Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[notin]

40 man rosters are much more fungible during the offseason, I think we can get a PTBNL for him from someone.

 

I’ll take that wager…

[moonslav59]

I’ll take that wager…

 

I tend to agree. If no team wanted or needed him enough, this season, due to some injury or decline, I don't see them wanting him more, this winter.

 

Now, maybe some GMs called Bloom with offers of PTBNLs or even better, and he set the value, too highly, but I kinda doubt it.

[notin]

I tend to agree. If no team wanted or needed him enough, this season, due to some injury or decline, I don't see them wanting him more, this winter.

 

Now, maybe some GMs called Bloom with offers of PTBNLs or even better, and he set the value, too highly, but I kinda doubt it.

 

Dalbec doesn’t play well enough to garner any interest. That he also requires a 40 man roster spot just ices the lack of interest…

[moonslav59]

Dalbec doesn’t play well enough to garner any interest. That he also requires a 40 man roster spot just ices the lack of interest…

 

I agreed with you.

 

We don't know, if one GM sees something of value, though.

 

It's not like a PTBNL has to be good.

[oldtimer]

Does anyone have an inkling about whether MLBB will allow the Sox to hire and announce the hiring of a GM prior to the end of the WS?

[Randy Red Sox]

Does anyone have an inkling about whether MLBB will allow the Sox to hire and announce the hiring of a GM prior to the end of the WS?

 

I believe it is only during the WS they can't make an announcement but I could be wrong on that

[Larry Cook]

Free agent signings I want to see:

 

1.) starting pitcher snell - bad peripherals not withstanding

2.) starting pitcher inomega - Japan posting

3.) starting pitcher ryu - risk reward signing

4.) relief pitcher matsui - Japan posting

 

Trade verdugo, Duran and dalbec for a quality relief pitcher or prospects

[Hugh2]

I’ll take that wager…

 

You’re on.

[cp176]

So I'm looking at the way this season is ending and wondering what there is to look forward to for next season. We have some decent looking potential in some of our younger players but I don't see enough there to make much of dent with respect to turning what has become a hot mess around anytime soon. When Bloom was hired, I was quite excited for the future, when our new gm is hired, I wish him or her well but I'm afraid it is going to be a very tough turn around. I hope that I live long enough to see this franchise return to the top once again.

[Duran Is The Man]

So I'm looking at the way this season is ending and wondering what there is to look forward to for next season. We have some decent looking potential in some of our younger players but I don't see enough there to make much of dent with respect to turning what has become a hot mess around anytime soon. When Bloom was hired, I was quite excited for the future, when our new gm is hired, I wish him or her well but I'm afraid it is going to be a very tough turn around. I hope that I live long enough to see this franchise return to the top once again.

 

i feel the same way, but....if we get a #1 and a #2 SP and a big RH bat, i think there is a pretty decent chance next year. however, this would mean that JH is going to have to spend some money. which he may not want to do. if he doesn't or they don't fill the holes, it is going to be several more years hanging out in the cellar of the ALEast.

[Tedballgame]

I like the way Nick Pivetta pitched the last few months of the season. I think he can be in the rotation next year. I just hope the Red Sox aren’t dumb enough to give him a huge extension this off-season based on a couple of months pitching with no pressure.

[Hugh2]

i feel the same way, but....if we get a #1 and a #2 SP and a big RH bat, i think there is a pretty decent chance next year. however, this would mean that JH is going to have to spend some money. which he may not want to do. if he doesn't or they don't fill the holes, it is going to be several more years hanging out in the cellar of the ALEast.

 

Henry will spend some money, and there's literally nothing else to spend it on other than pitching.

 

The position side of free agency is ugly, couldn't make an all-star lineup with it if you tried.

 

The biggest bats in the upcoming offseason.

 

Cody Bellinger OF (will be paid after sucking for years). LHH

Matt Chapman 3B Chapman would be an upgrade defensively and is an RHH, but we already have a third baseman making $30 million and Chapman would be a big offensive downgrade.

