Fix 2023 By Trade

[Rovin Romine]

Alright. Many of us hate Bloom. Many of us hate one player or another.

But put all that aside and make a positive suggestion fix this team by a trade (or sign and release.)

I have no strong suggestions here beyond to note that Jose Iglesias is (AFAIK) signed with the Marlins organization for depth. But I don't think he's appeared in any games yet.

My proposal: Duvall to the 60 day. Iggy traded for and given a 2021 Hero T-Shirt. I would give up Durban Feltman for him. Oh wait. Caleb Ort and $500K to grease the way. (More seriously - any lottery ticket prospect might do.)

Why it could work: there's low cost for a moderate defensive upside. But Sox starting pitching might benefit from a sure handed SS for the next few months. Even if there's a zero-bat attached.

***
Second proposal: make a decision re: Justin Turner/Casas/Dalbec.

***
Third proposal: do nothing. Call up Duran and move Hernandez back to SS.

 

[jezza1918]

What about calling up Hamilton to play SS and keeping Hernandez at CF? A few errors to start the year at SS (and now for something new and completely different!), but on flip side has done well at the plate. Of course tiny sample sized apply to both...but from a fan standpoint I'm just kind of over Duran (which may be completely irrational, I know).

 

[chrisfont9]

Do nothing. Wait for guys to settle in and for injured players to come back. There is no value to be had out there apart from panicky "let's have a good next couple weeks" value. You aren't getting a better shortstop than Mondesi, so what are you going to do, pick up a guy to fill SS and then cut the guy you acquire next month?

Patience. It's baseball. It's the one major sport whose season should not be shortened.

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

I'm not being a jerk here, but the reality is trades are rarely made in April. And this team has a ton of problems that Jose Iglesias, by himself, is not going to fix. I guess that trading for him right now would be good, but what happens when Mondesi is ready? And then he'll be even more irrelevant when (if?) Story comes back. He'll be depth, but where do you put him? I'm not saying that you're wrong, they need a shortstop (just like they've needed a shortstop since December).

The issues that were apparent at the beginning of Spring Training (no depth, no starting pitching, no one to replace Bogaerts, no outfield defense) are still here. Even if Bloom is able to see these issues now (instead of pre-February) I doubt that he sees them now -- my guess is that he's working off the Billy Beane axiom (paraphrased) of the first two months you evaluate your team, the second two months you fix your team and the third two months you let your team play.

I know that this is counter to the thread topic, but the Sox are dancing with the person who brought them until further notice. Otherwise once you start peeling this onion, they should be looking for a lot more than just a middle infielder.

 

[WrenHorn]

I would think the easy solution would be to see what Yu Chang can do at either 2b/SS. Kike to CF, call David Hamilton up and let Hamilton get some run as well.

I would like to see Bloom be more aggressive cycling the roster. It's incredibly frustrating how little flexibility there is there. There should be more churn on the bottom.

 

[j44thor]

I don't think they should be looking to fix 23, they should be looking to fix 24/25 when this teams window starts to open.
Stay the course and assuming you are out of contention before the trade deadline just move anyone 30 and over.
This is basically a beer league softball team with good hitting but shoddy pitching and defense, no one trade is going to fix that. They need to get more athletic and will largely do that through the farm and smart acquisitions. One of the most efficient ways to improve the roster is to trade relief pitchers for lottery tickets. I'd hope we trade our glut of 30+ relievers on short term contracts that don't fit the Sox winning window for prospects that do.

 

[TheYellowDart5]

There's nothing they can realistically do now or that shouldn't have been done in the offseason, to say nothing of the fact that what they need isn't more of the same — a guy like Iglesias isn't much of an upgrade at the end of the day — but genuine impact additions: a true top-of-the-rotation arm, a power-hitting outfielder (ideally from the left side), a high-leverage relief arm. Those aren't available now, and I doubt that this team will be willing to pay the price for them if they do become available later.

