2023 Free Agents

[moonslav59]

I agree with that, the only thing that keeps sticking in my craw is we treaded some race horses and got back all pony’s not one ready to make the jump, I think this set us back more than you know, our farm is rated better but we are no better off now as when he started we still have no prospects ready to move up, except some that have been in the system for a while, and no way to get more prospects except the draft and wire unless we trade another starter

 

We just called up Casas and Bello. Both could be the best since Devers in 2017. (Houck is the only competition.)

 

5 years: Houck, Dalbec, Duran (to Aug '22)

 

1 year only: Aug '22 to to July '23:

 

Casas

Bello

Kelly

German

Mata

Rafaela

Walter

EValdez

Murphy

 

Mayer

Yorke

Kavadas

Lugo

Drohan

RHern, Abreu, Hamilton, Binelas, Koss, R Fernandez, S Scott

 

No way am I saying many of these will be instantly impactful, but some should pretty quickly and the large amount of hopefuls probably means some will win some key roles, soon enough.

 

The quality and quantity is the best I've seen, right now, than it has been in a long time.

 

This one year has to be better than the last 5, combined.

[Bobe2]

We just called up Casas and Bello. Both could be the best since Devers in 2017. (Houck is the only competition.)

 

5 years: Houck, Dalbec, Duran (to Aug '22)

 

2 years: Aug '22 to to July '23:

 

Casas

Bello

Kelly

German

Mata

Rafaela

Walter

EValdez

Murphy

 

Mayer

Yorke

Kavadas

Lugo

Drohan

RHern, Abreu, Hamilton, Binelas, Koss, R Fernandez, S Scott

 

No way am I saying many of these will be instantly impactful, but some should pretty quickly and the large amount of hopefuls probably means some will win some key roles, soon enough.

 

The quality and quantity is the best I've seen, right now, than it has been in a long time.

 

The problem is now, the good players we traded we didn’t get a good return in quality prospects, all the while not replacing these players on the field with quality players or short term contracts, we have no one to trade unless you want to give away what little we have, and no way to get players except free agency, right now this is a pretty feeble looking team

[harmony]

The Kansas City Royals reportedly will sign lefthander Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year contract for $3 million plus up to $1 million in performance bonuses:

 

[notin]

Like I have said many times this forum is just a small sample size of Red Sox fans, and I’ll just take a wild guess that more fans are more outraged than satisfied with the Bloom era.

 

Maybe.

 

But talk radio callers are a biased sample. It’s like Yelp; no one goes there to praise anything. They go to complain…

[Hugh2]

Well said, and you can fault the Sox and other teams for miscalculating the spike in market rates for the top free agents, but maybe they just never thought Bogey was worth near what the lowest point BorA$$ countered with. Knowing BorA$$, it's not necessarily a bad thing they didn't jump at any numbers BorA$$ threw out there. We don't know what the numbers were, for sure.

 

We can look back, now, and say wow, we coulda, shoulda, I woulda all we want, but I don't necessarily fault the Sox for sticking to their price line. In hindsight, sure, maybe the lowest number BorA$$ offered was way less than what he got fro SD, but that doesn't mean he's worth it or will earn it.

 

I think Henry is going the way of the Astros.

 

Build the farm.

 

Okay to go large.

 

Okay to go long.

 

Not okay to go large & long.

 

It's not a bad strategy and pretty simple to understand.

 

It’s not a bad long term strategy, but it’s also not one that a large market team such as Boston will put up with fan base wise. We’ve seen teams put together bridge teams and win, and we’ve seen it throw them in last place. We’ve seen it happen in literally just a year, here, twice.

 

Realistically, going by that model, Sox will not go big this off-season, nor next year either. It’s likely 2024 they start going for it.

 

I don’t think Henry had the patience for it, especially if the seats don’t fill up. It will take a stroke of good fortune, but I think he will stay the course with good results in 2023, the fan base my come around too.

 

Problem with this strategy is you have to draft well, and trade well. Luckily the early reports on Blooms drafting is pretty good, but the return on trades is highly questionable. He had the right ideal, he just guessed wrong. Example, if Jeter Downs hit….Bogey walking wouldn’t sting so much right now. Then again, if Downs hit, perhaps he’s the guy at 2nd and not Story.

 

I think one thing people are missing, is even without any additions this team has the capacity to do much better in 2023. Going in with a bullpen is huge, the Bogaerts situation really overshadowed the rest of the offseason so far. The bullpen should be good, and might even be a strength.

