Offseason 2017/18

[grimshaw]

Hopefully still 2 months away, it's never too early for idle speculation.

The starting pitching is set already, unless Price takes a turn for the worse and needs surgery. The pen could return more or less in tact minus Reed, and with Smith and Thornburg possibly displacing Hembree or Barnes.

Internally, Chavis and Jalen Beeks are potential non-fringe contributors at some point, as well as Steven Wright.

In terms of actual free spots, Chris Young, Nunez, Abad, Reed, and Moreland, are the only true departures.

Personally,:

-I would like to see if there are any takers for a subsidized Ramirez (doubtful) to see if there is some extra money to play with.

-Spend peanuts on a 4th outfielder and have him compete with Brentz. Franklin Gutierrez is a lefty masher and will probably cost almost nothing.

-See what the market is on Duda and Bruce. If either accepts 2-3 years around 12 per, I'd do that. Otherwise see if Santana takes a one year bounce back deal. Moreland would be my plan D.

-In terms of relievers, Reed may be too pricey, but maybe Joe Smith, or Anthony Swarzak. I think they need to sign someone with all the health questions and Barnes/Kelly's volatility.

-Give Lin Holt's spot. Even with Lin's step backwards, he can bring more to the table at this point.

-My pipe dream is JD Martinez at 1b/DH but the salary structure down the line is muddled.

If this were a year they had someone coming up behind X or JBJ, I would see what their trade value was, but that isn't the case. They don't have major realistic trade assets right now.

Other thoughts?

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

In terms of actual free spots, Chris Young, Nunez, Abad, and Moreland, are the only true departures.


-In terms of relievers, Reed may be too pricey, but maybe Joe Smith, or Anthony Swarzak. I think they need to sign someone with all the health questions and Barnes/Kelly's volatility.

-Give Lin Holt's spot. Even with Lin's step backwards, he can bring more to the table at this point.

Is Reed a Free Agent (I know the answer)? You don't have him listed in the "actual free agents" line, but that he may be too pricey?

Can Lin play all the positions that Holt plays? Holt's ability to play 7 positions without looking dreadful is a real plus for roster flexibility. And the sample size for Lin in the majors is waaaaay too small to judge his ability to hit at that level better than Holt

 

[grimshaw]

Is Reed a Free Agent (I know the answer)? You don't have him listed in the "actual free agents" line, but that he may be too pricey?

Can Lin play all the positions that Holt plays? Holt's ability to play 7 positions without looking dreadful is a real plus for roster flexibility. And the sample size for Lin in the majors is waaaaay too small to judge his ability to hit at that level better than Holt

Fixed the former.

I don't think they would need Lin to play a lot of OF - though to answer your question he has been playing CF, SS, 3b, and 2b in AAA, and I think he brings more than what what Marrero or Rutledge can. It's been handy having Holt as an everywhere type guy but if they went after a Gutierrez type as a 4th OF who has played all 3 positions, they would be covered.

Plus it saves a couple million since Holt will be in his 2nd arb year. I think their difference in value is negligible given what Brock has shown this year and for the year before for that matter.

 

[crazybird1]

It seems the Sox need to add more power to the lineup. It seems likely that there can be a bounce back from Xander and Mookie. Xander’s production took a nosedive when he injured his hand and it wouldn’t be surprising if this season were a blip in the road for Mookie. Given his past couple seasons, it seems insane to think he could just fall off a cliff, though it could happen. That being said I don’t think Xander is going to morph into a 30-to 40-homerun hitter. I think he is more likely a 15 to 20 homerun hitter. Benni and Devers should both take steps forward that should help with the offense and hopefully Vaz does as well. That being said it appears we are heading into the final season with this exact core. Pom and Kimbrel are free agents after next season. I don’t think it would be wise pining the Sox’s hopes on a bounce backs and steps forward. I think they should look at moving JBJ this off-season and see what it would take to sign JD Martinez. I am not exactly sure what JBJ’s value is, but I think Martinez gives the Sox the bat they need. Both Moustakas and Hosmer have visable warts and I would be uncomfortable with the Sox giving them a Hanley type contract. As for the trade market, if Bour or Abreau become available I am not sure the Sox have the chips to match other teams offers for those players. Martinez can play left with Benni in Center and Mookie in right. In a year or two when Hanley leaves he can start to transition to DH. There would be a slight defensive loss, but it would be more then made up for with offense.

 

[mauf]

The existence of this thread on September 1, when the Red Sox are in first place and playing their archrivals, makes Baby Jesus cry.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Is he wearing a tuxedo t shirt?

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Other thoughts?

Yeah, this is a really stupid thread

 

[E5 Yaz]

Otherwise see if Santana takes a one year bounce back deal.

Bounce-back from what? His OPS is higher than his career average and is better than any Red Sox hitter not named Nunez or Devers, both short-timers

Other, what the guy with douchey shoulders said

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Bounce-back from what? His OPS is higher than his career average and is better than any Red Sox hitter not named Nunez or Devers, both short-timers

Other, what the guy with douchey shoulders said

That was transcendent.