If it were me, I'd be pressing the Pirates day and night on Bryan Reynolds, though I worry that his cost between prospects and his next contract will be higher than what he's actually worth going forward. But given how there's nothing coming in this winter's free-agent market in terms of hitters, the FO may not have a choice. The way the MLB team has been hollowed out over the last two seasons (and really since Bloom took over) has left them in a very bad spot.

 

[chrisfont9]

I would think the easy solution would be to see what Yu Chang can do at either 2b/SS. Kike to CF, call David Hamilton up and let Hamilton get some run as well.

I would like to see Bloom be more aggressive cycling the roster. It's incredibly frustrating how little flexibility there is there. There should be more churn on the bottom.

All their injuries are up the middle (or SP, but those guys are returning). It's frustrating, especially after last year's nightmare run of bad luck. But the roster has lots of guys. By midseason we could have a really solid D.

 

[chrisfont9]

There's nothing they can realistically do now or that shouldn't have been done in the offseason, to say nothing of the fact that what they need isn't more of the same — a guy like Iglesias isn't much of an upgrade at the end of the day — but genuine impact additions: a true top-of-the-rotation arm, a power-hitting outfielder (ideally from the left side), a high-leverage relief arm. Those aren't available now, and I doubt that this team will be willing to pay the price for them if they do become available later.

If it were me, I'd be pressing the Pirates day and night on Bryan Reynolds, though I worry that his cost between prospects and his next contract will be higher than what he's actually worth going forward. But given how there's nothing coming in this winter's free-agent market in terms of hitters, the FO may not have a choice. The way the MLB team has been hollowed out over the last two seasons (and really since Bloom took over) has left them in a very bad spot.

Yesterday MLBtraderumors did a post about the top free agents next winter. I feel like there is a reason the Sox took a tepid approach to this past offseason. The top four SPs are all superior to Carlos Rodon, the supposed #1 this season. Don't throw huge $ at a 30+ year old guy when you can wait a year, get under the tax, and go all out for Urias and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Guys that age are pretty rarely available. That's real value and impact.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/2023-24-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings.html

 

[nattysez]

The trades they need to be considering are the trades they're going to make with contending teams for our vets at the deadline. Stay the course and hope you can get some good deals for Keeks, Turner, etc. down the road.

In the meantime, they need to figure out a plan for Sale. How many more ineffective starts do you give him before he comes down with a mystery injury and returns from the IL as a reliever "while he gets stretched out?" I'd say three.

 

[snowmanny]

I don't think they should be looking to fix 23, they should be looking to fix 24/25 when this teams window starts to open.
Stay the course and assuming you are out of contention before the trade deadline just move anyone 30 and over.
This is basically a beer league softball team with good hitting but shoddy pitching and defense, no one trade is going to fix that. They need to get more athletic and will largely do that through the farm and smart acquisitions. One of the most efficient ways to improve the roster is to trade relief pitchers for lottery tickets. I'd hope we trade our glut of 30+ relievers on short term contracts that don't fit the Sox winning window for prospects that do.

I totally agree with this. You can't really trade much of actual value because the number one priority is finding a top-end starter for 2024, and you don't want to waste any bullets filling holes on a third or fourth place team.

 

[begranter]

I'm not being a jerk here, but the reality is trades are rarely made in April. And this team has a ton of problems that Jose Iglesias, by himself, is not going to fix. I guess that trading for him right now would be good, but what happens when Mondesi is ready? And then he'll be even more irrelevant when (if?) Story comes back. He'll be depth, but where do you put him? I'm not saying that you're wrong, they need a shortstop (just like they've needed a shortstop since December).

The issues that were apparent at the beginning of Spring Training (no depth, no starting pitching, no one to replace Bogaerts, no outfield defense) are still here. Even if Bloom is able to see these issues now (instead of pre-February) I doubt that he sees them now -- my guess is that he's working off the Billy Beane axiom (paraphrased) of the first two months you evaluate your team, the second two months you fix your team and the third two months you let your team play.

