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2018 Spring Training Discussion
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Feb 22, 2018 18:59:35 GMT -5
Tweet of the day and my favorite one-
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 22, 2018 19:35:25 GMT -5
Red Sox beat Boston College, 4-2. This lineup was made up of mainly minor leaguers, with the exception of Sandy Leon.
Different result than against Northeastern, where the other team put up 15 runs.
Sam Travis looks like he’s gonna rake again in ST. RBI double today.
Barfield and Castillo combine for 0-5.
Lin and minor league free agent Oscar Hernandez also doubled.
A few guys from Greenville last year showed up in the game.
Pitchers played well, with some struggles from McAvoy. Shepherd, Poyner, Martin, and Stankiewicz combined for 6 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, and 5 Ks.
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Post by telson13 on Feb 22, 2018 23:43:46 GMT -5
Red Sox beat Boston College, 4-2. This lineup was made up of mainly minor leaguers, with the exception of Sandy Leon. Different result than against Northeastern, where the other team put up 15 runs. Sam Travis looks like he’s gonna rake again in ST. RBI double today. Barfield and Castillo combine for 0-5. Lin and minor league free agent Oscar Hernandez also doubled. A few guys from Greenville last year showed up in the game. Pitchers played well, with some struggles from McAvoy. Shepherd, Poyner, Martin, and Stankiewicz combined for 6 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, and 5 Ks. Stankiewicz seems like a guy they need to move to the ‘pen. He’s got good arm strength and a fairly broad repertoire, and he’s always had good control. He just doesn’t miss bats at all. He had some bad BABIP luck last year, so that 5+ ERA in Portland is probably a little misleading (3.87 FIP), but I just don’t see him ever becoming more than a AAAA starter. In the bullpen, though, he could air it out, and the secondaries would play up because of variety, even if none is “Plus.” His performance as a starter reminds me of Maddox and, with the control/repertoire, Workman. Working 91-92 as a starter he’s just stalled out; but if he bumps up to sitting 95 like Maddox did, suddenly he’s got real upside. I know the Sox like to keep guys starting to get reps, but at 24 he’s probably going to AAA and a bullpen move, even just to see what he can do there, seems to me to make him a lot more valuable to the club in both near- and long-term. Take advantage of the high market valuation of relievers these days, I say.
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Post by telson13 on Feb 23, 2018 0:58:04 GMT -5
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Feb 23, 2018 2:30:08 GMT -5
I feel like for the first time in a long time (since arguably Froncona), the manager position with this team is going to become a strength, rather than a weakness. Farrell had a great year in 2013 (even though he stuck with Gomes too long in the playoffs and Workman had a at bat in a world series game), but Cora feels like a enema which this team needed. This team is loaded now with Martinez here hopefully. Now they just need a guy to point them in the right direction. Cora seems like a perfect fit.
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 23, 2018 9:27:54 GMT -5
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 23, 2018 9:32:51 GMT -5
Can't think of a better story in the organization to root for than Barfield. Drafted 10 years ago, over 1000 games in the minors/foreign leagues, and even had a failed conversion to pitcher... and there's a real chance he's the most likely person who isn't on the 40-man right now to get called up this year.
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 23, 2018 9:44:20 GMT -5
Can't think of a better story in the organization to root for than Barfield. Drafted 10 years ago, over 1000 games in the minors/foreign leagues, and even had a failed conversion to pitcher... and there's a real chance he's the most likely person who isn't on the 40-man right now to get called up this year. Plus, if you follow him on twitter, he seems like a genuinely funny and nice guy. Some good stuff on there.
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 23, 2018 9:50:11 GMT -5
Can't think of a better story in the organization to root for than Barfield. Drafted 10 years ago, over 1000 games in the minors/foreign leagues, and even had a failed conversion to pitcher... and there's a real chance he's the most likely person who isn't on the 40-man right now to get called up this year. Plus, if you follow him on twitter, he seems like a genuinely funny and nice guy. Some good stuff on there. Case in point:
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giltg
Veteran
When the eagle is silent , the parrots begin to jabber.
