A Realistic View at 2022: Part I

[moonslav59]

Why does comparing him to Gordon equate to hating Benintendi?

 

If only Beni was as good as Gordon!

[notin]

Sox sign Yolmer Sanchez.

 

Gold Glover. Decent player. Probably limited to being a role player in very limited time.

 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/02/red-sox-sign-yolmer-sanchez-to-minors-contract.html

[moonslav59]

Sox sign Yolmer Sanchez.

 

Gold Glover. Decent player. Probably limited to being a role player in very limited time.

 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/02/red-sox-sign-yolmer-sanchez-to-minors-contract.html

 

So...

 

No Iggy?

[mvp 78]

So...

 

No Iggy?

 

I don't think it precludes the signing of Iggy. Yolmer is only on a MiLB contract and had no MLB appearances last season. Fine for injury depth and probably better than Arauz.

[moonslav59]

I don't think it precludes the signing of Iggy. Yolmer is only on a MiLB contract and had no MLB appearances last season. Fine for injury depth and probably better than Arauz.

 

Plus, he doesn't play SS like Iggy can.

[notin]

Plus, he doesn't play SS like Iggy can.

 

Iggy didn’t look much like Iggy last year at shortstop either. The Angels didn’t let him walk for playing too much defense …

[moonslav59]

Iggy didn’t look much like Iggy last year at shortstop either. The Angels didn’t let him walk for playing too much defense …

 

He has slipped on D. There are better options.

[mvp 78]

Plus, he doesn't play SS like Iggy can.

 

He's played there sparingly and has shown a lack of range. He's good at 2b and 3b. I really think he's just MiLB depth. If Arroyo goes down and Downs is struggling, you can keep Kiké in CF and put Yolmer at 2b.

[mvp 78]

Iggy didn’t look much like Iggy last year at shortstop either. The Angels didn’t let him walk for playing too much defense …

 

He's not what he was back when he first came up. However, maybe his UZR/150 was just down last year? Maybe he can bounce back and have a solid season? It's not unheard of.

[notin]

He's not what he was back when he first came up. However, maybe his UZR/150 was just down last year? Maybe he can bounce back and have a solid season? It's not unheard of.

 

He’s gone from “solution at shortstop” to “Plan B for utility infielder,” but he’s still a good gamble…

[mvp 78]

He’s gone from “solution at shortstop” to “Plan B for utility infielder,” but he’s still a good gamble…

 

Anyone on an MiLB deal is a good gamble IMO. But yes, 100%.

 

If there's an injury, you can do much worse than calling up a slick fielding guy who hits 9th.

[mvp 78]

This is exactly the "depth" that Bloom keeps talking about. Have someone competent that can fill in when needed. You can't rely on guys like Jack Lopez.

[moonslav59]

This is exactly the "depth" that Bloom keeps talking about. Have someone competent that can fill in when needed. You can't rely on guys like Jack Lopez.

 

Yup.

[notin]

This is exactly the "depth" that Bloom keeps talking about. Have someone competent that can fill in when needed. You can't rely on guys like Jack Lopez.

 

Agreed. I like this signing, but the guy is only looking at maybe 40-50 PA tops unless something goes terribly wrong…

[moonslav59]

Agreed. I like this signing, but the guy is only looking at maybe 40-50 PA tops unless something goes terribly wrong…

 

He may get a little more than 50, but yes.

 

PAs at 2B in 2021

201 Kike

169 Arroyo

119 Marwin

57 Chavis

51 Iggy

26 Arauz

16 Lopez

17 Motter, Munoz, Vaz & Devers

 

3B

646 Devers

23 Marwin

21 Dalbec

5 Arauz

2 Vaz

 

SS (Maybe Kike or Arauz might be used as Bogey's back-up.)

577 Bogey

39 Arauz

37 Marwin

19 Kike

11 Iggy

2 Dalbec

1 Arroyo

[mvp 78]

Agreed. I like this signing, but the guy is only looking at maybe 40-50 PA tops unless something goes terribly wrong…

 

And he's only a topic of discussion because there are no other moves to talk about right now.

[mvp 78]

He may get a little more than 50, but yes.

 

PAs at 2B in 2021

201 Kike

169 Arroyo

119 Marwin

57 Chavis

51 Iggy

26 Arauz

16 Lopez

17 Motter, Munoz, Vaz & Devers

 

3B

646 Devers

23 Marwin

21 Dalbec

5 Arauz

2 Vaz

 

SS (Maybe Kike or Arauz might be used as Bogey's back-up.)

577 Bogey

39 Arauz

37 Marwin

19 Kike

11 Iggy

2 Dalbec

1 Arroyo

 

Weird to see Dalbec as a SS there, but in both occasions it was a couple of innings in a blowout loss. I didn't catch any of the games where Dalbec or Devers were off their normal position.

[moonslav59]

Weird to see Dalbec as a SS there, but in both occasions it was a couple of innings in a blowout loss. I didn't catch any of the games where Dalbec or Devers were off their normal position.

 

I saw every game, but I don't recall those either.

 

I'm thinking Sanchez might get the 70 PAs Arauz got, and maybe Kike and Arroyo get Marwin's and Iggy's PAs.

[mvp 78]

I saw every game, but I don't recall those either.

 

I'm thinking Sanchez might get the 70 PAs Arauz got, and maybe Kike and Arroyo get Marwin's and Iggy's PAs.

 

I still think Arauz is on the potential DFA track. He just hasn't improved enough to keep him on the 40 man. You can sign up a few similar players on MiLB deals and have more flexibility with your roster.

[notin]

I still think Arauz is on the potential DFA track. He just hasn't improved enough to keep him on the 40 man. You can sign up a few similar players on MiLB deals and have more flexibility with your roster.

