2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[Elktonnick]

If they can pull off a full NFL season, I don't see why they can't pull off a full MLB season that doesn't start for another 3-4 months.

 

Logistics! NFL teams don't move but once a week. Baseball teams move several times a week is one of the reasons. The NFL plays 18 regular season game. If MLB played 18 games then there would be no issue.

[Sox75]

https://nesn.com/2020/12/mlb-rumors-latest-on-red-soxs-pursuit-of-superstar-korean-shortstop/

 

We need to lurk harder!

 

Kim emerged as a star during his seven seasons in South Korea’s KBO League. He hit .306 with 30 homers, 109 RBIs, 23 stolen bases and 75 walks last season for the Kiwoom Heroes.

 

Apples to oranges , but I like the risk reward!

Edited December 28, 2020 by Sox75

[Bellhorn04]

Logistics! NFL teams don't move but once a week. Baseball teams move several times a week is one of the reasons. The NFL plays 18 regular season game. If MLB played 18 games then there would be no issue.

 

So what about the NBA?

[harmony]

Would a Tampa Bay signing of catcher Kevan Smith to minor league contract lessen the Rays' rumored interest in Christian Vazquez?

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/rays-nearing-deal-with-kevan-smith.html

Would the Tampa Bay trade for catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt lessen the Rays' rumored interest in Christian Vazquez?

Edited December 28, 2020 by harmony

[Elktonnick]

So what about the NBA?

 

MLB network's Brian Kenny led a panel discussion last week or so. MLB presents different logistical issues than either the NHL, NBA or NFL. According to the group last season was not as seamless as it appeared. If similar incidents arose in 21 that arose in 20 it would be far more disruptive. MLB was able to compensate for those disruptions because of the severally truncated season and the limited long distance travel gave the league flexibility to adjust. The panel thought attempting a nearly full schedule would severely limit MLB's ability to make in season adjustments. For one thing baseball in order to play a full season every team has to play virtually everyday unlike the other pro leagues. That does not take into account the role of the minor leagues upon which MLB is more co dependent than the NFL and NBA. Notwithstanding the financial issues which are considerable in MLB, the panelist comprised of former ML executives believed that it is totally unrealistic to expect MLB to play a normal schedule in 21 because of both the logistical as well as financial issues. Simply put unless ownership has the incentive of fans in the stands there is little incentive for owners to agree to 162.

[notin]

Would the Tampa Bay trade for catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt less the Rays' rumored interest in Christian Vazquez?

 

Very likely

[moonslav59]

Would the Tampa Bay trade for catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt lessen the Rays' rumored interest in Christian Vazquez?

 

I doubt Vaz goes to TB.

 

Philly maybe.

[notin]

I doubt Vaz goes to TB.

 

Philly maybe.

 

Or St. Louis?

 

Vazquez for Harrison Bader and former top prospect Anthony Reyes? Or CF Lane Thomas and Reyes.

 

Reyes just feels like he could be Boston’s version of Glasgow...

[Bellhorn04]

And of course, there's a strong possibility that Vazquez goes nowhere.

[harmony]

Or St. Louis?

 

Vazquez for Harrison Bader and former top prospect Anthony Reyes? Or CF Lane Thomas and Reyes.

 

Reyes just feels like he could be Boston’s version of Glasgow...

If Christian Vazquez is traded, who is the starting catcher for the 2021 Red Sox? Kevin Plawecki?

[Bellhorn04]

If Christian Vazquez is traded, who is the starting catcher for the 2021 Red Sox? Kevin Plawecki?

 

I think Realmuto is out, so it's a good question.

[notin]

If Christian Vazquez is traded, who is the starting catcher for the 2021 Red Sox? Kevin Plawecki?

 

My “Vazquez as trade bait” scenarios really died out when the Rays signed Zunino.

 

As of now, I think the Sox might have Jeter Downs as their most expendable trade piece...

[moonslav59]

Or St. Louis?

 

Vazquez for Harrison Bader and former top prospect Anthony Reyes? Or CF Lane Thomas and Reyes.

 

Reyes just feels like he could be Boston’s version of Glasgow...

 

STL also has quite a few salary dump players that could be added to make the return much less.

 

STL has a lot of underwater contratcs.

 

Philly has 2Bman Kingery (17.7) or McCutchen (-18.0). I'm not sure how much they'd give us to take on one of those deals.

 

The trade value site accepted these trades:

 

3WAY

 

BOS:

Bader & Fowler from STL

Taillon, Stallings & Frazier from PITT

 

STL: Vaz & Beni

 

Pitt:

Chatham, Bello & Groome from BOS

Herrera & Woodford from STL

 

______________________

 

BOS: Kiermaier, Anderson & Manchan

PHI: Vaz & Beeks

TB: Abel, Bello & Flores

______________________

 

2 WAY

BOS: Eflin, Abel, Matchan, McCutchen or Kingery

PHI: Vaz, Pivetta & Beni

______________________

 

BOS: Hasely, Marchan, V Velasquez

PHI: Vazquez

______________________

 

BOS: Bader, Hudson, Fowler, Knizner

STL: Vaz, Beni, Ward, Groome, Pivetta

 

______________________

 

BOS: Bader, Herrera, Knizner & Fowler

STL: Vaz, Beni & Groome

 

______________________

 

Not accepted:

 

Vaz for Kingery, Hasely, Abel, Marchan & $3M

 

 

Edited December 29, 2020 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

If you think we have complainers about a lack of moves...

 

the fans on the NYY forum I visit are having a ball with those pictures of Cashman snoozing in a sleeping bag - the charity thing he does every year for homeless people.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If you think we have complainers about a lack of moves...

 

the fans on the NYY forum I visit are having a ball with those pictures of Cashman snoozing in a sleeping bag - the charity thing he does every year for homeless people.