Posts: 274
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Post by giltg on Feb 23, 2018 9:55:59 GMT -5
He is definitely a funny guy.
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 23, 2018 10:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 23, 2018 10:09:10 GMT -5
Lots of news this morning. Cora told reporters that Leon and Vazquez were his catchers. No mention of Swihart. Hopefully that just means he’s seen as a utility guy now and not a sign that he’s on his way out.
Also, Marco Hernandez had another shoulder surgery to remove some hardware that was bothering him. He’s out for at least all of spring training.
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Post by jmei on Feb 23, 2018 10:19:49 GMT -5
Also, Marco Hernandez had another shoulder surgery to remove some hardware that was bothering him. He’s out for at least all of spring training. Red Sox probably knew this was coming, which may have pushed them towards signing Nunez.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 23, 2018 11:24:29 GMT -5
Also, Marco Hernandez had another shoulder surgery to remove some hardware that was bothering him. He’s out for at least all of spring training. Red Sox probably knew this was coming, which may have pushed them towards signing Nunez. Perhaps this makes the Sox want to keep Marrero around while Pedroia is out? Are they really comfortable with Nunez being the backup SS defensively? If Xander went on the DL for 10 days, it's hard to see Nunez being the regular SS or even Holt. Marrero is the one guy you trust to play SS. My concern is if Xander goes down the Sox don't have a viable major league defensive capable SS. I thought of Hernandez as that guy if Xander went down, which would make it fine if Marrero doesn't survive the roster crunch, but if Hernandez can't play.....Marrero becomes more necessary, although a guy with options who can hit a little and be capable defensively at SS would work, too, if they can find one.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Feb 23, 2018 12:05:00 GMT -5
Red Sox probably knew this was coming, which may have pushed them towards signing Nunez. Perhaps this makes the Sox want to keep Marrero around while Pedroia is out? Are they really comfortable with Nunez being the backup SS defensively? If Xander went on the DL for 10 days, it's hard to see Nunez being the regular SS or even Holt. Marrero is the one guy you trust to play SS. Maybe when Pedroia comes back, Hernandez will be ready to start playing again? It doesn't sound like that's the case, though. My concern is if Xander goes down the Sox don't have a viable major league defensive capable SS. I thought of Hernandez as that guy if Xander went down, which would make it fine if Marrero doesn't survive the roster crunch, but if Hernandez can't play.....Marrero becomes more necessary, although a guy with options who can hit a little and be capable defensively at SS would work, too, if they can find one. I am surprised at your lack of confidence in Lin. He is a good and versatile defender who was rushed from AA last year and showed he can field the position well and hit a bit. And he has options. Quiroz also plays SS and, like Lin, showed good defense in his first look yesterday. And he should be a good bat. IMO the bench will start with HR/MM, Leon, Swihart and one of Holt/Marrero/Lin, each of whom can adequately cover XB for a day off or 10 day DL. Coverage/depth could be above average before mid-season when Marco, Lin, Quiroz, Travis, Chavis, Barfield should be fully ready, and Swihart hitting his stride offensively. IMO the Sox are set.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 23, 2018 12:07:51 GMT -5
Perhaps this makes the Sox want to keep Marrero around while Pedroia is out? Are they really comfortable with Nunez being the backup SS defensively? If Xander went on the DL for 10 days, it's hard to see Nunez being the regular SS or even Holt. Marrero is the one guy you trust to play SS. Maybe when Pedroia comes back, Hernandez will be ready to start playing again? It doesn't sound like that's the case, though. My concern is if Xander goes down the Sox don't have a viable major league defensive capable SS. I thought of Hernandez as that guy if Xander went down, which would make it fine if Marrero doesn't survive the roster crunch, but if Hernandez can't play.....Marrero becomes more necessary, although a guy with options who can hit a little and be capable defensively at SS would work, too, if they can find one. I am surprised at your lack of confidence in Lin. He is a good and versatile defender who was rushed from AA last year and showed he can field the position well and hit a bit. And he has options. Quiroz also plays SS and, like Lin, showed good defense in his first look yesterday. And he should be a good bat. IMO the bench will start with HR/MM, Leon, Swihart and one of Holt/Marrero/Lin, each of whom can adequately cover XB for a day off or 10 day DL. Coverage/depth could be above average by mid-season when Lin, Quiroz, Travis, Chavis Barfield should be fully ready, and Swihart hitting his stride offensively. IMO the Sox are set. I think going with Marrero over Lin is more a nod to the fact that even if Lin's an upgrade, it's a marginal one that costs the team depth unnecessarily, rather than a knock on him (although rereading the original post, I get your point that Lin literally fits the description of the player being sought at the end, so I get you). Why cut Marrero to promote Lin when there's not even a guarantee he's a better fit? As for Quiroz, reports are that 2B and 3B are his strongest positions. With both Marrero and Lin around, I don't see the need to have him at SS, but we'll see.
