2023 Free Agents

[notin]

Senga instead of Eovaldi.

 

Correa instead of Bogey and an OFer?

 

I could see both of those choices. Although it’s hard for me to get excited about Senga just yet…

[notin]

... comes from a hockey family -- his brother coached the Mighty Ducks.

 

Now that you mention it, Carlos Estevez is the birth name of Charlie Sheen, who used to close for the Cleveland Guardians..

[Hugh2]

In the last 3 seasons, Bellinger has an OPS+ of 74 and 3 DRS. In the same timeframe, Gallo has an OPS+ of 101 and 32 DRS.

 

At $1 less, Gallo is a steal among steals. At $5-7mill more, he’s still the right choice…

 

The thing about Cody is his defense gives him a higher floor, he’s still on the right side of his prime snd has an MVP under his belt. It’s a low risk/high reward move. The money saved in the outfield during a year the OF market sucks gives you the financial flexibility to focus more on pitching/SS/extend Devers

[notin]

The thing about Cody is his defense gives him a higher floor, he’s still on the right side of his prime snd has an MVP under his belt. It’s a low risk/high reward move. The money saved in the outfield during a year the OF market sucks gives you the financial flexibility to focus more on pitching/SS/extend Devers

 

How does Bellinger’s defense give him a higher floor than a guy who had over ten times as many Defensive Runs Saved in the past 3 years?

 

Gallo by nearly every metric is the second best defensive right fielder in MLB, behind only a guy who’s tied up for the next decade or so by the Dodgers.

 

I don’t recommend going long term with either guy, and both figure to bounce back somewhat with the shift eliminated. But Gallo is the far superior defender here…

[Bellhorn04]

The thing about Cody is his defense gives him a higher floor, he’s still on the right side of his prime snd has an MVP under his belt. It’s a low risk/high reward move. The money saved in the outfield during a year the OF market sucks gives you the financial flexibility to focus more on pitching/SS/extend Devers

 

Can we really say Bellinger is a low risk? First of all a few teams will be interested because of the dream of him regaining past form with the bat, so the price might be significant. And he might actually be done with the bat. Could be 2022 JBJ Redux.

[notin]

Can we really say Bellinger is a low risk? First of all a few teams will be interested because of the dream of him regaining past form with the bat, so the price might be significant. And he might actually be done with the bat. Could be 2022 JBJ Redux.

 

The only thing we know about a Bellinger’s price is no one will pay him $18mill (or they would have acquired him from the Dodgers and offered him arbitration).

 

He does carry the name with the hardware, and at his age some team will probably chase it. Especially given his foray chart last year into the shift…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

In the last 3 seasons, Bellinger has an OPS+ of 74 and 3 DRS. In the same timeframe, Gallo has an OPS+ of 101 and 32 DRS.

 

At $1 less, Gallo is a steal among steals. At $5-7mill more, he’s still the right choice…

 

... in your opinion.

 

Mine is that Bellinger's wheels will make him a bigger impact player on a bad team with a depleted offense trying to manipulate the new rules that favor base-stealers.

[Old Red]

So… you pass on Bogaerts?

 

I don’t, but I think the Red Sox have.

[notin]

I don’t, but I think the Red Sox have.

 

I tend to agree.

 

They keep talking about him being a priority, but the action is limited (at least publicly).

 

And the thing is, if they came out and said “we don’t think Bogaerts is going to last at the position for the duration of contract he wants”, I would totally 100% agree.

 

Of course, the complete silence from the Bogaerts’ camp makes me think I might be looking too deep into this. I mean, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet…

[notin]

... in your opinion.

 

Mine is that Bellinger's wheels will make him a bigger impact player on a bad team with a depleted offense trying to manipulate the new rules that favor base-stealers.

 

I’ll take the guy who has been a better hitter and a significantly better defender to play in the toughest RF in MLB.

