harmony

1. which is why the Steamer projections are so similar even though this year Jose Leclerc nearly doubled Matt Barnes' career-best fWAR 2. a rebuilding team is unlikely to trade four years of a valuable asset in Leclerc for lottery tickets in Michael Chavis and Mike Shawaryn

Hypothetically, would the Red Sox deal high by trading three years of 28-year-old Matt Barnes for prospects the caliber of 23-year-old Michael Chavis, with a Future Value of only 45, and 24-year-old Mike Shawaryn, with a Future Value of only 40? https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa828673&position=3B https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa738524&position=P Chavis and Shawaryn are long shots to become MLB contributors. I ask because the early 2019 Steamer projections have Jose Leclerc and Barnes with 0.7 and 0.8 WAR, respectively, each in 65 innings. The nearly 25-year-old Leclerc has four years of team control to Barnes' three years.

I question whether 23-year-old strikeout-prone Michael Chavis, with a Future Value of only 45, would be enough to land four years of a reliever who this year ranked fourth among all relievers with 2.5 fWAR: https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0 As points of reference, this season Craig Kimbrel and Matt Barnes posted 1.5 and 1.3 fWAR, respectively. https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa828673&position=3B

Wade Miley -- who led the 2015 Red Sox in starts, innings and wins -- is available with these Fancred projections: . https://fancredsports.com/Articles/inside-baseball-predicting-the-deals-for-131-of

Carson Smith was among roster casualties: https://bosoxinjection.com/2018/03/16/red-sox-fleeced-mariners-in-wade-miley-trade/

In other words, the American League is the minimum above .500 over the last six World Series. The National League has won five of the last nine World Series.

The National League had more parity this year with baseball's weakest teams residing in the American League. The top teams in the American League were much better than the best teams in the National League but the worst teams in the American League were worse than the worst teams in the National League. Because only the top teams advance to the postseason, any disparity was exaggerated. The National League this year posted a 154-143 record in interleague play.

FanGraphs gives Michael Chavis a modest Future Value of 45: https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa828673&position=3B Top prospects have a Future Value of 70: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-updated-top-131-prospect-rankings/

David Price has posted 8.8 fWAR, valued at $59.9 million, in his three Boston seasons while being paid $90 million. If he does not opt out, the lefthander has four years and $127 million remaining on his contract. https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3184&position=P#value I question whether a 33-year-old Price would do better on the open market.

To be fair, David Freese was a 28-year-old pre-arbitration player with only two years of MLB service when he was named most valuable player of the 2011 World Series and National League Championship Series.

With the exception of Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox have enjoyed good fortune with first-year managers over the past 15 years. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/

I suspect the sample is too small to be meaningful.

Comparing long-term contracts ... If he does not opt out, David Price has four years and $127 million remaining on his deal after posting 8.7 fWAR, valued at about $59.9 million, over the first three seasons of the lefthander's seven-year, $210 million contract. Robinson Cano's $240 million, 10-year contract with Seattle was ridiculed but the putative second baseman has five years and $120 million remaining on his contract after posting 20.7 fWAR, valued at about $163.7 million, over his first five seasons with the Mariners. Despite an 80-game suspension, Cano this season posted 2.9 fWAR, valued at $23.6 million, while earning a $24 million salary. Of course, the now 36-year-old Cano has not brought the hoped-for postseason berth to Seattle (by little fault of his own) while the 33-year-old Price contributed to a World Series title.

Two years of Seattle reliever Alex Colome, the 2017 league leader in saves pitching in the AL East, could be available ... But I don't see a good match.

David Price ‏ Verified account @DAVIDprice24 Follow Follow @DAVIDprice24 More ... #Iholdthecardsnow 11:06 PM - 28 Oct 2018

A Red Sox fan and his wife had my wife and me over the dinner last night to watch Game 4 ... the Sox turned it around about when dessert was served. My hat is off to the 2019 Red Sox.

Impressive win, impressive season.

Comparing Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia: https://www.overthemonster.com/2018/8/3/17645652/ian-kinsler-dustin-pedroia-red-sox-second-base I saw Kinsler play for the Clinton LumberKings in 2004 when the 22-year-old slashed .402/.465/.692/1.157 over 255 plate appearances in the Class A Midwest League: https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kinsle001ian The good veteran had a bad night on Friday.

Impressive win.

Again, I don't hate (and question the priorities of a fan who derives hate from a pastoral pastime). I probably don't hold a grudge against the Dodgers for the 1965 World Series any more than I hold a grudge against the Red Sox for overtaking my Minnesota Twins on the final two days of the 1967 season en route to the American League pennant. My only trip to Fenway Park (2010) was more recent than my last trip to Dodger Stadium for the 2009 home opener. I have not returned to Los Angeles since although each year I make a few trips to San Diego. I was last in Boston two years ago for the Head of the Charles Regatta. I did not see the Dodgers or Red Sox (or any other team) play in Seattle this year. The Red Sox open the 2019 season in Seattle and I will join friends for a game or two. In other words, it's a close call on my allegiances. I simply hope to see some exciting baseball. I follow the Red Sox the way a person studies a second language. In the process I learn more about my native tongue and language in general. I apologize to the extent that I have annoyed anyone. That is not my intention. Warm regards.

I tend to cheer for, not against. It's that quirky positivity thing.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/community/dodgers-foundation/

West Coast bias. Gimme a reason to cheer for the Red Sox. BTW, I avoid hate.

I've held a grudge against the Los Angeles Dodgers since the Blue topped my Minnesota Twins in the seventh game of the 1965 World Series that spanned my 10th birthday. I've probably seen more MLB games at Dodger Stadium than at any other venue but I could never embrace the Dodgers despite living within walking distance* for six years. Nevertheless I find myself pulling for the West Coast team in this year's World Series. Sorry, Sox fans. I hope we see an exciting series. * actually I walked the four miles to and from my home to Dodger Stadium for one afternoon game.