moonslav59

I agree. I think it would be pro-rated depending on when he is added. I believe his AVV was $6.2M or thereabouts, so if he was added halfway through 2017, his luxury cost would be $3.1M assuming my $6.2M is accurate). Even if he was on the roster all year, we'd still be under the limit, but we'd be restricted on in season additions that added cost.

I think it would be prorated, but at what number? His AVV, which is about $6M or his 2017 salary of $11M.

Yeah, sometimes, but he needs to start every game when a lefty starts for the opps. Last year, we faced 37 LH'd starters. Do we really want to sit Beni and JBJ about 20 games each? I can see maybe up to 10 each, unless one or both are struggling badly vs lefties this year. That would leave about 20 games for Young to start at DH vs lefties. I just don't see Craig ever gaining enough value to be worth the budget hit. Plus, we have Travis beating down the door for some MLB playing time at 1B, which would force HanRam to DH more.

While ERod was the clear leader in pitches per PA among our top starters last year, it was only by about 0.20. That amounts to about one more pitch every 5 PAs. I'm not sure that as bad as it seems when watching him pitch last year. 4.03 ERod 3.91 Pom (with Sox only) 3.83 Porcello 3.79 Wright 3.78 Buch 3.78 Price RP'ers: 4.36 Kimbrel 4.17 Koji 4.13 Barnes 4.06 Ross 4.01 Taz 3.93 Kelly 3.92 Abad 3.92 Scott 3.87 Hembree 3.58 Ziegler

I think that even if Beni makes a few mental mistakes over the season, his outfield speed and defense will end up making him an overall defensive plus, and it certainly should be an upgrade over recent years' LF defense.

Why no love for one on MLB's best hitters vs lefties, Chris Young?

I doubt they add Craig to the 40 man due to his contract, but I'm not sure what cost would count towards the luxury tax. His AVV was just over $6M, so that alone, would not put us over, but if his 2017 contract is applied, then yes, we'd be over.

Seems like so long ago. From 2011 to 2012, there were 222 MLB with over 700 PAs. Amazingly, Allen Craig had the 17th best OPS over those two years at .889. If you widen the sample size to 2011-2013 and 1000+ PAs, Craig finished 22nd out of 226 player with an .863 OPS. (16th in wRC+ at 139). Plus he has a post season OPS of .839.

Hopefully, we can find out more this year about his chances at sticking with catching.

He's new to LF. He's played CF his whole life until last end of season. Maybe time will sharpen up him up, but you'd think his instincts would kick in.

mlbtr... The Red Sox aren’t yet ready to declare Pablo Sandoval the starting third baseman, but Silverman argues the team ought to go ahead and acknowledge that fact. While the club couldn’t have been sure what it would see from Sandoval this spring, he has not only shown up in shape but has provided evidence that he’s ready to return to being an effective player. Whether Farrell is using the situation to maintain motivation, or has other reasons, he’s not ready to say that Sandoval has regained his job at the hot corner. And that’s just fine with Sandoval, who says that’s not his primary objective. “I do have goals, but my goals are to be healthy,” Sandoval tells Silverman. “If I’m healthy and continue to work, I think I can help my team win games.”

Good read. Thanks harmony!

It's amazing what they do with a $20,000 budget!

Please support a great site: soxprospects.com. I do! http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/03/supportsoxprospects.html Here's an update... http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/03/fort-report-benintendi-catches-fire.html

I agree. Assuming all 3 are 100% healthy.... I think Wright has the highest floor of all 3. ERod has the highest ceiling.

Yes, +1

I'm hoping this is a breakout year for ERod. He's got all the talent in the world. We could use a big boost from someone outside the big three. I like that we have 3 guys that all can provide a big boost (ERod, Wright & Pom), but my hope and expectations are highest for ERod.

MLBTR.... The Red Sox continue to see less-than-ideal results from lefty Henry Owens, as Tim Britton of the Providence Journal writes. Once a highly regarded prospect, and still an important part of the organization’s rotation depth, Owens most recently coughed up four free passes in an inning of work. Though the 24-year-old got a head start on throwing over the offseason, in hopes of a smooth launch with his mechanics, he acknowledges that “it hasn’t carried over yet.” Manager John Farrell says it’s a continuation of a long-known issue. “It’s something we talked about before camp,” he said. “The improved command is a primary objective. Today it wasn’t there.”

soxprospects.com... http://www.soxprospects.com/players/owens-henry.htm Physical Description: Very tall, lanky with long limbs. Still has room for strength gains in legs and upper body, but will always be on the skinny side. Mechanics: Works from the first-base side of the rubber. High three-quarters arm slot. Very rhythmic delivery with a high leg kick, but low energy delivery. Starts with his hands set at chest, drops hands and pulls back up before coming forward with solid momentum. Easy release and loose arm. Average arm speed. Very deceptive delivery; the ball comes out from behind his head and jumps on hitters due to the extension from his long limbs. Can struggle to repeat his mechanics from pitch-to pitch, leading to control issues. Reportedly made a slight mechanical adjustment involving a hinge at the waist entering spring training 2015. Fastball: 88-91 mph. Can reach back for more when loose and hit 92-94 mph. Jumps on hitters. Hitters struggle to square the pitch up, generates a lot of weak contact. Shows late downward action. Average pitch that plays up due to deception. Below-average command, but solid-average control. Command comes and goes within outings. Changeup: 76-79 mph. Potential plus-plus offering. Has steadily improved since he entered the organization. Great feel for the pitch. Same arm speed and look as his fastball. Shows late arm-side fade and drop. Can turn over with cut at times. Commands the pitch to both sides of the plate, inside and outside the zone. Comfortable throwing against righties and lefties and in any count. True out pitch that will miss bats at the big league level. Curveball: Velocity varies. Average potential. Long, loose at lower velocities. Flashes deep break and tight rotation at higher velocities. Has thrown both a softer version 68-72 mph and harder version at 74-76 mph. Able to throw for strikes. Has committed to throwing the harder, more powerful version in 2015 spring training, potentially a very positive development. Slider: 77-79 mph. Work in progress. Threw the pitch some during Hig School, but hadn't thrown it as a professional until 2015. Short, horizontal movement. Lacks tilt, but has potential with continued repetition and refinement. Has shown solid-average potential on occasion. Career Notes: Originally committed to the University of Miami. Summation: Profiles as a back end starter with a chance for more if he improves his fastball command and curveball. Development of curveball is key; relies heavily on fastball/changeup combination. Advanced feel for pitching. Will be able to withstand the rigors of starting at the big league level. Although somewhat goofy off the field, is able to flip the switch, and possesses a mature demeanor on mound. Floor of a back-end starter.

Thanks for your valuable insight. It's nice to have knowledgeable posters in times like this.

I do too, and for as young as he still is, he has the aura of a 12 year vet.

I didn't mean cut him, but I have no expectations for him ever making the big club again. I hope he surprises me.

Even teams with profits looking low (cooked books or not), the value of their team has risen so much, the massive profit is there for the taking at any time.

I used to be higher on Owens than most. I've just about given up on him.

Holt & Swihart for now. Maybe we can find another de Aza, Nava, Podsednik or DMac type on the cheap. OF depth is always easy to find.