Third Baseman Ketel Marte Is On the Boston Red Sox's Radar

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Donovan is very popular for a reason.   Hes a .280/.360 hitter, which makes him an on base upgrade over Duran.  I’d gladly take him and I’m not sure why anyone would be hesitant, beyond holding out for Marte…

I'm hoping for better and for more power, but Donovan would be way better than DHam/Romy at 2B.

BTW, 2024-2025 OBP:

.347 Donovan

.337 Duran

I value OBP way more than SLG, but not by this much:

.468 Duran

.419 Donovan

Then, there are the 25-30 more SBs.

[moonslav59]

33 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

On any rumor, it doesn't need to be overly specific.  I'd bet that KC has inquired about Duran, and I'd bet that the RS inquired about Ragans.  That's about as close as you're going to get to a realistic scenario.  There are usually 1-2-3 other players involved.

Well said.

We often throw names out to try and figure who those 1-2-3 guys might be, but who knows what other teams like and are prioritizing?

We can look and see, "Oh, their 2Bman hit .590, last year, let's give them Romy," but that's surface thought.

[notin]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm hoping for better and for more power, but Donovan would be way better than DHam/Romy at 2B.

BTW, 2024-2025 OBP:

.347 Donovan

.337 Duran

I value OBP way more than SLG, but not by this much:

.468 Duran

.419 Donovan

Then, there are the 25-30 more SBs.

Over 500 PA, Donovan is worth to about 5 more times on base, but 25 more total bases.  That makes up for the SBs.  
 

More really, since Donovan would hopefully not be limited to 500 PA…

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Over 500 PA, Donovan is worth to about 5 more times on base, but 25 more total bases.  That makes up for the SBs.  
 

More really, since Donovan would hopefully not be limited to 500 PA…

Total bases?

HUH?????

2024-2025:

439 Donovan (262 per 162 games)

604 Duran (309 per 162 games)

[notin]

47 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Total bases?

HUH?????

2024-2025:

439 Donovan (262 per 162 games)

604 Duran (309 per 162 games)

My mistake.  I read those names reversed…

[moonslav59]

Just now, notin said:

My mistake.  I read those names reversed…

Okay.

Donovan would do much better than DHam vs R/ Romy v L at 2B.

[notin]

Boston gets:  SP Kris Bubic, 2b Brendan Donovan

KC gets: OF Jarren Duran

St Louis gets : C Blake Mitchell, SP Kendra Chourio, RP Brandon McNeely

 

Then sign a RP and start the season…

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I value OBP way more than SLG, but not by this much:

.468 Duran

.419 Donovan

It's worth noting that, over the past two seasons, DHam averages 18 HRs/600 ABs while Donovan only averages only 14.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

It's worth noting that, over the past two seasons, DHam averages 18 HRs/600 ABs while Donovan only averages only 14.

While I want more power, I don't want it at such a major expense with OBP and BA.

Plus, much of those DHam numbers come from a half season stretch in 2024, which I am not convinced can or will be repeated again. Donovan has proven he can do what he does for many seasons in a row.

DHam's .283 career OBP is a nonstarter, for me. I'm not writing him off, but even his 2024 OBP was just .303. The 2B defense is nice, and probably better than Donovan, but Donovan can play other positions better. DHam's speed is great, but it would be much more valuable, if he had a higher OBP, even if at the expense of a lower SLG.

[mvp 78]

14 minutes ago, notin said:

Boston gets:  SP Kris Bubic, 2b Brendan Donovan

KC gets: OF Jarren Duran

St Louis gets : C Blake Mitchell, SP Kendra Chourio, RP Brandon McNeely

 

Then sign a RP and start the season…

Breslow likes 6'3" LHP

The deal is fine enough. Bubic is an upgrade over Bello if healthy. 

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, notin said:

Boston gets:  SP Kris Bubic, 2b Brendan Donovan

KC gets: OF Jarren Duran

St Louis gets : C Blake Mitchell, SP Kendra Chourio, RP Brandon McNeely

Then sign a RP and start the season…

The one thing I dislike about this trade suggestion is the 1 year of Bubic, but I guess 2 years of Donovan + 1 for Bubic= 3 for Duran, so I'd do it.

Maybe adding Bubic allows us to move Crawford and Harrison to the pen, instead of just one. Hell, if everyone is healthy, Oviedo or Sandoval could be pen bound. That would make for a solid pen, with several multi-inning pitchers in it.

1. Crochet

2. Bubic

3. Gray

4. Bello

5. Oviedo/Sandoval

Closer: Chapman

8th Inning: Whitlock & Slaten

Set-up: Weissert and Hicks (UGH!!!) or Moran

Long men: Sandoval/Oviedo, Harrison, Crawford

(Kelly is pushed to AAA.)

