Who should the Sox have play CF on opening day?

[mvp 78]

I don’t think an OPS of 3.000 makes much difference. Usually only maybe one bench spot is open in spring training, and no one gives those spots to prospects, since it’s a waste of service time.

 

Duran’s only hope in ST is if the Sox decide he is the immediate answer in CF...

 

That's why I put the last part in. He's only coming up when he's going to be the starter.

[moonslav59]

Exactly

[mvp 78]

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Brewers are "in the mix" with free agent outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Astros are reportedly out and the Mets appear to be pivoting with no clarity on the DH, so that leaves room for a surprise team to swoop in. The Red Sox continue to stay in touch, so a reunion remains within the realm of possibility. As of now, the Brewers project to have Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Avisail Garcia across their outfield, though there's been at least some degree of trade chatter with Cain. Barring that, we could see a lot of Garcia on the bench.

[moonslav59]

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Brewers are "in the mix" with free agent outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Astros are reportedly out and the Mets appear to be pivoting with no clarity on the DH, so that leaves room for a surprise team to swoop in. The Red Sox continue to stay in touch, so a reunion remains within the realm of possibility. As of now, the Brewers project to have Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Avisail Garcia across their outfield, though there's been at least some degree of trade chatter with Cain. Barring that, we could see a lot of Garcia on the bench.

 

I wonder how much the Brewers would pay of Cain’s salary, plus maybe throwing in a prospect.

[notin]

I wonder how much the Brewers would pay of Cain’s salary, plus maybe throwing in a prospect.

 

Cain has 2 years $35 million left. He's also 35. So it had better be a whole lot or they need to include a pretty tantalizing prospect (which is not exactly something they have a lot of)...

[mvp 78]

Cain has 2 years $35 million left. He's also 35. So it had better be a whole lot or they need to include a pretty tantalizing prospect (which is not exactly something they have a lot of)...

 

If they aren't paying JBJ 2/14, there's no way they are swinging a trade for Cain. I don't see the Brewers eating $20M.

[notin]

If they aren't paying JBJ 2/14, there's no way they are swinging a trade for Cain. I don't see the Brewers eating $20M.

 

Or why the Brewers are interested in JBJ, as they have Yelich, Cain and Avisail Garcia already...

[notin]

The A's DFA'd CF Dustin Fowler, who should get claimed.

 

Fowler's MLB OPS is only .610, but also only in 203 PA.

 

In AAA, his OPS was .842. If nothing else, he could be a cheap stopgap until Duran...

[mvp 78]

Or why the Brewers are interested in JBJ, as they have Yelich, Cain and Avisail Garcia already...

 

Every teams needs a 4th OFer.

[mvp 78]

The A's DFA'd CF Dustin Fowler, who should get claimed.

 

Fowler's MLB OPS is only .610, but also only in 203 PA.

 

In AAA, his OPS was .842. If nothing else, he could be a cheap stopgap until Duran...

 

WOO fans would like him.

[notin]

WOO fans would like him.

 

Maybe so.

 

His OPS of .610 seems low, but after 204 PA, even Pedroia only had an OPS of .636. Those first 203 PA are not always representative.

 

Of course, if Oakland thought he might turn into even a fraction of Pedroia, they might not have DFA'd him...

[notin]

Every teams needs a 4th OFer.

 

Can the Brewers afford to have a Boras client as their fourth OF?

[mvp 78]

Maybe so.

 

His OPS of .610 seems low, but after 204 PA, even Pedroia only had an OPS of .636. Those first 203 PA are not always representative.

 

Of course, if Oakland thought he might turn into even a fraction of Pedroia, they might not have DFA'd him...

 

Guys like that are really low risk/low reward signings. It's not like there is a bevy of OF prospects that Fowler would get in the way of.

[mvp 78]

Can the Brewers afford to have a Boras client as their fourth OF?

 

Is the Boras part of the equation the reason he's not signed anywhere?

[Swiharts Ghost]

Is the Boras part of the equation the reason he's not signed anywhere?

 

At this point it seems like Boston has a 1 year deal in the 6 million range if someone wants to beat it he’s gone .Boston has JBJ in rear view unless Brewers are offering something insulting like 2 or 3 million .

[mvp 78]

At this point it seems like Boston has a 1 year deal in the 6 million range if someone wants to beat it he’s gone .Boston has JBJ in rear view unless Brewers are offering something insulting like 2 or 3 million .

 

Like with all Boras clients, there are a lot of teams "showing interest" in JBJ. However, it's hard to say what the extent of the interest is. If the Astros and Mets are out, it seems like the higher bidders aren't interested. Maybe the Sox can swoop in and offer 2/12?

[Elktonnick]

Like with all Boras clients, there are a lot of teams "showing interest" in JBJ. However, it's hard to say what the extent of the interest is. If the Astros and Mets are out, it seems like the higher bidders aren't interested. Maybe the Sox can swoop in and offer 2/12?

 

Why go that much?

[moonslav59]

$5M/1 was what I said I'd go, but I never expected it might be close to what he ends up getting.

 

I wouldn't mind getting him, if we didn't go over the tax line to do it, but I'd also like to keep some type of pool money for the deadline.

 

That would mean we'd have to trade some salary to do it. I don't see this happening.

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

Why go that much?

 

I guess what you're saying is 'don't outbid ourselves'.

 

To me Bradley is a pretty solid value at 2/12.

