A Realistic View at 2022: Part I

[dgalehouse]

Nothing wrong with the Sox lineup. They should have no trouble scoring runs. The defense will be improved from last year. The pitching is the question mark. A lot of ifs and maybes in the rotation. And the bullpen has a plethora of pedestrian arms. Hopefully, a few of them can rise above the mediocrity. If they do , it can be an interesting season. The A.L. East will be tough , but all of the contenders have their weaknesses. The expanded playoffs will help to maintain fan interest , which is the reason why they are expanded. $$$$.

[moonslav59]

Strictly based on actual payroll and not the luxury tax payroll, Sox should be the #5 spender in 2022.

 

$200M+ club

 

1 Dodgers

2 Mets

3 Yankees

4 Phillies

5 Red Sox

6 San Diego

 

Bloom says don't call me cheap, just frugal.

 

The Dodgers have 4 guys at $27M+ on the lux tax line and are over $291M, and they might not be done spending.

 

The Mets have 2 guys making over $77M combined lux tax dollars! They are at about $278, now.

 

The Yanks are at $247M, Philly $231M and the Sox at about $237 lux tax.

[dgalehouse]

The Dodgers have 4 guys at $27M+ on the lux tax line and are over $291M, and they might not be done spending.

 

The Mets have 2 guys making over $77M combined lux tax dollars! They are at about $278, now.

 

The Yanks are at $247M, Philly $231M and the Sox at about $237 lux tax.

 

I don't know if the Dodgers are done spending either. They have an impressive lineup, but I think the bullpen could be a real problem. They lost at least three key arms from the pen , including the closer. And the rotation might not be as good either. Scherzer is gone . And Bauer is very questionable. Keshaw is no sure thing. It shows how hard it is to build a complete team no matter the payroll.

[moonslav59]

I don't know if the Dodgers are done spending either. They have an impressive lineup, but I think the bullpen could be a real problem. They lost at least three key arms from the pen , including the closer. And the rotation might not be as good either. Scherzer is gone . And Bauer is very questionable. Keshaw is no sure thing. It shows how hard it is to build a complete team no matter the payroll.

 

Indeed. They will likely start the season as the fave, but this is baseball.

 

Nobody expected the Giants to win the NL West, last year.

[notin]

I don't know if the Dodgers are done spending either. They have an impressive lineup, but I think the bullpen could be a real problem. They lost at least three key arms from the pen , including the closer. And the rotation might not be as good either. Scherzer is gone . And Bauer is very questionable. Keshaw is no sure thing. It shows how hard it is to build a complete team no matter the payroll.

 

… and that’s why just spending isn’t always the answer…

[Larry Cook]

Strictly based on actual payroll and not the luxury tax payroll, Sox should be the #5 spender in 2022.

 

$200M+ club

 

1 Dodgers

2 Mets

3 Yankees

4 Phillies

5 Red Sox

6 San Diego

 

Bloom says don't call me cheap, just frugal.

 

Who would have rather had Hang’em Chaim spend big on Rodriguez instead of story?

[moonslav59]

Who would have rather had Hang’em Chaim spend big on Rodriguez instead of story?

 

It's not anywhere near the same money.

 

I'd rather we have ERod and Suzuki than Story- close to the same total money spent, but not lux tax numbers.

 

Look, I'm thrilled we signed a very good defensive SS.

 

I'm perplexed about Bloom choosing this one guy over all others. The timing is off a little. The bind it puts Bogey and Cora in is a bit perplexing, too. Maybe not to many posters and maybe not even to Bloom and Cora. They weighed everything up and decided pouncing now was the thing to do.

 

We got our defensive SS for the future and he can hit, too. It's entirely possible to be perplexed and happy at the same time. The 2021 season was a fine exampleof just that!

 

 

[Swiharts Ghost]

Montas and Mannaea could easily be traded for by Boston without giving up prized prospects Casas Meyer York Duran according to reports from Univision with Knowledge of the As thoughts of Boston’s stacked farm

[Swiharts Ghost]

It's not anywhere near the same money.

 

I'd rather we have ERod and Suzuki than Story- close to the same total money spent, but not lux tax numbers.

 

Look, I'm thrilled we signed a very good defensive SS.

 

I'm perplexed about Bloom choosing this one guy over all others. The timing is off a little. The bind it puts Bogey and Cora in is a bit perplexing, too. Maybe not to many posters and maybe not even to Bloom and Cora. They weighed everything up and decided pouncing now was the thing to do.

 

We got our defensive SS for the future and he can hit, too. It's entirely possible to be perplexed and happy at the same time. The 2021 season was a fine exampleof just that!

 

 

 

I think the Bind is on Bloom .I get your point though and it could turn to that but my guess and hope is Bloom has already started The negotiations with Bogey and we will see that result this week.

