Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom declined to speculate on the status of southpaw Chris Sale before getting final word from the doctors. Sale underwent an MRI today for a sore elbow. As Eduardo Encina of the Tampa Bay Times covers via Twitter, Bloom acknowledged “concern” but also said that, “hopefully, it is just a bump in the road.” The team does have some information beyond what is known publicly; as Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe notes on Twitter, team doctors have already had a look at the imaging. But it seems that we’ll have to await the assessment of Dr. James Andrews before learning of Sale’ fate.
More from the Boston organization …
- Even before this worrisome situation arose regarding Sale, the Red Sox have been toying with the idea of utilizing a starter at time in the upcoming season. As MLB.com’s Ian Browne reported recently, Bloom has been working with manager Ron Roenicke to work through the possibilities for employing such a strategy. Roenicke says the reasoning behind the concept is largely a reflection of the “personnel” available. Clearly, any lengthy absence from Sale would only increase the appeal.
- On the positive side, the Sox have seen some encouraging signs from Nathan Eovaldi. As Browne further reports, the embattled righty says he “feel[s] really good” and believes his “mechanics are really good right now.” The results have been there to this point, not that there’s much sense putting too much stock in two spring appearances. But the Boston organization has to hope that the 30-year-old can sustain some momentum after a 2019 campaign in which he stumbled to a 5.99 ERA in 67 2/3 innings.
- Veteran Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez held forth on a few labor topics with WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. The star expressed concern with the incentives teams have in constructing rosters. By his reckoning, baseball is “losing a lot of fans because teams are more motivate to lose than they are to win.” Martinez suggests that the competitive balance tax has had the opposite of its intended effect. He advocates for a “floor tax” by which teams would be penalized for under-spending. Ultimately, says Martinez, the game must “figure out a way to reward teams for competing and not reward them for losing” — or risk fading in relevance.
- Infield prospect Jeter Downs was dropped into the Boston spotlight when he was included as a major component of the (re-formulated) Mookie Betts swap. As Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic writes (subscription link), the Sox are getting a player who’s known more as a dedicated grinder than for his flash. Though Downs wasn’t in the initial iteration of the Betts deal, he wasn’t an afterthought. It seems the Red Sox have long had eyes for the 21-year-old and were particularly impressed by some mid-2019 tweaks that both reflected Downs’s attention to detail and raised his foreseeable ceiling as a hitter.
8
They are getting killed today. Awful defense and pitching. Perez is going to be there ace.
baseballramble
Their*
Also, what happened to Eduardo Rodriguez?
8
I just want to talk bad about the Trashsox and i get called out for not passing 4th grade.
Mishimacool
Lowers your perceived IQ…in case you haven’t dwelt on the ramifications.
just here for the comments
*for not having passed 4th grade
retsubllab
They are*
paddyo furnichuh
@retSUB… It was the *their* ace phrase that was being corrected.
DarkSide830
*thar [she blows]
thekid9
Reading is fundamental
looiebelongsinthehall
If he can stay healthy, Eovaldi can be their ace. Did I just write about Eovaldi staying healthy? I think I’m sick…
rivera42
No, he can’t be. Healthy or not, Eovaldi is not an ace.
123redsox
Eovaldi isn’t an ace. Hes a back end right hander that throws hard and has not ever been healthy. Rodriguez is an ace in the making
looiebelongsinthehall
Eovaldi has the stuff that can carry a rotation. Problem is he’s always hurt even when he tries to pitch through it. ERod was great last year but even then, his ERA was nearly 4 runs per game. He pitched his most innings ever so let’s see him do it again. I hope he does become an ace and truth be told, the Sox to have any chance need both to pitch up to their potential.
123redsox
100 mph with little movement with a slider. Struggles to locate. Has struggled to stay healthy since before he was drafted to the point where he has had 2 tommy john surgery’s before age 28… in 8 major league seasons has started 30 games once. Has won over 6 games twice. Under 4.00 ERA 3 times…. if you think he has upside as an ace I am sorry, but there is no shot.
123redsox
Much of Rodriguez’ struggles of the past have come with him throwing too many pitches early in the game. Last year he figured out how to limit his pitches. That allowed him to go deeper into games. He also was his healthiest last year. He finished 6th in the cy young voting at age 26. He is a former top 60 prospect. He is the guy with the ace upside
swinging wood
Their?!? WTF?
takeitback
Wow! @baseball ramble wanted to be the internet English teacher so bad. Now he looks like an even bigger tool because he was wrong while trying to correct someone. Lol!
Javia
Baseballramble was correct.
