Fix This Team: A Speculative Alternative to the Roster Shakeup Thread

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

It's an interesting idea, since Kelly's experience in college was as a closer. However, Kelly's velocity (noted by Snod) provides tremendous upside as a starting pitcher.
 
Furthermore, he's only been a starting pitcher since 2010. He was never a starter in college or high school; he has started, literally, 122 games in his life (minor league + major league). Chris archer, his closest comp according to Bref, has been a starter since high school and has pitched 225 games over his minor/major league career, and didn't start contributing until after ~160. Kelly's lack of command may simply be driven by a lack of starting.

In other words, Kelly may be a late bloomer who just needs to start more at the MLB level to develop because he has a weird history. The upside of a Kelly with decent command far outweighs what he could contribute as a reliever.

I'm with this^.  Exactly.  We fans and Sox management give up on players far too quickly and then see them turn a corner on another team (Reddick!!!).  Kelly's stuff is far too good, and he's got a good head on his shoulders.  He needs exposure and experience and faith from Ben and Co.  I'm not sure if this season was scripted as a bridge season or not, but I think it's worth sticking with Kelly and Miley as starters to get them a long view at least to know where we should play them next season.  Looking a full season at Clay to know if his options should be picked up... to know if Boegarts can be our long term solution at SS.  Whether JBJ can be a F/T corner outfielder.  Whether Swihart can make adjustments, etc.... 
Despite all this, I still think this team will come together and be in contention throughout the season and could make the playoffs.  

 

[NDame616]

I'm with this^.  Exactly.  We fans and Sox management give up on players far too quickly and then see them turn a corner on another team (Reddick!!!).  Kelly's stuff is far too good, and he's got a good head on his shoulders.  He needs exposure and experience and faith from Ben and Co.  I'm not sure if this season was scripted as a bridge season or not, but I think it's worth sticking with Kelly and Miley as starters to get them a long view at least to know where we should play them next season.  Looking a full season at Clay to know if his options should be picked up... to know if Boegarts can be our long term solution at SS.  Whether JBJ can be a F/T corner outfielder.  Whether Swihart can make adjustments, etc.... 
Despite all this, I still think this team will come together and be in contention throughout the season and could make the playoffs.  

 
You haven't seen him the past 2 years, have you?

 

[EricFeczko]

 
You haven't seen him the past 2 years, have you?

You mean the hitter with a 117 wRC+ in 2014, and a .264/.314/.446 slash line?

He was certainly below average in 2013 (92 wRC+ and a .226/.307/.379 slash line). However, he's been hurt the past couple of seasons, which may explain his problems hitting. 2013 was his only below average year hitting wise.

Out of curiosity, you haven't seen him in 2015 (over the past 118 PA) have you?
 

 

[GaryPeters71]

Jon Heyman throwing crap against the wall again:
 
Inside Baseball: Tulo needs to go and here are the options; Plus MLB news
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25186170/inside-baseball-tulo-needs-to-go-and-here-are-the-options-plus-mlb-news
 
And the first big thing they (The Colorado Rockies) have to do is to trade Tulo.
 
The next question is: Where? Here is a rundown of the logical landing spots:
 
1. Nationals: GM Mike Rizzo has at different times made it clear to Colorado that they'd want to be involved if Tulowitzki talk really got serious, and Nats starter Ian Desmond is months from free agency. Washington likely wouldn't want to part with top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito, but they also have A.J. Cole, Reynaldo Lopez, Erick Fedde and Joe Ross. They are also known for pulling surprises.
 
2. Red Sox: The lineup isn't the problem, and if they do trade top kids, you'd have to think it would be for starting pitching. But they've talked to the Rockies about Tulowitzki in the past, and their current shortstop Xander Bogaerts would be a nice start toward a reasonable package. They also have young pitching in Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brian Johnson.
 
3. Yankees: The Yankees had some interest this winter, but the conversation apparently was very brief. They are not short of prospects now, with young pitcher Luis Severino, powerful slugger Aaron Judge and others, they haven't convincingly replaced the iconic Derek Jeter yet (Didi Gregorius hasn't hit to this point) and Tulo would love to man the spot where his idol Jeter played for 20 years.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Shocking...three high payroll teams outside of the Rockies' division are his "logical" landing spots.  When was the last time a high ticket veteran was on the trade block and the Sox were ever actually involved, let alone the team to make the deal? Gonzalez?  Despite "logic" (by which I mean Heyman logic) saying otherwise, the Red Sox actually seem rather averse to taking on someone else's big "problem" contract even when it seems like a good fit.
 