 

... so, which is more alarming this winter for Sox fans: free agents choosing states like Texas and California over Massachusetts, or Boston not showing enough re$pect to lure them here. Surely, such professionals wouldn't consider a competitive factor like playing for contenders over a doormat (the Rangers sucked, too).

[jacksonianmarch]

The Sox aren’t in a position to contend yet. Dealing off your limited farm resources does you no good at this point. SD is doing what they’re doing because they have an absolutely stacked farm system, have only one true underwater contract (Hosmer), AND have a stacked big league club.

[Bellhorn04]

The Sox aren’t in a position to contend yet. Dealing off your limited farm resources does you no good at this point. SD is doing what they’re doing because they have an absolutely stacked farm system, have only one true underwater contract (Hosmer), AND have a stacked big league club.

 

Since the season ended, the Rays and Yankees have gotten worse by subtraction. If Bloom makes a few nice pickups we could contend in the AL East.

 

The AL East might be like the NFC East this year...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Sox aren’t in a position to contend yet. Dealing off your limited farm resources does you no good at this point. SD is doing what they’re doing because they have an absolutely stacked farm system, have only one true underwater contract (Hosmer), AND have a stacked big league club.

 

I keep seeing this line, and I will keep insisting they won't be until they add better players.

 

Nobody is advocating the Sox "dealing off" their few good prospects... unless there is a major blockbuster that will improve the club longterm. But that certainly and definitely should be considered if it comes up, because the acquisition of star talent at any position improves a team.

 

Ultimately, the newfound reset resources -- money -- can and should be invested in making the club better. If not, it makes fans suspicious about the commitment of current ownership going forward.

[mvp 78]

Logistics! NFL teams don't move but once a week. Baseball teams move several times a week is one of the reasons. The NFL plays 18 regular season game. If MLB played 18 games then there would be no issue.

 

Just need to rethink the MLB schedule by building in less travel.

[mvp 78]

And of course, there's a strong possibility that Vazquez goes nowhere.

 

Most likely.

[Bellhorn04]

I see no reason whatsoever to be suspicious about the commitment of ownership.

[mvp 78]

If Christian Vazquez is traded, who is the starting catcher for the 2021 Red Sox? Kevin Plawecki?

 

Had they kept Grullon around, it would lead more credence to them moving on from Vaz. Hard to imagine they go into the year with Wong as the backup.

[mvp 78]

I see no reason whatsoever to be suspicious about the commitment of ownership.

 

Ownership just wanted to get under the cap to reset and decided they couldn't afford Mookie (or at least that the terms he was looking for were too restrictive to future spending). They didn't hire Bloom because they don't want to spend going forward. They hired Bloom because they wanted to spend wisely going forward and be able to compete year in and year out rather than doing the first to last rollercoaster that we have seen from 2012 - present.

[Bellhorn04]

Ownership just wanted to get under the cap to reset and decided they couldn't afford Mookie (or at least that the terms he was looking for were too restrictive to future spending). They didn't hire Bloom because they don't want to spend going forward. They hired Bloom because they wanted to spend wisely going forward and be able to compete year in and year out rather than doing the first to last rollercoaster that we have seen from 2012 - present.

 

My thoughts exactly.

[mvp 78]

My thoughts exactly.

 

The easy thing to say is "Henry is cheap. He doesn't want to spend anymore. This is a second rate ballclub." All the chatter about the Sox already losing the Betts trade and that every single day there is no FA signing is an affront to the fanbase just lacks critical thinking.

[Kimmi]

Ownership just wanted to get under the cap to reset and decided they couldn't afford Mookie (or at least that the terms he was looking for were too restrictive to future spending). They didn't hire Bloom because they don't want to spend going forward. They hired Bloom because they wanted to spend wisely going forward and be able to compete year in and year out rather than doing the first to last rollercoaster that we have seen from 2012 - present.

 

100%

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Red Sox are just not good enough to get any good players yet. When they're better in a few years they'll be able to get better players. No sense in adding star players now, when they're not going anywhere. Fans would rather watch a last place team slowly improve to fourth place this year, then third place, and finally contend in three or four seasons. And only then should Boston spend resources on really good baseball players... unless one becomes great, then we'll all be rooting to dump the guy for prospects so we can enjoy another rebuild.

[jacksonianmarch]

2021 is a season of flux. You’ve got to see what you have in Beni after a horrible 2020. Does JDM rebound? ERod is coming off heart inflammation, and after what happened to the Florida basketball player, I’m sure they’re gonna be handling him with kid gloves. Plus, you only have a year of control for him. Sale is gonna start the year on the IL and likely won’t be himself again (if himself still exists) until September. There is zero point in investing heavily in 2021 with so much in the air on an otherwise terrible team.

[Bellhorn04]

2021 is a season of flux. You’ve got to see what you have in Beni after a horrible 2020. Does JDM rebound? ERod is coming off heart inflammation, and after what happened to the Florida basketball player, I’m sure they’re gonna be handling him with kid gloves. Plus, you only have a year of control for him. Sale is gonna start the year on the IL and likely won’t be himself again (if himself still exists) until September. There is zero point in investing heavily in 2021 with so much in the air on an otherwise terrible team.

 

Change a few names, and much the same applies to the Yankees. What's your team right now?

[moonslav59]

Had they kept Grullon around, it would lead more credence to them moving on from Vaz. Hard to imagine they go into the year with Wong as the backup.

 

Word is Pitt is trying to move Stallings ©, Frazier (2B) and a SP'er Musgrove or Taillon.

 

If we can get a third team involved (Philly? STL?) that will send prospects to Pitt along with maybe 1 or 2 second tier prospects from us, maybe we can get what we need without leaving a gaping hole at catcher.