The Red Sox have added outfielder Cesar Puello on a minor-league deal, the team announced (h/t Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, on Twitter). He’s one of five new additions to the Boston non-roster invitation list — a group that also includes just-acquired prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong.
Puello has seen action in two MLB campaigns with four different clubs, appearing in just 61 total games. He had a bit of an outburst with the Angels when called up last year, turning in a huge dozen-game run, but nevertheless ended up being cut loose. Puello wasn’t able to keep things going when he landed with the Marlins.
In total, the 28-year-old carries a .239/.346/.346 slash line in his 186 MLB plate appearances. Once considered a prospect of some note, Puello has largely plied his trade in the upper minors of late. In 1,580 plate appearances at the Triple-A level, he owns a solid .292/.391/.446 batting line.
suprised Centeno was only just invited
nevermind, deal just became official i believe
Chaim Bloom GM of the year 2020! A Hahahaha
Putting that new found financial flexibility to good use
Chaim Bloom, GM of the year 2020. Bahaha
The team just got the righty OFer they needed. LOL.
They will still choke
Well…you may have not been watching much baseball since 2004..they have been to 4 WS….
You may want to check their record in those, then get back to us
How Easy to spend other people’s money
Goldenjabba – what was he supposed to give Mookie 12 yrs and $420,000,000. Why stop there why not give him 20 yrs and 1 billion
Bloom has had a lot to deal with this off season, I think he needs “get outta jail” free card. In other words he needs to be given a pass from all the fans.
Can’t extend Bloom the benefit of the doubt yet when he was only able to make a deal (and arguably lose that deal for the Sox) with his former boss in LA for a generational talent like Betts and he’s already spouting the same revisionist double-talk as the Sox upper management which has been clueless and disconnected from their intelligent fan base since Theo left.
He got Verdugo, former top 30 prospect, that has 5 years of control, a SS prospect in downs whos a top 50 prospect currently, and a 2B/C which oddly enough the red Sox need both in their farm system.
Considering Betts is making 27 mill this year. Has repeatedly made it known he’s not signing an extension in favor of free agency, bloom did well.
Red Sox had little leverage. Mandate to get under the tax line by ownership and shed salary. 1 year rental in Betts they had no chance of resigning next year with their currently payroll and needs in other areas. The players they got are better than the QO they would of received.
Betts is gonna be an angel next year anyways. Moreno is gonna toss 350 mill at him to pair with Rendon and Trout. Pujols is only on payroll for 2 more seasons. 2022 it comes off the books.
The Sox farm system is depleted and they have no young or good arms. The Dodgers have one of the deepest farm systems yet Bloom was unable to get even one pitching prospect from LA. Also, if you decided to help out your old boss and keep LA from going over the CBT by agreeing to pay half of Price’s salary then he should’ve tried to to split the Betts & Price deans up and shop to get more value.
This was a deal that guaranteed the objectives ownership mandated. Disregard who the partner was. So many thought they couldn’t get nearly what they got given one year of Betts who forced their hand. Ownership approved all the recent signings so they don’t get a pass fro me but they have championships since Theo left so please don’t make him out to be bigger than life. His present team is going through the same financial issues with the taxes as Boston. I have faith that Bloom will correct this (blind faith as what choice is there) and my guess is the Sox win again before the Cubbies.
“red Sox had little leverage”
Thanks for proving my point.
Bloom took the best deal he could get. Padres were reportedly offering quantril and Lucchessi….not gore or Patino or weathers or any of their upper tier pitching prospects….that was in addition to taking Myers.
Dodgers, Padres, every MLB team knew the red Sox had to deal betts or get a QO pick. They knew he wasn’t signing an extension.
Far as pitching. Money saved from Betts and price can now go to getting pitching next off season.
I’d opt for getting guys like Robbie Ray in 2021 and Greinke Verlander or Scerzer if they’re available in 2022.
The sox don’t need pitching prospects. They haven’t developed a starting pitcher at all aside from Erod since the days of Lester and Buchholtz over a decade ago. The sox needed young talent and that is just what they got. both fit a position of short term and near/long term future need. Pedroia is off the books after 2021 and it will officially be Jeter time in boston (never thought I would actually say that) by then as their next long term second baseman
I never stated that Theo was perfect but he was a straight shooter and treated the fans as the intelligent base that they are and not like the double-talking and unaccountable ownership group who are more interested in NESN ratings and ticket sales.
You are aware that Theo was the General Manager, not an owner, right? And he was actually the GM under the current owners that have won 4 more world series in the last 15 years than any ownerships group the sox had had in the previous 86 years
I can’t help but think if any Red Sox fan on this site proposed a trade Betts/Price that included Dustin May then we’d hear a long list of replies saying how dumb all Red Sox fans are.
