Ok, we all love Mookie. Honestly. I don't know a single Red Sox fan that doesn't want him back. The only reason some might balk at that is if the price is Trout-like.
But let's say he does get traded. Let's say it's a Price-Mookie combo deal and they get back: Wil Myers (OF/1b), Taylor Trammell (OF), and Adrian Morejon (LHP). We all groan at Mookie's departure, but let's just say that's what the deal is.
How good could the Red Sox be in 2020 and 2021?
Myers replaces Mookie - massive massive downgrade in RF. They don't have anyone to replace Price at the moment - but, of course, they have a bunch of money freed up now to get someone. But who is left to get?
I'd suggest that the 2020 Red Sox would be worse by a considerable margin, unless guys really took a giant leap forward. Maybe JBJ finally puts together a good offensive season. Maybe Devers becomes a 38 hr, 130 rbi guy. Maybe Benintendi hits 20-25 homers and bats .320. Maybe JD puts up another .310/410/.690/1.000 season with 43 bombs. Maybe Chavis hits 25 homers and Dalbec comes up and hits 15 in half a season. Maybe Myers reverts back to his best form and gives you 3.5 WAR and an .800 ops. These aren't impossible things. Maybe they have enough offense and patch the pitching together to be competitive.
But what about 2021? Having been under the luxury tax and therefore have gotten a reset, maybe they can actually pursue Mookie with gusto and sign him. And maybe if Myers has a good year they can spin him for something else. Maybe Trammell is fully ready to be a good, legit big-league OF and replaces JBJ and outperforms him on an annual basis. Maybe Morejon emerges as a legit MLB starting pitcher. I dunno.
I'm trying to be hopeful here without TOO much wish casting. Long story short: what is the legitimate outlook for the Sox moving forward if they make this kind of trade involving Mookie, and maybe Price?
But let's say he does get traded. Let's say it's a Price-Mookie combo deal and they get back: Wil Myers (OF/1b), Taylor Trammell (OF), and Adrian Morejon (LHP). We all groan at Mookie's departure, but let's just say that's what the deal is.
How good could the Red Sox be in 2020 and 2021?
Myers replaces Mookie - massive massive downgrade in RF. They don't have anyone to replace Price at the moment - but, of course, they have a bunch of money freed up now to get someone. But who is left to get?
I'd suggest that the 2020 Red Sox would be worse by a considerable margin, unless guys really took a giant leap forward. Maybe JBJ finally puts together a good offensive season. Maybe Devers becomes a 38 hr, 130 rbi guy. Maybe Benintendi hits 20-25 homers and bats .320. Maybe JD puts up another .310/410/.690/1.000 season with 43 bombs. Maybe Chavis hits 25 homers and Dalbec comes up and hits 15 in half a season. Maybe Myers reverts back to his best form and gives you 3.5 WAR and an .800 ops. These aren't impossible things. Maybe they have enough offense and patch the pitching together to be competitive.
But what about 2021? Having been under the luxury tax and therefore have gotten a reset, maybe they can actually pursue Mookie with gusto and sign him. And maybe if Myers has a good year they can spin him for something else. Maybe Trammell is fully ready to be a good, legit big-league OF and replaces JBJ and outperforms him on an annual basis. Maybe Morejon emerges as a legit MLB starting pitcher. I dunno.
I'm trying to be hopeful here without TOO much wish casting. Long story short: what is the legitimate outlook for the Sox moving forward if they make this kind of trade involving Mookie, and maybe Price?