 

Maybe that brings them to .500 a clean bill of health makes them a competitor.

 

One thing is for sure. The comment section on talksox is sure to not disappoint. Nobody goes on the DL here.

[notin]

The Kansas City Royals reportedly will sign lefthander Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year contract for $3 million plus up to $1 million in performance bonuses:

 

 

I did think the Sox would sign Yarbrough. For obvious reasons…

[moonslav59]

The problem is now, the good players we traded we didn’t get a good return in quality prospects, all the while not replacing these players on the field with quality players or short term contracts, we have no one to trade unless you want to give away what little we have, and no way to get players except free agency, right now this is a pretty feeble looking team

 

The first group is here now, or later this season.

 

We should start seeing results starting opening day. It's been 5 opening days since I felt this feeling.

 

We have added Yoshida, Jansen and Martin and have another $40M to spend and maybe a trade in the works.

 

Let's see what unfolds.

[moonslav59]

It’s not a bad long term strategy, but it’s also not one that a large market team such as Boston will put up with fan base wise. We’ve seen teams put together bridge teams and win, and we’ve seen it throw them in last place. We’ve seen it happen in literally just a year, here, twice.

 

Realistically, going by that model, Sox will not go big this off-season, nor next year either. It’s likely 2024 they start going for it.

 

I don’t think Henry had the patience for it, especially if the seats don’t fill up. It will take a stroke of good fortune, but I think he will stay the course with good results in 2023, the fan base my come around too.

 

Problem with this strategy is you have to draft well, and trade well. Luckily the early reports on Blooms drafting is pretty good, but the return on trades is highly questionable. He had the right ideal, he just guessed wrong. Example, if Jeter Downs hit….Bogey walking wouldn’t sting so much right now. Then again, if Downs hit, perhaps he’s the guy at 2nd and not Story.

 

I think one thing people are missing, is even without any additions this team has the capacity to do much better in 2023. Going in with a bullpen is huge, the Bogaerts situation really overshadowed the rest of the offseason so far. The bullpen should be good, and might even be a strength.

 

Maybe that brings them to .500 a clean bill of health makes them a competitor.

 

One thing is for sure. The comment section on talksox is sure to not disappoint. Nobody goes on the DL here.

 

Houston is not a small market. They key might be when you need a big boost, go with someone like Verlander not a 7 year deal like Price's.

 

Large and short for knows but older studs or Moderate and long for the younger players.

 

The thing is, if we set up a system like the Astros, but then can spend more, when needed, we can win, and nobody will care about losing the Correas, Springers and Verlanders.

 

To pull an Ole Red out, talk radio down here in Houston shows no signs of bitching about losing the Cy Young winner.

 

You can have it all.

 

It just takes patience through the growing pains.

 

Maybe we try and miss the mark, badly. I'm glad we're trying this approach, but there sure has been some sucky moments, along the way.

[redsoxrules]

Mets interested in Correa now. Can you imagine if they land him.

[Jasonbay44]

Mets interested in Correa now. Can you imagine if they land him.

 

They're also interested in JD Martinez.

[Jasonbay44]

Correa to Giants. 13 years $350 million

[redsoxrules]

Just saw this. Crazy! Only Swanson and Rondon left now for big pay checks

[oldtimer]

Houston is not a small market. They key might be when you need a big boost, go with someone like Verlander not a 7 year deal like Price's.

 

Large and short for knows but older studs or Moderate and long for the younger players.

 

The thing is, if we set up a system like the Astros, but then can spend more, when needed, we can win, and nobody will care about losing the Correas, Springers and Verlanders.

 

To pull an Ole Red out, talk radio down here in Houston shows no signs of bitching about losing the Cy Young winner.

 

You can have it all.

 

It just takes patience through the growing pains.

 

Maybe we try and miss the mark, badly. I'm glad we're trying this approach, but there sure has been some sucky moments, along the way.

 

Houston extended key contracts earlier and it paid off. They made wise decisions.

[Hugh2]

No way the Sox go after Rodon and Correa. Maybe Kluber and Andrus.

[Bellhorn04]

No way the Sox go after Rodon and Correa. Maybe Kluber and Andrus.

 

Correa's gone.

 

I'll take Kluber and Andrus.

 

I have doubts we'll get either one.

 

Bloom never does the expected.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Correa's gone.

 

I'll take Kluber and Andrus.

