The latest column from Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports focuses on the league-wide home run surge in 2016. MLB is on pace to set a new record for the most homers in a season on a per-plate-appearance basis. Passan profiles players either experiencing shocking levels of power output (e.g. Brian Dozier, Freddy Galvis) or enjoying a significant rebound in the power department, led by Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo. Acquired in a salary dump with the Mariners, Trumbo’s one-dimensional nature created virtually no trade market for him, Passan notes, and while his power spike will improve his stock this offseason, the one-dimensional questions will still exist. Trumbo is one of baseball’s worst defensive outfielders and has a below-average OBP because he walks less than the prototypical slugger. Still, a much older Nelson Cruz parlayed a 40-homer season into a four-year, $57MM contract, Passan notes, and he came with similar defensive question marks. I’d imagine that a team hoping to put Trumbo at first base wouldn’t be as concerned with his glove, but the combination of his defensive reputation, lack of OBP and a the presence of a qualifying offer will all be working against him.
More from the AL East…
- The Red Sox won’t have a late-inning baserunning specialist this postseason as they have in each of their recent World Series runs, writes WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Boston has previously leaned on Dave Roberts, Joey Gathright and Quintin Berry to serve as a bench weapon late in postseason contests — deploying each with great success in base-stealing situations. The Sox reached out to Berry once again this season following his release from the Angels, but Berry elected to sign with the division-rival Blue Jays, who ultimately released him on Sept. 7 — after the postseason eligibility deadline. There was also some hope that Yoan Moncada could fill the role, but he’s committed a few baserunning blunders that have led the Sox to question whether he’s capable of handling such a stage, Bradford points out.
- There are more teams in the league that believe Edwin Encarnacion can still play a passable first base on an everyday basis than there are teams that believe Jose Bautista can still be an everyday right fielder, per Sportsnet’s Jeff Blair. Certainly, both Blue Jays sluggers will garner interest from American League clubs this winter given the fact that either could spend some time at DH in future seasons, but Blair also notes that there are “at least a couple” of NL teams that view Encarnacion as a viable first base option. Encarnacion, who will turn 34 this offseason, has seen considerably more time at DH than first base in the past two seasons, though it doesn’t sound as if he’ll be viewed strictly in that light this winter. Bautista, meanwhile, will turn 36 in October and has missed time with a knee sprain this season. Both Defensive Runs Saved (-9) and Ultimate Zone Rating (-5) are pessimistic about his defense.
EE is going to Boston next season.It’s already over.
Actually, he’s not. I happen to know someone “within EE’s group” and while I cannot elaborate on his plans I will say now, he’s not interested in Boston. He is however settled on 3 teams! But that’s all I’ll say!
I call BS on osonvs.
Idk I believe him there must be something wrong with u if u felt the need to lie about that
hahahahahhahaha
Call what you like. I’m the one who knows what’s happening!
How is it possible that a player who has yet to reach free agency has settled on 3 teams? Barring a heck of a lot of tampering, he has no idea who’s even interested in his services let alone have offers on the table.
Just to clarify, there’s no BS in what I said. I never said there’s any tampering taking place nor did I say that he knows who’s even interested. All I’m saying is that he’s settled on 3 teams meaning he has interest in playing for only 3 teams and Boston is not one of them. Whether they are interested is another question entirely. And yes, Toronto is one of the 3 teams. Sorry I can’t elaborate any more on that since I have to respect what EE wants.
As a sox fan I don’t have a good feeling. I think Jays or Yankees
Just because Ortiz likes the idea of a certain guy taking over for him doesn’t mean it’s going up happen. There will be a need and Boston has deep pockets. Could happen but slow down a bit
I just think in today’s game every organization puts a value on a player and doesn’t go a ton over that mark. I don’t have anyway of knowing but someone could easily value a guy more than another and go where the other isn’t comfortable. A lot of surprises over the offseason and I expect more of the same this offseason
Why would boston want another right handed hitter. They need a lefty to fill the middle of the order.