[notin]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The one thing I dislike about this trade suggestion is the 1 year of Bubic, but I guess 2 years of Donovan + 1 for Bubic= 3 for Duran, so I'd do it.

Maybe adding Bubic allows us to move Crawford and Harrison to the pen, instead of just one. Hell, if everyone is healthy, Oviedo or Sandoval could be pen bound. That would make for a solid pen, with several multi-inning pitchers in it.

1. Crochet

2. Bubic

3. Gray

4. Bello

5. Oviedo/Sandoval

Closer: Chapman

8th Inning: Whitlock & Slaten

Set-up: Weissert and Hicks (UGH!!!) or Moran

Long men: Sandoval/Oviedo, Harrison, Crawford

(Kelly is pushed to AAA.)

I’m starting to see Joe B’s point.

Donovan is 8 months older than Hamilton and averages 3.7 bWAR/162 as opposed to Hamilton’s 3.5 bWAR/162.  Neither hits LHP very well.

Given the cost to acquire Donovan, what’s the point?

 

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m starting to see Joe B’s point.

Donovan is 8 months older than Hamilton and averages 3.7 bWAR/162 as opposed to Hamilton’s 3.5 bWAR/162.  Neither hits LHP very well.

Given the cost to acquire Donovan, what’s the point?

 

Do you think the half season of DHam in 2024 is more "the real" DHam, or all the rest?

Donovan's numbers are more sure and proven. The 50+ OBP edge is significant.

I'm not sure what STL wants for Donovan, but I do think the 32 BTV number is kinda high. That's like Crawford + Phillips high.

I'd like someone better than Donovan.

I'd prefer JH just pay for Okamoto or Suarez, and trade Duran for Lodolo or some 3-way trade you insist needs to happen to get a solid #2 SP'er for Duran. (Add a piece like Harrison or DHam/Sandlin/Mullins, if needed.)

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m starting to see Joe B’s point.

Donovan is 8 months older than Hamilton and averages 3.7 bWAR/162 as opposed to Hamilton’s 3.5 bWAR/162.  Neither hits LHP very well.

Given the cost to acquire Donovan, what’s the point?

 

Hamilton has had one decent season that was carried by an extremely hot 45 days or so. Donovan has been solid every year. It's not even close especially since Hamilton is NOT a 162 game guy. Let's be real about it. 

[mvp 78]

Hamilton career 77 wRC+

Donovan career 119 wRC+

 

[notin]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Hamilton has had one decent season that was carried by an extremely hot 45 days or so. Donovan has been solid every year. It's not even close especially since Hamilton is NOT a 162 game guy. Let's be real about it. 

Is Donovan?  His career .615 OPS vs LHP carries over and isnt the product of a couple bad years early on.

Hamilton’s only really had two partial seasons and has 550 career PA.   You might not think thats enough to hand him the 2b job, and I agree, but isn’t it enough to think maybe Donovan is not the overall improvement we want?  He could wind up being an expensive lateral move …

[notin]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Hamilton career 77 wRC+

Donovan career 119 wRC+

 

And yet the WAR balances out which tells me Donovan is much weaker on the other side.

Now if the Sox play Donovan at 3b and Mayer at 2b, maybe thats an improvement…

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, notin said:

Is Donovan?  His career .615 OPS vs LHP carries over and isnt the product of a couple bad years early on.

Hamilton’s only really had two partial seasons and has 550 career PA.   You might not think thats enough to hand him the 2b job, and I agree, but isn’t it enough to think maybe Donovan is not the overall improvement we want?  He could wind up being an expensive lateral move …

I'm not all in on Donovan as others are. If they only bring him in, it will leave me unfulfilled.

I like Hamilton. I may like Hamilton more than the Sox do considering his playing time. I think his defense is valued too highly on bref though.  

[notin]

32 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'm not all in on Donovan as others are. If they only bring him in, it will leave me unfulfilled.

I like Hamilton. I may like Hamilton more than the Sox do considering his playing time. I think his defense is valued too highly on bref though.  

Neither Hamilton nor Donovan is Marte.

I am ok with a 2b, but I think the Sox would be better off with Mayer at SS, Story at 2b and getting a new face for 3b…

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe adding Bubic allows us to move Crawford

Bubic finished the year on the IL.  Finished 2024 in the BP.  Too many things that could go wrong.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, notin said:

I’m starting to see Joe B’s point.

Donovan is 8 months older than Hamilton and averages 3.7 bWAR/162 as opposed to Hamilton’s 3.5 bWAR/162.  Neither hits LHP very well.

Given the cost to acquire Donovan, what’s the point?

 

I am probably higher on Hamilton and lower on Donovan than most.  But this is basically my point.  Is Donovan enough of an upgrade?

