Devers signs 11 year $331 million extension

[mvp 78]

He could be absolutely brutal, but again, 4 games. At a bare minimum he should be "penciled" long enough to see how good he really is, and right now, like it or not, he is the clear frontrunner for the 2b position in 2025. The only other feasible option within the organization is Mayer, and you don't move him to 2B unless you have confidence Story will be showing up for work a rather large amount of time over the next 3 seasons.

 

But right now any questions we have about Grissom - most of which I would suspect are tied to his 2 for 17 start - apply just as easily to any other internal option that we have.

 

And if Grissom even appears to be a league average secondbaseman with the glove, how high is upgrading over him on the priority list?

 

I mean, even if Grissom is a complete bust this year all around, is that the extent of his opportunity?

 

I'm just saying that there is no reason to pencil him in as the starter at 2b for 2025. Seems fair to me.

[notin]

I'm just saying that there is no reason to pencil him in as the starter at 2b for 2025. Seems fair to me.

 

I do not agree. I absolutely would have him PENCILED in at a minimum. And even if he does have a very bad season - which he is off to so far - I don't think the Sox should just pack it in with him and look elsewhere.

[Bellhorn04]

You can't put it all on Devers. It's a team sport. When one guy is struggling (and it happens to everyone) the others have to step up and do their part. Right now the Sox are getting very little from the bottom half of the order.

 

We generally have a bunch of AAAA guys at the bottom of the order.

[Bellhorn04]

I do not agree. I absolutely would have him PENCILED in at a minimum. And even if he does have a very bad season - which he is off to so far - I don't think the Sox should just pack it in with him and look elsewhere.

 

So just don't write it in ink.

 

If Mayer steps up, where does Grissom play in 2025?

 

And then there's Yorke.

 

They could trade Grissom, of course.

[notin]

So just don't write it in ink.

 

If Mayer steps up, where does Grissom play in 2025?

 

And then there's Yorke.

 

They could trade Grissom, of course.

 

I think it's easier to pencil in Grissom for 2025 than Story for 2025. Or at least for all of 2025.

 

Right now, Grissom is certainly head of Nick Yorke and his .725 OPS in AA. If we are not penciling in Grissom, there are fewer reason to pencil in Yorke.

 

Certainly trades could change everything, but as the organization stands now, Grissom appears to be the frontrunner at 2B. Mayer is the only threat, and it seems more likely than Story will clear that path for him...

[moonslav59]

A lot of the cards the sox dealt themselves are sitting out the games right now. Two of the three players you highlight are not available and the Sox have had to dig deep for replacements. When was the last time you saw a player get called up simply because he was the only healthy bat left on the 40 man roster?

 

This team isn't a great defensive team with Casas and Yoshida in the lineup, but it is a better overall team...

 

To some, the best idea is to just keep bad fielders playing at the position they suck at.

 

Not me.

 

The team would be better, if we played guys at positions where they get less exposed.

[moonslav59]

I need my IFers to OPS higher than 650.

 

Indeed, and Grissom has a .715 career OPS in a small sample size of 220+ PAs.

 

As of now, he's pencilled in at 2B, because nobody looks to have a better shot at winning the job.

[moonslav59]

So just don't write it in ink.

 

If Mayer steps up, where does Grissom play in 2025?

 

And then there's Yorke.

 

They could trade Grissom, of course.

 

3B: Story (Devers)

SS: Mayer (Story/Grissom)

2B: Grissom (Valdez/Yorke)

1B: Devers/Casas

DH: Casas/Devers

 

Traded: Yoshi

[notin]

3B: Story (Devers)

SS: Mayer (Story/Grissom)

2B: Grissom (Valdez/Yorke)

1B: Devers/Casas

DH: Casas/Devers

 

Traded: Yoshi

 

Yoshi could also return to LF. While no whiz out there with the glove, it's probably worth it to upgrade the infield.

 

I am not sure sure Yoshida is all that tradable unless he really starts hitting again. And trading players to simply dump them rather than actually get an improvement rarely works out...

[Bellhorn04]

Yoshi could also return to LF. While no whiz out there with the glove, it's probably worth it to upgrade the infield...

