A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[mvp 78]

More likely Downs…

 

Much more likely Downs than Duran. Like 99% more likely.

[mvp 78]

Downs? He can’t hit 200 in Worcester, and strikes out more than Story, so how do you think he could hit in Boston?

 

Did I say I expected Downs to hit in Boston?

[mvp 78]

So you’re saying Duran is more likely to play 2b than Downs?

 

Also, BA for minor leaguers can be misleading depending on what the team is doing with them. I have no idea if the Sox are using any approach with Downs, but sometimes I believe teams will want a player to work on hitting breaking stuff, so he will be told not to swing at fastballs.

 

If something like this is going on with Downs, his numbers can be moot…

 

Downs is in a slump. However, a slumping Downs is still more likely to play 2b for The Sox than Duran. That's how committed they are to not moving on from the OF experiment for Duran.

[dgalehouse]

There are currently just five A.L. teams that are above .500 . A lot of really weak clubs out there. The A's are a train wreck. They really need to be re-located to Vegas or get new ownership or something.

[notin]

Downs is in a slump. However, a slumping Downs is still more likely to play 2b for The Sox than Duran. That's how committed they are to not moving on from the OF experiment for Duran.

 

 

Ok, let’s say the Sox moved Duran back to 2b tonight. And it went seamlessly. He was a clear hypothetical natural who could just play the position, always knew where to be, made every possible play and maybe even one or two impossible ones. Just a clear cut natural 2b.

 

Would that mean the Sox cut ties with Bogaerts?

[Fan_since_Boggs]

OK, Koss was a reach. I'm looking for an above average defensive player for SS and I don't care if he is a ninth hitter (and Koss is clearly a weak hitter) but maybe there is a better option out there with MLB experience who would upgrade the SS position defensively while also being a weak hitter (and relatively inexpensive to acquire).

 

The problem with resigning Bogaerts: he will want a boatload of money and does it make sense for the Red Sox to give him that money when he doesn't excel defensively? He is a weak defensive SS and his defensive is only going to decline, it isn't going to get better.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

It is almost like Duran should be a LF, but I'm assuming the Red Sox don't like Verdugo in RF. This teams has problems--the pieces don't fit together and I can't help but wonder what Bloom's plan is.

 

Who is the CF next year, who is the RF next year, who is the C next year, who is the SS next year? This is assuming that Casas is ready to take over at 1b, otherwise the Red Sox need to address that position as well.

Edited June 6, 2022 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

It is almost like Duran should be a LF, but I'm assuming the Red Sox don't like Verdugo in RF. This teams has problems--the pieces don't fit together and I can't help but wonder what Bloom's plan is.

 

Who is the CF next year, who is the RF next year, who is the C next year, who is the SS next year? This is assuming that Casas is ready to take over at 1b, otherwise the Red Sox need to address that position as well.

 

I agree on Verdugo and Duran's best positions both being LF, and it makes me wonder if both are back, next year. I can't see either being the FT or near FT DH.

[Old Red]

Downs is in a slump. However, a slumping Downs is still more likely to play 2b for The Sox than Duran. That's how committed they are to not moving on from the OF experiment for Duran.

 

Downs is in a slump? It’s been two years now under 200 for Downs so maybe that just his norm.

[mvp 78]

It is almost like Duran should be a LF, but I'm assuming the Red Sox don't like Verdugo in RF. This teams has problems--the pieces don't fit together and I can't help but wonder what Bloom's plan is.

 

Who is the CF next year, who is the RF next year, who is the C next year, who is the SS next year? This is assuming that Casas is ready to take over at 1b, otherwise the Red Sox need to address that position as well.

 

I agree, these are some interesting questions the Sox have to answer. Some of the pieces just don't seem to fit together.

[mvp 78]

OK, Koss was a reach. I'm looking for an above average defensive player for SS and I don't care if he is a ninth hitter (and Koss is clearly a weak hitter) but maybe there is a better option out there with MLB experience who would upgrade the SS position defensively while also being a weak hitter (and relatively inexpensive to acquire).

 

The problem with resigning Bogaerts: he will want a boatload of money and does it make sense for the Red Sox to give him that money when he doesn't excel defensively? He is a weak defensive SS and his defensive is only going to decline, it isn't going to get better.

 

Hold your nose with Andrelton Simmons for a year? He's been dreadful this season though. Maybe they deal for a young guy that can bridge you to Mayer.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I'm a little worried about Simmons' age, I want a younger player.

