Who Should the Sox Have Play 2B in 2020?

[mvp 78]

Should the Sox go with a guy currently on the roster or get a FA? If so, who?

[moonslav59]

I'm thinking we roll the dice with what we got, and if we are in the race, we may make an Ian Kinsler type move, next summer.

 

Nobody excites me, but the sheer quantity of second baseman on our roster could produce someone who is not a net minus.

 

Arroyo

Chavis

Munoz

Chatham

Arauz

 

 

[mvp 78]

I'm thinking we roll the dice with what we got, and if we are in the race, we may make an Ian Kinsler type move, next summer.

 

Nobody excites me, but the sheer quantity of second baseman on our roster could produce someone who is not a net minus.

 

Arroyo

Chavis

Munoz

Chatham

Arauz

 

 

 

The only real standout names are Wong, LeMahieu and Kim. I don't seem them splurging on the first two. Maybe Kim can be an attractive piece? Do they believe in Downs enough to just wait for him? Maybe they just don't want a long term guy slotted in right now?

[notin]

The only real standout names are Wong, LeMahieu and Kim. I don't seem them splurging on the first two. Maybe Kim can be an attractive piece? Do they believe in Downs enough to just wait for him? Maybe they just don't want a long term guy slotted in right now?

 

They can handle the Downs situation when the time comes. It's note like teams do not change the positions of top prospects at or near the majors to get them in the lineup. (Like moving Mookie to the outfield.) Heck if Bogaerts opts out, there is Downs' new position.

 

I do think they still opt for a COVID bargain, and two guys I like for that are Cesar Hernandez, who is criminally underrated every year by everyone, and Jonathan Schoop, who was Bogaerts' double play partner on the Netherlands National Team in the WBC...

[harmony]

The list does not include free agent and former No. 1 prospect Jurickson Profar, who paired up with Xander Bogaerts on the Netherlands national team:

 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/03/11/baseball/talented-youthful-dutch-squad-no-longer-secret/

 

Profar is the 34th-ranked free agent at MLB Trade Rumors and the 35th-ranked prospect at FanGraphs:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2021.html

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2021-top-50-free-agents/

 

MLB Trade Rumors projects Profar with a one-year, $7 million contract while FanGraphs columnist Craig Edwards projects a two-year, $9 million contract. The FanGraphs crowdsource pegs Profar with a two-year, $15 million contract.

 

A promising team may target Profar:

 

https://theathletic.com/2240359/2020/12/08/mariners-offseason-questions-who-will-play-left-field-in-2021/

[notin]

The list does not include free agent and former No. 1 prospect Jurickson Profar, who paired up with Xander Bogaerts on the Netherlands national team:

 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/03/11/baseball/talented-youthful-dutch-squad-no-longer-secret/

 

Profar is the 34th-ranked free agent at MLB Trade Rumors and the 35th-ranked prospect at FanGraphs:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2021.html

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2021-top-50-free-agents/

 

MLB Trade Rumors projects Profar with a one-year, $7 million contract while FanGraphs columnist Craig Edwards projects a two-year, $9 million contract. The FanGraphs crowdsource pegs Profar with a two-year, $15 million contract.

 

A promising team may target Profar:

 

https://theathletic.com/2240359/2020/12/08/mariners-offseason-questions-who-will-play-left-field-in-2021/

 

 

From today's MLBTR chat

Boston

2:54 Profar to the Red Sox to be the regular second baseman? $7 million on a 1 year deal?

Steve Adams

2:55 Both the A's and the Padres have been dissatisfied with Profar's glove there. Outside of his age and the fact that like six years and two major shoulder surgeries ago, Profar was the game's No. 1 prospect, I don't see much to get excited about.