 

I have doubts we'll get either one.

 

Bloom never does the expected.

 

By now, we all expect that. Remember the last three offseasons, when we wasted all that time speculating on which free agents could be added to make the Red Sox better? And then we watched haplessly as each prize signed somewhere else...

 

Same with trades, when players we know would help the Sox fill areas of need become available. I'd argue the best trade Bloom has made in Boston was getting Schwarber for a minor league pitcher... and maybe his worst non-action was not even trying to resign him. But that unexpected deal happened because other clubs stayed away from Kyle since he was injured at the time.

 

Which prospect will Bloom be willing to part with to trade for anybody substantial at this point? Considering he just gave away Thad Ward in the Rule 5 draft, maybe it will be someone better than Aldo Ramirez...

[Hugh2]

Correa's gone.

 

I'll take Kluber and Andrus.

 

I have doubts we'll get either one.

 

Bloom never does the expected.

 

Losing Bogaerts stings, and is a massive brown stain on this FO but if they add Andrus and Kluber to complete the offseason the sum of all the parts could be a much better team in 2023. If you augment that with A Devers extension, they might be able to avoid the pitchforks.

[Bellhorn04]

Losing Bogaerts stings, and is a massive brown stain on this FO but if they add Andrus and Kluber to complete the offseason the sum of all the parts could be a much better team in 2023. If you augment that with A Devers extension, they might be able to avoid the pitchforks.

 

Agreed, but highly skeptical it's going to happen.

[harmony]

Signing a top free agent does not guarantee immediate on-field success.

 

Of MLB Trade Rumors' Top 20 free agents last offseason, only eight signed with teams that advanced to the postseason in 2022:

 

1. Carlos Correa MIN

2. Corey Seager TEX

3. Freddie Freeman LAD (lost NLDS)

4. Kris Bryant COL

5. Kevin Gausman TOR (lost WC)

6. Marcus Semien TEX

7. Robbie Ray SEA (lost ALDS)

8. Trevor Story BOS

9. Max Scherzer NYM (lost WC)

10. Nick Castellanos PHI (lost World Series)

11. Marcus Stroman CHC

12. Javier Baez DET

13. Starling Marte NYM (lost WC)

14. Eduardo Rodriguez DET

15. Kyle Schwarber PHI (lost World Series)

16. Chris Taylor LAD (lost NLDS)

17. Raisel Iglesias LAA *

18. Carlos Rondon SFG

19. Jon Gray TEX

20. Seiya Suzuki CHC

 

* traded midseason to ATL (lost NLDS)

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/top-50-mlb-free-agent-rankings.html

 

Postseason teams that had signed a Top 20 free agent all ended the season with a loss. Castellanos and Schwarber were the only Top 20 free agents who played beyond a divisional series.

[Hugh2]

Signing a top free agent does not guarantee immediate on-field success.

 

Of MLB Trade Rumors' Top 20 free agents last offseason, only eight signed with teams that advanced to the postseason in 2022:

 

1. Carlos Correa MIN

2. Corey Seager TEX

3. Freddie Freeman LAD (lost NLDS)

4. Kris Bryant COL

5. Kevin Gausman TOR (lost WC)

6. Marcus Semien TEX

7. Robbie Ray SEA (lost ALDS)

8. Trevor Story BOS

9. Max Scherzer NYM (lost WC)

10. Nick Castellanos PHI (lost World Series)

11. Marcus Stroman CHC

12. Javier Baez DET

13. Starling Marte NYM (lost WC)

14. Eduardo Rodriguez DET

15. Kyle Schwarber PHI (lost World Series)

16. Chris Taylor LAD (lost NLDS)

17. Raisel Iglesias LAA *

18. Carlos Rondon SFG

19. Jon Gray TEX

20. Seiya Suzuki CHC

 

* traded midseason to ATL (lost NLDS)

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/top-50-mlb-free-agent-rankings.html

 

Postseason teams that had signed a Top 20 free agent all ended the season with a loss. Castellanos and Schwarber were the only Top 20 free agents who played beyond a divisional series.

 

I've made this argument time and time again on this board. Going after a premier free agent doesn't guarantee success. Winning the offseason doesn't win the regular season. I used this argument more recently to point out that trading away all our prospect talent for a pitcher or outfielder now when you were in last place is just stupid.

 

Still, you'd expect a big market team like Boston to at least be able to compete for a wildcard by augmenting their team via FA.

