A Realistic View at 2023: Part I

[moonslav59]

R Hernandez was removed from the 40 man…

 

Well, we did play 54 players in the bigs, last year. the 60 day IL players allow for additions, but others will come and go. It would take a serious catcher injury or cliff dive for RHern to be added to the 40, but stranger things have happened.

 

We have 2 catchers on the 40. Tell me you really think no other catcher will play on the big club, this season but those two.

[notin]

Well, we did play 54 players in the bigs, last year. the 60 day IL players allow for additions, but others will come and go. It would take a serious catcher injury or cliff dive for RHern to be added to the 40, but stranger things have happened.

 

We have 2 catchers on the 40. Tell me you really think no other catcher will play on the big club, this season but those two.

 

I never said that.

 

The Sox might use other catchers, but the only advantage Hernandez ever had was already being on the 40 man. I’m not so sure he’s still a more likely candidate than Caleb Hamilton, Kole Cottam or Stephen Scott…

[Old Red]

Until they acquire a SS or 2b, Arroyo is the starter. Unless her gets platooned with Valdez.

 

He could also wind up in a platoon with Duran where E Hernandez flips between 2b (vs RHP) and CF (vs LHP), but that’s probably a bit of a long shot…

 

I don’t think Kike will flip anywhere, so wherever he plays he stays. I don’t think Duran is in anyone’s major plan either just like last year, and will only play if everything else fails. I don’t see Valdez in any kind of plan either, and would only be a last option kind of thing too.

[moonslav59]

I never said that.

 

The Sox might use other catchers, but the only advantage Hernandez ever had was already being on the 40 man. I’m not so sure he’s still a more likely candidate than Caleb Hamilton, Kole Cottam or Stephen Scott…

 

My post was more directed to MVP.

 

I think RHern has at least an equal chance at being the 3rd catcher added to the 40 as anyone else. I don't think he needs to be "mashing" to get the first chance. I think he is currently 3rd on the depth chart, although SP's has him 4th- behind Hamitlon.

[mvp 78]

I never said that.

 

The Sox might use other catchers, but the only advantage Hernandez ever had was already being on the 40 man. I’m not so sure he’s still a more likely candidate than Caleb Hamilton, Kole Cottam or Stephen Scott…

 

Caleb Hamilton is the 3rd Catcher. If they need someone else, they grab them off someone else's MiLB squad.

[mvp 78]

My post was more directed to MVP.

 

I think RHern has at least an equal chance at being the 3rd catcher added to the 40 as anyone else. I don't think he needs to be "mashing" to get the first chance. I think he is currently 3rd on the depth chart, although SP's has him 4th- behind Hamitlon.

 

Well, you're wrong because he's NOT the 3rd Catcher. I'm not sure if Bloom even sees him as a Catcher. They are giving him every opportunity to catch, but he's not very good at it. He was only called up in an emergency situation last year because he was on the 40 man. Now that he's not on the 40 man, there's no reason to call him up. If you are calling up a guy as a defensive replacement, it's typically a glove first guy that can call a game. Ronaldo can't do that. He just can't.

 

He's a bat first Catcher who only OPS'd 750 in AAA. They aren't putting him back on the 40 man.

[moonslav59]

Well, you're wrong because he's NOT the 3rd Catcher. I'm not sure if Bloom even sees him as a Catcher. They are giving him every opportunity to catch, but he's not very good at it. He was only called up in an emergency situation last year because he was on the 40 man. Now that he's not on the 40 man, there's no reason to call him up. If you are calling up a guy as a defensive replacement, it's typically a glove first guy that can call a game. Ronaldo can't do that. He just can't.

 

He's a bat first Catcher who only OPS'd 750 in AAA. They aren't putting him back on the 40 man.

 

I actually posted Hamilton is listed as the 3rd catcher. Was that "wrong?"

 

I think RHern will get the first call, if needed, and he does not have to be mashing to get it. It's just my opinion. I think RHern is going to have a good season.

[mvp 78]

I actually posted Hamilton is listed as the 3rd catcher. Was that "wrong?"

 

I think RHern will get the first call, if needed, and he does not have to be mashing to get it. It's just my opinion. I think RHern is going to have a good season.

 

Ok, so if there's an injury, you're calling up a guy who has question marks behind the plate rather than someone that can at least call a game? If we knew his bat could play, maybe it'd make sense, but he wasn't really lighting the world on fire last season. He has the potential/tools to be a good Catcher, but just has never really developed.

[moonslav59]

Ok, so if there's an injury, you're calling up a guy who has question marks behind the plate rather than someone that can at least call a game? If we knew his bat could play, maybe it'd make sense, but he wasn't really lighting the world on fire last season. He has the potential/tools to be a good Catcher, but just has never really developed.

 

I think RHern has way better offensive potential. If he's as bad on D as you think he is, then I stand corrected.

 

[moonslav59]

Now, with Alfaro added to the catcher mix, it looks like Hamilton & RHern will just be minor league depth with little chance of making the 40 man roster, at least until Alfaro's dates to be added are up.

 

Down the road a bit, 23 year old Nathan Hickey shows some promise, if he can stick at catcher. Gotta love his .415 OBP at A-/A+, last year. He's projected to start at Greenville and has Stephen Scott ahead of him at Portland.

[mvp 78]

I think RHern has way better offensive potential. If he's as bad on D as you think he is, then I stand corrected.