4eyedcoupe
Wow! Maybe you should have read closer because he corrected him on his use of “there” in the last sentence and not “They are” in the first…..So who looks like the big tool now?
My response was to Takeitback, not Javia
jleve618
You all look like tools for caring so much. Get over yourselves.
TheRef
“Perez is going to be there ace.” – THEIR ace. The ace of the Red Sox. There = over there and is incorrect in this usage. Their car = the car of them. Really, it’s not that hard. If I remember correctly (it was a looong time ago) this was covered in either the 4th or 5th grade.
Wally-the-green-monster
1st or 2nd grade now…
thekid9
Get back to your basement or Mommy won’t make those cookies you like
4eyedcoupe
Kettle meet pot
FattKemp
If I was in charge, SS, 2B, and CF get sent to minor league camp immedaitely after their removal from the game; RF only plays LF (at the most) from here on out and joins SS/2B/CF in MiLB camp; and C gets released. Lucroy hasn’t been good in years and isn’t getting better.
@ all of these guys: Being bad is one thing. Being lackluster gets you sent to Greenville to open the season.
FattKemp
Send the CF that came in after the Asian guy to Minor League camp as well
FattKemp
Why is #67 hopping around like a fairy in LF instead of sprinting backwards to get behind the ball and catch it like the pros do. Send homeboy back to Lancaster.
bluesky
No the CF is Verdugo. Dude is major league level. No way he goes to the minors. Plus, he raked last year hitting .290 in his rookie year.
FattKemp
Neither the Asian nor the guy they let stand in CF after the Asian was Alex Verdugo, I meant the two previous guys. Verdugo could stand to hit for more power, but that’s excusable if he’s a CF and they ditch JBJ (one can only hope).
looiebelongsinthehall
Was it Lin in center? He’s not a centerfielder and even Holt occasionally looked out of place in the outfield. Not really worried about the OF because JDM can play a corner if he has to (I’d rather him not though to help his back).
123redsox
That was Cole Sturgeon in center after lin… Verdugo is on the IL where he is going to open the season
123redsox
The centerfielder after lin was Cole Sturgeon. Verdugo is on the IL
dynasty in boston
Or Fire Island
123redsox
Peraza, the second baseman is on a major league contract… Chatham, the shortstop is battling for a back up infield job and Lin, the centerfielder is battling for a UTILITY spot. If you are talking about Jarren Duran when talking of the right fielder, he is the likely future in center next year. If you are referring to Nick Longhi, he is nothing but AAA depth
pasha2k
Prez will be one of the first to get DFAed. Oh Lordy what I saw today, it’s gonna be a very long season. The only encouraging thing was the was Nate looked, he was terrific, hoping it translate to the regular season. Chris is heading for TJS. Hoping fully sooner than later. Let the games begin!
richt
A starter at time? What?
Phiilies2020
I think he meant “opener”
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
They have so few starters… they may only be able to use them sometimes… ‘o’
stubby66
Red Sox need to call the Brewers on Shelby Miller, Supak, Derby, Zack Brown, and maybe even Ashby . Take two of them for say Dalbec lol. Here come the trolls on this idea
spot45
Rather give Chavis who sucked after his lucky .309 start after about 17 games.then hit a booming ..242 the rest of season.
mrpadre19
Sox should have made the deal for Wil Myers and also received either Joey Lucchesi or Cal Quantrill.
Myers at 1b and another Starter would go a long way for them.
I think Myers would destroy that short left field wall.
FattKemp
Luchesi. Quantrill sucks, he’s only a “prospect” because his dad was decent (as a reliever) for 4 years
bbatardo
Quantrill actually looked pretty good last year, but had 4 bad starts to end his season. Seemed like maybe he was tired, but before that was putting up pretty good numbers.
Javia
70 IP at a 3.32 ERA is better than pretty good.
looiebelongsinthehall
They probably would have. My guess is the Padres pulled that deal when their attempt to get Bryant failed.
Deleted Userrr
I’m sorry Mrs. Myers but nobody wants your son on their team.
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Paging.. Bartolo Colon
pasha2k
They should demand the Brockstar back since at least my guy can catch the ball unlike what a horror dhow I saw today. And YES E Rod is an ace in the making n with a someday healthy Sale they could have a nice rotation. But when all said n done they need Sale fixed, n if we think bout it maybe he’s had this elbow longer than we know.
yogineely
I hope they plan to utilize starters…
Patches O’Houlihan
Pairing this with the Yankees injury problems has to make anyone laugh. Red Sox could really use (checks notes) David Price and Mookie Betts right about now.
laswagn
What they couldn’t use was that dollar for dollar luxury tax.
pasha2k
Why Patches? They list fine with them last yr, so why not lose without them?