 

This would work if the Red Sox could afford to sign Judge while extending Devers:

1b: Casas

2b: Story

SS: ???, trade for a defensive whiz, 9th hitter

3b: Devers

C: Wong (I'm a believer)

LF: Duran

CF: could resign Hernandez to a two-year contract

RF: Judge

DH: Cordero

 

Trade: Verdugo

 

Say goodbye to: Eavoldi, JD Martinez, Bogaerts, Vazquez, and Verdugo

 

Starting staff:

Sale

Pivetta

Whitlock

Winckowski or Bello

Free Agent

Edited June 6, 2022 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

I'm a little worried about Simmons' age, I want a younger player.

 

This would work if the Red Sox could afford to sign Judge while extending Devers:

1b: Casas

2b: Story

SS: ???, trade for a defensive whiz, 9th hitter

3b: Devers

C: Wong (I'm a believer)

LF: Duran

CF: could resign Hernandez to a two-year contract

RF: Judge

DH: Cordero

 

Trade: Verdugo

 

Say goodbye to: Eavoldi, JD Martinez, Bogaerts, Vazquez, and Verdugo

 

Starting staff:

Sale

Pivetta

Whitlock

Winckowski or Bello

Free Agent

 

I'd adjust as such...

 

1b: Casas/Dalbec

2b: Arroyo/Downs/Fitzy

SS: Stroy

3b: Devers

C: FA/Trade Catcher -Wong (I'm a believer as a back-up)

LF: Duran/Verduo

CF: JBJ/Verdugo

RF: Judge

DH: Dalbec/Cordero

 

Trade: Barnes

 

Say goodbye to: Eavoldi, JD Martinez, Bogaerts, Vazquez, Plawecki, Wacha, Hill, Strahm

 

Starting staff:

FA/Trade

Sale

Whitlock

Paxton

Pivetta

(6th starter: Winckowski, Seabold or Bello)

Closer: FA/trade

Houck

Taylor

Scheiber

German

Davis

Diekman

Davis/Danish/Valdez/Sawamura (Converted SP from AAA)

[Larry Cook]

Toronto is loaded in catchers. Maybe we could somehow get one of theirs.

[Bellhorn04]

Say goodbye to: Eavoldi, JD Martinez, Bogaerts, Vazquez, Plawecki, Wacha, Hill, Strahm

 

It's almost time for another Vaz debate!

 

He seems to be playing well lately.

[notin]

OK, Koss was a reach. I'm looking for an above average defensive player for SS and I don't care if he is a ninth hitter (and Koss is clearly a weak hitter) but maybe there is a better option out there with MLB experience who would upgrade the SS position defensively while also being a weak hitter (and relatively inexpensive to acquire).

 

The problem with resigning Bogaerts: he will want a boatload of money and does it make sense for the Red Sox to give him that money when he doesn't excel defensively? He is a weak defensive SS and his defensive is only going to decline, it isn't going to get better.

 

You do realize Trevor Story is an above average defensive shortstop who also happens to be 100% likely to play that position on the Sox if they don’t re-sign Bogaerts…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's almost time for another Vaz debate!

 

He seems to be playing well lately.

 

Right; my take has usually been overrated D, underrated O. Sometimes lazy/aging glove, but decent rally line-mover, hitting behind runners.

 

Clearly, management was ready to move on from Vaz last winter, with the pursuit of Stallings.

 

We haven't seen it yet -- except for kind of with Whitlock -- but could it be Bloom and Co. prefers more longterm contracts for younger players? Not saying Houston is a blueprint to follow, since Springer and Correa left, but at least the Stros were able to ink core guys like Bregman, McCullers and now Alvarez for "reasonable" money.

 

Meanwhile, Sox fans ask: Why do our stars like Mookie and Raffy turn down twice as much or three times as much in Boston as some stars sign for in Houston? Is it really just the weather?

[Bellhorn04]

Meanwhile, Sox fans ask: Why do our stars like Mookie and Raffy turn down twice as much or three times as much in Boston as some stars sign for in Houston? Is it really just the weather?

 

Well, Judge did the same.

 

And Bogey did sign an extension, albeit with the dreaded opt-out.

[mvp 78]

Right; my take has usually been overrated D, underrated O. Sometimes lazy/aging glove, but decent rally line-mover, hitting behind runners.

 

Clearly, management was ready to move on from Vaz last winter, with the pursuit of Stallings.

 

We haven't seen it yet -- except for kind of with Whitlock -- but could it be Bloom and Co. prefers more longterm contracts for younger players? Not saying Houston is a blueprint to follow, since Springer and Correa left, but at least the Stros were able to ink core guys like Bregman, McCullers and now Alvarez for "reasonable" money.

