Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[notin]

After that, there's not a whole lot to get excited about.

 

I could see Clevinger or Lauer (is spin rate still a thing?) for a year.

 

That’s Eric Lauer. Not Trevor Bauer. Totally different pitchers…

[mvp 78]

I could see Clevinger or Lauer (is spin rate still a thing?) for a year.

 

That’s Eric Lauer. Not Trevor Bauer. Totally different pitchers…

 

Lauer's spin rate dropped off last year. His Statcast looks like Mr Freeze.

[mvp 78]

And where do they go?

 

Certainly there are a bunch of small market, non-spenders that will never be in play.

 

While there are more big spending teams than MLB is used to, many of them have done their share of spending. Really the only traditional big spenders that have not been doing so are Boston (10th in payroll per Sportrac), San Francisco (12th) and Los Angeles of Anaheim (14th). Chicago Cubs (9th) should also be included.

 

So these are the 4 likeliest landing spots for these free agents.

 

Bellinger back to the Cubs. No brainer.

 

Chapman is tough to fit anywhere if San Fran passes on him, which they have to date.

 

But at a minimum, that limits Snell and Montgomery to Boston, SF, and LAA. And just Boston and LAA if SF signs Chapman…

 

@JeffPassan

New at ESPN+: Understanding MLB's slow free agent market -- and how this is nothing compared to what happened six years ago. Also included: Details on the biggest names left and how they are almost certain to go into February as free agents still.

 

@redsoxstats

The Red Sox are among those listed as teams involved for Boras' "big four" remaining free agents that are expecting deals for $100M+. Let's see how that works out.

[Bellhorn04]

And where do they go?

 

Certainly there are a bunch of small market, non-spenders that will never be in play.

 

While there are more big spending teams than MLB is used to, many of them have done their share of spending. Really the only traditional big spenders that have not been doing so are Boston (10th in payroll per Sportrac), San Francisco (12th) and Los Angeles of Anaheim (14th). Chicago Cubs (9th) should also be included.

 

So these are the 4 likeliest landing spots for these free agents.

 

Bellinger back to the Cubs. No brainer.

 

Chapman is tough to fit anywhere if San Fran passes on him, which they have to date.

 

But at a minimum, that limits Snell and Montgomery to Boston, SF, and LAA. And just Boston and LAA if SF signs Chapman…

 

The Yankees have reportedly already offered Snell $150 million. That was before they signed Stroman. But I wouldn't count them out. Hal seems to have liberated the checkbook.

[notin]

Lauer's spin rate dropped off last year. His Statcast looks like Mr Freeze.

 

Maybe Bailey can bring them back?

[notin]

The Yankees have reportedly already offered Snell $150 million. That was before they signed Stroman. But I wouldn't count them out. Hal seems to have liberated the checkbook.

 

If that offer still stands, then there is a baseline.

 

The bottom line is that unless the players lower their demands or the teams alter their budget, no one is signing these players. Now any player can change his requirement at any time. But of all the teams that can afford to change their budget, Boston is one of the better positioned teams to do so.

 

And this won’t change until any of these players sign somewhere…

Edited January 25, 2024 by notin

[mvp 78]

@rotoworld_bb

Report: Blue Jays have "very real" interest in Soler

[mvp 78]

If that offer still stands, then there is a baseline.

 

The bottom line is that unless the players lower their demands or the teams alter their budget, no one is signing these players. Now any player can change his requirement at any time. But of all the teams that can afford to change their budget, Boston is one of the better positioned teams to do so.

And this won’t change until any of these players sign somewhere…

This is incorrect as their ownership doesn't want to spend on a team that they don't see as contending. They are waiting until the prospects develop and then they will spend again. For now, any additional spending is seen as throwing money away.

[notin]

This is incorrect as their ownership doesn't want to spend on a team that they don't see as contending. They are waiting until the prospects develop and then they will spend again. For now, any additional spending is seen as throwing money away.

 

Yes that’s the plan today. Yesterday out was “full throttle” in some fashion.

 

I have to think they are largely flying by the seat of their pants. And I won’t eliminate th the possibility that they make a big signing simply because too good of an opportunity presented itself.

 

I am more confident in the Clevinger/Lauer level signings. But I’m not out on Snell/Montgomery

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

This is incorrect as their ownership doesn't want to spend on a team that they don't see as contending. They are waiting until the prospects develop and then they will spend again. For now, any additional spending is seen as throwing money away.

 

Right -- don't improve the team, because then you'll have to spend even more to be even better.

