Your 2015 Boston Red Sox

[BarrettsHiddenBall]

If Craig remains a failure then move Brentz up, he mashes left handed pitching.  What I'm getting at is there are at least 2 options equally as favorable as Napoli and Cespedes.  1) Hanley at 1B with Victorino in RF and Betts in LF 2) Hanley at 1B with Betts in RF and Craig/Nava,or Brentz/Nava in LF

I think we're just going to have to disagree on this*, on most every level. I'm much less certain of Craig, Brentz, and Victorino performing at the level you seem to expect, and a bit less certain of Nava; and I think you're undervaluing Napoli and Cespedes. More generally, I think you're putting too much emphasis on positional flexibility at the expense of actual talent. Some flexibility is a good thing, especially in the backup roles, but it shouldn't be the primary roster goal at the cost of downgrading the guys that'll be playing almost every day. And again, I'm more comfortable with Hanley transitioning to LF than putting him at 1b in the center of everything.
 
*if only cos I gotta run in a few -- gobble gobble!

 

[67WasBest]

I think we're just going to have to disagree on this*, on most every level. I'm much less certain of Craig, Brentz, and Victorino performing at the level you seem to expect, and a bit less certain of Nava; and I think you're undervaluing Napoli and Cespedes. More generally, I think you're putting too much emphasis on positional flexibility at the expense of actual talent. Some flexibility is a good thing, especially in the backup roles, but it shouldn't be the primary roster goal at the cost of downgrading the guys that'll be playing almost every day. And again, I'm more comfortable with Hanley transitioning to LF than putting him at 1b in the center of everything.
 
*if only cos I gotta run in a few -- gobble gobble!

I am in no way saying they have to trade Napoli, just defendng the move if it's required to gain the starter needed.  I honestly don't think he would be required.  The other redundant pieces should fetch them what they seek.  A new rumor indicating Craig as a 1B option for the Marlins presents hope it may be Craig and Cespedes who depart and that would be ideal.  Even if he doesn't gain us what we need, it gains us another piece to include in another deal.

 

[lxt]

Bradford's article on Shane Victorino:
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2014/11/27/shane-victorino-i-should-be-the-starting-right-fielder/
 
Edit: This should be moved to Your 2015 Boston Red Sox where it is a more appropriate post but I do not know how to get it there.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

Thoughts on adding Masterson? I am guessing he is down the list on the options....
 
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS  ·  4m 4 minutes ago

masterson among 10 winter bargains (JM potential landing spots: bos, sfg, wsox, cubs, kc, sea, minn http://cbsprt.co/1ybS6UF

 

[diehard24]

 
Thoughts on adding Masterson? I am guessing he is down the list on the options....
 
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS  ·  4m 4 minutes ago

masterson among 10 winter bargains (JM potential landing spots: bos, sfg, wsox, cubs, kc, sea, minn http://cbsprt.co/1ybS6UF

 

 
Still hasn't figured out left-handed hitters. Started looking good in 2013, but was terrible last year. He'll likely be too expensive for relief or a flyer at this point in his career.
 
BAA vs. LHB
2014: .320
2013: .248
2012: .296
2011: .291

 

[SoxFanForsyth]

Thoughts on adding Masterson? I am guessing he is down the list on the options....
 
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS  ·  [URL="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/538856084753375232

https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/538856084753375232"]

link to tweet 4m 4 minutes ago[/url]

masterson among 10 winter bargains (JM potential landing spots: bos, sfg, wsox, cubs, kc, sea, minn http://cbsprt.co/1ybS6UF

As a #5 starter I would absolutely give him 1/10mm. Tons of upside, Farrell knows him well and may be able to help him figure out his platoon issues.

I would rather see him in the 5 slot than Webster. Even if he throws you to a 4.3-4.4 era, he's got a really good chance to give you 210 IP, which is very valuable.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I would rather see him in the 5 slot than Webster. Even if he throws you to a 4.3-4.4 era, he's got a really good chance to give you 210 IP, which is very valuable.

