2023 Free Agents

[mvp 78]

Not unless you have one.

 

If there was, you'd be in the penalty box.

 

Blocked.

[moonslav59]

If there was, you'd be in the penalty box.

 

Blocked.

 

You play too much fantasy sports.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

The Red Sox' first free-agent signing of the offseason: LHP Joely Rodríguez on a one-year deal with a 2024 team option. Rodríguez had a 4.47 ERA (3.64 DRA) and 26.4 percent strikeout rate in 55 games/50 1/3 innings for the Mets last year.

[mvp 78]

Joely Rodriguez

Top 4% in limiting Exit Velo

Top 9% in Hard Hit %

Bottom 6% in BB Rate

xSLG top 16%

xISO top 9%

xBRL top 3%

 

Primarily a Sinker/Changeup guy. Gets a decent amount of k's and limits hard contact. If he can reduce the walks, he could be pretty good.

 

@ChrisCotillo

Joely Rodriguez gets $2M guarantee with a $4.25M club option for 2024, per source.

 

That's a better use of money than Brasier IMO.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

Rodriguez is a fine signing. He has pitches that can baffle both RH and LH hitters. Very good at limiting hard contact and barrels. Definitely an arm to work with. Issues: another reliever with major walk issues after stated that was a big problem. Pitched in low leverage spots.

[Hugh2]

Well it’s not Verlander, which means a lot of people are about to get all hot and bothered.

[mvp 78]

Well it’s not Verlander, which means a lot of people are about to get all hot and bothered.

 

As always.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@alexspeier

The Red Sox' first free-agent signing of the offseason: LHP Joely Rodríguez on a one-year deal with a 2024 team option. Rodríguez had a 4.47 ERA (3.64 DRA) and 26.4 percent strikeout rate in 55 games/50 1/3 innings for the Mets last year.

 

I am gobbling this up! Now pass me that bowl of relievers; I'd like a couple more slices of set-up men, please...

[mvp 78]

@ChrisCotillo

Full details:

 

2023- 1.5m salary + 2m in active roster bonuses

 

2024- 4.25m club option

Buyout: 500k

 

Up to 250k each year in performance bonuses for games pitched

 

Total guarantee 2m. Max earnings 8.25m over two years.

 

Strahm was signed for 3M last season. Seems to be what Joely was signed to be. In 2021, Joely's BB rate was close to what Strahm's was in 2022 and we were happy with his performance.

[mvp 78]

Fast and Furious Part 2

 

@SoxProspects

The Red Sox have signed minor league free agent outfielder Narciso Crook spent most of last year in AAA with the Cubs affiliate, getting a very short stint in MLB during which he made his debut.

[mvp 78]

Crook had 800+ OPS in AAA the past 2 seasons. Likes to k.

 

In his short time in the Cubs organization, Crook has won many fans for his positive attitude and friendly demeanor. (People who knew him in the Reds organization raved about his character as well.) As outlined in Birch’s article, Crook is always willing to sign autographs and take photos with young fans. He does have a price for his time, however: he insists the people he signs for and/or takes pictures with promise to do something nice for someone else in the next two weeks. He’s all about paying it forward.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

Rodriguez is a fine signing. He has pitches that can baffle both RH and LH hitters. Very good at limiting hard contact and barrels. Definitely an arm to work with. Issues: another reliever with major walk issues after stated that was a big problem. Pitched in low leverage spots.

 

@redsoxstats

One thing the Red Sox are in desperate need of is pitchers that can put away batters with 2 strikes. Rodriguez was at 23.8% last year, which would have been second on the Red Sox after Schreiber's 24.3%.

 

@redsoxstats

The contact made against Rodriguez this year most closely matched Daniel Bard, Jorge Lopez, Kendall Graveman, and Rafael Montero.

 

Walks are going to need to tick back down, but there is a good shot this is more Strahm than Diekman.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@redsoxstats

One thing the Red Sox are in desperate need of is pitchers that can put away batters with 2 strikes. Rodriguez was at 23.8% last year, which would have been second on the Red Sox after Schreiber's 24.3%.

 

@redsoxstats

The contact made against Rodriguez this year most closely matched Daniel Bard, Jorge Lopez, Kendall Graveman, and Rafael Montero.

 

Walks are going to need to tick back down, but there is a good shot this is more Strahm than Diekman.

 

Sox need more Strahms... including Strahm.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Crook had 800+ OPS in AAA the past 2 seasons. Likes to k.

