Kristian Beliefs: The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Where does Kristian Campbell play in 2026-2030?


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Jack Rabbit Slim

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Since it seems like it will be another week or two before things really get rolling this offseason, I thought it would be interesting to take the temperature of the board on the future of Kristian Campbell.

KC's meteoric rise through the system in 2024 reminds some of Mookie Betts and, needless to say, excitement has skyrocketed. His so far excellent right-handed bat adds much needed balance to otherwise lefty heavy skew of the other top prospects, and his ability to play all around the field in the minor leagues leaves many possible paths forward for Campbell and the rest of the roster.

So, not necessarily for this season but for 2026 and beyond, where does he play?

2B - the hole at second base has chewed up and spit out every player tried there since Pedroia's knees gave out. Grissom was injured/ineffective last year, Hamilton was decent but another lefty with little power, Valdez doesn't seem to have the bat to make up for his lack of defense, and Romy Gonzalez has injury and platoon concerns. I am still a believer in Grissom so I think he is the presumptive 2B going into spring training, but further injury or poor play may open this spot up for KC.

SS - It seems odd for a player to move back to shortstop after initially being moved down the defensive spectrum, but reports are the Sox feel KC's defense there is acceptable even if a little unorthodox. Story still plays good defense here but it is uncertain how long his bat can support a starting role. Mayer was long seen as the heir apparent, but adding another lefty bat is suboptimal, so he would likely be traded in this case.

3B - KC has not played third base much in the minors and it is unknown if he has the arm for the position, but the FO's rumored satisfaction with his defense at SS would seem to imply he could handle it. This would coincide with a Devers move to 1B/DH

OF - This is where I have been assuming KC will end up, specifically LF. He has mostly played CF in the minors, but I have a hard time seeing him there over Duran or even Anthony. A KC-Duran-Anthony-Rafaela outfield for the next 4+ years is what I dream about while falling asleep at night.

DH/SuperSub - An option to take advantage of his versatility is to make KC the nominal DH, but use his ability to play multiple positions (along with Rafaela) to rotate players through DH for half rest days.

On another team - KC is used as the centerpiece for a big trade.

AAA - Last year was an illusion, he will never make it in the big leagues.
 

simplicio

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I'm with you on OF, I think a healthy Grissom can stick at 2B and we're most likely to see an OF move in a trade.
 

chrisfont9

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It's crazy what is happening. Maybe someone busts, and obviously trades are a possibility, but the roster crunch bubbling up from below is like nothing I can remember. I answered supersub, although I don't know how realistic it is for him to master different positions, since per Sox Prospects he hasn't totally learned OF and his arm is a bit meh for SS or 3B. But he's coming on so quickly that Grissom blocks him (for now) at 2b).
 

AbbyNoho

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I suspect that, even if they have an ideal plan for his position, his versatility will be so appealing that he'll end up as a kind of everyday super sub. I don't think many would be disappointed with a Ben Zobristesque role for him.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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I think we're highly unlikely to see him in the majors this season for one, and they'll likely test him out mostly at 2B and 3B in AAA unless Mayer is sent off in a deal and then also seeing time at SS obviously. If the Sox add Soto, even if they deal one of Abreu or Duran... they've still got a pretty crowded outfield (assuming Rafaela is still part of that as a utility guy) and then Montgomery and of course, Anthony.
Grissom will be given every chance to show he can handle the spot to start the season. I even suspect we'd see a Meidroth called up before him (Campbell) if he's struggling after a month (or injured again).
They're thin at third behind Devers and already discussing moving him off. Hell.... I'd be trying Campbell at 3B, 2B and some 1B too. It's possible he could get up by mid-season if he's showing competency at those spots and use the DH how we all like to imagine it being used
 

HangingW/ScottCooper

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I could see a Rafaela-esque situation with Campbell and Anthony during spring training. With Rafaela last year, they wanted to see strides made in his plate discipline / approach. Cora expectation set about whether or not he would break camp with the team both publicly and privately. Ultimately Rafaela satisfied their asks of him and he broke camp with the big club.

I could see them having similar milestones with those two during Spring Training and deciding then. Regardless of the other offseason moves, I would absolutely anticipate Campbell seeing time at 2B/3B and LF during Spring Training with Anthony seeing time in CF and RF predominantly.
 

