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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Jan 21, 2014 11:25:00 GMT -5
As noted in the article below, it is just under a month to Spring training, and just over two months to opening day. What’s left to do? What will the opening day roster look like in Boston? In the bucket?To me, CF depth is a glaring need that I’m sure will be addressed between now and camp. I also expect an impactful deal or two before opening day that will move a combination of SP, RP and catching depth to address both infield and outfield depth on the MLB roster as well as extended MLB ready players in Pawtucket.
What are your expectations for modifications to the roster in this final run before the beginning of the season?espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox“Days until Sox pitchers and catchers report: 26. Reporting date is Feb. 15. Physicals will be held the next day, with first workout scheduled for the 17th. The full squad report on the 18th, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for the 20th. Days until the first game of the Grapefruit League exhibition schedule: 39. The Sox will host the Minnesota Twins on Feb. 28. Days until Opening Day: 70. The Red Sox are scheduled to open the season March 31 against the Baltimore Orioles.” (Mod note: as a general rule, please don't copy so much from an article as you originally had here, particularly when it's information that is as generally well known as that which was just removed. Thanks.) |
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Post by redsoxmarc on Jan 22, 2014 15:40:19 GMT -5
I think the Red Sox should pursue a trade for Ryan Sweeney. Although he is a lefty, and seemingly not a great platoon option with Bradley, he can play all 3 OF positions. The Sox do not have great defensive OF depth right now in Gomes and Carp. Meanwhile in Pawtucket they only have Brentz and Hassan on the 40, both right handed hitting corner outfielders. It seems Ryan Sweeney would be the perfect solution (as depth, and in case of injury to Nava/Bradley/Victorino) in the Sox never ending quest for quality depth. If Bradley proves he is not capable of handling every day duties I would not hate seeing Sweeney get the majority of the playing time to start the season. It seems 2 out Villareal (no options left and really a waste on the 40 man, Cubs are in a position to be more patient with a guy with his potential), Wilson/Lavarnway/Coyle (guys Theo and Jed know well) would get the deal done and give the Sox a proven MLB OF for $1M.
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Post by moonstone2 on Jan 22, 2014 15:40:47 GMT -5
I think they are going to continue to add to their bullpen depth. My guess is that they sign the young Cuban reliever.
They probably also need a AAA SS, I would think that John McDonald would be the obvious candidate for this spot, but they maybe interested in the Cuban free agent.
CF depth is tough as there aren't a whole lot of CFs left. Bernadina is out there but he was pretty awful in 2013.
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Post by pokeefe363 on Jan 22, 2014 15:51:53 GMT -5
Who would Sweeney replace? I think that's the issue with any trade for him. He would either have to replace Gomes, Nava, or Carp and I think if they were going that route it would be Hassan replacing Gomes. I suppose Sweeney could replace Nava or Carp, but I don't really like that idea.
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Post by jmei on Jan 22, 2014 15:54:35 GMT -5
The problem, as discussed elsewhere, is that there is no spot for Sweeney unless one of Carp/Gomes/Nava is moved or the Red Sox go with a six man bullpen.
The front office will almost certainly acquire a center fielder on a minor league deal to stick in Pawtucket, but there just isn't room on the major league roster for one unless an injury opens a spot up. If one of the outfielders suffers an injury in Spring Training, they may look to trade for an outfielder who can backup CF, but I don't think they acquire anyone who fits that profile until then.
ADD: scooped!
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Post by jimed14 on Jan 22, 2014 15:58:24 GMT -5
I've been advocating this for awhile, but not for Sweeney. And to add another OF to the 25 man roster requires one of Carp/Nava/Gomes to leave the team. Not having a backup for CF and RF is the weakest part of the roster. That may be nitpicking but we're an injury away from disaster unless anyone thinks that we have any options to replace Victorino's 5.6 WAR in RF if he or JBJ gets injured for a month (or more) at a time. I'm not buying Nava or Brentz being able to do it.
It's fine for a replacement to struggle at the plate if he adds value defensively, but all of our backup RF/CF options are going to give up runs in the field.
We're probably better off signing a guy like Sizemore or Fuld to a minor league deal.
ADD: scooped twice!
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Post by jmei on Jan 22, 2014 16:00:01 GMT -5
Merged some threads.