 

Meanwhile, Sox fans ask: Why do our stars like Mookie and Raffy turn down twice as much or three times as much in Boston as some stars sign for in Houston? Is it really just the weather?

 

Astros are extending Alvarez earlier in his career than the Sox are "attempting" to do with Devers. The Alvarez extension would be if the Sox signed Devers to an extension in 2020. I think the Sox wait too long to offer the first extension.

[notin]

Right; my take has usually been overrated D, underrated O. Sometimes lazy/aging glove, but decent rally line-mover, hitting behind runners.

 

Clearly, management was ready to move on from Vaz last winter, with the pursuit of Stallings.

 

We haven't seen it yet -- except for kind of with Whitlock -- but could it be Bloom and Co. prefers more longterm contracts for younger players? Not saying Houston is a blueprint to follow, since Springer and Correa left, but at least the Stros were able to ink core guys like Bregman, McCullers and now Alvarez for "reasonable" money.

 

Meanwhile, Sox fans ask: Why do our stars like Mookie and Raffy turn down twice as much or three times as much in Boston as some stars sign for in Houston? Is it really just the weather?

 

Houston tends to sign players to extensions in the first 2-3 years of service time. It looks good but in most cases, they’re only delaying free agency by 1-2 years.

 

But I don’t recall Springer or Correa giving them any sort of discount…

[Bellhorn04]

Astros are extending Alvarez earlier in his career than the Sox are "attempting" to do with Devers. The Alvarez extension would be if the Sox signed Devers to an extension in 2020. I think the Sox wait too long to offer the first extension.

 

They did offer an early extension to Mookie, the one his mother talked him out of.

 

Mookie *seemed to* relish the role of the guy who's determined to make it to the free agency bonanza.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Astros are extending Alvarez earlier in his career than the Sox are "attempting" to do with Devers. The Alvarez extension would be if the Sox signed Devers to an extension in 2020. I think the Sox wait too long to offer the first extension.

 

Fair assessment. Maybe Bloom plans to act fast on tying up his core of sustained contenders, once they make the bigs... if he's still here, when that happens.

[notin]

They did offer an early extension to Mookie, the one his mother talked him out of.

 

Mookie *seemed to* relish the role of the guy who's determined to make it to the free agency bonanza.

 

The Sox offered Mookie $300mill; he countered with $420mill.

 

I don’t think the Sox wanted to go to much above a $30mill AAV…

[notin]

Fair assessment. Maybe Bloom plans to act fast on tying up his core of sustained contenders, once they make the bigs... if he's still here, when that happens.

 

Well he started one already with Whitlock…

[mvp 78]

Well he started one already with Whitlock…

 

^^^

 

The problem may have been a failure of the previous leadership.

[Bellhorn04]

^^^

 

The problem may have been a failure of the previous leadership.

 

Dombrowski did the early lockup on Vazquez, not that anyone will throw a parade for that one.

 

And you can't really knock the extension with Bogaerts. The price was low so it's understandable Bogey got an opt-out as compensation.

[notin]

Dombrowski did the early lockup on Vazquez, not that anyone will throw a parade for that one.

 

And you can't really knock the extension with Bogaerts. The price was low so it's understandable Bogey got an opt-out as compensation.

 

The extension with Bogaerts not only shouldn’t be knocked, it should be praised.

 

That he signed that deal with only one year to go until free agency was brilliant. The lockout makes it look like less, but in no way do we get 3 additional years of Bogaerts at a relatively low AAV without it…

[moonslav59]

Houston tends to sign players to extensions in the first 2-3 years of service time. It looks good but in most cases, they’re only delaying free agency by 1-2 years.

 

But I don’t recall Springer or Correa giving them any sort of discount…

 

An article in a local paper, here in Houston, listed all their recent extensions, and the list basically has not mistakes. The only borderline ones are Bregman, who had a great first year after being extended, but has been average since, and possibly McCullers.

 

Some of the guys they let go have done okay, but they have spent a lot of time on the IL, too.

[Bellhorn04]

An article in a local paper, here in Houston, listed all their recent extensions, and the list basically has not mistakes. The only borderline ones are Bregman, who had a great first year after being extended, but has been average since, and possibly McCullers.

 

Some of the guys they let go have done okay, but they have spent a lot of time on the IL, too.

 

It's all pretty much a crapshoot, in other words.

[moonslav59]

It's all pretty much a crapshoot, in other words.

 

Except the Astros are like 10 for 10.