Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com analyzes the Orioles’ use of their minor-league system in recent years. The club has increasingly drawn upon players right out of Double-A Bowie, notes Kubatko, and it seems that’s somewhat by design. Skipper Buck Showalter says that top affiliates are increasingly utilized “almost like major-league taxi squads,” not as steps on the ladder to the majors. While every player’s situation must be handled on its own merits, says Showalter, the club is obviously generally comfortable with moving talented players right past the Triple-A level.
Here’s more on the O’s and their division…
- The Orioles, like other teams, have plenty of players on hand. But the club doesn’t seem to have much inclination to back off of righty Dylan Bundy, as Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports. Though he has had significant past health problems and is already 60 innings past his prior career-high from a year ago, Showalter says the key hurler is feeling good and throwing well. Though Bundy’s last two starts have ended poorly and the O’s are all but buried in the postseason race, the skipper says it’s “not at that point yet” where Bundy needs to be shut down for the rest of the year.
- There’ll be plenty of roster needs for the Blue Jays to address this offseason. As Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca writes, the bullpen will be no exception, though manager John Gibbons says he feels good about the unit as a whole with the season winding down. That includes some optionable arms, as Nicholson-Smith explains in ticking through the hurlers on hand. Among them is Dominic Leone, who spent fewer than 20 days in the minors this year (despite being optioned on four separate occasions) and therefore will come with another option season for the 2018 season.
- The Red Sox don’t have many important players slated to hit free agency next year, but veterans Eduardo Nunez and Mitch Moreland are among those on the cusp of the open market. Both say they’d like to return to Boston, however. For Nunez, as Rob Bradford of WEEI.com writes, settling in with the Sox has been easy. It’s not clear, though, whether there’ll be enough playing time to warrant pursuit of a player who’ll be in some demand. Chris Mason of CNHI Sports Boston writes about Moreland’s case. The first bagger says he has “loved it” with the Red Sox, though he’s focused on the season at the moment. Unsurprisingly, the sides haven’t discussed a new contract.
- While bullpens have long plagued teams constructed by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, it seems he has built a compelling unit this year with the Red Sox, as Evan Drellich of CSNNE.com writes. While everything hasn’t worked out as hoped, at least not initially, the Sox have kept moving forward and have now compiled a strong group as the club nears an AL East crown.
- One possible piece of the Red Sox relief core, long-time starter David Price, figures to be one of the most closely watched players of the postseason. As Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes, while there have been some issues during Price’s tenure, he still has the support of the clubhouse. The veteran hurler could play a fascinating role in Boston’s hopeful march through the postseason.
I know the Sox are trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold so what does their total commitments look like for next year?how about estimated with arb eligibles?if they get under the tax penalty this year are they willing to go over next? these are key questions IMO when thinking about whether Moreland will be back next year. the market is flush with much better options(Alonso and Morrison to name a couple) if they wish to write a little bigger check
They planned to reset their tax base. They will spend but Morrison, I hope not. Moreland’s value is in his glove and while many teams nead more consistent production from 1B, power would not be an issue if they got Devers production all year out of 3B and Mookie hit earlier in the season like he is now. Never mind the DH spot this year has been pretty much a waste.
Moreland has literally had one above average defensive season. That was last year. He’s garbage.
The Red Sox have 121 mil to 7 players for 2018, add to that is 13 mil and 12.5 mil for Sale and Kimbrel, bringing 2018’s payroll to 146 mil to 9 players, 9 mil of which is not going towards the luxury tax because Rusney Castillo isn’t on the 40 man. Add to that a boat load of Arb players and youre looking at a team that either needs a lot of love from those arb players while filliin in around the edges with cheap free agents or they will be blowing away the luxury tax.
Moreland is definitely gone, Sam Travis can provide that production if not better at minimum salary. Would love Nunez to stay, but wouldn’t be surprised if he got close to Zobrist type money. Sox will likely let Chris Young walk too.
Forgot about Travis in my prior comment but if they reset the cap this year, the cost won’t prevent them from going after the player they want.
Would be real interesting seeing them do that considering that their projected payroll with arb increases is 212 mil. Long way to go to get under the tax and that’s without filling out the complete roster, I don’t see another gift like the dodgers gave them.
the redsox are under the luxury tax threshold this season so it will be reset for us and we will be able to go over next year and in 2018 when there is a loaded free agent class. Atleast the salary cup goes up even year next year its at 197mill Also we have a nice chunk coming off the books this year but on the other hand we have to work out a number of extensions in the next few years for sale, betts, bradley jr, pomeranz, bogaerts, and kimbrell among others if we want to resign them all in the next 3 years. ALSO look for the redsox to look for an upgrade at 1st base this year or trade for joey Votto i can see them resigning Moreland if they can’t get a better deal elsewhere but its a deep 1st base class. They would also like to resign Nunez which will make holt trade bait I also wouldn’t rule out trading Bogaerts also to free up cap room especially if we resign nunez. and signing a 4th outfielder this offseason unless they want to stay in-house to save money. 1 thing is certain there is many different moves Dombrowski can make in the next few years either by trades, extensions, and big free agent signings…LASTLY we like the way our team is set up but look for an acquisition of a big time homerun hitter (JOEY VOTTO) it should be very interesting and OUR FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT!!!