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Post by jmei on Jan 22, 2014 16:26:44 GMT -5
CF depth is tough as there aren't a whole lot of CFs left. Bernadina is out there but he was pretty awful in 2013. There are a handful of interesting names left. Trayvon Robinson is a free agent, though his inability to rein in the strikeouts is a concern and it's unclear how good his CF defense is. Jamie Hoffmann is a name to watch-- he hit .277/.327/.436 in AAA with the Mets organization last year, is only 29, and looks like a solid defender who can play CF in a pinch ( here's an old scouting report). Brett Carroll hit .222/.328/.404 for the Pirates' AAA club last year and can play CF, though he is better suited to RF. He's got a little pop and patience but has trouble with strikeouts. He spent a little time with Pawtucket in 2011-- here's his SoxProspects page. PS: I wonder whether J.C. Linares is a real depth option with replacement-player potential. If he can still play a solid defensive CF, he might be the starter there for Pawtucket next year. He did hit pretty well there in 2012, though he dropped off last year. |
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Post by moonstone2 on Jan 22, 2014 17:06:11 GMT -5
CF depth is tough as there aren't a whole lot of CFs left. Bernadina is out there but he was pretty awful in 2013. There are a handful of interesting names left. Trayvon Robinson is a free agent, though his inability to rein in the strikeouts is a concern and it's unclear how good his CF defense is. Jamie Hoffmann is a name to watch-- he hit .277/.327/.436 in AAA with the Mets organization last year, is only 29, and looks like a solid defender who can play CF in a pinch ( here's an old scouting report). Brett Carroll hit .222/.328/.404 for the Pirates' AAA club last year and can play CF, though he is better suited to RF. He's got a little pop and patience but has trouble with strikeouts. He spent a little time with Pawtucket in 2011-- here's his SoxProspects page. PS: I wonder whether J.C. Linares is a real depth option with replacement-player potential. If he can still play a solid defensive CF, he might be the starter there for Pawtucket next year. He did hit pretty well there in 2012, though he dropped off last year. It looks like Robinson was demoted to AA a year ago, he might be worth taking a chance on but I as I remember he was mostly a corner OF. Hoffman as you mentioned has played CF in the past, but last year mostly played the corner. He's too redundant with guys we already have like Hassan, Nava, and Brentz. What they need is a solid CF who could play the position in the majors for a couple of weeks and not embarrass himself. There isn't anyone like that on the MLFA market other than guys who had awful years at AAA a year ago. |
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Post by jimed14 on Jan 22, 2014 17:15:18 GMT -5
AFAIK, Fuld is still unsigned.
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Post by Guidas on Jan 22, 2014 17:34:55 GMT -5
A trade for Stanton that doesn't involve Bogaerts.
No trade for Kemp.
One AAA CF who can spell in at MLB replacement level.
That should do it to start.
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Post by mandi617 on Jan 22, 2014 18:40:16 GMT -5
Sox agreed to terms with OF Grady Sizemore, per Rob Bradford.
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Post by redsocks on Jan 22, 2014 18:50:15 GMT -5
Any chance the Dodgers would deal Joc Pederson? They have too many OFs already, and he addresses a long term need for the Sox as well.
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Post by andrewdon on Jan 22, 2014 23:40:28 GMT -5
I think they are going to continue to add to their bullpen depth. My guess is that they sign the young Cuban reliever. They probably also need a AAA SS, I would think that John McDonald would be the obvious candidate for this spot, but they maybe interested in the Cuban free agent. CF depth is tough as there aren't a whole lot of CFs left. Bernadina is out there but he was pretty awful in 2013. Johnny Mac signed with the Angels about a week ago |
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Post by redsoxmarc on Jan 23, 2014 12:07:57 GMT -5
I think Carp is almost redundant on this roster especially with Nava's capability to play 1B. I thought Sweeney would give them more versatility and Carp could be traded for IF and pitching depth. I really hope they upgrade over Herrera especially with his recent transgressions. The Sweeney trade is a moot point now with Sizemore but I hope they upgrade over Herrera. Carp is definitely a lot more valuable to other teams than he is to the Red Sox.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Jan 23, 2014 13:03:08 GMT -5
I thought that mid market teams would overwhelm the sox with offers for the cost controlled talent this off season.
Doubront, Nava, Carp, Workman and even Lackey's contract all seemed too atractive to keep.
It very well could be that the fo has made a conscience decision to keep the champions as intact as possible.
Carp also was a 'free' pickup last spring and may not hold the value we see.
He is redundant only with perfect health at 1b, of and dh.
It is a great luxury to have the overall depth on the roster.
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Post by jimed14 on Jan 23, 2014 13:26:39 GMT -5
I thought that mid market teams would overwhelm the sox with offers for the cost controlled talent this off season. Doubront, Nava, Carp, Workman and even Lackey's contract all seemed too atractive to keep. It very well could be that the fo has made a conscience decision to keep the champions as intact as possible. Carp also was a 'free' pickup last spring and may not hold the value we see. He is redundant only with perfect health at 1b, of and dh. It is a great luxury to have the overall depth on the roster. It's a great luxury until we see Nava in RF or even in CF because no one besides JBJ or Victorino can play either position. We need one of those more than we need 3 1B or 3 LF. And anyone can DH. |
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Post by sarasoxer on Jan 23, 2014 16:44:52 GMT -5
Carp was definitely an unsung hero last year. He is one of my favorite players on the Sox. I love the inherent pop he has from the left side where we are decidedly weak, especially post Papi. He should have played more last year, took it quietly on the chin and has greater offensive talent IMO than Gomes. He would be a helluva pick-up for the Yankees to spell a recovering TEX at first and play some RF. He would most certainly be an upgrade over Overbay, now departed.
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