Their M.O. dating back to the beginning of the Henry regime seems to be more of an acquire a player on the verge of getting expensive and extend them after the fact.  Gonzalez was a trade and extend.  Beckett was a trade and extend.  Schilling (while already expensive) was a trade and extend.  Even add Porcello (and Miley) to that list.  The closest they've come to taking on someone else's monster contract was A-Rod.  Even taking on Allen Craig's rather modest extended commitment seems a little out of the ordinary for this team.
 
This is why I'm always reticent to buy into the idea of the Red Sox being "in" on the latest hot ticket item, whether it's Tulo, Hamels, Stanton, or whomever.

 

[chrisfont9]

 
Jon Heyman throwing crap against the wall again:
 
Inside Baseball: Tulo needs to go and here are the options; Plus MLB news
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25186170/inside-baseball-tulo-needs-to-go-and-here-are-the-options-plus-mlb-news
 
 
 
2. Red Sox: The lineup isn't the problem, and if they do trade top kids, you'd have to think it would be for starting pitching. But they've talked to the Rockies about Tulowitzki in the past, and their current shortstop Xander Bogaerts would be a nice start toward a reasonable package. They also have young pitching in Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brian Johnson.
 

Wow is that ever some lazy speculation right there. So Heyman.
 
Xander's floor is probably last season when he was worth less than a win, while Tulo was worth four. But Tulo also hasn't topped 126 games since 2011, costs $20 mil (most years) thru 2020, and can't be counted on to be a strong defender going forward.

 

[jimbobim]

Wow is that ever some lazy speculation right there. So Heyman.
 
Xander's floor is probably last season when he was worth less than a win, while Tulo was worth four. But Tulo also hasn't topped 126 games since 2011, costs $20 mil (most years) thru 2020, and can't be counted on to be a strong defender going forward.

I saw this speculation from Heyman. I sat back and said I'm not as opposed to trading X for an all star as I thought I would be. However, my all star pie in the sky hope/ trade bombshell would be Lucroy from Milwaukee. That and or pitching of course. 

 

[chrisfont9]

I saw this speculation from Heyman. I sat back and said I'm not as opposed to trading X for an all star as I thought I would be. However, my all star pie in the sky hope/ trade bombshell would be Lucroy from Milwaukee. That and or pitching of course. 

Well it's the multimillion dollar question. He's eight years younger than Tulo. I guess, though, that burning he pre-arb years so soon and on minimal return does mean that Xander might be a more appetizing guy on his first FA deal than normal, and in the process be less appetizing as a pre-FA player than guys like Ellsbury who mostly peak while under team control.

 

[Rasputin]

I'm still not trading Bogaerts for anyone who is being traded.
 
Deven Marrero on the other hand, is starting to hit. He's had the same profile at a couple stops where he really struggled at the plate for a while then put up some halfways decent numbers. If his recent performance continues, he might end up being worth much more as a trade chip than as the utility guy I thought be was going to be. If he does continue to hit--and that's a pretty big if--a trade package that starts with Owens and Marrero might be pretty attractive to a team that was looking at a short down cycle.
 
Other than reshuffling the bullpen a little, and the catcher situation, the only real change is right field and Castillo isn't ready to push Vic out so we just have to wait.
 
I'm not good at waiting.

 

[jon abbey]

I said it in the Tulo trade thread, but I highly doubt he is going anywhere, as his actual value (including his contract, health, age, etc.) is a lot less than COL and their fans will expect to get for him. 

 

[chrisfont9]

I'm still not trading Bogaerts for anyone who is being traded.
 
Deven Marrero on the other hand, is starting to hit. He's had the same profile at a couple stops where he really struggled at the plate for a while then put up some halfways decent numbers. If his recent performance continues, he might end up being worth much more as a trade chip than as the utility guy I thought be was going to be. If he does continue to hit--and that's a pretty big if--a trade package that starts with Owens and Marrero might be pretty attractive to a team that was looking at a short down cycle.
 
Other than reshuffling the bullpen a little, and the catcher situation, the only real change is right field and Castillo isn't ready to push Vic out so we just have to wait.
 
I'm not good at waiting.

Of course, Marrero's track record and pedigree will likely make the Sox think, gee, if he comes up and starts hitting major league sliders before Xander does, we need to re-think who our trade chips are...

