Hosmer to Red Sox

[dgalehouse]

Maybe Hosmer is happy in the Boston area. His wife used to work for NESN.

[moonslav59]

He hasn't had a season above 1 fWAR since leaving KCR. I don't think Fenway necessarily suits him. Can he be a 1 fWAR guy in a platoon role? At a minimum salary, that's good.

 

Yes. It's hard for even good DHs to get above a 1 WAR, so I'm not sure that should be the bar set for determining, if he ends up helping us, or not.

 

If he gives us a +0.5 WAR as a platoon DH and back-up 1Bman, it's an improvement over Dalbec and Franchy at 1B and DH.

 

JD gave us only a 1.2 bWAR and 1.0 fWAR in 2022.

[mvp 78]

Yes. It's hard for even good DHs to get above a 1 WAR, so I'm not sure that should be the bar set for determining, if he ends up helping us, or not.

 

If he gives us a +0.5 WAR as a platoon DH and back-up 1Bman, it's an improvement over Dalbec and Franchy at 1B and DH.

 

JD gave us only a 1.2 bWAR and 1.0 fWAR in 2022.

 

Trey Mancini 2022 is a low bar:

710 OPS

18 HR

56 R

63 RBI

104 wRC+

-3 BsR

0.9 fWAR

[moonslav59]

Trey Mancini 2022 is a low bar:

710 OPS

18 HR

56 R

63 RBI

104 wRC+

-3 BsR

0.9 fWAR

 

Looks exactly like the minimum one should expect from your DH.

[mvp 78]

Looks exactly like the minimum one should expect from your DH.

 

I'm expecting more out of a platoon.

[moonslav59]

I'm expecting more out of a platoon.

 

Me, too.

 

I'm hopeful a Hosmer-Dalbec platoon with maybe Arroyo, Refsnyder and E Valdez chipping in can give us close to what JD gave us in 2022, but that's still not upgrading DH. it's hoping and wishing we might break even at DH, while we focus all of our resources at other high need areas.

 

If we are in it, at the deadline, we can find an upgrade at DH for much cheaper than at SS, RF, SP or high leverage pen arms.

[notin]

Looks exactly like the minimum one should expect from your DH.

 

I think this year, that position might be best expressed with lowercase letters. Hosmer is not a DH; Hosmer is a dh…

[moonslav59]

I think this year, that position might be best expressed with lowercase letters. Hosmer is not a DH; Hosmer is a dh…

 

Nobody is really pumped up over Hosmer, but I don't really understand why some seem to have absolutely zero hope he can have a bounce back season- even to just meer respectability.

 

I'm not saying I have high or even moderate hope with Hosmer, but I have not totally written him off as a platoon bat.

 

He has an .827 OPS at Fenway, career.

 

Yes, he's 33 and 3 seasons removed from an .850+ OPS, but his whole career has been an example of ups and downs. Maybe he has one more up in him.

 

OPS+ by Season

118

81

118

99

122

102

133

100

94

132

104

108

 

Now, for a DH, you expect better than just a 104 OPS, but that has been his lowest OPS+ in 3 seasons. He has a 110 OPS since 2020 and 106 since 2021.

 

Since 2020:

.760 OPS v R

 

.728 since 2021

 

Is there hope he can hit .800 v RHPs in 2023? Probably close to none, but maybe a sliver. I do think he may be able to hit .775, and if Dalbec can do the same vs LHPs, maybe we can equal our 2022 DH OPS.

 

[notin]

Nobody is really pumped up over Hosmer, but I don't really understand why some seem to have absolutely zero hope he can have a bounce back season- even to just meer respectability.

 

I'm not saying I have high or even moderate hope with Hosmer, but I have not totally written him off as a platoon bat.

 

He has an .827 OPS at Fenway, career.

 

Yes, he's 33 and 3 seasons removed from an .850+ OPS, but his whole career has been an example of ups and downs. Maybe he has one more up in him.

 

OPS+ by Season

118

81

118

99

122

102

133

100

94

132

104

108

 

Now, for a DH, you expect better than just a 104 OPS, but that has been his lowest OPS+ in 3 seasons. He has a 110 OPS since 2020 and 106 since 2021.

 

Since 2020:

.760 OPS v R

 

.728 since 2021

 

Is there hope he can hit .800 v RHPs in 2023? Probably close to none, but maybe a sliver. I do think he may be able to hit .775, and if Dalbec can do the same vs LHPs, maybe we can equal our 2022 DH OPS.

 

 

 

I’m down him, but really only to the point where I’m calling for lowercase letters, not advocating for his DFA

[moonslav59]

I’m down him, but really only to the point where I’m calling for lowercase letters, not advocating for his DFA

 

You actually have strongly hinted at that.

[jad]

This seals it! Should I order my WS tix now? Or wait, knowing that we'll have no worthy opponent and tickets will be going for pennies?

[oldtimer]

Me, too.

 

I'm hopeful a Hosmer-Dalbec platoon with maybe Arroyo, Refsnyder and E Valdez chipping in can give us close to what JD gave us in 2022, but that's still not upgrading DH. it's hoping and wishing we might break even at DH, while we focus all of our resources at other high need areas.

 

If we are in it, at the deadline, we can find an upgrade at DH for much cheaper than at SS, RF, SP or high leverage pen arms.

The Dalbec experiment has failed after being pursued for far too long. Let's move on.

[jad]

Me, too.

 

I'm hopeful a Hosmer-Dalbec platoon with maybe Arroyo, Refsnyder and E Valdez chipping in can give us close to what JD gave us in 2022, but that's still not upgrading DH. it's hoping and wishing we might break even at DH, while we focus all of our resources at other high need areas.