 
His IP have gone down each year since 2011, which was the last (and only) time he touched 210. The velocity on his sinker has been tumbling steadily for two years, from sitting about 93 in late 2012 to 87-88 late last year. Is there any concrete reason to expect a turnaround (as opposed to "he used to be good, maybe he'll be good again")?
 
I would much rather fill that #5 slot with Webster, who is young and cheap and likely to get better.

 

[phenweigh]

 
His IP have gone down each year since 2011, which was the last (and only) time he touched 210. The velocity on his sinker has been tumbling steadily for two years, from sitting about 93 in late 2012 to 87-88 late last year. Is there any concrete reason to expect a turnaround (as opposed to "he used to be good, maybe he'll be good again")?
 
I would much rather fill that #5 slot with Webster, who is young and cheap and likely to get better.

Webster seemed like a guy who needed time to adjust to the idea that he belonged in major league baseball.  His September numbers of 4 starts with an ERA of 2.63 offer hope that he's made that adjustment.  It's a small sample size and his persona gives me little confidence in him, but I still think he's a better bet than Masterson.

 

[LostinNJ]

Is it likely that they fill three slots in the rotation from outside the organization? You have to believe that one spot will go to one of the young guys, in which case a risky choice like Masterson doesn't seem like a good bet for one of the other spots. They already have a lot of uncertainty with Buchholz, anyway. Championship rotations are not built on uncertainty.

 

[The Boomer]

Is it likely that they fill three slots in the rotation from outside the organization? You have to believe that one spot will go to one of the young guys, in which case a risky choice like Masterson doesn't seem like a good bet for one of the other spots. They already have a lot of uncertainty with Buchholz, anyway. Championship rotations are not built on uncertainty.

 
Outside the organization is a relative term.  Maybe they simply are bringing their 2005 minor league all stars home.  Sign Masterson.  Sign Lester or trade a bat plus minor league depth for Anibal Sanchez.  Put Webster as the #5 starter and hold auditions for everyone else if he falters?

 

[LostinNJ]

 
Outside the organization is a relative term.  Maybe they simply are bringing their 2005 minor league all stars home.  Sign Masterson.  Sign Lester or trade a bat plus minor league depth for Anibal Sanchez.  Put Webster as the #5 starter and hold auditions for everyone else if he falters?

I don't know. A rotation of Sanchez, Masterson, Buchholz, Kelly, and Webster makes me nervous. Substituting Lester for Sanchez makes it better, but not really confidence-inspiring. I just don't think you can have both Masterson and Buchholz. You could end up with two pretty fantastic pitchers, but you could also have two flops. They can tolerate one guy like that, one guy who may force them to tap their minor league depth if he doesn't work out. But not two.
 
Masterson is interesting because he could be a useful long man in the bullpen and emergency starter. But that could very well be Workman's role. We don't need two guys like that.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Is it likely that they fill three slots in the rotation from outside the organization? You have to believe that one spot will go to one of the young guys, in which case a risky choice like Masterson doesn't seem like a good bet for one of the other spots. They already have a lot of uncertainty with Buchholz, anyway. Championship rotations are not built on uncertainty.

I disagree. Sometimes the production comes from out of nowhere. Just look at the 2013 Red Sox as the most recent example. Lackey was coming off TJ, Lester was coming off a terrible year in which half the board was pissed that he wasn't offered for Wil Myers. Buchholz was talented but always injured and then you had everyone else. Signing Masterson despite the fact he's in for a good year (look at odd year vs even year) might take away from one or two of the new guys. Signing Lester then trading for Hamels Sanchez or whomever takes the burden off Buchholz to be that #2.

 

[SoxFanForsyth]

Is it likely that they fill three slots in the rotation from outside the organization? You have to believe that one spot will go to one of the young guys, in which case a risky choice like Masterson doesn't seem like a good bet for one of the other spots. They already have a lot of uncertainty with Buchholz, anyway. Championship rotations are not built on uncertainty.

