Red Sox Spring training thread
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It is amazing how quiet it's been about X this spring. All the attention has been on Mookie, Castillo, Vic and the pitching staff. How has he been looking defensively at SS? He reportedly spent a lot of time working on his defense this offseason.
In the Effectively Wild season preview series Britton from the Providence Journal said he looks a little smoother and a little more under control. Hopefully that leads to more easily reaching those intermediate difficulty grounders and as a result making better throws.Trotsky said:
Tim Kurkjian said yesterday on ESPN that he was told by a scout that Mookie Betts is the best player he has seen in Florida this spring.
Edes reports trade of Craig might be near
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/42490/allen-craig-trade-rumors-increase?ex_cid=espnapi_public
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/42490/allen-craig-trade-rumors-increase?ex_cid=espnapi_public
I wonder if Andrew Susac could be the target. Susac could catch this year and learn 1B for the future. Lots of power, good eye and could make a nice back-up C and starting 1B in 2016+. Posey has said he wants to remain at C and they have Belt at 1B so Susac seems to be expendable. With Sabean's tendency to heavily value veterans, a Susac for Craig trade makes a lot of sense.
Hector Sanchez doesn't seem like much of a return for Craig IMO.
Hector Sanchez doesn't seem like much of a return for Craig IMO.
The Sox won't be getting Susac for Craig unless Boston is picking up most of that contract. My guess is Susac breaks camp as the backup C. Hector Sanchez isn't good offensively or defensively and has issues with concussions. I think his time as a C (or even a major leaguer at any position) is just about over.
Alex Speier @alexspeier 39s40 seconds ago
Farrell says Buchholz will be Opening Day starter. 'This is his time.'
Porcello game 2.
Farrell says Buchholz will be Opening Day starter. 'This is his time.'
Porcello game 2.
This is just mighty uncomfortable ....offense better beat the Phillies over the head I'd add Barnes to the mix...
Alex Speier @alexspeier 3m3 minutes ago
Farrell: Koji Uehara 'unlikely' to be ready for start of year. Mujica the primary closer, but Sox open to match ups w/Tazawa, Layne, Ogando
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Alex Speier @alexspeier 3m3 minutes ago
Farrell: Koji Uehara 'unlikely' to be ready for start of year. Mujica the primary closer, but Sox open to match ups w/Tazawa, Layne, Ogando
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I'm equally concerned about a possible unwritten edict to the umpires that the strike zone needs to be shrunk at the bottom to increase offense and partly overcome the shifts. The Rays announcers (I know) alluded to this yesterday and even though they're jerks, it seemed that the zone was higher than I recall. Or, am I just being paranoid, because if it's true that edict would probably impact the Sox more than any other team.
Anyone else have an opinion on this?
Anyone else have an opinion on this?
Lars The Wanderer said:
The Giants optioned catcher Andrew Susac, to Triple-A Sacramento Sunday. Susac was the favorite to open the season as the team's No. 2 but Hector Sanchez won the competition. Susac will be the team's starter in Triple-A................................
Does this make a trade more or less likely?
Rudy Pemberton said:
Because you should always have a backup plan.
I mean, if we assume that Swihart is Plan A for catcher of the future, and Vazquez is Plan B, our Plan B is probably going to have people cutting into his throwing arm soon, and the fact that we're discussing a trade for a catcher, whatever Plan C is, it probably sucks. Having a better Plan C just won a Super Bowl.
And really, if we have too many good young catchers, we'll be able to trade one for something useful.
That's a bit puzzling, although I haven't followed the Giants ST at all. Susac is highly regarded but maybe they feel he needs more seasoning. Also, the Giants give players a lot of rope and maybe they're giving Hector one last chance. And, seeing Rudy's post, when Vazquez gets back, and you have Swihart, what are you going to do with Susac.Green Monster said:
Al Zarilla said:
Susac had a late start due to some wrist soreness. I think they want him in minor league camp to get regular ABs.
Thanks, Lars. Guess I'll have to start following the Giants as well as the Sox. Actually, I'm still on super bowl high. Life is good.Lars The Wanderer said:
My favorite announcers, Kruk and Kuip on right now as a matter of fact. Cain vs. the Dodgers.
Rudy Pemberton said:
Isnt Vazquez's offense highly questionable? even if he didnt get injured, a JBJ type rookie year was still a possibility no? Now that he is losing a year of development due to major arm surgery, dont you think it might be time to start hedging our bets on the vazquez front? he has never been a sure thing
A few things are different in terms of Vazquez vs JBJ: 1) JBJ's lack of offense was a surprise...they had higher expectations for him than they ever have had for Vazquez's bat. 2) The offense overall is greatly improved so lack of offense out of Vazquez would be much less impactful than JBJ's floundering last year. 3) Vazquez's value is and always was tied to his defense, where he is more than capable of having a huge impact that makes up for his bat a lot more than JBJ's considerable defensive prowess ever could.sean1562 said:
Also given the details we have, which is to say a lack of details, it's a giant leap at this point to assume "major arm surgery" and that he's lost for the year. We should really wait to jump off the bridge until we're actually on the bridge.
