Red Sox acquire Eduardo Nunez
- Thread starter DeadlySplitter
- Start date
About Nunez: I guess this is harmless if he can play SS at least a little (his SS numbers were pretty bad in NY, but have been more in the mediocre-to-OK range in recent years). He's certainly an offensive upgrade from Marrero (then again, who isn't)? He has a bit of a reverse split, which has been fairly consistent over his past several years, and seems mostly BABIP-driven, so there's no need to platoon him. He has a strong groundball tendency, and doesn't hit the ball hard much, so Fenway won't help him.
Reading between the lines, this is the move but they haven't spoken to Devers yet. I can't believe DDom doesn't know what he would do before making the trade. In the end it might be for the better for Devers, although not for the 2017 team. The atmosphere on this team does not sound like a situation for a 20yo to break into. Very poor example being set by the veteran leadership.
I wonder how much of that is just lack of reps.
I remember for years scouts said he should move to the OF.
You're post is so disengeuous. It would have been "magical" to bring in strong veteran leadership at 3rd and first base? People were posting about this void last offseason. This is a miserable ball club and ultimately that falls on DD despite his money constraints.
It seems like letting Devers DH with Hanley taking over 1B and getting Moreland to the bench is the perfect solution. Wasting an option on Devers for a handful of games seems implausible.
CHB certainly did his job. Suddenly this is a "rudderless" ship with no veteran leadership and a miserable ball club all because of one hatchet job article. Wasn't Ortiz on the team when Manny physically assaulted a team employee?
This idea that everyone has to be a choir boy and they all have to be best buds is ridiculous.
They are paid to win games. What they do beyond that really shouldn't matter so long as they aren't doing anything illegal or stupid that could impact their on-field performance.
This idea that everyone has to be a choir boy and they all have to be best buds is ridiculous.
They are paid to win games. What they do beyond that really shouldn't matter so long as they aren't doing anything illegal or stupid that could impact their on-field performance.
This post is all kinds of wrong, and dredges up old discussions for no worthwhile reason. They had Pablo's "strong veteran leadership" and $19M salary already at 3rd. They brought in Moreland's "strong veteran leadership" to play first. And they were operating under the management decision to stay under the LT cap, so Encarnacion wasn't walking through that door. All of this has been discussed already.
As for "miserable," just stop. The team has lost 4 straight games - and is STILL in first place. Jeezus.
Back to Nunez, he's a reasonable addition. His offense is better than the team's other options with the possible exception of Devers. His defense at 3rd is likely better than Devers', similar to Holt's, less than Marrero's. His base running is very good. He gives Farrell more flexibility to mix line-ups day to day (keeping some pressure off Devers) and to make in-game changes (I know, not holding my breath) for pinch hitting, pinch running, and defensive substitutions. For the cost, it looks like a decent move.
Now he needs to get a good BP arm.
Let's see. We had a 3rd-round draft pick from last year who was striking out about 7.5 per 9 and an 17-year-old in the DSL with an 0.90 ERA and 82.1% ground ball rate this year. So, we trade him for another utility player, who doesn't field especially well and has no power. Apparently Holt, Marrero, and Lin aren't enough. And we can always trade for another Fister.
Frankly, I think this team is dysfunctional and I mean from the very top on down. Look at some of the front office people, GMs, managers, coaches who once worked for the current ownership. There are a number of them on clubs who are doing well.
Frankly, I think this team is dysfunctional and I mean from the very top on down. Look at some of the front office people, GMs, managers, coaches who once worked for the current ownership. There are a number of them on clubs who are doing well.
Whenever the guys over at Soxprospects don't give a shit about the prospects traded, then you know they didn't give up a lot. Your descriptions of the prospects, while accurate as stand alone statements, do not even come close to painting an actual picture of who they are as prospects. There is plenty to bitch about... the prospects in this trade isn't one of them.
Dave Cameron blasted Nunez's defense, especially at SS. But that's the move I'd really like to see. Xander has been terrible since his hand injury and it would be great to see him rest it up and come back ready for the stretch run. Plus this move gives Devers an extended look at 3B and his service time wouldn't be a complete and absolute waste like I'm fearing.
But, again, Nunez's defense at SS is so concerning. In 600 innings at SS in 2013, he compiled a -28 DRS. YIKES. In 2015 with a 450 inning sample.. -4.
This year alone at short in 90 innings.. -4.
I'm fairly meh on this deal, but comparing Nunez to Holt, Marrero and Lin actually makes him look pretty good--he's a much better hitter than Marrero, much more experienced than Lin, and has more power than Holt (career .126 ISO and 11 HR per 600 PA, compared to Holt's .098 and 5).
I like this deal. Nunez can bat lead-off, and can run. If The Jaw could figure this out, it could move Mookie out of the 1-hole to someplace he could drive in runs, and lengthen our lineup so the 6 and 7 spots aren't death.
