30 prospects have already been protected.

 

 

It’s not uncommon to leave A-ball players exposed.

 

The Sox have 6 unprotected names, 5 of whom are above A-ball. Hopefully they create room for 2 more on the 40-man roster...

[harmony]

It’s not uncommon to leave A-ball players exposed.

 

The Sox have 6 unprotected names, 5 of whom are above A-ball. Hopefully they create room for 2 more on the 40-man roster...

The Red Sox have more than six unprotected names but only six players are ranked among the club's Top 30 prospects at MLB Pipeline.

[moonslav59]

The complete list:

 

Roldani Baldwin

Eduard Bazardo

Garrett Benge

Seth Blair

Gary Calvo

Pedro Castellanos

Kutter Crawford

Ricardo Cubillan

Enmanuel De Jesus

Chad De La Guerra

Jerry Downs

Jose Espada

Raynel Espinal

Michael Gettys

Rio Gomez

Stephen Gonsalves

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

Kevin McCarthy

Joey Meneses

Johan Mieses

Alexander Montero

Oddanier Mosqueda

Brendan Nail

Brett Netzer

Tanner Nishioka

Josh Ockimey

Michael Osinski

Yorvin Pantoja

Jhonny Pereda

Antonio Police

Hudson Potts

Bobby Poyner

Roniel Raudes

Austin Rei

Denyi Reyes

Jeisson Rosario

Jagger Rusconi

Yasel Santana

Zach Schellinger

Alex Scherff

Connor Seabold

Mike Shawaryn

Caleb Simpson

Kervin Suarez

Jake Thompson

Connor Wong

[moonslav59]

Hunter Renfroe DFA'd by TB. He has averages about 40 Hrs per 660 PAs and is only 28 (.776 career OPS).

 

Orioles designate Renato Nunez. He has a 35 HR per 650 PA rate over the last 2 years combined (.783 OPS)

Edited November 20, 2020 by moonslav59

[harmony]

Red Sox make decisions:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/red-sox-dfa-ryan-weber-matt-hall-kyle-hart.html

[moonslav59]

Kyle Hart cleared waivers and is headed to AAA.

 

Matt Hall and Ryan Weber DFA'd.

 

We added the expected 7 players: Seabold, Mata, Wong, Groome, Rosario, Potts & Bazardo.

[moonslav59]

Our current 40 man roster:

 

Pitchers(21)Sale, ERod, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Houck, Seabold, Mata, Groome, Mazza,

D Hernandez, Barnes, Brasier, Taylor, Brewer, Valdez, Bazardo, Aybar, Brice, Walden, Springs, Stock

 

Catchers (4): Vazquez, Plawecki, Grullon, Wong

 

Infielders(10): Devers, Bogaerts, Dalbec, Arroyo, Munoz, Chavis, Potts, Arauz, Chatham, Pedroia

 

Outfielders (5): Verdugo, Benintendi, JD Martinez (DH), Rosario, Wilson

[moonslav59]

Stock, Hall and Hart will be in first wave of cuts IMO. That gives them 7 spots for the guys we've mentioned. The rest shouldn't be too far behind.

 

So, Weber snuck in over Stock and Springs, but fear not, they will be among the first to go, once trades and free agent additions are made.

[mvp 78]

Kyle Hart cleared waivers and is headed to AAA.

 

Matt Hall and Ryan Weber DFA'd.

 

We added the expected 7 players: Seabold, Mata, Wong, Groome, Rosario, Potts & Bazardo.

Weber is kind of a surprise. They were high on him last year. Got rid of Lakins to keep him.

[mvp 78]

Hart is fine for an org arm.

[moonslav59]

Weber is kind of a surprise. They were high on him last year. Got rid of Lakins to keep him.

 

Like you said, all these guys are very close.

 

To me Lakins and Weber are/were slightly better than 6-7 guys on my bottom of the list.

