2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[mvp 78]

So that's a no to Bauer.

[moonslav59]

So that's a no to Bauer.

 

I kinda hope so.

 

1. He is not as good as other top FA starters signed in recent years.

2. Now is not the time to go big on the best player on the market.

3. He would likely take up too much of our winter spending allotment. We have too many weak spots and pretty bad full roster depth.

 

 

[notin]

I kinda hope so.

 

1. He is not as good as other top FA starters signed in recent years.

2. Now is not the time to go big on the best player on the market.

3. He would likely take up too much of our winter spending allotment. We have too many weak spots and pretty bad full roster depth.

 

 

 

I did not like Price for a 7 year $200+ mill contract, and Bauer is not as good as Price was at the time...

[kenmeister]

We have too many weak spots and pretty bad full roster depth.

 

 

And, may I add, it's already January 8th. This offseason is killing me.

[moonslav59]

I did not like Price for a 7 year $200+ mill contract, and Bauer is not as good as Price was at the time...

 

I was okay with the Price signing, because we needed an ace, and Price, at that time, was about one of the best that had been available in years (along with Scherzer before).

 

The way the Price signing worked out, signing Bauer looks like an even bigger mistake, although I try to avoid taking positions based on one bad deal. (Not really "one" either.)

[moonslav59]

And, may I add, it's already January 8th. This offseason is killing me.

 

Me, too.

 

Unlike many Sox fans, I really enjoy off season Sox news. I don't enjoy no news.

[Bellhorn04]

Me, too.

 

Unlike many Sox fans, I really enjoy off season Sox news. I don't enjoy no news.

 

I believe the news is going to start picking up very soon. Maybe the Sox are waiting to see Kluber pitch to start executing their real plan. Let's hope.

[notin]

I was okay with the Price signing, because we needed an ace, and Price, at that time, was about one of the best that had been available in years (along with Scherzer before).

 

The way the Price signing worked out, signing Bauer looks like an even bigger mistake, although I try to avoid taking positions based on one bad deal. (Not really "one" either.)

 

 

I’d rather trade for an ace and get them before their prime years, rather than use free agency to pay a pitcher in his 30s for the career he had in his 20s. But trading for an ace does require a farm system. But I liked the Sale trade a lot more than the Price signing...

[moonslav59]

I’d rather trade for an ace and get them before their prime years, rather than use free agency to pay a pitcher in his 30s for the career he had in his 20s. But trading for an ace does require a farm system. But I liked the Sale trade a lot more than the Price signing...

 

Indeed.

 

Same with the Pedro trade.

 

Do you think Taillon could be an ace?

 

He might be the best we can expect without giving away the whole farm.

 

(On the BTV site, I've done numerous suggested trades with us getting him. The one I like the best is Philly getting Vaz, Pitt getting Abel from Philly and Ward from us, and we get Taillon.)

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I’d rather trade for an ace and get them before their prime years, rather than use free agency to pay a pitcher in his 30s for the career he had in his 20s. But trading for an ace does require a farm system. But I liked the Sale trade a lot more than the Price signing...

 

I still like the Sale trade more, adding a bonafide ace without having to deal any MLB players from an already-first-place team. That was a rare opportunity, and one -- in retrospect -- too easy to take for granted when your team is on top.

 

Price helped stabilize the staff his first year, and played a big part turning a doormat into a division winner -- but remember, it was Porcello who won the Cy Young, and Steven Wright who was an All-Star. It's arguable that Price was worth it for three quality starts in October of 2018, but even the Red Sox admitted his contract was too-much/too-long when they agreed to pay LA to take him -- and had to throw in a Hall of Famer about to enter his prime -- to get it done.

[Bellhorn04]

Price helped stabilize the staff his first year, and played a big part turning a doormat into a division winner -- but remember, it was Porcello who won the Cy Young, and Steven Wright who was an All-Star. It's arguable that Price was worth it for three quality starts in October of 2018, but even the Red Sox admitted his contract was too-much/too-long when they agreed to pay LA to take him -- and had to throw in a Hall of Famer about to enter his prime -- to get it done.