I will be disappointed if they don't use Nunez at SS and DL Bogaerts. The latter has looked bad at the plate and in the field ever since he was hit in the hand. I'd hate for them to start the clock on Devers and then send him right back down. Why couldn't they get the Nunez deal done one day earlier if that was the plan?
If they send Devers back down, doesn't the clock pause at 2 days (or whatever)?
If Nunez is leading off with his inability to walk with his lifetime 0.317 OBA, JF should be fired on the spot.
If Nunez is getting his defense at SS blasted, and he has bad numbers there why do you want him there? His defense probably is more the reason than his hitting the Yankees gave up on him and went and got Gregorious for SS, Jeter's injury in the middle of all that. They struck gold with Didi who is hitting far better with them than he did with the D-Backs.
Nunez used to be more of a pull hitter than he showed with the Giants. May be ballpark related. I hope he goes back to pulling more and plays pepper with the wall. As for spelling X at SS, put Deven M. there because he doesn't suck at fielding.
If by "strong veteran leadership," you mean "guys who can hit," then we agree.
But seriously, Price aside, have you been hearing a ton of stories about discord in the clubhouse? Or do you feel that this is a miserable ball club because of their recent streak of sucking?
Also stupid but prior to getting sick this year at least Holt has shown some ability to take a pitch and take a walk.
The Red Sox problem isn't taking pitches and walks. They're 6th in the MLB in walks, 7th in OBP but are 12 in runs.
I want him here to play third. He's below average there, but not egregiously so. Right now our 3B production has a 53 wRC+. Nunes is sporting a 101 wRC+. If he keeps that up he drags us from 29th in the MLB to 15th, which is sadly an enormous upgrade.
Calling up Devers for two days and then, essentially, choosing Marrero over him for the next few weeks/month would be idiotic. Keep Devers and have him share the position with Nunez while also letting him DH some games with Hanley at 1st. Send Marrero and his noodle bat down.
I wonder if Devers was really just a leverage play against the Giants. They may have been asking for something unreasonable and DD told them we don't need him we'll just bring up the rookie and he did.
I'd rather they give Devers a real shot but if he isn't going to play nearly every day send him back down to Pawtucket. They can always bring him back in a few weeks if Nunez isn't doing the job.
This, coupled with what DD said earlier, is what is frustrating (And incredibly myopic from the Sox management perspective). I think Nunez is fine as an acquisition, but they literally just called Devers up. Since this deal – or a deal for another 3B was presumably in the works before they announced they were calling up Devers – why even bother to call him up now? A game or two agains the Mariners doesn't give the club any real chance to evaluate anything.
Right, they're 27th in HR and 29th in ISO. They need more power. Nunez brings none of that, but he does improve their SB prowess. They are currently 8th in the majors.
He's a mediocre defender at third (though his versatility is nice) with a league average overall bat. So he's Todd Frazier only, instead of bringing some much needed home run pop, he brings some steals which are nice to have but don't really address any of the flaws this team has.
I'm guessing he's being seen as two things:
1. A way to get Devers back down to Pawtucket where he can continue working on his defense and fine tuning his bat so that he can take over permanently next year.
2. Allows them to remove Holt from the roster in August if he doesn't start hitting again and Devers forces his way back up by annihilating the ball in AAA for the next 3-4 weeks.
I don't particularly like the idea of Nunez as the every day starter, but I can see the rationale behind wanting Devers focusing on his developing right now instead of the pennant race. And if their assessment of him is that he's not likely to give them much more than Nunez at the plate, then there is no reason to keep his clock running.
I like Nunez as an addition to the bench. This? I'm decidedly more "meh" on this.
It almost makes me wonder if the whole point of calling up Devers this week was gamesmanship in the Nunez trade negotiations ("hey, if you really think you're getting one of our top 10 prospects, cool beans, we'll just go with our rookie"). But Nunez is an awfully small fish to use such fancy tackle to land.
Right. And, you don't force him on the 40 man or risk the development on a prospect with his pedigree for a player like Nunez – if at all. Recent struggles exacerbate the frustrations, but the whole thing is just an awful set of decisions and public statements by the FO and JF.
Marrero? Try .304 .340 .609 .949 vs. LHP this year. Only 50 PA but he certainly fields better.
Nunez's power? 11 HR per 600 AB is only half the AL average thus far this season. And in the unlikely even that Nunez were to get 300 PA for the Sox during the remainder of this season that would lead to 5.5 HR, or 3 more than Holt would theoretically hit in the same situation.
Well, if I had a pitcher who had a 60% GB rate as a 16-year-old and 80+% as a 17-year-old, I think I'd like to see what he does when he gets a little more experience rather than just use him as fodder for a trade for a suspect utility man.
That's not all that great a k rate. They have about 10 starters in the minors better than that. Scouts think his ceiling is back end starter, but think he'll realistically be in the pen.
Not a major loss.
The DSL is basically semi-pro and he's 4+ years away before we have a clue if he can make a major league roster.
Last edited:
Anderson was pretty old to be posting merely okay numbers in high A. I've read that he lacks an out pitch. He's a fringe prospect, not someone to lose sleep over.