[notin]

Our current 40 man roster:

 

Pitchers(21)Sale, ERod, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Houck, Seabold, Mata, Groome, Mazza,

D Hernandez, Barnes, Brasier, Taylor, Brewer, Valdez, Bazardo, Aybar, Brice, Walden, Springs, Stock

 

Catchers (4): Vazquez, Plawecki, Grullon, Wong

 

Infielders(10): Devers, Bogaerts, Dalbec, Arroyo, Munoz, Chavis, Potts, Arauz, Chatham, Pedroia

 

Outfielders (5): Verdugo, Benintendi, JD Martinez (DH), Rosario, Wilson

 

So either more DFAs to come or the Sox will not be making a Rule 5 draft pick this year...

[moonslav59]

So either more DFAs to come or the Sox will not be making a Rule 5 draft pick this year...

 

I guess it depends on who other teams left unprotected, but with a high pick in the draft and such a weak bottom of the roster, it seems like we will be taking someone- maybe even two.

 

A lot depends on how many ML level free agents we plan on signing, too.

[moonslav59]

We can be pretty sure Pedey will open up a slot, so that's one.

 

I still see 7-8 bubble players that may be DFA'd or traded:

Stock

Springs

Brice

Aybar

Walden

Wilson (assuming we sign 1-2 OF'ers)

Arauz or Chatham

 

I'm also thinking we trade Chavis, and to me, I'm not all that high on Mazza, Brewer, Valdez and Bazardo. I think we keep all 4 catchers.

[notin]

I guess it depends on who other teams left unprotected, but with a high pick in the draft and such a weak bottom of the roster, it seems like we will be taking someone- maybe even two.

 

A lot depends on how many ML level free agents we plan on signing, too.

 

We have to DFA someone first.

 

You cannot make a Rule 5 selection unless you have an open 40 man roster spot...

[moonslav59]

We have to DFA someone first.

 

You cannot make a Rule 5 selection unless you have an open 40 man roster spot...

 

Yes, of course.

 

It could be time to cut Pedey loose, but that can wait until a FA signing.

[harmony]

According to MLB Trade Rumors, no team in the AL East has an open slot on a 40-man roster:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/40-man-roster-roundup.html

 

NL East teams combine for 15 open roster slots and the AL West 11 open roster slots.

[oldtimer]

I guess it depends on who other teams left unprotected, but with a high pick in the draft and such a weak bottom of the roster, it seems like we will be taking someone- maybe even two.

 

A lot depends on how many ML level free agents we plan on signing, too.

 

Am I correct in thinking whoever we might pick up would have to remain on the 26 man all year or we would have to offer to return him to the original team and lose $50k in the deal? Do we really think there are many out there who we would be enticed to take under those conditions when very few of our own rule 5 guys might fit that approach. Maybe Mata, who else?

[oldtimer]

We can be pretty sure Pedey will open up a slot, so that's one.

 

I still see 7-8 bubble players that may be DFA'd or traded:

Stock

Springs

Brice

Aybar

Walden

Wilson (assuming we sign 1-2 OF'ers)

Arauz or Chatham

 

I'm also thinking we trade Chavis, and to me, I'm not all that high on Mazza, Brewer, Valdez and Bazardo. I think we keep all 4 catchers.

Next deadline is for non-tendering on Dec. 2nd. We shall see. I expect we acquire through trades and FA 1 or 2 starters and at least 2 relievers, plus possibly a center fielder and a second baseman. Maybe we lose 6 more guys from our 40 man. Depending how many we get, we might have to offer some current roster guys in trade. As you point out, Chavis could be one, Grullon another and even Beni could go for the right deal. I'll sit back and await management moves. So far so good.

[notin]

I think when it comes to guys like Brice, Walden, Springs, Stock, Mazza, and Brewer, the argument isn’t about why the Sox should release any or all of them; it’s about why the Sox the Sox should keep any or all of them...