 

 

I mean, we'll see? "Development is not linear."

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I mean, we'll see? "Development is not linear."

 

It's a pictograph

[mvp 78]

It's a pictograph

 

If they keep repeating "development is not linear" enough, eventually we'll just have to accept it for what it is.

[moonslav59]

I think we'd all take back the Springs & Mazza for RHern trade.

[mvp 78]

I think we'd all take back the Springs & Mazza for RHern trade.

 

They did that trade probably because both were likely to be DFA'd. You have to undo the trade and tell Bloom to stick with Springs.

[moonslav59]

They did that trade probably because both were likely to be DFA'd. You have to undo the trade and tell Bloom to stick with Springs.

 

Indeed. They got Springs for a reason, then gave up a year too soon.

 

Once could say the same about Martin Perez.

[mvp 78]

Indeed. They got Springs for a reason, then gave up a year too soon.

 

Once could say the same about Martin Perez.

 

They got Perez, held onto him for 2 mediocre seasons and then he had a career year after leaving. Do I believe that his really low HR rate and high LOB% will continue in 2023? Hell no. Will he be worth 20M? That's like 2.4 fWAR or so. Maybe? That rotation is filled with lots of ifs though. At least he can give them innings.

[moonslav59]

They got Perez, held onto him for 2 mediocre seasons and then he had a career year after leaving. Do I believe that his really low HR rate and high LOB% will continue in 2023? Hell no. Will he be worth 20M? That's like 2.4 fWAR or so. Maybe? That rotation is filled with lots of ifs though. At least he can give them innings.

 

It does seem like an outlier year, but maybe we were right about him having the potential to be decent, but we just missed on the timing.

 

Maybe the Rangers have better coaches or some other player helped him with an adjustment that made a big difference.

[mvp 78]

@Feinsand

The Rockies have acquired RHP Connor Seabold from the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations, per source.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@Feinsand

The Rockies have acquired RHP Connor Seabold from the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations, per source.

 

The only thing I know about pitching is that it's hard to hit... but if the Rox hired me as an insultant -- from what I've seen of Seabold's stuff, I don't think Coors would be much of a home field advantage.

[moonslav59]

@Feinsand

The Rockies have acquired RHP Connor Seabold from the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations, per source.

 

Kinda shows you the state of pitching, these days.

 

Who knows, maybe the "cash considerations" is what a bag of used balls costs.

[notin]

The only thing I know about pitching is that it's hard to hit... but if the Rox hired me as an insultant -- from what I've seen of Seabold's stuff, I don't think Coors would be much of a home field advantage.

 

 

They’re taking a flier on an arm with MLB experience.

 

As for the Sox, I expect cash will be the return…

[notin]

Kinda shows you the state of pitching, these days.

 

Who knows, maybe the "cash considerations" is what a bag of used balls costs.

 

Maybe Colorado appreciates his OPSA…

[moonslav59]

They’re taking a flier on an arm with MLB experience.

 

As for the Sox, I expect cash will be the return…

 

Does the cash in return reduce the CB Tax line, even if miniscule?

 

[notin]

Does the cash in return reduce the CB Tax line, even if miniscule?

 

 

 

Yes…

[mvp 78]

The only thing I know about pitching is that it's hard to hit... but if the Rox hired me as an insultant -- from what I've seen of Seabold's stuff, I don't think Coors would be much of a home field advantage.

 

"Boo, you suck Seabold. Your changeup has been absolute s*** since you got injured." Seems like an ok job.

[mvp 78]

They’re taking a flier on an arm with MLB experience.

 

As for the Sox, I expect cash will be the return…

 

I guess you could call that MLB experience...

[notin]

I guess you could call that MLB experience...

 

I mean it probably want the experience he dreamed about as a kid, but hey, he did make it there…

[mvp 78]

I expressed concern about Duvall in CF and Verdugo in RF yesterday.

 

Verdugo's brother posted that Alex had a fractured toe last April and May and played through it. Alex focused on adding size and strength last season "but the ball changes hurt him." This offseason he's following the BOS training plan and is working on getting leaner in quicker. Mentioned that "Alex was in top 10 unluckiest hitters in MLB last year. 2023 will be a laser show."

 

We'll see about that. If he can play like he did in 2020, it should work out. I still think Kiké isn't a great SS.

 

Wonder if Duvall is the last major move the Sox make...

[Hugh2]

I expressed concern about Duvall in CF and Verdugo in RF yesterday.

 

Verdugo's brother posted that Alex had a fractured toe last April and May and played through it. Alex focused on adding size and strength last season "but the ball changes hurt him." This offseason he's following the BOS training plan and is working on getting leaner in quicker. Mentioned that "Alex was in top 10 unluckiest hitters in MLB last year. 2023 will be a laser show."

 

We'll see about that. If he can play like he did in 2020, it should work out. I still think Kiké isn't a great SS.

 

Wonder if Duvall is the last major move the Sox make...

 

I think Verdugo is a candidate to have a much better season in 2023, which Boston pretty much needs to have a successful season (on top of many other things breaking right). I wonder if Duvall can bounce back too, a wrist injury zapped his offensive production and in the past, it has felt like it takes a guy a full season to really get his offense back after that. I'm pretty sure Duvall is banking on that too, I would have loved to see a second-year team option on that contract, but it's fine for 1 year and 1 WAR. Good deal on it's own, but one that was necessary because of a botched offseason.