When I first read this I thought you were saying Masterson was as risky as the kids, but now reading it again i see what you're saying and agree. No chance they go into 2015 with Masterson as the 2nd acquired piece

 

[SoxFanForsyth]

I am still not entirely convinced they give one slot to the kids.

I think they'll sign Lester, trade Cespedes for a Iwakuma-esque guy, and then trade prospects for another piece (Marrero and Margot for Shark?)

 

[lxt]

I disagree. Sometimes the production comes from out of nowhere. Just look at the 2013 Red Sox as the most recent example. Lackey was coming off TJ, Lester was coming off a terrible year in which half the board was pissed that he wasn't offered for Wil Myers. Buchholz was talented but always injured and then you had everyone else. Signing Masterson despite the fact he's in for a good year (look at odd year vs even year) might take away from one or two of the new guys. Signing Lester then trading for Hamels Sanchez or whomever takes the burden off Buchholz to be that #2.

I agree. Signing Lester and another quality/solid starter (put name here), combine them with Kelly & Buchholz and let one of the kids earn the 5th spot. Masterson IMO is not the solution the Red Sox are looking for.

 

[LostinNJ]

I disagree. Sometimes the production comes from out of nowhere. Just look at the 2013 Red Sox as the most recent example. Lackey was coming off TJ, Lester was coming off a terrible year in which half the board was pissed that he wasn't offered for Wil Myers. Buchholz was talented but always injured and then you had everyone else. Signing Masterson despite the fact he's in for a good year (look at odd year vs even year) might take away from one or two of the new guys. Signing Lester then trading for Hamels Sanchez or whomever takes the burden off Buchholz to be that #2.

The 2013 team is not a model you can count on for future success. Pretty much everything went right, and that's not usually what happens. As I recall, we were all looking at it as a bridge year, and then . . . pow!
 
As for Masterson, do you really put faith in the odd vs. even year thing? That seems more like superstition than analysis.
 
Neither of us sees Buchholz as a # 2. In your scenario, you have Lester plus Hamels/Sanchez/whoever at the top, relegating Masterson to the end of the rotation. I could live with that, but I just don't think it's what they're gonna do. With so much money at the top of the rotation, they will want to economize elsewhere. Even after a down year, Masterson will not come cheap. He'll cost in the neighborhood of $10 million more than one of the young guys. That's too much to invest in a roll of the dice at the back end of the rotation.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

Per Cafardos article today:
2. Rick Porcello, RHP, Tigers The Red Sox would have more interest in Porcello than Anibal Sanchez, but a deal for Cespedes that includes these pitchers could materialize. If the Red Sox cant sign Lester, the Tigers might be interested in moving David Price, but that would be costly. Porcello fits the age (26 on Dec. 27) the Red Sox want.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Per Cafardos article today:
2. Rick Porcello, RHP, Tigers The Red Sox would have more interest in Porcello than Anibal Sanchez, but a deal for Cespedes that includes these pitchers could materialize. If the Red Sox cant sign Lester, the Tigers might be interested in moving David Price, but that would be costly. Porcello fits the age (26 on Dec. 27) the Red Sox want.

Send Cafardo to the Sandbox, if one existed, for that report. Deal Cespy that includes these pitchers? Shouldn't he say one of these pitchers? Tigers might be interested in moving David Price, but that would be costly. Costly to whom? To the Red Sox, I guess. 

 

[ehaz]

Send Cafardo to the Sandbox, if one existed, for that report. Deal Cespy that includes these pitchers? Shouldn't he say one of these pitchers? Tigers might be interested in moving David Price, but that would be costly. Costly to whom? To the Red Sox, I guess. 

Not to mention suggesting the Red Sox are more interested in Porcello than Anibal, completely ignoring the fact that even though Porcello is only 26 the dude is a free agent so it doesn't even matter... Meanwhile Anibal has a totally reasonable contract.

