mvp 78

@ChrisCotillo Red Sox are still considering catching additions and are in talks with free agent Roberto Perez, a source says. Perez was limited to 21 games in PIT last year after 8 years in Cleveland. Sox have Reese McGuire, Connor Wong, Jorge Alfaro in the mix already.

Bloom has made some really bad and/or weird decisions with the roster. I support the direction of the team, but the moves have been not good. If this year leaves us with the same amount of hope as last season, he needs to pack his bags. He's very replaceable and they can continue to stay the course on building the farm and just not having a nitwit at the top. I've listed the dumb things Bloom has done, I don't think Springs is in the top 10. However, it was weird that they dumped Springs and Mazza at the time. Springs had some ups and downs in 2020, but NESN talked him up as a late inning reliever throughout 2020. The Sox liked his k rate and some of his spin rates. The underlying metrics were decent. While he had a 7.08 ERA, his xFIP was 3.70. There were lots of signs that he'd be better in the future. Mazza was relatively reliable in 2020 as a backend starter and the bottom of the 40 man roster was pathetic enough that there were far worse players that could have been DFA'd. Ronaldo Hernandez hasn't been very good since coming over in the deal and the guys they could have cleared from the 40 man at the time included Ryan Weber, Austin Brice and Colten Brewer. Sometimes you just need to trust the original evaluation?

The longer what goes on? Springs was traded years ago and nobody really gave a s*** then. Nobody really batted an eye in 2021. It wasn't until 2022 that posters started complaining about it.

https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/the-next-robinson-cano-red-sox-prospect-valdez-boasts-similar-profile-as-his-idol/article_8b20aaa2-9bf4-11ed-8d0d-17ea55a8902d.html “I believe I’m ready,” Valdez said through a translator. “Whether it’s up the middle or in the outfield, regardless of where it is I want to impact the game and pay off for the organization.” Originally signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent in 2016, Valdez broke out following the pandemic as one of the most formidable hitters in the Astros organization. He’s posted back-to-back seasons with more than 26 home runs, 90 RBI and an .860 OPS in the minors, and last year he set career highs with 28 homers, 107 RBI and a .918 OPS while spending two thirds of the season at Triple-A. “Last year in the short stint in Worcester we saw a guy who can play a bunch of different positions, drive the ball to all fields, really exciting bat speed, power, a guy who can impact the baseball and impact the game,” said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. “Someone who is an exciting player that can do a bunch of different things throughout the game.” The knock on Valdez is that he doesn’t really have a defensive position. He was originally signed as a second baseman but has been used all over the field as the Astros and Red Sox have tried to find his best long-term home. He also hits righties much better than lefties, which could limit him to a platoon role if that doesn’t improve. “Consistency at the plate, putting the bat on the ball, putting the ball in play, because when he impacts the baseball he hits the ball hard,” Abraham said. “Being able to do that on an every day basis, that’s what big leaguers do. When he’s able to get to that point I know he’ll be ready for that call, but still some work to do but I know he’s excited for it.” Valdez will likely start the season at Triple-A, but given Christian Arroyo and Mondesi’s extensive injury histories there is a good bet he’ll get an opportunity at some point. Knowing that, Valdez says he’s spent the offseason working on the holes in his game so that when the time comes he’ll be ready to take full advantage of his shot. “I want to be a complete player. Whether it’s on defense, running the bases, whatever ways I can help impact the game,” Valdez said. “Hopefully, god willing, the fruits of my hard work will pay off when I reach Fenway next year.”

Klubs +30 INN

We still have the guy they traded him for. Springs was just going to be DFA'd anyway. I don't think many people on here were clamoring to keep Springs or Mazza after 2020, so anyone trying to slag Bloom for this can long walk/short pier IMO.

Hmmm, 2013? I'm surprised he wasn't injured doing a viral Harlem Shake video and trying to figure out what the Fox says.

You don't see Bello being in the starting rotation on Opening Day?

With Sale's body type, injury history and age, I don't know if well rested matters.

For me, Kluber has at least shown that he can get through a whole season in 2022 (31 GS). Sale hasn't since 2017. Paxton has come closer more recently than Sale when he threw 29 in 2019. The last time Adalberto played 120+ games in a year was in 2013.

Theoretically, I can see a possibility of him pitching a full season. Not likely, but I can see it happening. Paxton and Mondesi going wire to wire? Hell no.

The savings is negligible, but it's winning the argument that matters.

I agree 100%.

I think Kluber is much more likely to be healthy than the other 3. Paxton and Mondesi have almost no shot of having a full season.

But Bloom expects him to "contribute for the bulk of the year" so that's good.

I will not comment on his defense as someone on here will state unequivocally that they have seen him play SS in person and that he was great. This is what SoxProspects says about his defense: Fringy hands and range. Not a natural fielder. Can make routine plays but tends to lack fluidity and makes things more difficult than they need to be. Has primarily played second and third base in his career, but in 2022 began to see some time in left field and first base in an attempt to find him a long-term defensive home. Potential below-average defender regardless of where he ends up. Has moved around the diamond, but that is driven by him being below-average defensively and trying to find where he will best fit rather than true versatility. Will have to hit to hold value given defensive limitations.

Bloom had this update last night: “He’s still rehabbing that injury. We’re going to take over that rehab. He’s going to come from the Dominican to Florida later this week. There is still a ways to go with that. Our expectation is that he may be a little delayed to start the season, but opening day is still a possibility. With an athlete like this, I wouldn’t rule it out. ... We are expecting him, whether he’s on time or not to contribute for the bulk of the year.”

Has Cora even seen Valdez? Maybe someone surprises in ST and makes a push to earn an Opening Day spot, but I think it's fairly clear what the roster will be.

@BeyondtheMnstr Rays extend former Red Sox lefty Jeffrey Springs to a four-year, $31 million deal. It could be worth a total of $65.75 million if his 2027 option is exercised

Taylor or Mondesi? Both?

^^^

I don't think they are going to add another offensive guy to the 40 man.

I think they are committed to not using Rafaela much as a MIFer going forward.

No, he's saying that if they traded Duran instead of Verdugo that they'd have to give additional money to make up the difference in player value.

Barnes' slot is technically Duvall's slot now, which we had accounted for at 100%.