 

Yoshi is best removed from the picture completely. Take the hit for Bloom's stupidity and move on. The guy is essentially useless. He'd be a middling DH, but we need the DH position for others.

[moonslav59]

Yoshi could also return to LF. While no whiz out there with the glove, it's probably worth it to upgrade the infield.

 

I am not sure sure Yoshida is all that tradable unless he really starts hitting again. And trading players to simply dump them rather than actually get an improvement rarely works out...

 

If we can't find a taker, and he can hit over .750, I suppose he could get some PAs in LF and PH.

 

As of now, I'm not benching Duran or Abreu so he can play, either.

[notin]

If we can't find a taker, and he can hit over .750, I suppose he could get some PAs in LF and PH.

 

As of now, I'm not benching Duran or Abreu so he can play, either.

 

Duran in CF is more tradable and is probably an equal liability respective to their positions, but also especially when compared to Rafaela.

 

If the Sox tried to move Yoshida, they probably either pay more of the deal or take back an equally cumbersome one. If they try to move Duran, they might get back a decent player that can help the team. Plus at some point, Roman Anthony might force both of them out of the lineup anyway, although the Sox can certainly wait until that happens.

[notin]

Yoshi is best removed from the picture completely. Take the hit for Bloom's stupidity and move on. The guy is essentially useless. He'd be a middling DH, but we need the DH position for others.

 

He does have good bat-to-ball skills. His strikeout rate for his career is roughly 13%, and the league average is around 22%. He's also upped his walk rate so far this year, but that is in a pretty small sample size.

 

I don't think he is as useless as some think, and he is the closest thing the Sox have to a decent on-base hitter...

[Bellhorn04]

Duran in CF is more tradable and is probably an equal liability respective to their positions, but also especially when compared to Rafaela.

 

If the Sox tried to move Yoshida, they probably either pay more of the deal or take back an equally cumbersome one. If they try to move Duran, they might get back a decent player that can help the team.

 

Because Yoshida is expensive and useless, and Duran is cheap and useful - 2.5 fWAR in 102 games last year, 1.2 fWAR in 37 games this year.

[mvp 78]

Yoshi is best removed from the picture completely. Take the hit for Bloom's stupidity and move on. The guy is essentially useless. He'd be a middling DH, but we need the DH position for others.

 

Trade him for a bad pitching contract.

[Bellhorn04]

Trade him for a bad pitching contract.

 

A very bad pitching contract.

[notin]

A very bad pitching contract.

 

Tyler Anderson? Carlos Rodon? Josh Hader? Robbie Ray?

[mvp 78]

Tyler Anderson? Carlos Rodon? Josh Hader? Robbie Ray?

 

Yes

No - injury risk

Yes

Doubtful - 4 seamer guy

[notin]

Yes

No - injury risk

Yes

Doubtful - 4 seamer guy

 

Assuming it happened in the off-season, Yoshida would have 3 years $55.8mill left on his deal. Hader would have 4 years $76mill left. Tyler Anderson would have 1 year $13mill left. Ray has 2 years $50mill left, assuming he does not opt out after this missed season.

 

I would guess the Angels would walk away from that deal, since Yoshida probably doesn't justify the cost.

 

Seattle might not like it so much either. I can see pros and cons for them, so I assume they walk away.

 

Houston might do it, especially if Pressly's $14mill option for '25 vests and if Hader continues to flounder. I can see the option vesting, but I think Hader will right himself somewhat. So it might come down to whether or not they simply want to cut some overhead.

 

Rodon is owed about $111mill for the last 4 years. I'd just assume keep Yoshida...

 

.

[notin]

Assuming it happened in the off-season, Yoshida would have 3 years $55.8mill left on his deal. Hader would have 4 years $76mill left. Tyler Anderson would have 1 year $13mill left. Ray has 2 years $50mill left, assuming he does not opt out after this missed season.

 

I would guess the Angels would walk away from that deal, since Yoshida probably doesn't justify the cost.

 

Seattle might not like it so much either. I can see pros and cons for them, so I assume they walk away.