Jake Peavy's Demons

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Oh, a bit surprised I'm the only vote for SS so far. So I'll explain my rationale. I can see a world that Mayer is traded for pieces, specifically pitching.

That, with a possibility of Story waning in skill, &/or another long-term injury, plus, Vaughn Grissom establishing himself at 2B, I could see Campbell becoming our SS from 2026+.

Rafaela's defence would be used as UT, alternating between MI & OF.
 

BigSoxFan

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If Campbell hits in 2025 like he did in 2024, he’s a guy you simply make room for in the lineup. And his versatility makes that pretty easy to do.
 

brownsox

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I think he’ll be given an opportunity to compete for the second base job in spring training, against Grissom. I’d put his odds of winning that job around 50/50; I’m sure the club would love for him to win the job outright but a tie probably goes to Grissom, who is on the 40-man already.

If he doesn’t win the job, he probably comes up when there’s an injury to a starter. If the injury is serious he may have a new permanent position (like Betts). Otherwise he’s (hopefully) Zobrist.

Voted 2B, but could see almost any outcome bar a trade.
 

burstnbloom

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I think we're highly unlikely to see him in the majors this season for one, and they'll likely test him out mostly at 2B and 3B in AAA unless Mayer is sent off in a deal and then also seeing time at SS obviously. If the Sox add Soto, even if they deal one of Abreu or Duran... they've still got a pretty crowded outfield (assuming Rafaela is still part of that as a utility guy) and then Montgomery and of course, Anthony.
Grissom will be given every chance to show he can handle the spot to start the season. I even suspect we'd see a Meidroth called up before him (Campbell) if he's struggling after a month (or injured again).
They're thin at third behind Devers and already discussing moving him off. Hell.... I'd be trying Campbell at 3B, 2B and some 1B too. It's possible he could get up by mid-season if he's showing competency at those spots and use the DH how we all like to imagine it being used
I'm surprised at the bolded. What makes you think its unlikely that he comes up next year? I think its more likely that he breaks camp with the big club than we don't see him at all. He dominated at Portland and showed unreal swing discipline and contact ability at AAA. A 15% bb rate is nothing to scoff at that high up the ladder.

I honestly think the sox are going to take a crack at the PPI picks with either Campbell, Anthony or both.
 

Sox Pride

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I think he’ll be given an opportunity to compete for the second base job in spring training, against Grissom. I’d put his odds of winning that job around 50/50; I’m sure the club would love for him to win the job outright but a tie probably goes to Grissom, who is on the 40-man already.

If he doesn’t win the job, he probably comes up when there’s an injury to a starter. If the injury is serious he may have a new permanent position (like Betts). Otherwise he’s (hopefully) Zobrist.

Voted 2B, but could see almost any outcome bar a trade.
I'm sure it would depend on why. If Grissom lit it up during spring training and took firm control of 2B, the club would be thrilled with that outcome as well.
 

brownsox

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I'm sure it would depend on why. If Grissom lit it up during spring training and took firm control of 2B, the club would be thrilled with that outcome as well.
Yeah, I think there are a couple of potential reasons Grissom wins a tie. One is the 40-man issue; everything else being equal, you can give Grissom the job for a while without cutting someone else you can use. Another is that (to the point of this thread) Campbell has more positional versatility than Grissom, who is definitely not a shortstop defensively and may not have the power to be a third baseman or an outfielder. If you’re going to use Grissom it’s probably at second; you can use Campbell in a lot of different ways.

I still believe in Grissom’s bat and hope he comes good, so I’d like to see him win the job.
 

Jack Rabbit Slim

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Wow, Vaughn Grissom is going to be owed a lot of mea culpas this time next year :)

Edit - For 2025 I think KC stays in AAA to start the year, and is the first man up for an injury to nearly any position player besides catcher.
 

Cassvt2023

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Utterly ridiculous. He needs to be on the opening day roster.
I still think he'd need to have a good spring training to crack the opening day roster, he won't be simply given a spot. But the combination of his positional versatility, but more importantly he is a full two years older than Anthony and played D1 college ball as opposed to being drafted out of HS will be in his favor. I wouldn't be surprised if KC was added to the 40 man and called up before RA for these reasons.
 