Jorge Soler OF health concerns, after a full season and upside with the bat will likely command a multi year deal. Would be a good RHH bat if healthy, but the defense would suffer. And I'm not sure he qualifies as a "big RHH bat" he's just a good RHH bat.

 

Sox will likely either have to trade for big RHH bat, or make due with some platoons, which given some health might not be all that bad, especialy if they can find a bench bat that can hit from the right side and play better defense.

 

One name who comes to mind if the Sox want to replace one or both of Turner/Duval is Harrison Bader.

 

Doesn't look sexy at first glance with a career .706 OPS (.622 in 2023) but he can play good defense in the outfield at CF, and could probably play RF at Fenway too. While the offensive numbers don't pop he put up a .936 OPS against LHP this year and is a career .824 hitter vs. LHP

 

If used correctly, he would be an offensive weapon against LHP, not a hole in your lineup and he would offer you plus defense in the outfield, and he would likely command the salary of a bench bat.

 

Not the sexiest move at first glance, but if those moves fill in your roster and allow you to go BIG at SP1 and SP2, you could be looking at a dangerous team next year.

[Bellhorn04]

Matt Chapman 3B Chapman would be an upgrade defensively and is an RHH, but we already have a third baseman making $30 million and Chapman would be a big offensive downgrade.

 

The only way that works would be with Devers moving to 1B and Casas to DH.

[Duran Is The Man]

The only way that works would be with Devers moving to 1B and Casas to DH.

 

That and trade Masa works for me.

[notin]

The only way that works would be with Devers moving to 1B and Casas to DH.

 

Not seeing the downside there…

[Bellhorn04]

Not seeing the downside there…

 

On its face it looks perfect. I think Devers would be okay with it. The potential problem I see is that Casas may not want to be a DH. The team can overrule him on that, but it might affect him. Players can get pretty sensitive about these things. It's unusual for a young player to be stamped as "DH for life".

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Don't be so sure Devers would be any kind of upgrade over Casas at first base.

 

If you suffered through as many telecasts as I have this season, you'd know many of Raffy MLB-leading third-base Es were not on throws. And that doesn't even include bouncers that got past him, and were dubiously ruled hits, according to official scorers.

 

Let's just say he doesn't have the hands of a surgeon over at third...

[mvp 78]

Don't be so sure Devers would be any kind of upgrade over Casas at first base.

 

If you suffered through as many telecasts as I have this season, you'd know many of Raffy MLB-leading third-base Es were not on throws. And that doesn't even include bouncers that got past him, and were dubiously ruled hits, according to official scorers.

 

Let's just say he doesn't have the hands of a surgeon over at third...

 

At that point, you’re just making more issues for your team by moving everyone all around and not getting improved defense.

[Bellhorn04]

Sounds like the Talksox consensus is no Matt Chapman.

[mvp 78]

Sounds like the Talksox consensus is no Matt Chapman.

 

A lot of $$$ that should go towards pitching IMO.

[notin]

A lot of $$$ that should go towards pitching IMO.

 

I would agree it depends on his terms, but we also believe that the Sox didn’t withdraw from the bidding on Eflin and Eovaldi because they chose to sign Yoshida instead.

 

And no non-pitcher on the market would help the Sox staff more than Chapman would…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

A lot of $$$ that should go towards pitching IMO.

 

Strikeout pitching, that doesn't get hit to third very often.

[Bellhorn04]

I would agree it depends on his terms, but we also believe that the Sox didn’t withdraw from the bidding on Eflin and Eovaldi because they chose to sign Yoshida instead.

 

And no non-pitcher on the market would help the Sox staff more than Chapman would…

 

Signing Chapman would be bold. The thing is they'd have to make other bold moves to accommodate it.

