A Realistic View at 2023: Part I

[Hugh2]

How about 28 year old Dansby Swanson?

 

He won't cost as much, and would allow us to spend more on an OF upgrade or a better rated pitcher or two.

 

In baseball we all too often end up paying a guy for what he did rather than what hes' going to do. Swanson is a great player as is, and likely cheaper than Bogaerts/Turner/Correa....and he just might be the best chance to beat out his contract of those 4. If you can save 12-15 million per annum on the luxury tax and build your team up elsewhere I'm all for it.

[moonslav59]

In baseball we all too often end up paying a guy for what he did rather than what hes' going to do. Swanson is a great player as is, and likely cheaper than Bogaerts/Turner/Correa....and he just might be the best chance to beat out his contract of those 4. If you can save 12-15 million per annum on the luxury tax and build your team up elsewhere I'm all for it.

 

I'm thinking Bloom will be looking at second tier-type FAs rather than the big ticket, large and long ones, although Swanson might very well demand 6 or 7+ years, and get it.

 

We may also slide Story over to SS and look for a cheaper 2B option, and spend larger on OF, C and pitching.

[Hugh2]

I'm thinking Bloom will be looking at second tier-type FAs rather than the big ticket, large and long ones, although Swanson might very well demand 6 or 7+ years, and get it.

 

We may also slide Story over to SS and look for a cheaper 2B option, and spend larger on OF, C and pitching.

 

I know this may be a pipe dream, but I'm hoping for a big offseason. Sox do switch direction every several years. They once said they'd never sign long term contracts again and a year later went all in on David Price. The iron is hot to strike in my opinion, Also if you're willing to go over the luxury tax you should be willing to go up against the next threshold which means hypothetically the Sox should be willing to spend 252 million next year.

 

When you think about it, Bogaerts and Devers could be signed for only about 30-35 million more per annum towards the luxury tax. Because right now they're already costing 31.5 million towards it. With all other arbitration costs and options involved that still gives the Sox an additional 65-70 million to spend. You could pick up a few bargains here and there and still go out and get an Aaron Judge, yes I know it maybe a pipe dream....but I'm a dreamer and I want a monster lineup and chicks dig the long ball.

[moonslav59]

I know this may be a pipe dream, but I'm hoping for a big offseason. Sox do switch direction every several years. They once said they'd never sign long term contracts again and a year later went all in on David Price. The iron is hot to strike in my opinion, Also if you're willing to go over the luxury tax you should be willing to go up against the next threshold which means hypothetically the Sox should be willing to spend 252 million next year.

 

When you think about it, Bogaerts and Devers could be signed for only about 30-35 million more per annum towards the luxury tax. Because right now they're already costing 31.5 million towards it. With all other arbitration costs and options involved that still gives the Sox an additional 65-70 million to spend. You could pick up a few bargains here and there and still go out and get an Aaron Judge, yes I know it maybe a pipe dream....but I'm a dreamer and I want a monster lineup and chicks dig the long ball.

 

I'm dreaming, too, but I don't think extending Bogaerts is essential to building up the team, this coming winter. We have so many areas of need, that spreading out the upgrades might work better, and keep us from having too many large and long contracts that, more often than not, turn sour, and much too soon.

[Hugh2]

I'm dreaming, too, but I don't think extending Bogaerts is essential to building up the team, this coming winter. We have so many areas of need, that spreading out the upgrades might work better, and keep us from having too many large and long contracts that, more often than not, turn sour, and much too soon.

 

If you don't sign Bogaerts or extend Devers, The Sox still have a boatload of money to spend. This is why I don't mind a QO to JDM/Eovaldi, I expect upgrades to the rotation/lineup but those guys can once again come off the payroll next year and that's when you really need the money to extend Devers.

[JDavis76]

If you don't sign Bogaerts or extend Devers, The Sox still have a boatload of money to spend. This is why I don't mind a QO to JDM/Eovaldi, I expect upgrades to the rotation/lineup but those guys can once again come off the payroll next year and that's when you really need the money to extend Devers.

 

As a Yankee fan, I am all for this idea.....

[oldtimer]

As a Yankee fan, I am all for this idea.....

 

As a Red Sox fan, I am not!

[Hugh2]

Who is your DH next year, Dalbec? who is pitching? Paxton is your #3 starter right now, then Whitlock and a rookie, and that's with Pivetta as your #2 and a who knows if he can ever pitch half a season Chris Sale. At the very least I'd give one to Eovaldi, baring any serious concerns the rest of the year. I'd have my eyes on his velocity.

