Article: If Emmanuel Clase is Available, the Red Sox Need to Capitalize

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, dgalehouse said:

If the Lords of Baseball had any integrity they would cut all ties with the gambling web sites.  But they won't because they are greedy. 

It's all intertwined now, as presented by DAFTKINGS! Do you want easy access to yell at tonight's starter right after the game? Slide into his dm's with promo code: justakidsgame. 

[mvp 78]

Through Aug 31. Yikes. 

Did Ohtani get put on leave? I don't remember. 

[Brandon Glick]

55 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

all of his trade proposals are terrible for the Sox.

None of these are proposals. These are what historical precedent suggests players will be worth. I am sorry that they don't fit your bias, "Duran Is The Man", but that's just the price of doing business in baseball.

Of course, Clase is now off the table. Other closers will see their price adjust accordingly.

[Duran Is The Man]

10 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

None of these are proposals. These are what historical precedent suggests players will be worth. I am sorry that they don't fit your bias, "Duran Is The Man", but that's just the price of doing business in baseball.

Of course, Clase is now off the table. Other closers will see their price adjust accordingly.

whatever. 

[dgalehouse]

There are so many different kinds of bets available these days. A player doesn't have to throw a game to rig a few bets. 

[notin]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Through Aug 31. Yikes. 

Did Ohtani get put on leave? I don't remember. 

No.  Three time MVPs with 50-50 seasons don’t get disciplined the same as regular players…

[notin]

27 minutes ago, dgalehouse said:

There are so many different kinds of bets available these days. A player doesn't have to throw a game to rig a few bets. 

But Vogt might need to sit his players down and remind them. “Stay away from any and all sports betting.  You’re all paid very well.  If you feel the need to gamble, just play online poker and use a messaging app to cheat like normal people do….”

[Maxbialystock]

2 hours ago, Brandon Glick said:

None of these are proposals. These are what historical precedent suggests players will be worth. I am sorry that they don't fit your bias, "Duran Is The Man", but that's just the price of doing business in baseball.

Of course, Clase is now off the table. Other closers will see their price adjust accordingly.

 How can you label Duran "expendable and not really needed," when he leads the Sox in games played, total bases and runs scored and is tied for 2d in rbi's??  He also has the 4th highest WAR. 2.8, on the Sox. 

When the Sox face a righty starter, Cora can fill the outfield with lefty bats by moving Rafaela to 2b.   Against lefty starters, the same three have these OPS's:  Abreu .641, Anthony .605, and Duran .567.  

If the Sox can get a real #2 starter for Duran, I would be fine with a trade.  But what the Padres are offering is dog doodoo.  He has the same number of quality starts, 6, as Buehler.  

 

[Brandon Glick]

34 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

 How can you label Duran "expendable and not really needed," when he leads the Sox in games played, total bases and runs scored and is tied for 2d in rbi's??  He also has the 4th highest WAR. 2.8, on the Sox. 

When the Sox face a righty starter, Cora can fill the outfield with lefty bats by moving Rafaela to 2b.   Against lefty starters, the same three have these OPS's:  Abreu .641, Anthony .605, and Duran .567.  

If the Sox can get a real #2 starter for Duran, I would be fine with a trade.  But what the Padres are offering is dog doodoo.  He has the same number of quality starts, 6, as Buehler.  

 

I think Duran is expendable because he's a good player with one great season, not a great player with a bunch of good seasons. Again, 2024 was the only year in his career that he was a net-positive in the outfield, and even in his absolute best year, his bat was only 30% above average (at least according to wRC+). That's still an extremely valuable player who shouldn't be dealt for peanuts, but the second-best catching prospect in baseball and a pitcher who has been downright elite prior to this year is not peanuts.

Yes, he's a steadying force in the lineup right now, and he's very important to what the Red Sox do at this moment. But pitching is a far bigger need, and like you said, if a No. 2 starter becomes available (which I am of the opinion Cease is), I think you have to make that deal.

Also, I'm of the opinion Rafaela has to be in center field everyday. No more messing around with him at second. You don't see the Cubs push PCA anywhere else. Rafaela an elite defender in center and should be treated as such.

[Jasonbay44]

12 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

I think Duran is expendable because he's a good player with one great season, not a great player with a bunch of good seasons. Again, 2024 was the only year in his career that he was a net-positive in the outfield, and even in his absolute best year, his bat was only 30% above average (at least according to wRC+). That's still an extremely valuable player who shouldn't be dealt for peanuts, but the second-best catching prospect in baseball and a pitcher who has been downright elite prior to this year is not peanuts.

