Major Concerns

[dgalehouse]

The panic , joy and general overreaction to opening day results are a rite of spring. Not to be taken seriously.

[moonslav59]

I would be happy to trade JD and his $44M luxury tax payroll amount. Do you honestly think there's a team out there willing to pay that EVEN without ANY compensation in return?

 

If not, how much are you willing to pay? And for what? We're already under the tax limit for 2021.

 

Let's think through and have an honest discussion.

 

Give me a viable trading partner in AL. And how much are you willing to eat?

 

I'd trade JD for nothing, but nobody will take on that whole contract.

 

Would I trade him for nothing, if the other team paid half his contract, but I doubt we find a taker, even for that. (Also, this really doesn't help us this year.)

[oldtimer]

To be fair, the idea trading JD came up last deadline and a little over the winter.

 

Trading him might only free up $8-10M a year for two years, and since this year is not likely going to be all that competitive, we are really taking about just freeing up some cash for 2022, and not all that much.

 

He's not going anywhere, unless we are out of it by the deadline, and someone will pay a sizable chunk of his deal.

 

I remember it being discussed but also that the discussion was futile because no one was likely to pay even half his salary following such a tough showing in 2020. Now he is here for 2021, the best strategy is to let him try to return to his past good form. Letting him try means at least a couple of months. If it doesn't work out, we should know by then. Not as if we will be compromising a shot at the pennant.

[a700hitter]

I'd trade JD for nothing, but nobody will take on that whole contract.

 

Would I trade him for nothing, if the other team paid half his contract, but I doubt we find a taker, even for that. (Also, this really doesn't help us this year.)

Sox would have to eat 2/3 of his contract.

[jad]

Yeah, if only they had dumped JD a couple of days ago, they'd have a shutout going today, and would have had a damn good chance of a no-hitter yesterday.

[TylerD]

The panic , joy and general overreaction to opening day results are a rite of spring. Not to be taken seriously.

 

Agreed. Though this offense looks flat, I think they will pick it up eventually. Pitching surprisingly has been our strong point.

[oldtimer]

Yeah, if only they had dumped JD a couple of days ago, they'd have a shutout going today, and would have had a damn good chance of a no-hitter yesterday.

 

We have to be looking at Refroe, Codero and Dalbec to see if they will produce. Devers is a slow starter so that isn't anything new. I would hope that Spring training wasn't an illusion and the hitting will show up.

[Noles_1335]

I’m not overreacting on Devers... I was saying this last year! My point has been what is he worth when it’s time to sign the big deal he’s going to demand! If this team is in a true rebuild why wouldn’t you dangle him out there to a contender down the stretch.... who really wants to pay 18-25 a year on DH

[moonslav59]

I’m not overreacting on Devers... I was saying this last year! My point has been what is he worth when it’s time to sign the big deal he’s going to demand! If this team is in a true rebuild why wouldn’t you dangle him out there to a contender down the stretch.... who really wants to pay 18-25 a year on DH

 

I'm not sure why so many people seem to be writing him off at 1B. Not that 1Bmen get major bucks, either, but I think he can and will be a plus defender at 1B, if he is ever moved there.

 

Even if he does end up at DH, if JD was worth $22M, and maybe he wasn't, what should Devers get?

[moonslav59]

Sox would have to eat 2/3 of his contract.

 

Maybe, and it's not worth doing that, at this point, anyway.

[moonslav59]

Sox would have to eat 2/3 of his contract.

 

So, you think JD's open market value, right now, is about $7M x 2?

[mvp 78]

So, you think JD's open market value, right now, is about $7M x 2?

 

Better be a good return.

[Nick]

I'd trade JD for nothing, but nobody will take on that whole contract.

 

Would I trade him for nothing, if the other team paid half his contract, but I doubt we find a taker, even for that. (Also, this really doesn't help us this year.)

 

You made my point. Some posters come up with some half assed ideas which has no chance of happening. There's no way JD is traded or just let go. Also there's no way JD is extended beyond 2022 with same pay and just DH'ing. Not happening.

 

Not in Bloom's DNA.

[Bellhorn04]

Most Sox fans liked JD's contract a lot when he signed it.

 

And he has earned it up till now.

 

Talk about trading him and eating money just shows what a low point the team is at.

[a700hitter]

So, you think JD's open market value, right now, is about $7M x 2?

probably more than that, but if they want to get talent in return for JD, they will have to discount the contract beyond his market value.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Offense can go into slumps and hot streaks, but defense is more revealing. The sport may seem to revolve around pitching and hitting, but consistent defense secures titles... and erratic D definitely loses rings.

 

Big league regulars need to make routine plays consistently. For a bad team trying to approach contention, shoring up the defense should be the first step -- and maybe the least expensive -- towards some semblance of reliability (especially to help questionable pitching, which can never afford to give away at bats or waste extra pitches).

 

For many reasons, the Sox chose to walk away from their best defensive outfield in half a century -- the one that won three straight AL Easts. They chose not to replace them with All-Star free agents, and not just Springer, but legit hitters like Brantley and Rosario. Ok... but they also passed on many low-cost Gold Glove-caliber centerfielders. Instead, the Sox opted for versatility -- guys who play a lot of positions, but few good enough to be full-timers at any one spot.

[a700hitter]

Announcers seem to think the ball has substantially less carry this year than in recent years. If that’s the case the teams with good pitching and D will dominate. And the value of making contact will be more pronounced than in past years.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Announcers seem to think the ball has substantially less carry this year than in recent years. If that’s the case the teams with good pitching and D will dominate. And the value of making contact will be more pronounced than in past years.

