After winning a major league-best 108 regular-season games and a World Series in 2018, the Red Sox have come out somewhat flat this year. The club’s firmly in the playoff hunt again, but at a middling 36-34, it sits a game out of an American League wild-card spot. Still, in discussing the upcoming trade deadline with Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski predictably revealed a willingness to buy.
Boston’s “always open to improving” should “the right opportunity” come along, Dombrowski said. The two-time championship-winning executive added the team will take an “aggressive” approach if it remains in contention leading up to July 31. That’s unsurprising coming from Dombrowski, who has been active on the summer trade market during his time in Boston. Just a year ago, pre-deadline acquisitions in first baseman Steve Pearce and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi played instrumental roles in the Red Sox’s run to a title. The season prior, Dombrowski pulled in reliever Addison Reed and infielder Eduardo Nunez in July, and he picked up lefty Drew Pomeranz and infielder Aaron Hill in 2016.
Judging by Dombrowski’s Red Sox history, moves are likely to happen in the coming weeks. The team’s bullpen is one area many Red Sox fans hope Dombrowski upgrades, but he’s not panicking over the maligned unit.
“People keep asking that question and have been asking it,” he told Cotillo of his relief corps. “It’s amazing how many fans and reporters in almost every city in Major League Baseball ask that same question.”
Boston’s bullpen does rank in the majors’ top 10 in ERA, FIP and K/BB ratio, all of which supports Dombrowski’s belief that it’s not in dire shape. Marcus Walden, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes are among much-utilized Red Sox relievers who have posted respectable or better production in 2019. However, the team hasn’t found a full-time closer to take over for Craig Kimbrel, who officially said goodbye to Boston when he signed with the Cubs last week.
Additionally, the Red Sox are devoid of a lefty reliever at the moment, though the mending Brian Johnson could help in that regard when he returns from the injured list in the coming days. Johnson may end up in play for the Red Sox’s rotation, as could suspended knuckleballer Steven Wright when he comes back later this month. Their starting staff hasn’t gotten much production behind the established quartet of Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez. Eovaldi, Hector Velazquez, Ryan Weber, Josh Smith and Darwinzon Hernandez have fallen flat across a combined 17 starts.
While Eovaldi’s a strong bet to reclaim the remaining spot in Boston’s starting staff when he comes off the IL, it’s up in the air when that will happen. Out since undergoing elbow surgery in late April, Eovaldi suffered a setback in his bicep last weekend. His arm problems could help inform Dombrowski’s deadline plans and persuade the exec to add another legit starter capable of aiding in the club’s playoff push. At the very least, the Red Sox look like candidates to increase their starting depth before the end of July.
Of course, in Boston’s case, the luxury tax is worth keeping in mind as it gears up to potentially add outside help. According to Jason Martinez of Roster Resource, the Red Sox’s luxury tax payroll currently checks in at more than $251MM, which puts them on pace to exceed the league’s highest threshold ($246MM). If that occurs, the Sox will have to pay a 75 percent surtax for every dollar spent over the limit. They’ll also see their top 2020 draft pick fall 10 spots. The franchise ran a $239MM luxury tax payroll in 2018, which cost it $11.95MM in taxes and 10 spots on its first selection in this month’s draft.
Yet they still have not given Shawrayn a start and continue to call up/send back down garbage retreads Josh Smith and Ryan Weber to make starts, get hammered, then pulled in the 2nd-3rd inning (if lucky).
Brainstorm.. Why not let Shawaryn start, then let one of those wretched piles do mop up duty instead *if* needed? Shawaryn has been nothing short of outstanding early on after having a decent MiLB career. he deserves it and cannot afford to give games away started by smith and weber.
Does Boston even have the assets to be aggressive?
Yes
I feel if they want impact acquisitions, they don’t. You’d almost have to assume any discussions for these players begin and end with Chavis’ inclusion.
JD I’d love to know what planet Chavis isn’t moving . He can play all over the diamond . Moreland keeps getting hurt Pearce is well Pearce. Whose gonna play first ? Martinez needs time off too. Plus need you be reminded holt been hurt Nunez both play second oh wait Chavis can play second too. You really outta just stick to watching your jays and sens . Your logic on other teams is dillusional bud!
