Some rumblings from around the AL East…
- The Blue Jays “were after” Jay Bruce during the season and are likely to pursue the outfielder in free agency, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports. Bruce reportedly didn’t draw much trade interest prior to the July deadline, though the Mets were able to deal the slugger to Cleveland in August. It should be noted that the Jays were one of eight teams on Bruce’s no-trade list, so it could be that Bruce nixed the idea of moving to a team that was only on the outskirts of the AL wild card chase and never reached the .500 mark all season. The Jays’ inclusion on Bruce’s list also doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t consider them as a free agent destination — given the Blue Jays’ past interest in his services, Bruce could have been trying to leverage some extra financial incentive in the event of another trade offer. MLBTR’s top 50 free agents list predicted a match between Bruce and the Jays, as Toronto is sorely in need of a right fielder and a big left-handed bat.
- The Red Sox asked the Rangers about Yu Darvish prior to the trade deadline, Evan Drellich of NBCSports.com reports. It seems like this was mostly a cursory check-in, as talks fizzled since the Sox weren’t interested in moving a Major League player and the Rangers weren’t too interested in Boston’s prospects. It could be argued that the Sox have enough injury uncertainty in their pitching staff to require adding another veteran arm this winter, though Darvish doesn’t seem like a fit in free agency due to his big price tag and Boston’s more pressing need for offensive help.
- Speaking of that search for bats, both J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer are expected to draw attention from the Red Sox this winter, though “multiple evaluators around the game” tell the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier that Martinez will be the bigger priority of the two. Martinez has the more consistent track record of production, he won’t cost a draft pick in compensation (as Hosmer will have a qualifying offer attached) and he hits left-handed pitching better than Hosmer does, plus Hosmer’s excellent 2017 numbers may have been boosted by the good fortune of a .351 BABIP. As Speier notes, however, the Red Sox could also aim lower and address several needs with the money required to sign Martinez or Hosmer.
- Lorenzo Cain would be an upgrade for the Orioles but the club isn’t likely to pursue the outfielder in free agency, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko writes. Baltimore is going to focus on pitching this winter, and the team will be looking at left-handed hitters when it comes to addressing its lineup needs.
J.D. Martinez to Boston is a near lock. The only other team I can see signing him are the Dodgers.
Fangraphs had the Yanks pitching as 2nd in the MLB to the Indians last year, the Sox were 4th., and they finished second in Hitting to the Astros. Yanks will be adding the number 1 prospect in the MLB Torres sometime next year also.
Don’t forget they have the best offense the last 20 years returning. A full year of Hicks in center. Young stud aces in Adams, Monty and Cessa. A full year of Bird at first base. Torres coming in to play 3rd base will be better than any free agent signing or trade that can be made. Kid the real deal. Trout of the infield.
Cessa is Sandy Koufax of living pitchers
What does that have to do with this article
He’s a Diamondbacks fan and posts something asinine about the Yankees on every article…
Sarcasm from Red Sox fans is so predictable.
Cardinals
Where do you play JD Martinez? The outfield is set with the Three B’s – Betts, Benentendi, and Bradley Jr.
Killer Bs in Boston outfield need to hit more homers.
Could play Betts at second. Pedroia is missing a bunch of the season
Rather than repeating their mistakes of the recent past i.e. paying a heavy price to players whose prime years were behind them like Hanley, Price, and Sandoval and then finding themselves in cap he’ll, I’d like to see the Red Sox follow the Astros and Dodgers model of complementing their home grown talent with well placed short term investments like verlander or darvish and investing in their scouting departments and coaching staffs to find and develop raw talents like Justin Turner or Chris Taylor. Not every gap on a team has to be filled with over priced free agents. David Ortiz was claimed from the Minnesota Twins. The Sox should use their money to extend the contracts of their young players, not splurge on one dimensional power hitters whose best days are behind them. Each winter we fall for this trap. This year let’s find the next chris Taylor’s and Justin Turner’s. Maybe they are already in the organization and just need some coaching or an opportunity to develop. Let’s stop trading the Moncada’s and the Rizzo’s for short term big name solutions that sell tickets and tv subscriptions but stifle long term success. Imagine this current Sox lineup with Rizzo at first, Moncada at second and Travis Shaw as a swingman.