 

[mikeford]

I said it in the Tulo trade thread, but I highly doubt he is going anywhere, as his actual value (including his contract, health, age, etc.) is a lot less than COL and their fans will expect to get for him. 

The contract is the real sticker there. He gets a full NTC if he gets traded. 

 

[Rasputin]

Of course, Marrero's track record and pedigree will likely make the Sox think, gee, if he comes up and starts hitting major league sliders before Xander does, we need to re-think who our trade chips are...

 
No, I don't think that's remotely likely.

 

[chrisfont9]

 
No, I don't think that's remotely likely.

Not in 2015. I meant in the future, e.g. 2016 or 2017. At some point if one is hitting and the other isn't, there's an issue.

 

[grimshaw]

Castillo with a 3 run bomb and double so far tonight.  Good to see him getting his swing going.
Now do it for another week to ten days and force the issue.

 

[chrisfont9]

Castillo with a 3 run bomb and double so far tonight.  Good to see him getting his swing going.
Now do it for another week to ten days and force the issue.

You think it'll take that long? I'd guess we could see him in Boston next week if they think he's fine. They were quick to reinsert him in spring training, for what it's worth.

 

[Rasputin]

Not in 2015. I meant in the future, e.g. 2016 or 2017. At some point if one is hitting and the other isn't, there's an issue.

I don't think there's much chance of that either.

I think if Marrero hits, there's almost no way he's here past the deadline in '16 so they'd have to conclude that Xander's not going to hit very soon.

 

[grimshaw]

You think it'll take that long? I'd guess we could see him in Boston next week if they think he's fine. They were quick to reinsert him in spring training, for what it's worth.

I hope not, but if Vic keeps hitting there really isn't a full time job for him yet.

 

[Stan Papi Was Framed]

I hope not, but if Vic keeps hitting there really isn't a full time job for him yet.

true, but seems like he could get his share of AB in a rotation (e.g. in RF against RHB, maybe playing some LF against lefties with Hanley DHing)

 

[Rasputin]

true, but seems like he could get his share of AB in a rotation (e.g. in RF against RHB, maybe playing some LF against lefties with Hanley DHing)

 
I think a rotation would be excellent for the talent we have. I have precisely zero confidence that they will implement one.

 

[MikeM]

I said it in the Tulo trade thread, but I highly doubt he is going anywhere, as his actual value (including his contract, health, age, etc.) is a lot less than COL and their fans will expect to get for him. 

 
So basically if/when the trade goes down it's another Nomar'like scenario. A whole lot of "that's all we got?", even if the supporting logic for Colorado behind that all we got actually makes a lot of sense for them. 
 
Personally I'd trade Xander tomorrow without hesitation for a more proven MLB piece that warranted it. But that's much more along the lines of a Josh Donaldson, not a guy who's recent track record and 6 year contract leaves me seriously questioning whether i'd even take him for free. 

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Their M.O. dating back to the beginning of the Henry regime seems to be more of an acquire a player on the verge of getting expensive and extend them after the fact.  Gonzalez was a trade and extend.  Beckett was a trade and extend.  Schilling (while already expensive) was a trade and extend.  Even add Porcello (and Miley) to that list.  The closest they've come to taking on someone else's monster contract was A-Rod.  Even taking on Allen Craig's rather modest extended commitment seems a little out of the ordinary for this team.
 
This is why I'm always reticent to buy into the idea of the Red Sox being "in" on the latest hot ticket item, whether it's Tulo, Hamels, Stanton, or whomever.

Didn't Stanton fit that M.O. to a T? That was pretty much why a lot of people always had the Sox in on him. He was a budding superstar that was about to get very expensive for a cheap organization and the Sox (among others) had a penchant for acquiring those guys.

 

[CSteinhardt]

Look, the major problems with this team aren't going to get fixed in a big trade.  Because of their age and contracts, Porcello, Miley, and Kelly aren't going anywhere.  If they continue to be lousy pitchers, this team isn't going anywhere.  We're not one starter away from a dominant rotation.  Similarly, the guys expected to carry the offense haven't been able to, and the team isn't one impact bat away.  It wouldn't make sense to trade a lot of assets unless the underlying problems get fixed.  And they might well get fixed -- there's a pretty good suggestion from peripherals that this is a better team than it's shown so far, and if so, these problems will go away.  The rotation has been better the last time through, for example. 
 