NickEsasky

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Utterly ridiculous. He needs to be on the opening day roster.
Why because he raked in 340 AB's above A ball in one year? Can we at least wait and see how he does in Spring Training before we say he needs to be on the opening day roster?
 

kazuneko

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Are advanced metrics available for minor league fielders? I personally don't have a sense of where he plays best defensively and what his defensive potential is at any of these positions. I know he played 2b in college and he is a solid athlete but was he at 2b in college due to concerns about his arm? Can he play a good SS or 3b?
 

SouthernBoSox

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I think we're highly unlikely to see him in the majors this season for one, and they'll likely test him out mostly at 2B and 3B in AAA unless Mayer is sent off in a deal and then also seeing time at SS obviously. If the Sox add Soto, even if they deal one of Abreu or Duran... they've still got a pretty crowded outfield (assuming Rafaela is still part of that as a utility guy) and then Montgomery and of course, Anthony.
Grissom will be given every chance to show he can handle the spot to start the season. I even suspect we'd see a Meidroth called up before him (Campbell) if he's struggling after a month (or injured again).
They're thin at third behind Devers and already discussing moving him off. Hell.... I'd be trying Campbell at 3B, 2B and some 1B too. It's possible he could get up by mid-season if he's showing competency at those spots and use the DH how we all like to imagine it being used
I'd be actually stunned if Campbell wasn't in the majors next year. I think there is a far higher likelihood he breaks camp with the team vs. not seeing any MLB time in 2025


Oh, a bit surprised I'm the only vote for SS so far. So I'll explain my rationale. I can see a world that Mayer is traded for pieces, specifically pitching.

That, with a possibility of Story waning in skill, &/or another long-term injury, plus, Vaughn Grissom establishing himself at 2B, I could see Campbell becoming our SS from 2026+.

Rafaela's defence would be used as UT, alternating between MI & OF.
I've mentioned it before but Brian Abraham - Player Dev Director - was on Soxprospects pod and he sounds very bullish on Campbells ability to play short. Sounds like there isn't any position they feel uncomfortable with him at.

I think he's too talented to be blocked by Vaughn Grissom and that seems like the path of least resistance.
 

TapeAndPosts

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Are advanced metrics available for minor league fielders? I personally don't have a sense of where he plays best defensively and what his defensive potential is at any of these positions. I know he played 2b in college and he is a solid athlete but was he at 2b in college due to concerns about his arm? Can he play a good SS or 3b?
Not advanced metrics, but Sox Prospects scouting report:

Field: Versatile defender who has played second base, third base, shortstop and center field. Looks most comfortable at second base, where he played in college. At short and third, shows solid athleticism and range, but is a little unorthodox with his movements. In the outfield, he Is still learning the nuances of the position, especially with his reads and routes, but has the raw athleticism and speed you look for out there and to cover up for most errors. Potential average defensive profile with the versatility to adequately play at least three positions.

Arm: Average arm. Passable on the left side of the infield, but best suited for second base.
 

Fishy1

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You don't really want a guy of his quality sitting around at AAA proving himself. He tore the cover off the ball across three levels. He wasn't challenged anywhere he went. You clear the decks for him. The Sox need his bat.

To that end, Grissom isn't a very good second baseman defensively. If anybody ends up in the outfield, I wouldn't be surprised.

And injuries happen. I can't remember us going into the season fully healthy recently. They'll need him in the bigs no matter what.
 

Fishy1

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Not advanced metrics, but Sox Prospects scouting report:

Field: Versatile defender who has played second base, third base, shortstop and center field. Looks most comfortable at second base, where he played in college. At short and third, shows solid athleticism and range, but is a little unorthodox with his movements. In the outfield, he Is still learning the nuances of the position, especially with his reads and routes, but has the raw athleticism and speed you look for out there and to cover up for most errors. Potential average defensive profile with the versatility to adequately play at least three positions.

Arm: Average arm. Passable on the left side of the infield, but best suited for second base.
These are usually made at the time of the draft and are pretty outdated. @SouthernBoSox has the most updated report above.
 

BaseballJones

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Campbell, Mayer, Teel, Anthony, Montgomery, Meidroth, Bleis.....

I know they aren't all equal, but it's just very difficult for me to not be giddy about the Sox' young guns right now. It very much reminds me of when Mookie, Xander, and Raffy were all coming up (at different levels and ages, of course). So much to be excited about.
 