Screamer
Martinez has a good point. The Marlins are pathetic and they have ZERO incentive to win; same with the Pirates
tomjoadsghost
Add Jays, Rays, Tigers, Cleveland, Oak, Mariners, Rockies, Giants etc. I agree he makes good points. Owners don’t want to hear any of that. And that is why MLB is slowly dying.
Nego
Jays spent more than the Red Sox in the offseason. Rays are a better team and made the playoffs and should make it back this year. Cleveland and Oakland both have better teams. I’ll give you the Tigers, Mariners, Pirates. Rockies have a big budget they’re just terrible at allocating it
dshires4
The Mariners had a $170M commitment to Felix and gave Cano $240M for his decline years. They gave an aging Cruz $60some odd M to DH. The Mariners spending plan didn’t work, through no fault of Dipoto. Bavasi and Zduriencik torched this franchise. Dipoto blew it up and now we have one of the best farms in baseball with a half dozen or so of our top prospects primed to debut sometime in 2020.
We aren’t a team that “isn’t trying” by any measure you can think of.
JoeBrady
He didn’t amek any good points. There are only 7 teams not trying to win right now. Since you are guaranteed that at least 6 teams will finish last, having 7 teams not trying to win, is not a lot.
And I have not idea why you are adding in the Rays, Cleveland, and Oakland, since there is a decent chance all three make the playoffs.
Ashleyr
When I hear people complaining that there should be a salary floor, it opens the teams up for a situation that would still remain the same.
Example: 100M floor.
Baltimore Orioles:
1st base: Chris Davis: 23M
OF: Will Myers:: 20M
SP: Alex Cobb: 14M
RP: Kenley Jansen: 20M
That puts them at 77M and then they fill in the rest of the roster with the same players they have now to reach 100M. They trade for bad contracts with prospects attached and the teams don’t really improve at all, but they have a few big names to thrill the fans with. No one can complain any longer because the teams hit the salary floor. By doing that, it opens salary for the top spending teams in baseball to add more superstars to their teams and it creates a super league of have’s and have not’s, making baseball irrelevant for fans.
bush1
The Orioles are an embarrassment and unwatchable. They’re the reason a salary floor should be put in place. They’d be much better with Jansen and Myers then minor league crap they throw out there.
JoeBrady
‘A much better team’? Myers is a bench player, and Jansen would make almost no difference., unless you are looking to finish 48 games out, instead of 50 games out.
Just_a_thought
I know you meant this as an illustration, but it has so many gaps and when you fill those gaps, you end up supporting the opposite conclusion. The real problem with current tanking is that it takes a long time. Teams first cut costs and essentially employ a second AAA team. That’s a problem. Although your hypothetical Orioles would not be good with those being their top players, they’d still likely have more upside than a no-name who they are plugging in purposely to have a bad record. With the bad record comes a more favorable draft position. In your scenario, if the Orioles chose to rebuild instead by meeting the floor, taking on bad contracts, and prospects, you see that the odds of the rebuild being quicker are much more likely. That is more similar to what the Red Sox just did, exchange talent and cost for near ML talent. Again, this is a more favorable outcome because instead of teams being irrelevant for 5 years and “competing” for last place, you have the chance at a quicker turn around. Plus, the teams that get out from under these bad contracts are likely to use that opened financial space to spend… That is a good outcome.
MoRivera 1999
The salary floor should be $125MM. I fyou’re not willing to spend $125MM, get out of MLB. It should go up $5MM/year.
The Human Rain Delay
Complete reach Ashley on what could ‘happen” relative to the overall great impact it would make on the game-
I feel today we try and find a chip in the glass and then have the need to take a hammer to it to see if it holds
You say no one complains….as you are……….
MLB needs a FLOOR YESTERDAY !!! Look how great the NBA is thriving
LordBanana
So you’re saying with a salary floor teams will spend more and field better teams. Sounds good to me.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Well said, what Ashley said
mlbnyyfan
Red Sox got very little value for Betts. Crazy how teams like the Didgers and Astros never have to give up anything of significant value.
However when Yankees trying to deal everyone demands Torres and so much more. Sad thing is Yankees could of offered Judge,Andujar and others for Betts.