[notin]

Who is your DH next year, Dalbec? who is pitching? Paxton is your #3 starter right now, then Whitlock and a rookie, and that's with Pivetta as your #2 and a who knows if he can ever pitch half a season Chris Sale. At the very least I'd give one to Eovaldi, baring any serious concerns the rest of the year. I'd have my eyes on his velocity.

 

Next season’s rotation is a question mark.

 

Headlined by Chris the Unreliable, along with Paxton, Pivetta, and then two from Whitlock, Winckowski and Crawford. Bello and Mata serve as the immediate depth. But Sale and Paxton both make depth more important. The Sox might add one MLB starter, say Manaea, and push, say, both Whitlock and Crawford to the bullpen along with Houck, Schreiber, Brasier, Taylor (hopefully) and Barnes (unfortunately). A few reliever arms are needed.

 

Wondering if Barnes can be part of a bad contract swap. To me, two reasonable candidates are Cody Bellinger, whom the Dodgers might be wiser to simply non-tender, or James McCann.

 

The Dodgers would probably not be on board, for the reason I stated. But I’ll include Bellinger because I can’t speak for Friedman. The Mets would definitely be on board, since McCann has 2 years and $24.4 mill left on his deal and has not worked out. He’s typically serviceable, but has an All Star appearance on his resume, so he’s not a total loss if the Sox get him….

[notin]

I know this may be a pipe dream, but I'm hoping for a big offseason. Sox do switch direction every several years. They once said they'd never sign long term contracts again and a year later went all in on David Price. The iron is hot to strike in my opinion, Also if you're willing to go over the luxury tax you should be willing to go up against the next threshold which means hypothetically the Sox should be willing to spend 252 million next year.

 

When you think about it, Bogaerts and Devers could be signed for only about 30-35 million more per annum towards the luxury tax. Because right now they're already costing 31.5 million towards it. With all other arbitration costs and options involved that still gives the Sox an additional 65-70 million to spend. You could pick up a few bargains here and there and still go out and get an Aaron Judge, yes I know it maybe a pipe dream....but I'm a dreamer and I want a monster lineup and chicks dig the long ball.

 

Judge turned down 7 years $213mill from the Yankees. No idea what he wants, but his ag and injury history make that contract look questionable. So unless he’s holding out for less, pass.

 

But if the Sox do add an OF via free agency, there is one guy they need to priorize IMO. A guy who fills a need that’s been missing since Betts and a guy who excels in one area the Sox have largely ignored for the past 6 years despite making it a foundation of their offense back in the early Henry era.

 

Brandon Nimmo

 

Not exciting, but Nimmo has one elite offensive skill. What does Brandon Nimmo do, fictional character played by Jonah Hill?

 

“Gets in base.”

 

The Sox have no high OBP leadoff guy. Nimmo is an OBP machine needed at the top of the order. He’s an average CF/RF type. And I don’t think should require a 7 year deal. I would expect something in between 3 yrs / $39mill and 4 yes / $56 mill. Not cheap, but not 7-8 years, either…

[moonslav59]

If you don't sign Bogaerts or extend Devers, The Sox still have a boatload of money to spend. This is why I don't mind a QO to JDM/Eovaldi, I expect upgrades to the rotation/lineup but those guys can once again come off the payroll next year and that's when you really need the money to extend Devers.

 

I would not pay $18M/1 for JD. Nate would be okay, but wouldn't that just be repeating the moves that have got us in trouble over the past few years?

 

Signing injury prone players to save a few bucks, so we can fill some other gaping holes in the roster with more injury prone or questionable, second/third tier FAs.

 

I think, this winter, we'll go quality over quantity, but who knows. Maybe the plan is for 2024 and beyond.

[Hugh2]

Judge turned down 7 years $213mill from the Yankees. No idea what he wants, but his ag and injury history make that contract look questionable. So unless he’s holding out for less, pass.

 

But if the Sox do add an OF via free agency, there is one guy they need to priorize IMO. A guy who fills a need that’s been missing since Betts and a guy who excels in one area the Sox have largely ignored for the past 6 years despite making it a foundation of their offense back in the early Henry era.

 

Brandon Nimmo

 

Not exciting, but Nimmo has one elite offensive skill. What does Brandon Nimmo do, fictional character played by Jonah Hill?