I know that this is counter to the thread topic, but the Sox are dancing with the person who brought them until further notice. Otherwise once you start peeling this onion, they should be looking for a lot more than just a middle infielder.

This is generally how I feel, but if there's a player with some significant upside that may be acquirable right now, it may be Jo Adell. He strikes out way too much and hasn't shown an ability to be impactful in the majors. That said he's a right handed power hitting outfielder tearing it up in AAA (once again). My confidence in his ability to be a MLB regular is low, but that might be why he could potentially be acquirable with a high upside.

 

[Ghost of Todd Benzinger]

Do nothing. Wait for guys to settle in and for injured players to come back. There is no value to be had out there apart from panicky "let's have a good next couple weeks" value. You aren't getting a better shortstop than Mondesi, so what are you going to do, pick up a guy to fill SS and then cut the guy you acquire next month?

Patience. It's baseball. It's the one major sport whose season should not be shortened.

Well said. I think this has to be the approach through April. But let's be honest, our gut feeling is this is a poorly constructed roster doomed to finish under .500 no matter what they do.

 

[canderson]

This roster is unfixable this year. It’s terribly constructed with very limited talent.

They should punt for 24 - it might mean 3 or 4 less total wins but when you’re thus bad it’s irrelevant.

Edit: To expound, we need half a rotation and 3 or 4 better every day players. That's impossible with our limited talent pool.

 

[Ghost of Todd Benzinger]

I'm 90% certain you're right. Though it is remotely possible that we are rushing to judgment based on one bad series against a stacked and ridiculously hot team.

I think Bloom envisions a nucleus in two years of Bleis, Rafaela and Verdugo in the outfield. Devers, Mayer, Story and Casas in the IF, Yoshida at DH and Hickey (a criminally underrated prospect) catching. Whitlock, Bello and Mata heading the rotation. That could be an exciting club.

 

[simplicio]

If it were me, I'd be pressing the Pirates day and night on Bryan Reynolds, though I worry that his cost between prospects and his next contract will be higher than what he's actually worth going forward. But given how there's nothing coming in this winter's free-agent market in terms of hitters, the FO may not have a choice. The way the MLB team has been hollowed out over the last two seasons (and really since Bloom took over) has left them in a very bad spot.

The Pirates asks for Reynolds this winter were reportedly insane, if I remember correctly.

Heyman quote

"The belief is that the Pirates seek at least three to four top prospects (the Nationals got five for Soto). From the Yankees, who would be interested, that would likely mean multiple players from the top group that includes Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez."

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I think the Red Sox are going to be challenged to pull off any deals for impact players because they just don’t have expendable high end pitching that a team like the Pirates would be looking for. Trading Bello and Bleis for Reynolds, for example, doesn’t make much sense in the near or long term.

 

[chawson]

Do nothing. Wait for guys to settle in and for injured players to come back. There is no value to be had out there apart from panicky "let's have a good next couple weeks" value. You aren't getting a better shortstop than Mondesi, so what are you going to do, pick up a guy to fill SS and then cut the guy you acquire next month?

Patience. It's baseball. It's the one major sport whose season should not be shortened.

I think this actually might be the move, if there is a player that fits the bill. Put Duvall on the 60-day IL, grab another SS, a sure-handed one, from outside the organization that you'd be fine with DFA-ing when Mondesi gets back.

Is Jonathan Villar a bad person or something? I'm not sure why he didn't (appear to) get even a minor league deal this year. Andrelton Simmons could work too. Put Kiké back in CF and play Chang/SSTBA at short until Mondesi is ready.

I'm all for trading Pivetta or Houck for a shortstop, but I think that ship has sailed. You want to leave at least a sliver of a lane open for Mondesi to break out.