 

Houston might do it, especially if Pressly's $14mill option for '25 vests and if Hader continues to flounder. I can see the option vesting, but I think Hader will right himself somewhat. So it might come down to whether or not they simply want to cut some overhead.

 

Rodon is owed about $111mill for the last 4 years. I'd just assume keep Yoshida...

 

.

 

Actually the one deal that makes the most sense for both teams would be Yoshida for Rodon.

 

The cost of keeping/benching or releasing Yoshida is about the same as the cost of trading him for Rodon. Yoshida would cost about $55.8mill if they just released him (minus the league minimum if he signs after clearing waivers, and he will clear waivers). Assuming no money changed hands (not always a good assumption), taking on Rodon's deal means they take on an increase of $53.5mill. Fairly equal. The Yankees, on the other hand, save considerable cash not only in the salary but also with tax payments due to Yoshida's lower AAV.

 

Boston takes on the AAV increase but can afford it. And Rodon probably only gives you 40 or so starts over the next 4 years, but those would be more beneficial than a benched/released Yoshida...

[moonslav59]

Actually the one deal that makes the most sense for both teams would be Yoshida for Rodon.

 

The cost of keeping/benching or releasing Yoshida is about the same as the cost of trading him for Rodon. Yoshida would cost about $55.8mill if they just released him (minus the league minimum if he signs after clearing waivers, and he will clear waivers). Assuming no money changed hands (not always a good assumption), taking on Rodon's deal means they take on an increase of $53.5mill. Fairly equal. The Yankees, on the other hand, save considerable cash not only in the salary but also with tax payments due to Yoshida's lower AAV.

 

Boston takes on the AAV increase but can afford it. And Rodon probably only gives you 40 or so starts over the next 4 years, but those would be more beneficial than a benched/released Yoshida...

 

I doubt JH agrees to increasing the spending, but I'd seriously consider this.

 

I have to ask, why would the Yanks want Yoshida?

[notin]

I doubt JH agrees to increasing the spending, but I'd seriously consider this.

 

I have to ask, why would the Yanks want Yoshida?

 

Save $53.5mill plus corresponding tax payments...

[Bellhorn04]

Tyler Anderson? Carlos Rodon? Josh Hader? Robbie Ray?

 

Rodon is not within the realm of possibility.

 

He's pitching pretty well of late, and the Yanks kind of already knew about the injury risk.

Edited May 9, 2024 by Bellhorn04

[moonslav59]

Rodon is not within the realm of possibility.

 

He's pitching pretty well this year, and the Yanks kind of already knew about the injury risk.

 

That's why I wondered why the Yanks would do this. They'd have to be totally soured on Rodon.

[dgalehouse]

No doubt the Yankees have their eye on the brass ring . I don't think they would give up a front line pitcher for a guy who would probably ride their bench.

[Bellhorn04]

That's why I wondered why the Yanks would do this. They'd have to be totally soured on Rodon.

 

None of our suggestions ever actually happen, but some of them at least are in the realm of possibility.

[mvp 78]

None of our suggestions ever actually happen, but some of them at least are in the realm of possibility.

 

Instead of trading Masa, let's just wait for the next reliever to hit the waiver wire and grab him.

[Old Red]

To some, the best idea is to just keep bad fielders playing at the position they suck at.

 

Not me.

 

The team would be better, if we played guys at positions where they get less exposed.

 

I’m not saying at all to just keep bad fielders playing at positions they suck at. I just keep saying the Red Sox are just playing the cards they have dealt themselves. Do you think Cora, Bloom, or Brez saw, or see things as me, you, or others do. I doubt it very much at all, and they are the ones making the decisions. You make it all sound so simple to get rid of this one, or move this one, or another one. It’s not. Like I’ve said before Most things predicted, or suggested on here rarely happen if at all. There must be reasons for that.

[notin]

No doubt the Yankees have their eye on the brass ring . I don't think they would give up a front line pitcher for a guy who would probably ride their bench.

 

They might if they need to get an extra $50 mill to put towards extending Soto.

[moonslav59]

None of our suggestions ever actually happen, but some of them at least are in the realm of possibility.

 

One of mine came true many moons ago: "Sox should sign Cody Ross." (Then, he had a career year.)