Trapaholic

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I don't know if KC will break camp with the Red Sox, there are so many moving parts in the offseason and one would assume the major league team is going to make a few additions. It is up to them to determine if he has "nothing left to prove" in the minors.

The Red Sox are also well aware of the new caveats for service time. The Pirates managed to screw this up with Paul Skenes this past season - they didn't call him up early enough to earn an additional draft pick after the first round, and lost the additional year of service time.

From MLB dot com:

  • Players with little or no MLB service time break camp with the team or are called up within two weeks of Opening Day. They must spend all or most of the year in the big leagues and either win their league’s Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young.
  • Players who made an Opening Day roster and accrued the service time but didn’t factor in any awards that year retain PPI eligibility. They need to place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young before hitting arbitration, which typically allows for a three-year window.
Personally, I think the team will want that additional high draft pick. I bet he gets the call after the first full week of the season.
 

curly2

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My philosophy is if a guy can play good defense at shortstop, he should be a shortstop. I don’t know if Campbell can do that, but if he can, I’d play him there. Story, if he’s healthy, can play second.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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I'd be actually stunned if Campbell wasn't in the majors next year. I think there is a far higher likelihood he breaks camp with the team vs. not seeing any MLB time in 2025



I've mentioned it before but Brian Abraham - Player Dev Director - was on Soxprospects pod and he sounds very bullish on Campbells ability to play short. Sounds like there isn't any position they feel uncomfortable with him at.

I think he's too talented to be blocked by Vaughn Grissom and that seems like the path of least resistance.
I think he could... but highly unlikely. Grissom will be given every chance to make it at 2B. Story at SS and Devers at 3B. Rafaela and Romy will be the backup guys.
You don't want a guy who could be as good as Campbell to be bouncing around positions facing ML caliber pitching as a part time player. He still doesn't really have a set position and he's VERY blocked out in the outfield. He's somewhat blocked at 2B and SS. If Grissom is injured, and Mayer isn't traded, then I'd bet we'd see Meidroth up first. If Story is injured and Mayer is traded, then I'd put Rafaela as the likely guy.
This is just how I think the Sox will handle him... not what I necessarily advocate. I think they'll handle him carefully, along with Anthony. There's no absolute pressing need to push them up right now (maybe Anthony if Soto isn't brough in I could see him breaking camp with the ML club as a starter). You gotta wait to see what Grissom is and if Story can stay healthy.
 

TapeAndPosts

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These are usually made at the time of the draft and are pretty outdated. @SouthernBoSox has the most updated report above.
Don't mean to "actually" you, but Ian Cundall on the new SP podcast said he updated reports for all of the top 60.
Yeah, Sox Prospects just did a season-end update two days ago, and the text knows about the entire 2024 season ("Summation: Potential impact everyday player. Ceiling of a consistent all-star. Still has some variance in his projection due to his unorthodox swing, but is a plus athlete who has taken a major step forward in 2024 and established himself as one of the top prospects not just in the organization, but in all of baseball.")
 

Rasputin

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This is what I hate about this season. He's super talented, spent a month at AAA and there are far more moving parts to even hazard a guess. If the status were to quo he'd go into spring training as the number two option, but he could clearly be traded, or could the guy in front of him. There's maybe four guys on the team you can pretty much guarantee aren't traded.

I hope he's here and takes over as starting 2b sometime this summer.
 

mauf

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He’ll start 2025 in AAA, and if he’s anywhere close to as good as he looked last year he’ll be in Boston by June, with his defensive position dictated by whomever gets hurt (or just sucks). I voted second base because that seems like where he’s most likely to get an opportunity, and if he locks down the job in 2025, I’m not seeing the scenario where there’s a compelling need to move him. (They’ll cover third some other way when Devers can no longer handle it, which I think is a few years away.)
 

BaseballJones

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I wonder how much value Grissom would have in a trade, that could net the Sox some pitching. Obviously alone he wouldn't net much, but he's only 23 and the bloom may not yet be off the rose. Someone might have legit interest in him. Dealing him would open up some space for Campbell to play 2b or, if they want him at SS, Story moves back to 2b. Either way it opens the door for Campbell and they get some value for Grissom. Probably won't happen, of course.
 

nvalvo

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Great thread, great initial post, great discussion. A bunch of these guys need to be graduating to this forum from *ominous music* the realm of JM3. I voted DH/Supersub, but a lot of that depends on what we do this offseason and next.

