Sox Trade For Milwaukee 3B Caleb Durbin

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Altuve has a better chance to make the Hall of Fame than Pedroia. Altuve won three batting crowns by the age of 27 and has averaged 21 homers per 162-games over 15 seasons. Lifetime BA of .303 in the majors, .322 in the minors.

Durbin hit .256 in his MLB rookie year, after .269 in his minor league career.

Durbin isn't a star, but a good player with tools that should help the offense and defense... hopefully, more than the expendable parts the Red Sox gave up trading for him. 

Might make an all-star team or even 2 in his career (Durbin)

[notin]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I still think that's a weird way of looking at things.  What if the "Con man" doesn't outperform Alonso but it's close, he plays above average defense, hits for average with 20 bombs.  Meanwhile Alonso hits 40 HR's and that's it, but the Red Sox spent half the AAV on Contreras and also went out and got a #2 and improved their bench?

I'm not trying to say that the Alonso is better than Contreras, but if the team is better as a whole and they win 95 games are we really going to sit here and criticize the team because Pete Alonso hit 40 HR's in Baltimore?

And at what point does it become Alonso plus, say, Oviedo vs Contreras and Suarez?  I have my doubts that the Sox sign Suarez if they bring back Bregman or sign Alonso…

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

And at what point does it become Alonso plus, say, Oviedo vs Contreras and Suarez?  I have my doubts that the Sox sign Suarez if they bring back Bregman or sign Alonso…

For Hugh specifically?  I just think these kind of things like "how I view this trade" are kind of unique/personal to the person.  

[mvp 78]

47 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Only if Mayer plays full time, though. If he's being platooned - as I suspect - Story at SS.

I was just propositioning what the best defense would be on a certain day. If Romy was in, they'd have to move Story back over to SS I guess? This is probably why it's easier to go:

Durbin 3b

Story SS

Mayer 2b

However, I think it's not a big deal if Durbin is at 3b vs LHP (Romy at 2b) and 2b vs RHP (Mayer at 3b).

[notin]

47 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Only if Mayer plays full time, though. If he's being platooned - as I suspect - Story at SS.

I’m thinking it’s more like:

Durbin - 2b

Story - SS

Mayer/Kiner-Falefa - 3b

 

If Cora doesn’t get to platoon someone, he gets the heebie jeebies.  And with Romy potentially out, you just know he’s looking anywhere he can…

[moonslav59]

32 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

No Im not parading Breslow around on my shoulders, naming my daughters after him, because he backed into a MI who was #8 on his list of MIs to acquire that he only got because was cheaper than Zach Neto prospect cost.  I will consider building a statue and naming kids/pets to honor Dubrin however.

Or a statue of the future Sox all star, currently the Sox prospect we didn't trade for Neto?

[drewski6]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Or a statue of the future Sox all star, currently the Sox prospect we didn't trade for Neto?

Can I get a Derek Lowe statue too? Is the statue company running a buy-one get-one half off?

 

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Can I get a Derek Lowe statue too? Is the statue company running a buy-one get-one half off?

 

They are running low on white marble supplies.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Might make an all-star team or even 2 in his career (Durbin)

Never know. He might be the next perfect fit, though even that phrase has been overused around here lately.

Also, based on what I've read and researched, I'm not quite sold on Durbin as "a double in the gap."

I can see him as a double, but more from slapping one past the third baseman down the line, after faking a bunt and drawing everybody in.

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Never know. He might be the next perfect fit, though even that phrase has been overused around here lately.

Also, based on what I've read and researched, I'm not quite sold on Durbin as "a double in the gap."

I can see him as a double, but more from slapping one past the third baseman down the line, after faking a bunt and drawing everybody in.

Durbin on the farm:

PAs: 2B+3B/ HRs

433 AAA 30/12

224 AA 15/4

221 A+ 13/1

274 A- 16/7

AA+ AAA 45 & 16 in 657 PAs

A+/A- : 29 & 6 in 495 PAs

 

[Duran Is The Man]

9 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Never know. He might be the next perfect fit, though even that phrase has been overused around here lately.