Yea, but then you go back to relying on Price to stay healthy as the ace instead of Sale. Moncada still needs to be developed, and he’s able to do that where he is now. While if he had struggles in Boston it would obviously be magnified, as it was. Shaw is a misfortunate Trade, but if happens; had to try and get Kimbrel some help. Plus, Shaw finished that year horribly before being traded, and again, maybe he’s able to thrive in a smaller market like Milwaukee. And finally, it’s not like Gonzales was ever a bust for us in the Rizzo Trade. In fact, that trade brought us a WS in disguise by extending David Ortiz’s career. He credited Gonzales quite a bit for rediscovering his opposite field swing. Prior to that, he was looking like retirement was knocking on the door. You can’t play what if; especially in baseball.
I agree that playing what if can drive you crazy but you can learn from the past as you can learn from the successes of other organizations. The point is that an organization can take different paths to be successful and perhaps it is time for the Red Sox to stop filling gaps in their lineup by chasing big name stars and expensive free agents and instead be more patient with their younger players and to seek out and take chances on undeveloped talent and players who might have fallen out of favor elsewhere.
The only problem is that TRADER Dave loves old players with overpriced contracts. Anticipate more of the same as he rips through the rest of the minor league system. Don’t be surprised when he cuts into the home grown talent of the major league team. Think Miggy.
Trader Dave goes out and gets the players that he beleives are going to win and loads up at the MLB level. If you look at his past, that is what he did in Detroit and that is what he tried to do at the end of his reign at the Montral Expos. He traded Randy Johnson away for bascially nothing. Smooth move there. The Red Sox have a 2 year window before the trading away of all these prosepcts catches up with Trader Dave and there is nothing left in the barn to farm with. They’d better win now.
I think reducing spending money is always a priority and more often than not spending money backfires.
The Red Sox need an additional starting pitcher..
I hate to pay for it but ……
ERod is hurt, Price is a head case, Porcello is inconsistent.
Wright is a coin flip?
Resigning Fister makes sense for short money as an insurance policy.,
Pomeranz is OK.
I see nothing in the minors MLB ready.
Lance Lynn makes sense for 4 years $60M unfortunately as they need 1 more SP..
They have a good bullpen that will be better in 2018 next year with Carson and Thornberg back.
Keeping Addison Reed makes sense but they probably won’t.
Like when they let Miller go to NY and CLE.
Resigning Moreland or signing Logan Morrison makes sense.
Put more money into better scouting, coaching and player development.
But they likely won’t do that
Re-sign Nunez. He’s a really valuable versatile guy.
Hanley is gone after 2018.
Move Pedroia to DH in 2018 with his knee issues and long term contract.
Devers has the potential to be a #4 clean-up hitter but not for a year or two.
They need more production out of Betts, Bogarts and Bradley.
A good hitting coach would help.
Maybe Big Papi can advise from a distance.
He is now part of the front office.
The Red Sox are close and can make a run at it.
Maybe trading Price makes sense. But you would want that contract?
Maybe LAD?
Miller did not go to NY… They traded him to Bal for ERod
Then NY got him after that
Starting pitching is the last thing they need this offseason especially Lance Lynn on a $15 mill per year deal to be what the fourth or fifth starter? Sale, Price, Porcello and Pomeranz will be a solid top 4 and sure resign Fister or take a gamble on another aging vet on a minor league deal but no way will they be in the market for a starter on a multi year deal
Good post George.. couple comments;
Agree on Wright, coin flip. Fister could be an option to bring back for depth. Don’t agree on signing Lynn – they would forfeit a first round draft pick for him… and I know the questions about the others… but having Sale/Price/Pomerania/Porcello/Wright(ERod/Fister)… and still spend $60M (plus lux tax) to get another starter?
I don’t want Moreland back but Morrison on a short contract is interesting (if they don’t sign that big name).
Nunez? Yes please. Wonder how many years he’d want though. And if Petey is DH when he returns, Where is Hanley? Or is it Nunez OR LoMo?
Agree on Devers and OF production comments, as well as wanting to trade Price… but in Price’s case- it’s not happening. Just hope he produces this year enough to opt out at the end of the year, and sign elsewhere. If not- they’d have to eat a portion of his contract to move him.
Bill James’s adjusted standings had the Yanks with 105 wins last year and the Sox at 88. I think the Sox know they need to make some moves this winter to stay with the Yanks next year. Cashman killed it at the deadline and they played better agains;t the Astros than the Sox or Dodgers.
Agree Sox need to make some moves, but not because they need to ‘stay with’ the Yanks. Sox did just win the division, and really… besides Sale, most others in Boston had a down year. Betts struggles, Bogaerts and Pedrioa played with injuries, Porcello is a better pitcher than he showed this year, and Price hardly pitched at all.
