Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The most likely casualty once Bailey was hired.

 

He already got rid of Llovera once, last year in San Fran...

 

Andrew, discussing his terms to join the Sox as pitching coach: "I don't want to see him again. Make that first thing on your list, understand?"

 

Craig: "Understood."

[mvp 78]

Looks about right. We may also try to trade someone to make room for the next FA, assuming there is one.

 

Trading out-of-options Mata makes sense, but the return may be near nothing.

 

Slaten may be returned via Rule 5 rules, but we will wait until at least ST to decide on him.

 

Bobby Dee might be on the list, too, but near the bottom, I suppose.

 

I thought Slaten, Dalbec and Mata had higher value. I'm not fond of Dalbec, but they don't have anyone else to back up 1B at the moment. Until that happens, he stays on the 40 man. Slaten probably sticks around since Breslow thought enough of him to trade for him. Mata has a higher ceiling than the other guys on the list. I think they hold onto him and try to sneak him through waivers at the end of ST.

[notin]

I thought Slaten, Dalbec and Mata had higher value. I'm not fond of Dalbec, but they don't have anyone else to back up 1B at the moment. Until that happens, he stays on the 40 man. Slaten probably sticks around since Breslow thought enough of him to trade for him. Mata has a higher ceiling than the other guys on the list. I think they hold onto him and try to sneak him through waivers at the end of ST.

 

 

Buy Valdez a 1b mitt and DFA Dalbec.

 

Let him search for his next job and potentially find true happiness…

[mvp 78]

Buy Valdez a 1b mitt and DFA Dalbec.

 

Let him search for his next job and potentially find true happiness…

 

He's 5'9" and can't hit lefties. Why have him as the backup 1B?

[Old Red]

Buy Valdez a 1b mitt and DFA Dalbec.

 

Let him search for his next job and potentially find true happiness…

 

🙈🤭🤮.

[notin]

He's 5'9" and can't hit lefties. Why have him as the backup 1B?

 

Dalbec can’t hit righties and can’t field 1b. Same question…

[Randy Red Sox]

I heard that the Sox are looking to trade Trevor Story. Think they can pull it off without eating salary? If so, who plays SS? It would have to be an acquisition.

 

Henry to Breslow : remember you gotta get that payroll down"

[moonslav59]

I thought Slaten, Dalbec and Mata had higher value. I'm not fond of Dalbec, but they don't have anyone else to back up 1B at the moment. Until that happens, he stays on the 40 man. Slaten probably sticks around since Breslow thought enough of him to trade for him. Mata has a higher ceiling than the other guys on the list. I think they hold onto him and try to sneak him through waivers at the end of ST.

 

Agreed.

 

I mentioned trading Mata not DFA'ing him.

 

Yes, we have no real back-up 1Bman, although I still think it's time to at least give devers some reps at 1B to see how he looks. (Reyes or Grissom can play 3B, if devers is playing 1B as Casas rests or gets hurt.

[Old Red]

Agreed.

 

I mentioned trading Mata not DFA'ing him.

 

Yes, we have no real back-up 1Bman, although I still think it's time to at least give devers some reps at 1B to see how he looks. (Reyes or Grissom can play 3B, if devers is playing 1B as Casas rests or gets hurt.

 

Devers needs all the reps he can get at 3B. If, and when Devers ever moves to 1B that will be the time to get him reps. Not as a backup when he’s your regular 3B.

[notin]

Devers needs all the reps he can get at 3B. If, and when Devers ever moves to 1B that will be the time to get him reps. Not as a backup when he’s your regular 3B.

 

Right. Devers just needs more reps at third, a position he’s probably played since childhood. While we are at it, f*** wasting money on Yamamoto, Snell and Montgomery. Why not just give Joe Jacques and Zack Weiss more reps at starting pitcher? That’s probably all they need, too…

 

 

 

(The USRDA has determined this post contains 25% of your daily recommended allowance of sarcasm, based on a 3,000 calorie per day diet.)