 

If I'm the Sox, I'd rather have any of Kolten Wong, Tommy La Stella, Cesar Hernandez

[harmony]

From today's MLBTR chat

The defensive metrics are unkind to Jurickson Profar at second base but, in a small sample, quite positive in left field.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jurickson-profar/10815/stats#advanced-fielding

[notin]

The defensive metrics are unkind to Jurickson Profar at second base but, in a small sample, quite positive in left field.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jurickson-profar/10815/stats#advanced-fielding

 

Yeah but the Sox have someone for LF. And Profar's 101 OPS+ over the past 3 seasons is beatable by a number of free agents. If the Sox are only spending $7mill on one outfielder, they can likely bring Bradley back for that price and he is a better defensive fit...

[harmony]

Yeah but the Sox have someone for LF. And Profar's 101 OPS+ over the past 3 seasons is beatable by a number of free agents. If the Sox are only spending $7mill on one outfielder, they can likely bring Bradley back for that price and he is a better defensive fit...

If the Red Sox can live with Jackie Bradley Jr.'s career OPS+ of 94, including 95 over the past three seasons.

 

Jurickson Profar has a UZR/150 of 14.8 with 8 runs saved in 560.2 career innings in the outfield, including a UZR/150 of 14.7 with 4 runs saved in 304.1 innings this year.

 

Bradley has a UZR/150 of 6.8 with 53 runs saved in 7,409 career innings in the outfield, including a UZR/150 of 5.5 with 5 runs saved in 471 innings this year.

 

Profar, who is three years younger than Bradley, remains an unlikely target for the Red Sox ... and Bradley remains a likely target.

[Kimmi]

I'm thinking we roll the dice with what we got, and if we are in the race, we may make an Ian Kinsler type move, next summer.

 

Nobody excites me, but the sheer quantity of second baseman on our roster could produce someone who is not a net minus.

 

Arroyo

Chavis

Munoz

Chatham

Arauz

 

 

 

I am on board with this. Once again, focus on pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Whit Merrifield. KC is my new trade partner. Dalbec, Downs and Duran for Merrifield and Brad Keller. Bloom will ask for Brady Singer, but settle on Keller, the Royals' ace and already a three-year starting pitcher at age 24. Gotta give up something to get something...

 

ps. trade simulator accepts this proposal as fair

Edited December 8, 2020 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75

[Bellhorn04]

I honestly have no freaking idea. They could bring back Brock Holt for a season and I'd probably be happy with that.

[Monster24]

Depends if Bloom thinks the Sox can contend. If so maybe Wong or Schoop.

If he think it’s a rebuilding year then I could see Arroyo or Chatham or possibly Chavis

[notin]

Depends if Bloom thinks the Sox can contend. If so maybe Wong or Schoop.

If he think it’s a rebuilding year then I could see Arroyo or Chatham or possibly Chavis

 

I don't think that will be a factor.

 

The Royals have signed Mike Minor and Carlos Santana. Do we believe they think they will be competitive this year?

 

Now Bloom will go with Chavis/Arroyo/Chatham if he cannot afford anyone else (presumably after spending on pitching) or thinks the other options are not going to be worth it. ...

[moonslav59]

Whit Merrifield. KC is my new trade partner. Dalbec, Downs and Duran for Merrifield and Brad Keller. Bloom will ask for Brady Singer, but settle on Keller, the Royals' ace and already a three-year starting pitcher at age 24. Gotta give up something to get something...

 

ps. trade simulator accepts this proposal as fair

 

I think Merrifield is over-valued.

[notin]

I think Merrifield is over-valued.

 

He is signed for 2 more years for a total of $10.5mill and has an option for a $10.5mill 3rd season. That's a good deal for a 4 fWAR player...

[harmony]

I think Merrifield is over-valued.

A Kansas City fan might find Bobby Dalbec, Jeter Downs and Jarren Duran overvalued.

 

Or not.

Edited December 9, 2020 by harmony

[oldtimer]

I'm thinking we roll the dice with what we got, and if we are in the race, we may make an Ian Kinsler type move, next summer.

