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Post by bluechip on Aug 7, 2013 0:43:14 GMT -5
As we all know, Victorino is signed for two more years, Jacoby Ellsbury is a free agent, and Jackie Bradley Jr. is waiting in the wings. Mike Carp, Nava, and Gomes have all been useful players, but are defensively limited and may be better suited to playing part time. Bryce Brentz and Alex Hassan are at Triple A. So the question is, what do the Red Sox do for the outfield going forward? Do they resigned Jacoby and play Bradley in left? Do they let Jacoby walk and play Bradley in center? Do the Red Sox try the plantoon approach to left field again? Do the Red Sox sign a higher profile free agent to play left? Here are the free agent outfielders according to MLB Trade Rumors: www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/2014-mlb-free-agents.htmlWhat are your thoughts? |
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Post by bluechip on Aug 7, 2013 0:50:38 GMT -5
Nelson Cruz looks mighty interesting to me for two reasons. First he has right handed power. Second, the Rangers might not offer him the QO since he waived his right to appeal his PED suspension during the pennant drive.
I also like Choo, but he will come with a high price tag and will be offered the QO.
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Post by xxdamgoodxx on Aug 7, 2013 1:06:22 GMT -5
LF:Carp/Nava/Gomes
RF:Victorino/Nava
CF:Bradley/Victorino
I really like the outfield as is and I think that if we get a big name like Choo (although the Fenway left field would seem to suit him, and having a 3 CF outfield is intriguing, plus his experience as a lead-off hitter would keep the 2,3,4 of Vic, Pede, and Oritz together) and DFA Gomes or Carp, then it wouldn't send a good message to the fanbase i.e. guys that have helped us win, have put time and effort, and cared if the team won or not just weren't good enough so we got an entitled hotshot. I think that Brentz will be traded before the Rule-5 because I don't think that the team views him as a future piece and they don't want to commit a 40-man spot to him. It would be nice if we could find a LF with a power bat somewhere, but those guys don't come cheap and might be best if we groomed one in the farm. Nick Longhi/Jon Denney if he moves off catcher? (Fingers-Crossed)
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 7, 2013 2:01:01 GMT -5
How's Choo a hot shot?
I'd like to see Choo - great hitter - wont be nearly as expensive as Jacoby, but probably just as productive or more.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Aug 7, 2013 8:03:28 GMT -5
LF:Carp/Nava/Gomes RF:Victorino/Nava CF:Bradley/Victorino I really like the outfield as is and I think that if we get a big name like Choo (although the Fenway left field would seem to suit him, and having a 3 CF outfield is intriguing, plus his experience as a lead-off hitter would keep the 2,3,4 of Vic, Pede, and Oritz together) and DFA Gomes or Carp, then it wouldn't send a good message to the fanbase i.e. guys that have helped us win, have put time and effort, and cared if the team won or not just weren't good enough so we got an entitled hotshot. I think that Brentz will be traded before the Rule-5 because I don't think that the team views him as a future piece and they don't want to commit a 40-man spot to him. It would be nice if we could find a LF with a power bat somewhere, but those guys don't come cheap and might be best if we groomed one in the farm. Nick Longhi/Jon Denney if he moves off catcher? (Fingers-Crossed) I like this as well. |
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Post by gregblossersbelly on Aug 7, 2013 8:23:35 GMT -5
It ain't often. But, when right. Ellsbury might be our best baseball player. I'd like to keep him if reasonable. 5/80. He's not getting Carl Crawford money from the Sox. If he gets it elsewhere and leaves fine. You have to admit that his injuries have been kind of flukey. Not the fastest getting back from them. But, that's the case with many players. But, I'd like to keep him and go with him, Victorino and JBJ. Gomes as my 4th OF. Send Carp to winter ball and work on 1b. Don't know what to make of Nava. Has had trouble finishing a season strong.
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Post by thegoo13 on Aug 7, 2013 9:15:52 GMT -5
LF - Ellsbury
CF - Bradley
RF - Victorino/Brentz
Boras rep for both Ells and Bradley. He would prob not want Ells to be moved and would want Bradley in CF so he would prob not be helpful in making this happen. Ells prob doesn't want to play LF either. Ellsbury is really good though. Sox will miss him when he is gone. Seems to be at his best late in the year too. Including into the playoffs.
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Post by jdb on Aug 7, 2013 9:38:08 GMT -5
I just think this goes pretty much as expected. Ells gets his 100+ million from someone else and we go with Victorino RF, JBJ CF and a platoon of Nava/Gomes in LF.
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Post by azblue on Aug 7, 2013 9:56:43 GMT -5
Conflicts of interest do not seem to bother Mr. Boras.
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Post by James Dunne on Aug 7, 2013 11:15:43 GMT -5
If Jacoby Ellsbury takes more money to go to another team or because he wants to continue playing center, it won't because Scott Boras told him to. It will be because that's what Ellsbury tells Boras he wants. Plenty of Boras clients (Jered Weaver is one recent example) take hometown discounts and sign extensions early.
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Post by jrffam05 on Aug 7, 2013 12:05:01 GMT -5
Carlos Beltran? Interesting.
