Trade Deadline 2023

[Dipre]

Take two aspirin. Don't worry, we won't be getting Ohtani as Jackie Bradley is available. Plus if the Angels are smart, they unload the over-muscled and constantly injured Mike Trout (he's reminding me of this mentor Albert Pujols) and then sign Ohtani to a $500 million contract.

 

More like a box. Nothing you say makes any sense. What exactly is your point sir?

[moonslav59]

Not Paul Blackburn.

 

Paulino, Mata and DHam, but I don’t think I’d do that.

[notin]

Not Paul Blackburn.

 

Why not?

[Dojji]

Why would anyone shed tears about not adding Paul Blackburn to the roster? I mean he's not literally the worst pitcher in the entire universe, he's even probably slightly above average, but it just seems like a really weird hill to die on.

 

Let me pick my own guy to go after it would be someone more like Seth Lugo, or if that's too expensive in talent, a guy like Trevor Williams -- solid bottom of the rotation inning chewer. To put it mildly, another inconsistent guy who has some vague notion of more or less unproven ability, like Blackburn, is simply the last thing we need right now. We need inning burners, guys who will take their turn in the rotation and be there and pitch 6+ innings, not Scrhoedinger's pitchers who are simultaneously pitching and not pitching.

Edited July 17, 2023 by Dojji

[vegasbob]

Why would anyone shed tears about not adding Paul Blackburn to the roster? I mean he's not literally the worst pitcher in the entire universe, he's even probably slightly above average, but it just seems like a really weird hill to die on.

 

Let me pick my own guy to go after it would be someone more like Seth Lugo, or if that's too expensive in talent, a guy like Trevor Williams -- solid bottom of the rotation inning chewer. To put it mildly, another inconsistent guy who has some vague notion of more or less unproven ability, like Blackburn, is simply the last thing we need right now. We need inning burners, guys who will take their turn in the rotation and be there and pitch 6+ innings, not Scrhoedinger's pitchers who are simultaneously pitching and not pitching.

 

Those cats would cost Bloom a quantum against the cap.

[Dojji]

Those cats would cost Bloom a quantum against the cap.

 

So? If you're going to buy, buy, if not, don't.

[moonslav59]

So? If you're going to buy, buy, if not, don't.

 

I don’t want us trading the farm, unless it’s for a long term pitcher. I doubt we do that.

 

I’d be okay with trading some second tier prospects at logjammed positions for a SP, but I hope we don’t splurge on a rental.

[Dojji]

I don’t want us trading the farm, unless it’s for a long term pitcher. I doubt we do that.

 

I’d be okay with trading some second tier prospects at logjammed positions for a SP, but I hope we don’t splurge on a rental.

 

Not sure we really need it.

 

One, I don't think our chances of making a run this year are particularly great, I see this as more of a development year. If we get into the playoffs at all the only significance will be that the young guns get a taste of what that feels like.

 

Two, I doubt a trade can be made for a pitcher who makes sense considering that it's always a seller's market at the deadline

 

three, I don't think we actually have a longterm hole at SP. Not until Kutter shows us he's not ready, which he might, but if he holds up, we actually have good depth, at least once it all trickles back in.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don’t want us trading the farm, unless it’s for a long term pitcher. I doubt we do that.

 

I’d be okay with trading some second tier prospects at logjammed positions for a SP, but I hope we don’t splurge on a rental.

 

Paxton is a rental. If he has another really good start, he may bring back the best possible return of any deadline trade to date in Bloom's entire era.

 

I always want the Red Sox to go for it, but this summer I have absolutely zero faith in Sale coming back healthy for any length of time, Whitlock looks done for awhile, and it really makes no sense to rush Houck back from major facial surgery (he should get lengthy rehab assignments to deal with both mental and physical recovery; this could affect the rest of his career).

 

If a Paxton trade could net at least a good relief arm under control, and Bloom could acquire a decent bulk guy from an also-ran, I'd take my chances going forward now with a staff that could contribute to '24 and beyond.

[moonslav59]

Paxton is a rental. If he has another really good start, he may bring back the best possible return of any deadline trade to date in Bloom's entire era.

 

I always want the Red Sox to go for it, but this summer I have absolutely zero faith in Sale coming back healthy for any length of time, Whitlock looks done for awhile, and it really makes no sense to rush Houck back from major facial surgery (he should get lengthy rehab assignments to deal with both mental and physical recovery; this could affect the rest of his career).