 

“Gets in base.”

 

The Sox have no high OBP leadoff guy. Nimmo is an OBP machine needed at the top of the order. He’s an average CF/RF type. And I don’t think should require a 7 year deal. I would expect something in between 3 yrs / $39mill and 4 yes / $56 mill. Not cheap, but not 7-8 years, either…

 

Is his injury history really that bad? Injury doesn't scare me, it's guys who get injured over and over and over again who do. He's not Stanton, looking at his playing time year to year he's been relatively fine playing most of every season minus 2020.

[moonslav59]

Judge turned down 7 years $213mill from the Yankees. No idea what he wants, but his ag and injury history make that contract look questionable. So unless he’s holding out for less, pass.

 

But if the Sox do add an OF via free agency, there is one guy they need to priorize IMO. A guy who fills a need that’s been missing since Betts and a guy who excels in one area the Sox have largely ignored for the past 6 years despite making it a foundation of their offense back in the early Henry era.

 

Brandon Nimmo

 

Not exciting, but Nimmo has one elite offensive skill. What does Brandon Nimmo do, fictional character played by Jonah Hill?

 

“Gets in base.”

 

The Sox have no high OBP leadoff guy. Nimmo is an OBP machine needed at the top of the order. He’s an average CF/RF type. And I don’t think should require a 7 year deal. I would expect something in between 3 yrs / $39mill and 4 yes / $56 mill. Not cheap, but not 7-8 years, either…

 

I could see us going with Swanson at SS, Nimmo in CF and trading for a solid SP'er and catcher. For one more year, gasp, we leave 1B to Casas, Hosmer, Dalbec and a scrub we sign for cheap. DH is a question mark.

[moonslav59]

Is his injury history really that bad? Injury doesn't scare me, it's guys who get injured over and over and over again who do. He's not Stanton, looking at his playing time year to year he's been relatively fine playing most of every season minus 2020.

 

He hasn't missed the big chunks Stanton does, but he's only gotten over 500 PAs, twice (likely 3 times, if he gets 25 more, this year.)

 

3 of his last 5 years have seen 498 PAs or less.

[Hugh2]

FWIW you could argue this team needs two outfielders. Aside from Verdugo whom I'm only luke warm on I'm not confident in anything we have. Nimmo is a fine addition as well

[Hugh2]

He hasn't missed the big chunks Stanton does, but he's only gotten over 500 PAs, twice (likely 3 times, if he gets 25 more, this year.)

 

3 of his last 5 years have seen 498 PAs or less.

 

Yes but in two of those seasons he still played over 100 games each year, he's never really missed more than half a season or a whole season save 2020 which I'm just throwing out the window for everyone. I'm not worried about Judges injury history, it's not serious or extensive.

[moonslav59]

Yes but in two of those seasons he still played over 100 games each year, he's never really missed more than half a season or a whole season save 2020 which I'm just throwing out the window for everyone. I'm not worried about Judges injury history, it's not serious or extensive.

 

Paying $300M+ for a 100 game player is okay?

[moonslav59]

FWIW you could argue this team needs two outfielders. Aside from Verdugo whom I'm only luke warm on I'm not confident in anything we have. Nimmo is a fine addition as well

 

Indeed. Tow are needed, but getting one really good one is a step in the right direction. Maybe a Pham-Duran platoon in LF can be decent enough for the other two to bring the OF to a net plus. That is assuming Dugo can get out of his funk.

[Old Red]

Indeed. Tow are needed, but getting one really good one is a step in the right direction. Maybe a Pham-Duran platoon in LF can be decent enough for the other two to bring the OF to a net plus. That is assuming Dugo can get out of his funk.

 

Still beating that Duran drum? Not only no, but he’ll no! Dugy is what he is nothing more than JAG.

[Hugh2]

Indeed. Tow are needed, but getting one really good one is a step in the right direction. Maybe a Pham-Duran platoon in LF can be decent enough for the other two to bring the OF to a net plus. That is assuming Dugo can get out of his funk.

 

That platoon works for this year, it makes for garbage on a championship-caliber team. I'm not interested in having two 5th outfielders platooning a starting position who offer little value anywhere else. Maybe Duran as a pinch runner.

[Hugh2]

Paying $300M+ for a 100 game player is okay?

 

No but it's appropriate for a 148-game player.