 

Nobody excites me, but the sheer quantity of second baseman on our roster could produce someone who is not a net minus.

 

Arroyo

Chavis

Munoz

Chatham

Arauz

 

 

 

I would start with Arroyo, who has a chance of filling the position on a long term basis or at least we get time to look at Jeter Downs. I say that because we have much greater needs in the pitching department and that is where the budget should be focused. Our second greatest need will be in the outfield. Besides center field questions, I have made no secret of my concern with Beni. We may need to replace two outfielder on a long term basis and it would be good to get one of those as a right hander power hitter.

[notin]

A Kansas City fan might find Bobby Dalbec, Jeter Downs and Jarren Duran overvalued.

 

Or not.

 

But the neutral BTV trade simulator says it is an equal deal....

[notin]

I think the missing option here is Rougned Odor, whose contract Texas might entice the Sox to take and was also connected to Bloom/Sox in trade talks as recently as August...

[moonslav59]

I think the missing option here is Rougned Odor, whose contract Texas might entice the Sox to take and was also connected to Bloom/Sox in trade talks as recently as August...

 

Wonder what a Lance Lynn & Odor trade might have looked like.

[mvp 78]

He is signed for 2 more years for a total of $10.5mill and has an option for a $10.5mill 3rd season. That's a good deal for a 4 fWAR player...

 

His contract is good for his production.

[notin]

His contract is good for his production.

 

Which is why he is considered a valuable trade chip. KC really does need to move him...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Which is why he is considered a valuable trade chip. KC really does need to move him...

 

Merrifield can hit, run, play the infield and outfield -- the kind of multi-purpose guy Bloom covets -- except that Whit is a proven MLB starting position player and top of the order man... something Chavis, Munoz and Arauz are not (yet), and Peraza and Lin were not (in Boston).

 

But the real reason to trade with KC is to pry pitching out of their young stable. The Sox position prospects may appeal to a (nother) rebuilding team.

[notin]

Wonder what a Lance Lynn & Odor trade might have looked like.

 

Horrible

 

Why take on Odor's contract just to get one season of Lynn?

[notin]

Merrifield can hit, run, play the infield and outfield -- the kind of multi-purpose guy Bloom covets -- except that Whit is a proven MLB starting position player and top of the order man... something Chavis, Munoz and Arauz are not (yet), and Peraza and Lin were not (in Boston).

 

But the real reason to trade with KC is to pry pitching out of their young stable. The Sox position prospects may appeal to a (nother) rebuilding team.

 

I like Merrifield as a fit for the Sox and a lot of other teams. But as he is an underpaid player who provdes value, taking on his contract is not exactly the best method to get KC to throw in one of the promising younger arms. Now if you want to take Danny Duffy off their hands, maybe you can get them to something decent that would normally cost more..

[mvp 78]

Horrible

 

Why take on Odor's contract just to get one season of Lynn?

 

Odor's contract isn't that bad, but if he can only play 2b, his lack of versatility in the field doesn't make it worth the risk. I'm not sure a one year deal for any trade makes sense to this year's team. They aren't quite contenders.

[moonslav59]

Odor's contract isn't that bad, but if he can only play 2b, his lack of versatility in the field doesn't make it worth the risk. I'm not sure a one year deal for any trade makes sense to this year's team. They aren't quite contenders.

 

The idea would be to get a valuable player added to the deal to offset the negative value of Odor, and if Odor wins the 2nd base job, we get a slight gain there, too.

[mvp 78]

The idea would be to get a valuable player added to the deal to offset the negative value of Odor, and if Odor wins the 2nd base job, we get a slight gain there, too.

 

Lance Lynn for one year doesn't help the Sox if they are on the outside looking in.

[Bellhorn04]

The idea would be to get a valuable player added to the deal to offset the negative value of Odor, and if Odor wins the 2nd base job, we get a slight gain there, too.

 

But you'd have to give up value for one year of Lynn, that's the issue.