 

If a Paxton trade could net at least a good relief arm under control, and Bloom could acquire a decent bulk guy from an also-ran, I'd take my chances going forward now with a staff that could contribute to '24 and beyond.

 

No team looks great in the AL, this year. We might be one addition away from a WS appearance, but I doubt it.

 

Weird that you pick this year to not want to go for it, but your reasoning is fine.

 

We can use a SP going forward, as Whitlock, Houck and Pivetta have proven to be better in the pen. Crawford may be, too.

 

If we go the rental route, I hope it’s not going to cost us a top 12 prospect.

[Hugh2]

Those cats would cost Bloom a quantum against the cap.

 

Sox have room, if eating salary reduces the prospects needed they should do it.

[Hugh2]

No team looks great in the AL, this year. We might be one addition away from a WS appearance, but I doubt it.

 

Weird that you pick this year to not want to go for it, but your reasoning is fine.

 

We can use a SP going forward, as Whitlock, Houck and Pivetta have proven to be better in the pen. Crawford may be, too.

 

If we go the rental route, I hope it’s not going to cost us a top 12 prospect.

 

It depends on what you want. If you want someone good you’re probably going to have to part with at least one guy in then 5-10 range.

[moonslav59]

It depends on what you want. If you want someone good you’re probably going to have to part with at least one guy in then 5-10 range.

 

Find a big salary guy from a team looking to save some money.

 

We got Schwarber for Aldo Ramirez, but then again, wasn’t he about top 15?

[Dojji]

Find a big salary guy from a team looking to save some money.

 

We got Schwarber for Aldo Ramirez, but then again, wasn’t he about top 15?

 

I looked around for that guy and he pretty much doesn't eist, unless you want to take on Verlander's entire salary.

 

Most of the veteran pitching, even the overpaid guys, are on contenders right now.

[notin]

Find a big salary guy from a team looking to save some money.

 

We got Schwarber for Aldo Ramirez, but then again, wasn’t he about top 15?

 

 

So… Stroman?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No team looks great in the AL, this year. We might be one addition away from a WS appearance, but I doubt it.

 

Weird that you pick this year to not want to go for it, but your reasoning is fine.

 

We can use a SP going forward, as Whitlock, Houck and Pivetta have proven to be better in the pen. Crawford may be, too.

 

If we go the rental route, I hope it’s not going to cost us a top 12 prospect.

 

I love the renovated offense with Duran going two out of the box on every hit, and Devers and Verdugo using the whole field again. And this year, the Sox don't just have a man with a plan (like Boggs or Manny or Mookie) -- they have three: Yoshida, Turner and Casas.

 

Boston also doesn't have to worry about a bad bullpen, like in '21, or contract distractions hanging over the club, like with Bogie and others in '22.

 

But many weak areas seem to conspire against a legit title run, especially the defense and brittle starting pitching (I don't expect significant contributions or health from Story or even Paxton through October). The imbalanced batting order top-heavy with lefty sticks is also vulnerable to tough lefties on contenders, like McClanahan and Framber Valdez.

 

Can Bloom fill all these gaps in the next few weeks? Maybe... but for a man who speaks in terms of sure bets, is it even worth it to deal prospects away with the longshot that everything will then break just right for three more months?

[moonslav59]

So… Stroman?

 

Depends on the return cost, but I’d love to see him join the rotation and kick one of our pretend starters back to the pen where he belongs!

[moonslav59]

I love the renovated offense with Duran going two out of the box on every hit, and Devers and Verdugo using the whole field again. And this year, the Sox don't just have a man with a plan (like Boggs or Manny or Mookie) -- they have three: Yoshida, Turner and Casas.

 

Boston also doesn't have to worry about a bad bullpen, like in '21, or contract distractions hanging over the club, like with Bogie and others in '22.

 

But many weak areas seem to conspire against a legit title run, especially the defense and brittle starting pitching (I don't expect significant contributions or health from Story or even Paxton through October). The imbalanced batting order top-heavy with lefty sticks is also vulnerable to tough lefties on contenders, like McClanahan and Framber Valdez.

 

Can Bloom fill all these gaps in the next few weeks? Maybe... but for a man who speaks in terms of sure bets, is it even worth it to deal prospects away with the longshot that everything will then break just right for three more months?

