A Realistic View at 2022: Part I

[mvp 78]

FWIW their 2021 salaries:

 

McCutchen $20 million

Iglesias $3.5 million

Givens $4.05 million

Ottavino $9 million

McHugh $0

 

The Iggy amount is too high then. The others should be close enough.

[notin]

Sox still need an OF bat, 2B/SS backup and a few pitchers.

 

Here's who I would target:

 

McCutchen 1/7

Iggy 2/8

Mychal Givens 1/3

Ottavino 1/5

McHugh 1/3

 

What about Archie Bradley, Oliver Drake, or Wander Suero for RP targets?

[notin]

Sox still need an OF bat, 2B/SS backup and a few pitchers.

 

Here's who I would target:

 

McCutchen 1/7

Iggy 2/8

Mychal Givens 1/3

Ottavino 1/5

McHugh 1/3

 

I’ve been suggesting McCutchen, but if the goal is to find a RHH bat to platoon with Bradley, whom I am assuming will play RF, is he a good option defensively? And if not, is there a better option available via free agency?

[mvp 78]

What about Archie Bradley, Oliver Drake, or Wander Suero for RP targets?

 

I like Bradley. I'm not familiar with Drake or Suero.

[mvp 78]

I’ve been suggesting McCutchen, but if the goal is to find a RHH bat to platoon with Bradley, whom I am assuming will play RF, is he a good option defensively? And if not, is there a better option available via free agency?

 

Kevin Pillar.

 

I thought the Sox would try to bring him back last year. They didn't. He fits the profile of a guy they could use though.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I’ve been suggesting McCutchen, but if the goal is to find a RHH bat to platoon with Bradley, whom I am assuming will play RF, is he a good option defensively? And if not, is there a better option available via free agency?

 

I'm not assuming JBJ will play RF, but if that's his part-time position, then a cheap righty bat like Souza would fit the platoon. If Verdugo moves over to RF permanently, and Kike splits fulltime in CF and LF (when Jackie starts), then a righty bat like Pham is a much more affordable option than McCutcheon as JBJ's platoon partner.

 

The projections for Suzuki, who has never played in the MLB, are five years for $55 million? Does that fit Bloom's MO in any way? I can't even see $11M AAV for one or two years; not when Kike is still the longest term contract Bloom has given out for an outfielder, at $14M for two (Bradley makes more AAV, but we all know he is the cost of Binelas and Hamilton).

[notin]

Kevin Pillar.

 

I thought the Sox would try to bring him back last year. They didn't. He fits the profile of a guy they could use though.

 

He does the best foot on the free agent market, although his offense is pretty much random…

[notin]

I'm not assuming JBJ will play RF, but if that's his part-time position, then a cheap righty bat like Souza would fit the platoon. If Verdugo moves over to RF permanently, and Kike splits fulltime in CF and LF (when Jackie starts), then a righty bat like Pham is a much more affordable option than McCutcheon as JBJ's platoon partner.

 

The projections for Suzuki, who has never played in the MLB, are five years for $55 million? Does that fit Bloom's MO in any way? I can't even see $11M AAV for one or two years; not when Kike is still the longest term contract Bloom has given out for an outfielder, at $14M for two (Bradley makes more AAV, but we all know he is the cost of Binelas and Hamilton).

 

Souza has like 330 plate appearances since 2017. He’s more likely to sprain his wrist signing the contract than to play a season in a platoon role…

[notin]

I'm not assuming JBJ will play RF, but if that's his part-time position, then a cheap righty bat like Souza would fit the platoon. If Verdugo moves over to RF permanently, and Kike splits fulltime in CF and LF (when Jackie starts), then a righty bat like Pham is a much more affordable option than McCutcheon as JBJ's platoon partner.

 

The projections for Suzuki, who has never played in the MLB, are five years for $55 million? Does that fit Bloom's MO in any way? I can't even see $11M AAV for one or two years; not when Kike is still the longest term contract Bloom has given out for an outfielder, at $14M for two (Bradley makes more AAV, but we all know he is the cost of Binelas and Hamilton).

 

Souza has like 330 plate appearances since 2017. He’s more likely to sprain his wrist signing the contract than to play a season in a platoon role.

 

Pham had very little experience in RF, but he’s a league average CF defender. He’s not a bad call…

[mvp 78]

I'm not assuming JBJ will play RF, but if that's his part-time position, then a cheap righty bat like Souza would fit the platoon. If Verdugo moves over to RF permanently, and Kike splits fulltime in CF and LF (when Jackie starts), then a righty bat like Pham is a much more affordable option than McCutcheon as JBJ's platoon partner.

 

The projections for Suzuki, who has never played in the MLB, are five years for $55 million? Does that fit Bloom's MO in any way? I can't even see $11M AAV for one or two years; not when Kike is still the longest term contract Bloom has given out for an outfielder, at $14M for two (Bradley makes more AAV, but we all know he is the cost of Binelas and Hamilton).