They would still say NO!!! Teams rather get a lesser package then deal with the evil empire.
burnt_reynolds
Yeah dude, I really feel bad for the Yankees and their fans
laswagn
Poor Yankees and their fans
Just_a_thought
They got his whole contract, half of Price’s contract off of their hands, AND got Downs and Verdugo. Neither of those prospects are insignificant in any capacity, just stop. The Yankees and how you feel about how this is comparatively unfair is just so irrelevant here. Prime example of why Yankees fans stay on the roasting spit. I mean cmon, this is a Red Sox notes article, just stop
rocky7
guess you don’t mind all the other posts from different fan bases on this string but have to point out comments made by and specifically to and about Yankee fans…
Maybe you’re the irrelevant one here! Mull that over the roasting spit.
rocky7
Certainly seems that way to me also…..every trade going back the other way starts at Torres, and after the Yankee laughter stops, the demand is 3 or 4 for 1….absolutely crazy…..
Just_a_thought
Guuuurl you really are SO sensitive. Spend some time with the definition of relevance, then when you master that, curl up with the concept of opening the door. That’s where my comment came from, sorry I offended you by responding to your buddy
pasha2k
Haha!
mlbnyyfan
LoL I appreciate your sarcasm
Rangers29
Personally I think they should use Martin Perez as an opener, being a Rangers fan, I know the woes he can have, and it’s usually the second time through the order when he starts having issues. I remember one of the stats they put up for one of his games a few years ago said that he gave up the most runs in the 4th inning, which is just begging to be an opener. He could pitch the entire order one time and then the starter could go in. I think he’d be really good at that.
RickEO
Have surgery tomorrow
bush1
Should have had surgery last season. Rest and PRP almost never works
WarrenSpahn
Are we ever going to see Chris Sale version 2017/2018 again?
that arm motion looks too violent to sustain…
Rich Hill’s Elbow
Best case scenario for Boston is for Eovaldi to pitching himself into trade talks because lord knows that team needs more young pitching.
Baseballallday
Going to be tough to get a big return on him regardless of how he pitches to start the season with his injury history and the amount of money he is owed. Not to mention aside from the 2018 playoffs he’s really never been that good.
Rich Hill’s Elbow
If Eovaldi pitches up to his potential I could see the Twins and Angels being interested.
In addition, I’m very curious as to whether Bloom would ever consider trading Rodriguez, his 1.5 seasons of control left could potentially bring back a similar return to that of Verdugo and Downs.
The Human Rain Delay
Not a chance close to that
madmc44
I agree WarrenSpahn—when you see this action in Slow-mo you wonder why his arm doesn’t break in half.
$145 M to the 60 day IL—-Find a diamond in the rough Mr. Bloom–I mean on the waiver wire.
skip 2
That a boy J D well said $120 million should not be a problem in this day and age!
bush1
Sale’s elbow being damaged is about the least surprising thing I’ve heard in awhile.
laswagn
Skin and bones with awkward pitching delivery. That elbow and/or shoulder was bound to give out! Here’s to a speedy recovery!
22222pete
Didnt need to be a rocket scientist to see Sales news coming. Too bad though.
Dorothy_Mantooth
If Sale is out for the season and the Sox try to fill his role internally, they will be lucky to win 75 games this year. The lack of pitching depth on this team is inexcusable and they have done a poor job developing pitching prospects too. I don’t see any way out of this other than to go back to their old ways next season and buy 2 or 3 pitchers on the free agent market. I hope this team gives Bloom a real chance to rebuild this club as this is a 4-5 year project at least.
rycm131
Eovaldi is a sleeper Cy Young candidate. Might be the next Max Scherzer career arc. You’ve heard it here first.
gibba192471
They need to trade JD and go full rebuild. The favs are t stupid, we know you are in 5 plus year mode. I’m not but abs Red Sox gear, tickets or mlb packages … screw Henry, cheap SOB!
Jeff Zanghi
I know this is a little knit picky but the bit about the redelay sox using a “starter” at times should really be opener. Because saying they’re considering using a “starter” is really saying they aren’t going to use an opener when in fact the point is the opposite that in lieu of having a bona-fide SP they are considering toying with the idea of using an opener in its place
lowtalker1
I guess Red Sox and padres going to line up after all
dano62
I’m agreeing with JD; however I don’t see the owners shooting themselves in the foot. I’d like to see the commissioner and baseball to implement a cap floor; however, if they refuse then the competitive $ lower place and cheap teams receive should have conditions. After 2 seasons where their salaries paid don’t meet 75 per cent of the league average, 25 per cent of the competitive balance $ should rebated to season ticket holders, those who purchase 20 games or more (on a sliding scale) or ticket prices to be reduced by equivalent amount. After a 4th year of non-compliance of meeting the league average salary base, 30 per cent of $ received should be reimbursed to season ticket holders.