Who Should the Sox Have Play 2B in 2020?

[moonslav59]

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

 

Agreed. One year of Lynn is not what this team needs. Adding Odor would not cancel out the need for us to add a valuable return piece to Texas.

[moonslav59]

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

 

Agreed. See below.

[notin]

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.

 

Odor's cotnract pays him $27.67 million over the next 2 seasons (with an option for a third). And he has been worth 2.3 fWAR over the last 3 seasons. His career fWAR numbers seem to have two distinct sets in his career. The early eyars hwere he was 2-2.5, and then the recent ones where he seems to be less than 0.5 more often. He will be 27 on opening day 2021, so there is some hope he can bounce back. But if the Sox do acquire him, that description is getting applied to far too many people in the lineup.

 

I would only take on that contract if the deal included Jose LeClerc, their closer who is owed $10.5 mill over the next 2 seasons (with options). The Rangers really have no other pitching they can and will deal. Per BTV, a package of Odor and LeClerc still combines for a negative trade value, so figuring out who goes back is a bit complicated, at least for me. Does Texas want quality? Potential? Or just happy dumping money?

[mvp 78]

Odor's cotnract pays him $27.67 million over the next 2 seasons (with an option for a third). And he has been worth 2.3 fWAR over the last 3 seasons. His career fWAR numbers seem to have two distinct sets in his career. The early eyars hwere he was 2-2.5, and then the recent ones where he seems to be less than 0.5 more often. He will be 27 on opening day 2021, so there is some hope he can bounce back. But if the Sox do acquire him, that description is getting applied to far too many people in the lineup.

 

I would only take on that contract if the deal included Jose LeClerc, their closer who is owed $10.5 mill over the next 2 seasons (with options). The Rangers really have no other pitching they can and will deal. Per BTV, a package of Odor and LeClerc still combines for a negative trade value, so figuring out who goes back is a bit complicated, at least for me. Does Texas want quality? Potential? Or just happy dumping money?

 

I believe the hit against the lux tax is only 8.3M for Odor. I don't care about the cash.

[moonslav59]

Odor's cotnract pays him $27.67 million over the next 2 seasons (with an option for a third). And he has been worth 2.3 fWAR over the last 3 seasons. His career fWAR numbers seem to have two distinct sets in his career. The early eyars hwere he was 2-2.5, and then the recent ones where he seems to be less than 0.5 more often. He will be 27 on opening day 2021, so there is some hope he can bounce back. But if the Sox do acquire him, that description is getting applied to far too many people in the lineup.

 

I would only take on that contract if the deal included Jose LeClerc, their closer who is owed $10.5 mill over the next 2 seasons (with options). The Rangers really have no other pitching they can and will deal. Per BTV, a package of Odor and LeClerc still combines for a negative trade value, so figuring out who goes back is a bit complicated, at least for me. Does Texas want quality? Potential? Or just happy dumping money?

 

How about Groome & Chatham or Chavis for Odor & LeClerc plus some cash?

[Bellhorn04]

Agreed. See below.

 

Or above.

[Bellhorn04]

I believe the hit against the lux tax is only 8.3M for Odor. I don't care about the cash.

 

Why should anyone?

[notin]

I believe the hit against the lux tax is only 8.3M for Odor. I don't care about the cash.

 

I only are about the cash in that it limits spending in other places.

 

I am not sure about the Sox budget this year and if the luxury tax is the only consideration or not. But if taking on Odor allows the Sox to also acquire another useful piece, I am not against it...

[notin]

How about Groome & Chatham or Chavis for Odor & LeClerc plus some cash?

 

I wouldn't include Groome, but Texas probably jumps at that offer...

[moonslav59]

While Odor is owed $27M/2, assuming 3rd year option is declined and LeClerc is owed $15.5M/3, assuming his 4th year is declined, which it may not be, and the total is about $33M for the next 2-3 years, total, the luxury tax hit is only $11.9M combined. That really works great for the Sox.

 

We get our closer and a possible starting 2Bman. Even if we end up cutting Odor, eventually, $12M a year for a decent closer is okay.

