He'll be 39 this season. I think it's just more important for him to be at home, so a team is going to have to make it worth his while. He was a 1 fWAR guy last season, but was only paid 2.25M.
Dogfight in as such that they are real dogs. I think the back of the 6-8 guys in the bullpen should have been upgraded unless they plan on bringing up the live AAA arms like Early and Tolle.
He had a 416 OPS last year vs LHP. I think he's going to have to be paired with somebody to (a) provide rest for his body and (b) give him a break from tough lefties.
Is Craig a good enough communicator to do a three team deal?
Cubs have Ballesteros at DH and I think they are going to give him a bit of runway at the start of the year. He could have a decent ceiling.
I think Shaw is unlikely due to the cost of the trade. Hoerner is more likely, BUT is only for one year. Seems like it's really HOU or nothing so probably nothing at this point. Maybe there is one of those unspoken Breslow deals that we'll be surprised by? I'm not counting on it.
I agree. I wish Mayer could just take over at 3b as an everyday guy, but that's just wishful thinking at this point. He's not ready to hit LHP and his body will push him to the IL sooner than later.
The only team that NEEDS an OFer and has a 2b/3b that the Sox are reportedly interested in is HOU. Haven't heard anyone else mentioned. At this point in the offseason, it'd be a big surprise for a mystery team to be announced. Seems like HOU & BOS aren't matching up for whatever reason.
Theoretically, they have 3 OFers and a DH already. They'd probably prefer pitching, but I will not speak for what that org really wants from the BoSox.
C Wong/Narvaez
1B Contreras
2B Hamilton/Romy
SS Story
3B Mayer/Eaton
OF Anthony/Rafaela/Duran/Abreu
DH Masa
SP Crochet/Suarez/Gray/Bello/Oviedo
RP Chapman/Slaten/Whitlock/Weissert/Harrison/Moran/Watson/Crawford
Don't see anything else happening at this point.
1. Sox should do whatever it takes to fill their 2b/3b need and that may mean trading a pitcher instead of Duran.
2. If #1 happens, they could then trade Abreu or Duran for prospects to replenish the farm and fix the roster constructions issues.