Bloom got a young cost controlled outfielder who has been considered to have some good potential to be a solid contributor, a top 50 infield prospect for a position that will need to be filled soon, and a young minor league catcher with gaudy AA numbers who might turn out to be something. He gave up Betts but also Price who everyone basically said was not trade-able with his salary. Basically in a single move Bloom gave the Sox financial freedom for the future and got some return for a star who may have walked. Interestingly enough they may even have the money to make a serious offer to Mookie in the offseason.
Yeah it’s going to be a tough year for the Red Sox, but it’s definitely a brighter future.
EROD was developed by the Baltimore Orioles not by the Red Sox. We have not developed starting pitching in years!
Don’t leave out the part of that deal that Houdini couldn’t have pulled off… Traded Price..and half of his $. And, it didn’t matter what they have to pay towards Price after this year… the tax will have reset. I love Betts, but I love my team and their long term success MORE.
I agree completely sabermetric acolyte except for that this year is going to be a tough year. With the sox lineup, you don’t want to have a bad hitter playing right field, but a guy like mookie betts is a luxury, not a necessity. Verdugo is a year removed from being a top 30 prospect in baseball, showed promise last year and profiles as Cardinals JD Drew. That certainly won’t hurt the team much at all. Price when healthy is better than perez but getting price out of the locker room is a huge plus. As indicated by Perez’s rookie year, he has the ability to put together a solid season when healthy. Finally, I the sox will go into 2020 with set bullpen roles and much more bullpen depth. … I really think you may be underestimating this sox team. While I don’t think they finish ahead of the yankees, I dont think the gap will be as large as people think. The Yankees got career years from lots of guys last year that are unlikely to do it again. Ursula, Tauchman etc. And the sox had most of their guys produce worse seasons than they are capable of. .. the sox would finish anywhere between 2nd and 4th depending on how consistent Tampa stays and how much Toronto’s young talent has developed in a year
I agree completely sabermetric acolyte except for that this year is going to be a tough year. With the sox lineup, you don’t want to have a bad hitter playing right field, but a guy like mookie betts is a luxury, not a necessity. Verdugo is a year removed from being a top 30 prospect in baseball, showed promise last year and profiles as Cardinals JD Drew. That certainly won’t hurt the team much at all. Price when healthy is better than perez but getting price out of the locker room is a huge plus. As indicated by Perez’s rookie year, he has the ability to put together a solid season when healthy. Finally, I the sox will go into 2020 with set bullpen roles and much more bullpen depth. … I really think you may be underestimating this sox team. While I don’t think they finish ahead of the yankees, I dont think the gap will be as large as people think. The Yankees got career years from lots of guys last year that are unlikely to do it again. Ursula, Tauchman etc. And the sox had most of their guys produce worse seasons than they are capable of. .. the sox would finish anywhere between 2nd and 4th depending on how consistent Tampa stays and how much Toronto’s young talent has developed in a year
Primarily by the Orioles in the minors yes, but he really hit his stride last year having been continually developed in the minors for about a year’s worth with the sox and then in the majors in Boston
No thanks on the HOFers. Reminds me of the Mets getting Pedro. Don’t just get the best available. Wait until there’s a true fit. Patience is something big market fans have to learn.
ERod was not developed by Boston. He came from the O’s for Miller. Give Sherington credit on that.
It goes hand in hand. I fun team to watch will sell seats, merchandise and tv/streaming apps.
Yep, I’m sure a genius like yourself wouldn’t been able to trade Price to the Angels for Jo Adell and then turn around and deal Betts to the Dodgers for Bellinger and Buehler.
Obviously Theo was the GM and the FO climate has changed with many firings, multiple changes of direction, and conflicted messages to fans after Theo left. This convo started with a reference to Bloom, so please read the whole string for context before responding.
Amen
I think that he has done well. He saved $75M and rid the organization of Price and received multiple prospects of note, including a top five OF prospect with a half decade of control that immediately long-term replaces the player guaranteed to be gone next season. Moving half of Price’s contract while strengthening the farm and replacing Mookie was going to be hard to pull off together, and is much better than the season of Mookie(yes he is incredible) and QO pick. It is possible that if they think that Verdugo or Benintendi can man CF, Trading Bradley and using the money on Puig could help supplement losing Betts from the lineup while keeping the money close.
He will replace Mooooookie
He will replace Mooooookie
Mooooookie Who?
They need to sign a few scrubs to fight for a rotation spot. Sox rotation is awful since you don’t know what you will get from sale, eovaldi or Perez
“…turning in a huge dozen-game run…”
HUH?
Are you illiterate? It means a stretch of 12 games, a “run” of games.
They need Invite Bucholtz, Matt Harvey & Cashner to spring training and give them a shot to make the team. Maybe 1 of them will revive their career with the Sox— at this point it is worth a shot.
no, no, no
Yeah hard pass there coop.
I’d be interested in McHugh, Sanchez, and Vizcaino though
Yes, yes, yes. At this point we need to think outside the box.
print the tickets
Mookie Betts who??