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Post by kman22 on Aug 7, 2013 12:09:41 GMT -5
If Jacoby Ellsbury takes more money to go to another team or because he wants to continue playing center, it won't because Scott Boras told him to. It will be because that's what Ellsbury tells Boras he wants. Plenty of Boras clients (Jered Weaver is one recent example) take hometown discounts and sign extensions early. Plenty is a bit of an exaggeration. Weaver was more of a rare exception. |
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Post by jrffam05 on Aug 7, 2013 13:22:42 GMT -5
If Jacoby Ellsbury takes more money to go to another team or because he wants to continue playing center, it won't because Scott Boras told him to. It will be because that's what Ellsbury tells Boras he wants. Plenty of Boras clients (Jered Weaver is one recent example) take hometown discounts and sign extensions early. Plenty is a bit of an exaggeration. Weaver was more of a rare exception. I don't think it matters the proportion of Boras clients who take hometown discounts, just the fact that it is a possibility. I am not sure there is any indication that Ellsbury wants to stay in Boston however. At least not to the degree that he would leave dollars on the table. If you are asking for my opinion, I think you make a modest, but team friendly, offer to Ellsbury, which he will probably decline. Slot Bradley into CF, and use the money saved elsewhere. I really like the overpay for short term contracts model. We could possibly get a good deal on a bat to slot into LF, maybe Beltran, Granderson, or possibly Morse. |
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Post by gregblossersbelly on Aug 7, 2013 18:00:23 GMT -5
I read Dave Cameron's chat over at fangraphs. Someone asked if Ells get 8/200. He said more like 7/100m. At 12:28 of chat. Where do we sign up for that? A little long, but AAV is good. Could he develop Damon like power later in his career 15-20 pretty regularly?? www.fangraphs.com/blogs/fangraphs-chat-8713/ |
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Post by amfox1 on Aug 7, 2013 18:42:13 GMT -5
I think Ellsbury will get something closer to 5/85 or 6/100, covering his age 30-34 or 35 seasons. I don't see him getting a 7-8 year contract. My guess is that the Red Sox would hold firm at 3-4 years max, with the idea that he will walk.
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Post by mgoetze on Aug 7, 2013 18:44:06 GMT -5
I would like to see Ellsbury resigned, and the outfield left more or less intact. Failing that, sign Choo and move Victorino to CF. JBJ can be a defensive sub or stay in Pawtucket until he actually proves he can outhit someone else in the lineup.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Aug 7, 2013 18:48:00 GMT -5
How is he gonna show he can outhit someone else in the lineup if he doesn't get the chance?
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Post by mgoetze on Aug 7, 2013 18:57:08 GMT -5
How is he gonna show he can outhit someone else in the lineup if he doesn't get the chance? That's easy, he can play while Victorino is on the DL. |
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,827
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Post by steveofbradenton on Aug 7, 2013 19:04:43 GMT -5
Amazing that some are falling all over themselves about resigning Ells when just a few months ago we were fine about him departing. You can see by my icon that I kind of like the guy, but I'm actually conflicted whether he is worth the money some are mentioning. IF, and that's a big IF, he keeps up his performance for the rest of the season and into the playoffs, sign me up for an offer of 4 to 5 years at 16M per year, but that may not be enough and I'm fine with the Bradley era beginning. Too much of his value is tied up with his "legs" and I'm not sure in 3 years he will still be dynamic.
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Post by wcsoxfan on Aug 7, 2013 19:27:58 GMT -5
Amazing that some are falling all over themselves about resigning Ells when just a few months ago we were fine about him departing. You can see by my icon that I kind of like the guy, but I'm actually conflicted whether he is worth the money some are mentioning. IF, and that's a big IF, he keeps up his performance for the rest of the season and into the playoffs, sign me up for an offer of 4 to 5 years at 16M per year, but that may not be enough and I'm fine with the Bradley era beginning. Too much of his value is tied up with his "legs" and I'm not sure in 3 years he will still be dynamic. Also have to consider that with the big TV contracts getting thrown around, and the luxury tax moving up significantly after 2014, what Ellsbury would cost on the market a couple of years from now. 17 mil for an aging OF who plays average defense, steals 20 bases a season and hits 300 with a 360 obp (I wouldn't be surprised if his walk rate increases as he gets older) may just be a bargain 3 years from now. That's why I'm happy with 5/85 and think that it may just be enough to retain him with the Dodgers and Yankees out of the bidding. Especially with what Bourn had to settle for this past year as a less-powered but similar player. 2014 is the year to really go after FAs and trades if they are out there (not many FAs out there unfortunately) because in 2015 the floodgates will likely open and we will witness Yankee money 2.0. |
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Post by wcsoxfan on Aug 7, 2013 19:30:03 GMT -5
If the Red Sox have a smorgasbord of players at either LF or 1B then they should be good. But that means they need a Ellsbury/Choo type of player in the OF or they face too many holes for all of their ? players to fill.
(and no - Napoli is not a Ellsbury/Choo type player)
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Post by pedroelgrande on Aug 7, 2013 19:35:32 GMT -5
How is he gonna show he can outhit someone else in the lineup if he doesn't get the chance? That's easy, he can play while Victorino is on the DL. Nah he'll play when Ellsburry is out for the year. |
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Post by Gwell55 on Aug 7, 2013 20:33:42 GMT -5
How is he gonna show he can outhit someone else in the lineup if he doesn't get the chance? Probably he should get to the same way Jake did when he was a rookie. Prove it and move over Coco! With a little more up and down seasoning I would think. |
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Post by jhenrywaugh, prop. on Aug 7, 2013 20:44:01 GMT -5
I mentioned this in the 1B thread, but I think Choo is an easy choice. Assuming youth reigns at SS, CF, and/or 3B, they'll need some consistency and patience in other places. Put him in RF and Victorino in LF, or vice versa. He won't break the bank on years or dollars--not for this payroll--puts patience in the lineup, and is quality defense in a corner OF spot. He's also one of the surest position players in the '14 free agent market.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Aug 7, 2013 23:19:18 GMT -5
With six proven starters signed for next year, several relievers not yet pigeonholed into that role (Britton, Wilson, Del La Rosa, Workman) and a slew of pretty much ready next spring top flight pitching prospects knocking at the door, the Sox should be in the drivers seat for trades this coming off season. I see no need for overpaying in the free agent market.
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