 

In one season, Bellinger would have to steal roughly 100 bases to make up for the difference those 10 defensive runs saved per year make…

[Bellhorn04]

Of course, the complete silence from the Bogaerts’ camp makes me think I might be looking too deep into this. I mean, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet…

 

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I thought Bloom was going to come flying out of the blocks this year! :D

[notin]

... in your opinion.

 

Mine is that Bellinger's wheels will make him a bigger impact player on a bad team with a depleted offense trying to manipulate the new rules that favor base-stealers.

 

 

Of course the Sox could try to sign both, play Gallo in RF, Bellinger in CF, move Kike to SS, and avoid the Albatross Future’s Market at that infield position while hoping Mayer stays the course.

 

And the go get some pitching. Estevez, Rogers, Fulmer, Eovaldi.

 

And maybe a catcher…

[Old Red]

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I thought Bloom was going to come flying out of the blocks this year! :D

 

I don’t expect Bogey, and Bloom will be breaking bread over Thanksgiving either like Theo, and Schill did.

[moonslav59]

In a world where money doesn’t matter Judge would be my #1 target. Unfortunately we don’t live in that world.

 

Agreed, but we do actually have enough to outbid anyone, reset, and still fill another hole or two, but then the Devers question gloomily looms.

[moonslav59]

More likely Bloom targets: Cody Bellinger and Joey Gallo, both Gold Glove outfielders.

 

Here are some 162-game averages from baseball-ref:

Bellinger (6 years) -- 33 HR, 92 RBI, .248 BA, .332 OBP, .819 OPS, 150 Ks (23.2% K-rate)

Gallo (8 years) -- 38 HR, 83 RBI, .199 BA, .325 OBP, .794 OPS, 226 Ks (37.3% K-rate)

Both are coming off a couple serious down years, but Bellinger at 26 may be a better risk to rebound than Gallo, who turned 29 today. Bellinger is also a fast baserunner, with double figures in stolen bases in four seasons; Gallo doesn't run ever... this should be a factor with the new speed rules.

 

That said, if Gallo costs $1 dollar less than Bellinger, who do you think Bloom signs?

 

I think one of these two could very likely end up in a Sox uniform. One major reason is that both will likely sign for a shorter term deal and not at big money. This will allow for at least 2 things:

 

1. Buy time to allow us to see what Rafaela and Abreu can do for us, in terms of stepping into the gap that will be left when Kike's contract ends.

 

2. The low cost will allow us to spend at SS, pitching and maybe for extending Devers, too.

[moonslav59]

I don’t, but I think the Red Sox have.

 

I have thought so, too, since the minute we signed Story, but Story's profile is no longer as a solid SS, so that aspect changed, but it does seem like the two are too far apart to expect a return.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think one of these two could very likely end up in a Sox uniform. One major reason is that both will likely sign for a shorter term deal and not at big money. This will allow for at least 2 things:

 

1. Buy time to allow us to see what Rafaela and Abreu can do for us, in terms of stepping into the gap that will be left when Kike's contract ends.

 

2. The low cost will allow us to spend at SS, pitching and maybe for extending Devers, too.

 

Gallo's K-rate rounded to 40% last year. That's way worse than Duran, Franchy, Story, Dalbec and Shaw (but eegads, not Jeter). And Joey's was a large sample size.

 

In 2021, Joey Gallo struck out 213 times -- one more than the immortal (though not necessarily immoral) Jack Glasscock did in 17 seasons.

 

If signing Gallo allows the Red Sox to resign Devers, do you think Red Sox fans would approve? Would it depend upon whether Cora told them -- or Sam Kennedy?

[notin]

Gallo's K-rate rounded to 40% last year. That's way worse than Duran, Franchy, Story, Dalbec and Shaw (but eegads, not Jeter). And Joey's was a large sample size.

 

In 2021, Joey Gallo struck out 213 times -- one more than the immortal (though not necessarily immoral) Jack Glasscock did in 17 seasons.