 

[MakMan44]

Not to mention suggesting the Red Sox are more interested in Porcello than Anibal, completely ignoring the fact that even though Porcello is only 26 the dude is a free agent so it doesn't even matter... Meanwhile Anibal has a totally reasonable contract.

Maybe his injuries last season worry the Sox and they feel they can get Porcello on a reasonable extension. Only way I can make sense of that part of the report.

 

[TigerBlood]

Per Cafardos article today:
2. Rick Porcello, RHP, Tigers The Red Sox would have more interest in Porcello than Anibal Sanchez, but a deal for Cespedes that includes these pitchers could materialize. If the Red Sox cant sign Lester, the Tigers might be interested in moving David Price, but that would be costly. Porcello fits the age (26 on Dec. 27) the Red Sox want.

I guess this is just how reporting works, but Its so misleading for Cafardo to suggest that the Tigers will specifically look to move Price of/when Lester signs somewhere besides Boston. Like, no, it doesn't change Detroits willingness, it changes Bostons needs. Boston will be pursuing multiple avenues to find good deals for Frontline SP by trade. It's dishonest to assert that Detroit would suddenly want to accommodate Boston's need.

 

[ivanvamp]

I guess this is just how reporting works, but Its so misleading for Cafardo to suggest that the Tigers will specifically look to move Price of/when Lester signs somewhere besides Boston. Like, no, it doesn't change Detroits willingness, it changes Bostons needs. Boston will be pursuing multiple avenues to find good deals for Frontline SP by trade. It's dishonest to assert that Detroit would suddenly want to accommodate Boston's need.

That it changes Boston's needs might mean they'll pay more for Price than they would otherwise, and so yeah that fact may change Detroit's willingness.

 

[Reverend]

I disagree. Sometimes the production comes from out of nowhere. Just look at the 2013 Red Sox as the most recent example. Lackey was coming off TJ, Lester was coming off a terrible year in which half the board was pissed that he wasn't offered for Wil Myers. Buchholz was talented but always injured and then you had everyone else. Signing Masterson despite the fact he's in for a good year (look at odd year vs even year) might take away from one or two of the new guys. Signing Lester then trading for Hamels Sanchez or whomever takes the burden off Buchholz to be that #2.

 
That's not really coming from out of nowhere, though, is it?
 
There was every reason to believe Lackey could bounce back, for example, but many fans didn't see it because they had settled on a lens for viewing him and did not recalibrate when news that he had been pitching with an injury came out. The awfulness of the season also colored Lester's bad year. Buchholz is... really strange and I think we can always expect him to suddenly remember how to throw his change up after forgetting, trip and fall down an escalator, or whatever.
 
Bracketing the fans' emotion perspective, though, the Red Sox clearly had reason to believe they had some really solid pitching there; it only felt like it came out of nowhere.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

In 2013, no individual player's season was beyond what could have been optimistically expected (with the exception of otherworldly Koji), but it really was unbelievable how almost every player exceeded realistic expectations:
 
Saltalamacchia:  exceeded expectations
Napoli:  exceeded expectations
Pedroia:  exceeded expectations, or arguably matched a high bar of expectation
Drew:  exceeded expectations
Middlebrooks:  did not exceed expectations (but still had 17 HR in 350 ABs)
Gomes:  exceeded expectations
Ellsbury:  exceeded expectations
Victorino:  exceeded expectations
Ortiz:  matched expectations, but a very high bar
Nava:  exceeded expectations
Carp:  exceeded expectations
Iglesias:  exceeded expectations
Ross:  matched expectations
 
Lester:  matched expectations, but a high bar
Lackey:  exceeded expectations
Buchholz:  exceeded expectations
Doubront:  exceeded expectations
Dempster:  matched expectations
 
Uehara:  are you kidding me?
Tazawa:  exceeded expectations
Breslow:  exceeded expectations
Miller:  when healthy, exceeded expectations
 
Daniel Bard was terrible, and both Bailey and Hanrahan had disappointing injuries.  But the percentage of core players that either exceeded expectations or matched a high level of expectation was mind-bogglingly improbable.
 
