2022-2023 Offseason Thread

[notin]

Pretty sure he still kept his 813 number being Tampa North and all.

 

Well then I will start harassing him on some random 813 number.

 

If you know any of his digits, it would be a big help probability-wise…

[harmony]

I'd really like to know who SEA would settle on for him. They may want a prospects not needed to be added to the 40.

No player is untouchable but Jesse Winker may not be high on Seattle's list of available players.

[mvp 78]

No player is untouchable but Jesse Winker may not be high on Seattle's list of available players.

 

BTV has him listed as "medium" FWIW.

[harmony]

No player is untouchable but Jesse Winker may not be high on Seattle's list of available players.

More on Jesse Winker and the Seattle Mariners:

 

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1680585/whats-next-for-mariners-and-jesse-winker-mlb-insiders-react/

[moonslav59]

Key Offseason Dates:

 

NOV 7 at 5 pm deadline for offering QO

 

NOV 8 Free Agency begins

 

NOV 9 GM Meetings begin

 

NOV 17 Deadline for players to accept or reject QO

 

NOV 19 Deadline to protect eligible prospects from Rule 5 Draft

 

NOV 30 Non-Tender Deadline

 

DEC 6 Draft Order Determined for July 11-13, 2023 /Winter Meetings begin

 

DEC 9 Rule 5 Draft

 

JAN 14 Arbitration figures exchanged

 

 

[Hugh2]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that seemingly the majority of last years free agency frenzy happened within one week.

 

There will be a lot of hurry up and wait, could be a boring winter until a domino falls

[Bellhorn04]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that seemingly the majority of last years free agency frenzy happened within one week.

 

There will be a lot of hurry up and wait, could be a boring winter until a domino falls

 

It shouldn't be a boring winter for Red Sox fans. Bloom will be under the spotlight more than any other exec in baseball.

[Nick]

It was a long shot but I wanted Sox to sign Schwarber last winter. I got it that there was an overlap with JD but looking back, we could have used him at DH, LF and 1B.

 

A four year deal was not going to kill the Sox, who stupidly went over the luxury tax by mere $5M or so. IF you are going to go over the first time, you go over by $20M, everyone knows that.

 

Acquiring JBJ was the biggest mistake. He added NOTHING. Defense? What did his defense get us?

 

And please don't bring back Beni......he is not my idea of making the team 'much better in 2023'.

[Nick]

It shouldn't be a boring winter for Red Sox fans. Bloom will be under the spotlight more than any other exec in baseball.

 

Yes, I'm on his side of the fence today. That could change in few weeks.

[moonslav59]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that seemingly the majority of last years free agency frenzy happened within one week.

 

There will be a lot of hurry up and wait, could be a boring winter until a domino falls

 

I think the uncertainty surrounding the CBA was part of the reason so many teams waited and waited, last winter. Maybe we return to a more spread out signing period.

[moonslav59]

It was a long shot but I wanted Sox to sign Schwarber last winter. I got it that there was an overlap with JD but looking back, we could have used him at DH, LF and 1B.

 

A four year deal was not going to kill the Sox, who stupidly went over the luxury tax by mere $5M or so. IF you are going to go over the first time, you go over by $20M, everyone knows that.

 

Acquiring JBJ was the biggest mistake. He added NOTHING. Defense? What did his defense get us?

 

And please don't bring back Beni......he is not my idea of making the team 'much better in 2023'.

 

The JBJ deal does seem to be the be-all-end-all move made. Not only did he suck, his contract, alone, put us over the lux tax. While his $8M b uyout for 2023 does not count on the tax line for '23, it's still $8M JH is spending, this winter.

 

I'm not a fan of brining in another LF'er. I was a broken record on out glut of LF'ers, this season, but I do want to see our OBP greatly improved without spending a ton doing it. I'm not sure what Beni will end up getting, but if he's much cheaper than Nimmo, and Nimmo gets a massive overpay, I'm not sure what better options are out there. I would not say he is my Plan B for the OF, but among FAs, he's pretty close.

[harmony]

The JBJ deal does seem to be the be-all-end-all move made. Not only did he suck, his contract, alone, put us over the lux tax. While his $8M b uyout for 2023 does not count on the tax line for '23, it's still $8M JH is spending, this winter.

 

I'm not a fan of brining in another LF'er. I was a broken record on out glut of LF'ers, this season, but I do want to see our OBP greatly improved without spending a ton doing it. I'm not sure what Beni will end up getting, but if he's much cheaper than Nimmo, and Nimmo gets a massive overpay, I'm not sure what better options are out there. I would not say he is my Plan B for the OF, but among FAs, he's pretty close.

What about pursuing 27-year-old leftfielder Austin Meadows, whom Baseball Trade Values lists as a non-tender candidate in Detroit?

