mvp 78

I wanted to highlight these 3 guys because we really haven't talked about them very much on here. First, Fitzgerald is a UTIL guy. He OPS'd 862 between POR and WOO last season. Above average at short, but really can play all over (Sox MiLB defensive player of the year 2019). The only downside is that he'll be 28 next season. Do the Sox see him as a legitimate backup for 2022? If so, they'll retain him. Zack Kelly was a MiLB FA last year. Sox put him in the bullpen and his stuff ticked up. He has a "heavy" fastball. WHIP of 1.08 between POR and WOO last season. Maybe not a high leverage reliever, but a guy who could stick in a MLB pen today. Rafaela is only 21 and still in Low A with Jimenez. Sox MiLB defensive player of the year. UTIL guy like Fitzgerald, but further away. A more athletic version of Fitzgerald, but really too far away to have an impact on the current Sox team. I don't see them carrying him AND Jimenez on the 40 man for 2 more years until they are even close enough to contribute.

They only have 33 players on the 40 man roster. If they want to protect 7 guys, they don't have to make any moves.

Expectations were that if everything broke right that they'd be an 86 win team. Nobody projected them to get to the ALCS.

Well, with TJS, some guys come back throwing harder. Maybe Locastro had a surgery that could make him run faster.

I think Cottam and Wong have a similar skillset. I think they hold onto Hernandez no matter what because his bat has a high enough ceiling that he could be moved off position.

I know.

Cora getting 5th is an embarrassment, especially behind Montoyo.

Cottam and Wong have a similar outlook, especially since Wong no longer is seen as a UTIL guy.

I don't think Plawecki is traded. They either keep him around for Eovaldi or they dump him.

If I was GM, I just wouldn't have taken Vaz's option.

@mlbtraderumors Raisel Iglesias To Reject Qualifying Offer We've talked about him on here, but I think his contract will be larger than Bloom wants for that position.

Yes. It would be weird to have 5 C's on the 40 man, so they either move Wong or Plawecki or don't add Cottam. I just have a funny feeling that they are going to keep Cottam.

Move Connor Wong in a trade? Non-tender Plawecki?

@IanCundall Brayan Bello and Jeter Downs are locks to be added. Josh Winckowski and Kutter Crawford are near-locks to be added, and I would be very surprised if they weren't. All four of those players have a realistic chance of helping the MLB team next year. After those four, I think there are nine players who you could make a case for in either direction: Thaddeus Ward, Gilberto Jimenez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Victor Santos, Durbin Feltman, Zack Kelly, Frank German, Ryan Fitzgerald and Kole Cottam. Right now I think at least two, and potentially up to four, of those players could be protected. Also, if the Red Sox look to make a trade before the deadline, I'd expect it to be from this group, since whoever doesn't get protected would have a decent chance to get selected. I would go: Bello Downs Winckowski Crawford Cottam Feltman Santos There are currently 7 spots open. They could add those guys without dropping anyone. I think Hudson Potts, Jeisson Rosario, Phillips Valdez and Austin Davis are DFA candidates.

Rule 5 deadline is two days away. Sox will be making some moves in the next 48 hours. Have been quiet so far.

I don't know if it was even the adjustment to AAA that he struggle with. He had an OPS above 700 from May - June, but had a horrific July and August. Maybe it was just the year off from COVID affected his concentration or stamina during the middle of the season? IDK.

Locastro 30.7 (100th percentile) Duran 29.3 Baez 28.6 (same as Franchy) Iggy 28.3 Dalbec 28.2 Arroyo 27.9

I would assume they could pay him the arb and deal him. Just dumping him on the streets seems weird.

Downs turned it around towards the end of the season and has looked solid in the AFL. People shouldn't write him off just yet.

Maeda was great in a season we didn't need him (2020) and bad in a season we would have needed him (2021). Nothing of value was lost.

It's why Dalbec may peak at one of the fastest runners on the team, but will always be towards the bottom in home to 1b.

"The key step for an infielder is the first one, to the left or right, but before the ball is hit." Seems like Weaver would be a proponent of shifting.

"If you know how to cheat, start now."

What is the reason for the non-tender? Just salary? Injury history?

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