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Post by incandenza on Dec 11, 2023 10:12:53 GMT -5
Dalbec had a 34% K rate *in AAA* this year, which was identical to his rate in MLB the year before. He is also going into his age 29 season, which means there's a legitimate possibility that he's already entered his decline phase. I was willing to give him a longer rope than most, I think, but even I am about ready to close the book on his potential "upside."
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nomar
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Post by nomar on Dec 11, 2023 10:15:48 GMT -5
Dalbec had a 34% K rate *in AAA* this year, which was identical to his rate in MLB the year before. He is also going into his age 29 season, which means there's a legitimate possibility that he's already entered his decline phase. I was willing to give him a longer rope than most, I think, but even I am about ready to close the book on his potential "upside." They clearly like Bobby and are trying to get him an opportunity somewhere, but have gotten no takers. I know people will say that they should DFA him, but I don’t think anyone is giving him real playing time in the MLB regardless of if they did that or not, so keeping him as 1B depth in the minors is probably the best option for now, even for him. You can’t strike out that much in AAA at his age and expect another whack at it.
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Post by soxin8 on Dec 11, 2023 12:33:41 GMT -5
If Dalbec really is done with Boston, I will always remember him for his September call-up stretch that made those games fun to watch in a lost season and his amazing August and September of 21 that helped get the Sox into that one game playoff.
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jimoh
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Post by jimoh on Dec 11, 2023 14:28:25 GMT -5
If Dalbec really is done with Boston, I will always remember him for his September call-up stretch that made those games fun to watch in a lost season and his amazing August and September of 21 that helped get the Sox into that one game playoff. Followed by going 0 for 12 with 5 Ks (41%) and no walks in the post-season; also went 2-21 at the end of the season with no walks; did not help much in those last few games.
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ericmvan
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Post by ericmvan on Dec 11, 2023 15:41:27 GMT -5
Many sportswriters spent all year asserting that Dalbec had "fallen out of favor" with the team, presumably because he was languishing in AAA. He was, of course, the backup to Devers, Casas, and Turner, and after about August, Refsnyder (more on that in a moment), and none of them went on the IL until September. When Casas did they called him up and he was the best hitter on the team for a week (by all metrics). They then gave him an extra day off after an off day, and after that he was one of the worst hitters on the team. He finished in the middle of the pack for those games. Also left nearly unmentioned anywhere is that he started 35 games in RF, including 18 of his last 23. And Cora volunteered positive words about him, talking to the press at the Winter Meetings. So, if Turner re-signs as expected, and assuming they won't have an all-RH bench, there's no spot for him on the MLB roster. It would be unfair to him to send him back to AAA. But you could trade Refsnyder at the end of ST and put Dalbec in his spot, with the added value that he plays not just RF but 3B and 1B, and SS in an emergency.
Refsnyder is a FA at the end of this tear and is a known commodity; Dalbec has 4 years control left and may well have upside. Interesting decision.
Without getting into any small sample discussion: If an extra day off is going to mess up a role player like Dalbec would be, then he's not a better fit than Refsnyder, who has shown the ability to stay sharp and have good at-bats with inconsistent playing time. Some, I might even argue many, players need to play every day to stay their sharpest. If that player's sharpest isn't quite good enough to be an everyday guy, well, that's why being a quality backup is a hard job. Refsnyder's ability to offer relatively consistent play with inconsistent playing time is an underrated part of his value. I actually meant to note that there were serious doubts about his ability to come off the bench. I've also been wondering whether a guy or guys like that could take a daily early BP session that simulated a game, which is doable now that they have pitching machines that can duplicate any pitchers' repertoire.
As for the the idea that he has no trade value at all because they already tried to move him and no one offered anything -- I think that's silly. First, he had a role with the big league club; they just didn't need him until September. But more to the point, a guy who ranks 5th in MLB in a solid power metric and slashed .269 / .381 / .557 in AAA will always be a person of interest. Every team with no credible chance of contending would take a look, and it just takes two who are genuinely interested to strike a deal. Every GM dreams of getting a guy like this for little and having him blossom into solid adequacy under his watch. That he can play 3B, 1B, and RF adds to the interest, because it means you can get him into the lineup more easily.
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Post by jimed14 on Dec 12, 2023 11:53:40 GMT -5
It's unreal that Dalbec still has an option left at his age.
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