Boston isn’t going to move Chavis, that is wishful thinking on the part of a NYY fan hoping he’s given away for a 1y rental for some reliever and it isn’t going to happen for a multitude of reasons..
Chavis plays 2b and 1b fairly well it seems from his couple of months on the MLB scene, 2 positions the team is going to need covered going into 2020. Why give up a guy that’s played average defense (at least) at both positions, hits for power and is under control for 6 more years? It’s beyond ludicrous to swap him out for another Addison Reed type, even a #4-5 type starter, which will be covered shortly when either Stephen Wright/Brian Johnson get finished with their rehab stints at Pawtucket anyway and just how long til Eovaldi gets back and moves those 2 into long relievers regardless?
Moving Chavis just ain’t gonna happen, like that wishful thinking we saw from those same people hoping Boston would give away Devers this past offseason.. Just keep on dreaming, unless some kind of blockbuster comes along with a decent player comes around with long term control.
johnsilver,
Well said JD asks a lot of dumb questions in the prohockey. He battles with me constantly he’s a sens,jays and now a bandwagon raptors fan. The constantly needs to be educated.
I said he’s probably the only way they’d be able to acquire an impact player. That’s literally what I said. How can you possibly take that and turn it any other way?
John and I just told you why JD. Still hungover from celebrating last night hit your head when you fell off that wagon? Very easily like we both mentioned Chavis won’t move !
I agree I don’t think he’ll move either. I never said I thought he would. What are you possibly trying to get at?
You said any discussions begin and end with Chavez. He’s not getting moved and why would he with the young nuclear they currently have which puts them in contention for a long time. Enjoy the rainy ottawa weather sitting in your rocking chair. Don’t you have a tennis or backgammon game to get to. Clearly there is no way you play any sports with the logic you have.
For impact talent. If they want that, he’s getting traded. But I don’t think they’ll be in that market. Learn to read. And why are you talking about Ottawa. My god, why would your incoherent mind think about that for no reason? You’re trolling me about a city I don’t live close to? Hopefully you can find a way to enjoy the Oakland/Toronto/Boston weather. Wonder how that happens.
Ridiculous back and forth in that even Chavis could easily be moved. He just won’t be given away. Everyone is or should be expendable. The $1m question is what would the return be?
My head hurts Dewey. Such a long exchange for something that nobody even debated the initial point. That poster sees my name and has to respond, no matter how ridiculous it is. I took the bait, such a sucker for that.
I’m sorry, did that back-and-forth seriously just happen? What part of “impact” acquisitions are people having trouble understand? Not sure why anyone would equate an “impact” acquisition to a Reed-like reliever or back-end starter. The simple truth is that if the Sox want to get an impactful player, they’ll have to part with someone like Chavis/Benintendi as the farm doesn’t possess the prospects necessary for such a trade. Now, will the Sox part with Chavis/Benintendi? I would venture a ‘no’ on that. Hence, Boston probably makes marginal upgrades.
I think he’s implying Chavis is the Sox best trade bait and any team offering a high impact player will look elsewhere when he’s not offered up. I can buy that.
But I also don’t think the Sox are going to be players for high impact players, or at least not ones better than Shane Greene or Sean Doolittle. They’ll probably try to get the best upgrade they can for Darwinzon Hernandez or Bobby Dalbec.
I would tank before I would trade Chavis. I’m not a huge fan, but he should be good enough to lock up 2B for the next 6.5 seasons. And there is a lot of value to that.
They don’t need impact talent they already have lots. Still in the WC hunt. Just have to make the playoffs and then catch lightning in a bottle. Clearly I can read or I wouldn’t be resounding. I also remember you we’re gonna stop commenting how’s that working for ya. I just assumed you lived in the 613 since you are a sens fan. My bad where do you live then??? Your memory needs some assistance maybe grab a pen and paper and jot down some stuff. I never mentioned Oakland bro!
Dewey,
You gotta forgive jd he posts about the sens is a huge fan along with a bandwagon raps fan and likes the jays . Clearly had a major Chubb for the leafs and Red Sox.
