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If the Sox are going to platoon at 1B, I'd just assume it be Chavis, who has no other known role, over wasting the better player in a limited role that might get him 150 PA over a full season...

Sorry for ruining it for you, but this isn't new. In fact, if anything, this might be more on you. After all, Russ Branyan actually had a career most young players can only hope to achieve; he just wasn't a star. But Branyan played for 14 seasons, hit 194 home runs and posted a career slash line of .232/.329/.485. He never deserved any sort of recognition like an All Star appearance or MVP consideration, and he was the definitive "journeyman" playing for 10 different teams in that 14 year stretch. But he was not exactly another rehash of Kevin Maas. And I judge Dalbec on more than just those 23 games, I guess. I was also the rare one on this board (or maybe it was the other one?) that was constantly down on Will Middlebrooks, too, despite his hot start. Like how I thought the Mark Reynolds comps for Middlebrooks actually represented a lot of hopefulness, I don't think Branyan is necessarily a bad comp for Dalbec. Bobby might not have the same longevity, but nothing about him makes my guess about a TTO highK/high SLG/low BA profile exactly like Branyan look inaccurate or unlikely. I think too many people throw "All Star" expectations at young players far too quickly without being realistic about it. After all, I bet Branyan has the similar expectations from Cleveland fans when he hit 16 HRs and had a .871 OPS in 220 PA as a 24yo. And maybe tempering the expectations a bit might make the game more enjoyable as you can appreciate some of the players for what they are as opposed to what you fantasize they can be...

I'd say Anderson is more likely than Fairbanks, simply because Anderson has less control and fewer year until arbitration (and Anderson is probably a little less popular with the bulk of Tampa fans right now). But I think if the Sox do any deal with Tampa, Baz or McClanahan are the more likely targets in a potential Vazquez=Kiermaier swap.

Also I am not sure how relevant ZiPS is with this projection. Most projections (except Steamer600) also try to forecast playing time, which can change if a player is traded. and in this case, Dalbec would likely be a 1B in Boston, where his production is largely weighed against better hitters and defense is a lesser part of it to determine his fWAR. . However, in KC, where the royals non-tendered Maikel Franco and just signed Carlos Santana, Dalbec would more likely be a full time 3B. Is anyone projecting his fWAR for that role?

Yes they would. But they won’t get Nunez for minimum wage. Also if you think the extra control of Dalbec does not even things out, you might want to let the people at BTV know. I didn’t choose Keller at random...

I think there’s a good chance he’s the Second Coming of Russ Branyan...

Advanced stats have been around a lot longer than that. Topps was adding OPS to baseball cards back in 2004. And stats like WARP and VORP and Win Shares (the ancestors of fWAR and bWAR) have been around since before 2000. And that’s before we even get into DIPS...

But then slugging 1b might not be the most difficult commodity to replace. Are the Sox better off with Dalbec? Or if they deal Dalbec to, say, Kansas City for Brad Keller and then sign Renato Nunez?

That does not mean anyone wants him. The only teram that I think might be interested is the Brewers, who need to move on from Jedd Gyorko at 3B. I am not sure if they think Chavis is a fit at that position defensively (he does fit their tight budget), but the Brewers always do bizarre things in the infield. This is the team that moved both Travis Shaw and Mike Moustakas to 2B...

He is very athletic, especially by catcher standards. He could probably transition to corner OF or 3B easily enough. Far less athletic catchers have done so...

Does any team actually want Chavis? And why? His only appeal might be his salary...

Probably. He was drafted as a shortstop and actually debuted in the Marlins' system as a 3B (for one game). But as he was a backup catcher in high school, the Marlins decided to play him there...

Only 5'9"??! At that height, he would be the center on the All-Patek team!!

And ones that you did not have to share with the opposing team...

Well I think that Betts' proficiency with 3 home run games hardly makes any of his unlikely...

So maybe the "Tomahawk Chop" is actually being misinterpreted and the real meaning is one of extending hands to accept bribes...

That was the initial announcement. The team decided to take a full season to decide on a new brand name rather than have some sort of temporary moniker like the former Redskins teams. Given the choice of the Washington Football Team, I am ok with that call...

I think you are thinking of the 1988 team with Morgan Magic...

No mention of Adam Kennedy? The guy hit 7 HRs in 2002 and then hit 3 in one game in the ALCS...

Or put him at 2B. That could be fun....

Starting Pitchers Dylan Bundy (29) Alex Cobb (34) Johnny Cueto (36) — $22MM club option ($5MM buyout) Zach Davies (29) Danny Duffy (33) Kevin Gausman (31) Jon Gray (30) Zack Greinke (38) Andrew Heaney (31) Merrill Kelly (32) — $4.25MM club option ($500K buyout) Clayton Kershaw (34) Yusei Kikuchi (31) — Mariners can exercise four-year, $66MM extension; if not, Kikuchi has one-year, $13MM player option Kwang-Hyun Kim (33) Michael Lorenzen (30) Jordan Lyles (31) Lance Lynn (35) Carlos Martinez (30) — $17MM club option ($500K buyout; contract also contains $18MM club option for 2023) Steven Matz (31) Lance McCullers Jr. (28) Wade Miley (35) — $10MM club option ($1MM buyout) Mike Montgomery (32) Charlie Morton (38) Daniel Norris (29) Michael Pineda (33) Robbie Ray (30) Tanner Roark (35) Eduardo Rodriguez (29) Max Scherzer (37) Drew Smyly (33) Marcus Stroman (30) Noah Syndergaard (29) Vince Velasquez (30) Justin Verlander (39) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/2021-22-mlb-free-agents.html

No point. The team mascot is the letter "L" from the loss column...

Those Royal teams were flat out nasty. Against the Sox, Dennis Leonard and Paul Splitorff always looked like Cy Young candidates. But I liked thoseRoyals for two reasons. 1. They were usually the last AL team standing vs the Yankees, so I was obviously rooting for them. And 2. Their shortstop was the diminutive Freddie Patek (actual height: 43 centimeters), and as one who has always lacked for height, he was a bit of an inspiration to me...

I would think Bloom might focus more on the bullpen. After Bauer, there is a very steep drop off among the remaining FA pitchers. And while maybe the Sox can get a better contract than normal on someone like Jake Odorizzi, that won't make him a better pitcher. Paying him like an ace will have a similar non-effect. But the bullpen actually has more difference makers still available. I personally would like to see 2 of Bradley, Robles and Hand. But if the Sox ended up with any of Hendriks, Kela, Rosenthal, Yates, Colome, Devenski, Peacock, Stanek, Hector Rondon or gave us a reunion with Brandon Workman, I would be fine with it. As long as the Sox still at least got one of Bradley, Robles or Hand...

I'll give you donuts if you give me enough dollars...