Love to see Eddie fill the role that David Ortiz has filled
Don’t think the Redsox should sign a player to DH this winter. Should rotate players already on their roster. Need to find a role for Sanaval
Its spelled r-o-l-l in this case, and he has already found plenty
This is one of the first comments on MLBTR that I have legitimately audibly laughed at in a long time.
I agree. Unless they trade Sandoval (who nobody wants) they need him to DH. I mean this had to have been the plan anyway. You don’t have to be a genius to realize that Sandoval was eventually not going to give you much in the way of defense. He pulled a hammy when he stretched for a ball playing 1B for SF so they never played him there again. I’m just surprised that he didn’t give Boston 2 years of average 3B defense with good offense before moving to DH.
I think the plan was actually to have Hanley DH. But who knew he’d actually be the better infield defender….
And I agree, they have a very up and coming player in Sam Travis to platoon with Travis Shaw plus hopefully Mr Sandoval got a wake up call plus if Mr Moncada gets his curveball issues fixed.. Multi options plus save some funds for the free agent loaded 2018 season… Works for me
Travis spent almost the entire season this year on the DL. He’s not going to break camp in the spring with the big club. They’ll likely rotate Shaw, Sandoval and Ramirez through third, first and DH.
No need to find a need for Pablo dd has shown you have to earn a spot he’ll be a dh in Pawtucket we can sign someone actually worthy of a dh slot
EE will be on whatever team offers him the most in salary and time.
If Boston offers the most, then he’ll be a Red Sock, but I certainly doubt “its a done deal” He’ll offer no discount for his services and certainly not just because its Boston.
Who said anything about a discount? A lot of people are suggesting Boston because they’ll profile as a “good fit” after Papi retires and are likely to be among the highest bidders for his services.
“Still” implies there previously was a time when Encarnacion could play a passable first base. I’ll object based on facts not in evidence.
You obviously haven’t seen him play this year. Solid at 1st and his numbers are better when he plays vs DHing.
Probably take at least as much to sign Encarnacion as it did to sign Hanley Ramirez 2 seasons ago, as in 4/80 and an easy to get extra year worth another 20m.
I’d rather not give that much to another fair to worse glove who plays the same positions as Hanley does and same age, no matter how well he hits, unless years is 2-3 at the most.
Focus on a cheaper and temporary bat at 1b might be better to rotate with Hanley. Possibly Napoli again.
They could probably rotate Hanley, Sandoval, Shaw and an Aaron Hill type between 1B,3B and DH and still have a strong offense with Travis and eventually Devers waiting in the wings.. I wouldnt spend crazy money on offense right now since they will likely want to lock down their young talent and they have more coming in to produce (Moncada, Benintendi, etc). Any extra resources should go to pitching.
Encarnacion might not be great at saving errors, but he’s picked almost every hot shot at him this year. He’s even made quite a few diving grabs. The only thing that might scare teams off is the increased risk of injury if he plays the field
He actually hits better when he is at 1B. Pay the man
Sox will need a fearsome LEFTY bat when Ortiz leaves. The Sox don’t want to be the next version of the Blue Jays, going Pedroia-Bogaerts-Betts-Ramirez-Encarnacion in a row.
Or you know, they could actually play Sandoval, Benintendi, Shaw and JBJ or Leon too. Just because Ortiz is retiring, it doesn’t mean the Sox have run out of lefties.
He would be a nice addition for the Sox, but only if they can unload Sandoval. EE looks to be in good shape and should be able to be a very productive player for several more years. Sandoval is not.
I could retire tomorrow, but only if I don’t have to pay my bills.
Lol
I could see the Cardinals in on EE. They are not set on Matt Adams I imagine with his constant inconsistencies and injuries. Plus the Cardinals need a bopper and the only decent one they have is Moss and he is hitting 232 and going to be leaving seeking more money than the cardinals want to spend.