(my apologies...I thought this thread was about Your 2013 Boston Red Sox)

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

 
That's not really coming from out of nowhere, though, is it?
 
There was every reason to believe Lackey could bounce back, for example, but many fans didn't see it because they had settled on a lens for viewing him and did not recalibrate when news that he had been pitching with an injury came out. The awfulness of the season also colored Lester's bad year. Buchholz is... really strange and I think we can always expect him to suddenly remember how to throw his change up after forgetting, trip and fall down an escalator, or whatever.
 
Bracketing the fans' emotion perspective, though, the Red Sox clearly had reason to believe they had some really solid pitching there; it only felt like it came out of nowhere.

I'll give you Lester. However I don't think there was anyone that expected Lackey to rebound the way he did or for Buchholz to put up a Cy Young type season when he pitched.

 

[TigerBlood]

That it changes Boston's needs might mean they'll pay more for Price than they would otherwise, and so yeah that fact may change Detroit's willingness.

Right, the problem i have is that Cafardo reports the resulting change in Detroits position without mentioning that it would be a direct result of a new, more desperate offer from Boston. Thus, Cafardo makes it sound like he has some insight into Detroit's FO's thinking.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I'll give you Lester. However I don't think there was anyone that expected Lackey to rebound the way he did or for Buchholz to put up a Cy Young type season when he pitched.

 
I think anyone who was paying attention should have expected Lackey to be better in 2013 than in 2011, and lots of us did. But the extent of the rebound was a mild and pleasant surprise.
 
As for Buchholz, even by 2013 anyone who made a definitive statement about what to expect from him (good or bad) was either a braver soul than most of us, or just plain crazy. He is the Bob Dylan of pitchers. 2013 was his Nashville Skyline: sweet, but a bit underdone. Last year was his Self-Portrait. Let's hope that now we get his Blood on the Tracks or at the very least his Planet Waves.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Which side of the ledger does Slow Train fall on?

 

[glennhoffmania]

It's not even December and this shit is starting:
 

“If you think there's somebody better in right, be my guest,” he said. “Obviously health will dictate that. But if I'm healthy if there's a better outfielder in right field then show me and go out there and do it. I'm not saying that in a cocky or arrogant way. It's just how confident I am to know I should be the starting right fielder. There are things to come into play and situations to be discussed. I plan on being healthy and out there and ready to go. Like I said, it's my job. I don't think there's anybody can tell me differently. If they feel there is from an organization's standpoint it is what it is. As I've said, whatever uniform it may be I'm going to go out there and give 100 percent and be the best I can be. Obviously I want it to be a Red Sox uniform and be a right fielder, but I can't control decisions that are made from up top.”
 

 
Victorino

 

[LahoudOrBillyC]

Bravo. That is exactly how he should feel. He was one of the best players in the league in 2013. If healthy, he might be their best outfielder.

 

[MakMan44]

I can guarantee you that the Red Sox are not expecting a repeat of a nearly 6 win season out Vic (it's his BDay BTW). I think even 2 wins would make them happy. 

 

[67WasBest]

I would expect nothing less from Shane, he's an intense competitor.  When I read that I wondered if he was trying to convince us, or himself?

 

[glennhoffmania]

Bravo. That is exactly how he should feel. He was one of the best players in the league in 2013. If healthy, he might be their best outfielder.

 
I have no problem with him feeling that way.  But I'd prefer to not have it discussed in public for the next four months.

 

[67WasBest]

It may seem a little hard to fathom, but John Henry's reaction to two last place finishes may be spending a HALF BILLION Dollars since they bailed on 2014.
 