 

If signing Gallo allows the Red Sox to resign Devers, do you think Red Sox fans would approve? Would it depend upon whether Cora told them -- or Sam Kennedy?

 

Gee, no. If signing Gallo for 1-2 years slows the Sox to re-sign Devers, I think Sox fans will be disheartened.

 

Did you realize that in spite of his high K rate, Gallo still has a higher OPS+ than Bellinger? Not by much, 79 to 78. But with the fervor that you are arguing for Bellinger, you’d think he was definitively better at something. He’s basically the same as a hitter. Far worse as a fielder. But yes, he does have some more speed and steals a few bases on the rare occasion he actually gets on first base.

 

Of course, if the Sox need a lefty-hitting outfielder with speed and a 78 OPS+ and a sub.300 OBP, why overpay for Bellinger when Jarren Duran is already here?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Gee, no. If signing Gallo for 1-2 years slows the Sox to re-sign Devers, I think Sox fans will be disheartened.

 

Did you realize that in spite of his high K rate, Gallo still has a higher OPS+ than Bellinger? Not by much, 79 to 78. But with the fervor that you are arguing for Bellinger, you’d think he was definitively better at something. He’s basically the same as a hitter. Far worse as a fielder. But yes, he does have some more speed and steals a few bases on the rare occasion he actually gets on first base.

 

Of course, if the Sox need a lefty-hitting outfielder with speed and a 78 OPS+ and a sub.300 OBP, why overpay for Bellinger when Jarren Duran is already here?

 

Hah -- the only fever I have about these two is to counter your Gallo-fervor of the past month. Do you really think I want to watch Cody Bellinger upper-cutting from his ankles to his helmet in a Red Sox uni for the next Trevor Story half-decade? Or are you just in your weekly find-a-post to argue mode?

 

I want absolutely nothing to do with any big whiffers -- including Judge -- and am all about contact hitters who put the ball in play... even if it's a bunt between the plate and the mound with a ghost runner on second or better, third. I can't stand all-or-nothing baseball, and have been vocal (or at least bifocal) about it since Boston featured eight guys with 100 or more Ks in the Cashner crash of '19.

 

And I'll argue all day that walks aren't as good as hits, and because of that, OPS is an overrated stat. When I see a guy like Devers hitting a liner off a pitch that bounces, that's the guy I want swinging as much as possible.

 

ps. and you may have misread my post about signing someone cheap so they can resign Devers

[moonslav59]

Gallo's K-rate rounded to 40% last year. That's way worse than Duran, Franchy, Story, Dalbec and Shaw (but eegads, not Jeter). And Joey's was a large sample size.

 

In 2021, Joey Gallo struck out 213 times -- one more than the immortal (though not necessarily immoral) Jack Glasscock did in 17 seasons.

 

If signing Gallo allows the Red Sox to resign Devers, do you think Red Sox fans would approve? Would it depend upon whether Cora told them -- or Sam Kennedy?

 

I'm not thrilled with the idea, but I'm pretty sure we'll have to skimp at some position. If it's RF, it may have to be Gallo or Bellinger or some LF'er like Beni with Dugo moving to RF.

 

I am in no way saying I like Gallo as our RF'er.

[notin]

Hah -- the only fever I have about these two is to counter your Gallo-fervor of the past month. Do you really think I want to watch Cody Bellinger upper-cutting from his ankles to his helmet in a Red Sox uni for the next Trevor Story half-decade? Or are you just in your weekly find-a-post to argue mode?

 

I want absolutely nothing to do with any big whiffers -- including Judge -- and am all about contact hitters who put the ball in play... even if it's a bunt between the plate and the mound with a ghost runner on second or better, third. I can't stand all-or-nothing baseball, and have been vocal (or at least bifocal) about it since Boston featured eight guys with 100 or more Ks in the Cashner crash of '19.

 

And I'll argue all day that walks aren't as good as hits, and because of that, OPS is an overrated stat. When I see a guy like Devers hitting a liner off a pitch that bounces, that's the guy I want swinging as much as possible.

