Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski says that righty Clay Buchholz is done for the year, as Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald tweets. The new top Boston baseball decisionmaker added that he sees it as an easy call to exercise a $12MM option to keep Buchholz — if he is healthy. That’s an important proviso, of course, though the Sox should have time to assess his recovery before making a final decision.
- Dombrowski spoke with the press today as he accompanied the Red Sox on the road for the first time, as Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports. While the offseason is still a ways away, he’s still short on time. “There’s going to be some shortcomings that are just going to fall through the cracks,” he explained. “I can’t see the minor-league clubs; I just don’t have enough time to be able to do that.” Before deciding on any additions or subtractions to his front office group, Dombrowski says, he’s working to get to know his current staff. “You just have to really do your homework to get to know people and to get to know whose opinions you can feel you really trust,” said the incoming executive. “… The people here will know the players better than I will.”
- While the Red Sox front office composition remains to be seen, one prominent member is already on his way out. Pro scouting director Jared Porter is heading to the Cubs, Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com tweets. It’s important to note that, as Britton explains, Dombrowski indicated that at least one front office member was departing (quite possibly Porter) in a move that had already been in the works before his arrival.
- Dombrowski also touched upon the Red Sox’ pending move of Hanley Ramirez to first base, as Britton further reports. “It just seemed to make sense” to try the veteran out at the position, he explained. “Not that you have to rush it, but it gives us some time to get him out there. I wouldn’t want to say, ’Let’s wait until spring training and let’s see if he can do it.’ What happens if he can’t do it? You really need to know that more so now.”
- If the Blue Jays are going to land Indians president Mark Shapiro to fill that role in Toronto, they may well do so in the coming days, according to Joe Vardon of the Plain Dealer. A source says that “closure” on Shapiro’s status is expected in short order. We learned earlier today that Cleveland has authorized him to meet with the Jays.
- There’s something of an unusual situation brewing between the Blue Jays and infielder Steve Tolleson, who is on the temporarily inactive list at Triple-A, as John Lott of the National Post writes. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said that Tolleson “just decided he didn’t want to play anymore,” while Tolleson says he’s injured. The question is whether Tolleson was injured when he was designated for assignment by the club, the argument being that he should (if that was the case) be earning a major league salary from the MLB disabled list.
Still the most fascinating team in baseball.
What qualifies a team to be fascinating?
Being in Boston will do it, apparently.
It must look that way from the outside. If the team isn’t winning it all they’re well on their way to 90 losses trading half the team, firing people etc.
Either way, the Red Sox are always going to get 2-3 times more stories here about their various soap operas than many other teams do on the issues affecting them.
DD was very patient when he joined the Tigers. Waited a full year before making any major moves. Red Sox will be quicker, but do not expect wholesale changes at lightening speed.
Wholesale changes is what I’m petrified of. Yes,this team underperformed and changes are a must. But he doesn’t have the same info on the minor league system to know who to keep or not. I hope he keeps out of the top tier or prospects and trades from the second tier this offseason while using the major league club
Trade em ALL!!!!
Trade who? Trading away all our prospects would set this rebuild back needlessly.
trade the prospects for what you need and there will be no reason for a rebuild.
But they already have a young core. They should build on that, not trade for players on the wrong side of 30. They should go for it in 2017 when the next wave of top prospects get there. They can trade guys like Margot, Gurria and Johnson (Top 100 prospects) but they should keep the young core guys, Moncada, Devers, Esponisa etc
I understand. You are for a rebuild. I am not. I never said trade for players over 30. I said trade “might be” prospects for “already am” players.
But thats not how that works. How often do teams trade players under 30 who are under contract for much more then a year?
My ideal Red Sox offseason:
Trade for Craig Kimbrel.
Sign Darren O’Day.
Sign Tony Sipp.
Don’t touch the offense unless it’s an outgoing trade involving Panda/Hanley (like Panda for Shields).
Pick up Buchholz’s option.
Go hard for Price or Cueto… avoid making a trade for an ace unless absolutely necessary.
I have absolutely no idea what to do with the 3 catcher situation, but it’s a pretty good problem to have.
That’s what I would do and what I hope Dave does. We’ll see, but this team isn’t in as bad a shape as their record indicates.
I like the emphasis on the bullpen. What are you offering for Kimbrel? If you can get him for a Catcher, do it. You have depth there. DD likes hard throwers. I’m guessing he will get rid of Porcello again, if not this year, then next after a rebound.
I dont think the Sox match up great for Kimbrel. He is kinda of a last piece kinda guy. Maybe give a guy like Gurria or Johnson plus a lesser piece.
I agree with absoluetly every name you mentioned but 1, thats Buchholz, NO! Dear God NO! Enough with that head case please.
( http://chowderandchampions.com/2015/08/28/boston-red-sox-the-facts-about-clay-buchholz/ )
I agree with a lot of this. Some differences for me would be:
-Don’t trade Hanley or Pablo unless you are getting a significantly cheaper player in return. I don’t want James Shields clogging up the rotation.
-Go hard after Price/Cueto, but also seek into trading for another ace too. A rotation fronted by Price and Carrasco would be a good thing, and I’d be willing to spend the prospects to make it happen. I’d rather spend the prospects on another great starter than Craig Kimbrel.
-Pick up Buchholz’s option and roll with a rotation of Price, Carrasco, Buchholz, Rodriguez, Porcello. Henry Owens and Steven Wright will serve as back-up options for the inevitable Buchholz injury.
I wrote at the beginning of the season that the Red Sox would turn over their roster by at least 50% – after turning it over by about that in the off-season. With 1/4 of the season left, the discussion turned to how much do they turn it over by opening day 2016.
This is MLB’s flagship rotisserie league team. That’s their identity. Hopefully Dombrowski will build a solid team of players that fans can identify as the Boston Red Sox.
MLB’s flagship rotisserie league team? I think a Mr. Beane would disagree, or maybe Mr. Loria?
The difference is that those teams turn over roster because they have to, financially. Boston has done it because they want to. They think they can move an offensive player to a position he doesn’t play, because in the world of rotisserie, defense doesn’t count. DD will put the emphasis back into reality.
The whole defense thing was only this year really. There is a lot of turn over for baseball players. Not just the Sox.
Just an FYI but its $13m, not 12. And I Pray they dont bring him back, it isnt worth it.
Yes, it actually is worth it at $13M. I know how frustrating it his waiting for his injury bomb to go off every season but even if they get 120IP out of him, it’s worth. Just another pitcher they will have to replace on the FA market, and a less than mediocre pitcher makes that kind of money.
Buchholz option is $13M in 2016 and $13.5M in 2017 FYI