I stand by my dislike of this.Sox picking up Buchholz's option
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/11/03/the-red-sox-to-pick-up-clay-buchholzs-13-5-million-option/
I stand by my dislike of this.Sox picking up Buchholz's option
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/11/03/the-red-sox-to-pick-up-clay-buchholzs-13-5-million-option/
My hope is, again this offseason, they picked up his option with the intention of trading him. Let somebody else worry which Buchholz they are getting.I stand by my dislike of this.
Your conjunction frightens and puzzles me.What would the Sox give up to add Sale and Quintana?
Please feel free to expand on your statement. Trying to secure both Sale and Quintana would be difficult but with the talent in the Sox organization not impossible. However, with that said "bosox79" offers another viable player that could be combined with Sale or Quintana that could bring about interesting results.Your conjunction frightens and puzzles me.
It actually is impossible imo, if for no other reason then Chicago wouldn't be open to trading both to begin with. But that is just the difference between speculating the possibility of a rebuild in terms of what's "fun" (from the outside pov, of course), and speculating in terms of what is most likely.Please feel free to expand on your statement. Trying to secure both Sale and Quintana would be difficult but with the talent in the Sox organization not impossible. However, with that said "bosox79" offers another viable player that could be combined with Sale or Quintana that could bring about interesting results.
His 2017 team would be the followingWill the Red Sox trade more elite prospects? If so, for what/who?
Yes, for Paul Goldschmidt. While many are busy measuring Edwin Encarnacion for his red socks, I would rather focus on acquiring a younger, more well-rounded player. The caveat here is that any deal for Goldschmidt depends on how ex-Red Sox GM, now-Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen assesses the near-term future of his team. If he thinks small adjustments on the margins of the roster will get them back into the mix in the NL West, then this trade never happens. However, if he looks and sees a flawed roster that has little chance of catching the Dodgers and Giants in the next few years then he is best suited to call his old boss in Boston and make a deal.
Goldschmidt is a complete player. He is an elite hitter, strong defender and above average baserunner. He is signed through 2018, but has a seemingly no-brainer team option for 2019. As such, getting three seasons of a player of Goldschmidt’s caliber will command a considerable package of players in return. Hazen knows the Red Sox system, so another wrong-Basabe-brother type deal with the DBacks is certainly out of the question. But a multi-player offer along the lines of:
Pick one: Yoan Moncada/Blake Swihart
Pick one: Rafael Devers/Sam Travis/Christian Vazquez
Pick one: Henry Owens/Trey Ball/Travis Shaw
Should be enough to get something done, or at least get most of the way toward making both sides happy.
I am not going to think much of this yet.....Bautista’s people met for a long time in the lobby here at the Scottsdale Omni with a Red Sox executive, and it’s known that Bautista’s ability to pull and take advantage of the Green Monster came up, but Bautista’s main longtime agent Jay Alou downplayed the meeting, saying he has a longtime friendship with that Boston executive, Frank Wren. And Boston is known to be looking at many different available players as possible replacements for retired icon David Ortiz, such as Edwin Encarnacion, Carlos Beltran, Kendrys Morales and others.
http://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/heyman-nothing-completely-off-table-jose-bautista/
Wanted: Eighth-inning guy.
Description: An Andrew Miller-ish late-innings reset button who can wipe out traffic on the bases or calmly navigate a clean inning preceding the entry into the game of closer Craig Kimbrel.
Outlook: Good luck.
“I think we’ve always appreciated the value of [relievers] and the impact players can have in the most meaningful parts of games. It’s one thing to have an appreciation for it. It’s another to be able to find those players who are able and willing to do it effectively,” said Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. “I think that’s one of the things that makes Andrew unique, not only how extraordinary of a pitcher he is but his mindset to pitch whenever needed and it’s also the physical and mental ability to be ready for those opportunities.”
(And just in case you were wondering, no, Antonetti said, Cleveland has “no intention of trading” Miller.)
So who fits the profile on the free agent market? Essentially, no one.
There are three dominant closers on the market, with Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman, and Mark Melancon all poised to get huge, long-term deals that reflect the growing industry valuation of relievers. But all will be looking for both closer dollars and, in all likelihood, the closer job description – one that is already taken in Boston by Kimbrel.
More at the linkAll could emerge, but none are sure things. Kopech has never pitched in the upper minors. Kelly has dealt with a host of injuries. Increasingly, rehab coordinators are advocating more deliberate returns from Tommy John surgery, with the expectation that they might not return to form until the second season after the procedure.
So who else is available via free agency? By Wins Above Replacement (as calculated by Fangraphs), the top non-closer relievers in 2016 who are now free agents were:
■ Righty Brad Ziegler: 2.25 ERA, 7.7 strikeouts per 9, 1.3 WAR with the Diamondbacks and Red Sox
■ Righty Joe Blanton: 2.48 ERA, 9.0 strikeouts per 9, 0.9 WAR with the Dodgers
■ Lefty Boone Logan: 3.69 ERA, 11.1 strikeouts per 9, 0.8 WAR – with some work as a full-inning guy for the eighth complementing a lot of work as a lefty specialist for the Rockies
■ Righty Carlos Torres: 2.73 ERA, 8.5 strikeouts per 9, 0.7 WAR for the Brewers
That’s a pretty limited group – particularly given that, as Peter Abraham writes, Dombrowski sounded tepid about bringing back either Brad Ziegler or Koji Uehara.
My goodness, did you watch the Dodgers-Cubs series? Blanton gave up 3 huge jacks in key situations. Would not want him pitching in a big moment.I never thought I'd want Joe Blanton in a Red Sox uniform..... now I can suddenly see it.