 

ps. and you may have misread my post about signing someone cheap so they can resign Devers

 

In might have misread that. At the very least I didn’t know where you were going with the whole Cora vs Kennedy aspect. I still don’t. Little help?

 

My “Gallo Fervor” that started out as a prediction was based almost exclusively on one thing. Defense. Gallo actually is an extremely good defensive right fielder. Extremely good. And in Fenway, that a need. And why I wanted Betts extended over the Price signing (I have no idea if Betts even wanted to talk contract back then.)

 

I do think the banned shift will allow for Gallo to bounce back someday. Ditto Bellinger. Ditto Verdugo.

 

Walks aren’t the same as hits, but OPS also doesn’t treat them the same. So not sure where you’re going there either.

 

I’ve been out on Judge all off-season and in on Nimmo over Bogaerts, but I don’t any of those three wind up in Boston. (If forced to choose, I would say X was most likely.). But Judge? I’m out on a guy who wants well over $300mill and can’t stay heathy.

 

Contact hitters are great and hitters like Devers are special. But in 2023, with no shifting anymore, defense will be at a premium. I assume this is a big part of why the Sox have been, we’ll say hesitant to re-sign Bogaerts.

 

And why I still think they will sign Gallo…

[moonslav59]

Hah -- the only fever I have about these two is to counter your Gallo-fervor of the past month. Do you really think I want to watch Cody Bellinger upper-cutting from his ankles to his helmet in a Red Sox uni for the next Trevor Story half-decade? Or are you just in your weekly find-a-post to argue mode?

 

I want absolutely nothing to do with any big whiffers -- including Judge -- and am all about contact hitters who put the ball in play... even if it's a bunt between the plate and the mound with a ghost runner on second or better, third. I can't stand all-or-nothing baseball, and have been vocal (or at least bifocal) about it since Boston featured eight guys with 100 or more Ks in the Cashner crash of '19.

 

And I'll argue all day that walks aren't as good as hits, and because of that, OPS is an overrated stat. When I see a guy like Devers hitting a liner off a pitch that bounces, that's the guy I want swinging as much as possible.

 

ps. and you may have misread my post about signing someone cheap so they can resign Devers

 

So, maybe something like Beni in LF and Dugo in RF, and we sign a SS and extend Devers while packing the staff, too.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

In might have misread that. At the very least I didn’t know where you were going with the whole Cora vs Kennedy aspect. I still don’t. Little help?

 

My “Gallo Fervor” that started out as a prediction was based almost exclusively on one thing. Defense. Gallo actually is an extremely good defensive right fielder. Extremely good. And in Fenway, that a need. And why I wanted Betts extended over the Price signing (I have no idea if Betts even wanted to talk contract back then.)

 

I do think the banned shift will allow for Gallo to bounce back someday. Ditto Bellinger. Ditto Verdugo.

 

Walks aren’t the same as hits, but OPS also doesn’t treat them the same. So not sure where you’re going there either.

 

I’ve been out on Judge all off-season and in on Nimmo over Bogaerts, but I don’t any of those three wind up in Boston. (If forced to choose, I would say X was most likely.). But Judge? I’m out on a guy who wants well over $300mill and can’t stay heathy.

 

Contact hitters are great and hitters like Devers are special. But in 2023, with no shifting anymore, defense will be at a premium. I assume this is a big part of why the Sox have been, we’ll say hesitant to re-sign Bogaerts.

 

And why I still think they will sign Gallo…

 

Cora has cred with the Nation since he is an actual baseball lifer, unlike Sam the company deflector.

 

I'm with you on defense. It's not only going to matter more, it's also the easiest way for a bad team to change position players and become respectable. Don't give the other team extra outs, don't tax your pitching to make extra pitches... do keep your club in the game (despite your offense), do entertain your paying customers by making big league plays.