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/non-tender-candidates-from-each-team/

[moonslav59]

What about pursuing 27-year-old leftfielder Austin Meadows, whom Baseball Trade Values lists as a non-tender candidate in Detroit?

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/non-tender-candidates-from-each-team/

 

He might be just the type we are looking for, or not.

 

Despite his rather pedestrian .739 OPS since 2020, he has averaged 23 Hrs and 98 RBI per 162 games in that stretch. I doubt he ever repeats 2019's .922 OPS, he's only 27, so there is hope he can get over .800, again. Zero HRs in 147 PAs, this year could be a warning sign, but he did have a career high OBP of .347.

 

Hard to know, if this is a Bloom guy.

[notin]

He might be just the type we are looking for, or not.

 

Despite his rather pedestrian .739 OPS since 2020, he has averaged 23 Hrs and 98 RBI per 162 games in that stretch. I doubt he ever repeats 2019's .922 OPS, he's only 27, so there is hope he can get over .800, again. Zero HRs in 147 PAs, this year could be a warning sign, but he did have a career high OBP of .347.

 

Hard to know, if this is a Bloom guy.

 

Bloom has been part of a front office that acquired him before…

Edited October 23, 2022 by notin

[harmony]

Bloom has been part of a front office that scared him before…

To elaborate: Chaim Bloom was in the Tampa Bay front office at the trade deadline in 2018 when the Rays traded Chris Archer to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Tyler Glasnow, Shane Baz and Austin Meadows.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/meadoau01.shtml#all_transactions_other

 

Infamously.

[harmony]

Join the Red Sox offseason chat to go live around 5:15 pm EDT at MLB Trade Rumors:

 

https://www.jotcast.com/chat/red-sox-live-chat-14199.html

Edited October 22, 2022 by harmony

[moonslav59]

The Astros have found the way to let key players go, and still be competitive.

[harmony]

The Astros have found the way to let key players go, and still be competitive.

FWIW this year the Astros have won five straight postseason games by a margin of two or fewer runs.

 

The Astros are up 5-0 today against the Yankees.

 

The Seattle Mariners were only 26-31 after splitting their first 12 games against the Astros this year but were 1-5 against the 'Stros the remainder of the season despite going on a 64-41 run.

Edited October 24, 2022 by harmony

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Can the Yankems win 4 straight in this ALCS? It has been done before, but that was against the Yankems.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

FWIW this year the Astros have won five straight postseason games by a margin of two or fewer runs.

 

The Astros are up 5-0 today against the Yankees.

 

The Seattle Mariners were only 26-31 after splitting their first 12 games against the Astros this year but were 1-6 against the 'Stros the remainder of the season despite going on a 64-41 run.

 

Well, in the 3 games the Mariners played against the Astros in the PO's they were tougher to beat than than the Yankems in these 3 games.

By the Yankems paying Donaldson 20 million for one year, the SOX are going to have to pay Devers 40 million/yr.

[cukes]

The Astros have found the way to let key players go, and still be competitive.

 

sharp management, a good thing we didn't need Vaz, he called an excellent game for Javier and made a key throw, now I hope he gets a ring and proves Bloom was right in getting rid of him, what a joke

[moonslav59]

sharp management, a good thing we didn't need Vaz, he called an excellent game for Javier and made a key throw, now I hope he gets a ring and proves Bloom was right in getting rid of him, what a joke

 

Vaz totally sucked after the trade and was basically their back-up catcher for the last 2 months.

[Bellhorn04]

Vaz totally sucked after the trade and was basically their back-up catcher for the last 2 months.

 

This take seems a little over the top.

 

I don't think anyone expected Vaz to be anything other than their back-up catcher.

 

The fact he caught yesterday's game shows they have some confidence in him.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Well, in the 3 games the Mariners played against the Astros in the PO's they were tougher to beat than than the Yankems in these 3 games.

By the Yankems paying Donaldson 20 million for one year, the SOX are going to have to pay Devers 40 million/yr.

 

Speaking of Donaldson it appears he has one more year left on his contract with the Yankems for 25 million. If I was a Yankem fan I'd be yelling OUCH!

[moonslav59]

This take seems a little over the top.

 

I don't think anyone expected Vaz to be anything other than their back-up catcher.

 

The fact he caught yesterday's game shows they have some confidence in him.

 

I'm not sure what expectations have to do with it. Many here viewed Vaz a plus starting catcher and still want him back as our starter.

 

He sucked after the trade. That is not "over the top." He did suck.

 

For those who poo-poo the idea that many pitchers feel much more comfortable with a certain catcher over another, despite the guy they like better having a .586 OPS since 2021 (Maldonado) vs a guy they acquired, who had a .750 OPS, this is one further example of evidence that a specific catcher matters.

 

Vaz did start many games (23) for the Astros- more than a typical back-up does, and he hit .583.