But also yes, patience. Many, many good teams were 5-7 on April 13th.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I'm 90% certain you're right. Though it is remotely possible that we are rushing to judgment based on one bad series against a stacked and ridiculously hot team.

Remotely possible? No, it's 100% rushing to judgment based on one series against a good team while dealing with some unfortunate injury timing (not just Duvall but also Yoshida).

5-7 through 12 games is just about on pace with most expectations and projections (~76-80 wins). In a 162 game season, 3 games (or even 12) is a useless sample size to make broad decisions about anything.

 

[54thMA]

I'm 90% certain you're right. Though it is remotely possible that we are rushing to judgment based on one bad series against a stacked and ridiculously hot team.

I think Bloom envisions a nucleus in two years of Bleis, Rafaela and Verdugo in the outfield. Devers, Mayer, Story and Casas in the IF, Yoshida at DH and Hickey (a criminally underrated prospect) catching. Whitlock, Bello and Mata heading the rotation. That could be an exciting club.

How about rushing to judgement after getting swept by the PirAAAtes then?

Bloom is not going to last two years.

He might get canned before the end of this season the way things are going.

I'm all on on what @canderson said, he's not known as Mr Brightside for nothing.

 

[YTF]

If you want to kick the tires on Iglesias, have at it, but I'm not really sure how much better he makes the team as it's currently constructed. IMHO there's no trade of impact that's worth the cost of making right now. MAYBE the pitching will improve, we haven't much choice but to wait and see. Same goes for the offense, which has been inconsistent since losing Duvall, but in the mean time Cora's got to put his best defensive team on the field. Chang at SS and Kike' in center or Kike' at SS and RFsnyder/Tapia in center is better than any scenario that includes Dalbec as a middle infielder.

 

[Toe Nash]

Duvall and Sale would have been nice trades to contenders if they had stayed healthy / showed anything. Maybe Sale will get there. Jansen.

You can't fix 2023; they should probably be trading vets for prospects and trying to get a higher draft pick next year or get into the lottery. But, for lots of reasons those trades won't materialize until later on so you see where you are at then (I am obviously bearish but hope springs eternal).

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

You can't fix 2023; they should probably be trading vets for prospects and trying to get a higher draft pick next year or get into the lottery. But, for lots of reasons those trades won't materialize until later on so you see where you are at then (I am obviously bearish but hope springs eternal).

Do you trust this FO to get the prospects needed to contend in the next few years? I don't trust the minor league scouting department or the group of individuals who sift through their reports to make the correct choices.

 

[Toe Nash]

Do you trust this FO to get the prospects needed to contend in the next few years? I don't trust the minor league scouting department or the group of individuals who sift through their reports to make the correct choices.

No, not at all. I would start over entirely.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

I am increasingly convinced that there is one specific trade for one specific player they should make... but it's a bit too early to get into that. For starters, I've never heard this dude's name in a trade rumor. I'll post here again in June - or not, depending on how each team is doing.

 

[GB5]

Until their starting pitching shows any signs of life there should be absolutely no consideration of adding to the rest of the roster. Brian Reynolds is not going to fix the fact that Sale is throwing meatball sliders, Kluber is getting tattoed., Pivetta is just another guy, Whitlock should be in the bullpen,..with Houck.

 

[amfox1]

Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.
Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.
Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.

 

[mikeford]

I'm 90% certain you're right. Though it is remotely possible that we are rushing to judgment based on one bad series against a stacked and ridiculously hot team.

I think Bloom envisions a nucleus in two years of Bleis, Rafaela and Verdugo in the outfield. Devers, Mayer, Story and Casas in the IF, Yoshida at DH and Hickey (a criminally underrated prospect) catching. Whitlock, Bello and Mata heading the rotation. That could be an exciting club.

that team wins 75 games.

