So I've been thinking about what this Sox team will be over the next 5 years or so. I think the first thing the Red Sox need to do is lock up Mookie Betts. This should be an absolute no brainers. The guy is a home grown super star with all five tools. Plus by all accounts he's a good guy. Locking him up long term should be priority numbers 1,2 & 3. I know we're looking at at least $30 M a year but it has to be done. Letting him walk would be like letting Carlton Fisk walk.
So that would give us a positional foundation of Betts, Bogaerts, Vazquez. Devers, & Benintendi for at least the next few years.
For me the question becomes do you really want to keep the super team together (and I do), you have to also find a way to hang onto Jackie Bradley Jr. and J.D.Martinez.Of the two Bradley would be the easiest to move on without, with Rusney Castillo just biding his time in Pawtucket. Or is it Worcester now? Castillo is a fully capable major league Center Fielder who needs to play or get traded to a team who will play him. Bradley probably has a lot more trade value, and I would like to see a good, cheap pitcher come back. I think I'll keep coming back to this thread as I try to flesh out my ideas on our position players and pitchers. Next I'll take a closer look at theoutfield.
So that would give us a positional foundation of Betts, Bogaerts, Vazquez. Devers, & Benintendi for at least the next few years.
For me the question becomes do you really want to keep the super team together (and I do), you have to also find a way to hang onto Jackie Bradley Jr. and J.D.Martinez.Of the two Bradley would be the easiest to move on without, with Rusney Castillo just biding his time in Pawtucket. Or is it Worcester now? Castillo is a fully capable major league Center Fielder who needs to play or get traded to a team who will play him. Bradley probably has a lot more trade value, and I would like to see a good, cheap pitcher come back. I think I'll keep coming back to this thread as I try to flesh out my ideas on our position players and pitchers. Next I'll take a closer look at theoutfield.