2023 Free Agents

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So, our highest needs were/are SS, SP, Pen, RF and then maybe more pitching and a catcher. We end up spending more than half our spending so far onDH/LF.

 

I don’t get it.

 

Yes, you do. The Sox are merely showing us they learned in '22 that it's not a good idea to play MLB games without big leaguers at every position on the diamond.

 

Turner is a third baseman, and the hot corner had the potential to be another glaring hole on the field soon in Fenway. If Raffy is dealt before Opening Day, at least we won't have to see and hear and grieve over Franchy or Duran or Yoshida trying to learn a new position.

[Larry Cook]

Justin turner? Why?

[Old Red]

So, our highest needs were/are SS, SP, Pen, RF and then maybe more pitching and a catcher. We end up spending more than half our spending so far onDH/LF.

 

I don’t get it. I’d mention head scratching but where did that get me last winter?

Let’s remember when FA started Abreu was the first one the Red Sox talked to, so DH seems like a priority to Bloom.

[Bellhorn04]

Justin turner? Why?

 

He's still a good hitter.

 

Hopefully this means they're going to spend a bit more.

 

Need an SP.

[Bellhorn04]

Let’s remember when FA started Abreu was the first one the Red Sox talked to, so DH seems like a priority to Bloom.

 

Good observation, Red.

[Old Red]

Good observation, Red.

 

It’s not like the Sox didn’t need a DH, but I agree that there was bigger needs first.

[jacksonianmarch]

I know Turner could be a 1b or DH. But this smells of a Devers deal

[moonslav59]

I know Turner could be a 1b or DH. But this smells of a Devers deal

 

Or, a Bobby Dee deal.

 

As long as they are fine with Dugo?Ref in RF, then getting a short term DH is okay. We need a bi gRH'd bat.

 

Sign Andrus and Kluber and I'm actually not hating this winter, assuming Devers is not traded.

[Bellhorn04]

I know Turner could be a 1b or DH. But this smells of a Devers deal

 

Everything smells of a Devers deal to you.

[Old Red]

I know Turner could be a 1b or DH. But this smells of a Devers deal

 

Barring an injury Raffy will be the starting 3B of the Red Sox next season, and yes without a new contract.

[moonslav59]

Everything smells of a Devers deal to you.

 

We could extend him, and jacko would still say it was just to trade him!

 

[redsoxrules]

He's still a good hitter.

 

Hopefully this means they're going to spend a bit more.

 

Need an SP.

 

His power numbers went down significantly this past season. He's 38 years old. He's just about done

[moonslav59]

His power numbers went down significantly this past season. He's 38 years old. He's just about done

 

He his 27 HRs, last year, started out slowly, this year then hit this from June 30>>>

 

.349/.419/.549/.698 w 9 HRs and 16 2Bs in 246 PAs

 

162 gm avg:

 

.349 25 118 w 44 2Bs

 

Maybe there is life left in him and Fenway Park will spark a big year.

 

[redsoxrules]

Conclusion- his power numbers went down. The season consists of the whole season. Enough of this cherry picking stats

[notin]

His power numbers went down significantly this past season. He's 38 years old. He's just about done

 

Certainly he was younger then, but his power numbers were down in 2018 and he bounced back.

 

Plus, .350 OBP never hurts.

 

He won’t hit like he used to, but he can certainly put hot Dalbec and Hosmer…

[notin]

He his 27 HRs, last year, started out slowly, this year then hit this from June 30>>>

 

.349/.419/.549/.698 w 9 HRs and 16 2Bs in 246 PAs

 

162 gm avg:

 

.349 25 118 w 44 2Bs

 

Maybe there is life left in him and Fenway Park will spark a big year.

 

 

Can he outhit Dalbec and the departed Eric Hosmer?

 

Case closed…

[moonslav59]

Conclusion- his power numbers went down. The season consists of the whole season. Enough of this cherry picking stats

 

The whole season is cherry-picked, too.

 

Yes, his seasonal numbers went way down, but he started to show signs of life.

[moonslav59]

Can he outhit Dalbec and the departed Eric Hosmer?

 

Case closed…

 

Our line-up looks very good and balanced, but we still have our 3 biggest needs on the table:

 

SP

SS

RF

 

Okay, maybe the pen was top 4.

[notin]

So, our highest needs were/are SS, SP, Pen, RF and then maybe more pitching and a catcher. We end up spending more than half our spending so far onDH/LF.

 

I don’t get it. I’d mention head scratching but where did that get me last winter?

 

I think RF is settled.

 

SS maybe, too, if they move Story.

 

SP might be if they move Houck.

 

So that means backfilling RP and 2b…

[Bellhorn04]

I think RF is settled.

 

SS maybe, too, if they move Story.

 

SP might be if they move Houck.

 

So that means backfilling RP and 2b…

 

Agree about RF.

 

Bloom did say he was getting a starting pitcher, so we'll see if he's a man of his word on that...

[mvp 78]

His power numbers went down significantly this past season. He's 38 years old. He's just about done

 

Everyone's power numbers went down last year. His SLG declined at about the league average.

 

His wRC+ was better than JD's. He is just going to replace JD, play a little D and k a little less.

[mvp 78]

I think RF is settled.