IMHO, we can live with one less-than-optimal position.  So faced with two choices, one involving a Duran-Donovan like trade, or one involving signing Suarez to play 3rd, I would choose Suarez.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 hours ago, notin said:

I’m starting to see Joe B’s point.

Donovan is 8 months older than Hamilton and averages 3.7 bWAR/162 as opposed to Hamilton’s 3.5 bWAR/162.  Neither hits LHP very well.

Given the cost to acquire Donovan, what’s the point?

 

Have you seen Hamilton at the bag receiving throws from the catcher? The next one he catches will be the first.

Seriously -- catcher's must ask -- how is our WAR affected by throwing to a fielder who cannot catch?

Like, who is the baserunner really stealing on? Pitcher, catcher, or someone else....?

[moonslav59]

If Romy is not needed as a Mayer platoon, the comp being made should be DHam/Romy vs FT Donovan. (I guess we could platoon Donovan and Romy, too.)

I'd prefer Donovan, but I agree with those making the case that the gain made might not balance out what we give up to get him.

[FredLynn]

On 12/31/2025 at 11:01 AM, moonslav59 said:

Okay.

Donovan would do much better than DHam vs R/ Romy v L at 2B.

Donovan isn’t going to put us over the top to contend for a ring. As of now we have…..Sonny Gray. This is a joke.

[moonslav59]

Just now, FredLynn said:

Donovan isn’t going to put us over the top to contend for a ring. As of now we have…..Sonny Gray. This is a joke.

I'm not happy, but we also have Contreras.

BTW, fWAR 2024-2025:

#10. Sonny Gray 7.1 (Crochet is #3.)

Gray is #4 from '23-'25.

That's no joke.

________________

BTW, 2023-2025 OPS

.817 Contreras (#32) 1000+ PAs. Only 26 batters have more PAs and a higher OPS than Willson

38 Duran .810

42 Tatis .803

46. Bregman .796

59. Bichette .778

 

 

[moonslav59]

23 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I am probably higher on Hamilton and lower on Donovan than most.  But this is basically my point.  Is Donovan enough of an upgrade?

IMHO, we can live with one less-than-optimal position.  So faced with two choices, one involving a Duran-Donovan like trade, or one involving signing Suarez to play 3rd, I would choose Suarez.

Agreed, and if you add Romy as a platoon with DHam with Eaton maybe platooning with Mayer at 3B, the differential is even less.

I'm thinking Suarez or Okamoto are probably the most realistic higher impact additions.

[FredLynn]

37 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not happy, but we also have Contreras.

BTW, fWAR 2024-2025:

#10. Sonny Gray 7.1 (Crochet is #3.)

Gray is #4 from '23-'25.

That's no joke.

________________

BTW, 2023-2025 OPS

.817 Contreras (#32) 1000+ PAs. Only 26 batters have more PAs and a higher OPS than Willson

38 Duran .810

42 Tatis .803

46. Bregman .796

59. Bichette .778

 

 

Forgot about Contreras. He will help too, but after last year's improvement it was time to significantly improve the team so that we can legitimately contend for a ring. I am not seeing it-just excuses. Now there are several players still out there who can help (not Bregman at 5-6 years) but I am not hearing of any movement towards getting them signed. And the best ones are already gone. I am not happy about this either.

[Behindenemylines]

On 12/31/2025 at 3:37 PM, mvp 78 said:

I'm not all in on Donovan as others are. If they only bring him in, it will leave me unfulfilled.

I like Hamilton. I may like Hamilton more than the Sox do considering his playing time. I think his defense is valued too highly on bref though.  

Donovan was third option if Bregman didn't sign. Means Mayer 3B and doesn't really solve the power issue. If only DHam hit a little more, His speed is disruptive like Duran's. Speed is a game changer.

 

On 12/31/2025 at 3:37 PM, mvp 78 said:

I'm not all in on Donovan as others are. If they only bring him in, it will leave me unfulfilled.

I like Hamilton. I may like Hamilton more than the Sox do considering his playing time. I think his defense is valued too highly on bref though.  

 

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Behindenemylines said:

Donovan was third option if Bregman didn't sign. Means Mayer 3B and doesn't really solve the power issue. If only DHam hit a little more, His speed is disruptive like Duran's. Speed is a game changer.

DHam needs to get on base more than 28-30% for his speed to make a big difference.

In 550 career PAs, he has 41 BBs and 73 singles.

He gets to 1B in 21 % of his PAs (114/550.)

[Behindenemylines]

On 12/10/2025 at 1:16 PM, JoeBrady said:

My point is that we don't need drastic action.  If we upgrade to Marte, we'll easily be a top-10 scoring team, imo.

Unfortunely, doesn't look like the D-Backs are going to move Marte, The GM all but said that he will remain in Arizona. So he is not the solution to Sox lack of production.