If I were Ben, there are two things I'd look at doing soon at this point:
 
1) Upgrade the bench.  Our pitchers are hitting a collective .250.  The nine Sox with fewer than 85 PA are hitting .222, .212, .179, .161, .160, .135, .000, .000, and .000.  At this rate, it's possible that our bench could somehow contrive to cost us five wins against replacement this season, as ludicrous as that sounds.  This doesn't require trading top prospects, but rather a combination of promoting from within (Castillo) and being aggressive about acquiring older players from other organizations blocked in AAA.  
 
2) Find out what we have in our AAA.  Giving the Masterson slot to Wright makes sense.  If he isn't effective, next man up, but be willing to find out whether Rodriguez, Johnson, or Owens is ready, and don't worry too much about the 40-man spots because it's clear that other organizations aren't exactly desperate to acquire players from the end of our bench.
 
And beyond that, don't panic, and let's see where this team is in another few weeks.   This team isn't going to get ten new players, and it doesn't help to acquire three players if we're not three pieces away.  I still think this is a 90-95 win team when all is said and done, but I wouldn't invest heavily in it until there's a bit more evidence.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Look, the major problems with this team aren't going to get fixed in a big trade.  Because of their age and contracts, Porcello, Miley, and Kelly aren't going anywhere.  If they continue to be lousy pitchers, this team isn't going anywhere.  

 
Since Willis' arrival, those three guys have combined for a 2.27 ERA in 5 starts and 31+ innings (In Porcello's case, the improvement goes back further; he has a 2.41 ERA and >5:1 K/BB for the month of May.)
 
It's a bit too soon to declare the rotation cured, but they can't "continue to be lousy pitchers" at this point; they'd have to relapse into being lousy pitchers.

 

[Bernie Carbohydrate]

 

[Toe Nash]

Hanley is currently the worst fielder, or very close, in the league. Do we think he's going to become adequate out there? The Sox obviously do, but I doubt they thought he would be this bad.
 
Additionally, he has a .548 OPS since he hurt his shoulder with very little power, and says it still bothers him, so maybe he needs a rest.
 
Not sure what can be done longer-term without an injury elsewhere or an Ortiz retirement, but it's bothersome.

 

[grimshaw]

Hanley is currently the worst fielder, or very close, in the league. Do we think he's going to become adequate out there? The Sox obviously do, but I doubt they thought he would be this bad.
 
Additionally, he has a .548 OPS since he hurt his shoulder with very little power, and says it still bothers him, so maybe he needs a rest.
 
Not sure what can be done longer-term without an injury elsewhere or an Ortiz retirement, but it's bothersome.

 
He's a complete nitwit on the bases too.  He should have been out on that hustle double, and that time early in the year where he ran through the stop sign.  Aggressiveness is fine, but I don't trust his judgment.
 
This could be one of those rare, better on the back end contracts due to positional change.  Not quite the same, but Youk was just average at 3rd, and then moved to first and became studly.  I'm hoping that eventually an easier position, will save both wear and tear and limit mental errors based on not knowing where to throw the ball, not internalizing different situations, when to charge etc.
 
It's mostly the flyball and lack of range part of the position that is killing Hanley, which Youkilis also had a lot of trouble with.  He's always been able to field sharp grounders and catch pop ups.  His arm has diminished in accuracy and strength the past few years, so that takes away another shortcoming.  The unknown is his ability to scoop, and distracting runners at 1st with witty banter.
 
He could be A-Rod at first or he could be Brian Daubach.

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

Additionally, he has a .548 OPS since he hurt his shoulder with very little power, and says it still bothers him, so maybe he needs a rest.

Did you watch the game yesterday?  He absolutely SMOKED three balls right at defenders.  Two would have been hits if the 2B wasn't playing right next to the bag (and we would have tied the game in the 9th).  Looks like he's getting past his shoulder problem (eye test, perhaps someone can look up the batted ball MPH from yesterday).

 

[tims4wins]

I think the line out was 109 MPH

 

[Toe Nash]

I did not watch. That's great if he looks to be breaking out of it. Maybe he should have had a longer rest as I cautioned at the time.
 
I'm not worried about his offense longer-term, but I'm worried he doesn't look much better in left as he did early on.