 

SS maybe, too, if they move Story.

 

SP might be if they move Houck.

 

So that means backfilling RP and 2b…

 

I have a feeling that 2b might just be a rotating cast of characters: Arroyo, Valdez and whatever guys they churn through the bottom of the 40 man.

 

Maybe they'll get a cheap FA backup like Mendick or Iggy.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think RF is settled.

 

SS maybe, too, if they move Story.

 

SP might be if they move Houck.

 

So that means backfilling RP and 2b…

 

RF is Verdugo full-time. I've not seen nor heard anyone in Boston indicate that Refsnyder will platoon; in fact, Cora predicted Verdugo will hit .300 in '23.

 

SS -- using Story with his obvious health concerns, and picking up another utility piece like Profar would be low-budget; both Andrus and Segura each made about twice as much last year.

 

SP -- they might be done, but relying on four rehabbing starters coming off surgeries reeks of punting. Surprised Bloom or another GM wasn't aggressive on Wacha, unless they think '22 was a mirage. Not surprised Eovaldi won't be back, after his outspoken reaction at the last trade deadline. Our final signing will be half-of-Hill; it's too easy not to get done.

[Hugh2]

Agree about RF.

 

Bloom did say he was getting a starting pitcher, so we'll see if he's a man of his word on that...

 

If we don't sign a starting pitcher I don't think it would be because Bloom lied about wanting to get a starting pitcher. What I will believe is he was unable to attain any pitcher because he sets a value on what someone is worth and they're uncomfortable going above that threshold. If that strategy is the reason they keep on missing out on guys they wanted (and not because their interest was hyped by agents and media) then they need to seriously re-evaluate their evaluation process. You can look at the sum of every addition in a vacuum and be happy with the value you are getting but if the sum of all the parts is a team that can not compete then they have failed.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If we don't sign a starting pitcher I don't think it would be because Bloom lied about wanting to get a starting pitcher. What I will believe is he was unable to attain any pitcher because he sets a value on what someone is worth and they're uncomfortable going above that threshold. If that strategy is the reason they keep on missing out on guys they wanted (and not because their interest was hyped by agents and media) then they need to seriously re-evaluate their evaluation process. You can look at the sum of every addition in a vacuum and be happy with the value you are getting but if the sum of all the parts is a team that can not compete then they have failed.

 

Yup, right now Bloom has failed to even add an average pitcher in a big league starting rotation for about the going AAV rate of between $11 to $13 million.

 

I would say that's irksome, but on forums like this, it's irkmany.

[mvp 78]

Agree about RF.

 

Bloom did say he was getting a starting pitcher, so we'll see if he's a man of his word on that...

 

Top unsigned guys per FanGraphs projected fWAR:

Eovaldi

Kluber

Wacha

Smyly

Duffy

Miley

Minor

Greinke

Hill

Cueto

Lyles

Weaver

Pineda

 

Earlier, he stated that he wanted someone that could provide INNINGS and help lead the staff. Is that Kluber? Maybe? It's definitely underwhelming for the starting rotation, but I didn't really expect much from this FA class.

[mvp 78]

If we don't sign a starting pitcher I don't think it would be because Bloom lied about wanting to get a starting pitcher. What I will believe is he was unable to attain any pitcher because he sets a value on what someone is worth and they're uncomfortable going above that threshold. If that strategy is the reason they keep on missing out on guys they wanted (and not because their interest was hyped by agents and media) then they need to seriously re-evaluate their evaluation process. You can look at the sum of every addition in a vacuum and be happy with the value you are getting but if the sum of all the parts is a team that can not compete then they have failed.

 

Yup.

[mvp 78]

RF is Verdugo full-time. I've not seen nor heard anyone in Boston indicate that Refsnyder will platoon; in fact, Cora predicted Verdugo will hit .300 in '23.

 

SS -- using Story with his obvious health concerns, and picking up another utility piece like Profar would be low-budget; both Andrus and Segura each made about twice as much last year.

 

SP -- they might be done, but relying on four rehabbing starters coming off surgeries reeks of punting. Surprised Bloom or another GM wasn't aggressive on Wacha, unless they think '22 was a mirage. Not surprised Eovaldi won't be back, after his outspoken reaction at the last trade deadline. Our final signing will be half-of-Hill; it's too easy not to get done.

 

I think it's likely that Eovaldi comes back as that QO attachment really deflates what other teams would want to offer him. Eovaldi was dumb for not taking the QO.

[Hugh2]

I think it's likely that Eovaldi comes back as that QO attachment really deflates what other teams would want to offer him. Eovaldi was dumb for not taking the QO.

 

I wonder if there's a market for Eovaldi or not? If there is not, then the Sox waiting to sign him is probably working out in their favor. Honestly, I'd rather take the pick and get someone like Kluber. It's not like we are trying to compete next year and Kluber could easily be better if Eovaldi isn't healthy.

[mvp 78]

I wonder if there's a market for Eovaldi or not? If there is not, then the Sox waiting to sign him is probably working out in their favor. Honestly, I'd rather take the pick and get someone like Kluber. It's not like we are trying to compete next year and Kluber could easily be better if Eovaldi isn't healthy.

 

If they wait out the market, they could maybe sign Kluber AND Eovaldi anyway.