[Hugh2]

Yankees showing interest in Eovaldi. per report.

 

Hmmmm, I wonder if this means he's about to sign somewhere (NOT NY) any hour now.

[Old Red]

Stupid? Let me tell you what’s stupid. Trading a guy coming off a 96 RBI season with two arb years left for someone who the Red Sox never would have resigned in in the first place for the contract he signed for, but took him on a year later at a higher price, and was so good he couldn’t hit his weight, and they had to release him. That was stupid. Watching Franchy Strange Glove try to play 1B, and Duran, Duran The Butterfly Man try to play CF as long as the Red Sox did that at times looked like the Bananas Baseball Team, and didn’t do anything about it until it was to late was stupid. Then we come to not putting any SERIOUS effort into resigning two homegrown future HOF stars who have proven they can play in Boston at a high rate, and then spin, and grin about it, and take the fans as fools to believe it is not just stupid, but ignorant.

[Bellhorn04]

Yankees showing interest in Eovaldi. per report.

 

Great, just great.

[mvp 78]

Stupid? Let me tell you what’s stupid. Trading a guy coming off a 96 RBI season with two arb years left for someone who the Red Sox never would have resigned in in the first place for the contract he signed for, but took him on a year later at a higher price, and was so good he couldn’t hit his weight, and they had to release him. That was stupid. Watching Franchy Strange Glove try to play 1B, and Duran, Duran The Butterfly Man try to play CF as long as the Red Sox did that at times looked like the Bananas Baseball Team, and didn’t do anything about it until it was to late was stupid. Then we come to not putting any SERIOUS effort into resigning two homegrown future HOF stars who have proven they can play in Boston at a high rate, and then spin, and grin about it, and take the fans as fools to believe it is not just stupid, but ignorant.

Hey, the Savannah Bananas are actually enjoyable to watch...

[Old Red]

Hey, the Savannah Bananas are actually enjoyable to watch...

 

I agree, and I think Franchy Strangeglove, and Duran The Butterfly Man were auditioning.

[Bellhorn04]

Signing a top free agent does not guarantee immediate on-field success.

 

Of MLB Trade Rumors' Top 20 free agents last offseason, only eight signed with teams that advanced to the postseason in 2022:

 

1. Carlos Correa MIN

2. Corey Seager TEX

3. Freddie Freeman LAD (lost NLDS)

4. Kris Bryant COL

5. Kevin Gausman TOR (lost WC)

6. Marcus Semien TEX

7. Robbie Ray SEA (lost ALDS)

8. Trevor Story BOS

9. Max Scherzer NYM (lost WC)

10. Nick Castellanos PHI (lost World Series)

11. Marcus Stroman CHC

12. Javier Baez DET

13. Starling Marte NYM (lost WC)

14. Eduardo Rodriguez DET

15. Kyle Schwarber PHI (lost World Series)

16. Chris Taylor LAD (lost NLDS)

17. Raisel Iglesias LAA *

18. Carlos Rondon SFG

19. Jon Gray TEX

20. Seiya Suzuki CHC

 

* traded midseason to ATL (lost NLDS)

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/top-50-mlb-free-agent-rankings.html

 

Postseason teams that had signed a Top 20 free agent all ended the season with a loss. Castellanos and Schwarber were the only Top 20 free agents who played beyond a divisional series.

 

There is, however, a pretty strong correlation between the teams with the highest payrolls and the teams that make the playoffs.

[dgalehouse]

I was kind of hoping against hope that the Sox would get Correa. I should have known better.

[moonslav59]

With an AAV less than $30M, I'd have been okay with th Sox signing Correa, but we all know that was always just a pipedream.

 

No way we sign Rodon.

 

Swanson is a less than a tenth of a percent.

 

I'm thinking...

 

Kluber

 

Gallo or Conforto (This fixes RF and DH as Yoshida/Dugo/Ref share LF/DH duties. It also would likely mean bye-bye to Bobby Dee via trade)

 

Andrus (Maybe Segura with Story at SS for 1 year?)

[Hugh2]

What are everyone’s thoughts on signing Rodon to 200/6?

 

Otherwise the best option is between Eovaldi/Kluber. Who will be much cheaper

[dgalehouse]

I don't know what it would take to sign Swanson. He is not on the same level as the other shortstops that have signed elsewhere, but he could do some damage at Fenway. I don't know if his being the last of the " big 4 " would raise or lower the amount it would take. Probably not going to happen anyway.