 

[moondog80]

What about calling up Hamilton to play SS and keeping Hernandez at CF? A few errors to start the year at SS (and now for something new and completely different!), but on flip side has done well at the plate. Of course tiny sample sized apply to both...but from a fan standpoint I'm just kind of over Duran (which may be completely irrational, I know).

According to soxprospects, Hamilton projects as below average at SS, doesn't have the arm. Which begs the question of why he's been playing there if that's the case instead of getting reps in CF. Can you develop an arm for SS? Maybe the Sox have a different assessment?

 

[jon abbey]

I am increasingly convinced that there is one specific trade for one specific player they should make... but it's a bit too early to get into that. For starters, I've never heard this dude's name in a trade rumor. I'll post here again in June - or not, depending on how each team is doing.

Really curious about this, just FYI.

 

[LogansDad]

I am increasingly convinced that there is one specific trade for one specific player they should make... but it's a bit too early to get into that. For starters, I've never heard this dude's name in a trade rumor. I'll post here again in June - or not, depending on how each team is doing.

Unless his name is Masyn Winn, I don't want to hear it, LOL

 

[mr_smith02]

It was pretty much stated up thread, but why would this organization make any significant changes when the cash keeps pouring in from the fans?

Games at Fenway Park have turned into social events where random music plays throughout the game no matter the circumstances on the field, while a larger percentage of people in the seats care more about socializing than the results on the field.

If I am a Sox owner where is the motivation to shell out more than they already have?

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

This roster is unfixable this year. It’s terribly constructed with very limited talent.

They should punt for 24 - it might mean 3 or 4 less total wins but when you’re thus bad it’s irrelevant.

Edit: To expound, we need half a rotation and 3 or 4 better every day players. That's impossible with our limited talent pool.

They should trade one asset for a couple of AAAA players but make sure to stay above the luxury tax threshold.

 

[Remagellan]

The only trade needed is the Chicken Littles in this community need to trade their panic for some patience. It's a long season---and it's not over just because the Sox ran into a buzzsaw of a team in the midst of a historic start. Can we at least wait until the team has gotten through the first month of play before declaring the season a disaster?

 

[eno2259]

The only trade needed is the Chicken Littles in this community need to trade their panic for some patience. It's a long season---and it's not over just because the Sox ran into a buzzsaw of a team in the midst of a historic start. Can we at least wait until the team has gotten through the first month of play before declaring the season a disaster?

It isn't a case of Chicken Littles (except in the case of any of the commenters who bought in the delusion of optimism prior to the season).

This is a very poor team. They cannot pitch and they cannot field. They have numerous blackholes on the roster and the bench is probably the worst I have seen in nearly fifty years watching this team.

The season is not a disaster, it the expected product delivering expected results.

 

[BigSoxFan]

It isn't a case of Chicken Littles (except in the case of any of the commenters who bought in the delusion of optimism prior to the season).

This is a very poor team. They cannot pitch and they cannot field. They have numerous blackholes on the roster and the bench is probably the worst I have seen in nearly fifty years watching this team.

The season is not a disaster, it the expected product delivering expected results.

Yes, I don’t get the chicken little stuff. The burden of proof is on Chaim, not the posters who have a negative opinion of this team based on pretty objective analysis of the roster’s talent and who correctly analyzed this team last year and so far this year.

Chris Sale has averaged 4 IP per start and has looked pretty awful doing it. Kluber looks like he’s teeing up on 17. Pivetta has looked solid so far but hasn’t gotten into the 6th inning in either start. Whitlock just gave up 5 ER in 5 IP and hasn’t been an effective SP for months. Houck has had 2 solid starts but, like Pivetta, has been a 5 IP SP. Bello is hopefully coming back in a few days and represents the only SP who this team can really dream on unless you think Houck/Whitlock are going to remain in that role and will unlock potential that allows them to go deeper in games. This team’s starting rotation just doesn’t have it if this is the Sale we’re going to get going forward.

The bullpen is improved but is going to wear out due to the aforementioned SP issues. But they’re the least of my worries.