 

[grimshaw]

He just missed out on the manager gig.  He's not the most popular guy out there, but he gets shit done.
BC needs to get permission from the Crows to land this guy:

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

[SIZE=12pt]I’ve been trying to figure out if the Red Sox should target a pitcher or hitter on the trade market.  [/SIZE]Their starting staff should improve as the season goes on:
 
[SIZE=12pt]Kelly BB/K per nine 3.67/7.90 FIP/xFIP 4.50/3.99[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Miley BB/K per nine 3.33 /5.49 FIP/xFIP 3.73/4.76[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Buchholz BB/K per nine 2.40/9.28 FIP/xFIP  [/SIZE]3.08/3.17
[SIZE=12pt]Porcello BB/K per nine 2.61/7.26 FIP/xFIP 4.82/4.19[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=12pt]While the Red Sox have quality starters, there is too much mediocrity, and they lack a high end starter.  [/SIZE]If the Red Sox can acquire a high end starter, Kelly could go to the bullpen to see if he can develop into a shutdown reliever.  On the other hand, they could offer Kelly or Miley as part of a trade package for a better starting pitcher.
 
[SIZE=12pt]I don’t see how the Red Sox can upgrade the offense unless they go after a catcher like Vogt, but he will be an expensive acquisition and isn’t needed long term.  [/SIZE]There is no room for an acquisition at 1b, 2b, 3b, LF, DH.  Bogaerts (OPS+ 89) and Betts (OPS+ 92) are producing at a below league average level (without taking position into account) but how many available shortstops and centerfielders are going to upgrade the offense and produce better than Bogaerts and Betts?  Very few, and the ones who are available are going to have various negatives associated with them, e.g, Troy Tulowitzki, who isn’t having a very good season.  The Red Sox are probably better off keeping Bogaerts and Betts in the lineup and hope that they soon begin producing at a league average level at least (unfortunately, Marrero isn’t hitting in AAA).
 
[SIZE=12pt]That leaves RF--if the Red Sox are comfortable sending down Castillo and have him finish out the season at AAA (he looks terrible at the plate) they could upgrade this position.    [/SIZE]But the Red Sox invested a lot of money in Castillo and might not be ready to admit they made a mistake.  Moreover, they might legitimately believe that Castillo will start producing once he gets more experience against major league pitching.
 
[SIZE=12pt]With the possible exception of RF, I think the Red Sox should let the offense work out its issues and hope to see a turnaround.  [/SIZE]Meanwhile, they should look to improve on the mediocrity in the starting staff.

 

[jasail]

Acquiring a pitcher or a positional player in an attempt to improve this team is equivalent to arraigning deck chairs on the Titanic. The only way this team improves to a point where we can start talking about fixing some of the roster issues is if they start playing to their capabilities. A team this talented should not be this bad.. One player slumping is expected over the course of a season, an entire team slumping is symptomatic of something more serious. Considering that, the only reasons I can think of that they are under-performing at this level is preparation. Whether it's a matter of individual focus or advanced scouting this team is not prepared to play competitive baseball night in and night out. 
 
IMO, this brings up the manager. Sure his impact on any given game is fairly limited, but he is the head individual responsible for building a club house culture of preparedness. I think we can all agree he's not a great Xs and Os manager to begin with, so the case for keeping him has to be preparation and execution. This team does not seem prepared and able to execute and unless this turns around fast we're looking at 2 straight years of underachieving sub-500 baseball. While axing him may not improve the team for this season, it likely won't further hinder it either and it may be the best move going forward.

 

[absintheofmalaise]

I did not watch. That's great if he looks to be breaking out of it. Maybe he should have had a longer rest as I cautioned at the time.
 
I'm not worried about his offense longer-term, but I'm worried he doesn't look much better in left as he did early on.

I'm sure he could have used another couple of days, but one reason he's hitting the ball hard again is because of an adjustment he made to his swing  after Pedroia pointed out a change he'd made in it. Remy brought it up a couple of days ago in the game he hit the HR in. When a RH hitter plants his front foot it needs to point towards where the 2B usually plays so that he can clear his his hips to generate power. What Ramirez had been doing instead was pointing his foot towards 1B which was keeping his hips closed.Since he made the adjustment he has been generating power again. 

 

[Traut]

FUBAR. That's the only word to describe this team. The Bobby Valentine led, chicken and beer dipshits, were 26-25 entering June.  This squad 22-29. At this point, they may as well move Napoli and see if Hanley can learn or play first because FUBAR. That's what they are. No team meeting, team leader meeting, firing of a pitching coach, change in batting order can fix this squad. We are witnessing a 200 million dollar dumpster fire. 