This is amazing straight into my veins. The guy who brings up my team every post somehow has this opinion.
Jd you don’t even answer the questions I’ve asked. Can’t eveb say where your from you sound like a homer of a fan so my guess woulda been you live in the Ottawa area… cause not many sens fans live in the Gta or south of that so you’d have to be an oddball wouldn’t ya!
NO, one of the worst farm systems in baseball
System isn’t really empty. Most of the could end up good kids are in lower minors tho. Casas,Thad Ward, Howlett, Scherff. Several more. All are few years away.
AA and above there is Dalbec, which prospect sites like, tho makes me wince in Portland games have watched. He takes huge hacks, seems to have issues picking up off speed pitches and gets out in front of them quite often. 40%K rate at AA, tho does hit some long HR’s.
Chatham is a slick fielding SS and has hit so far well in his pro career, including AA where he’s currently hurt after getting hit about a month back. A big guy, like 6’2-6’3 as remember.
Darwinzon Hernandez has struggled with his control this season, but think if used as a reliever, he could be up for good next year and went with nothing but his high 90’sFB and curve.
Tanner Houck Starting off like lat season. Got hit early and last several starts has been pretty close to dominant. 94-96mphfb and slurvy slider. Throws almost sidearm, like Justin Masterson did. *possible* mlb guy next year.
Jarren Duran Just drafted last year and also.. just called up to AA. Super fast slash/line drive hitter where speed is the asset. CF.
Durbin Feltman High 90’sfb and nasty slider. Probably won’t be long for him to make it as a reliever. Saw a story on him where his “troubles” this year was due to him working on his 3rd pitch (curve) in game situations many times.
That’s it as far as I am concerned for ppl that could be worth much. There is Lin, Okimey.. Few others, but they are really throw ins IMO..
Don’t forget Rusney Castillo lol
True bosox fan. Definitely appreciate the knowledge, as I don’t know much of the Red Sox system other than Houck, Mata, and Groome.
Boy Groome has been languishing it seems. Hope to see him up to speed soon
Aren’t they universally a bottom 3 system?
nice scouting report, good comment here
A rare occurrence of a Johnny Super Scout actually having a decent post!
@JohnSilver
At the start of the year, baseball america had the Sox farm ranked 23rd and prospect digest had them 27th (Just 2 solid examples, obv not the only rankings), and that was BEFORE Chavis lost his prospect ranking and a draft where Boston had a terribly low 1st round pick due to Luxury Tax penalties and a recent WS win.
So is the system barren? Obviously not, is it quite clearly in the bottom 5 of the league now? Absolutely it is.
Chavis was the best prospect by miles and he’s graduated, which kills their farm rankings. I’d argue they’re 30th out of 30, though I’ll listen to arguments about them being as high as 27th.
Dave needs to visit his old office. Call Detroit and get Shane Green. Amazing numbers this year and being he’s a great agent at years end…. Well you’d get him for almost nothing. Solves the closer issue in Boston.
Shane Greene has one more arbitration year left.
How is he a free agent next year? Maybe you mean after next year ends?
It amazes me how people can keep saying “amazing numbers this year” and “get him for almost nothing” in the same sentence. That’s not how any of this works. Also, he is not a free agent after this year. He has 1 more year of team control.
Thanks!
Shane Greene is a very likely target despite this being a “buy high” player. With 1 1/2 seasons of control left, he won’t be dealt for almost nothing. I couldn’t guess what it would take for Boston to pry him out of Detroit, but hopefully Tigers’ fans aren’t set on Casas in that package. But if you like Bobby Dalbec, he is definitely available. I also wonder if Michael Chavis isn’t available from Boston.
With the direction the Pirates are going, their need for an elite closer like Vazquez isn’t necessary. The Sox should make an offer because Vazquez is cheap, controllable for years to come, and dealing with Huntington is low risk since he’s one of the league’s worst at evaluating/developing talent. Make it happen Dave!