As for the offense? Yuck. They have one elite player in Devers. Casas is hitting .143. Turner might be showing his age although he at least should be able to get on base. Verdugo and Yoshida won’t offer much in the power department. Kike has never been a very good hitter outside of that insane postseason run and looks pretty damn bad at the plate. Story and Mondesi aren’t coming back any time soon and who knows what we’ll get from them when they do. Mondesi hasn’t had an OBP over .300 since 2018. The rest of the hitters aren’t even worth talking about.

But, ok, this is MLB and maybe some impactful prospects will come up except…there aren’t any. Rafaela is in AA and scuffling so far. His plate discipline isn’t good and may never be good. He’d help defensively but that’s about it. There isn’t anyone else who is even remotely close to helping. The most exciting prospects are in A+/A ball, respectively, so we’re looking at 2025 arrivals, at the earliest for them.

I will never fault anyone for seeing the positives in this situation but I am, quite frankly, unable to see many. I just don’t see enough of a cavalry coming to be able to dig this team out of what could be a pretty sizable hole. Chaim has really failed this team. I had high hopes for him but he just hasn’t delivered an exciting product at all.

 

[pedro1999mvp]

This is generally how I feel, but if there's a player with some significant upside that may be acquirable right now, it may be Jo Adell. He strikes out way too much and hasn't shown an ability to be impactful in the majors. That said he's a right handed power hitting outfielder tearing it up in AAA (once again). My confidence in his ability to be a MLB regular is low, but that might be why he could potentially be acquirable with a high upside.

This is a great idea! The Angels have a lot of OF depth with Ward, Trout and Renfroe starting and Ohtani occupying the DH spot. Sometimes AAA sluggers struggle in their 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd exposure to MLB. For some, it never clicks, but for others, it can click and all that talent comes trough. Look at Kelenic for Seattle. He sucked for 2 straight call ups, but they never gave up on him. Now he looks like a future stud. He's raking this year. Trade for Adell, give him an opportunity, and maybe he will have a Kelenic-like breakthrough. It sure beat giving at bats to old, journeymen OF who aren't part of the team's future.

 

[Eastchop]

It was pretty much stated up thread, but why would this organization make any significant changes when the cash keeps pouring in from the fans?

Games at Fenway Park have turned into social events where random music plays throughout the game no matter the circumstances on the field, while a larger percentage of people in the seats care more about socializing than the results on the field.

If I am a Sox owner where is the motivation to shell out more than they already have?

Maybe I missed it, but is anyone making this argument?

“Fan interest” might be difficult to gauge with publicly available data, but based on what I’ve read attendance is down. Subtracting 2020 and 2021, 2022 average attendance was the lowest it’s been since approx 2002 (32,409 and 32,412 respectively. 2023 so far average is 29,114 with obvious huge SSS/April caveat. It’d be interesting to see what happens to NESN subscriptions the Bs are done.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Really curious about this, just FYI.

Unless his name is Masyn Winn, I don't want to hear it, LOL

He’s injured now, so I think it’s moot regardless, so I’ll reveal: it was Tim Anderson. I had a whole thing prepared and everything.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Anderson is interesting, but won’t it take a Xander type of contract? If the team wasn’t willing to re-up their own guy, not sure why they’d do it for Anderson.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Anderson is interesting, but won’t it take a Xander type of contract? If the team wasn’t willing to re-up their own guy, not sure why they’d do it for Anderson.

It would take no contract beyond his existing one, since we are talking trades. I wouldn’t re-sign or extend him, since his current deal fits Mayer’s timeline pretty nicely.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

It would take no contract beyond his existing one, since we are talking trades.

Ok, gotcha. I see that he’s got a team option for next year at $14M so it would be a perfect potential bridge to Mayer. Imagine the cost would be high.

 

[jwbasham84]

I'm guessing the cost starts with a guy name Mayer... which then makes the whole trade nonsensical..