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Post by telson13 on Feb 23, 2018 12:15:48 GMT -5
He is definitely a funny guy. Pure gold.
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 23, 2018 13:08:06 GMT -5
I'd take Marrero over Lin for three reasons: 1. It helps preserve depth. 2. It would get Lin regular PAs and more structured playing time in Pawtucket. 3. Marrero is the superior late-inning defensive replacement for Nunez and Devers (not that I'm positive that they need one for Devers).
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Feb 23, 2018 13:18:49 GMT -5
I'd take Marrero over Lin for three reasons: 1. It helps preserve depth. 2. It would get Lin regular PAs and more structured playing time in Pawtucket. 3. Marrero is the superior late-inning defensive replacement for Nunez and Devers (not that I'm positive that they need one for Devers). I'd assume the Sox DFA Marrero for Holt and Swihart. He's the guy that most likely gets through waivers.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 23, 2018 13:43:15 GMT -5
Perhaps this makes the Sox want to keep Marrero around while Pedroia is out? Are they really comfortable with Nunez being the backup SS defensively? If Xander went on the DL for 10 days, it's hard to see Nunez being the regular SS or even Holt. Marrero is the one guy you trust to play SS. Maybe when Pedroia comes back, Hernandez will be ready to start playing again? It doesn't sound like that's the case, though. My concern is if Xander goes down the Sox don't have a viable major league defensive capable SS. I thought of Hernandez as that guy if Xander went down, which would make it fine if Marrero doesn't survive the roster crunch, but if Hernandez can't play.....Marrero becomes more necessary, although a guy with options who can hit a little and be capable defensively at SS would work, too, if they can find one. I am surprised at your lack of confidence in Lin. He is a good and versatile defender who was rushed from AA last year and showed he can field the position well and hit a bit. And he has options. Quiroz also plays SS and, like Lin, showed good defense in his first look yesterday. And he should be a good bat. IMO the bench will start with HR/MM, Leon, Swihart and one of Holt/Marrero/Lin, each of whom can adequately cover XB for a day off or 10 day DL. Coverage/depth could be above average before mid-season when Marco, Lin, Quiroz, Travis, Chavis, Barfield should be fully ready, and Swihart hitting his stride offensively. IMO the Sox are set. I'll be honest - it's not a lack of confidence in Lin - I'm embarrassed to say, but I forgot about him. Is he a capable defensive SS? I only remember him at 3b in Boston. I didn't follow him much in the minors, honestly, because I never even thought he'd hit even close enough to make the majors. Then he had his adjustment and suddenly out of the blue, he was up, and surprisingly useful. Now that I think about it more, SS is his natural position, isn't it? While I wouldn't push Marrero out of the way for Lin, my thought process is for down the road - say we're fortunate that everybody (other than Hernandez) is healthy come June and assume the Sox go with 12 pitchers. That means 4 bench guys, which means mostly likely Leon, Moreland, Swihart (5th outfielder, PH, 3rd string catcher), and Nunez when Pedroia comes back. In this scenario, Marrero gets squeezed out unless the somebody else gets hurt, Swihart gets dealt or released (no to that), or they go with 11 pitchers. At that point Holt is either on another team or in Pawtucket as insurance, and he can play SS for a day or two, but like Nunez, you wouldn't want him there for a week or more if Bogaerts had to hit the DL. If Marrero is squeezed out I suppose the Sox could call up Lin for a week or two if Bogaerts goes on the 10 day DL and be alright defensively and not be an automatic out offensively. That's good - I was trying to think of the Red Sox depth options, and for the most part the Sox should be alright if there was an injury (not that you want it to happen) at any of the positions, but I thought the Sox were kind of lacking at SS. I had Hernandez penciled is that guy who could come up and be a decent option for a week or two, but I guess Lin could do the job, too now that you mention it.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 23, 2018 13:49:20 GMT -5
