2023 Free Agents

[Hugh2]

Brasier is not immune to be DFA’d a few others too if they upgrade. Trades could be made too.

[Deja Doh]

Whatever is being done, it's not going to propel us past Houston. How were we not on Abreu?

[jacksonianmarch]

36 yr old 1b’s who’s power is waning are not good long term investments. I know Astros are thinking 23 or bust, but that won’t be a good signing IMO

[Bellhorn04]

36 yr old 1b’s who’s power is waning are not good long term investments. I know Astros are thinking 23 or bust, but that won’t be a good signing IMO

 

It's a 3 year contract. As far as power, it was down all over baseball this year. Abreu's 2022 OPS+ of 133 was bang on his career average. He takes walks and doesn't strike out much. He's very durable. He's a pro through and through. I think it's a very good signing for the Stros. They are showing how it's done.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's a 3 year contract. As far as power, it was down all over baseball this year. Abreu's 2022 OPS+ of 133 was bang on his career average. He takes walks and doesn't strike out much. He's very durable. He's a pro through and through. I think it's a very good signing for the Stros. They are showing how it's done.

 

Good point about the widespread power outages; we'll see if the MLB gets its new, speedy offense next year -- if not, expect a juicier ball and return to the longball in '24.

[moonslav59]

Whatever is being done, it's not going to propel us past Houston. How were we not on Abreu?

 

Because 1B/DH is about 6th or 7th on our high need area and spending almost $20M out of maybe $90 on your 6th priority is not that great an idea. Plus, they guy is 36.

[moonslav59]

Brasier is not immune to be DFA’d a few others too if they upgrade. Trades could be made too.

 

Agreed. I was just pointing out we have gone out of our way to not DFA for so long, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I don't want to DFA Taylor, if he's healthy. He'd take Brasier's slot at #11, if we moved Brasier.

 

I still want 4 pitchers, and I do think we can trade some others, DFA 1 or 2, and keep others in AAA, until we IL someone, but I'm just pointing out the need to do so, if we do add 3-4 arms.

[mvp 78]

It's a 3 year contract. As far as power, it was down all over baseball this year. Abreu's 2022 OPS+ of 133 was bang on his career average. He takes walks and doesn't strike out much. He's very durable. He's a pro through and through. I think it's a very good signing for the Stros. They are showing how it's done.

 

How it's done is to expect Abreu to keep that 350 BABIP going...

[moonslav59]

How it's done is to expect Abreu to keep that 350 BABIP going...

 

The talk down here in Houston is 99% positive on the signing. They speak of the team philosophy of moving away from swing and miss batters and improving OBP. They also are talking about bringing Gurriel back and using Abreu at DH maybe the same as at 1B (Gurriel on a platoon.)

[mvp 78]

The talk down here in Houston is 99% positive on the signing. They speak of the team philosophy of moving away from swing and miss batters and improving OBP. They also are talking about bringing Gurriel back and using Abreu at DH maybe the same as at 1B (Gurriel on a platoon.)

 

Abreu

Career OBP: 354

2022 OBP: 378

 

I think there will be a little regression. Add in the decrease in power and it may not be a great picture.

[moonslav59]

Abreu

Career OBP: 354

2022 OBP: 378

 

I think there will be a little regression. Add in the decrease in power and it may not be a great picture.

 

I'd be okay with $20M x 1, but 3 years at his age, I'm glad we passed.

 

Even one year, for a position not in our top 5-6 priority list seems excessive.

[mvp 78]

I'd be okay with $20M x 1, but 3 years at his age, I'm glad we passed.

 

Even one year, for a position not in our top 5-6 priority list seems excessive.

 

The signing makes sense for the Astros, not the Sox in 2023. Maybe the 2025 Sox can sign a DH like that?

[Hugh2]

The signing makes sense for the Astros, not the Sox in 2023. Maybe the 2025 Sox can sign a DH like that?

 

If Sale was a healthy pitcher, Duran and Dalbec developed into everyday players (that you hoped they were going to by the end of 2021). You could easily look at the budget and this year's FA class and go, well damn....lets sign a pitcher, Bogey and get this guy Abreu in here to be a DH.

 

We don't have that luxury with so many holes to fill.

[mvp 78]

If Sale was a healthy pitcher, Duran and Dalbec developed into everyday players (that you hoped they were going to by the end of 2021). You could easily look at the budget and this year's FA class and go, well damn....lets sign a pitcher, Bogey and get this guy Abreu in here to be a DH.

 

We don't have that luxury with so many holes to fill.

 

I know what my plan would be and it seems that the Sox plan is going to be quite different.

 

It's a bold strategy Cotton.

