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Post by brendan98 on Dec 8, 2023 20:59:58 GMT -5
Keep hearing that the Sox are willing to sacrifice offense at second base if they get a plus defender that will help the pitching staff at the position. Heard more rumors today that they are kicking the tires on Whit Merrifield, and I just can't help thinking that I'd much rather see them open the season with Rafaela as the primary 2B, with Reyes to back him up and Valdez in reserve. Much like Casas last year, give Rafaela a month of starts next year and see if you feel like he is adjusting at the MLB level or if he needs a little more time in AAA. I think he is naturally gifted enough defensively that spring training should be more than enough to prepare him to play a very good defensive 2B by the time the season starts. Offensively, I wouldn't expect a high OBP, but the kid had 62 extra base hits in 136 games between AA/AAA/BOS, so he could provide some pop at the bottom of the order, and wreak some havoc on the bases.
Since they are prioritizing defense over offense at the position, and they have some premium middle infield prospects that are already MLB ready, or right down the road, I think it would be foolish to use any significant amount of salary cap on a stop gap second baseman. Yorke will start the year at AAA, likely Meidroth too, both of those guys could be options by summer, and if Mayer can get healthy I could see him making up for some of the time he lost last year, moving quickly and putting himself in the MLB picture later in the year.
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Post by Jimmy on Dec 8, 2023 21:18:20 GMT -5
If they’re intending on staying under the luxury tax, I like giving Rafaela some run to start the season, since an upgrade would probably be via trade anyways you can afford to wait and see. Allocate $ to pitching.
If they’re going over, I think someone like Jorge Polanco makes a lot of sense.
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 21:25:09 GMT -5
Rafaela's defense in the MI is not as good as his defense in CF so I'm not sure he'd really fit the bill as a defense first option to play 2nd. I don't think he'd bring the most value as an everyday 2nd baseman. I'd prefer them make a trade for their 2nd baseman than to roll with rafaela out of the gate.
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Post by brendan98 on Dec 8, 2023 21:32:49 GMT -5
Rafaela's defense in the MI is not as good as his defense in CF so I'm not sure he'd really fit the bill as a defense first option to play 2nd. I don't think he'd bring the most value as an everyday 2nd baseman. I'd prefer them make a trade for their 2nd baseman than to roll with rafaela out of the gate. Scouting Reports say plus defender at SS, grew up playing 2B, I guarantee he could be an excellent defensive 2B next year if need be, likely better than almost anyone they could trade for. Of course they could also play him at SS and Story at 2B, which would likely be an excellent defensive alignment as well.
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Post by stunzisox on Dec 8, 2023 21:45:31 GMT -5
Rafaela's defense in the MI is not as good as his defense in CF so I'm not sure he'd really fit the bill as a defense first option to play 2nd. I don't think he'd bring the most value as an everyday 2nd baseman. I'd prefer them make a trade for their 2nd baseman than to roll with rafaela out of the gate. Scouting Reports say plus defender at SS, grew up playing 2B, I guarantee he could be an excellent defensive 2B next year if need be, likely better than almost anyone they could trade for. Of course they could also play him at SS and Story at 2B, which would likely be an excellent defensive alignment as well. when his defense in center registers at the top of the scale potentially, saying “not as good in the MI” isn’t exactly an indictment. His MI defense has been graded in the 60 range so I’d say that’s a substantial upgrade over any incumbent option on the roster.
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Post by Legion of Bloom on Dec 8, 2023 22:10:20 GMT -5
I’m hoping we can snag Kim from San Diego, would absolutely love that move.
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Post by keninten on Dec 8, 2023 22:48:55 GMT -5
I’m hoping we can snag Kim from San Diego, would absolutely love that move. Why would the Padres be willing to trade Kim? The Padres have already cut the payroll. Kim is only getting $8 mil. If they trade Kim and move Tatis to the IF, the OF is completely gone. Or who do they put at 2B? Kim will get a haul if he`s traded. Maybe straight up for Bello? I keed.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Dec 8, 2023 22:52:02 GMT -5
I’m hoping we can snag Kim from San Diego, would absolutely love that move. Why would the Padres be willing to trade Kim? The Padres have already cut the payroll. Kim is only getting $8 mil. If they trade Kim and move Tatis to the IF, the OF is completely gone. Or who do they put at 2B? Kim will get a haul if he`s traded. Maybe straight up for Bello? I keed. They're not trading Kim. Like you said, no real reason to.