 

If we are in it, at the deadline, we can find an upgrade at DH for much cheaper than at SS, RF, SP or high leverage pen arms.

 

So five players can give the RS (hopefully) what one did? Sounds like a winning formula for success.

[moonslav59]

So five players can give the RS (hopefully) what one did? Sounds like a winning formula for success.

 

I'd love to see us get a real DH, or even upgrade with someone like Brantley, but who knows what the budget and 40 man roster will look like by opening day.

 

It might just take Hosmer and Dalbec to reach the 2021 DH OPS in '22. I listed others as options in case one or both fail. I also think trading for a DH at the deadline, assuming we are in it and need a DH, should be less costly than trying to add a pitcher, SS or legit OF'er.

 

Who knows? Maybe Bloom crosses us all up and gets a catcher and DH and we skimp in the OF or rotation. Maybe we don't skimp anywhere.

[moonslav59]

The Dalbec experiment has failed after being pursued for far too long.

 

It sure feels that way much too often with Bobby Dee.

 

The guy did have an .819 OPS after his first 2 partial seasons.

 

497 ABs

 

.244 33 94 (62 XBHs)

 

It just does not feel like this .754 career OPS guy after his first 900 PAs in MLB deserves another look, let alone a long one.

 

Many felt the long look in 2021 was way too long, but he surprised many of us. No such luck in 2022.

[notin]

You actually have strongly hinted at that.

 

I’ve predicted it. Yes.

 

And I will be right. Maybe this year. Maybe next…

[Bellhorn04]

I’ve predicted it. Yes.

 

And I will be right. Maybe this year. Maybe next…

 

Oh yeah sure, that's the big advantage of being a pessimist, right?!

 

moon and I are co-chairmen of the Hozzy/Bobby D Discount DH Tandem Fan Club!

[notin]

The Dalbec experiment has failed after being pursued for far too long. Let's move on.

 

Dalbec has one skill that’s always worked for him - hitting LHP. He still has a viable role in a platoon, likely at DH with Hosmer…

[notin]

Oh yeah sure, that's the big advantage of being a pessimist, right?!

 

moon and I are co-chairmen of the Hozzy/Bobby D Discount DH Tandem Fan Club!

 

Is that the one where you get the first 6 DHs for a penny, but then you have to buy lots more?

[Hugh2]

If a "Hozzy"/Bobby D DH means more money spent on the bullpen I'm 100% fine with it. If they get a .750 OPS out of that I'll be excited, BUT perhaps Dalbec can take a step forward out of his sophomore slump. I'd like to see him get some at-bats as a 3B/LF/1B as well and if he can really learn to mash lefties consistently then his floor will be that much higher. He just struggles too much vs. RHP to be an everyday player, but if he has some positional versatility and can hit lefties regularly he could add real value to this roster.

 

A Hosmer/Bobby platoon next year gives them time to see if he can take to that role. This is my #2 reason for not wanting to go out and spend money on a DH.

[Hugh2]

I wouldn't be surprised if a Hosmer/Bobby platoon produces as good a slash line as JDM did in 2022.

[moonslav59]

I’ve predicted it. Yes.

 

And I will be right. Maybe this year. Maybe next…

 

He won't be DFA'd: he may be traded.

[moonslav59]

Oh yeah sure, that's the big advantage of being a pessimist, right?!

 

moon and I are co-chairmen of the Hozzy/Bobby D Discount DH Tandem Fan Club!

 

I'm not really a fan of that DH platoon, but I think the money saved at DH can and should help us get better players at the other 4-5 high need slots.

 

I'm not a driver of that wagon, but I'm on the edge of the tailgate.

 

[notin]

He won't be DFA'd: he may be traded.

 

He does have a full NTC, which can complicate matters. He has no ability to block a DFA…

[notin]

I'm not really a fan of that DH platoon, but I think the money saved at DH can and should help us get better players at the other 4-5 high need slots.

 

I'm not a driver of that wagon, but I'm on the edge of the tailgate.

 

 

I’m calling Shenanigans!!

 

You? Not a fan of a platoon!???

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't be surprised if a Hosmer/Bobby platoon produces as good a slash line as JDM did in 2022.

 

I also think someone like Enmanuel Valdez surprises Sox Nation and wins the DH slot, outright. Also, bench guys like Arroyo or Refsnyder may end up wrestling away the job or platoon from Hoz or Bobby Dee.

[moonslav59]

He does have a full NTC, which can complicate matters. He has no ability to block a DFA…

 

If he never plays for us, he'll agree to a trade. We could also throw $500K to him to waive the NTC.

[moonslav59]

I’m calling Shenanigans!!

 

You? Not a fan of a platoon!???

 

I'd prefer Brantley, but even his moderate contract cost could be used to upgrade other possible FA signings.

[Hugh2]

I also think someone like Enmanuel Valdez surprises Sox Nation and wins the DH slot, outright. Also, bench guys like Arroyo or Refsnyder may end up wrestling away the job or platoon from Hoz or Bobby Dee.

 

When has a fringe prospect won a DH job outright out of spring training? especially when we've seen that spring training offense doesn't always translate into the season? I highly doubt he breaks camp with Boston next year.

[moonslav59]

When has a fringe prospect won a DH job outright out of spring training? especially when we've seen that spring training offense doesn't always translate into the season? I highly doubt he breaks camp with Boston next year.

 

I did not mean by opening day. I think we start with Hoz-Dalbec or a new addition. If we signa RF'er, Refsnyder has to be a consideration, too. Arroyo is a decent hitter, as well. His splits are nearly even.