Also, based on what I've read and researched, I'm not quite sold on Durbin as "a double in the gap."

I can see him as a double, but more from slapping one past the third baseman down the line, after faking a bunt and drawing everybody in.

i'm thinking more of a line shot up the middle that was bobbled out in center.

[mvp 78]

19 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Never know. He might be the next perfect fit, though even that phrase has been overused around here lately.

Also, based on what I've read and researched, I'm not quite sold on Durbin as "a double in the gap."

I can see him as a double, but more from slapping one past the third baseman down the line, after faking a bunt and drawing everybody in.

I think he'll have an increase in wall ball doubles due to his pull air %. Maybe not a huge increase in HR's or anything, but I'd expect him to get closer to 40 doubles this year. 

[drewski6]

28 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Never know. He might be the next perfect fit, though even that phrase has been overused around here lately.

Also, based on what I've read and researched, I'm not quite sold on Durbin as "a double in the gap."

I can see him as a double, but more from slapping one past the third baseman down the line, after faking a bunt and drawing everybody in.

Yup. Like Tony Gwynn

[Old Red]

An interesting discussion on the radio today on how the Red Sox have gone from Brez saying back in October that HR wins playoff games, and we need a power bat to we need someone to drive in runs to now it’s pitching, and DEFENSE. A power bat like Alonso was to expensive, and then Bregman was to expensive, and even getting Durbin after going after Neto, which was to expensive, and who knows who else the Red Sox really wanted, but it turned out to expensive to their liking. As I’ve said before this May all turn out well, but how they ended up was no where near the plan in the beginning.

[drewski6]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think he'll have an increase in wall ball doubles due to his pull air %. Maybe not a huge increase in HR's or anything, but I'd expect him to get closer to 40 doubles this year. 

If he, Anthony, and Duran all get to 40 doubles thats power.  I know you know this but a lot of people think power is homeruns.  Power is more than homeruns.  Its driving the ball for extra base hits.  When you pull the ball , the point of contact is in front of the plate, vs letting the ball get deep.  You can really drive it that way.  

A lot of people say things like "doubles power" without really understanding what that is, and misuse it as a justification for a weak lineup "when someone says no power, just auto-respond doubles power".  But doubles power is an actual something.  It comes from early swing decisions, early pitch recognition, not having to sell out for contact, pulling the ball, driving the ball, just with a more line drive swing trajectory.

I hate when players go out of their way to not strike out.  I dont like that scared approach at the plate.  I like attackers, confidence.  But I also really like when they arent striking out because they have a good hit tool (actually good at picking up spin early vs waiting until the ball breaks)

Sounds like Durbin can be both, and I like that.  Because there is a time/place to put the ball in play, and having the legs really helps.  But theres also a time (most times) to drive the ball.

[drewski6]

Durbin seems like hes a got a few sneaky ways to contribute offensively.

[drewski6]

10 minutes ago, Old Red said:

An interesting discussion on the radio today on how the Red Sox have gone from Brez saying back in October that HR wins playoff games, and we need a power bat to we need someone to drive in runs to now it’s pitching, and DEFENSE. A power bat like Alonso was to expensive, and then Bregman was to expensive, and even getting Durbin after going after Neto, which was to expensive, and who knows who else the Red Sox really wanted, but it turned out to expensive to their liking. As I’ve said before this May all turn out well, but how they ended up was no where near the plan in the beginning.

Its what Ive come to expect from Breslow.  A lot of bumbling/fumbling/unforced errors but still cobbling together a good (not great) team at the end by just sheer quantity of moves, which I like (well the last part I like).  I like the aggression.  I like the quantity of moves.  I really dislike the roll the same mediocre roster forward year to year because "continuation", its lazy. Too much incumbent advantage in the Bloom years.  I like the churn.

