2019 Trade Deadline

Status
Not open for further replies.

joe dokes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,233
I am much more surprised that the Yankees didn't get a starter than I am that the Sox didn't get a reliever.



Meh, a reliever still wouldn’t have made this a legitimate postseason club this year.
Who are the "legitimate" post-season teams?
 

cheekydave

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 11, 2004
3,134
Bohoken
Glad we didnt make some stupid trade, ok with letting the season play out, and pretty chuffed the Yankees got bupkis, and Houston got pitching. They are freaking out here in NY, and oh it is so sweet.
 

OurF'ingCity

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 22, 2016
8,469
New York City
Thank Cherington for this. That Sandoval contract had DD handcuffed.
That's part of it. The other part is that DD traded basically all of the remaining good prospects the Sox had in past years for Sale, Pom, Ziegler, Kimbrel, etc. etc. They won the WS last year so you can't criticize any of those moves too much, but there's no denying one way or other the prospect cupboard is quite bare.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,673
Maine
Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo
22s
DD: "My frustration is that we just haven't played well enough as a team."

Well the fact that Dombrowski did not replace Craig Kimbrel well enough and left the bullpen thin contributed to the position the team is currently in. Maddening.
The fact that Sale and Porcello and Price have all underperformed to varying degrees, and Eovaldi missed three months, has contributed far more to the team's current position. THAT's maddening.
 

mauidano

Mai Tais for everyone!
SoSH Member
Aug 21, 2006
35,626
Maui
I am all good with where we stand roster wise. If our starting pitchers can get their proverbial shit together, we can make a run at it. Otherwise, the team is solid already. Fuck it, save your money and let's go!
 

joe dokes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,233
The fact that Sale and Porcello and Price have all underperformed to varying degrees, and Eovaldi missed three months, has contributed far more to the team's current position. THAT's maddening.
I think if they had, the team would have been much closer to a position where DD might have been more willing to consider something closer to "stupid," given the advantage of avoiding the WC game.
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
The Red Sox were not selling off Workman or Barnes after going 5-2 this past week. They are firmly in the wild card race.
I'm aware of that, but that doesn't keep teams that could use a reliever from calling and asking for them, and I expect every contender except the Yankees did.
 

OurF'ingCity

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 22, 2016
8,469
New York City
I am all good with where we stand roster wise. If our starting pitchers can get their proverbial shit together, we can make a run at it. Otherwise, the team is solid already. Fuck it, save your money and let's go!
And if our starters DON'T get their proverbial shit together, it probably doesn't matter whether or not they added a marginally-better bullpen arm anyway.
 

cheekydave

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 11, 2004
3,134
Bohoken
That works against the Sox as well.
actually, not for me. Sox have won 4 rings this century, they taste pretty good. Yankees are 1 for the Century, and OH for this decade, they havent missed MAKING a WS in a decade in I think, forever? The reality NOW is they feel tremendous pressure to be relevant again, and once again this year IMO they will fail.
 

DanoooME

above replacement level
SoSH Member
Mar 16, 2008
19,831
Henderson, NV
Glad they didn't overpay for a moderate to decent upgrade. If this year ends up like 2005, so be it. If the team plays better, they'll be a factor.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,369
By the way, the 2004 Red Sox were 59-49 after 108 games, won 95 total, and, well, you know the rest. The 2018 Red Sox are 59-49 after 108 games. Of course, this year's team can't trade for any help but still....it's entirely possible that they go on a run.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,673
Maine
I think if they had, the team would have been much closer to a position where DD might have been more willing to consider something closer to "stupid," given the advantage of avoiding the WC game.
Exactly the point DD was making in his presser. Were the team closer to the division lead, he'd have been more willing to take a bigger risk, or pay a higher price, for an upgrade.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
Exactly the point DD was making in his presser. Were the team closer to the division lead, he'd have been more willing to take a bigger risk, or pay a higher price, for an upgrade.
Because wild card teams never win the WS?
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
By the way, the 2004 Red Sox were 59-49 after 108 games, won 95 total, and, well, you know the rest. The 2018 Red Sox are 59-49 after 108 games. Of course, this year's team can't trade for any help but still....it's entirely possible that they go on a run.
The 2019 team is 59-49. The 2018 was 75-33.
 

LesterFan

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2010
15,046
Boston, MA
I'm fine with standing pat, always thought that was the most likely outcome given the farm system and financial situation. They need the guys that are on the roster to play better, specifically the rotation. Making a move for a so-so middle reliever wasn't going to change that. And if the earlier tweet that said the Sox would have needed to do something stupid to get a trade done is to be believed, then what's the point? This team might not even make the ALDS.
 

Tyrone Biggums

nfl meets tri-annually at a secret country mansion
SoSH Member
Aug 15, 2006
6,424
Jesus, did DD spend executive time this morning watching FOX and Friends too?
To be fair he didn't specify which league. Japan and Korea probably tried to buy some of these guys.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,673
Maine
Because wild card teams never win the WS?
That's not what he's saying at all. But if this team, as currently constructed, can get its ass in gear enough to win a Wildcard, that's a team that can make some noise in the playoffs and potentially get back to the World Series. They proved last year that all you need is a bludgeoning offense and strong starting pitching, and you can patch together a good enough bullpen to win it all.
 