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Post by notstarboard on Dec 9, 2023 1:17:23 GMT -5
Scouting Reports say plus defender at SS, grew up playing 2B, I guarantee he could be an excellent defensive 2B next year if need be, likely better than almost anyone they could trade for. Of course they could also play him at SS and Story at 2B, which would likely be an excellent defensive alignment as well. when his defense in center registers at the top of the scale potentially, saying “not as good in the MI” isn’t exactly an indictment. His MI defense has been graded in the 60 range so I’d say that’s a substantial upgrade over any incumbent option on the roster. Counterpoint: a CF with top-of-the-scale defense should not be playing a less important position where he is only (only, lol) a 60, especially since the bat is a question mark.
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Post by stunzisox on Dec 9, 2023 1:32:20 GMT -5
when his defense in center registers at the top of the scale potentially, saying “not as good in the MI” isn’t exactly an indictment. His MI defense has been graded in the 60 range so I’d say that’s a substantial upgrade over any incumbent option on the roster. Counterpoint: a CF with top-of-the-scale defense should not be playing a less important position where he is only (only, lol) a 60, especially since the bat is a question mark. fair, in a vacuum. So, let’s sort this out. We need to look at a ton of variables to make the proper determination. What is the current state of our roster? Where can we upgrade without having to spend more money or prospect capital? Is it more valuable to upgrade in CF, “a premium position”, or at 2B where we’ve been fielding a severely below replacement level product as of late. Is the improvement most impactful at 2B or CF? Consider the offense to be the same regardless of position. Which position has a more glaring need. I’d argue (moreso now with O’Neill aboard) that OF is a comparative position of strength vs 2B.
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Post by cheers on Dec 9, 2023 7:04:37 GMT -5
I won't panic if we enter the season with a Valdez/Reyes platoon at 2B. Between the two, I expect at least average offensive output (both guys run about .800 OPS vs. the appropriate arm), and you can sit Valdez late in games to avoid his butchery in the field. A healthy Story playing to the right should cover up some degree of ineptitude also.
That said, after the pitching gets cleared up, if the Sox can pick a plus defender up for minimal capital, I'm all for it. If the rotation doesn't improve markedly, what happens at 2B really doesn't matter a bunch, IMO.
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Post by cba82 on Dec 9, 2023 8:05:40 GMT -5
Yu Chang is available.
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 9, 2023 8:48:05 GMT -5
Rafaela's defense in the MI is not as good as his defense in CF so I'm not sure he'd really fit the bill as a defense first option to play 2nd. I don't think he'd bring the most value as an everyday 2nd baseman. I'd prefer them make a trade for their 2nd baseman than to roll with rafaela out of the gate. Scouting Reports say plus defender at SS, grew up playing 2B, I guarantee he could be an excellent defensive 2B next year if need be, likely better than almost anyone they could trade for. Of course they could also play him at SS and Story at 2B, which would likely be an excellent defensive alignment as well. I haven't seen that his defense at the MI grades as plus right now. Even if he's a slightly above average defender at MI his bat probably isn't good enough to carry him as an every day 2nd baseman since id guess if he played a full year he might wRC+ something around 80. However his defense in CF to me seems good enough to carry that type of bat and provide excellent value. If rafaela is on the opening day roster I want him as the starting CF or a super utility guy who still gets plenty of PT but not penciled in as every day 2nd baseman. Perhaps he comes out of the gates hot and takes the job but personally I'd rather see them hedge that bet with a trade for a solid 2nd baseman.