I'm sure it's nothing serious, but another name for the DL watch:
Matt Barnes @mattbarnesRHP 2m2 minutes ago
Food poisoning is one of the worst things ever
Matt Barnes @mattbarnesRHP 2m2 minutes ago
Food poisoning is one of the worst things ever
Rudy Pemberton said:
Thank you Rudy. You were freaking me out with all the declarative statements in that other thread.
I would expect the catcher fits into their short term plans.
richgedman'sghost said:
My use of "I'm sure it's nothing serious" was intended to convey that the rest of that sentence was tongue-in-cheek, especially with several players either already headed for the DL (Vazquez) or flirting with that fate (Uehara, Kelly). But, as Ferm points out, food poisoning -- if severe enough -- can indeed be debilitating for an extended period. Dehydration, muscle soreness (from shivering, heaving & vomiting) and weight loss are all factors. Since Barnes was tweeting about it instead of laying weakened and completely motionless in a hospital bed, I suspect he'll be OK by the time rosters are set.
But... at the very least, it's something to watch.
I think he's going to be a beast. I've got sleep apnea and the difference between having my machine and not is huge. If the machine want enough for him, I don't get how he could even function.NJ_Sox_Fan said:
Craig has too much long term upside to trade for next-to-nothing. If I were king, he'd go to Pawtucket and let things sort themselves out. I think that the odds of that happening are slim because he's a veteran. But there's a more than trivial chance he'll be back to putting up lineup-anchoring numbers and doing so for a discount.
I guess I could be swayed by what comes back in whatever theoretical trade but seems like selling now would be selling pretty low.
I guess I could be swayed by what comes back in whatever theoretical trade but seems like selling now would be selling pretty low.
So unless Craig or Victorino gets moved in the next 48 hrs or so, I guess it's Castillo to AAA? When should the 25 man be announced?
bosockboy said:
I don't think it needs to be finalized until Opening Day, but I'd imagine once there are no more exhibitions to be played, they'll send down everyone who is going to be sent down and cut whoever is going to be cut. Assuming of course there isn't a trade in the works or an injury being monitored (like Victorino last year).
I understand WHY he needs to go to AAA with Craig, Vic and Naver all on the big team, but I hate it. I'd take him as the best of those four every day and twice all weekend. It's one of the only specific situations the Sox could be in that would result in a guy as talented and primed to go as Castillo is beginning his first full season in the system in freaking Pawtucket.
E5 Yaz said:
That "justification" is perhaps best defined as a "rationalization" for public consumption, which is ok I suppose. Everybody understands what's going on. This is like sending Kris Bryant to AAA so he can "work on defense".
I must say I hate sending Castillo down, but I get it.
It is frustrating. One thing is that we never know when Cuban guys may become available. You just have to grab ones you think can fit in, when you can, and then work them in. Another one, Jose Abreu , also never got a chance until he was 27, last year. He was ROY and #4 in MVP voting with the White Sox. Hmm, that example might make it more frustrating. :huh:luckysox said:
It would really only be comparable to Bryant if the Cubs had keep last year's starting 3B around and had recently traded for an ex-all-star 3B on a multiyear contract who was coming off a bad season. The Red Sox are using the options on a player who has options to maintain organizational depth and can make a plausible case that they're still filling the position with an above average major leaguer. The Cubs can't.Snoop Soxy Dogg said:
I am really hoping at this point that the Sox don't regret signing Hanley Ramirez. Without him, I think Castillo stays with the team. I guess I understand why the Sox couldn't say no, but Hanley's OPS has apparently been dropping steadily the last couple of years. (Lost the source of that info, sorry.)
InsideTheParker said:
That has more to do with injuries than anything. He's not the force he was in Florida during his early years, but he still has the power. His 2013 was incredible (.345/.402/.638) in only 86 games. If he can stay healthy he's going to hit, especially in this ballpark/division.
InsideTheParker said:
2010 .853 in 142 games
2011 .712 in 92 games
2012 .759 in 157 games split between MIA and LAD
2013 1.040 in 86 games
2014 .817 in 128 games
He's been up and down, but he's also been injured off and on a lot.
Given that one of this Organizations defining attributes is the hoarding of assets I suppose I can understand sending Castillo to Pawtucket. The partyline is he will be back up soon enough. But .. if the FO is waiting for some team's LF or RF to get injured it could be a long wait (unless it's Our teams OF).
It IS extremely frustrating to have the best player out of Victorino, Nava, Craig and Castillo to be the odd man out.
Some folks have claimed that a healthy Victorino is better - well the 2013 Victorino was better - but I don't think anyone is suggesting that's his true talent level.
It IS extremely frustrating to have the best player out of Victorino, Nava, Craig and Castillo to be the odd man out.
Some folks have claimed that a healthy Victorino is better - well the 2013 Victorino was better - but I don't think anyone is suggesting that's his true talent level.
This is likely to be a short term solution to mitigate a roster crunch and figure out best course. Long term the best talent will play the most innings. Until that starts to get compromised as we get beyond a couple weeks or a month I am not going to stress the opening day roster. Besides, a short term period of additional seasoning in games that "matter" down in AAA might not be awful for Castillo.