Meanwhile, many in New York had great seasons…. will they continue to improve? Judge was nothing short of phenomenal- but will he hit another 50+ next year?
I can see the Yankees have a down yr next yr the don’t have a great pitching staff and there is a chance some of those great rookies could have that dreaded slump they have
Where the sox slumped most of the yr in power hitting if they get that 1 or 2 power hitters it could be a lot different and also a heathy Price
CC is a baseball God. You will eat those words, heretic
Agreed, but the loss of Popi left this team with no power. The Yanks had injuries to players like Bird, Castro, Didi, Sanchez, and Hicks last year. They also blew over 20 saves, and they now have a killer pen with the additions of Kanhle and Robertson. Remember Chapman and Betances were sub par during the season and Kimbrel was lights out all year. So you have to take everything into account We know that pitching from year to year is hard to predict, but on paper the Yanks are ahead at this point.
Your right Slider…. Papi left Sox with no power that still won 93 games, and the Sox bp minus Kimbrel/rotation minus Sale were riddled with injuries as well. Are the Yanks expected to win many more than that next year? Are the Sox now expected to win less?
But I’m not saying Sox couldn’t use Martinez to help them in the power department. Just questioning whether the contract he’ll cost is worth it, that’s all.
If it puts them over the limit for the salary cap re-set then do it.
Hey Tri–all of your Red Sox assessments are crying over spilled milk. Your predictions are filled with wishful thinking. The Sox HAD a nucleus of young talent that stopped developing. Trader Dave blew holes in the system.
The team needs a power bat and if it buys one then they have ZERO HOPE to reset the luxury tax.
John Henry will NOT be able to GAME the system by brandishing then to Pawtucket in order to avoid the luxury tax. With that loophole closed, the rest is just details.
His big failing was getting rid of Theo and some of his prodigies so he could favor bang your fist guys.
In addition there is a long list of free agent failures so future signings will be limited to players who don’t consider the hostile environment.
How is it “crying over spilled milk” to say a team performed well even with many on the team personally having a down year? And the luxury tax WAS reset, this year.
Sox are in a good position. Coming off a 93 win season… and who are they losing from that team? Moreland? Is it crazy to think they couldn’t win 90+ without that power bat you say they desperately need? I mean… they just did. What if they do get that bat?
Don’t forget most of the yr without price
You right triumph!! Porcello lose 17,Price was hurt and Rodriguez to!! You put Santana and JD Martinez in that lineup and voilà
Hey Mikeyank you should do better homework when you make a comment the Red Sox already reset the Luxory tax this year you are confusing the Red Sox with the Yankees. They are the ones that need to reset the Luxory tax not the Red Sox they have already done that but thanks for playing anyway.
If you take the pythag standing of the post season, it should’ve been NY with the world series, not Houston. If you’re going to adjust, adjust it correctly.
Any team that signs Martinez to be anything but a DH isn’t winning anything.
No one cares about his defense. If he hits like he did in AZ its worth it
if JDM wants to play defense, hes going to play defense. He just won’t sign if someone says he’ll DH
Since your statement is 100% correct, the Red Sox have no place for unless they eat Hanley’s 22 million because Hanley is not going to perform the first charade again. The thought of Martinez playing RF in Fenway is too frightening for a Red Sox fan to contemplate.
How about LF?
Red Sox already have their outfielders. The Three B’s – Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley Jr.
Dey gun trade JBjay fer Stantun and some halibut
Maybe they can split playing 1B. This way you protect hanleys shoulder. 1B is so stressful for shoulder injuries, right?
I think Red Sox sign neither JD nor Hosmer but LoMo to replace Moreland.
Like many others before it, it’s going to be a crazy Winter.
JD does fit them perfectly, and played in Detroit under DD. Stick him at DH/LF on occasion…. and push Hanley back to 1B where he played well in 2016.
That being said, what kind of offers will JD get? Is a 5 year/$125M deal enough to get him? And is that TOO MUCH to pay for a DH/4th OF?
Wow, DH and LF “on occasion”.
Do you really think that its all about playing for the Sox that would make him put his glove in his locker and just hit!
They’ll be plenty of offers where he can play defense and offense.
Defense maybe in left field he is not a right fielder anymore at all and I would be shocked if anyone signed him to play right at this point he is an absolute butcher out there. The real question is can he play left? Maybe in a small left field like Fenway but his defense is terrible.
Has Martinez officially said he would only go somewhere that hes in the OF?
No- even if that was his preference…. I don’t think Martinez would tell teams that’s DH isn’t an option for him… he’d leave the option open and see what offers he got first.