I could very much see Vaughn Grissom getting the first crack at the starting 2B role, where the best-case scenario for his contact- and OBP-heavy righty offensive approach would make him an absolutely magical guy to slot between Duran and Devers as a throwback number two hitter. But that's only if he actually becomes the .300/.370/.420 guy his minor league track record suggests he might be. Grissom could also start at 2B on opening day for the Chicago White Sox, as he and Abreu would be a very suitable package for two years of a mid-20s frontend starter that would fit the White Sox' request for "multiple MLB-ready everyday players" to a T. So if Grissom doesn't come into his own by 2026 or if Grissom is playing elsewhere, I imagine that KC is the second baseman in a "don't overthink it" kind of way.

But let's say for discussion that a healthy Grissom thrives in Boston, blocking Campbell at his undergraduate position. Great problem to have. The next issue is Yoshida:

I think that Yoshida is probably moving on after 2025 for two reasons: (a) I still think he has upside with the bat and (b) two years of an underwater contract is much more tradeable than three years, I think. So let's say we see a bit more of Hot Yoshida and a bit less of Hurt Yoshida in 2025, say 500 PA of 120 OPS+. He still fits our roster weirdly, only now he's on a 2/$36m deal and only 31. Somebody (A.J. Preller, after Arraez leaves) wants to take that on.

After all of that preamble, the role I envision for KC is this. By 2026 we likely have LHH as the primary starters 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. (If Soto lands here, we might have an all-LHH outfield.) If Campbell is DH 1, but also 1B 2, 2B 2, 3B 2, SS 3, and OF 5, we've solved our lineup-balance issues, albeit with Marcelo Mayer still in AAA. You can shuffle positions as appropriate, to give basically everyone days off their feet.

This hypothetical 2026 lineup is beautifully balanced against LHP or RHP:

LF Duran L
2B Grissom R
3B Devers L
1B Casas L
DH Campbell R
RF Anthony L
SS Story R
C Teel L
CF Rafaela R

You can rotate all of the "four-corner" players through DH for load management and you can start Campbell for all of those players' days off. He can take over in case of injury; it would be useful to have some positionless sluggers stashed in AAA for this purpose, or even a Matt Stairs-type lefty masher (which, honestly, might just be Romy Gonzalez, whose 2024 line vs. LHP was .302/.362/.517) to DH against LHSP with Campbell starting in place of one of the lefties. Then you have Triston Casas (or whoever) waiting as a shoe to drop on a righthanded reliever in a big spot.
 

nvalvo

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I wonder how much value Grissom would have in a trade, that could net the Sox some pitching. Obviously alone he wouldn't net much, but he's only 23 and the bloom may not yet be off the rose. Someone might have legit interest in him. Dealing him would open up some space for Campbell to play 2b or, if they want him at SS, Story moves back to 2b. Either way it opens the door for Campbell and they get some value for Grissom. Probably won't happen, of course.
I doubt there's much bloom off the rose. He'll only be 24 next season, and he already has 350 MLB PA and less than two years of MLB service. His AAA offensive line over three seasons is .312/.404/.463, and he was better than that for his last month in AAA after he got back up to speed. In his September callup, he was fine at 2B (and at the plate, albeit aided by a big BABIP).

He's a starting caliber infielder. The only reason we're not inking him into our 2B or 3B slots are that we might have better alternatives at both positions. That doesn't describe most teams.
 

Reverse Curve

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Voted 2B, although I believe he may see equal time at SS as needed. Saw him play both positions in the few games that I attended up in Portland last summer (mostly at SS, as Mayer was not in the lineup), and he looked completely comfortable and fluid at both spots. He and Anthony both seemed bigger than I expected, while Teel seemed like he may have some room to fill out a bit. Campbell also played close to 20% of his Sea Dogs games in CF last summer.
The future looks bright! Can't wait for next season, and to watch the pieces fall into place over the next few months...!
 

chrisfont9

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I get that prospect dreaming is delicious but until Kristian Campbell takes a few swings in the majors, there is no evidence that he is a superior player to Grissom. There is just projection.

Selling Grissom before he establishes his value, and before Campbell faces major league pitching, is a risk. In a year we will know far more about both players. Let’s slow down with dealing Grissom.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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I get that prospect dreaming is delicious but until Kristian Campbell takes a few swings in the majors, there is no evidence that he is a superior player to Grissom. There is just projection.