Jesse: Would Benintendi, Kopech and Devers be enough to get Sale?
Dave Cameron: No
If the White Sox aren't motivated to sell, then it doesn't matter if anyone can make a better offer. They don't have to settle for the best available offer if it doesn't give them what they want. My guess is they want to be blown away to consider moving their best starting pitcher. They're not exactly an overly expensive team or an overly old one. They can certainly build on what they have with Sale and Quintana as the core of a contending team.Who's going to make a better offer than that? If that doesn't get done, I'd have to guess Chicago isn't putting him up for...sale (sorry). What else do they need to get a deal done, ERod? Moncada? Both? Geez.
Oh, I definitely agree with you. But if that truly is the price, I expect the Sox to walk away and find another trade target. Or just stand pat.If the White Sox aren't motivated to sell, then it doesn't matter if anyone can make a better offer. They don't have to settle for the best available offer if it doesn't give them what they want. My guess is they want to be blown away to consider moving their best starting pitcher. They're not exactly an overly expensive team or an overly old one. They can certainly build on what they have with Sale and Quintana as the core of a contending team.
This isn't the time to unload the farm for any particular player whether it's Sale or not. They need to see if players like Moncada, Devers, Kopech, and Travis can help the big club in the near future and hope to keep the cost-controlled, star player train rolling.Oh, I definitely agree with you. But if that truly is the price, I expect the Sox to walk away and find another trade target. Or just stand pat.
Buchholz is 10 years younger, had essentially an identical 2016 FIP to Dickey (in a "bad" Buchholz year), and has put up 2 2.8+ fWAR seasons in the time since Dickey last had 1. The only tangible benefit Dickey gets over the last 5 years is health and that's not something super-important when you are talking about a #5 starter versus a #1.I would have preferred Dickey over Buchholz.
Yeah, this is what I'd have Sale coming down to as well. Also what had initially steered me most towards taking a go big on Jansen stance, since I see that being the most preferable of DD's Big 3 as far as options go (Jansen/Chapman, EE, or a trade for Sale/Quintana).If I'm the White Sox, I'd rather move Quintana than Sale, but if I'm trading Sale, then I want two good, young cost-controlled MLBers and a top prospect. So... E-Rod, Benintendi (or Bradley), and Moncada. And maybe get the Sox to throw in Dubon for good measure.
Doesn't really matter whether we think that's "reasonable." They don't have to settle for reasonable.
Sorry, got distracted from important things like baseball by the interesting spectacle of my country imploding.Please feel free to expand on your statement. Trying to secure both Sale and Quintana would be difficult but with the talent in the Sox organization not impossible. However, with that said "bosox79" offers another viable player that could be combined with Sale or Quintana that could bring about interesting results.
TSNKeep an eye on the Detroit Tigers who have seemingly made everyone available, including Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. The Astros could be major players too as they have only two players signed beyond 2017 and money to spend. The Rangers have some financial flexibility as well and will likely look to replace Prince Fielder at 1B/DH. The Washington Nationals have roster flexibility and a passion to beat the Cubs. So do the Dodgers. A sleeper team that could push all their chips to the middle are the Seattle Mariners. They are close and have a very aggressive GM in Jerry Dipoto.
- As strong as the free agent slugger market is, the trade market may be even better. We could very well see former MVPs and Cy Young award winners dealt. There is a chance that Andrew McCutcheon, Cabrera and Verlander could be traded. There is speculation that the Rays may trade Evan Longoria and Chris Archer. The White Sox may deal Chris Sale. In addition to Verlander and Cabrera, the Tigers may move Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez. The Mets may trade Jay Bruce. Ryan Braun could be had from Milwaukee. Brian Dozier, who set a record for homers for a second baseman, may be available from the Twins. Don’t forget Carlos Gonzalez in Colorado. We are in for wild winter!
- The closers market is also compelling. It may be a game of musical chairs. The Dodgers seem to prefer Cubs’ closer Aroldis Chapman, while the Cubs seem to prefer Dodgers’ closer Kenley Jansen. Mark Melancon is not the power pitcher that the other two may be, but he could be the better value. There is speculation that the Yankees may make a play for both Chapman and Jansen. That would certainly muddy the waters. Greg Holland, former Royals closer, is intriguing as well. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery but should be healthy for next season. He might be a good fit for the Mets who are in limbo with their closer, Jeurys Familia, facing domestic violence charges.
Frazier would be perfect. Assuming the acquisition cost isn't prohibitive, he is the perfect stopgap for 2017 until Moncada is ready. DH and 3b can be shared by some combination of Sandoval, Frazier, Shaw and Young. If Moncada is ready mid-season, you switch Frazier to 1b and Hanley to DH. If Pablo is actually playing well again you sell high to get out of as much of the contract as possible..This is interesting.........Todd Frazer could be available.
http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1151154?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
I went to bed at 10:15pm knowing the country was about to implode and I am not completely sure if I've woke up yet.Sorry, got distracted from important things like baseball by the interesting spectacle of my country imploding.
1) We don't need both Sale and Quintana. That's a 10-team-mixed-league-fantasy-baseball idea if I ever heard one. We've already got two very good pitchers, and a few other pretty good ones. You could make a decent argument for adding one more #1-2 type guy to the mix, though I'm not convinced it's necessary. Adding two is obviously overkill. Which matters because...
2) The talent price for both those guys together would be prohibitive. It would require something approaching a clean sweep of our top 10 prospect list, which is already weaker than it has been in a while thanks to trades and promotions; we might end up turning a top-5 farm system into a bottom-5 one, and for what? To make a top-third starting rotation into a league-best one? The gain is not proportional to the pain. Even if the White Sox would do it.