He is definitely a funny guy. Pure gold. I know Barfield is 29 and doesn't have much of a shot for a MLB career, yet I have a feeling that he's capable of succeeding, more than Brentz can. Barfield can play defense which is important, and I have to, for some reason, believe that the power gene, which apparently didn't go to his brother Josh, apparently is there for Jeremy, and I remember his dad, Jesse Barfield, as a really good player. I remember that he had a strong arm in RF, and he had some serious power. I think he hit 40 homers one year during the 1980s, in an era nobody hit 50 homers and very few approached 50. If Jeremy has any of that in him, and I'm starting to think he has a bit of that, then he can make a very viable option should an outfielder hit the DL for awhile. The good news is the Sox don't have to do that as a #1 option. They can go with JDM in LF and adjust the OF accordingly, DH Hanley and play Moreland at 1b against a righty or DH Nunez vs a lefty with Hanley at 1b, but the Sox would have a viable option on the bench in that scenario with Barfield, and somebody who can come in for defense for Martinez, and his last name does start with a B, so....he'd fit right in.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 23, 2018 16:26:58 GMT -5
I'd take Marrero over Lin for three reasons: 1. It helps preserve depth. 2. It would get Lin regular PAs and more structured playing time in Pawtucket. 3. Marrero is the superior late-inning defensive replacement for Nunez and Devers (not that I'm positive that they need one for Devers). I'd assume the Sox DFA Marrero for Holt and Swihart. He's the guy that most likely gets through waivers. Actually, Holt has options, and plus, he is due to make 4x as much as those other two. If he's not clearly a better option (if healthy, he probably is), and if they don't think there will be a negative effect in the clubhouse (he's clearly well liked - Flow Bros and whatnot), that might lead to his drawing the short straw.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 23, 2018 16:30:00 GMT -5
If there is a spot for just 1 of Marrero and Lin, Marrero makes the team so they can keep both of them.
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Post by coachmac on Feb 23, 2018 18:50:20 GMT -5
If there is a spot for just 1 of Marrero and Lin, Marrero makes the team so they can keep both of them. I believe I read that the Sox will only need 4 starters for the first 3-4 weeks of the season. Wouldn't that permit them to keep Swihart,Marrero and Holt at the beginning of the season? I know that is only a temporary fix but would buy some time. Start Wright and E-Rod on 10 day diabled list.
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bosox
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Post by bosox on Feb 23, 2018 21:14:57 GMT -5
I'd assume the Sox DFA Marrero for Holt and Swihart. He's the guy that most likely gets through waivers. Actually, Holt has options, and plus, he is due to make 4x as much as those other two. If he's not clearly a better option (if healthy, he probably is), and if they don't think there will be a negative effect in the clubhouse (he's clearly well liked - Flow Bros and whatnot), that might lead to his drawing the short straw. I may be reaching but it wouldn't surprise me to see DeJesus Jr make the team as the utility guy. He's a veteran that Cora is familiar with and he can play multiple infield positions.
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