 

My latest Bogey hope (that he resigns) is Cincy just acquired glove-first shortstop Kevin Newman, who a team looking for a place-holder might covet. Then again, his career K-rate is a very un-Red Sox-like 11.7%...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So, maybe something like Beni in LF and Dugo in RF, and we sign a SS and extend Devers while packing the staff, too.

 

I approve of this plan in a reasonable wild card drive towards third place. As long as the pitching acquisitions are reasonable...

[notin]

Cora has cred with the Nation since he is an actual baseball lifer, unlike Sam the company deflector.

 

I'm with you on defense. It's not only going to matter more, it's also the easiest way for a bad team to change position players and become respectable. Don't give the other team extra outs, don't tax your pitching to make extra pitches... do keep your club in the game (despite your offense), do entertain your paying customers by making big league plays.

 

My latest Bogey hope (that he resigns) is Cincy just acquired glove-first shortstop Kevin Newman, who a team looking for a place-holder might covet. Then again, his career K-rate is a very un-Red Sox-like 11.7%...

 

I never really considered Cincinnati a threat in the Bogaerts sweepstakes. That they dealt Farmer to Minnesota (who is since they just lost Correa) might be a factor. Although anyone capable of landing an MLB GM position isn’t likely to say “we have Kyle Farmer so we have SS all locked up.” Unless they view him as a placeholder for Royce Lewis.

 

The Angels trading for Gio Urshela also might take them out of the running.

 

Besides Boston, others looking for a SS likely include the Phillies (Dombrowski has signed Bogaets once already), the Cubs, the Dodgers, and the Giants. And of course some upstart team looking to generate some interest (Orioles?).

 

Although all things considered, I’d prefer Correa over Bogaerts as an overall player. But I do hate Carlos Correa…

[Bellhorn04]

Contact hitters are great and hitters like Devers are special. But in 2023, with no shifting anymore, defense will be at a premium.

 

Can someone explain why the banning of the shift makes defense significantly more important?

[notin]

Can someone explain why the banning of the shift makes defense significantly more important?

 

Shortstops, second basemen, and right fielders will all have to cover more ground when left-handed hitters are up.

[harmony]

In might have misread that. At the very least I didn’t know where you were going with the whole Cora vs Kennedy aspect. I still don’t. Little help?

 

My “Gallo Fervor” that started out as a prediction was based almost exclusively on one thing. Defense. Gallo actually is an extremely good defensive right fielder. Extremely good. And in Fenway, that a need. And why I wanted Betts extended over the Price signing (I have no idea if Betts even wanted to talk contract back then.)

 

I do think the banned shift will allow for Gallo to bounce back someday. Ditto Bellinger. Ditto Verdugo.

 

Walks aren’t the same as hits, but OPS also doesn’t treat them the same. So not sure where you’re going there either.

 

I’ve been out on Judge all off-season and in on Nimmo over Bogaerts, but I don’t any of those three wind up in Boston. (If forced to choose, I would say X was most likely.). But Judge? I’m out on a guy who wants well over $300mill and can’t stay heathy.

 

Contact hitters are great and hitters like Devers are special. But in 2023, with no shifting anymore, defense will be at a premium. I assume this is a big part of why the Sox have been, we’ll say hesitant to re-sign Bogaerts.

 

And why I still think they will sign Gallo…

Gotta hate it when notin is right.

[moonslav59]

I approve of this plan in a reasonable wild card drive towards third place. As long as the pitching acquisitions are reasonable...

 

I just don't see much difference between Beni, Gallo and Bellinger.

 

Beni has a better OBP, but moving Dugo to RF hurts the D more than by adding Gallo.

 

I'm assuming we go with Bogey or Correa. I like Correa's D, but his up and down offense and injury history makes that a tough call.

 

Pitching, pitching, pitching, to me.

[Bellhorn04]

Shortstops, second basemen, and right fielders will all have to cover more ground when left-handed hitters are up.

 

That makes sense.

 

But essentially we're just going back to where we were before all the extreme shifting started.