Selling Grissom before he establishes his value, and before Campbell faces major league pitching, is a risk. In a year we will know far more about both players. Let’s slow down with dealing Grissom.
I'm not sure I've ever seen such an off-season with so much Recency Bias against, or for, Sox players. Injuries happen and most players come back just fine from them. Some players have incredible seasons and then disappear a season later. I'm just in a bit of awe at the amount of posters here already tossing aside Casas, Mayer, Grissom and Abreu. I know it's all fantasizing here so it's somewhat understandable but the push-back against it doesn't seem as strong as in past off-seasons.
 

iddoc

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Oh, a bit surprised I'm the only vote for SS so far. So I'll explain my rationale. I can see a world that Mayer is traded for pieces, specifically pitching.

That, with a possibility of Story waning in skill, &/or another long-term injury, plus, Vaughn Grissom establishing himself at 2B, I could see Campbell becoming our SS from 2026+.

Rafaela's defence would be used as UT, alternating between MI & OF.
I agree with you. Not sure where he will start 2025. It will depend on who is traded in the offseason and who gets hurt in spring training.
 

chrisfont9

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I'm not sure I've ever seen such an off-season with so much Recency Bias against, or for, Sox players. Injuries happen and most players come back just fine from them. Some players have incredible seasons and then disappear a season later. I'm just in a bit of awe at the amount of posters here already tossing aside Casas, Mayer, Grissom and Abreu. I know it's all fantasizing here so it's somewhat understandable but the push-back against it doesn't seem as strong as in past off-seasons.
Yeah, people on a high-functioning baseball forum should be able to resist recency bias. Of all sports...
 

Hank Scorpio

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Right now, I’d lean towards 2B, but things could change. I think 3B with Devers moving to DH is also possible. Soto also changes things…

1B: Casas
2B: Campbell or Grissom
SS: Story, eventually Mayer
3B: Devers, maybe Campbell
DH: Rotating, with Rafaela filling in for whoever on the field
LF: Anthony
CF: Duran
RF: Abreu

Once Mayer is ready, I could also see something like:

1B: Casas
2B: Story
3B: Campbell
SS: Mayer
LF: Anthony
CF: Duran
RF: Abreu
DH: Devers

Bench: catcher, Rafaela, two of Hamilton/Refsnyder/Grissom
 

HangingW/ScottCooper

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Right now, I’d lean towards 2B, but things could change. I think 3B with Devers moving to DH is also possible. Soto also changes things…

1B: Casas
2B: Campbell or Grissom
SS: Story, eventually Mayer
3B: Devers, maybe Campbell
DH: Rotating, with Rafaela filling in for whoever on the field
LF: Anthony
CF: Duran
RF: Abreu

Once Mayer is ready, I could also see something like:

1B: Casas
2B: Story
3B: Campbell
SS: Mayer
LF: Anthony
CF: Duran
RF: Abreu
DH: Devers

Bench: catcher, Rafaela, two of Hamilton/Refsnyder/Grissom
Am I the only one that thinks Hamilton should be traded for a reliever and we run with Romy on the bench?
 
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simplicio

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That's gotta be one hell of a reliever. Hamilton is a competent MLB 2B with excellent speed and a lot of control.
 

Sox Puppet

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I don't think we'd lose too much sleep over trading Hamilton for "a reliever," but I hope we would be a little more judicious than we were at the trade deadline. Getting rid of the logjam of Lugo, Kavadas, Zeferjahn, etc. had to happen at any rate (no room for them on the 40-man), but trading them for the detritus of Garcia and Sims was basically just flushing those prospects down the toilet. This is what can happen when making deals from a perceived surplus/redundancy.
 

simplicio

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Apr 11, 2012
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Sims was traded for an A ball lottery ticket, as befitted a guy with his walk problems. The "haul" was for Garcia, and seems to me like it was in line with the prices paid for other solid relievers at what was generally a pretty extravagant deadline.

I won't pretend to know what happened to them both in August. Maybe they were already injured when they made the trip east, maybe switching over to Bailey's program was challenging and/or injurious. Hopefully the front office has fully debriefed on that situation if it was something more than bad luck. But Garcia looked way more like his regular useful self when he came back for a few innings in September. I don't think there was something inherently flawed about his trade.