A Realistic View at 2023: Part I

[moonslav59]

I would place Hosmer as very high on the DFA list.

 

Casas was impressive and stands a good chance at the very least to not be the weakest link in the lineup. And if he is even league averages with some growing pains, where does Hosmer fit in.

 

Hosmer himself has some trade value because San Diego can pay the overwhelming bulk of his salary. But his NTC could be an obstacle in moving him. We only know he won’t accept a deal to a rebuilding team, but he might have other preferences that make finding a trade partner difficult. If Casas has first, and Dalbec is still around, what is Hosmer’s role? Mediocre DH? Or third string 1b with no other positions? If it’s the latter, isn’t he just a waste of a 40 man roster spot?

 

Hosmer is free and could provide a decent platoon option at DH and maybe 1B, if Casas flails or gets hurt. I think we keep him until Casas proves he’s for real.

[notin]

Fair points.

 

Out OF is so weak and shallow, I put Cordero lower, but if we sign on OF’er, he’d shot to near the top.

 

I’m done with DHern. I’m

 

DHern does have somewhat of an advantage being left-handed. Also while his limited opportunities in 2022 were abysmal, he does have a track record of at least being somewhat playable on occasion…

[mvp 78]

Fair points.

 

Out OF is so weak and shallow, I put Cordero lower, but if we sign on OF’er, he’d shot to near the top.

 

I’m done with DHern. I’m

 

I get why people don't like DHern. However, he's a guy that if he just figures it out a little bit, he becomes a late inning arm. He's got much more remaining potential than a lot of the other names on the list.

[notin]

Hosmer is free and could provide a decent platoon option at DH and maybe 1B, if Casas flails or gets hurt. I think we keep him until Casas proves he’s for real.

 

I’m not sold on Hosmer as DH, mostly because he’s not much of a hitter.

 

I don’t think the Sox need to go overboard here. But if Brantley can be had on a two year deal, it’s a vast improvement…

[mvp 78]

Don’t forget I’m calling him versatile in comparison to Hosmer, who is weak at 1b and never played anywhere else, and Duran, who may not be able to play any defensive position adequately. It was not a statement made in a vacuum…

 

I'm not opposed to them throwing Duran back at 2b. Time is basically running out for him. He just turned 26. They need to try something else with him. OF isn't working.

 

I don't think Hosmer is a great option. I just think he's cheap and is "pull in case of emergency" if something happens to Casas. Dalbec is probably a platoon only bat going forward.

[mvp 78]

I’m not sold on Hosmer as DH, mostly because he’s not much of a hitter.

 

I don’t think the Sox need to go overboard here. But if Brantley can be had on a two year deal, it’s a vast improvement…

 

I believe they wanted him a few years ago and he decided to stay with the Astros. I'm not sure he'll wind up being truly available.

[mvp 78]

Hosmer is free and could provide a decent platoon option at DH and maybe 1B, if Casas flails or gets hurt. I think we keep him until Casas proves he’s for real.

 

I wouldn't have him as a primary DH. I think you could spread it around between Dalbec, Arroyo, Refsnyder and Hosmer. I don't think they would necessarily do a "platoon" DH, but more of a timeshare amongst a lot of guys or when they want to give a position guy a day off from the field.

[moonslav59]

DHern does have somewhat of an advantage being left-handed. Also while his limited opportunities in 2022 were abysmal, he does have a track record of at least being somewhat playable on occasion…

 

He has a K/9 rate among the best in MLB history, but with all the BBS, I’m done hoping he gets his s*** together.

[moonslav59]

I’m not sold on Hosmer as DH, mostly because he’s not much of a hitter.

 

I don’t think the Sox need to go overboard here. But if Brantley can be had on a two year deal, it’s a vast improvement…

 

If he only plays vs righties, he’s better than other options we have, right now- the same way Cordero is more defensively versatile than Hosmer and Duran.

[Bellhorn04]

If he only plays vs righties, he’s better than other options we have, right now- the same way Cordero is more defensively versatile than Hosmer and Duran.

 

Yes, a strict platoon of Hosmer/Dalbec should be able to post an OPS around .750.