 

And don't buy that pretty young woman a nice necklace, because then she might like you, and next thing you know, she'll expect earrings... even diamonds.

 

Just wait until she's an old maid, when she'll be happy with a friendship bracelet made out of string. Meanwhile, listen to Neil Diamond.

[mvp 78]

Yes that’s the plan today. Yesterday out was “full throttle” in some fashion.

 

I have to think they are largely flying by the seat of their pants. And I won’t eliminate th the possibility that they make a big signing simply because too good of an opportunity presented itself.

 

I am more confident in the Clevinger/Lauer level signings. But I’m not out on Snell/Montgomery

 

Sign Lauer at 1/5 and move Houck to the pen? Does it greatly impact the Sox? He's only thrown 150 innings once.

[mvp 78]

Right -- don't improve the team, because then you'll have to spend even more to be even better.

 

And don't buy that pretty young woman a nice necklace, because then she might like you, and next thing you know, she'll expect earrings... even diamonds.

 

Just wait until she's an old maid, when she'll be happy with a friendship bracelet made out of string. Meanwhile, listen to Neil Diamond.

 

Sweet Caroline will be on the menu no matter what.

[notin]

Sign Lauer at 1/5 and move Houck to the pen? Does it greatly impact the Sox? He's only thrown 150 innings once.

 

So I see Lauer doesn’t get credit for 150 IP for his 2019 season in which he threw 149.2 IP. That’s fine.

 

But signing him does make the bullpen that much stronger. That is important given the rotation is not going to carry this team.

 

And many times has Houck thrown 150IP? Heck, how many times has Houck topped 107 IP? How many times has he topped 70 IP and kept his ERA under 5.00?

 

And really, other than Montgomery, what available SP is a safe bet to get to 150 IP? Certainly not Snell, who’s only topped 130 IP twice. The same number of times Lauer has.

[notin]

@rotoworld_bb

Report: Blue Jays have "very real" interest in Soler

 

They can have him…

[mvp 78]

They can have him…

 

NEW TARGET ACQUIRED

 

@rotoworld_bb

Cubs and Red Sox have interest in RHP Stanek

[mvp 78]

So I see Lauer doesn’t get credit for 150 IP for his 2019 season in which he threw 149.2 IP. That’s fine.

 

But signing him does make the bullpen that much stronger. That is important given the rotation is not going to carry this team.

 

And many times has Houck thrown 150IP? Heck, how many times has Houck topped 107 IP? How many times has he topped 70 IP and kept his ERA under 5.00?

 

And really, other than Montgomery, what available SP is a safe bet to get to 150 IP? Certainly not Snell, who’s only topped 130 IP twice. The same number of times Lauer has.

 

If I extrapolated Houck's starts last year to a full season it'd get to 161.

 

Again, it moves Houck to the pen. He can get through the order a third time without turning into a pumpkin like Houck. He's just not a very compelling 5th starter. There's no ceiling to look forward to.

[Old Red]

If I extrapolated Houck's starts last year to a full season it'd get to 161.

 

Again, it moves Houck to the pen. He can get through the order a third time without turning into a pumpkin like Houck. He's just not a very compelling 5th starter. There's no ceiling to look forward to.

 

Nobody has even said Houck is even going to be in the rotation yet.Houk, Whit, and Wink will vie for the 5th starter.

[mvp 78]

Nobody has even said Houck is even going to be in the rotation yet.Houk, Whit, and Wink will vie for the 5th starter.

 

Uh, ok. If you think Winckowski has a better track record at starting, please let tell me about it. Feel free to replace my comment of moving Houck to the pen with moving Whitlock to the pen.

 

If Crag and Cora put Whitlock in the rotation again, he will end up on the IL 100%. It's not worth it.

[notin]

Nobody has even said Houck is even going to be in the rotation yet.Houk, Whit, and Wink will vie for the 5th starter.

 

All three belong in the bullpen…

[mvp 78]

All three belong in the bullpen…

 

Yes, it's where their stuff works the best.

 

Winck's stuff plays up in the pen. He's a mediocre starter even in AAA.

 

Houck can't get through an order a third time and even drops off considerably the second time.

 

Whitlock just has never stayed healthy when converted to a starter role.

 

It just seems obvious EVEN THOUGH IT HASN'T BEEN REPORTED OR THEY HAVEN'T OUTRIGHT SAID IT.

[notin]

Uh, ok. If you think Winckowski has a better track record at starting, please let tell me about it. Feel free to replace my comment of moving Houck to the pen with moving Whitlock to the pen.