I’m curious to know what you think the Red Sox can offer
I’m sure make-a-deal Neal will ask for Darwinzon, Dalbec, and Casas, but will accept Sam Travis, Brian Johnson, and a hard throwing, yet erratic minor league reliever, but only if you take Josh Bell off his books…ER…hands.
I bet the Sox could get Marte and Felipe Vazquez from the Pirates for peanuts. I know people will say what about JBJ? If you are hitting .200, move over and be the 4th outfielder.
And why would the Pirates move those players for peanuts?
Giants have Smith and I’m sure we can throw in Holland, what they got in the way of OF and SP prospects?
The Giants have so many bad contracts, they are the worst use of $200mill since “Quantum of Solace.” Any team wanting their few remaining useful pieces can probably drag the asking price down considerably by also taking any of a slew of overpaid deadweights…
‘Quantum’ was probably the best Bond movie. The ones since then were very disappointing.
Think the info on cap alittle off… Castillo’s amount does not count, because he is not on the 40 man roster… one mistake, and have to research more but I have them around the the 230 mark….16 under the top cap or there abouts
The REAL fun is in thinking what a tear-down would look like. They’re probably going to the playoffs, but imagine if Henry told DD , “the heck with it, pull it apart”. (Of course, it would never happen; the Sox’ revenues being tied to winning, more than most teams).
Imagine Mookie and Bennie and Sale and Bogey and JD and Price on the open market…..now THAT would be a “re-imaging”…..
Bob,
Little early to be drinking Jack Daniels. No way in heck that would ever happen. Betts is one of the best two 5 tool players in the game alongside trout. Benny is freaking clutch and heck of a player. Need I go on like common man book yourself a dr appt to get your head examined. Your talking crazy take that nonscene elsewhere.
I would never touch JD this early in the morning…now, Glenlivet is another story….
Yes, the Sox’ core is far too young to think of a rebuild. But think how much fun it would give Todd and Adams.
I honestly don’t completely disagree. I think we should (eventually) play a lot better. But if we are still struggling at the trade deadline, I’d give serious consideration to trading Betts. He’s given no indication he wants to sign with us. The jury is still out as to whether he is a star or a superstar. He has it in his head that he is Mike Trout, but he is not even a lock for the AS game this year. And he can be worth a king’s ransom for 1.33 years for a team looking to go over the top.
I suspect that SD will be out of it by the trade deadline, but they are clamoring for a good CF, which Betts can provide. I’d start with Renfroe, and ask for Gore and Patino. The s/t thinkers in the RS Nation won’t like it, but our long-term chances would improve a lot, and replacing Betts with Renfroe in RF wouldn’t kill us.
And replacing Renfroe with Betts, puts Myers back in the outfield, and make the Padres currently quite a bit better.
Bob,
Okay bob … whatever drink that nastiness!
I’m not gonna think about it causes it not gonna happen. It’s expected as a fan of the team nothing less then a WS title is acceptable!
that luxury tax is dumb to begin with. might as well just get rid of it.
@ hank w fan
Says the team with money to spend. Why have any but the top 5 cities have teams then? Yanks, Boston, Philly and Chi can keep playing themselves. That should be entertaining.
RS may want to think about a reunion with Joe Kelly. It wouldn’t cost them much.
Because we don’t have enough RPs with 7.00+ ERAQs?
How bout jbj starts slapping the ball to left field. Hmmmm
Rickeo02 ,
It would be nice but they guy plays one of the best defensive cf’s I’ve ever seen.
Two facts are obviously apparent:
1. The Red Sox have been absolutely terrible, in just about any category you can think of.
2. Nobody doesn’t think they won’t make the playoffs.
I thought this when they signed him and still believe Eovaldi should be the closer. The rotation has come back for the most part and they’ve even incorporated bullpen games on occasion. Bostons biggest need is a closer. Starters who’ve migrated to a closer spot have excelled for the most part. This committee plan isnt going to work.
Yea that makes sense?
Sign a guy with a history of Tommy John surgery (Eovaldi) for $68M and make him your closer when your current likely Hall of Fame closer (Kimbrel) only got $43M with the Cubs?
Plus also throw in that Eovaldi only got paid $2M in 2018.
