Story vs Correa vs Baez

Interesting observation. I don't believe you will find many people who agree that Story is the better player though. I think you could get him at a cheaper price, obviously, and he may be willing to play either of the middle infield positions, third, or even centre field. Not that at the money he'll sign for you're looking for versatility. Story will be payed as a premium shortstop, just below Correa and Seager but above Semien and Baez.

Well are you arguing that Story would be a better deal or that he's the better player? If it's the latter then the difference in contract is irrelevant... In any case, they've played almost exactly the same number of games, but Story is 3 years older. Whatever the difference between the two players is now will probably be more to Correa's advantage 2 or 3 years down the road (if it isn't already moving in that direction; Story might already be showing signs of decline).

Correa has missed a bunch of time in 2019 and went on the IL in both 2018 and 2017 also.

If healthy, Corrrea is better and has proven he can play at a elite level in the American League. No small thing there.

All in on Correa. I don't think there will be a better free agent at a better age anytime soon.

This all depends if Soto becomes a free agent when his service time is up in Washington, but Washington has a bunch of time to lock him up still.

I feel that Baez will end up being the best value option. Correa is just too expensive for way too many years, and most importantly I don't like him.

Story has the pedigree to get paid more than Baez, but his 2021 was worrying. His OAA was 4th percentile in 2021, and if we throw out 2020 he has two sub-10th percentile and two over-90th percentile finishes in OAA over the past four seasons. For a guy whose bat has been dipping over the past few seasons, I want to be really sure I can count on the glove. I'm not sure you can with Story. I don't spend my life digging through OAA, mind you, but I've never seen discrepancies like that for a guy who's had a full workload at the same position. If he's just been playing through injuries, though, I rescind this point.

Baez's only real knock is the too-aggressive approach at the plate that leads to a high K% and low BB%. His glove has been consistently excellent, with 92nd percentile being his worst OAA finish from 2017-2020, and with an 82nd percentile in 2021 when he was forced to play a lot of 2B with the Mets. I have a lot of optimism that a clubhouse like Boston's, with guys like JDM and the influence of Alex Cora, will help him clean up his offensive approach. It was a small sample size, but his ~50 games with the Mets were encouraging on that front. Plus, the guy barrels balls at a really high rate for how freely he swings, so a bit more patience could theoretically really help his production. Even if this is just wishful thinking, though, and we get the Javy Baez of old, he should still be good for an awesome glove and some pop with WAR in the 4-5 ballpark (by bWAR he had 6.4, 6.6, and 4.5 in his last three non-2020 seasons). I'll take that every day of the week in the 4/80 ballpark people have been throwing out, especially when the upside is higher if the Sox can keep his momentum from NYM going. If Bogie's willing to move to 2B, I would love to sign Baez. If not, I still would be excited about it, but just not quite as much for 2022.

its TIME for Correa

I like them all but didn’t vote for any of them because I have ZERO desire to replace Xander, the de facto captain of this excellent team. If his time comes to move he will move. Tweak an extension for him (and Devers) so he retires a Red Sox.

This is a winning MLB team, not a fantasy one. And fans DO root for players like Xander. So keep the core. The Sox need to replace Schwarber’s bat (Schwarber would be good for that) and improve the pitching. IMO talk about moving XB for any of the above is just crazy talk.

The case for Carlos Correa-

-At age 27. You're getting the best and youngest free agent the next two years. The guy with the most future value. The next best options are Xander Bogaerts (of course) and Trea Turner at age 30 after 2022.

-He's the only player on this market that will probably get Xander to move off short stop in 2022. He's the only guy Xander can look at this free agent class and say "he's a better short stop than me. I should do what's best for the team." You sign Baez, he plays second for a year potentially maybe permanently until Xander is gone (waste).

-You want Xander to be more valuable at a less demanding position than Short Stop. At SS, he's not passable anymore. At second base, he at least has the potential to be that. You should want a more valuable Xander on your team.

-Marcelo Mayer was just drafted out of high school. He's 3 and a half years away if he pushes. He's 5 years away if he doesn't. You need a long-term short stop in the time being.

-Once Mayer is ready (way down the road), he could push Correa to third and Devers to DH. That or Mayer to second and Xander to DH.

-The Sox still have that 300 million dollars (long term) sitting in their pockets that they made to Mookie that they haven't made to anyone else yet. (Sorry to repeat)

-THERE IS A WORLD where you can have Xander, Devers, and Correa long-term in the infield for the Sox. Payroll might have to be moved around. Cheap players like Cassas. Whitlock. Houck. Mata. York (possibly). Make this possible in the future.

-Your pitching staff is immediately improved by the obvious infield defensive upgrade. Now ground ball pitchers like Whitlock and Houck can pitch to their strengths better.

-John Henry is due to make a impact free agent every day player signing in his Boston tenure. The highest position player they have ever paid was Adrian Gonzalez over a decade ago at over 150 million. The David Price contract is the highest in the Henry ERA a half decade ago.

I think he should prove he can sign a big ticket everyday player for a high amount after making a fair (offer) to Mookie but not coming away with the player ultimately.

-If you want to put the best 2022 team possible. I don't see how not including Correa would be the best option. He gets on base. Elite defense. Elite arm. Hits for power. Hits for average. Good baserunner. Big time hitter in key moments. Complete package.

-Lastly, questionable market. Dodgers and Yankees are already out on Correa. That's the two biggest threats the Sox ever have to face in free agency. They're already out.

There could be a surprise team, but the Sox are definitely in this hunt. This race to get Correa feels different. Bloom has already mentioned how well the team is positioned to sign a high profiled free agent.



He's already said how he's definitely in the middle infield market.

The less I hear about Correa from this Sox front office, the more I think he has a chance to come here. That's how this front office works.

Where's the none of the above box ?

This is also why I wouldn't mind a Baez deal. If the Sox can get him on a shorter deal for a reasonable aav he could be a very good addition. And the Sox get to avoid the huge 10 yr 300 million dollar contract that others are looking for. Baez could very well provide the same war as Correa or Story over the next 3,4 years for a lot less money.

On a side not I think the big time FAs available are not finding the market they were hoping for. Like Correa looking for that contract, I don't think it is out there. I think the Lindor deal was a blip that the Mets were willing to overpay and already regret it. Teams have learned these aren't great deals and are using some restraint. 

It has always been a question of Henry. Will he ever complete a deal of a everyday big time free agent starting player in this league?

That's the question. Not a expanded thought of how much money he spends. Separate thing. He's never wanted to in the past. Mookie was the first time he actually tried and fell way short.

I didnt vote but,That's where I would of placed my vote