How is Bloom doing as a GM?

[Hugh2]

You don't get a pitcher like Lopez without giving up a top prospect.

 

2 arb years instead of throwing money at deGrom will help us to sign Bogey or Swanson and lock up Devers.

 

Agreed, but we have other top prospects to trade who we don’t need to fill immediate holes. Then you have cost controlled guys at 1B and a SP. that gives you even more flexibility to fill those other needs.

[notin]

Agreed, but we have other top prospects to trade who we don’t need to fill immediate holes. Then you have cost controlled guys at 1B and a SP. that gives you even more flexibility to fill those other needs.

 

Is Casas really filling a hole at 1b?

 

The Sox can have a very mediocre (but reportedly lovable) Eric Hosmer play there for minimum wage for the next 3 seasons. By then, if Casas is still making minimum wage, he was the wrong horse to bet on…

[Hugh2]

Is Casas really filling a hole at 1b?

 

The Sox can have a very mediocre (but reportedly lovable) Eric Hosmer play there for minimum wage for the next 3 seasons. By then, if Casas is still making minimum wage, he was the wrong horse to bet on…

 

Do we really want Hosmer there? I know the bars been set pretty low the last few years.

 

Hosmer had a 3 war season years ago at age 27. Since then he’s been either below 1 or negative war. Going into his age 33 season should we expect more or less? He’s defense isn’t good either. Again, I know the bar was set low but he’s a lousy 1B. I know he’s free, but there’s a reason he’s free.

[moonslav59]

Do we really want Hosmer there? I know the bars been set pretty low the last few years.

 

Hosmer had a 3 war season years ago at age 27. Since then he’s been either below 1 or negative war. Going into his age 33 season should we expect more or less? He’s defense isn’t good either. Again, I know the bar was set low but he’s a lousy 1B. I know he’s free, but there’s a reason he’s free.

 

As a platoon, he should be a plus, and his defense, while not great, blows Dalbec & Cordero's out of the water. I also now see Arroyo as a 1B platoon option. I have also not written off Dalbec, yet. A guy who had better AA and AAA numbers than Casas, I might add.

 

As bas as 2022 has been, look at these splits for 2022 only:

 

Hosmer actually had reverse splits, this year, but normally he does very well vs RHPs:

.693 v R (.754 in '21/.810 career)

.772 v L (.676 in '21/.668 career)

 

Dalbec

.590 v R (.690 career)

.765 v L (.860 career)

 

Arroyo usually has very even splits

.751 v R (.707 career)

.764 v L (.718 career)

 

Cordero

.731 v R (.707 career)

.619 v L (.567 career)

 

This year, we had an overall .668 OPS at 1B with horrific defense.

 

I think adding Hosmer & Arroyo to next year's mix will improve the offense to over .720 and the defense by a mile.

 

I'm not "happy" with the group, and would like to see us add Abreu, Bell or Mancini, but if we spend wisely at the other slots of great or greater need, I think a platoon of Hosmer or Cordero v RHPs and Arroyo or Dalbec vs LHPs would be a big improvement at 1B, at no added cost. If we can limit the time Dalbec or Cordero play at 1B (both have options), our 1B defense will be much better.

 

[Hugh2]

I would expect Hosmers platoon split reversals fo end. That’s an anomaly And I’d expect regression towards the mean next year.

 

Also, do we really want another platoon spot on this roster? Who are we platooning him with? Franchy? Dalbec? Guys who don’t have much value anywhere else. Or someone else we have to buy in FA instead of paying Casas the minimum.

 

The reality is there are plenty of trade deals we could make for pitching, good pitching that don’t involve Casas.

[Hugh2]

3 guys platooning are 1B? What happens if Franchy is a black hole? arroyo gets hurt, or even Hosmer? Who’s playing first base then? Franchy full time.

 

I suppose you could say the same things if Casas goes down.

 

It just seems un necessary. Why trade Casas when you don’t have too? And that actually gives you more money to spend next year. Also, starting Casas gives them a shot at earning a draft pick.

[moonslav59]

3 guys platooning are 1B? What happens if Franchy is a black hole? arroyo gets hurt, or even Hosmer? Who’s playing first base then? Franchy full time.

 

I suppose you could say the same things if Casas goes down.

 

It just seems un necessary. Why trade Casas when you don’t have too? And that actually gives you more money to spend next year. Also, starting Casas gives them a shot at earning a draft pick.

 

No, not 3. We choose two- most likely Dalbec is in AAA and Cordero is the 4th OF'er/DH/3rd 1Bman or in AAA.

 

If one of the two sides of the platoon struggles or gets hurt (Arroyo?), then one of the others steps in.