Travis can’t touch Moreland’s production….. the guy has been a doubles machine this season. His glove is top notch too.
He is over rated I n every aspect of the game, he sucks , Devers will have 50 errors if he has to throw over to him next year. If the ball bounces to him he can’t pick it. He strikes out way to much
You’re literally talking about last night and last night only. Moreland has been money for most of the season
The Sox need to let thiseto guys go and find some real power to play first if Sam Travis can’t be that guy we a last in the AL and ever players power numbers are down because there is no one to fear in are line up and Hanley is a bum but they can’t buy him out and nobody wants him so we’re stuck with him at DH
“Those” sorry
Anybody but LoMo and his bad attitude bringing down clubhouse morale. There’s a reason he stopped tweeting; his career depended on it. He’d likely fall back into his previous ways in an environment like Boston. His abandoned profile (CupOfLoMo) still says “Seattle Mariners OF” on it.
DD has done a great job so far. Only blunder he’s made was the Shaw trade. He gave up what appeared to be a lot of quality prospects but the major leaguers are all paying off. Too early to tell on a lot of the prospects he dealt but he set the Sox up well. And he managed to keep the one they really needed in Devers. Easy to criticize the guy but it looks good so far.
Let Devers learn his craft in winter ball. If not the minors next year. He gave the team the shot in the arm this year but he’s clearly not ready to play 3B 140 games next year. If Nunez goes elsewhere then maybe Lowrie for one year. I wish Marrero would get a personal batting coach because he can certainly field. Getting back to Devers, I love the kid but he would not have gotten the opportunity after Moncada’s failure at basically the same age if it weren’t for the tax implications. Hopefully he learns the craft of fielding.
Sox will let Young 7MM, Moreland 5.5MM, Abad 2MM , Thornberg 2MM and Holt 2MM go (18.5 MM in savings to fund one FA signing and the arb players)
If they think Hanley can be the main 1B like in 2015 they could go after JD Martinez as the main DH/4th OF if not they could resign Moreland. Nunez is also a possible although unlikely signing. They fill out the roster with Swihart (out of options) , Sam Travis , Marrero or Lin. Sale, Pomerantz, Porcello, E Rod, Price, Wright, Brian Johnson, Kimbrell, Smith, Kelly, Scott, Barnes, Workman, Maddox and a few others will be back so they do not need to sign any pitchers. Wright, Swihart and Brian Johnson may be trade bait as they are out of options.
UThe Sox have plenty of payroll to make any move they want even if the sign all those players money never the problem the problem is they have a full team at every position they may have make a trade and if they do I personally believe it should be JBJ he’s to up and down at the plate I did see a trade rumor with the cubs it was JBJ and a prospect or 2 for Kyle S he would be a perfect DH for the Sox Hanley just is the guy anymore
No way they just let thornberg walk. They gave up way too much to get him just to let him go elsewhere. They will offer him arbitration.
Agree on Thornberg. Holt also will back if they can’t resign Nunez.
TOS has a very bad outcome rate. If he ever recovers it will be after he is a FA.
Do you really think that after the year that JD Martinez had he would be “satisfied” at DH or as the “4th outfielder” for the Sox. You’re dreaming! This guy wants to play and will have plenty of suiters for his skills promising him something better than 4th outfielder or DH for the Red Sox. Please!!!
There is the honor of wearing the uniform….that alone should be enough?
JD’s 2016 Dwar was -2.7. So far this year he projects to be a negative defensive OF. This makes him more valuable as a DH. If Hanley could be a regular 1B he would be a fit as the primary DH and play OF when one of Betts, JBJ or Beni needed a day off.
Trading low on Swihart but it remains unclear if his value will rise anywhere near what it was. Maybe they trade Leon a defense first catcher who had a great 2016 hitting. Problem is his offense appeared out of nowhere last year while Vasquez has done the same this season. Dont know what to expect out of either of them in 2018.
Leon is Sale’s personal catcher and Blake is out of options. So it’s either trade Blake or carry him as a U and forgo a true 4th OF.
Your so off on that assessment and the way you think is boring!!!
I think the Sox would be smart to have him play winter ball with a First Baseman mitt.
Devers is a good size target at first. If need be Nunez could play 3B. I think Devers needs to play more , see winter ball pitching.
If he’s not ready in April let him get more AB’s and play 3 months AAA @ 1 B.
Scouts say his future is as a first baseman. His bat is ready at third but not the glove. At 20 years old, I think he can improve enough to be serviceable at third next year with a well above averagr bat. That would allow Sam Travis to play first. Travis is a guy I think can and will absolutely break out next year.
I don’t think the Sox can take the chance of Travis having a breakout year next year they have no power and Travis’s power was gone this year 6 hr this whole year I think they have to find a way of getting some power into this lineup. In my opinion I think that mookie had a up and down year this year bc there was too much pressure on him to be a power guy granted he has had a decent year but the average dropped the on base percentage dropped I think if they get a power bat behind him next year I think he will have another season like last year in my opinion