[moonslav59]

If Sale was a healthy pitcher, Duran and Dalbec developed into everyday players (that you hoped they were going to by the end of 2021). You could easily look at the budget and this year's FA class and go, well damn....lets sign a pitcher, Bogey and get this guy Abreu in here to be a DH.

 

We don't have that luxury with so many holes to fill.

 

I'm already resigned to the idea of going with Dalbec-Hosmer & Co at DH in 2023. I was never sold on Duran as a FT OF'er, but had he proved he could be, yes, we'd have enough to upgrade DH or Catcher, this winter.

 

The reoccuring Sale dilema is getting old, fast. Not being able to count on him has hurt, and we haven't seemed to have had enough resources or the will to part with them to find our next ace. In our past ring seasons, we had acquired a second ace a year r two before winning:

 

Schilling add to pedro in 2004.

 

Beckett added to Schilling in 2007.

 

Lackey added to Lester in 2013.

 

Sale added to price in 2018.

 

We can't even say we have one, now.

[moonslav59]

The signing makes sense for the Astros, not the Sox in 2023. Maybe the 2025 Sox can sign a DH like that?

 

The Astros are meeting with Contreras, now. My guess is they would rotate the DH (Contreras and Abreu), while Contreras backs up catcher and Abreu 1B with or without Gurriel.

[Bellhorn04]

The Astros are meeting with Contreras, now. My guess is they would rotate the DH (Contreras and Abreu), while Contreras backs up catcher and Abreu 1B with or without Gurriel.

 

The Astros seem like they're on a mission of world domination...

[mvp 78]

The Astros seem like they're on a mission of world domination...

 

Delete GM, blow up the world.

[notin]

The Astros seem like they're on a mission of world domination...

 

They’re becoming the Bond Villains of MLB…

[notin]

The Astros are meeting with Contreras, now. My guess is they would rotate the DH (Contreras and Abreu), while Contreras backs up catcher and Abreu 1B with or without Gurriel.

 

I guess Dusty Baker doesn’t really think he is such a detrimental force in the clubhouse after all…

[mvp 78]

They’re becoming the Bond Villains of MLB…

 

Someone has to be if the Yankees won't do it anymore.

[Bobe2]

If Sale was a healthy pitcher, Duran and Dalbec developed into everyday players (that you hoped they were going to by the end of 2021). You could easily look at the budget and this year's FA class and go, well damn....lets sign a pitcher, Bogey and get this guy Abreu in here to be a DH.

 

We don't have that luxury with so many holes to fill.

 

Who’s fault would that be?

[moonslav59]

I guess Dusty Baker doesn’t really think he is such a detrimental force in the clubhouse after all…

 

Now, they have room for him at DH, so he can start every game.

[moonslav59]

Who’s fault would that be?

 

One could blame DD, Bloom, JH and our farm system personnel. I'm sure others could be named.

 

Or, one could even blame the players- old school!

 

[mvp 78]

@MacCerullo

Sam Kennedy said there have been a lot of discussions with free agents this week and wouldn’t be surprised if certain deals were imminent. Said he expects a lot of action during the Winter Meetings.

 

That Rich Hill deal is coming soon!

[Hugh2]

Who’s fault would that be?

 

In no particular order, DD’s, Blooms, John Henry, the scouting department, and Lady Luck.

[mvp 78]

In no particular order, DD’s, Blooms, John Henry, the scouting department, and Lady Luck.

 

That lousy broad! She rears her ugly head again!

[Bobe2]

@MacCerullo

Sam Kennedy said there have been a lot of discussions with free agents this week and wouldn’t be surprised if certain deals were imminent. Said he expects a lot of action during the Winter Meetings.

 

That Rich Hill deal is coming soon!

Let the flood begin, Stand back and open the dumpster doors

[Old Red]

@MacCerullo

Sam Kennedy said there have been a lot of discussions with free agents this week and wouldn’t be surprised if certain deals were imminent. Said he expects a lot of action during the Winter Meetings.

 

That Rich Hill deal is coming soon!

 

If the reports were true that Abreu was the #1 target out there, and while I believe he would have helped the club from what they got on the roster now I think he should have been down on the list of needs, and certainly not #1, so who could be behind door #2. I just can’t see the Sox outbidding other teams for someone that will make a big impact on the team. Maybe fill a need, but not a big impact.

[moonslav59]

If the reports were true that Abreu was the #1 target out there, and while I believe he would have helped the club from what they got on the roster now I think he should have been down on the list of needs, and certainly not #1, so who could be behind door #2. I just can’t see the Sox outbidding other teams for someone that will make a big impact on the team. Maybe fill a need, but not a big impact.

 

The number one option does not mean option 2 or 3 can't be higher paid or higher impact players, but I agree. It worries me, if they really had Abreu as option #1.