[notin]

FWIW you could argue this team needs two outfielders. Aside from Verdugo whom I'm only luke warm on I'm not confident in anything we have. Nimmo is a fine addition as well

 

Two OFs, 2b, C and DH.

 

Internally OF is weak. I’ve suggested Nimmo and trading for Oakland’s Ramon Laureano. I wouldn’t mind both, but what Forst wants for Laureano will forever be a mystery. At least to me.

 

C. Internally we have some intriguing backup types, including McGuire and Wong. They might work out. I’ve suggested a Barnes/McCann bad contract swap. I have faith NYM would do it, but less faith in it making the position a plus.

 

2b is a mystery, unless Bogaerts extends and pushes Story back. Internally the Sox have the fragile Arroyo and the defensively lackluster Enmanuel Valdez. Moving Duran back should be on the table, but probably isn’t.

 

DH. If JD is offered a QO, he might accept. Not so sure I like this, as he simply is not the hitter he was 4 years ago. A cheap solution is a Valdez/Dalbec platoon. And maybe Casas at some point. (Hosmer has some internal value due to his salary, so he might hold 1b for a while.)

 

There are probably a couple questionable contracts the Sox could move on as well, headlined by Jorge Soler.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Judge turned down 7 years $213mill from the Yankees. No idea what he wants, but his ag and injury history make that contract look questionable. So unless he’s holding out for less, pass.

 

But if the Sox do add an OF via free agency, there is one guy they need to priorize IMO. A guy who fills a need that’s been missing since Betts and a guy who excels in one area the Sox have largely ignored for the past 6 years despite making it a foundation of their offense back in the early Henry era.

 

Brandon Nimmo

 

Not exciting, but Nimmo has one elite offensive skill. What does Brandon Nimmo do, fictional character played by Jonah Hill?

 

“Gets in base.”

 

The Sox have no high OBP leadoff guy. Nimmo is an OBP machine needed at the top of the order. He’s an average CF/RF type. And I don’t think should require a 7 year deal. I would expect something in between 3 yrs / $39mill and 4 yes / $56 mill. Not cheap, but not 7-8 years, either…

 

If the SOX acquire Jonah Hill, wouldn't he be more useful in the FO?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

FWIW you could argue this team needs two outfielders. Aside from Verdugo whom I'm only luke warm on I'm not confident in anything we have. Nimmo is a fine addition as well

 

You're 'luke warm' on Dugo, but want to sign JD for another year? Well, whatever floats your boat.

[Hugh2]

You're 'luke warm' on Dugo, but want to sign JD for another year? Well, whatever floats your boat.

 

Who would you sign to DH? also a QO is only for one year and if you're planning on going over the tax limit it's not as inconsequential at all on a 1-year deal. He's having a down year and is still a .800 OPS guy. I'm fine letting him walk too, offering a QO could kill his market and you could get him on a two-year deal for a lower AAV amount. I think he will rebound, the guy is too good a hitter.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Who would you sign to DH? also a QO is only for one year and if you're planning on going over the tax limit it's not as inconsequential at all on a 1-year deal. He's having a down year and is still a .800 OPS guy. I'm fine letting him walk too, offering a QO could kill his market and you could get him on a two-year deal for a lower AAV amount. I think he will rebound, the guy is too good a hitter.

 

Not only do I not want JD signed for another year, I'm still pissed he wasn't traded at the TDL.

[Hugh2]

Not only do I not want JD signed for another year, I'm still pissed he wasn't traded at the TDL.

 

Agreed, he absolutely should have been traded. Realistically you probably offer NE a QO before JDM. Especially if the lengthen the lineup elsewhere. As horrible as this team has been the offense overall has been fine. They need pitching

[notin]

No but it's appropriate for a 148-game player.

 

Which Judge has been twice…

[Hugh2]

Which Judge has been twice…

 

2 out of 4 seasons in which the only 2 he played in 112 and 102. Let’s also Keep in mind his injury history was fluky, he was hit on the wrist by a pitch. It’s not like he has chronic back problems reoccurring from everyday play.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 out of 4 seasons in which the only 2 he played in 112 and 102. Let’s also Keep in mind his injury history was fluky, he was hit on the wrist by a pitch. It’s not like he has chronic back problems reoccurring from everyday play.

 

!!!!!! Was this post just typed by a fan of a team whose highest-paid player is not just snakebitten, but whose entire body is made out of snake food: rodent nests, frog lilypads, snips and snails and puppy-dog tails...