What I’d like to know is who the mystery bidder was that offered Eovaldi $68M that propelled the Red Sox to open the piggy bank for him and dump Kimbrel?
I think we’ll make the playoffs, but I hope DD has an exit strategy. I don’t really need another WS in 2019 (though it would be appreciated). If we still have don’t have a pulse in another month, I’d be calling up SD to see what they’d pay for Betts.
JoeBrady,
Trade Betts that’s laughable is that your stand up or sit down comedy routine for what lol
Straight forward. We have plenty of talent. If Betts doesn’t want to sign with us, or wants Trout money, then why keep him? Toronto & Baltimore made huge errors not trading Donaldson & Machado when they still had 1.3 years left on their contract. Washington likely made a mistake holding Harper as well.
The thing to remember is that, if we are out of it at the trade deadline, then Betts is worth almost twice as much to an acquiring team as he is to us, since they will have two playoff runs as opposed to us only having one (presuming, again, that we are out of it).
Two other considerations. If Betts goes to SD as a CF, he again has more value than he does as the RS’ RF.
And lastly, I think you are overrating Betts’ value. Renfroe has a 2.2 WAR this year. Betts has a 3.0. Project Betts over 1.5 seasons at 6.0 per year gives us 9 WAR. Project Renfroe as a 4.0 WAR,for 4.5 years gives us 18 WAR.
It’s a no-brainer, IMO.
Doubling down I guess on the fan base BS?
Without a closer this team likely had a slim chance of repeating from the start.
Wondering who signed off on Eovaldi for $68M who made only $2M in 2018?
Guessing a hot playoff string by Eovaldi was more impressive to the front office than a likely Hall of Fame proven closer?
Then Kimbrel signs for $43M?
Here’s something else to think about.
Tampa is your division rival and a great judge of inexpensive quality pitching talent.
They had signed Eovaldi to a $2M contract in 2018.
Then they trade him to the Red Sox, during the season?
Don’t you think John Henry should take a more active approach in decision making?
Here’s an article I found on the Eovaldi signing. Read the “last line”. “Eovaldi said some teams wanted him to be a reliever, including potentially as a closer and in a part-time relief role that could theoretically help keep him healthy.”
And he gets $68M from Boston and Kimbrel, a likely Hall of Fame closer (admitted to by the Red Sox), only got $43M? And now Eovaldi is on the IL?
So who made that decision? Is John Henry a potted plant that the front office picks fruit off of?
nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/reality-nathan-eovald…
From his end, there was always a looming sense that Eovaldi would wind up back in Boston, but it wasn’t a foregone conclusion. There were four finalists, a source said. The Astros and Angels were among them, and Eovaldi confirmed his interest in the Astros. The Yankees pursued Eovaldi, but may not have been a finalist.
Eovaldi decided early on in the process that he wanted to only pitch for a winning team. That meant that if a losing team hypothetically approached him with better offer, he would pass on it.
But even as the negotiations wound down, Eovaldi’s heart was set on the Sox, and there wasn’t a reasonable length other teams could go to to pry him away.
“They were definitely you know up there at the top of my list of the teams to go to,” Eovaldi said of a return to Boston, “Houston being one of the other ones, just because it’s home for me. I mean, it would have been really hard to leave Boston, so I’m happy to be where I am.
“I stepped back and I let my agents handle it. They’ve done an amazing job with me throughout my entire career. They gave me all the feedback and let me know of any of the teams that were contacting me but for the most part I was letting them do their job. I was in communication with them almost every day.”
Eovaldi said some teams wanted him to be a reliever, including potentially as a closer and in a part-time relief role that could theoretically help keep him healthy.
Kimbrel a Hall of Fame Closer
bosoxinjection.com/2017/12/27/youre-craig-kimbrel-…
And PS – John Henry is a classy guy. Look at the way he helped save David Ortiz’s life by providing an air ambulance.
Red Sox, union bite back after Bill James says players are as replaceable as beer vendors
sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-union-bite-back-bill-jame…
“If the players all retired tomorrow, we would replace them, the game would go on; in three years it would make no difference whatsoever. The players are NOT the game, any more than the beer vendors are.”