Yes, he's a steadying force in the lineup right now, and he's very important to what the Red Sox do at this moment. But pitching is a far bigger need, and like you said, if a No. 2 starter becomes available (which I am of the opinion Cease is), I think you have to make that deal.

Also, I'm of the opinion Rafaela has to be in center field everyday. No more messing around with him at second. You don't see the Cubs push PCA anywhere else. Rafaela an elite defender in center and should be treated as such.

It is peanuts when you consider that Cease is a rental having a bad year. It’s a bad offer that can set back the team and isn’t needed at all. It doesn’t help them much this year and it’s doubtful it makes them better in the future considering Duran is cost controlled under team control for 3 more seasons. 
 

If Duran is moved, it should be for a #2 starter that is cost controlled. Not a rental with no guarantee is going to re-sign. The padres clearly don’t intend on re-signing Cease so just sign him in the off-season and keep Duran. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Through Aug 31. Yikes. 

Did Ohtani get put on leave? I don't remember. 

No, he got $250 million in bonus points.

[Brandon Glick]

1 hour ago, Jasonbay44 said:

It is peanuts when you consider that Cease is a rental having a bad year. It’s a bad offer that can set back the team and isn’t needed at all. It doesn’t help them much this year and it’s doubtful it makes them better in the future considering Duran is cost controlled under team control for 3 more seasons. 
 

If Duran is moved, it should be for a #2 starter that is cost controlled. Not a rental with no guarantee is going to re-sign. The padres clearly don’t intend on re-signing Cease so just sign him in the off-season and keep Duran. 

I completely agree Cease isn't worth what he once was, and if you think Duran is too good for him, then I stand by you in that belief (I am a huge Salas fan, which pushes that particular deal over the edge for me).

The issue is Duran is absolutely not bringing in a controllable No. 2 starter. Like, the Pirates will not accept him for Mitch Keller in a one-for-one swap. A very good outfielder though he may be, opposing teams aren't going to value him at his 2024 peak, they're going to value him as guy about to turn 29 who is playing high-quality (but not elite) baseball this year.

If that's disparate enough for you (you meaning "anyone") to hold onto him in the hopes that another team offers more for him over the offseason, then I understand and support that notion. I just remain steadfast in the belief that losing this half-year of team control and this pennant race when there are zero good outfielders available on the trade market is going to hurt Duran's value too much to lose out on.

[Jasonbay44]

6 hours ago, Brandon Glick said:

I completely agree Cease isn't worth what he once was, and if you think Duran is too good for him, then I stand by you in that belief (I am a huge Salas fan, which pushes that particular deal over the edge for me).

The issue is Duran is absolutely not bringing in a controllable No. 2 starter. Like, the Pirates will not accept him for Mitch Keller in a one-for-one swap. A very good outfielder though he may be, opposing teams aren't going to value him at his 2024 peak, they're going to value him as guy about to turn 29 who is playing high-quality (but not elite) baseball this year.

If that's disparate enough for you (you meaning "anyone") to hold onto him in the hopes that another team offers more for him over the offseason, then I understand and support that notion. I just remain steadfast in the belief that losing this half-year of team control and this pennant race when there are zero good outfielders available on the trade market is going to hurt Duran's value too much to lose out on.

Something would probably have to be added with Duran to get a legit #2, sure. I just am not sure Cease is worth the risk of losing Duran. He’s having a bad year in a pitchers park and again, is a rental, that is why I don’t like the trade. I get that Salas has value but he isn’t helping the team any time soon and while he is young, his production has not matched his alleged potential at all yet.

The other thing with Duran is, you don’t have to move him. Worst case scenario you can just keep him and you have a good outfielder for multiple seasons. It’s not like he is unhappy and demanding a trade and he’s very well liked in the clubhouse. 
 

These things tend to work themselves out and im sure the OF problem will be solved in the off season. Right now there is a lot of teams bunched together who aren’t sure if they should buy or sell and the market is very hard to read. If Salas/Cease is the best offer they got - I completely support declining and holding. 

[mvp 78]

16 hours ago, notin said:

No.  Three time MVPs with 50-50 seasons don’t get disciplined the same as regular players…

Maybe have him go play minor league basketball.

[drewski6]

On 7/26/2025 at 4:02 PM, Hitch said:

Indeed. And would take huge balls to break it by selling.

no it wouldnt, selling is a punt on accountability.

[drewski6]

14 hours ago, Brandon Glick said:

I completely agree Cease isn't worth what he once was, and if you think Duran is too good for him, then I stand by you in that belief (I am a huge Salas fan, which pushes that particular deal over the edge for me).