 

If you really believe that's how it went down, you've probably been brooding about the trade a little too much.

[harmony]

Indeed.

 

Same with the Pedro trade.

 

Do you think Taillon could be an ace?

 

He might be the best we can expect without giving away the whole farm.

 

(On the BTV site, I've done numerous suggested trades with us getting him. The one I like the best is Philly getting Vaz, Pitt getting Abel from Philly and Ward from us, and we get Taillon.)

FWIW righthander Jameson Taillon has an ERA+ of 112 in 466 career innings while free agent righthander Taijuan Walker, who is nine months younger than Taillon, has an ERA+ of 108 in 581.2 career innings.

 

Since the start of the 2019 season Taillon has an ERA+ of 106 in 37.1 innings while Walker has an ERA+ of 165 in 54.1 innings.

 

Taillon and Walker were taken out of high school in the 2010 draft, Taillon with the second pick and Walker with the 43rd pick. The Baseball America Top 100 prospects lists ranked Taillon and Walker No. 15 and No. 20 in 2012, No. 19 and and No. 18 in 2013 and No. 22 and No. 11 in 2014.

 

Taillon has undergone Tommy John surgery twice and Walker once; Taillon also had surgery for testicular cancer.

 

Baseball Reference lists Taillon at 6-5, 230 pounds and Walker at 6-4, 235 pounds. Combined, they're Taijuan Taillon.

Edited January 9, 2021 by harmony

[notin]

Indeed.

 

Same with the Pedro trade.

 

Do you think Taillon could be an ace?

 

He might be the best we can expect without giving away the whole farm.

 

(On the BTV site, I've done numerous suggested trades with us getting him. The one I like the best is Philly getting Vaz, Pitt getting Abel from Philly and Ward from us, and we get Taillon.)

 

 

Taillon might never be an ace, and certainly never a reliable one. He’s an upgrade. A serious one with a great pedigree (drafted in between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado) and some MLB success.

 

Per BTV, a fair trade is Taillon and Polanco for Groome and another, like Brayan Bello. But there are some options.

 

But the points are:

 

1. Should the Sox take on Polanco? He was an exit velocity monster last season, but even more of a swing and miss monster. Also, I would not trust him in CF.

 

2. Would you trade Groome for Taillon? Both have strong similarities, like top tier talent and severe struggles staying on the mound...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If you really believe that's how it went down, you've probably been brooding about the trade a little too much.

 

There was never I doubt I wouldn't be, before it even happened.

[moonslav59]

Taillon might never be an ace, and certainly never a reliable one. He’s an upgrade. A serious one with a great pedigree (drafted in between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado) and some MLB success.

 

Per BTV, a fair trade is Taillon and Polanco for Groome and another, like Brayan Bello. But there are some options.

 

But the points are:

 

1. Should the Sox take on Polanco? He was an exit velocity monster last season, but even more of a swing and miss monster. Also, I would not trust him in CF.

 

2. Would you trade Groome for Taillon? Both have strong similarities, like top tier talent and severe struggles staying on the mound...

 

Would you do...

 

Vaz to PHI, Ward, Wong & Abel (from PHI) to PIT and Taillon & Stalling to BOS?

[notin]

Would you do...

 

Vaz to PHI, Ward, Wong & Abel (from PHI) to PIT and Taillon & Stalling to BOS?

 

I am not so sure Pitt would...

[a700hitter]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/npbs-rakuten-golden-eagles-sign-rusney-castillo.html

 

$72 million flushed down the toilet.

[moonslav59]

I am not so sure Pitt would...

 

Maybe not. I'd add more, if needed, like maybe Groome, Chavis or Chatham.

[Kimmi]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/npbs-rakuten-golden-eagles-sign-rusney-castillo.html

 

$72 million flushed down the toilet.

 

As I've said before, this move was on my man Ben, not on Lucchino.

 

Rusney was put in a terrible situation here, victim of the dreaded luxury tax.

 

I wish him the best.