Edited January 4, 2024 by notin

[Old Red]

Right. Devers just needs more reps at third, a position he’s probably played since childhood. While we are at it, f*** wasting money on Yamamoto, Snell and Montgomery. Why not just give Joe Jacques and Zack Weiss more reps at starting pitcher? That’s probably all they need, too…

 

 

(The USRDA has determined this post contains 25% of your daily recommended allowance of sarcasm, based on a 3,000 calorie per day diet.)

 

🙈🤮🤮.

[moonslav59]

Right. Devers just needs more reps at third, a position he’s probably played since childhood. While we are at it, f*** wasting money on Yamamoto, Snell and Montgomery. Why not just give Joe Jacques and Zack Weiss more reps at starting pitcher? That’s probably all they need, too…

 

 

 

(The USRDA has determined this post contains 25% of your daily recommended allowance of sarcasm, based on a 3,000 calorie per day diet.)

 

Taking reps at 1B will not help him at 3B, but will anything?

 

He's had flashes of average or even plus D for some stretches. I'm not sure if it is a lack of focus, footwork, yips ow whatever, but he seems to have an issue with throwing more than the glove or range factors.

 

I think he could become a plus on D at 1B, very quickly, but I think Casas deserves at least one more season to see if he can improve on D at first.

 

Since Cora loves resting guys 10 games or more, I'd try to keep Casas's bat in the line-up as much as possible by playing him at DH 10-20 times to lessen the full days off needed. Since we have no back-up 1Bman on the projected 26 man roster, it makes sense to try Devers there. Who knows, maybe he'll like it.

 

Then, we can start with all the trade Yoshida posts.

[Old Red]

Taking reps at 1B will not help him at 3B, but will anything?

 

He's had flashes of average or even plus D for some stretches. I'm not sure if it is a lack of focus, footwork, yips ow whatever, but he seems to have an issue with throwing more than the glove or range factors.

 

I think he could become a plus on D at 1B, very quickly, but I think Casas deserves at least one more season to see if he can improve on D at first.

 

Since Cora loves resting guys 10 games or more, I'd try to keep Casas's bat in the line-up as much as possible by playing him at DH 10-20 times to lessen the full days off needed. Since we have no back-up 1Bman on the projected 26 man roster, it makes sense to try Devers there. Who knows, maybe he'll like it.

 

Then, we can start with all the trade Yoshida posts.

Projected 26 man roster from who. I haven’t heard Cora say his plans yet. For all we know Bobby D could be the backup 1B-3B.

[moonslav59]

Buy Valdez a 1b mitt and DFA Dalbec.

 

Let him search for his next job and potentially find true happiness…

 

EValdez does have 49 innings at 1B in the minors.

 

Maybe he could play 1B vs RHPs while Casas DHs, and Devers plays 1B vs LHps, while Casas gets his 10+ days off from Cora.

[moonslav59]

From 2021-2023, only 8 players in the minors had more PAs and a higher OPS than E Valdez at .889 in 1221 PAs. (One was Grissom at .902 and 1290 PAs)

 

His splits seem to be a major concern:

v R/vL

2023: .920/.703

2022: 1.206/.868

2021: .895/.713

 

[Duran Is The Man]

Right. Devers just needs more reps at third, a position he’s probably played since childhood. While we are at it, f*** wasting money on Yamamoto, Snell and Montgomery. Why not just give Joe Jacques and Zack Weiss more reps at starting pitcher? That’s probably all they need, too…

 

 

 

(The USRDA has determined this post contains 25% of your daily recommended allowance of sarcasm, based on a 3,000 calorie per day diet.)

 

 

 

nice.

[Duran Is The Man]

Taking reps at 1B will not help him at 3B, but will anything?

 

He's had flashes of average or even plus D for some stretches. I'm not sure if it is a lack of focus, footwork, yips ow whatever, but he seems to have an issue with throwing more than the glove or range factors.

 

I think he could become a plus on D at 1B, very quickly, but I think Casas deserves at least one more season to see if he can improve on D at first.

 

Since Cora loves resting guys 10 games or more, I'd try to keep Casas's bat in the line-up as much as possible by playing him at DH 10-20 times to lessen the full days off needed. Since we have no back-up 1Bman on the projected 26 man roster, it makes sense to try Devers there. Who knows, maybe he'll like it.

 

Then, we can start with all the trade Yoshida posts.