 

[crazybird1]

Yeah, this is a really stupid thread

There is a thread devoted to a Yankee player trash talking the Red Sox and who the worst player on the team is and this is a stupid thread? To each their own I guess, but if you don't like it then go find something productive to do with your time. It astounds me that people take time out of their day to bash a topic they personally don't like.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

There is a thread devoted to a Yankee player trash talking the Red Sox and who the worst player on the team is and this is a stupid thread? To each their own I guess, but if you don't like it then go find something productive to do with your time. It astounds me that people take time out of their day to bash a topic they personally don't like.

This is a really stupid post

 

[crazybird1]

This is a really stupid post

Takes one to know one

 

[E5 Yaz]

There is a thread devoted to ... who the worst player on the team is ...

No there isn't

 

[crazybird1]

No there isn't

Excuse me disappointing. Glad to see anal retentiveness is alive and well.

 

[soxeast]

I'm for signing Nunez and saying goodbye to Holt. And saying goodbye to Young and Abad. And if SMith comes back can say goodbye to either Kelly or Ross. Nunez is a "player." He also gives protection of Pedroia goes down for any length off time while you still can play him as a starter even with Pedey.

 

[grimshaw]

Yeah, this is a really stupid thread

As always thanks for your thorough analysis.

Is it really that difficult to compartmentalize discussing how they may change their personnel next year regardless of how this season ends? Whether they win it all or get bounced, guys there will be new guys on the team.

 

[streeter88]

If Hanley manages to hit 8 more solo HRs in September, do we call his season a success, and therefore happy for him to DH next year? Asking for a friend....

Back in the spirit of this thread, we do need a serious 900+ OPS slugger who can play 1B well. I agree with Grimshaw that Duda and Bruce are good possibilities, but I think Moreland should be in the mix as he brings strong defense, can hit (when not hurt), and is cheap.

One other thing: fire one of the hitting coaches (based on the results shown, two is a waste), and put more resources into strength / conditioning / flexibility. And maybe invest in better hand / foot protection. How many key players went down this year -- or flat out sucked -- due to getting hit on the hand or foot? (At least X, Moreland, and JBJ if not more). Clearly speaking from lack of knowledge on what the Sox are doing in this critical area, but it seems like they had some key injuries in June / July, and whoever is in charge didn't sit them to let them heal.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

If Hanley manages to hit 8 more solo HRs in September, do we call his season a success, and therefore happy for him to DH next year? Asking for a friend....

Back in the spirit of this thread, we do need a serious 900+ OPS slugger who can play 1B well. I agree with Grimshaw that Duda and Bruce are good possibilities, but I think Moreland should be in the mix as he brings strong defense, can hit (when not hurt), and is cheap.

One other thing: fire one of the hitting coaches (based on the results shown, two is a waste), and put more resources into strength / conditioning / flexibility. And maybe invest in better hand / foot protection. How many key players went down this year -- or flat out sucked -- due to getting hit on the hand or foot? (At least X, Moreland, and JBJ if not more). Clearly speaking from lack of knowledge on what the Sox are doing in this critical area, but it seems like they had some key injuries in June / July, and whoever is in charge didn't sit them to let them heal.

To your last point, this got brought up on WEEI today and Merloni made the point that at the end of the day, it's on the hitters to get better. He didn't mention names, but he said essentially that at times they had a hitting coach that was basically worthless, but the guys raked because they put the time in and were good. Other years, they had what he considered a good coach but the players didn't put the time in and they didn't hit well. I'm not sure we can know which of those variables applies here, but I think it's reactive to assume it's the hitting coaches fault, when we have no real way of knowing. Chili could be doing everything he can but if the players aren't putting the time in, it's not going to pay off no matter who the coach is. Many bemoan the loss of Papi, but maybe his biggest absence isn't in the lineup but in the cage and video room.

 

[streeter88]

To your last point, this got brought up on WEEI today and Merloni made the point that at the end of the day, it's on the hitters to get better. He didn't mention names, but he said essentially that at times they had a hitting coach that was basically worthless, but the guys raked because they put the time in and were good. Other years, they had what he considered a good coach but the players didn't put the time in and they didn't hit well. I'm not sure we can know which of those variables applies here, but I think it's reactive to assume it's the hitting coaches fault, when we have no real way of knowing. Chili could be doing everything he can but if the players aren't putting the time in, it's not going to pay off no matter who the coach is. Many bemoan the loss of Papi, but maybe his biggest absence isn't in the lineup but in the cage and video room.

I think that kind of proves my point -- if the players aren't using them, then why have two?

But the point I was really trying to make is that there must be a way to manage injuries and the long season better than the Sox have done it particularly this year. Find players who break down less, manage minor injuries better, wear better protective gear, manage diet, nutrition, travel and fitness better... There must be a myriad of ideas which -- put together effectively -- could yield fewer player injuries or manage the downtime lost. Companies manage it, study it and try to minimise it; governments study and try to prevent disease -- even the Patriots with their hill sprints late last season and the Brady diet. So why not the Red Sox?

And maybe they are doing it, but my point was that two regulars (at least) totally tanked the month of July due to injuries, and the Red Sox as a whole slumped badly in that hottest month of the year. Those injuries might not have been prevented, but could their impacts have been minimised better? I think yes.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

Holy. Shit.

(That's all I can say on a Saturday night without a keyboard.)