 

If Crag and Cora put Whitlock in the rotation again, he will end up on the IL 100%. It's not worth it.

 

I do think Clevinger and Lauer both have better track record than Houck as starting pitchers, at least to date.

 

Sign ‘em both! Wandy Peralta, too!

[Old Red]

Uh, ok. If you think Winckowski has a better track record at starting, please let tell me about it. Feel free to replace my comment of moving Houck to the pen with moving Whitlock to the pen.

 

If Crag and Cora put Whitlock in the rotation again, he will end up on the IL 100%. It's not worth it.

Who said I think Wink has a better track record at starting. I’m just repeating what Bres said that Gio, Bello, Pivetta, and Kut Man would be the starters, and the other spot would come from the 3 I mentioned. I repeat this was from Bres, and not me, so feel free to go after Bres. I’ve been saying this since the report came out a week, or two ago, but you were probably to engrossed in Bauer or trying to count how many declined to interview for Bres job. Try to keep up a little.

[Old Red]

All three belong in the bullpen…

 

I agree, and especially Whit who I’ve been saying for two years that he should stay in the pen when others on here disagreed.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

NEW TARGET ACQUIRED

 

@rotoworld_bb

Cubs and Red Sox have interest in RHP Stanek

 

YES! THE ANSWER TO ALL OUR STARTING PITCHING PROBLEMS

 

Ryne Stanek -- 56 career games started back for the Bloom TRays: 83 IP, 2.71 ERA (nearly a run less than as a reliever)... oh, but ZERO WINS (what did you expect for an Opener?)

 

Wait a minute; Stanek earned $3.6 million last year. Before we sign him, we need to fire all the band outside Looie Tiant's, the stilt man with the long hair (and the Savannah Banana who pitches), the electronic scoreboard, and the guy who repaints the foul poles yellow over the black sharpies that everyone uses to autograph while risking their lives or at least their kids'...

[notin]

I agree, and especially Whit who I’ve been saying for two years that he should stay in the pen when others on here disagreed.

 

I don’t think anyone said Whitlock shouldn’t be in the bullpen, just that he wouldn’t be. And anyone who said he wouldn’t be has been correct so far…

[notin]

YES! THE ANSWER TO ALL OUR STARTING PITCHING PROBLEMS

 

Ryne Stanek -- 56 career games started back for the Bloom TRays: 83 IP, 2.71 ERA (nearly a run less than as a reliever)... oh, but ZERO WINS (what did you expect for an Opener?)

 

Wait a minute; Stanek earned $3.6 million last year. Before we sign him, we need to fire all the band outside Looie Tiant's, the stilt man with the long hair (and the Savannah Banana who pitches), the electronic scoreboard, and the guy who repaints the foul poles yellow over the black sharpies that everyone uses to autograph while risking their lives or at least their kids'...

 

 

Stanek isn’t a SP, but I’d still make him one before pitching Whitlock and Winckowski in that role…

[Hitch]

Yes that’s the plan today. Yesterday out was “full throttle” in some fashion.

 

I have to think they are largely flying by the seat of their pants. And I won’t eliminate th the possibility that they make a big signing simply because too good of an opportunity presented itself.

 

I am more confident in the Clevinger/Lauer level signings. But I’m not out on Snell/Montgomery

 

Exactly how I feel.

[moonslav59]

I do think Clevinger and Lauer both have better track record than Houck as starting pitchers, at least to date.

 

Sign ‘em both! Wandy Peralta, too!

 

I'd rather we sign these two than nobody or just one.

 

I do think they both have a better chance at doing well starting and going 140+ IP than Houck, Crawford or Whitlock (not Pivetta.)

 

I think our pen gets way better with 2-3 of those 3 in the pen. We'd have really good pen depth, something we saw hurt us, last year.

 

The pen does better when not taxed.

 

Maybe we could even trade a pen arm, if we get bottlenecked.

 

Lauer pitched 277 Innings from '21-'22. He had a 3.47 ERA and a 4.30 FIP over that time. Best of all, he might fit JH's tight-fisted budget.

 

Another shot in the dark could be Alex Wood.

269 IP from '21-'22

4.44 ERA but a 3.62 FIP.

 

Clevinger probably offers the best hope, but he might be too over-priced for our miser owner.

[moonslav59]

Exactly how I feel.

 

If the price drops a whole lot on some good pitcher, I could see top brass changing stride, yet again.

 

I won't predict it or expect it, but who knows with these clowns?

[moonslav59]

Joc Pederson close to signing with AZ.