 

[soxhop411]

Would it shock anyone if the sox dangle Ortiz to see what offers are out there? (That is if they give up on the season)

 

[Laser Show]

Would it shock anyone if the sox dangle Ortiz to see what offers are out there? (That is if they give up on the season)

Yes. They're not going to get much for a nearly 40 year old DH making $16 million who has an OPS under .700 at the moment. Even putting aside the PR disaster it'd be.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Would it shock anyone if the sox dangle Ortiz to see what offers are out there? (That is if they give up on the season)

 
Yes, it would. First of all, I doubt he has much value unless/until he heats up again, and second, why would they do this? If they've given up on the season, Ortiz' toastliness can't hurt them, and there's zero PR benefit. 
 
EDIT: Or, what Laser Show said.
 
 

We are witnessing a 200 million dollar dumpster fire. 

 
The analogy breaks down in two ways: a dumpster fire has energy, and it could conceivably scare somebody.

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

Yes. They're not going to get much for a nearly 40 year old DH making $16 million who has an OPS under .700 at the moment. Even putting aside the PR disaster it'd be.

It would be closer to $8 million by the ASB/trade deadline before any subsidy by the Sox, and he's still lethal against right-handers.  I'd be surprised to see it happen, but it's not an absurd idea.  If the team is still playing like this three weeks from now, the untouchable list is going to be pretty short.

 

[soxhop411]

It would be closer to $8 million by the ASB/trade deadline before any subsidy by the Sox, and he's still lethal against right-handers.  I'd be surprised to see it happen, but it's not an absurd idea.  If the team is still playing like this three weeks from now, the untouchable list is going to be pretty short.

And I'm not saying trade him. In saying if they dangle Ortiz and some team desperate for offense gives the sox a really good offer would you trade him?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

It would be closer to $8 million by the ASB/trade deadline before any subsidy by the Sox, and he's still lethal against right-handers.  I'd be surprised to see it happen, but it's not an absurd idea.  If the team is still playing like this three weeks from now, the untouchable list is going to be pretty short.

 
Examining it from the other side...how many teams are going to be in the market for a 40-year-old DH who can't play the field?  The market might kill an Ortiz trade before the whole PR/face of the franchise thing comes into play.

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

And I'm not saying trade him. In saying if they dangle Ortiz and some team desperate for offense gives the sox a really good offer would you trade him?

If, as the hypothetical GM here who has decided he's at the end of the line, In a heartbeat.  You generously offer him the opportunity to close out his career with a ring.  If he can't read the writing on the wall, all the more reason to have him in someone else's locker room rather than yours.  It'll all be good when he comes back for his number retirement a few years down the line.
 

Examining it from the other side...how many teams are going to be in the market for a 40-year-old DH who can't play the field?  The market might kill an Ortiz trade before the whole PR/face of the franchise thing comes into play.
 

It would be a pretty limited market, for sure.  But $2-4m and a lottery ticket for a lethal LH DH/PH during the playoff drive?  Let's put it this way:  he's not clearing waivers down the stretch.

 

[Traut]

 
Examining it from the other side...how many teams are going to be in the market for a 40-year-old DH who can't play the field?  The market might kill an Ortiz trade before the whole PR/face of the franchise thing comes into play.

There's no chance, as of right now, the Sox could get another team to pick up Ortiz's contract. The only hope is he gets hot. In which case it helps the club and enhances his trade value.  He may be toast but he's going to be our toast for the balance of his deal. 

 

[geoduck no quahog]

At least the Red Sox aren't alone in under performance.
 
Teams within 4 losses of the Red Sox are currently:
 
Padres
Indians
Angels
Yankees
Diamondbacks
Mariners
Rangers
White Sox
Rockies
Reds
Rays
Jays (tied)
Orioles
Athletics (+5)
Braves
Marlins
Brewers
Phillies
 
Going by feel, the ones bolded are equally surprising to me. Which ones would you pick as representative of Sox Suckitude? Sox only have 5 more losses than the Tigers.
 
Royals, Cardinals, Twins, Astros, Dodgers, Giants and Nationals are the ones currently kicking ass.
 
You try to figure out this fucking game, because I sure as hell can't.

 

[KillerBs]

On the offensive side there really isn't much they can do other than Hanley to 1b/dh and insert Bradley or Craig. That's a move to think about for July/August with a view to 2016.