[Hugh2]

You know what I love the most about arguing sports with people on the internet? Is forgetting. Some of you do such a great job of remembering, it's admirable really.

 

I remember arguing with someone, somewhere about Bloom not being afraid to spend the money, and the Sox willing to go over the cap but for the life of me I just can't recall who I need to specifically call out so I can have my AHHHH HAAAAA I TOLD YOU SO MOMENT!!!!

 

To be fair, I was 100% certain we would sign an outfielder and not have JBJ as a starter, and that's looking like a big maybe at this point.

[Nick]

For those that wanted BOTH Houck and Whitlock in the pen, you won't get your wish.

 

Cora made it official today. Houck will start. No more going back and forth. He's our third starter. Period. He will follow Eovaldi and Pivetta in season opening series against Yankees.

 

5 years of team control. Will earn minimum wage of $700K (or something). This is how you pay for Story. This is how you compensate for E Rod leaving.

 

And so far, we've kept all our prospects.

[moonslav59]

For those that wanted BOTH Houck and Whitlock in the pen, you won't get your wish.

 

Cora made it official today. Houck will start. No more going back and forth. He's our third starter. Period. He will follow Eovaldi and Pivetta in season opening series against Yankees.

 

5 years of team control. Will earn minimum wage of $700K (or something). This is how you pay for Story. This is how you compensate for E Rod leaving.

 

And so far, we've kept all our prospects.

 

I think it's good he made the choice somewhat early.

 

The closer by committee idea may be ripe for this era, but I'm having a hard time thinking it will work.

 

I sure hope the Barnes we see is the first half 2021 Barnes and not the last couple months Barnes.

[Nick]

Per MLB on one goal for each team

 

Rangers: Prove the moves were worth it

The Rangers have been as aggressive as anyone in baseball this offseason, signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to megadeals. But there’s no question, they still have a long way to go. But you’ve got to start somewhere. They haven’t had a winning season since recording 95 wins in 2016. Their high since then has been 78, accomplished in both '17 and '19. That’s a fair target to aim toward.

 

It's amazing to me that they can add Seager and Semien and "still have a long way to go". Perfect example of free agents alone will not get you out of a hole.

[notin]

You know what I love the most about arguing sports with people on the internet? Is forgetting. Some of you do such a great job of remembering, it's admirable really.

 

I remember arguing with someone, somewhere about Bloom not being afraid to spend the money, and the Sox willing to go over the cap but for the life of me I just can't recall who I need to specifically call out so I can have my AHHHH HAAAAA I TOLD YOU SO MOMENT!!!!

 

To be fair, I was 100% certain we would sign an outfielder and not have JBJ as a starter, and that's looking like a big maybe at this point.

 

I don’t think that JBJ starting was a “maybe.” Ever.

 

Again, the Sox didn’t trade a cheaper middle-of-the-order starter to get two middling prospects and a more expensive 4th outfielder. The prospects were definitely a factor, but so was JBJ.

 

Now at some point, it’s possible JBJ can become a 4th outfielder, but he’ll have to earn his way there.

 

I’d still like to see them add a RHH platoon option for him. (No, not Christian “Fragile” Arroyo. Right field at Fenway is no place for OJT.). But so far they haven’t gotten one, unless it’s Rob Refsnyder, which would be even sillier since his career OPS vs LHP is worse than Bradley’s…

[notin]

Who would have rather had Hang’em Chaim spend big on Rodriguez instead of story?

 

And patient.

 

He waited deep into the trading deadline and got Schwarber and at the last second, Austin Davis. He waited out this market for Story.

 

If you like a GM who acts fast and sets the market, Bloom is not looking like your guy…

[Nick]

I don’t think that JBJ starting was a “maybe.” Ever.

 

Again, the Sox didn’t trade a cheaper middle-of-the-order starter to get two middling prospects and a more expensive 4th outfielder. The prospects were definitely a factor, but so was JBJ.

 

Now at some point, it’s possible JBJ can become a 4th outfielder, but he’ll have to earn his way there.

 

I’d still like to see them add a RHH platoon option for him. (No, not Christian “Fragile” Arroyo. Right field at Fenway is no place for OJT.). But so far they haven’t gotten one, unless it’s Rob Refsnyder, which would be even sillier since his career OPS vs LHP is worse than Bradley’s…

 

Interesting that Sox really does not have true rightfielder. Verdugo is a leftfielder, Kike and JBJ are center fielders.

[moonslav59]

And patient.

 

He waited deep into the trading deadline and got Schwarber and at the last second, Austin Davis. He waited out this market for Story.

 

If you like a GM who acts fast and sets the market, Bloom is not looking like your guy…

 

He waited even longer for Iggy.