 

Arauz’ ceiling might not even be Yolmer Sanchez. But for a DFA candidate, I think he is still behind Hunter Potts and Jeisson Rosario…

[jad]

Weird to see Dalbec as a SS there, but in both occasions it was a couple of innings in a blowout loss. I didn't catch any of the games where Dalbec or Devers were off their normal position.

 

But then again, doesn't 'normal position' have something of a different meaning in these days of constant shifts? (I've never understood why, in basic shift, they don't simply move 3b to short rf, leaving everyone else in their usual position. Is that ever done? Or is the change in ball angle and spin too much for most 3b?

[notin]

But then again, doesn't 'normal position' have something of a different meaning in these days of constant shifts? (I've never understood why, in basic shift, they don't simply move 3b to short rf, leaving everyone else in their usual position. Is that ever done? Or is the change in ball angle and spin too much for most 3b?

 

Because no one wants to wait for Pablo Sandoval to waddle over to short RF every time a left-handed hitter comes up. Baseball has enough “pace of play” problems as it is…

[mvp 78]

Arauz’ ceiling might not even be Yolmer Sanchez. But for a DFA candidate, I think he is still behind Hunter Potts and Jeisson Rosario…

 

Agreed. I have a few players that could be DFA'd this offseason.

[moonslav59]

Arauz’ ceiling might not even be Yolmer Sanchez. But for a DFA candidate, I think he is still behind Hunter Potts and Jeisson Rosario…

 

Agreed. My list might look like this:

 

1. Potts

2. Rosario

3. Potts

 

Others?

 

Plawecki

Bazardo

Valdez

Davis

Crawford

 

[jad]

Because no one wants to wait for Pablo Sandoval to waddle over to short RF every time a left-handed hitter comes up. Baseball has enough “pace of play” problems as it is…

 

Excellent point!

[moonslav59]

Because no one wants to wait for Pablo Sandoval to waddle over to short RF every time a left-handed hitter comes up. Baseball has enough “pace of play” problems as it is…

 

Also, if the likelihood a ball will be hit the opposite way is slight, then why have your SS playing in that area.

 

Yes, Devers is "out of position" in the SS slot, but the ball hardly ever gets hit there.

[jad]

Also, if the likelihood a ball will be hit the opposite way is slight, then why have your SS playing in that area.

 

Yes, Devers is "out of position" in the SS slot, but the ball hardly ever gets hit there.

 

ANOTHER good point!

[moonslav59]

If no additions are made (slim chance), is this how things will shake out?

 

1. Kike 2B v R/CF v L

2. Devers 3B

3. Bogaerts SS

4. JD DH

5. Verdugo RF v R/ Dalbec v L

6. Dalbec 1B v R/ Verdugo LF v L

7. JBJ CF v R/RF v L

8. Duran LF v R/ Arroyo 2B v L

9. Vazquez C

 

Bench: (Arroyo or Duran), Plawecki and Arauz

 

SP: Eovaldi, Sale, Hill, Pivetta, Wacha (Paxton on 60 day IL)

SP/RP: Whitlock, Houck

RP: Barnes, Brasier, Taylor, Davis, DHern, Sawamura, Valdez

 

(I got 14 pitchers and 12 everyday players, but I'd prefer 13-13.)

 

[notin]

If no additions are made (slim chance), is this how things will shake out?

 

1. Kike 2B v R/CF v L

2. Devers 3B

3. Bogaerts SS

4. JD DH

5. Verdugo RF v R/ Dalbec v L

6. Dalbec 1B v R/ Verdugo LF v L

7. JBJ CF v R/RF v L

8. Duran LF v R/ Arroyo 2B v L

9. Vazquez C

 

Bench: (Arroyo or Duran), Plawecki and Arauz

 

SP: Eovaldi, Sale, Hill, Pivetta, Wacha (Paxton on 60 day IL)

SP/RP: Whitlock, Houck

RP: Barnes, Brasier, Taylor, Davis, DHern, Sawamura, Valdez

 

(I got 14 pitchers and 12 everyday players, but I'd prefer 13-13.)

 

 

I see you opted for the Duran/Arroyo platoon over my proposed Bradley/Arroyo platoon. Both are equally likely IMO.

 

Of course if no additions are made, the Sox still have one open spot on the 40 man (two once Paxton is put on the 60 day IL), which opens a couple doors for platoon options. If they do want a RHH bat for the OF, the Sox are surprisingly short on RHH corner outfielders anywhere near MLB and the door might be open for a Johan Mieses. And possibly the newly acquired Robert Ramos…

[moonslav59]

I see you opted for the Duran/Arroyo platoon over my proposed Bradley/Arroyo platoon. Both are equally likely IMO.

 

Of course if no additions are made, the Sox still have one open spot on the 40 man (two once Paxton is put on the 60 day IL), which opens a couple doors for platoon options. If they do want a RHH bat for the OF, the Sox are surprisingly short on RHH corner outfielders anywhere near MLB and the door might be open for a Johan Mieses. And possibly the newly acquired Robert Ramos…

 

Personally. I'd have Kike in CF full time and let Arroyo ride it our at 2B as long as possible. I'd have JBJ in RF and Verdugo in LF. I might sit JBJ vs some lefties and have Duran play LF and Verdugo RF, in that scenario, despite the fact that JBJ and Duran both bat lefty. (We should have gotten a RH'd JBJ.)

 

In my scenario, Arauz is the back-up for Arroyo, but we'd have to acquire a decent 2B/utility guy to be able to keep Kike in CF.

 

My guess is we acquire a RH'd hitting CF/RF'er and a decent utility guy who can play a decent 2B and SS, but that was not part of this presentation.