I’m personally not to high on JD he’s had one great power yr and a few good ones I think he would be fine with being a DH mainly it’s not like he’s a gold glover maybe he gets some spring training time at first you never know
I’d also believe they will go low on the chart at first maybe they give Sam Travis a shoot and bring in a guy like LoMo or Duda maybe even Bruce
Maybe JD is a little better hitter than I thought
5 years 180
That would be a recognition that they don’t want to work with a Boras client.
LoMo is possibility.
LoMo certainly provides more pop than Moreland.
Lance Lynn is also a possible target.
A grind it out number 2 or 3 starter..
Us Blue Jay fans don’t want Bruce. Old, Slow, No defense. Doesn’t fit into the ‘we want to contend in 2018’ statement by Atkins.
His defense wasn’t bad last year. Now that Uptons off the board, I’m fine if they sign him. Hopefully only to a two year deal though
JD–forget the wishful thinking. He is a free agent and to play for Boston is likely to milk Trader Dave for every nickel as compensation for the environment.
His defense in right is horrible the question is if he is willing to transition to first or possibly play left field if the Red Sox trade JBJ there is no way he would play in right field at Fenway even if the best defensive right fielder in baseball didn’t already play right for Boston.
It’s irrelevant is the Jays sign Bruce, he will be okay but won’t help this team overcome the other holes. It would mean the team gets even more older and slower. If they spend that money on starting pitching, it would be a better investment. Rebuild time.
Bruce is a bad fit. But the Jays aren’t going to rebuild yet. They are saddled with too many bad contracts. My guess is they take one more shot with the old guys in Tulo Martin Happ Estrada and hope to stay healthy rather than jeopardize the gate by looking to rebuild. Bruce is still wrong, they need at least average speed and defence.
JD sure would look good in a Dodger uniform, but I think the Red Sox will nab him.
Really, the only place he can place in that lineup is at DH and in my earlier post you really have to ask yourself if this guy at his young age is ready to put his glove in his locker pretty much permanently through this contract just to play for the Sox?
He has never played at 1st and I doubt he really wants to learn a new position just to play for the Sox. Even if he was willing, doesn’t that weaken the Sox defense in the infield for years too come?
If they give him the most money he’ll throw his glove in the garbage
Right next to Hanley’s glove, right JD? It’s along the 3rd base line in “Santovel’s corner”.
Assuming MLBTR’s projections are close to accurate:
JD 6/150
Hosmer 6/132
Moustakus 5/85
LoMo 3/36
The cost effective move for the BoSox is to sign Moustakus and move Devers to 1B/DH. Both Devers and Chavis project better at 1B/DH. Mous fixes the 3B problem, with Chavis replacing Hanley in 2019.
You don’t move a 21 year old with Devers’ potential to 1B/DH unless you think he can’t stick at 3B in the long run. That’d be a horrible move for his longterm development.
If they want Moose that much more than any other player you listed, move him to 1B/DH. He’s nowhere near the defender at 3B that he once was. Otherwise, just sign one of the actual 1B/DH options.
Carlos Santana at first!!make a trade for Ozuna ( Bradley and 2 more prospects)
A lot of scouts have said that both Devers & Chavis won’t stick at 3B. Bringing in more 1B/DH”s on big contracts will just clog the roster. Even if Moose moves to 1B at least you have 3 possible 3B with the other 2 at 1B/DH once Hanley leaves.
I have no desire to see Hosmer or LoMo for that kind of $$$. As for JD the OF “D” will go from the best to middling with JD in LF , JBJ gone and Beni in C.
Sox stupidly passed in Encarnacion last year and now they’ll have to probably over pay for Martinez
The Red Sox were not really in a position to sign Encarnacion last winter. They are still being strangled by Cherington’s disastrous tenure and to think he still is employed by a major league team defies imagination.
Cherington made plenty of poor moves… but he did help build the farm system to one of the very best in baseball. One of his issues was that he thought TOO much of that farm system… couldn’t pull the trigger on any trades.
Of course it was those alternative FA signings that was his downfall.
The Sox desperately needed Encarnacion’s bat and Ortiz even tapped him as his successor but the FO told fans they were scared of going over the cap until it was learned that they still could’ve put him on the cap without tapping into the major cap penalties that they told their fans would hamstring the club in the future.
Cain has too much speed and gets on base too often for the Orioles to pursue him. Plus, you have to strike out at least 150 times a season to play in their outfield.
Yes, both Eric Hosmer and or J.D. Martinez will get offers from the Red Sox.
One or the other goes to Boston.
They will also pick up Lance Lynn.