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

I'm guessing the cost starts with a guy name Mayer... which then makes the whole trade nonsensical..

BTV is warped, but they say Houck and Rafaela get it done. I actually think you could make it happen for something centered around Nick Yorke, which I wouldn’t be too upset about. The White Sox system is not good right now.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I think it’s really challenging for the Sox to pull off an impact trade because they are really counting on all their prospects to contribute. Like, if they had a stud prospect at LF or 3B they could probably move those guys since they are locked up there for a while. But to move a potential SP and CF for 1-2 years of a SS just creates two holes while filling one. Now, if they don’t think much of the guys they are trading, that’s one thing.

 

[sezwho]

I think it’s really challenging for the Sox to pull off an impact trade because they are really counting on all their prospects to contribute. Like, if they had a stud prospect at LF or 3B they could probably move those guys since they are locked up there for a while. But to move a potential SP and CF for 1-2 years of a SS just creates two holes while filling one. Now, if they don’t think much of the guys they are trading, that’s one thing.

I agree they are boxed in by not being able to trade prospects, or spend money to buy them, so we'll ultimately ride it out. That said, I was hoping last year's JBJ trade would be prelude to more flexing $ to buy prospects. It seemed innovative but when JBJ ended up the every day fielder it wasn't awesome. I'm not aware of them doing it again, but they should.

I *think* this is the right thread for this question: hypothetically (as reality bytes at moment) what kind of $ could Henry throw into the kitty that would make a difference for acquisition?

Given we are 'punchers chancers' in a brutal AL East, I would like to see Bloom turn solely to acquiring a difference maker with some term. Yes, I'm sure they are, but I'm suggesting they evolve/adapt the approach. I do not accept building a team from 1yr deals is somehow paving a decent path: its not like anyone is blocked any time soon and you end up choosing from players willing to accept 1 year deals for a reason. Casas is here for the duration, Mayer is close-ish, then maybe Rafaela and Yorke (added sox prospects link for most informed prospect list)? Aside from Mayer, none seem like reasons to avoid getting whatever talent we could get at whatever position we can.

We aren't trading from the farm, so if Henry wants to throw Bloom a lifeline and he got a $5/10/25 million one time bump, could he staple that to someone decent and get something to build around for at least 2-3 years? I was thinking Jansen for one of the outfielders bandied about as a strawman, but could be anyone. Yes, there would be a corresponding asset cost for exceeding tax again

Could we get more concrete about adding money to win the talent side of a trade?

 

[Green Monster]

Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.
Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.
Don't go over the luxury tax threshold.

What if they just go over by a little bit?

 

[Ghost of Todd Benzinger]

According to soxprospects, Hamilton projects as below average at SS, doesn't have the arm. Which begs the question of why he's been playing there if that's the case instead of getting reps in CF. Can you develop an arm for SS? Maybe the Sox have a different assessment?

They must. I read that same scouting report. I also read one other that grades him out as quite a bit better on defense. I find it hard to believe he could be any worse than Dalbec there.

 

[moondog80]

They must. I read that same scouting report. I also read one other that grades him out as quite a bit better on defense. I find it hard to believe he could be any worse than Dalbec there.

They didn't call up Dalbec with the idea of playing SS. Yoshida and Arroyo being unavailable for a day forced their hand unexpectedly. Outside of another similar circumstance, I'd be surprised if he started another game there.

 

[grepal]

I would think the easy solution would be to see what Yu Chang can do at either 2b/SS. Kike to CF, call David Hamilton up and let Hamilton get some run as well.

I would like to see Bloom be more aggressive cycling the roster. It's incredibly frustrating how little flexibility there is there. There should be more churn on the bottom.

We know Hamilton can swipe bags, how does his defense play. He seems to be off to a better start than higher rated prospects but too sss. Alarming to me that Casas did not hit in September or this April. Is he Bibby D with less K's?