 

I checked out the Trade values site and a Chatham & Groome for LeClerc & odor showed a net of 16 in the Ranger's favor. That could be made up for in a number of ways:

 

1. Some cash going to BOS, which would lessen the tax.

2. Get a catcher in return and maybe trade Vaz:

Huff C/1B value 16.7 (minors)

Hernandez C/1B value 11.0 (minors)

Trevino C value 2.9 (MLB pre-arb)

3. Pitching prospect:

Crouse 7.1

Rodriguez 6.9

4. ML pitcher:

Palumbo 6.3 (LHP can start)

Martin 5.6 (LHP)

Cody 0.9 (RHP)

 

The site accepted:

 

Chatham & Groome for Leclerc, Odor, Hernandez & Martin

 

and

 

Chavis, Chatham & Groome for Leclerc, Odor + $5M, Hernandez & Crouse

 

and

 

Chavis & Groome for Leclerc, Odor +$7M & Hernandez

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't include Groome, but Texas probably jumps at that offer...

 

I'd give Chavis & Chatham for Leclerc, Odor and Hernandez & $7M cash. The site accepted it.

 

I'd actually do it without the cash or Hernandez (maybe sub Trevino) or maybe just $3M ($1M a year).

[Bellhorn04]

I only are about the cash in that it limits spending in other places.

 

I am not sure about the Sox budget this year and if the luxury tax is the only consideration or not.

 

I would suspect the tax is not the only consideration.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Changing my choice: the 2nd baseman will be Bogaerts... after the Sox trade for Francisco Lindor. If the argument against that idea is that shortstop is not an area of need, here's the counter: on a last place team, really good players are an area of need. This is the splash to put this franchise back in the spotlight.

 

Boston needs pitching, and free agent pitchers certainly consider a team's defense and a club's chances at winning when mulling offers. The Sox need better players in a lot of places to contend, and adding a new face of the franchise will show peers and fans alike they're serious (plus, keep a guy like Lindor from joining rivals).

 

Lindor will thrive under Cora, the Sox will extend him with some of the Mookie money (7 for 210), and invest the remaining hundred mil on starting pitchers and relievers... They can still afford a platoon centerfielder like Marisnick, and re-sign Moreland to share first with Chavis, while awaiting the debuts of Duran/Jimenez and Casas.

 

Cleveland reportedly wants a Betts-like return for Lindor, so the first to go in the deal would be Downs, and next would be Dalbec. The trade simulator approved this swap... but only after the Tribe also kicked in Carlos Carrasco, also rumored to be on the block. The block between Lansdowne Street and Renamed Street would welcome him, too.

[a700hitter]

Hey MVP, why didn’t you list Pedey as an option?

[moonslav59]

Hey MVP, why didn’t you list Pedey as an option?

 

He did, "Someone currently on the roster."

[Swiharts Ghost]

Scooter Genette has been my choice for 3 years running .Dirt cheap had a horrible groin pull in 19 or Wong.but on the cheap go get Puig for OF And Genette for second spend the real money on pitching . Edited December 10, 2020 by Swiharts Ghost

[a700hitter]

He did, "Someone currently on the roster."

Oh, how the Great Pedey has fallen being lumped in other roster players. Damn Manny Machado. Edited December 11, 2020 by a700hitter

[mvp 78]

Hey MVP, why didn’t you list Pedey as an option?

 

We had a discussion about him being better on one leg than Arroyo a few weeks ago. He’s included as “already on roster.”

[iortiz]

I would like to see DJ there.

[oldtimer]

Oh, how the Great Pedey has fallen being lumped in other roster players. Damn Manny Machado.

 

I don't see why Pedey wants to remain on the roster.

[Kimmi]

I would like to see DJ there.

 

DJ is going to cost too much. I would just as soon go with an in house option.

 

Pitching needs to be the focus.

[notin]

DJ is going to cost too much. I would just as soon go with an in house option.

 

Pitching needs to be the focus.

 

The free agent bargain BA could be Enrique Hernandez, the former Dodger utility player with 20 HR power and 6 position versatility.

 

And while pitching should be the priority, the Sox are only going to sign 3 or 4 pitchers to MLB contracts. The team has other holes and I would be surprised if any of them were filled internally on opening day...

[moonslav59]

The free agent bargain BA could be Enrique Hernandez, the former Dodger utility player with 20 HR power and 6 position versatility.

 

And while pitching should be the priority, the Sox are only going to sign 3 or 4 pitchers to MLB contracts. The team has other holes and I would be surprised if any of them were filled internally on opening day...

 

Did you mean to say NOT surprised?

[notin]

Did you mean to say NOT surprised?

 

No. I expect Bloom to add a CF and a 2b by opening day. That Munoz was DFAd indicates Arroyo might be the UIF and not the default starter at 2b. And for CF, the only candidates internally are Puello, a career AAAA player, and Duran, who has very limited experience in the position...