 

exactly. i'd love it if some team was dumb enough to take him and his full salary for nuthin and use that money to sign Snell or Monty.

[notin]

From 2021-2023, only 8 players in the minors had more PAs and a higher OPS than E Valdez at .889 in 1221 PAs. (One was Grissom at .902 and 1290 PAs)

 

His splits seem to be a major concern:

v R/vL

2023: .920/.703

2022: 1.206/.868

2021: .895/.713

 

 

“Backup” doesn’t have to mean “platoon partner”.

 

We just need Valdez/whoever to step in and play 1b if Casas has to leave the game for some reason. Dalbec appears destined for Worcester, which makes it tough for him to fill that role…

[Elktonnick]

I hope the Boston does not try Devers at first. I firmly believe Devers has the ability to be a gold glove third baseman. His problem is primarily he rushes his throws.

Secondly he is too short for first. The MLB average is 6ft 2. Devers is about 6ft. I think the foot work required at first would frustrate him.

 

Thirdly of all the issues facing the Red Sox Devers defense at third is hardly the reason they only won 78 games last year.

Once everything else is sorted out then the Sox can focus on Devers defense if they wish.

[moonslav59]

“Backup” doesn’t have to mean “platoon partner”.

 

We just need Valdez/whoever to step in and play 1b if Casas has to leave the game for some reason. Dalbec appears destined for Worcester, which makes it tough for him to fill that role…

 

No, and I mentioned EValdez can play 1B, while Casas plays DH vs RHPs.

 

I mentioned Devers could play 1B vs LHPs, but if we don't want to mess with Devers, then EValdez can play 1B vs LHps and RHPs, whenever Casas DHs or is hurt. Abreed. I do think, if Cora can plan it out, so EValdez plays more vs RHPs, it would be better.

[moonslav59]

I hope the Boston does not try Devers at first. I firmly believe Devers has the ability to be a gold glove third baseman. His problem is primarily he rushes his throws.

Secondly he is too short for first. The MLB average is 6ft 2. Devers is about 6ft. I think the foot work required at first would frustrate him.

 

Thirdly of all the issues facing the Red Sox Devers defense at third is hardly the reason they only won 78 games last year.

Once everything else is sorted out then the Sox can focus on Devers defense if they wish.

 

He's been playing 3B for 10 years in professional baseball (7 MLB + 3 minors) and played baseball at 3B, before joining the Sox system.'

 

Yes, he has shown signs he can play very well at 3B for some short and moderate stretches, but he has never put that "ability to be a GG 3Bman" for nearly a long enough stretch to even come close to one vote for GG. I don't see it happening.

 

No, 3B defense is not our biggest issue, but defense is pretty big, overall, and our 1B D sucked, last year, too.

 

If Devers could play plus D at 1B, quickly, we could gain on D at 2 positions, at once, in theory.

 

It would, however, force Yoshida to play LF, and he is probably worse than Duran/Refsnyder, unless we can trade Yoshida and improve at 3 positions with the moves.

[Dipre]

I hope the Boston does not try Devers at first. I firmly believe Devers has the ability to be a gold glove third baseman. His problem is primarily he rushes his throws.

Secondly he is too short for first. The MLB average is 6ft 2. Devers is about 6ft. I think the foot work required at first would frustrate him.

 

Thirdly of all the issues facing the Red Sox Devers defense at third is hardly the reason they only won 78 games last year.

Once everything else is sorted out then the Sox can focus on Devers defense if they wish.

 

A very sensible take. Color me inpressed

[Dipre]

He's been playing 3B for 10 years in professional baseball (7 MLB + 3 minors) and played baseball at 3B, before joining the Sox system.'

 

Yes, he has shown signs he can play very well at 3B for some short and moderate stretches, but he has never put that "ability to be a GG 3Bman" for nearly a long enough stretch to even come close to one vote for GG. I don't see it happening.

 

No, 3B defense is not our biggest issue, but defense is pretty big, overall, and our 1B D sucked, last year, too.

 

If Devers could play plus D at 1B, quickly, we could gain on D at 2 positions, at once, in theory.

 

It would, however, force Yoshida to play LF, and he is probably worse than Duran/Refsnyder, unless we can trade Yoshida and improve at 3 positions with the moves.

