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badfishnbc
Veteran
Doing you all a favor and leaving through the gate in right field since 2012.
Posts: 413
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Post by badfishnbc on Mar 1, 2024 12:16:16 GMT -5
Love Cron. I feel like he was dealt a bad hand last year - back injury to start the season, and then part of that disastrous Angels group of deadline acquisitions and only played 15 games before the back tweaked again.
Solid bat, good clubhouse guy, no risk and a significant upgrade to Dalbec because he's actually delivered at the ML level.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Mar 1, 2024 13:25:42 GMT -5
I would think Cron's presence on the team is heavily impacted by Rafaela.
If Rafaela is the CF, not much purpose for Cron.
If Rafaela is in AAA then I'd think the outfield would have Duran in LF, O'Neill in CF (or vice versa with Duran) and Abreu in RF with Yoshida DHimg against righties.
And against lefties it would be Cron DHing with Yoshida pushed to LF, O'Neill in CF with Refsnyder in RF.
And Cron would also provide a breather for Casas.
But that's a narrow fit given that Cron can only play 1b and that Rafaela will wind up in CF sooner than later.
I dont think Cron is long for the Sox.
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Post by redsoxfansince94 on Mar 1, 2024 13:36:27 GMT -5
Here's Dalbec's competition. Funny way to spell “replacement” haha
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Post by mattpicard on Mar 1, 2024 14:20:56 GMT -5
I would think Cron's presence on the team is heavily impacted by Rafaela. If Rafaela is the CF, not much purpose for Cron. If Rafaela is in AAA then I'd think the outfield would have Duran in LF, O'Neill in CF (or vice versa with Duran) and Abreu in RF with Yoshida DHimg against righties. And against lefties it would be Cron DHing with Yoshida pushed to LF, O'Neill in CF with Refsnyder in RF. And Cron would also provide a breather for Casas. But that's a narrow fit given that Cron can only play 1b and that Rafaela will wind up in CF sooner than later. I dont think Cron is long for the Sox. I view the need for a RHH corners guy with pop (whether it be Cron, Dalbec, or someone else) as independent of Rafaela's situation. Reyes isn't feasible as your top 1B backup, nor have there been indications of Refsnyder dusting off his 1B mitt - not to mention he's shown virtually zero power vs LHP outside of two brief stretches two years ago. And as such, this lineup could really use someone who can impact the ball vs lefties, slotting into the ~6 spot of the lineup. When you give a guy like Cron a MiLB deal, a "narrow fit" of starting vs LHP and otherwise backing up 1B is just fine. It's not like committing to an everyday DH, where you start to really lock up lineup and defensive flexibility. And as for the outfielders, if it gets crowded when Rafaela is up because everyone's been productive and healthy... that'll be a nice problem to have, but not one I'll bet on happening. ADD: A tad higher than I expected, given some of the other recent MLB signings (Rosario, Urshela, Cooper, etc.)
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Mar 1, 2024 15:05:46 GMT -5
I would think Cron's presence on the team is heavily impacted by Rafaela. If Rafaela is the CF, not much purpose for Cron. If Rafaela is in AAA then I'd think the outfield would have Duran in LF, O'Neill in CF (or vice versa with Duran) and Abreu in RF with Yoshida DHimg against righties. And against lefties it would be Cron DHing with Yoshida pushed to LF, O'Neill in CF with Refsnyder in RF. And Cron would also provide a breather for Casas. But that's a narrow fit given that Cron can only play 1b and that Rafaela will wind up in CF sooner than later. I dont think Cron is long for the Sox. I view the need for a RHH corners guy with pop (whether it be Cron, Dalbec, or someone else) as independent of Rafaela's situation. Reyes isn't feasible as your top 1B backup, nor have there been indications of Refsnyder dusting off his 1B mitt - not to mention he's shown virtually zero power vs LHP outside of two brief stretches two years ago. And as such, this lineup could really use someone who can impact the ball vs lefties, slotting into the ~6 spot of the lineup. When you give a guy like Cron a MiLB deal, a "narrow fit" of starting vs LHP and otherwise backing up 1B is just fine. It's not like committing to an everyday DH, where you start to really lock up lineup and defensive flexibility. And as for the outfielders, if it gets crowded when Rafaela is up because everyone's been productive and healthy... that'll be a nice problem to have, but not one I'll bet on happening. ADD: A tad higher than I expected, given some of the other recent MLB signings (Rosario, Urshela, Cooper, etc.) I guess my question is if they go with 13 pitchers that leaves 4 reserves. If Rafaela is in CF I'm assuming if all healthy that Duran is in LF platooning with O'Neill and Abreu is in RF platooning with Refsnyder. So that leaves room for just 2 more reserves, McGuire and Reyes. Unless there's an injury or Refsnyder gets released or Abreu starts in AAA, the most likely scenario would be Rafaela in AAA to start the season which means opens up that 4th backup spot for Cron. It maybe they do go with 12 pitchers but I wouldnt think that would be the case? I mean I can see the case for Cron on the roster, but it's a tight fit.