[mvp 78]

I would agree it depends on his terms, but we also believe that the Sox didn’t withdraw from the bidding on Eflin and Eovaldi because they chose to sign Yoshida instead.

 

And no non-pitcher on the market would help the Sox staff more than Chapman would…

 

With the focus on the minor league talent being bats, I just find it hard to believe they’d spend big on long term external hitters like Chapman.

[Maxbialystock]

Not seeing the downside there…

 

I think it's just stupid. Where do the Sox find as good a bat as Devers' to play 3b?

 

Also, when you move him to 1b, it's a whole new position and one he will not play as well as Casas has played it. Devers should field grounders better than Casas, but grabbing throws to 1b? Nowhere near as good. Knowing where to move/go in particular situations? Also not as good.

 

Also, with Casas going to DH, that puts Yoshida in LF full time. To be honest, that's probably the best position for him, but this year, despite Turner being called the DH, Yoshida was DH for a lot of games.

 

And the reason for that is that Yoshida's DWAR in LF this year (83 games) was -1.1. Devers' DWAR at 3b in 150 games was -0.5.

 

So moving Devers to 1b, Casas to DH, and Yoshida to LF significantly degrades the defense and leaves 3d base uncovered.

 

Anybody remember who played 3b for the 2018 Sox, their best team ever? Devers, DWAR -0.9 in 116 games. How about WS winners in 2013? Middlebrooks (DWAR -0.4) and Holt (DWAR -0.5).

So, by moving Devers to 1b, Casas to DH, and Yoshida to LF, you have made the Sox defense worse and you still have to find someone to play 3B.

[oldtimer]

On its face it looks perfect. I think Devers would be okay with it. The potential problem I see is that Casas may not want to be a DH. The team can overrule him on that, but it might affect him. Players can get pretty sensitive about these things. It's unusual for a young player to be stamped as "DH for life".

 

What if Devers turned out to be even worse defensively than Casas, who is likely to improve with experience?

[Maxbialystock]

At that point, you’re just making more issues for your team by moving everyone all around and not getting improved defense.

 

Also, who's going to play 3b when Devers moves to 1b?

[cp176]

The only way that works would be with Devers moving to 1B and Casas to DH.

 

I like the thinking here. Sad to say but I might move Devers to dh and leave Casas alone. A better fielding (throwing for sure) third baseman yup. Not nuts about Story so far but at least he can field the position. It would be nice to see a legit everyday second baseman. The outfield??? - hitters and fielders should all apply for jobs. And last and most importantly the pitching staff. There really is a long way to go.

[moonslav59]

I like the thinking here. Sad to say but I might move Devers to dh and leave Casas alone. A better fielding (throwing for sure) third baseman yup. Not nuts about Story so far but at least he can field the position. It would be nice to see a legit everyday second baseman. The outfield??? - hitters and fielders should all apply for jobs. And last and most importantly the pitching staff. There really is a long way to go.

 

Devers seems decent to good with the glove. His arm accuracy is the major issue.

 

I don't think all players are cut out to DH, so I'm not sure moving Devers or Casas is a great idea, but our corner IF sucks on D. To me, Devers at 1B would be better on D.

 

We'd have to pay for a 3Bman like Chapman, or go with Urias at 3B. This causes Yoshi to stay in LF, almost everyday.

 

I'd prefer to have Yoshi DH and give Devers a 1Bman's mitt over the winter to work on being the back-up at 1B in '24, and see how he looks there.

[Old Red]

With the focus on the minor league talent being bats, I just find it hard to believe they’d spend big on long term external hitters like Chapman.

 

I think most on here are assuming JT won’t be back, and I’m not so sure about that. While Chapman would be a big upgrade on D at 3B, and would make the L side of the IF along with Story great on D. If JT comes back though it’s the same Yoshida LF, Raffy 3B, and Casas 1B, and then hope Casas, and Raffy get better. No room for Chapman, and his FA contract anyway.