 

GS'd

33 Maldonado (59%)

23 Vaz (41%)

 

Before Vaz:

77 Maldonado (73%)

29 others (27%)

 

Clearly, the Astros valued Vaz more than their previous back-ups and/or felt Maldy needed some rest for the playoffs, but Vaz has been a let-down in Houston.

 

Edited October 23, 2022 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not sure what expectations have to do with it. Many here viewed Vaz a plus starting catcher and still want him back as our starter.

 

He sucked after the trade. That is not "over the top." He did suck.

 

For those who poo-poo the idea that many pitchers feel much more comfortable with a certain catcher over another, despite the guy they like better having a .586 OPS since 2021 (Maldonado) vs a guy they acquired, who had a .750 OPS, this is one further example of evidence that a specific catcher matters.

 

Vaz did start many games (23) for the Astros- more than a typical back-up does, and he hit .583.

 

GS'd

33 Maldonado (59%)

23 Vaz (41%)

 

Before Vaz:

77 Maldonado (73%)

29 others (27%)

 

Clearly, the Astros valued Vaz more than their previous back-ups and/or felt Maldy needed some rest for the playoffs, but Vaz has been a let-down in Houston.

 

 

You're basing all this on his .585 OPS in 108 PA's?

[Hugh2]

One problem I see with this argument is the Sox didn't trade Vaz for McGuire. Yes, I get it, they replaced one with the other but for what the paid for Reese he's been a steal. He's also younger, has more team control, and given the history of catchers blooming late he very well could be better going forward or about just as good for much less.

 

Regardless, I'll take good D at the catching position. An upgrade would be nice, but I'd be happy with the Wong/McGuire tangent if they spend the money and upgrade elsewhere.

[Old Red]

I'm not sure what expectations have to do with it. Many here viewed Vaz a plus starting catcher and still want him back as our starter.

 

He sucked after the trade. That is not "over the top." He did suck.

 

For those who poo-poo the idea that many pitchers feel much more comfortable with a certain catcher over another, despite the guy they like better having a .586 OPS since 2021 (Maldonado) vs a guy they acquired, who had a .750 OPS, this is one further example of evidence that a specific catcher matters.

 

Vaz did start many games (23) for the Astros- more than a typical back-up does, and he hit .583.

 

GS'd

33 Maldonado (59%)

23 Vaz (41%)

 

Before Vaz:

77 Maldonado (73%)

29 others (27%)

 

Clearly, the Astros valued Vaz more than their previous back-ups and/or felt Maldy needed some rest for the playoffs, but Vaz has been a let-down in Houston.

 

Vaz is still the same guy as he was before the trade to Houston. Yes he was delegated to backup, and didn’t produce much at all, but back in Boston he would be the same guy as he was before he left, and would return to #1 catcher. What Boston has now are backups. I’m not saying Vaz is the best Catcher around, but I bet the staff would like to see him back.

[moonslav59]

His offensive numbers weren't good, but do you have information that says he sucked defensively?

 

The sample sizes are too small, and Houston used an almost total personal caddy set-up, so Vaz and Maldy caught different starters, almost exclusively.

 

It would not be fair to compare overall CERA, which Vaz did amazingly close to Maldy's whole season numbers (3.02 to 2.91)

 

OPS Against (note very unbalanced sample sizes)

 

.730 Garcia w Vaz (189 PAs against)

.395 w Maldy (371)

.749 Urquidy w Vaz (133)

.695 w Madly (449)

 

.388 Javier w Vaz (127)

.596 w Maldy (303)

 

.784 W Smith v Vaz (63)

.704 w Maldy (27)

 

.449 Neris w Vaz (58)

.572 w Madly (150)

 

.800 Valdez w Vaz (58)

.587 w Maldy (744)

 

I'm not going to claim a 4-2 edge to Maldy proves anything, especially with small and unbalanced sample sizes, but it doesn't show Vaz was better than Madly, here.

 

 

[Bellhorn04]

The sample sizes are too small, and Houston used an almost total personal caddy set-up, so Vaz and Maldy caught different starters, almost exclusively.

 

It would not be fair to compare overall CERA, which Vaz did amazingly close to Maldy's whole season numbers (3.02 to 2.91)

 

OPS Against (note very unbalanced sample sizes)

 

.730 Garcia w Vaz (189 PAs against)

.395 w Maldy (371)

.749 Urquidy w Vaz (133)

.695 w Madly (449)

 

.388 Javier w Vaz (127)

.596 w Maldy (303)

 

.784 W Smith v Vaz (63)

.704 w Maldy (27)

 

.449 Neris w Vaz (58)

.572 w Madly (150)

 

.800 Valdez w Vaz (58)

.587 w Maldy (744)

 

I'm not going to claim a 4-2 edge to Maldy proves anything, especially with small and unbalanced sample sizes, but it doesn't show Vaz was better than Madly, here.

 

 

 

Does it show Vaz sucked? That's the question.