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Post by julyanmorley on Mar 1, 2024 15:17:27 GMT -5
Is that $2 million guaranteed once he's added to the roster or can they still DFA him for free?
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Post by notstarboard on Mar 1, 2024 17:33:04 GMT -5
Yes, these are old highlights, but it's hard not to be a little excited watching this man dong on guys like Snell, Woodruff, Alcantara (x2), and Urias.
The sound off the bat at 4:16 is delicious. I just keep looping it.
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Post by mattpicard on Mar 1, 2024 17:39:50 GMT -5
I view the need for a RHH corners guy with pop (whether it be Cron, Dalbec, or someone else) as independent of Rafaela's situation. Reyes isn't feasible as your top 1B backup, nor have there been indications of Refsnyder dusting off his 1B mitt - not to mention he's shown virtually zero power vs LHP outside of two brief stretches two years ago. And as such, this lineup could really use someone who can impact the ball vs lefties, slotting into the ~6 spot of the lineup. When you give a guy like Cron a MiLB deal, a "narrow fit" of starting vs LHP and otherwise backing up 1B is just fine. It's not like committing to an everyday DH, where you start to really lock up lineup and defensive flexibility. And as for the outfielders, if it gets crowded when Rafaela is up because everyone's been productive and healthy... that'll be a nice problem to have, but not one I'll bet on happening. ADD: A tad higher than I expected, given some of the other recent MLB signings (Rosario, Urshela, Cooper, etc.) I guess my question is if they go with 13 pitchers that leaves 4 reserves. If Rafaela is in CF I'm assuming if all healthy that Duran is in LF platooning with O'Neill and Abreu is in RF platooning with Refsnyder. So that leaves room for just 2 more reserves, McGuire and Reyes. Unless there's an injury or Refsnyder gets released or Abreu starts in AAA, the most likely scenario would be Rafaela in AAA to start the season which means opens up that 4th backup spot for Cron. It maybe they do go with 12 pitchers but I wouldnt think that would be the case? I mean I can see the case for Cron on the roster, but it's a tight fit. I don't get the sense that O'Neill is going to be platooned a whole lot. A lot of his value is in his exceptional defense in LF, and while it'd be great if he was capable in the other spots, he's looked far shakier in CF and he hasn't played RF in five years - and Cora doesn't seem eager to get him much time there this spring. Refsnyder is the easy guy to move on from if you're in a crunch, but you see how the concentration of flawed LHH OF's is making the roster feel a bit clumsy. Yoshida is a DH/shaky LF, Duran is best suited for LF and can maybe get by in CF and can't play RF, and Abreu looks very much like a true platoon guy who's best fit for a corner. Reading between the lines, I have to imagine Breslow is pretty miffed at Bloom getting the Sox saddled with Yoshida for 5/90M. ADD: nor have there been indications of Refsnyder dusting off his 1B mitt Timely update here from Pete Abe today:
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Post by notstarboard on Mar 1, 2024 17:41:59 GMT -5
Also, worth noting that he hits so many laser beam homers to left and balls that just drift out to right center that Fenway is a pretty bad fit for him. He has 160 HR in the Statcast era and Savant says it would only have been 124 HR at Fenway, with every single season having a lower total.
Encouraged to see his max exit velocities are still incredible, though. He could do some bopping this year.