Castillo - $72.5M
Ramirez - $110M
Sandoval - $103M
Lester - $150M (TBD)
Moncada - $100M (TBD)
 
Total = $540.5M
 
TY to PP for the correction on Castillo

 

[Rasputin]

It may seem a little hard to fathom, but John Henry's reaction to two last place finishes may be spending a HALF BILLION Dollars since they bailed on 2014.
 
Castillo - $65M
Ramirez - $110M
Sandoval - $103M
Lester - $150M (TBD)
Moncada - $100M (TBD)
 
Total = $533M

 
Getting a little ahead of yourself aren't ya?
 
Also, I don't see any way signing Moncada is categorized as a response to finishing last. If the Sox had won the World Series in 2014, do you think they would be any less interested in Moncada?

 

[67WasBest]

 
Getting a little ahead of yourself aren't ya?
 
Also, I don't see any way signing Moncada is categorized as a response to finishing last. If the Sox had won the World Series in 2014, do you think they would be any less interested in Moncada?

No, I don't.  I wasn't trying to play up the "over reaction" angle, but I can see how that was assumed.  Really just trying to show the significance of what might be this offseason.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

Adam Berry of Sports on Earth plays "GM for a Day" with the Sawx:
 
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/102751260/boston-red-sox-gm-ben-cherington-hot-stove

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Vic's remarks have the making of a clubhouse disaster.  I'm assuming the outfield to start the season will be Nava, Betts, Hanley, Castillo and Vic and there'll be a lot of rotating parts and matchups and substitutions.... I can imagine Vic struggling and then getting miffed that he's not allowed the time to get into a consistent groove and rhythm to find his swing and start grumbling to the press.  

 

[LeoCarrillo]

Victorino being a clubhouse cancer = half as many hang-loose brah signs. Not saying he'd be thrilled, but this is probably the breeziest guy in all of baseball. 

 

[BornToRun]

Victorino being a clubhouse cancer = half as many hang-loose brah signs. Not saying he'd be thrilled, but this is probably the breeziest guy in all of baseball. 

Really. Victorino becoming a clubhouse cancer is just beneath Sandoval and Ramirez becoming religious missionaries and leaving the team to spread the gospel on my list of concerns about the 2015 Red Sox.

 

[jimbobim]

Really. Victorino becoming a clubhouse cancer is just beneath Sandoval and Ramirez becoming religious missionaries and leaving the team to spread the gospel on my list of concerns about the 2015 Red Sox.

 
Agree 100 percent with this. I'm in no way convinced he will be healthy. We heard much of the same coming from Vic last year and then watched as his body completely betrayed him. If he can play through spring training they might accommodate and trade him. However, more likely he's a bench Def replacement/pinch runner/4th OF guy with all his maladies.  

 

[sean1562]

he could be a little annoyed that some cuban who has never played in the majors will presumably get his spot becuase why? they are paying him lots of money? about as much as they are paying victorino right? if he gets injured really uickly problem "solved"? but if he stays healthy he can still be a really solid OF. i wouldnt be amazed if betts starts in AAA if Victorino is healthy, pushes his service clock back and a healthy victorino is a good player, maybe even better than betts. i dont really expect betts to be a good defensive RF next year. the idea that victorino could be better than betts next season is not all that far fetched. it all just depends on his health.

 

[grimshaw]

he could be a little annoyed that some cuban who has never played in the majors will presumably get his spot becuase why? they are paying him lots of money? about as much as they are paying victorino right? if he gets injured really uickly problem "solved"? but if he stays healthy he can still be a really solid OF. i wouldnt be amazed if betts starts in AAA if Victorino is healthy, pushes his service clock back and a healthy victorino is a good player, maybe even better than betts. i dont really expect betts to be a good defensive RF next year. the idea that victorino could be better than betts next season is not all that far fetched. it all just depends on his health.

I understand Victorino's position as well.  I just don't see the Red Sox sending Betts down to AAA again unless he shows up bloated or looks completely lost in spring training. SSS but he was on a 6 WAR pace last season and has done nothing but be a stud at every level.  He outplayed Cespedes head to head in the exact same amount of PA. 
 