They do need to judge correctly where Betts and Castillo should play defensively in OF. I have reservations about Mook"s defense in Cf and Rusney (if he hits) might be better suited for LF in which case we need a CF and Bradley becomes a potentially very significant piece again.

I suppose If they can deal X or Marrero for the 1b of the future then you need to think about that.

On the pitching side, there are some decisions to make. I see 8 options to start: Buchholz Porcello Kelly Miley Wright EdRod Barnes Johnson. (Masterson doesn't make the top 8 IMO. I can't see any role for him going fwd) At this stage I like the idea of Buchholz Porcello EdRod Kelly and Johnson in rotation with Miley Barnes Wright in quasi long relief roles tho you could make a case for Kelly to the pen and Miley in rotation. The idea is to be able to apply quick hooks with starters when they struggle early while best setting up Barnes EdRod Johnson and Wright for future success. There is no place for Breslow or Ross on this team. Layne Ogando Taxawa Koji are back end of pen. That staff has a chance to be decent even good in 2015 but the more important task is to use 2015 to develop the kids and Kelly into better than average ML pitchers for 2016. Likewise on offensive side all else pales in significance to development of Swihart Xander Betts and Rusney.

 

[johnnywayback]

I'm amazed by how little has gone unexpectedly right.
 
For a minute there, it was the prospect of a Mookie Betts breakout.  This week, it's Eduardo Rodriguez.  Brock Holt is still fun.  And I guess we can all be relieved that Koji doesn't look quite as toast as we thought (today notwithstanding).  But otherwise, this has been a year completely devoid of pleasant surprises.
 
I guess that's why I still can't buy that everyone, from the front office down to me and most of you, thought we had a contending roster when in fact we really had a last-place roster.  It seems impossible that this is the team's true talent level.  And while I agree it's getting a little late to assume that this is all luck and variance, and that regression to the mean is a certainty, it seems more likely that there's some problem with preparation or motivation or strategic approach than it is that this roster, or even this season, is a lost cause.
 
Which probably means Farrell's seat should be getting warm.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

The suggestions of a sell-off are fine, but what would even be the point? Who is going to bring anything back worthwhile? Napoli? Maybe. Uehara? Possibly, but not necessarily. Pedroia and Ortiz would, but neither of those is happening. And even if these guys do get traded, how much confidence do we have in the Cherington/Baird/Sawdaye front office in getting a decent return?

 

[Doctor G]

I would start selectively platooning Ortiz and Ramirez at DH.  This would improve the offense and the defense.  I would also get JBJ back up to  platoon with Vic when he gets back in right . Send  Castillo back down to play right exclusively.
Hanley should not play in left on the road. He is going to be a fulltime DH eventually. Playing him in the field makes as much sense as playing Ortiz at first. Injury risk and bad defense is too much of a potential liability.
better to do this and have Ben be mocked for spending 36 Million for a DH than fire the manager and the GM in season.
If Ramirez is upset by this tell him he has to work his way back to being a position player. I doubt the work has been adequate up till now judging by the performance.
Too bad Lackey hasn't been around to react to the outfield defense. That would be must see TV.
 
And one other thing commenting on the quality of the division should be as taboo as talking about injuries is for the Patriots. 
 
If mediocrity is your goal then you should be telling the  media that you think you have a team that is as qualified to finish third as any one else in the division.
 
Enough!

 

[Toe Nash]

At least the Red Sox aren't alone in under performance.
 
Going by feel, the ones bolded are equally surprising to me. Which ones would you pick as representative of Sox Suckitude? Sox only have 5 more losses than the Tigers.
 
Royals, Cardinals, Twins, Astros, Dodgers, Giants and Nationals are the ones currently kicking ass.
 
You try to figure out this fucking game, because I sure as hell can't.

Sox have the worst run differential in the AL. Some teams who started 22-29 have made the playoffs, but no team with this bad of a run differential has in a non-strike year.
 
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150531/SPORTS/150539870/14009

 

[MikeM]

The suggestions of a sell-off are fine, but what would even be the point? Who is going to bring anything back worthwhile? Napoli? Maybe. Uehara? Possibly, but not necessarily. Pedroia and Ortiz would, but neither of those is happening. And even if these guys do get traded, how much confidence do we have in the Cherington/Baird/Sawdaye front office in getting a decent return?

 
A presented possibility we avoid a LT hit this season certainly has it's pro points. Especially going forward.