[mvp 78]

And patient.

 

He waited deep into the trading deadline and got Schwarber and at the last second, Austin Davis. He waited out this market for Story.

 

If you like a GM who acts fast and sets the market, Bloom is not looking like your guy…

 

He's the opposite of Desperate Dave.

[moonslav59]

Interesting that Sox really does not have true rightfielder. Verdugo is a leftfielder, Kike and JBJ are center fielders.

 

Fenway's RF is like CF in many parks.

[moonslav59]

He's the opposite of Desperate Dave.

 

True dat!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

He's the opposite of Desperate Dave.

 

Need a reliever? Sign Familia! Sign Hand! Who cares if they're past their primes! Need a bat? Sign Schwarber! Sign Castellanos! Who cares if they're both DHs! Need a new job? Someone in need of an instant makeover will always hire Dave! Who cares about the budget or farm....

[mvp 78]

Need a reliever? Sign Familia! Sign Hand! Who cares if they're past their primes! Need a bat? Sign Schwarber! Sign Castellanos! Who cares if they're both DHs! Need a new job? Someone in need of an instant makeover will always hire Dave! Who cares about the budget or farm....

 

He did also sign Ockimey.

[Bellhorn04]

Need a reliever? Sign Familia! Sign Hand! Who cares if they're past their primes! Need a bat? Sign Schwarber! Sign Castellanos! Who cares if they're both DHs! Need a new job? Someone in need of an instant makeover will always hire Dave! Who cares about the budget or farm....

 

2022 = The Big Showdown Between Desperate Dave and Patient Chaim!

[moonslav59]

2022 = The Big Showdown Between Desperate Dave and Patient Chaim!

 

Winter of '22-'23

 

C _______

1B Dalbec/Casas

2B ______/Arroyo/Downs

3B Devers

SS Story

LF Duran/Verdugo

CF ______/ JBJ

RF JBJ/Verdugo

DH Dalbec/Casas

 

SP1 _____

SP2 Sale

SP3 Houck

SP4 Whitlock

SP5 Pivetta

 

Closer _____

RP2 Barnes

RP3 _____

RP4 Taylor

RP5 Diekman

RP6 Brasier

RP7 Davis

RP8 Sawamura/Valdez/Bazardo/Feltman

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Winter of '22-'23

 

C _______

1B Dalbec/Casas

2B ______/Arroyo/Downs

3B Devers

SS Story

LF Duran/Verdugo

CF ______/ JBJ

RF JBJ/Verdugo

DH Dalbec/Casas

 

SP1 _____

SP2 Sale

SP3 Houck

SP4 Whitlock

SP5 Pivetta

 

Closer _____

RP2 Barnes

RP3 _____

RP4 Taylor

RP5 Diekman

RP6 Brasier

RP7 Davis

RP8 Sawamura/Valdez/Bazardo/Feltman

 

Two things: 1. I'm still busy worrying about '22 to fret about '23... but if I have to, 2. I'm done counting on Sale; he's now in the bonus stage of his career (as in, anything he contributes will be a bonus).

[mvp 78]

@SmittyOnMLB

Josh Taylor questionable for Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster because of back issue

 

Clearing up that LHP logjam.

[moonslav59]

Two things: 1. I'm still busy worrying about '22 to fret about '23... but if I have to, 2. I'm done counting on Sale; he's now in the bonus stage of his career (as in, anything he contributes will be a bonus).

 

I hear you, especially on Sale.

 

Some possible deals yet to be made for 2022 might have some of those blanks spots on the '23 matrix in mind.

[mvp 78]

@chadjennings22

Small Red Sox bullpen updates:

- Josh Taylor has a minor back issue. Unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day.

- Austin Davis and Darwinzon Hernández are getting stretched out for multi-inning roles.

- Alex Cora seems high on Hirokazu Sawamura as an important piece in Year 2.

 

Surprised about DHern, but he was a SP for most of his MiLB tenure.

 

I could see Sawamura making a leap this year.

[moonslav59]

@chadjennings22

Small Red Sox bullpen updates:

- Josh Taylor has a minor back issue. Unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day.

- Austin Davis and Darwinzon Hernández are getting stretched out for multi-inning roles.

- Alex Cora seems high on Hirokazu Sawamura as an important piece in Year 2.

 

Surprised about DHern, but he was a SP for most of his MiLB tenure.

 

I could see Sawamura making a leap this year.

 

DHern has not really been improving in the role he's been given. Maybe changing it up might work.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

DHern has not really been improving in the role he's been given. Maybe changing it up might work.

 

Sox know DHern can be a weapon... but used in the wrong contexts could risk the end of days. In the meantime, more neutral test sites are needed to ensure the safety of children and other living things.