If Vic looks healthy, I think they deal him to a team who loses someone to injury.  If he looks slow, they DL him and BC says he needs some at bats because of all the missed time. 

 

[mloyko54]

Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN

Other teams say the Padres have gotten more aggressive in marketing catcher Yasmani Grandal in trade discussions.
 
Switch hitting catcher who is much better from the left side. Could make a good platoon partner with Vazquez. Also good insurance if Vazquez has a JBJ struggle at the dish.

 

[MakMan44]

Depends on the price but yeah, I'd love to acquire him. 
 
EDIT: If we could get Kennedy as well for Cepedes + I think that'd be a pretty good trade for the Sox. 

 

[67WasBest]

 
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN

Other teams say the Padres have gotten more aggressive in marketing catcher Yasmani Grandal in trade discussions.
 
Switch hitting catcher who is much better from the left side. Could make a good platoon partner with Vazquez. Also good insurance if Vazquez has a JBJ struggle at the dish.

 

Cespedes and Webster for Kennedy and Grandal is a pretty decent deal for both sides/  I'd like Ross as much, if not more, but I don't know they can get that done without adding more young talent.  Then Shark and Doolittle for kids, sign Lester and call it done for the year

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Cespedes and Webster for Kennedy and Grandal is a pretty decent deal for both sides/  I'd like Ross as much, if not more, but I don't know they can get that done without adding more young talent.  Then Shark and Doolittle for kids, sign Lester and call it done for the year

 
I have no interest in Ian Kennedy - coming from an extreme pitchers park in a non DH league to the exact opposite .. Kennedy would be extremely lucky to have an era south of 4.5 in Fenway.
 
A full season of Webster should almost certainly be better than that. Also - wasn't Grandal a PED guy? And it should be noted Swihart is also a switch hitting catcher better from the left side who's probably 250 ABs from the Show.
 
I don't see why a simple trade of Cespedes plus B level prospects for a good SP should be cluttered up with acquiring ancillary players that are surplus to the main needs of the team.

 

[67WasBest]

 
I have no interest in Ian Kennedy - coming from an extreme pitchers park in a non DH league to the exact opposite .. Kennedy would be extremely lucky to have an era south of 4.5 in Fenway.
 
A full season of Webster should almost certainly be better than that. Also - wasn't Grandal a PED guy? And it should be noted Swihart is also a switch hitting catcher better from the left side who's probably 250 ABs from the Show.
 
I don't see why a simple trade of Cespedes plus B level prospects for a good SP should be cluttered up with acquiring ancillary players that are surplus to the main needs of the team.

I don't see him as the #2, I see his as #5.  If they can get Porcello, or Fister, or a higher valued guy then I'm all for it, they can acquire a catcher elsewhere, but I'm not sold they can acquire that level of pitcher with Cespedes.  I will be pleasantly surprised if that materializes.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

I don't see him as the #2, I see his as #5.  If they can get Porcello, or Fister, or a higher valued guy then I'm all for it, they can acquire a catcher elsewhere, but I'm not sold they can acquire that level of pitcher with Cespedes.  I will be pleasantly surprised if that materializes.

 
 
Well let's see - Lets say the Sox offered Cespedes for Cueto .. both guys are on one year deals .. but how much better than Cespedes is Cueto at this point - 2 WAR?. Remember Cueto is coming off a career year after missing almost all of the previous year. So how much do the Sox have to kick in to even that out - Is Alan Webster's next 6 years worth 2WAR? Or Barnes? So a Cespedes/Webster/Barnes for Cueto deal is more than fair.

 

[MakMan44]

Exactly. It's debatable what Cespedes will actually net us. If you can net Grandal (who rated positively defensively before last season) and Kennedy that's probably a net positive trade for the Sox. Then again, I don't buy that Webster will be better than Kennedy next season so I doubt our opinions will align.