[mvp 78]

12 minutes ago, Old Red said:

An interesting discussion on the radio today on how the Red Sox have gone from Brez saying back in October that HR wins playoff games, and we need a power bat to we need someone to drive in runs to now it’s pitching, and DEFENSE. A power bat like Alonso was to expensive, and then Bregman was to expensive, and even getting Durbin after going after Neto, which was to expensive, and who knows who else the Red Sox really wanted, but it turned out to expensive to their liking. As I’ve said before this May all turn out well, but how they ended up was no where near the plan in the beginning.

Breslow just struggles with the media. Always says something that people can come back to. His post Devers press conference was a mess. Saying anything specific about what they are going to acquire this offseason is just dumb. It's why you just say "we're going to go out and acquire the best players we can so that we can field a team that can be competitive for the playoffs." It's a statement that means nothing. 

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

If he, Anthony, and Duran all get to 40 doubles thats power. 

Only 6 players last year got to 40 doubles. We'll see how these three do in '26. 

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Breslow just struggles with the media. Always says something that people can come back to. His post Devers press conference was a mess. Saying anything specific about what they are going to acquire this offseason is just dumb. It's why you just say "we're going to go out and acquire the best players we can so that we can field a team that can be competitive for the playoffs." It's a statement that means nothing. 

I agree for the most part, but I do think the Red Sox did want a power bat like Alonzo to go along with Bregman, but found out it was just too expensive to the Red Sox liking.

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, Old Red said:

Where did Mayer play last year when he came up? SS, 2B, or 3B? That’s an easy one. He played where there was an opening.

I'm cool with that.  But right now, why can't we consider all three positions as 'openings'?  Story shouldn't play 3rd, and Durbin shouldn't play SS, but I see no reason we can't play any alignment we want.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, JoeBrady said:

I'm cool with that.  But right now, why can't we consider all three positions as 'openings'?  Story shouldn't play 3rd, and Durbin shouldn't play SS, but I see no reason we can't play any alignment we want.

Because the Red Sox have already come out, and said Story is the SS.

[Hugh2]

Durbins swing was made for Fenway, I expect Fenway to help his numbers out a lot. 

A sophmore slump is always possible with young guys but we could also see his numbers take a big step forward too. 

[JoeBrady]

29 minutes ago, Old Red said:

who knows who else the Red Sox really wanted, but it turned out to expensive to their liking.

Probably 20% of the league, and probably the same as every team.  I'd bet real money that Philly, Pitt and the Reds got 29 calls each on Painter, Chandler and Burns.  There is probably a fantasy BB aspect to this where every GM is making calls for anyone they think can fit, or anyone they think they could steal.

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I agree for the most part, but I do think the Red Sox did want a power bat like Alonzo to go along with Bregman, but found out it was just too expensive to the Red Sox liking.

What did they honestly think the price tag was going to be? 3/75?

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Because the Red Sox have already come out, and said Story is the SS.

They could change it up, but they won't. We already know it in our hearts. 

[JoeBrady]

7 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Because the Red Sox have already come out, and said Story is the SS.

Yeah, but I said Mayer should be the SS.  Who are they going to listen to?

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Mayer is more comfy at 3b than 2b. Durbin came up through MiLB as a 2b. Cora doesn't want to ruffle Story's feathers. 

One of my friends, a real BB guy, mentioned that 2B is more a position of agility than pure athleticism.  And that Durbin's height will work for him, while Mayer's height might work against him.  I'm good with that argument.

[Hitch]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

 

However, I think it's not a big deal if Durbin is at 3b vs LHP (Romy at 2b) and 2b vs RHP (Mayer at 3b).

I really hope they don't do that. I saw Cora saying they want to keep players in one position yesterday. I hope that sticks. As long As Durbin is good at 3rd, I'd just keep him there and let Romy do the Mayer platoon at 2nd. 

[Hitch]

2 hours ago, notin said:

I’m thinking it’s more like:

Durbin - 2b

Story - SS

Mayer/Kiner-Falefa - 3b

 

If Cora doesn’t get to platoon someone, he gets the heebie jeebies.  And with Romy potentially out, you just know he’s looking anywhere he can…

I think that is only the set up if Romy is out. Sounds like he may well be touch and go for making the season opener.