[Bellhorn04]

I think when it comes to guys like Brice, Walden, Springs, Stock, Mazza, and Brewer, the argument isn’t about why the Sox should release any or all of them; it’s about why the Sox the Sox should keep any or all of them...

 

Well, in a perfect world you might keep a couple of them as back-end-of-pen fodder.

[notin]

Well, in a perfect world you might keep a couple of them as back-end-of-pen fodder.

 

Or Pawtucket depth.

 

But really, all of these guys - and I should have added Valdez to the list - have track records that indicates they are more likely to be problems than solutions. And recent success in a short season doesn’t change this.

 

The pitcher the Sox brought in last year with the best track record was Zack Godley, and he completely flopped. I don’t expect that a few good innings from Springs or Brice change much about them as pitchers either.

 

But in Pawtucket where they can be called up as an injury replacement, fine. That’s really what these guys all are...

[moonslav59]

Am I correct in thinking whoever we might pick up would have to remain on the 26 man all year or we would have to offer to return him to the original team and lose $50k in the deal? Do we really think there are many out there who we would be enticed to take under those conditions when very few of our own rule 5 guys might fit that approach. Maybe Mata, who else?

 

Yes, anybody we draft on rule 5 has to stay on our 26 man roster (or the IL) all season. We did that with Arauz, this year. With such weak roster depth, I'd bet we do it this year. Maybe teams protected more players, this year as the non tendered list grew in these economically uncertain times, so the "right type" of player is not out there.

 

With building the farm up a high priority, drafting a rule 5 player is one way to add youth and promise to our roster, even if it is a Groome, Potts or Seabold type.

 

Having a 26 man roster vs 25 might encourage more rule 5 draftees, too.

 

I'm no expert on prospects, especially those on other teams, but our roster has plenty of holes, and I could see us drafting 2 rule 5's. (We can always send one or both back or trade them.)

[moonslav59]

Next deadline is for non-tendering on Dec. 2nd. We shall see. I expect we acquire through trades and FA 1 or 2 starters and at least 2 relievers, plus possibly a center fielder and a second baseman. Maybe we lose 6 more guys from our 40 man. Depending how many we get, we might have to offer some current roster guys in trade. As you point out, Chavis could be one, Grullon another and even Beni could go for the right deal. I'll sit back and await management moves. So far so good.

 

I think we add 4 players at the bare bones minimum and more likely 6-7 players (SP, Closer, 2 more pitchers, CF, 2B and maybe an OF/2B type)

 

With Dalbec in the fold, I do think we should trade Chavis, but our 1B depth is weak. (Could Moreland come back?)

 

I could see us trading Beni, but his stock seems lower than his promise of a bounce-back,so maybe he could be a summer trade candidate.

 

4 catchers might seem like too much, but Vaz only has 2 years of control and might even be a trade candidate, himself.

 

If we add 1-2 OF'ers, I am pretty certain Wilson is DFA'd. (He might even not be claimed and become some AAA depth for us.)

 

If we add a 2Bman or two (2B/Of'er type), we may DFA or trade Chatham, Aybar or Arauz. I think we keep Arroyo and Munoz.

 

The vast majority of DFA candidates are pitchers. Some may be good enough to trade for non 40 man roster types, but other temas are looking to do the same thing we are- lessening the 40 man roster numbers, so they can sign FAs or trade for ML level players. Would anyone trade for Brice, Springs, Stock or even Mazza, Brewer, Walden , Aybar or Vladez?

Edited November 21, 2020 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

I think when it comes to guys like Brice, Walden, Springs, Stock, Mazza, and Brewer, the argument isn’t about why the Sox should release any or all of them; it’s about why the Sox the Sox should keep any or all of them...

 

If we sign 3-5 pitchers, like we should, none will be here.

 

One could even add Aybar and Valdez to your list.

[moonslav59]

Well, in a perfect world you might keep a couple of them as back-end-of-pen fodder.

 

1-3 may not be claimed and can become minor league depth- or other pitchers just like them.

 

None are clearly 40 man roster have-to-be's.