Red Sox Future Values Big Board: Ranking the Trade Value of Red Sox Players, #11-15

I like Fitts more than Priester, but they are close.

57 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I like Fitts more than Priester, but they are close.

I originally had Fitts over Priester for the list but decided to ultimately go with Priester solely based on who they traded to the Pirates for him.

1 minute ago, Alex Mayes said:

I originally had Fitts over Priester for the list but decided to ultimately go with Priester solely based on who they traded to the Pirates for him.

Well, we traded Dugo for Fitts (and others.)

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Well, we traded Dugo for Fitts (and others.)

Absolutely. I just think sending Yorke to the Pirates for Priester weighs heavier than someone like Verdugo.

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

Pretty much where I'm at as well. Priester seems like the exact type of pitcher that can benefit from the Bailey System and I think Fitts has a much lower ceiling with a rotation like what Boston is, supposedly, looking to build for next season. 

41 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

Forget Fitts in MLB in 2024. Did Priester show anything better in MLB or AAA, this year?

5.44 in 50 IP MLB 1.17 WHIP (2.4 K:BB)

4.38 in 72 IP in AAA 1.41 WHIP (4.1 K:BB)

(2023: 7.74 in 50 IP in MLB and 4.00 at AAA in 108 IP)

 

Fitts was 4.17 in AAA '24 with a 1.28 WHIP and 3.0:1 K:BB (Better ERA and WHIP/worse K:BB) Fitts in AA in '23: 3.48 ERA in 153 IP (lots of innings) 1.14 WHIP and 3.8 K:BB. soxprospects.com: Fastball: 93-96 mph. Tops out at 98 mph. Velocity has steadily increased through 2023 and into 2024.

 

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Forget Fitts in MLB in 2024. Did Priester show anything better in MLB or AAA, this year?

5.44 in 50 IP MLB 1.17 WHIP (2.4 K:BB)

4.38 in 72 IP in AAA 1.41 WHIP (4.1 K:BB)

(2023: 7.74 in 50 IP in MLB and 4.00 at AAA in 108 IP)

 

Fitts was 4.17 in AAA '24 with a 1.28 WHIP and 3.0:1 K:BB (Better ERA and WHIP/worse K:BB) Fitts in AA in '23: 3.48 ERA in 153 IP (lots of innings) 1.14 WHIP and 3.8 K:BB. soxprospects.com: Fastball: 93-96 mph. Tops out at 98 mph. Velocity has steadily increased through 2023 and into 2024.

 

Results doesn't reflect talent, yes results 100% matter and is ultimately only what matters but consider this. 

You can have two pitchers with the exact same results but one could have the potential to be much better than the others based on their stuff.  Priester has much much better stuff, that's indisputable and teams dream on upside.  Priester has higher value to more teams. 

24 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Results doesn't reflect talent, yes results 100% matter and is ultimately only what matters but consider this. 

You can have two pitchers with the exact same results but one could have the potential to be much better than the others based on their stuff.  Priester has much much better stuff, that's indisputable and teams dream on upside.  Priester has higher value to more teams. 

I understand how Priester appears to have better swing and miss stuff. I think they are pretty close in potential.

I was responding to the point made about the so-so Fitts numbers for 2024, and I felt it is only fair to point out Priester's equally so-so numbers at the same levels.

Fitts and Priester both have mid-rotation ceilings, but are more likely to settle in to either the back of the rotation or the bullpen.  And both fall behind a healthy Perales.  But Boston really lacks the upper minors pitching depth to deal either one without getting significant pitching in return.  
 

I think the focus for Boston in any trade is the position player depth.  I’ve often suggested Braden Montgomery, but really, his value more than goes up once he takes the field again.  Hamilton? I like what he brings, and he should be in the 2b mix to start the season along with Vaughn Grissom, and eventually possibly Kristian Campbell, assuming he ever settles in at a singular position.  I don’t see Meidroth as much more than a throw-in on a trade that could probably happen with or without him.  Neither said will insist his inclusion or exclusion is a deal breaker…

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

Fitts doesn't generate a lot of swing and miss. He had a fun little stretch, but his FIP and xERA show regression to come. Priester comes with more upside, but potentially a lower floor. 

53 minutes ago, notin said:

Fitts and Priester both have mid-rotation ceilings, but are more likely to settle in to either the back of the rotation or the bullpen.  And both fall behind a healthy Perales.  But Boston really lacks the upper minors pitching depth to deal either one without getting significant pitching in return.  
 

I think the focus for Boston in any trade is the position player depth.  I’ve often suggested Braden Montgomery, but really, his value more than goes up once he takes the field again.  Hamilton? I like what he brings, and he should be in the 2b mix to start the season along with Vaughn Grissom, and eventually possibly Kristian Campbell, assuming he ever settles in at a singular position.  I don’t see Meidroth as much more than a throw-in on a trade that could probably happen with or without him.  Neither said will insist his inclusion or exclusion is a deal breaker…

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

4 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

I suppose there is a difference between “potential” and “ceiling”, but it’s probably just semantics…

A player might have a higher potential of sticking in the bigs but a low ceiling than someone with less of a potential to stick.

49 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

Fitts is back end to bullpen most likely. I haven't heard anyone say midrotation ceiling either. 

Per SoxProspects: Summation: Potential fringe back-end starter or multi-inning reliever. Ceiling of a fourth starter.

27 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Fitts is back end to bullpen most likely. I haven't heard anyone say midrotation ceiling either. 

A guy named Hugh said it.

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

A guy named Hugh said it.

Hugh did NOT say midrotation for Fitts. 

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Hugh did NOT say midrotation for Fitts. 

Correct, it was notin's quote he was responding to. My bad.