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Post by notstarboard on Dec 9, 2023 8:56:42 GMT -5
Counterpoint: a CF with top-of-the-scale defense should not be playing a less important position where he is only (only, lol) a 60, especially since the bat is a question mark. fair, in a vacuum. So, let’s sort this out. We need to look at a ton of variables to make the proper determination. What is the current state of our roster? Where can we upgrade without having to spend more money or prospect capital? Is it more valuable to upgrade in CF, “a premium position”, or at 2B where we’ve been fielding a severely below replacement level product as of late. Is the improvement most impactful at 2B or CF? Consider the offense to be the same regardless of position. Which position has a more glaring need. I’d argue (moreso now with O’Neill aboard) that OF is a comparative position of strength vs 2B. I'm just not convinced that Rafaela will be helpful at 2B. His bat is a huge question mark, and the glove can't redeem the bat nearly as easily if he's playing 2B. If Rafaela opens up the year hitting everything and makes the team, sure, play him at 2B; I get that someone needs to play there even if it's not their best position. If not, I would rather them make a point to play him in CF, even if it means waiting for an OF injury to make the roster, or maybe starting in CF against lefties and otherwise super utility-ing for a while. Add: And if he can't be relied on to be an upgrade at 2B, I think it's prudent to make other plans there. That in turn means that 2B won't be a hole he needs to fill unless there's an injury or severe underperformance.
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Post by DesignatedForAssignment on Dec 9, 2023 9:28:14 GMT -5
Ryan Fitzgerald had a wide open path to the roster in '24
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Dec 9, 2023 9:50:47 GMT -5
Second base is a transition position this year. Even by the end of 2024, we could have some internal options that could be very good. Why fill 2nd with someone who will cost a lot of trade capital? I'm fine with Whit Merrifield for a cheap 1 year. Adds D, speed, and a RH bat.
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 9, 2023 9:54:21 GMT -5
Second base is a transition position this year. Even by the end of 2024, we could have some internal options that could be very good. Why fill 2nd with someone who will cost a lot of trade capital? I'm fine with Whit Merrifield for a cheap 1 year. Adds D, speed, and a RH bat. I agree I wouldn't want to see them give up a ton of value for a 2nd baseman but theoretically a 1 year rental 2nd base option shouldn't cost a big haul. If a trade does cost too much for their liking in the end then I'd also be okay with Merrifield.
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 9, 2023 10:13:36 GMT -5
I'd put it at like 80% odds they add a guy who is the presumptive starter at 2nd. Most likely names in my opinion: Drury, Farmer, Polanco, Merrifield, India
Getting one of these guys is going to be cheap, it adds depth, raises the floor significantly, and means they don't need all of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Valdez/Reyes to pan out, but will still leave plenty of opportunity for those guys.
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Post by asm19 on Dec 9, 2023 11:23:57 GMT -5
I'd put it at like 80% odds they add a guy who is the presumptive starter at 2nd. Most likely names in my opinion: Drury, Farmer, Polanco, Merrifield, India Getting one of these guys is going to be cheap, it adds depth, raises the floor significantly, and means they don't need all of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Valdez/Reyes to pan out, but will still leave plenty of opportunity for those guys. I would list Wily Adames and Ha-Seong Kim as additional candidates, although their teams seem inclined to hold onto them for now. Drury would appear to be a perfect fit - solid defense at 2B, another righty bat who can hit 20+ homers, and he can also play 1B/3B to spell Casas and Devers. But… aside from waiting for Shohei Ohtani to return unanswered phone calls, we really have no idea what the Angels are thinking. For all we know they’ve reached Colorado Rockies level of delusion, and might not look to move Drury even if he’s on an expiring contract. 🤷♂️
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 9, 2023 11:25:16 GMT -5
I'd put it at like 80% odds they add a guy who is the presumptive starter at 2nd. Most likely names in my opinion: Drury, Farmer, Polanco, Merrifield, India Getting one of these guys is going to be cheap, it adds depth, raises the floor significantly, and means they don't need all of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Valdez/Reyes to pan out, but will still leave plenty of opportunity for those guys. I would list Wily Adames and Ha-Seong Kim as additional candidates, although their teams seem inclined to hold onto them for now. Drury would appear to be a perfect fit - solid defense at 2B, another righty bat who can hit 20+ homers, and he can also play 1B/3B to spell Casas and Devers. But… aside from waiting for Shohei Ohtani to return unanswered phone calls, we really have no idea what the Angels are thinking. For all we know they’ve reached Colorado Rockies level of delusion, and might not look to move Drury even if he’s on an expiring contract. 🤷♂️ Yeah Adames or Kim would be nice I just don't think it's likely they are moved. I feel the same about Edman and Berti.
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