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't have him as a primary DH. I think you could spread it around between Dalbec, Arroyo, Refsnyder and Hosmer. I don't think they would necessarily do a "platoon" DH, but more of a timeshare amongst a lot of guys or when they want to give a position guy a day off from the field.

 

Agreed, but other than Arroyo, none of these guys hits righties close to Hosmer.

[moonslav59]

Yes, a strict platoon of Hosmer/Dalbec should be able to post an OPS around .750.

 

That’s pretty close to what we got at DH, this year, and for $20M cheaper.

[Bellhorn04]

That’s pretty close to what we got at DH, this year, and for $20M cheaper.

 

Yes, we are definitely in agreement on this one.

[moonslav59]

Agreed, but other than Arroyo, none of these guys hits righties close to Hosmer.

 

I’m all for trying to upgrade DH, but I think other areas are higher priorities.

 

I’m not sure we have the resources to upgrade all 7-8 weak slots, this winter.

[notin]

Yes, a strict platoon of Hosmer/Dalbec should be able to post an OPS around .750.

 

Is the goal a cheaper version of the status quo?

 

The Sox might be without Bogaerts and/or Devers. There might be considerable offense to make up…

[moonslav59]

Is the goal a cheaper version of the status quo?

 

The Sox might be without Bogaerts and/or Devers. There might be considerable offense to make up…

 

The goal is to choose the slots with the worst in house options to fill first. That involves choosing the select few, I hope, you feel comparatively more secure not upgrading.

 

In theory, yes, let’s upgrade every position we can, but DH was not even close to our weakest 7-8 slots, this year, and it looks like we may be able to keep it close to even, next season, without costing a penny more. We even have guys like EValdez as promising depth for the mix already mentioned.

[Bellhorn04]

Is the goal a cheaper version of the status quo?

 

A VASTLY cheaper version, in this case.

[mvp 78]

If he only plays vs righties, he’s better than other options we have, right now- the same way Cordero is more defensively versatile than Hosmer and Duran.

 

693 OPS vs RHP in 2022.

754 OPS vs RHP in 2021.

[moonslav59]

693 OPS vs RHP in 2022.

754 OPS vs RHP in 2021.

 

He had rare reverse splits, this year. BTW, JD was .729 v RHPs, this year.

[notin]

I think his ability to hit well in the minors and his speed is enough for Bloom & Co, to think he has more upside than Downs & Cordero. I'd add Chang and C Hamilton to the list of non pitchers above Duran on the DFA list.

 

My ordered DFA list:

 

1. DHern

2. Chang

3. J Reed

4. E McGee Below this line, probably have some trade value

5. Dannish

6. Duran

7. Cordero

8. Brasier

9. Hosmer

10. Ort

11. Seabold

12. Downs

13. RHern

 

 

 

Apparently Danish held the top spot.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/tyler-danish-elects-free-agency.html

[mvp 78]

Apparently Danish held the top spot.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/tyler-danish-elects-free-agency.html

 

Not a big surprise. Maybe keeping McGee and Reed around a little longer to get a better look at them? IDK.

[mvp 78]

All I really want them to do is DFA Brasier. It's time, Bloom.

[notin]

All I really want them to do is DFA Brasier. It's time, Bloom.

 

 

I’ve been saying that since 2019. Except I didn’t ask Bloom to do it back then

[mvp 78]

I’ve been saying that since 2019. Except I didn’t ask Bloom to do it back then

 

Dingleberry Dave.

[moonslav59]

Apparently Danish held the top spot.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/tyler-danish-elects-free-agency.html

 

Not that surprising. I did not figure my list mirrors the team’s.

[Old Red]

Sale will not opt out! No surprise there. $55M gets pocketed.

[moonslav59]

Sale will not opt out! No surprise there. $55M gets pocketed.

 

We may, once again, need him to be healthy and damn good to have any real chance at glory.

[mvp 78]

We may, once again, need him to be healthy and damn good to have any real chance at glory.

 

They need him to be healthy. Will he be? No, of course not.

[Old Red]

They need him to be healthy. Will he be? No, of course not.

 

I’m still trying to figure how he didn’t get hurt tangling with that TV in Worcester last year.

[mvp 78]

I’m still trying to figure how he didn’t get hurt tangling with that TV in Worcester last year.

 

I don't know this story. It was alluded to yesterday as well.