The issue is Duran is absolutely not bringing in a controllable No. 2 starter. Like, the Pirates will not accept him for Mitch Keller in a one-for-one swap. A very good outfielder though he may be, opposing teams aren't going to value him at his 2024 peak, they're going to value him as guy about to turn 29 who is playing high-quality (but not elite) baseball this year.

If that's disparate enough for you (you meaning "anyone") to hold onto him in the hopes that another team offers more for him over the offseason, then I understand and support that notion. I just remain steadfast in the belief that losing this half-year of team control and this pennant race when there are zero good outfielders available on the trade market is going to hurt Duran's value too much to lose out on.

If you want to trade guys for turning 28, something youve said a few times, your dream is to have the red sox to be the pirates.  

[notin]

16 hours ago, Brandon Glick said:

I think Duran is expendable because he's a good player with one great season, not a great player with a bunch of good seasons. Again, 2024 was the only year in his career that he was a net-positive in the outfield, and even in his absolute best year, his bat was only 30% above average (at least according to wRC+). That's still an extremely valuable player who shouldn't be dealt for peanuts, but the second-best catching prospect in baseball and a pitcher who has been downright elite prior to this year is not peanuts.

Yes, he's a steadying force in the lineup right now, and he's very important to what the Red Sox do at this moment. But pitching is a far bigger need, and like you said, if a No. 2 starter becomes available (which I am of the opinion Cease is), I think you have to make that deal.

Also, I'm of the opinion Rafaela has to be in center field everyday. No more messing around with him at second. You don't see the Cubs push PCA anywhere else. Rafaela an elite defender in center and should be treated as such.

If the Twins were in it, do you think a trade for Clase (pre-suspension) should cost Royce Lewis plus prospects based on historical precedent? Would you deal Lewis for Salas and two months of Cease?

[mvp 78]

25 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

If you want to trade guys for turning 28, something youve said a few times, your dream is to have the red sox to be the pirates.  

The theory on Duran is that he's going to provide less and less value as he gets closer to 30+ due to his main weapon being his speed. People believe he's going to slow down and provide little of value once that happens. 

Maybe his game will adjust? Maybe he'll be able to maintain his speed as some other players have.

[notin]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The theory on Duran is that he's going to provide less and less value as he gets closer to 30+ due to his main weapon being his speed. People believe he's going to slow down and provide little of value once that happens. 

Maybe his game will adjust? Maybe he'll be able to maintain his speed as some other players have.

StatCast has him as 45th in sprint speed.  Once he gets down to 60th, he’s useless…

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

StatCast has him as 45th in sprint speed.  Once he gets down to 60th, he’s useless…

Maybe 70th. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe 70th. 

DFA material…

[mvp 78]

Just now, notin said:

DFA material…

He'd probably go unclaimed. Fans in Worcester will have fun watching him. Maybe he can come up with a nice HR celebration for them! 

[notin]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

He'd probably go unclaimed. Fans in Worcester will have fun watching him. Maybe he can come up with a nice HR celebration for them! 

And change his walk up song to “When I’m 64”

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, notin said:

And change his walk up song to “When I’m 64”

Slow Ride - Foghat

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, notin said:

StatCast has him as 45th in sprint speed.  Once he gets down to 60th, he’s useless…

surprised to see KC at 286. i just didn't realize he was that slow. Masa comes in at 422 and just behind Cal Ralieigh at 421. of course Cal doesn't have to worry about his speed when you hit as many home runs as he does. even more surprising is that Masa is not the slowest player on the team -a distinction that belongs to Narvaez at 449.

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

surprised to see KC at 286. i just didn't realize he was that slow. Masa comes in at 422 and just behind Cal Ralieigh at 421. of course Cal doesn't have to worry about his speed when you hit as many home runs as he does. even more surprising is that Masa is not the slowest player on the team -a distinction that belongs to Narvaez at 449.

I can imagine that Narvaez's legs would be a little tired after squatting for 3 hours. 

The slowest player per Statcast is actually Triston Casas at 24.4 ft/sec. The only 1b slower than him is Rowdy Telez, second slowest player in the game. Martin Maldonado is the slowest player in the game. 

[Duran Is The Man]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I can imagine that Narvaez's legs would be a little tired after squatting for 3 hours. 

The slowest player per Statcast is actually Triston Casas at 24.4 ft/sec. The only 1b slower than him is Rowdy Telez, second slowest player in the game. Martin Maldonado is the slowest player in the game. 

yeah, i wasn't knocking Carlos, I just figured Masa was the slowest. i totally forgot about Triston.