[moonslav59]

I would expect Hosmers platoon split reversals fo end. That’s an anomaly And I’d expect regression towards the mean next year.

 

Also, do we really want another platoon spot on this roster? Who are we platooning him with? Franchy? Dalbec? Guys who don’t have much value anywhere else. Or someone else we have to buy in FA instead of paying Casas the minimum.

 

The reality is there are plenty of trade deals we could make for pitching, good pitching that don’t involve Casas.

 

I'd think we'd start with Hosmer vs RHPs and Arroyo vs LHPs. Dalbec & Cordero in AAA.

[Hugh2]

I'd think we'd start with Hosmer vs RHPs and Arroyo vs LHPs. Dalbec & Cordero in AAA.

 

Yeah, I’m good with that. A three way platoon sounds more like a tape job than a plan.

[moonslav59]

Yeah, I’m good with that. A three way platoon sounds more like a tape job than a plan.

 

I did make it sound like a 3 or 4 way platoon, but I just meant the 3 or 4 as a group to choose from and depth, if one gets hurt or sucks. I hesitated to count Cordero at 1B, but maybe with some winter workouts he can get to be just as bad a s Dalbec, instead of worse.

[moonslav59]

Yeah, I’m good with that. A three way platoon sounds more like a tape job than a plan.

 

How far away are Jordan and Kavadas? Can Hickey play 1B? I think Enmauel Valdez might be too small for 1B. Binelas has not improved enough to be in the discussion. Northcut seems like a AAAA player, for life.

[Hugh2]

How far away are Jordan and Kavadas? Can Hickey play 1B? I think Enmauel Valdez might be too small for 1B. Binelas has not improved enough to be in the discussion. Northcut seems like a AAAA player, for life.

 

All those guys might not even hit enough to be MLBers, maybe Kavadas, but he’d still be a below average defensive profile.

[Hugh2]

I’m not sure how confidence I have in Valdez and his .700 ops below average D profile.

 

IDK, maybe Arroyo stays healthy at 1B.

[Hugh2]

Also, and I’m not GM, but as a general rule I don’t think you ever plan a MLB roster with anyone below AA in mind. They’re years away and So so much can happen. It’s like, I wouldn’t let Myers stop the Sox from resigning Bogaerts. (Or signing another top prospect). If Bogaerts is full performing at an all star level and Mayers looks ready to produce it’s a good problem to have.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I’m not sure how confidence I have in Valdez and his .700 ops below average D profile.

 

 

 

IDK, maybe Arroyo stays healthy at 1B.

 

I think Arryo should take up ballet during the offseason so that he can stretch w/o going on the IL. Also, ballet does improve one's footwork, which is important when playing 1st base.

[moonslav59]

I’m not sure how confidence I have in Valdez and his .700 ops below average D profile.

 

IDK, maybe Arroyo stays healthy at 1B.

 

Enmauel Valdez is not a .700 hitter. His stats at WOO are a small sample size.

 

Age 22 (2021)

.854 A+ (283 AB)

.879 AA (82 AB)

 

Age 23: (2022)

1.112 AA (168 AB)

.907 AAA (159 AB in PCL)

.707 AAA (103 AB in INT)

 

.879 in 2021 overall

.942 in 2022 overall

 

This kid can hit. He has 52 HRs from 2021 to 2022 in 795 ABs. I'M NOT SURE THE .384 OBP in 2022 is sustainable, but it is a nice improvement over .326 in 2021.

 

Don't count this kid out of the DH or 2B conversation. (I do wonder about playing 1B at his listed 5-9 ht.)

 

[moonslav59]

I think Arryo should take up ballet during the offseason so that he can stretch w/o going on the IL. Also, ballet does improve one's footwork, which is important when playing 1st base.

 

He'd get hurt at ballet. Better to just wrap him in bubble wrap.

[moonslav59]

Also, and I’m not GM, but as a general rule I don’t think you ever plan a MLB roster with anyone below AA in mind. They’re years away and So so much can happen. It’s like, I wouldn’t let Myers stop the Sox from resigning Bogaerts. (Or signing another top prospect). If Bogaerts is full performing at an all star level and Mayers looks ready to produce it’s a good problem to have.

 

Agreed. I would add a SS or 2Bman on a 4-6 year deal, this winter. Beyond CF and SP Ace, it's our highest priority.

 

Our nearest propsects at middle IF are Lugo and Downs at SS and Valdez, Koss and maybe Yorke at 2B. (Hamilton can steal 60 bases, but that's about it.)

[notin]

Agreed. I would add a SS or 2Bman on a 4-6 year deal, this winter. Beyond CF and SP Ace, it's our highest priority.