And Bigpupp's right: the level of play in the DSL is so uneven that statistics are nearly meaningless. It's unsatisfying, but we really don't have a lot to go on until the players get stateside.
Nunez does lead the league in HLORP (helmets lost over replacement player)
https://theringer.com/eduardo-nunez-boston-red-sox-trade-958d7ee77aa1
So it's the DSL and the kid is only 17 but his performance is intriguing enough to me to want to see how he develops. Why couldn't they have given them Henry Owens?
Because the Giants rightly would have no reason to want Henry Owens.
Henry Owens sucks, is on the 40 man roster and is using up options while this guy has a small chance of being good in a few years and doesn't need to be on a 40 man for many years.
He is a pure lottery ticket.
You're intrigued because you looked at his numbers. Stop looking at his numbers. DSL numbers are absolutely meaningless. You didn't even know this kid existed until he was traded. Go back to thinking that.
What the hell is wrong with you?
This is a first place club that features some of the most entertaining--not to mention outstanding--dynamic young players in the game. Chris Sale is cruising to a Cy Young award, Craig Kimbrel strikes out like half the guys he faces. JBJ's defense is astonishing. Mookie Betts is good at everything.
This team may not win a damn thing, but if you think it's miserable, you're the problem.
Price obviously dropped on Nunez when they called up Devers.
I think Nunez is a a good deal if they utilize him at SS and LF. Benintendi, Boegarts (hand), Holt and Young have been powerless and even hitless. Boegarts is playing hurt. Nunez doesnt help too much with power but he gets his hits. Defensively though he is a negative off 3B
They are getting little power from 1B since Moreland broke his toe. Maybe Devers to DH and Hanley playing most of the games at 1B will make Nunez at 3B more palatable.
The addition of Nunez could be a strong plus but its all going to come down to how he is used and getting Devers AB's.
I still would have preferred an impact power bat at 1B, DH and even LF even if it means moving Pomeranz or E-Rod and Benintendi along with a prospect or two. Nunez will have to do though.
I think Nunez is a a good deal if they utilize him at SS and LF. Benintendi, Boegarts (hand), Holt and Young have been powerless and even hitless. Boegarts is playing hurt. Nunez doesnt help too much with power but he gets his hits. Defensively though he is a negative off 3B
They are getting little power from 1B since Moreland broke his toe. Maybe Devers to DH and Hanley playing most of the games at 1B will make Nunez at 3B more palatable.
The addition of Nunez could be a strong plus but its all going to come down to how he is used and getting Devers AB's.
I still would have preferred an impact power bat at 1B, DH and even LF even if it means moving Pomeranz or E-Rod and Benintendi along with a prospect or two. Nunez will have to do though.
Henry Owens has massively higher potential to contribute to the Red Sox in the future if he can figure out just enough command to let him convert into being a reliever. Santos is far more likely to never see AA ball than he is to be a meaningful MLB contributor, that's just the reality of how prospects work.
At the same time, Owens has clearly defined issues while Santos has nothing but potential on his side, so that makes Santos the more appealing piece to SF.
It is a not rare but rather odd scenario where other teams would rather take a straight lottery ticket over a player who has done far more than the lottery ticket likely ever will, but is now failing to make the transition to the MLB level.
Also, this argument for Santos is the very definition of stat-mining a small sample. He might be interesting, he might not, he wasn't even a big bonus baby or something ($275K bonus). If he becomes anything worthwhile it'll be because of the work SF's development staff did with him.
40 man logistics for Devers are meaningless at this point. They likely would have wanted him up as a September call-up at a minimum and the notion that a brief call up is a development hindrance is as valid as the counter argument: "rewarding" Devers hot start with a look at the real goal before sending him down to Pawtucket for a month.
Dombrowski and Farrell seem needlessly vague, but it's baseball, not crucial domestic and foreign policy, so who gives a shit about optics if they start winning again?
My two cents: I like the move, assuming they keep mix him, Devers, and Hanley in between 3B, DH, and 1B with Devers/Nunez splitting 3B and Devers/Hanley splitting DH while Hanley picks up games at 1B. He makes a better 3B platoon with Devers than any of the other options as Marrero's micro-sample against LHP at the ML level is in no way substantiated by a mL track record of not being able to hit, period, Holt is a question mark to stay healthy period, and Lin is also a LHB. Rutledge is a total question mark in all senses.
I don't know if Nunez is the guy I want at SS to get Bogaerts the rest he clearly needs, but it might clear the way by letting Holt or (better in my opinion) Lin play SS instead, while stabilizing 3B.
Getting someone like Duda to lock in at 1B or Jay Bruce to DH with Hanley back to 1B would be when I'd be in favor of sending Devers back down. Supposedly the Mets aren't finding many takers on either so maybe the price is better than expected, but I'm not optimistic on that front.
He might -- but he has a long way to go before catching Hanley, whose helmet has its own Twitter account.
