moonslav59

Agreed, once we add a CF'er or 2Bman. Then, the whole puzzle is completed.

Selling low never feels right, but I can understand why he was the chosen one.

Padres to sign Melancon.

May I ask what makes you think he's ready for opening day? He's never played above AA. He's learning a new position. He's made a few recent adjustments with his hitting approach. He barely played at all since 2019, when he hit .634 in AA. I know he's got some tools and a lot of upside, but nothing indicates he's ready, now, IMO.

The difference is Cordero is ready to prove it at the ML level: Duran is not, as you pointed out.

The "near future" might not be so accurate. He's 20 and players in A- Lowell back in 2019.

Also, if you projected his last year with MN to 650 PAs, he'd have hit 26 HRs with 100 RBIs, an .839 OPS and 70 xbhs. As it turned out, he did have long periods with struggles vs LHPs, but he proved he was worthy of being a FT'er at age 27- same age Cordero is. That's all I'm saying. If he can stay healthy for 600 PAs, would anyone be surprised if he hit 26 HRs with maybe 70 xbhs? The PA question is a bigger if than the 26 HRs.

Agreed. As far as I know, Papi was never injured with MN. There is a big difference; I agree. My point was that sometimes players only become FT by age 27 or later- for various reasons. I'm not projecting Cordero to be anything like Papi, but he has some serious tools, and has shown some of these tools in small scattered sample sizes. I'm choosing to be optimistic with him, knowing full well, he may give us squat.

I was just looking at his career numbers vs the Sox and the recent years you provided and it shows a much different picture. Gardner is still a good fielder. The fact that he was a Yankee does not bother me, unless there was some bad blood event like with Machado & Pedey.

He must have really sucked vs the Sox from 2008-2012 to end up at .741 vs the Sox, career.

Yes, .634 in 2019 at AA NOT AAA! He did well in fall ball, but with just 23 games in 2020, but it's hard to imagine playing just that many games in an inferior league helped his development, at all. Suddenly, he's "ready" to play FT in MLB. Also, he only played in 67 games in 2018 (20 at 2B) and was in college playing 34-58 games each year before that as an infielder. I'm all for being optimistic with our prospects, but I'm not seeing where the over optimism is coming from.

I'm more worried (or at least as worried) about Sale, ERod, Richards and Eovaldi's health than Cordero's. I kind of find it interesting that some posters who refused to believe in "the cliff" and called us cliff dwellers "doom & gloomers" and now the ones full of doom and gloom over every move Bloom makes.

I'm not saying Cordero will be anywhere near the next Papi. I'm just pointing out that Papi was not FT with MN. He also played 6 years in the majors with MN- playing in 455 games and 1693 PAs (67 gm/yr and 282 PA/yr- again, not because of injury, since he put in time in MiLB). He didn't immediately establish himself as a FT'er or a great hitter until age 27 with Boston. That's the only point I was making.

Not really, but not because of injuries, as far as I know. He was more or less platooned in MN. 1997 51 PAs (594 in minors) 1998 326 PAs (40) 1999 25 PAs (563) 2000 478 PAs (0 minors) 2001 347 PAs (58) 2002 466 PAs From 2000-2002, he never went over 478 PAs in MLB or combined. That's way better than Cordero, of course, but he was never considered FT in MN.

Neither did Papi, until he got here.

It wouldn't bother me, at all, if we signed Gardner.

Not everyone can learn a new position like Betts did. Not every decent prospect who gets called up hits like Devers, Betts and Bogey. Just because he turns 25, this season, does not mean he is ML ready, especially since last season did not help his development curve.

Well,... At the time, nobody knew he was going to age this well. I doubt he alone, or even with Scherzer staying, would have made the Tigers into contenders. They'd have had to spend more (and more).

If we don't sign a CF'er or 2Bman, I'm thinking Cordero is our CF'er. Renfroe will play FT in LF. EHern at 2B. With EHern able to play so many positions, especially CF very well, and now Gonzalez on board, we'll have a lot of flexibility to mix and match, partial platoon, and adjust as we go, based on how well certain players are doing. Cordero might be guy at the center of the cog. If he does well, there may not be much shifting around or platooning. EHern will play nearly FT at 2B and Marwin can spell players all over the diamond. If Cordero does poorly, it could get complicated, but still doable. EHern plays CF and Arroyo and or Chavis play 2B. If Arroyo or Chavis come on strong out of the gate, we could decide Cordero platoons with Renfroe in RF, and go with EHern near FT in CF. I don't really like scenarios with Verdugo in CF and Renfroe in RF, but that is an option. We may just go with the hottest hands out of these guys at 3 positions- 2B, CF, LF: EHern (2B/CF) will likely get over 600 PAs, if possible Renfroe (LF/RF) best vs LHPs Cordero (CF/RF/LF) best vs RHPs Gonzalez (L-R hitter) best if not needed at 2B or CF Arroyo (2B) sucks vs LHPs and is likely our back up SS and maybe 3Bman Chavis (1B-2B-LF?) may start in AAA AAA Duran (CF) Munoz (2B, OF, SS) not on 40 man roster Downs (2B) Puello, Gettys, Wilson (OF)

Beni +95 OPS+ from 2019-2020. People act like Beni was some sure thing bet for 2021. Sure, he has better history. He's already proven he can hit ML pitching for an extended period of time. He's a "safer bet," but what about the 2021 Red Sox screams for safety? This is the time for experimenting, finding out who is worth keeping, and plugging gaping holes until some farm hands get a chance to prove they belong (or not).

LOL. It's not like Sox pitching has been bad over Gardner's time with the Yanks. Here are his career splits (.743 OPS career) .768 at Fenway .771 at Yankee Stadium .741 v Boston pitching

I think Sox management has a better idea of when Duran is ML ready. Maybe, they think he is now or will be very soon, and that's why they are avoiding adding any true CF'er. I happen to think, since he is relatively new to playing the OF, they will give him a few months in AAA to work on his defense and add some more proof that his bat is ML ready. As of now, I think Cordero is our CF'er. Renfroe plays FT in LF. Verdugo in RF. If Cordero stumbles or gets hurt, EHerm moves to CF and Arroyo/Chavis play 2B. Duran, IMO, is not an option for opening day.

If EHern playing a lot in CF is not in the plans, then I can see looking for a LHH LF'er, but I'm still clinging to the hope we trade for a 2Bman- maybe someone like Adam Frazier. EHern plays CF. Renfroe-Cordero platoon in LF. Verdugo plays FT RF.

ftfy

To me, that's the best plan- other than trading for a 1 year 2Bman who doesn't cost much.