Carmine Hose

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2001
5,046
Dorchester, MA
The prices may have been too high now, but why did they wait to build a bullpen for the 2019 season in July?

I'm also tired of hearing about the luxury tax handcuffing them. They are not forbidden from taking on money. They just choose not to, to save money. It's weird how fans, and even more stunning the media, act like the luxury tax is a salary cap.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,369
That's not what he's saying at all. But if this team, as currently constructed, can get its ass in gear enough to win a Wildcard, that's a team that can make some noise in the playoffs and potentially get back to the World Series. They proved last year that all you need is a bludgeoning offense and strong starting pitching, and you can patch together a good enough bullpen to win it all.
If the Sox win 94-95 games (totally possible) and make the playoffs, it means they’ve finished the season strong. If that happens, they’re absolutely one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
 

geoduck no quahog

not particularly consistent
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Nov 8, 2002
13,024
Seattle, WA
I take Dombrowski's words at face value. I have no reason not to.

The Red Sox with their under-performing starters aren't going anywhere without a huge struggle. Improving on the margins, or giving up too much for a marginal return, or any type of mortgaging based on the team's current performance is ridiculous.They are what they are.
 

soxin6

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
7,028
Huntington Beach, CA
Tom Caron @TomCaron
"If we were in first place, I would've been more open minded to more things," said Dave Dombrowski. Said the team's lack of success on the field made it not worth giving up a premium player or prospect for help.

Thanks for the confidence dumbrowski sheesh
Why should there be any confidence in this team? They have failed to perform time and time again. Certainly the bullpen needs help, but that likely wouldn't matter if Price and Sale continue to underperform.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,204
The prices may have been too high now, but why did they wait to build a bullpen for the 2019 season in July?

I'm also tired of hearing about the luxury tax handcuffing them. They are not forbidden from taking on money. They just choose not to, to save money. It's weird how fans, and even more stunning the media, act like the luxury tax is a salary cap.
The simple answer is that the Sox had budget constraints and thought they had their bullpen set up to start the season. Once it became apparent that this was not the case, it was already too late. We can Monday Morning GM this all we want but its a rational approach, especially for a team that just came off a World Series victory.

As for the Eovaldi move, they knew him, liked his stuff and he had already performed at a high level for the Sox so it was a fairly easy to bring him back. Returning Kimbrel after last season wasn't as clear given his age, his declining stats and the overall cost so letting him walk was justifiable as well.

Finally, the Eovaldi move to the bullpen isn't great but the Sox needed to do something that addressed the problem. Furthermore, it presumably gave Dombrowski some footing in negotiations even if it was unsure at best. I doubt trading counterparties lowered their demands of the Sox in exchange for a reliever as a result but you can argue that it gave the Sox a walk-away option which they have apparently exercised.

I am with SemperFidelisSox - the Sox get some leeway from me for this season based on how they handled last year. As such, I would prefer no deal to a bad one but I get how others might feel differently.
 

ehaz

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 30, 2007
4,948
Ugh. I adore Greinke, he’s one of my favorite non-Red Sox players of this era. The way he just constantly reinvents himself to remain a #1 starter while the league changes and his velocity declines is unbelievable. We can only hope Chris Sale figures the latter half of his career like him. If Greinke plays out his contract without getting hurt, he’ll likely finish out his career with 230 wins, 3,000 Ks, and a career ERA under 3.40. #1 BBR similarity score? Justin Verlander.

The Astros will keep two HoF starters headlining their rotations for the next couple years. His contract for age 36/37 years is rough, but he’s been unbelievably durable and has proven he doesn’t need elite velocity to remain elite. $30M per season for two years of Greinke might be better value than the same AAV for seven years of Cole. And they keep Tucker.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
SoSH Member
Dec 19, 2009
9,386
My biggest question is: How on earth did the Yankees not get Grienke?
They were on his no-trade list. Astros were not.
Was Boston also on the list? Given all we know about Greinke's mental health, I'm not surprised he doesn't want to pitch for a big market team if he can avoid it. Houston is flirting with that distinction, though, so it will be very interesting to see if he continues to dominate or if he takes a step back with all the eyes on him. Not having to anchor the staff should help.

Fantastic trade by Houston. They have to be the favorites in the AL right about now. If not, it has to be a matter of percentage points behind New York.
 

judyb

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
4,444
Wilmington MA
The prices may have been too high now, but why did they wait to build a bullpen for the 2019 season in July?