[Sox75]

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/01/red-sox-trade-rumors-boston-in-serious-trade-talks-with-multiple-teams-involving-andrew-benintendi-report.html

 

So... If the Sox do end up dealing Benintendi, how much sense does the Hunter Renfroe signing make? Renfrone was ostensibly brought in to platoon in LF with Beni?

If not, I just don't see him having a ton of value with the Sox?

[jacksonianmarch]

Renfroe is a swing and miss, hit it a mile RHH outfielder. He has more potential, IMO, than Beni, but Beni has the higher likelihood of reaching it in 2021

[oldtimer]

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/01/red-sox-trade-rumors-boston-in-serious-trade-talks-with-multiple-teams-involving-andrew-benintendi-report.html

 

So... If the Sox do end up dealing Benintendi, how much sense does the Hunter Renfroe signing make? Renfrone was ostensibly brought in to platoon in LF with Beni?

If not, I just don't see him having a ton of value with the Sox?

 

Beni is on the trade block since Sox management don't project him as a sure bet to have a good 2021. Regardless of what happens with Beni, the Sox still need a CF. Renfroe was brought in as a right hand power hitter, since our entire outfield were lefties, and he can fill that bill for us. From my understanding Renfroe can play left of right field. I am hoping Bloom makes other moves soon so we can see where we are headed.

[notin]

Renfroe is a swing and miss, hit it a mile RHH outfielder. He has more potential, IMO, than Beni, but Beni has the higher likelihood of reaching it in 2021

 

The Sox can replace Beni easy enough.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Sox can replace Beni easy enough.

 

Very true. You can actually improve from him easily enough. His whole allure is about promise, and as the years move along, the promise dips. His foot speed dropping from the 85th percentile to 43rd percentile over 3 years which will also limit his ceiling as it firmly plants him in a COF spot. I am wondering if Bloom thinks selling right now is not selling as low as Beni can go in 2021

[moonslav59]

Beni still has a chance to put up some great offensive numbers.

 

I've never been a big Beni fan, but selling low seems a bit rash.

[harmony]

Beni still has a chance to put up some great offensive numbers.

 

 

I've never been a big Beni fan, but selling low seems a bit rash.

A Seattle blogger proposed a Mariner trade for Andrew Benintendi:

 

https://sodomojo.com/2021/01/10/seattle-mariners-andrew-benintendi/

 

Count me among M's fans who are irrationally attached to Sam Carlson, a 22-year-old one-time second-round draft pick whose college and professional experience is limited to three innings at the rookie level in 2017.

 

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/missing-3-seasons-to-injury-and-the-pandemic-the-mariners-sam-carlson-is-patient-and-regaining-his-confidence/

 

As a side note, earlier this month I lambasted other trade proposals by the same Seattle blogger. Remorse set in when I read to bio of the young blogger, who had just graduated from college last spring after playing four years of Division III baseball. The coincidence was that in the nearly baseball-less 2020, the blogger played in a college game I attended in person pre-pandemic in February. I don't recall him specifically.

[harmony]

Trevor Bauer offers his offseason criteria in this 14-minute video:

 

[mvp 78]

As I've said before, this move was on my man Ben, not on Lucchino.

 

Rusney was put in a terrible situation here, victim of the dreaded luxury tax.

 

I wish him the best.

It was a make up move for not signing Abreu that offseason.

[moonslav59]

It was a make up move for not signing Abreu that offseason.

 

On of our biggest "what ifs" of the last few years: what if we had signed Abreu not Castillo.

 

Another was Scherzer not HRam & Pablo.

 

Yes, all were not the same year, but wow, 2 big what ifs...

[mvp 78]

On of our biggest "what ifs" of the last few years: what if we had signed Abreu not Castillo.

 

Another was Scherzer not HRam & Pablo.

 

Yes, all were not the same year, but wow, 2 big what ifs...

 

"Oh, they aren't signing Lester because they will use that money on Scherzer." LOL Nope.

 

"Sox have no 1b of note in the minors. Napoli is gone soon enough. Sox need a young 1b. Why not sign Abreu?" LOL Nope.