 

Good D can be just as exciting as the longball. What highlights are more fun to watch: web-gems or pop-ups that carry over the fence?

[notin]

1b Devers

2b Chavis

3b Dalbec

SS Bogaerts

LF Cordero/Renfroe

CF Hernandez

RF Verdugo

C Vazquez

[notin]

Offense can go into slumps and hot streaks, but defense is more revealing. The sport may seem to revolve around pitching and hitting, but consistent defense secures titles... and erratic D definitely loses rings.

 

Big league regulars need to make routine plays consistently. For a bad team trying to approach contention, shoring up the defense should be the first step -- and maybe the least expensive -- towards some semblance of reliability (especially to help questionable pitching, which can never afford to give away at bats or waste extra pitches).

 

For many reasons, the Sox chose to walk away from their best defensive outfield in half a century -- the one that won three straight AL Easts. They chose not to replace them with All-Star free agents, and not just Springer, but legit hitters like Brantley and Rosario. Ok... but they also passed on many low-cost Gold Glove-caliber centerfielders. Instead, the Sox opted for versatility -- guys who play a lot of positions, but few good enough to be full-timers at any one spot.

 

It seems odd to suggest they shouldn’t have passed on Brantley and Rosario in a thread that started out discussing the importance of defense. Brantley in particular is such a poor defender, he couldn’t catch a cold if he was naked in Norway...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It seems odd to suggest they shouldn’t have passed on Brantley and Rosario in a thread that started out discussing the importance of defense. Brantley in particular is such a poor defender, he couldn’t catch a cold if he was naked in Norway...

 

Ya, I was just mentioning them in contrast -- we didn't sign hitting stars, but then we also passed on non-starters who at least have one established tool: consistent MLB defense. Fans of bad teams can deal with batters striking out, because hitting is hard, but nobody has tolerance for poor D.

 

I'm not saying Bloom should've dumped Devers and Bogie for prospects, but since it is a rebuild, how closer to expediting stability would this team be with say, Arenado and Jose Iglesias -- two guys who changed teams this winter -- instead? I know those contracts weren't feasible... but how about Yolmer Sanchez, a speedy Gold Glove second baseman who was cut free last week?

[moonslav59]

probably more than that, but if they want to get talent in return for JD, they will have to discount the contract beyond his market value.

 

If we traded JD, I don't think the main intent would be to get something back other than salary relief.

 

I doubt we do like the Yanks did with Ottavino, since we want to hold onto our prospects.

 

Would you agree we could maybe trade JD for nothing, if we got the other team to pay half?

 

(Note: I'm not for doing that, right now, but ask me at the deadline.)

[moonslav59]

Ya, I was just mentioning them in contrast -- we didn't sign hitting stars, but then we also passed on non-starters who at least have one established tool: consistent MLB defense. Fans of bad teams can deal with batters striking out, because hitting is hard, but nobody has tolerance for poor D.

 

I'm not saying Bloom should've dumped Devers and Bogie for prospects, but since it is a rebuild, how closer to expediting stability would this team be with say, Arenado and Jose Iglesias -- two guys who changed teams this winter -- instead? I know those contracts weren't feasible... but how about Yolmer Sanchez, a speedy Gold Glove second baseman who was cut free last week?

 

This was not really a "rebuild" year, in terms of the ML roster for 2021. It was more of a bridge year. Too many one year deals to be thinking rebuild.

 

We built the farm and the bottom of our 40m man roster first, which is a good plan.

 

Next, we spend next winter to fill the numerous holes not filled by our young players on display, this year.

[Kimmi]

Team defense.

[jacksonianmarch]

This was not really a "rebuild" year, in terms of the ML roster for 2021. It was more of a bridge year. Too many one year deals to be thinking rebuild.

 

We built the farm and the bottom of our 40m man roster first, which is a good plan.

 

Next, we spend next winter to fill the numerous holes not filled by our young players on display, this year.

 

Your farm is better but still in rough shape. This year’s draft and INTL will be enormous in building your farm back to respectability.

[moonslav59]

Your farm is better but still in rough shape. This year’s draft and INTL will be enormous in building your farm back to respectability.

 

Yes, the farm is still below #15, but we took a big step up from #29 or #30. One can't expect much more.

 

We may make some deals at the deadline to strengthen the farm, but yes, the draft and a long-awaited good IFA cycle is much needed.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yes, the farm is still below #15, but we took a big step up from #29 or #30. One can't expect much more.

 

We may make some deals at the deadline to strengthen the farm, but yes, the draft and a long-awaited good IFA cycle is much needed.

 

I have ZERO doubt that Bloom will build a top flight farm system. It may take a couple drafts and IFAs. Losing last year's draft beyond the first 5 rounds didnt help.

[notin]

Team defense.

 

Team offense isn’t a strength right now either...

[notin]

Ya, I was just mentioning them in contrast -- we didn't sign hitting stars, but then we also passed on non-starters who at least have one established tool: consistent MLB defense. Fans of bad teams can deal with batters striking out, because hitting is hard, but nobody has tolerance for poor D.

 

I'm not saying Bloom should've dumped Devers and Bogie for prospects, but since it is a rebuild, how closer to expediting stability would this team be with say, Arenado and Jose Iglesias -- two guys who changed teams this winter -- instead? I know those contracts weren't feasible... but how about Yolmer Sanchez, a speedy Gold Glove second baseman who was cut free last week?

 

Jose Iglesias’ contract was not a deal breaker...

[Noles_1335]

This team is terrible... Richards was an awful sign! The under win total seems like the lock of the century!