 

Shifting across the diamond is not as easy as y'all are making it out to be, in general, and it's even harder for a player that's not particularly tall.

[Old Red]

He's been playing 3B for 10 years in professional baseball (7 MLB + 3 minors) and played baseball at 3B, before joining the Sox system.'

 

Yes, he has shown signs he can play very well at 3B for some short and moderate stretches, but he has never put that "ability to be a GG 3Bman" for nearly a long enough stretch to even come close to one vote for GG. I don't see it happening.

 

No, 3B defense is not our biggest issue, but defense is pretty big, overall, and our 1B D sucked, last year, too.

 

If Devers could play plus D at 1B, quickly, we could gain on D at 2 positions, at once, in theory.

 

It would, however, force Yoshida to play LF, and he is probably worse than Duran/Refsnyder, unless we can trade Yoshida and improve at 3 positions with the moves.

 

Devers is the 3B. Casas is the 1B. Those are the cards your dealt. If, if, if Raffy could play plus D at 1B. Do you think the more you say it the move will be made since you’ve been saying it all offseason. Even as a fill in at 1B makes even less sense. Wade Boggs wasn’t a good 3B either until later on. Maybe Raffy will get better, and maybe he won’t, but at the moment Raffy is a 3B only.

Edited January 4, 2024 by Old Red

[Hugh2]

Devers is the 3B. Casas is the 1B. Those are the cards your dealt. If, if, if Raffy could play plus D at 1B. Do you think the more you say it the move will be made since you’ve been saying it all offseason. Even as a fill in at 1B makes even less sense. Wade Boggs wasn’t a good 3B either until later on. Maybe Raffy will get better, and maybe he won’t, but at the moment Raffy is a 3B only.

 

Devers has also been much better defensively in the past than he was last year. If he could be coached up to play first base, why not coach him up to get his defense back up to par at 3B.?

 

Maybe having a consistent partner who is good defensively on the right side all year can help.

[mvp 78]

Agreed.

 

I mentioned trading Mata not DFA'ing him.

 

Yes, we have no real back-up 1Bman, although I still think it's time to at least give devers some reps at 1B to see how he looks. (Reyes or Grissom can play 3B, if devers is playing 1B as Casas rests or gets hurt.

 

The tough part with trading Mata is the trading partner has to commit to keeping him on their roster or DFA'ing him. It's not a great trade value. He probably has more value to the Sox if they hold onto him. If someone else wants him, they'll just wait until the Sox try to sneak him through waivers at some point.

[mvp 78]

EValdez does have 49 innings at 1B in the minors.

 

Maybe he could play 1B vs RHPs while Casas DHs, and Devers plays 1B vs LHps, while Casas gets his 10+ days off from Cora.

 

How about no?

[Old Red]

How about no?

 

A BIG no.

[mvp 78]

Taking reps at 1B will not help him at 3B, but will anything?

 

He's had flashes of average or even plus D for some stretches. I'm not sure if it is a lack of focus, footwork, yips ow whatever, but he seems to have an issue with throwing more than the glove or range factors.

 

I think he could become a plus on D at 1B, very quickly, but I think Casas deserves at least one more season to see if he can improve on D at first.

 

Since Cora loves resting guys 10 games or more, I'd try to keep Casas's bat in the line-up as much as possible by playing him at DH 10-20 times to lessen the full days off needed. Since we have no back-up 1Bman on the projected 26 man roster, it makes sense to try Devers there. Who knows, maybe he'll like it.

 

Then, we can start with all the trade Yoshida posts.

 

Devers has had some decent seasons at 3B. Sox moved on from their IF instructor this offseason. Maybe a new voice in the clubhouse can help? The best thing for the Sox is for Devers to stick at 3B and be passable.

[mvp 78]

From 2021-2023, only 8 players in the minors had more PAs and a higher OPS than E Valdez at .889 in 1221 PAs. (One was Grissom at .902 and 1290 PAs)

 

His splits seem to be a major concern:

v R/vL

2023: .920/.703

2022: 1.206/.868

2021: .895/.713

 

 

Yes, Valdez has horrible splits. We already know this.