I'm also tired of hearing about the luxury tax handcuffing them. They are not forbidden from taking on money. They just choose not to, to save money. It's weird how fans, and even more stunning the media, act like the luxury tax is a salary cap.
It's not the money the luxury tax penalty costs them, Dombrowski said ownership isn't making him avoid the highest level so they won't have to pay as much, he said it's his choice to try to avoid the draft pick and ifa signing money penalties, he also said he'd go over if he had an opportunity to make a trade that he thought would make enough of a difference to be worth it. Knowing the type of moves he usually makes to try to make the bullpen better, it seems we should be glad he didn't because he probably would have traded Chavis for a reliever who would perform worse the rest of this season than every reliever they already have.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,369
Post Trade Deadline AL Skinny:

1. Houston. Already a great team, just added massive pieces. They're going to be a major handful the rest of the way and a monster in the playoffs.
2. New York. It's incredible how they're dealing with injuries, but their starting pitching is very worrisome. They might get injured guys back in time for the playoffs, and they already have a big lead. They mash and have a terrific bullpen.
3. Cleveland. Dealing Bauer will hurt, but they're shortly going to get Kluber back. Added some huge bats.
4. Minnesota. I know they're currently ahead of Cleveland, but I think in the end they'll get passed.
5. Tampa Bay. Added some nice pieces to an already tough team. Snell will return soon too. Crap.
6. Boston. When they're clicking on all cylinders, they are as good as anyone. Sadly, they've got several spark plugs missing.
7. Oakland. Ahead of Boston right now, but I just don't think they hang on the rest of the way.
8. LAA. If they get on a run they could be a factor, but not likely.

What I think will happen: I am an optimist, and I think the Sox play near .600 ball the rest of the way and sneak into that last WC slot. If they do that, they will have been playing well and would thus be very dangerous in the playoffs. Of course they could immediately get shut down by a good starting pitcher in that first game so who knows. I think it ends up being:

1. Houston
2. New York
3. Cleveland
WC1. Tampa Bay
WC2. Boston

Minnesota and Oakland falter in September. Boston plays Tampa in the WC game, the winner going to Houston for the Divisional Round.
 

bsj

Renegade Crazed Genius
SoSH Member
Dec 6, 2003
22,774
Central NJ SoSH Chapter
If DD doesn’t believe in this team, why not sell and try to put the team in a better position in 2020 and beyond? Sitting still is just not the right answer.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,369
If DD doesn’t believe in this team, why not sell and try to put the team in a better position in 2020 and beyond? Sitting still is just not the right answer.
Why not? What if every trade possibility would have resulted in the Sox getting fleeced? What if DD thinks that Eovaldi, Cashner, and Hernandez are sufficient reinforcements? Why can't it be the "right" answer?

Honestly, if Chris Sale alone was pitching like he did last year, they'd likely be in the first WC spot and just a few games behind the Yankees right now. Not putting all the blame on Sale, but it just goes to show that they're not far off from being very good.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
Was Boston also on the list? Given all we know about Greinke's mental health, I'm not surprised he doesn't want to pitch for a big market team if he can avoid it.
You mean, like when he pitched for the Dodgers?

And what exactly do you know about the current status of his "mental health"?
 

chrisfont9

Member
SoSH Member
If DD doesn’t believe in this team, why not sell and try to put the team in a better position in 2020 and beyond? Sitting still is just not the right answer.
I'm not sure he either believes or doesn't believe. He believes they can make the playoffs with the people they have but probably doesn't believe they will. Who knows. But in looking at the sell possibilities, you have Porcello and some offensive players (Holt, Pearce, maybe JD) but no pitchers who would bring you back a steal of a deal. All of their desirable bullpen pieces are controllable for a few years, which means they are what the Sox need more of, not less. If you could get two Barnes-level pieces for one actual Barnes, great, but I doubt anyone was offering that. Just lottery tickets for guys we need both now and later. No deal.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,673
Maine
You mean, like when he pitched for the Dodgers?

And what exactly do you know about the current status of his "mental health"?
I think it's less to do with the size of the market and more to do with the intensity of the media in the market. LA might be a large market, but the sports media is a lot less intense and in your face compared to New York or Boston.
 

Sampo Gida

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 7, 2010
5,044
The Yankees not making a move is the big shocker. Red Sox actually gained ground doing nothing with them standing pat. Yankees had a bigger hole to fill IMO. Their offense may carry them during the regular season but that rotation is probably not going to take them far in the playoffs.

Of course, the big winners are the Astros with Greinke. Nothing DD could do about that one though.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
If you buy into that stuff, isn't LA a lot more relaxed/disinterested than Boston?
I think it's less to do with the size of the market and more to do with the intensity of the media in the market. LA might be a large market, but the sports media is a lot less intense and in your face compared to New York or Boston.
I was more off-put by the idea that we "know" about Greinke's mental health. No one on this board knows jack shit about his mental health or where it is now compared to when he acknowledged the issues --- which he did by playing in the hotbed market of Kansas City
 

UncleStinkfinger

New Member
Oct 8, 2015
157
I am a little bit worried with the lack of vote of confidence DD just gave the team, this thing could go off the rails. Odd press conference to say the least. As much credit as he deserves for last year, this thing was probably lost last offseason so I am begrudgingly fine with today.

Maybe Brasier gets straightened out. ugh.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.