[mvp 78]

I guess what you're saying is 'don't outbid ourselves'.

 

To me Bradley is a pretty solid value at 2/12.

 

That was my thinking. Seems like 2/12 makes sense. We also don't know if JBJ has turned down other offers or what else has been on the table. Seems like 2/12 would be far below his asking price. Also, it's cheap enough dollars where it doesn't really impact the team much if Duran/Francy/Verdugo become the opening day starters next season.

[mvp 78]

$5M/1 was what I said I'd go, but I never expected it might be close to what he ends up getting.

 

I wouldn't mind getting him, if we didn't go over the tax line to do it, but I'd also like to keep some type of pool money for the deadline.

 

That would mean we'd have to trade some salary to do it. I don't see this happening.

 

 

I don't see the point in worrying about pool money at the deadline. If they are buyers at the deadline, they should go all in rather than just picking up an extra 2-3M.

[mvp 78]

I like JBJ too, but think Pillar could sign for less money on a shorter deal. I originally thought JBJ could sign for 2/12-14M. Other places think he'll get a 3rd year and maybe even more money. In this market, I think JBJ won't get much more than my original prediction.

 

^ From November.

[moonslav59]

I don't see the point in worrying about pool money at the deadline. If they are buyers at the deadline, they should go all in rather than just picking up an extra 2-3M.

 

Maybe you're right.

 

We could easily sell off a few pieces at the deadline to get under the tax line, if it looks like we have no chance as a ring.

 

My main concern is this: I'm firmly in the camp of the playoffs are NOT a crap shoot. I'm more interested in our long term outlook being brighter, and that includes the finances and the liklihood of needing to reset one year later, if we don't go over, this year that to go all out to barely make the last wild card slot and either miss out of lose early in the playoffs. I like our chances way better in 2023 and 2024 than 2021.

 

Fans might get really upset, if we are just a few games ahead or behind the last wild card slot at the deadline, and trade a healthy ERod and/or Barnes to get under the tax line, even though I'd probably be for the idea.

 

I do think there is a slight chance this team puts it all together, like 2013, and nearly everyone is healthy and doing well. Sale comes back and looks strong, and we look like we could be serious October contenders, then, I'd be fine with staying over the line and maybe even becoming buyers. Leaving that door open is a good plan. I'm not all that pessimistic about 2021.

 

My issue is what we do, if we look pretty good but not great, and we end up buying when we should have sold.

[moonslav59]

Had we not signed Marwin or Sawamura, signing JBJ could have been much easier, financially.

[notin]

Had we not signed Marwin or Sawamura, signing JBJ could have been much easier, financially.

 

I'm more OK with Sawamura, dspite his being a compelte mystery to me. At least he was brought in to address pitching.

 

Gonzalez is just a bench bat. Is he really even any better than Yairo Munoz?

[mvp 78]

Maybe you're right.

 

We could easily sell off a few pieces at the deadline to get under the tax line, if it looks like we have no chance as a ring.

 

My main concern is this: I'm firmly in the camp of the playoffs are NOT a crap shoot. I'm more interested in our long term outlook being brighter, and that includes the finances and the liklihood of needing to reset one year later, if we don't go over, this year that to go all out to barely make the last wild card slot and either miss out of lose early in the playoffs. I like our chances way better in 2023 and 2024 than 2021.

 

Fans might get really upset, if we are just a few games ahead or behind the last wild card slot at the deadline, and trade a healthy ERod and/or Barnes to get under the tax line, even though I'd probably be for the idea.

 

I do think there is a slight chance this team puts it all together, like 2013, and nearly everyone is healthy and doing well. Sale comes back and looks strong, and we look like we could be serious October contenders, then, I'd be fine with staying over the line and maybe even becoming buyers. Leaving that door open is a good plan. I'm not all that pessimistic about 2021.

 

My issue is what we do, if we look pretty good but not great, and we end up buying when we should have sold.

 

If they are close to contention, why would they be sellers unless the return was really good? I don't think a trade of Barnes moves the meter either way.

 

If they are good, holding onto ERod for the rest of the season doesn't ruin your outlook. I wouldn't start dumping a bunch of prospects to get a reliever. I don't think they'd do that anyway.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm more OK with Sawamura, dspite his being a compelte mystery to me. At least he was brought in to address pitching.

 

I'm totally OK with it. AAV of $1.5 million. Why would anyone not be OK with it?

[mvp 78]

I'm more OK with Sawamura, dspite his being a compelte mystery to me. At least he was brought in to address pitching.

 

Gonzalez is just a bench bat. Is he really even any better than Yairo Munoz?

 

Yes, he has a much better track record than Munoz. Could Munoz leap him this year?

[mvp 78]

I'm totally OK with it. AAV of $1.5 million. Why would anyone not be OK with it?

 

You care if you are a luxury tax deadender.

[notin]

Yes, he has a much better track record than Munoz. Could Munoz leap him this year?

 

Yes.

 

How much of Marwin's offensice track record was helped out by garbage can thumping? Since leaving Houston, his OPS+ is 87. Munoz' is 98.

 

So yes, Munoz could leap him this year, if you don't think he already has.

 

Now as a switch hitter, Gonzalez does provide a LHH bat for the bench, which some talking heads have called a need for this team. In that regard, as little faith as I have in Marwin, I will concede hit hits left-handed better than Munoz probably would...