 

I'd keep Kiké in CF and put JBJ in LF or RF depending on the field.

[mvp 78]

He does the best foot on the free agent market, although his offense is pretty much random…

 

I believe there is a personal reason they don't want to bring Pillar back.

[moonslav59]

I believe there is a personal reason they don't want to bring Pillar back.

 

Does it have to do with being a Pillar of Salt?

[mvp 78]

Does it have to do with being a Pillar of Salt?

 

Objection your honor!

[Bellhorn04]

He does the best foot on the free agent market, although his offense is pretty much random…

 

He does the best foot?

[moonslav59]

He does the best foot?

 

It must be his spell-correct, again.

[Bellhorn04]

It must be his spell-correct, again.

 

I know, but usually I can figure out what got mis-spelled. Not this time.

[mvp 78]

He does the best foot?

 

notin is Rex Ryan confirmed.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I'd keep Kiké in CF and put JBJ in LF or RF depending on the field.

 

Kike is trending, so Bloom will do the opposite of our preferences. Remember, Kike's biggest value to management remains his versatility, and he has played more games in his career in LF than SS... and also, more games in LF than JBJ has played in RF.

 

Kike was arguably the Sox' best player last year, so it's hard to keep in mind that Bradley was also arguably their best player in 2020 (especially to miserable fans -- most probably in Milwaukee -- who only go by the most recent season).

 

p.s. when I suggested Pham as another outfielder to acquire, it was to platoon with JBJ, but to play LF vs. lefties... with Kike moving back to CF

[moonslav59]

Maybe once Casas gets the call, Dalbec plays LF vs LHPs.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Maybe once Casas gets the call, Dalbec plays LF vs LHPs.

 

His arm is too strong for LF in Fenway; Dalbec's throws would go over the backstop. He could probably play in the Green Monster seats and throw back home run balls... or he could throw some from the mound, in late-inning relief. Man, this no-season offseason is already too non-existent.

[notin]

Kike is trending, so Bloom will do the opposite of our preferences. Remember, Kike's biggest value to management remains his versatility, and he has played more games in his career in LF than SS... and also, more games in LF than JBJ has played in RF.

 

Kike was arguably the Sox' best player last year, so it's hard to keep in mind that Bradley was also arguably their best player in 2020 (especially to miserable fans -- most probably in Milwaukee -- who only go by the most recent season).

 

p.s. when I suggested Pham as another outfielder to acquire, it was to platoon with JBJ, but to play LF vs. lefties... with Kike moving back to CF

 

Actually I like the idea of Verdugo in LF, Hernandez in CF, and Bradley/Pham in RF. That would be a significant upgrade to the outfield defense…

[moonslav59]

Actually I like the idea of Verdugo in LF, Hernandez in CF, and Bradley/Pham in RF. That would be a significant upgrade to the outfield defense…

 

So...

 

Pham > MCCutchen?

[mvp 78]

So...

 

Pham > MCCutchen?

 

Defensively, yes. Pham was really rough offensively 2d half of 2021.

[moonslav59]

Could we see one of these?

 

Rodon, Pham & Iggy

 

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Story, Pham & Tepera

 

Which would you prefer?

[mvp 78]

Could we see one of these?

 

Rodon, Pham & Iggy

 

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Story, Pham & Tepera

 

Which would you prefer?

 

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Those things COULD happen, but won't.

[moonslav59]

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Those things COULD happen, but won't.

 

Less than 1% chance on any of the 3 trifectas.

 

It's probably a 2% chance we sign just one from any of these lists.

 

Maybe I put this on he wrong thread.

[notin]

So...

 

Pham > MCCutchen?

 

In RF at Fenway? Absolutely.

 

I’m also hoping that Pham can bounce back offensively, assuming he can manage to go all off-season without getting stabbed…

[notin]

Could we see one of these?

 

Rodon, Pham & Iggy

 

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Story, Pham & Tepera

 

Which would you prefer?

 

Rodon, Pham and Iggy…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Could we see one of these?

 

Rodon, Pham & Iggy

 

Suzuki, Tepera & Iggy

 

Story, Pham & Tepera

 

Which would you prefer?

 

I like them all, but the first combo is the best for 2022 (if there is one). I've come around to a lot of new playing styles and methods of analysis, but can't see past the value of good starting pitching -- which the Red Sox just cannot claim right now; the current rotation beyond Eovaldi is too full of Ifs and Butts.

[notin]

I like them all, but the first combo is the best for 2022 (if there is one). I've come around to a lot of new playing styles and methods of analysis, but can't see past the value of good starting pitching -- which the Red Sox just cannot claim right now; the current rotation beyond Eovaldi is too full of Ifs and Butts.

 

It’s funny to look at a rotation with to may health question marks and think Rodon is a solution and not another part of the problem…