I remember reading about him last year. If he’d had a run like that playing for the Royals, Dayton Moore would keep him on the team for life…regardless if he ever hit a lick again.
Suggested trade: Will Myers and one of Baez, Morejon or Quantrill + cash in exchange for JBJ. Why? Pads get a true center fielder and free up most of Myers contract. The Sox get a 5th starter with upside while having the Pads eat enough $ to avoid the tax… Move Myers to left, Benny to center with Verdugo in right. Thoughts?
Not bad if it allows 5he team to also bring back Holt. We need a righty outfielder and Myers is certainly not worth it but to get a cheap pitcher with an upside is ok. JBJ would have to be the one traded. I could also see Bennie if the return is two young arms with upside and a less costly righty bar.
Exactly, gotta think of the money being paid out to Myers as the cost of him and a young pitcher which wouldn’t be too bad if the Padres eat some. Myers still has an opportunity for a bounce back year especially with him hitting in Fenway instead of Petco. Signing holt would definitely be a plus also.
Please don’t mention Holt… he’s gone and I’m not over him yet.
LOL. As passionate as we are Ted, it’s not only baseball. I finally grew up when I realized I would not trade my wife for Holt…
*only baseball.
Please don’t mention Holt… he’s gone and I’m not over him yet.
You have to ask yourself at this point, why arent they signing a pitcher? and i mean a bad pitcher for no money, they arent signing ANY pitcher its weird and a bit abnormal, in the last 2 days they have gotten 4 players who arent pitchers, ill admit i dont know how good drew smyly danny salazar etc is, but they will legite cost nothing… so, sign them, we have a week to spring training, even if they dont make the team, go through the motions of signing as human that holds and throws a baseball to the hitter.
GM bloom looks like WWE’s Edge Adam Copeland . Thumbs up if you agree
This GM Bloom and Red Sox Owner John Henry have turned this franchise one year removed from a World Series Win into a complete clown show/ train wreck! Bloom might have been great in Tampa Bay where they barely draw 7,000 a game but this is an embarrassment! You picked up a player with disciplinary problems and two maybees for a premier super star player in Mookie Betts. I did not like David Price but who is going to take his place. No pitcher in this lousy trade?
There is no 4th or 5th starter and no bullpen help!
We do not even have a manager yet. We know what the fans think but what do you think the players think at this point? To me this is ugly and embarrassing!
Ok, calm down. The only thing that could have “fixed” the Red Sox this year would have been to try to spend a lot of money which is frankly where all problems the Red Sox have had over the last 15 years have started. We had no farm to draw from to make a franchise altering trade. We had a massively expensive rotation that could be best described as average. What did you want to see happen?
At least now Bloom has given the Red Sox a chance to bounce back sooner than later. As for the manager issue, that would have been a surprise turn of events for any GM. At least Bloom is taking his time to find the right person and not trying to name someone quickly that the media or fans think should take over. Besides, rumor is they’re going to promote Roenicke as soon as MLB announces results of the investigation. According to some of the articles out there a lot of the players like the idea of Roenicke taking over. As for trading talent, all players know that it’s part of the reality of playing professional sports.
You are the voice of reason today.
So we don’t know where Bloom goes from here. He apparently has some money to play with (luxury tax wise; he ALWAYS has real money), with a still pretty strong lineup, and a still young core. He needs pitching; but there’s lots of teams out there looking to move some, probably at just the cost of eating a contract. He has no farm to speak of, but that will be addressed later.
The season is organic; it didn’t end with the Betts trade. Let’s see what happens next.
Sorry love your optimism but unfortunately this season is in the bag and for the prices they charge in Boston, not good!!! I am telling you that they are going to sell this team this year. They are trying to make it attractive to a potential buyer that it is under the luxury tax.
Red sox need to show that they can develop pitching. The last pitchers they developed were Brandon Workman, Matt Barnes, Jalen Beeks and a few others.
Let me correct you. They need to develop starting pitching. The last two starting pitchers they developed in the minors were lester and bucholtz
We need to sign Aaron Sanchez and Danny Salazar to compete with Martin Perez for the 4th and 5th rotation spots instead of signing all these guys that were DFA’d.
Sanchez is out for all of 2020 and has been pretty average to horrible the past few years. Isn’t Salazar recovering from cancer?
With all this payroll just being shed,shouldn’t seat ticket prices also drop,John Henry? Maybe your looking to buy an XFL team,to go along with your overseas soccer club.
Betts replacement, nice job Bloom!
No. Verdugo will play right. Signing pillar likely means they will be moving bradley
Jeter Downs is for real. Verdugo is better than average now with potential to be special. But the Sox should have gotten a young pitcher for Price. That red headed kid might be a keeper. Betts is a Dodger now but they won’t pay him 400 million next year. He might be gone by the All Star break. lol