 

Our nearest propsects at middle IF are Lugo and Downs at SS and Valdez, Koss and maybe Yorke at 2B. (Hamilton can steal 60 bases, but that's about it.)

 

If the Sox can’t sign Bogaerts, Story to SS and Arroyo/Valdez at 2b.

 

If I’m signing an FA SS, Correa makes more sense than Swanson…

[moonslav59]

If the Sox can’t sign Bogaerts, Story to SS and Arroyo/Valdez at 2b.

 

If I’m signing an FA SS, Correa makes more sense than Swanson…

 

He'll cost double.

[notin]

He'll cost double.

 

That makes him a bargain.

 

Swanson is 7 months older and has been worth 14.9 career bWAR, while Correa has been worth 37.5 career bWAR…

[moonslav59]

That makes him a bargain.

 

Swanson is 7 months older and has been worth 14.9 career bWAR, while Correa has been worth 37.5 career bWAR…

 

I'd take Swanson at $22M over Correa at $33M a year.

 

I'd rather get K Wong than Correa, too.

[notin]

I'd take Swanson at $22M over Correa at $33M a year.

 

I'd rather get K Wong than Correa, too.

 

Of course if the Sox go crazy with infield spending, it would get a little unrealistic.

 

Hopefully they extend Devers…

[moonslav59]

Of course if the Sox go crazy with infield spending, it would get a little unrealistic.

 

Hopefully they extend Devers…

 

If we extend Devers, we may not be able to even afford Swanson.

 

We may be lucky to get 3 from this list:

 

Swanson/Wong

Nimmo

Kike

Abreu/Bell

Narvaez

Fulmer/Rogers

[notin]

He'll cost double.

 

If we extend Devers, we may not be able to even afford Swanson.

 

We may be lucky to get 3 from this list:

 

Swanson/Wong

Nimmo

Kike

Abreu/Bell

Narvaez

Fulmer/Rogers

 

As much as I’d love Nimmo, the Mets maintain interest, can afford him, and will definitely be offering him a QO. I doubt the Sox get Nimmo.

 

I like Fulmer a lot, too. But so will half the league. Of the three relievers I’ve highlighted (Fulmer, Rafael Montero , Blake Treinen), Fulmer is my favorite but possibly the most expensive/least likely.

 

Kolten Wong (or Adam Frazier) would be nice. Good defensive skills and good (albeit not great OBP). Interestingly if Jon Berti is too old, he’s only 9 months older than Wong. (Of course Wong is far more accomplished and simply better).

 

Screw Navraez. I’m ok with McGuire and Connor Wong.

 

I do love the idea of bringing back Kike and, if they move either Casas or Hosmer, signing Josh Bell.

 

Also, Devers over Swanson all day. (And why would the Sox want both Swanson and K Wong? Story being dealt?)

[moonslav59]

As much as I’d love Nimmo, the Mets maintain interest, can afford him, and will definitely be offering him a QO. I doubt the Sox get Nimmo.

 

I like Fulmer a lot, too. But so will half the league. Of the three relievers I’ve highlighted (Fulmer, Rafael Montero , Blake Treinen), Fulmer is my favorite but possibly the most expensive/least likely.

 

Kolten Wong (or Adam Frazier) would be nice. Good defensive skills and good (albeit not great OBP). Interestingly if Jon Berti is too old, he’s only 9 months older than Wong. (Of course Wong is far more accomplished and simply better).

 

Screw Navraez. I’m ok with McGuire and Connor Wong.

 

I do love the idea of bringing back Kike and, if they move either Casas or Hosmer, signing Josh Bell.

 

Also, Devers over Swanson all day. (And why would the Sox want both Swanson and K Wong? Story being dealt?)

 

I put "Swanson/KWong" on one line- meaning one of the other.

[moonslav59]

As much as I’d love Nimmo, the Mets maintain interest, can afford him, and will definitely be offering him a QO. I doubt the Sox get Nimmo.

 

I like Fulmer a lot, too. But so will half the league. Of the three relievers I’ve highlighted (Fulmer, Rafael Montero , Blake Treinen), Fulmer is my favorite but possibly the most expensive/least likely.

 

Kolten Wong (or Adam Frazier) would be nice. Good defensive skills and good (albeit not great OBP). Interestingly if Jon Berti is too old, he’s only 9 months older than Wong. (Of course Wong is far more accomplished and simply better).

 

Screw Navraez. I’m ok with McGuire and Connor Wong.

 

I do love the idea of bringing back Kike and, if they move either Casas or Hosmer, signing Josh Bell.

 

Also, Devers over Swanson all day. (And why would the Sox want both Swanson and K Wong? Story being dealt?)

 

I think Nimmo can get a QO x 3-4 years. Why would he take a QO?