 

Pretty amazing pen game highlights the depth on this team. We may be closer to top contenders than anyone expected. The players seem to believe.

 

The D is way better with Chang back. Story can help, too. I don’t want to jinx our guy at 1B, but compared to our April 1Bman, he looks okay.

 

The pen is solid and can get even better, when our starters return or we trade for one.

 

For once, we have no holes on offense. With a healthy Chang, I don’t see the D losing many more games for us.

 

Maybe I’m blinded by the recency affect.

[Dojji]

Ironically, Blackburn has actually grown on me. Kotsay left him in too long. If Blackburn had left the game at the end of the 5th it would have been a respectable performacne for a bottom of the rotation guy -- 5 IP, 2 ER, 2BB, 3K. Against a lineup that powerful, you take that from a 4-5 starter.

[moonslav59]

Ironically, Blackburn has actually grown on me. Kotsay left him in too long. If Blackburn had left the game at the end of the 5th it would have been a respectable performacne for a bottom of the rotation guy -- 5 IP, 2 ER, 2BB, 3K.

 

Like Houck, he struggles a lot the third time through, but with our pen, maybe we can handle that.

[Hugh2]

Pretty amazing pen game highlights the depth on this team. We may be closer to top contenders than anyone expected. The players seem to believe.

 

The D is way better with Chang back. Story can help, too. I don’t want to jinx our guy at 1B, but compared to our April 1Bman, he looks okay.

 

The pen is solid and can get even better, when our starters return or we trade for one.

 

For once, we have no holes on offense. With a healthy Chang, I don’t see the D losing many more games for us.

 

Maybe I’m blinded by the recency affect.

 

No Chang had the same affect in m the team before going on the dl before. So it’s not just recency.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No Chang had the same affect in m the team before going on the dl before. So it’s not just recency.

 

The thing is, Chang's hand -- now missing a bone -- will probably always be weaker, and sore at times. So he will need days off, and you know Cora will "take care of him."

 

Thus, a key man off the bench down the stretch may just be Pablo Reyes... a guy who the 25-70 Oakland A's couldn't find a spot for on their sorry roster.

[mvp 78]

Ironically, Blackburn has actually grown on me. Kotsay left him in too long. If Blackburn had left the game at the end of the 5th it would have been a respectable performacne for a bottom of the rotation guy -- 5 IP, 2 ER, 2BB, 3K. Against a lineup that powerful, you take that from a 4-5 starter.

 

I think it's more likely the Sox aim for a guy of this caliber than Stroman.

[mvp 78]

No team looks great in the AL, this year. We might be one addition away from a WS appearance, but I doubt it.

 

Weird that you pick this year to not want to go for it, but your reasoning is fine.

 

We can use a SP going forward, as Whitlock, Houck and Pivetta have proven to be better in the pen. Crawford may be, too.

 

If we go the rental route, I hope it’s not going to cost us a top 12 prospect.

 

Do you think this Red Sox team with one extra pitcher could beat the Rays or O's (maybe both) in the playoffs?

[Bellhorn04]

I think it's more likely the Sox aim for a guy of this caliber than Stroman.

 

Kyle Hendricks is another possibility.

[Bellhorn04]

Do you think this Red Sox team with one extra pitcher could beat the Rays or O's (maybe both) in the playoffs?

 

Sure they could.

[moonslav59]

No Chang had the same affect in m the team before going on the dl before. So it’s not just recency.

 

It seemed like others were making more defensive mistakes, before.

 

(I don’t want to use the word “error” anymore, because so many mistakes are not called errors.)

[moonslav59]

Do you think this Red Sox team with one extra pitcher could beat the Rays or O's (maybe both) in the playoffs?

 

The Rays are not the same Rays. The O’s look tougher.

 

I’m beginning to think if 2 out Whit, Houck and Sale return, and we add a guy like Stroman, our pen could be a massive plus, maybe enough to make us a top 3-4 contender in the AL. Is that enough to move us into the strong contender category?

 

I’m not sure, but I’m moving in that direction.

[Dipre]

Sure they could.

 

Anyone can beat anyone in a short series. But it's not likely, which I think is his point.

[moonslav59]

Anyone can beat anyone in a short series. But it's not likely, which I think is his point.

 

I’m not a believer in the whole playoff/crapshoot thing, but we are on the move, and good players are soon to be returning from the IL. I’m starting to feel like I did two games before the end of the 2021 season!