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark released a statement Thursday morning condemning James’ comments as reckless.
“The comments Bill James made yesterday are both reckless and insulting considering our game’s history regarding the use of replacement players,” Clark wrote. “The Players ARE the game. And our fans have an opportunity to enjoy the most talented baseball Players in the world every season. If these sentiments resonate beyond one individual, then any challenges that lie ahead will be more difficult to overcome than initially anticipated.”
Players react too
James’ statements also drew the attention of some prominent current and former MLB players on Twitter.
Based upon what we’re seeing out of the 2019 Red Sox maybe Bill James is right!.
There are a lot of reasons to like social media, but if you’re going to have an argument with someone, that’s not the place for it.
Baseball historian/author/sabermetrics guru Bill James is the latest to learn that lesson.
James, who lives in Lawrence and is an adviser for the Boston Red Sox, and Chris Towers of CBS Sports on Wednesday were arguing about player salaries in Major League Baseball. Here is what they tweeted at each other (James deleted a number of his tweets, but a screenshot of the conversation is here):
James: “I challenge you to explain to me why a player making $3 million a year is underpaid. I want to hear it.”
Towers: “Because the sport generates a ton of revenue and profit, and labor deserves a large share of that. If every player in baseball made $2-3 million, the player pool as a whole would be laughably and obviously underpaid.”
James: “Yes, but what makes the baseball player a part of that labor, and not the beer vendor, or the security guard or the ticket taker or the scoreboard attendant or the scout or the concessions stand worker? Red Sox are very generous to me, but not every employee of every team ….”
Towers: “…This is such a wildly disingenuous argument, but if you want to lobby your bosses to pay the beer vendors more, I’ll co-sign it.”
James: “OK, why is it legitimate to argue that the players are merely splitting the money with the owners, but disingenuous to argue that they are taking money out of the mouths of concessions workers?”
A Twitter user named Will Norton interjected: “Players drive entertainment/commercial value, media rights, and (in some cases) culture. They collectively bargain as a union, and let’s be honest: they are the PRODUCT. Everything else (beer vendors, etc.) is incidental.”
James responded: “No. This is just flat not true. If the players all retired tomorrow, we would replace them, the game would go on; in three years it would make no difference whatsoever. The players are NOT the game, any more than beer vendors are.”
That last tweet, as noted, was deleted. But unsurprisingly, it upset players, the union and the Red Sox.
Was James saying that if every Major League Baseball disappeared, the game itself would return three years from now or was he saying it would continue at the same level in three years?
Not surprisingly, the comments led to a backlash among those in Major League Baseball.
The Boston Red Sox tweeted: ““Bill James is a consultant to the Red Sox. He is not an employee, nor does he speak for the club. His comments on Twitter were inappropriate and do not reflect the opinions of the Red Sox front office or its ownership group. Our Championships would not have been possible without our incredibly talented players – they are the backbone of our franchise and our industry. To insinuate otherwise is absurd.”
Read more here: kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-…
Needless to say this argument is likely going on right now in the Red Sox front office and with John Henry.
quoting someone from twitter’s out of bounds
1-James is a smart guy, but shouldn’t engage in public debates. Many executives around BB should also shut up. There is an art to it.
2-IRT salary, and most things that one buys, there really isn’t such a thing as underpaid or overpaid. In the absence of collusion, folks get paid whatever the market determines they are worth.
3-The press, as much as anyone, carries on with this fiction. Way too many writers were saying there were 200 unsigned free agents out there. There never was, and never will be.
And consider this.
The Tampa payroll is 25% of Boston’s
The NYY have been playing their 2nd string all season.
And yet both teams have better records than Boston who has the highest payroll in baseball.
It’s disgraceful to see how little scouts, managers and all the player development people get at the expense of the MLB Player’s Union members and the player’s agents.
championship teams tend to avoid the injury bug – this isn’t their year. no problem
The don’t have the payroll space to add anyone significant, nor the prospects. Boston’s deadline will be a dud
Tigers have Greene available leading the league is Saves, is cheap, Dave’s old team so lots of connections.