 

In his short time in the Cubs organization, Crook has won many fans for his positive attitude and friendly demeanor. (People who knew him in the Reds organization raved about his character as well.) As outlined in Birch’s article, Crook is always willing to sign autographs and take photos with young fans. He does have a price for his time, however: he insists the people he signs for and/or takes pictures with promise to do something nice for someone else in the next two weeks. He’s all about paying it forward.

 

bb-ref lists him as slighty below a replacement player, but to me, his personality negates the negative.

[notin]

bb-ref lists him as slighty below a replacement player, but to me, his personality negates the negative.

 

Do I dare text my Cubs” fan daughter, who actually liked Crook?

[mvp 78]

Sox need more Strahms... including Strahm.

 

Strahm wants the opportunity to start. That won't happen with the Sox.

[mvp 78]

bb-ref lists him as slighty below a replacement player, but to me, his personality negates the negative.

 

He's an MiLB guy. Probably only sees time in WOO and never gets on the 40 man. Better than Christin Stewart?

[mvp 78]

Do I dare text my Cubs” fan daughter, who actually liked Crook?

 

Should be a good conversation for Thanksgiving Dinner.

[mvp 78]

@SPChrisHatfield

Not sure if someone already pointed this out (apologies if so) but pretty sure the Red Sox control Joely Rodríguez for 2025 as well if they pick up his option. Has 3 years, 96 days of service time, so wouldn't be at 6 yet after 2024. Would be arb-eligible for 2025.

[a700hitter]

@SPChrisHatfield

Not sure if someone already pointed this out (apologies if so) but pretty sure the Red Sox control Joely Rodríguez for 2025 as well if they pick up his option. Has 3 years, 96 days of service time, so wouldn't be at 6 yet after 2024. Would be arb-eligible for 2025.

Now, I really like this acquisition. Three years of Joely. A jolly jolly good time.

[moonslav59]

Now, I really like this acquisition. Three years of Joely. A jolly jolly good time.

 

If this means Brasier or DHern are finally shown the door, I'm fine with this signing.

 

Maybe, he'll be the next Strahm.

[Bellhorn04]

If this means Brasier or DHern are finally shown the door, I'm fine with this signing.

 

Maybe, he'll be the next Strahm.

 

Forget about Brasier being shown the door, he has 9 lives with this team.

[dgalehouse]

I think Darwinzon Hernandez still has more potential to be a good one than Joely Rodriguez.

[moonslav59]

I think Darwinzon Hernandez still has more potential to be a good one than Joely Rodriguez.

 

Some high potential guys just never put it together.

 

I'm done with DHern. I'm not saying this guy is the answer, but I'd rather he be given a shot than DHern or Brasier.

[Bellhorn04]

We all know the bullpen needs to be seriously improved. We all know the new signing doesn't move the needle much.

[moonslav59]

We all know the bullpen needs to be seriously improved. We all know the new signing doesn't move the needle much.

 

It's the kind of deal teams make all the time. There is a good chance he barely moves the needle, but I felt the same way when we claimed Schreiber of waivers and when we signed Strahm.

[Tedballgame]

Not getting excited about a guy who has been with 5 teams and had a 4.47 ERA last year. That is a nothing move. It does nothing to improve the team.

[harmony]

The Red Sox have traded for infielder Hoy Park, who has a career OPS+ of 74 in 210 MLB plate appearances as the South Korea native approaches his 27th birthday in April:

 

[Hugh2]

Not getting excited about a guy who has been with 5 teams and had a 4.47 ERA last year. That is a nothing move. It does nothing to improve the team.

 

That’s about a league average ERA but the underlying metrics are better. He generates swings and misses and batters don’t hit him hard. He’s a tweak of his control away from being an elite reliever, and I’d not he’s a decent 6th inning guy. Either or makes the team better. It’s a good low risk high upside move.

 

Every team makes moves like this, bullpens are so Volatile year to year many elite relievers fit this mold before they figure out. Sox did it with Andrew Miller, maybe they can do it again.

 

He’s costing 1.5 million. What do y’all expect a middle reliever to get paid. That’s a bargain.

[dgalehouse]

It's one of those deals where some of the analytics show that he may be a better pitcher than his results would indicate. I saw him pitch for the Mets last year and he sometimes looked pretty good, but overall, not impressive. The career ERA of 4.56 certainly leaves a lot to be desired. The Sox bullpen was one of the worst in MLB last year so much improvement is needed. It is questionable if this guy is going to be much help.