[moonslav59]

No. I expect Bloom to add a CF and a 2b by opening day. That Munoz was DFAd indicates Arroyo might be the UIF and not the default starter at 2b. And for CF, the only candidates internally are Puello, a career AAAA player, and Duran, who has very limited experience in the position...

 

I'm certain we add a starting CF'er, but I'm not so sure about 2B.

 

We may add a 2Bman, but he might not be the starter. He may be a back-up CF'er/2Bman.

 

I could see Chavis being the starter at 2B with Arroyo getting plenty of playing time.

 

The weird stat on both of these RH'd hitters is that they both hit righties better than lefties.

 

While I would not be surprised at us signing a starting CF'er and 2Bman, I would also not be surprised, if we wait to see how our in house players do at 2B.

 

[notin]

I'm certain we add a starting CF'er, but I'm not so sure about 2B.

 

We may add a 2Bman, but he might not be the starter. He may be a back-up CF'er/2Bman.

 

I could see Chavis being the starter at 2B with Arroyo getting plenty of playing time.

 

The weird stat on both of these RH'd hitters is that they both hit righties better than lefties.

 

While I would not be surprised at us signing a starting CF'er and 2Bman, I would also not be surprised, if we wait to see how our in house players do at 2B.

 

 

I don't see Chavis in the 2B mix at all. He is moreliekly to be in the 1B mix with Dalbec, with starts going to the hotter bat since they're both RHH. Unless the Sox go get a LHH 1B like Moreland, which is certainly possible.

 

Bottom line, the Sox are adding maybe 4 SP to the MLB roster. To decide that 2B and 1B can be ignored to focus on pitching is probably not very accurate. I don't see huge expenditures at either position, but I don't think either is solved with solely players already in house. Unless Bloom spends his allowance on Bauer, which I also do not consider likely (although not impossible)...

[moonslav59]

I don't see Chavis in the 2B mix at all. He is moreliekly to be in the 1B mix with Dalbec, with starts going to the hotter bat since they're both RHH. Unless the Sox go get a LHH 1B like Moreland, which is certainly possible.

 

Bottom line, the Sox are adding maybe 4 SP to the MLB roster. To decide that 2B and 1B can be ignored to focus on pitching is probably not very accurate. I don't see huge expenditures at either position, but I don't think either is solved with solely players already in house. Unless Bloom spends his allowance on Bauer, which I also do not consider likely (although not impossible)...

 

I think we can wait until mid season to address the 2B position.

 

Like I said, I would not be surprised if we do sign or acquire a 2Bman, but I do not think it is even close to a sure thing.

 

Although Munoz is no longer on the 40 man roster, he's still in the system, and we have Chavis, Arroyo, Chatham and Arouz. I don't see Downs as part of the 2021 picture, but he's a possible 2Bman of 2022.

[Kimmi]

The free agent bargain BA could be Enrique Hernandez, the former Dodger utility player with 20 HR power and 6 position versatility.

 

And while pitching should be the priority, the Sox are only going to sign 3 or 4 pitchers to MLB contracts. The team has other holes and I would be surprised if any of them were filled internally on opening day...

 

I would not be surprised if we went with an internal option at 2B. Then again, I would not be surprised if we signed someone to fill the hole. I personally think that our offense will be fine. Pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

[moonslav59]

I would not be surprised if we went with an internal option at 2B. Then again, I would not be surprised if we signed someone to fill the hole. I personally think that our offense will be fine. Pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

 

Much depends on how much of a winter budget Bloom is given. If they give him enough to get the pitching we need and a decent CF'er, and he has enough left over for a 2Bman, he may go that route.

 

To me, our priorities are as such:

urgent

1. SP (hopefully a #2 or #3)

2. Closer

3. CF

4. RP (decent set-up man)

5. SP depth (5/6 slot starter)

 

non urgent

6. 2B

7. more pitching depth

8. CF/2Bman

[a700hitter]

Much depends on how much of a winter budget Bloom is given. If they give him enough to get the pitching we need and a decent CF'er, and he has enough left over for a 2Bman, he may go that route.

 

To me, our priorities are as such:

urgent

1. SP (hopefully a #2 or #3)

2. Closer

3. CF

4. RP (decent set-up man)

5. SP depth (5/6 slot starter)

 

non urgent

6. 2B

7. more pitching depth

8. CF/2Bman

There are a lot of high priority needs. I can agree with that list.