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Post by notstarboard on Mar 1, 2024 17:50:13 GMT -5
I guess my question is if they go with 13 pitchers that leaves 4 reserves. If Rafaela is in CF I'm assuming if all healthy that Duran is in LF platooning with O'Neill and Abreu is in RF platooning with Refsnyder. So that leaves room for just 2 more reserves, McGuire and Reyes. Unless there's an injury or Refsnyder gets released or Abreu starts in AAA, the most likely scenario would be Rafaela in AAA to start the season which means opens up that 4th backup spot for Cron. It maybe they do go with 12 pitchers but I wouldnt think that would be the case? I mean I can see the case for Cron on the roster, but it's a tight fit. I don't get the sense that O'Neill is going to be platooned a whole lot. A lot of his value is in his exceptional defense in LF, and while it'd be great if he was capable in the other spots, he's looked far shakier in CF and he hasn't played RF in five years - and Cora doesn't seem eager to get him much time there this spring. Refsnyder is the easy guy to move on from if you're in a crunch, but you see how the concentration of flawed LHH OF's is making the roster feel a bit clumsy. Yoshida is a DH/shaky LF, Duran is best suited for LF and can maybe get by in CF and can't play RF, and Abreu looks very much like a true platoon guy who's best fit for a corner. Reading between the lines, I have to imagine Breslow is pretty miffed at Bloom getting the Sox saddled with Yoshida for 5/90M. I'm not so sure Duran couldn't play right. His arm does not pass the eye test, but it grades out reasonably well on Savant. RF in Fenway is obviously brutal, but so is CF, and he did seem to have improved there last year. The real question with Yoshida is whether he's actually the guy from the first half last year; if so, I'm sure Breslow is happy to have him. If not, eesh. Breslow could always just trade an OF if he's worried about the roster construction. There have been reports of teams like SDP looking for an outfielder, and that the Sox have had some discussions with them around Duran. Duvall's still out there in free agency if needed.
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Post by incandenza on Mar 1, 2024 17:55:24 GMT -5
I guess my question is if they go with 13 pitchers that leaves 4 reserves. If Rafaela is in CF I'm assuming if all healthy that Duran is in LF platooning with O'Neill and Abreu is in RF platooning with Refsnyder. So that leaves room for just 2 more reserves, McGuire and Reyes. Unless there's an injury or Refsnyder gets released or Abreu starts in AAA, the most likely scenario would be Rafaela in AAA to start the season which means opens up that 4th backup spot for Cron. It maybe they do go with 12 pitchers but I wouldnt think that would be the case? I mean I can see the case for Cron on the roster, but it's a tight fit. I don't get the sense that O'Neill is going to be platooned a whole lot. A lot of his value is in his exceptional defense in LF, and while it'd be great if he was capable in the other spots, he's looked far shakier in CF and he hasn't played RF in five years - and Cora doesn't seem eager to get him much time there this spring. Refsnyder is the easy guy to move on from if you're in a crunch, but you see how the concentration of flawed LHH OF's is making the roster feel a bit clumsy. Yoshida is a DH/shaky LF, Duran is best suited for LF and can maybe get by in CF and can't play RF, and Abreu looks very much like a true platoon guy who's best fit for a corner. Reading between the lines, I have to imagine Breslow is pretty miffed at Bloom getting the Sox saddled with Yoshida for 5/90M. Yoshida projects as their 4th best hitter by wRC+ (just behind O'Neill), and if he weren't on the roster I'm not sure who they could've added to improve the offense. The only OF/DH free agents who project for more WAR are Ohtani, Jung Ho Lee, and Bellinger, none of which would have made much sense for the Red Sox. The realistic alternatives last offseason weren't any better.
Duran and Abreu both exceeded expectations in 2023, which is what's causing this crunch, but I doubt Breslow is really "miffed" about that.
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Post by scottysmalls on Mar 1, 2024 18:12:09 GMT -5
I really don't buy the notion that they need a backup 1B on the roster. Casas is going to play every single day. If he gets hurt for an extended period Dalbec gets called up, in an emergency you have Refsnyder or Reyes or possibly Grissom who can fill in there.
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Post by mattpicard on Mar 1, 2024 18:14:23 GMT -5
I don't get the sense that O'Neill is going to be platooned a whole lot. A lot of his value is in his exceptional defense in LF, and while it'd be great if he was capable in the other spots, he's looked far shakier in CF and he hasn't played RF in five years - and Cora doesn't seem eager to get him much time there this spring. Refsnyder is the easy guy to move on from if you're in a crunch, but you see how the concentration of flawed LHH OF's is making the roster feel a bit clumsy. Yoshida is a DH/shaky LF, Duran is best suited for LF and can maybe get by in CF and can't play RF, and Abreu looks very much like a true platoon guy who's best fit for a corner. Reading between the lines, I have to imagine Breslow is pretty miffed at Bloom getting the Sox saddled with Yoshida for 5/90M. Yoshida projects as their 4th best hitter by wRC+ (just behind O'Neill), and if he weren't on the roster I'm not sure who they could've added to improve the offense. The only OF/DH free agents who project for more WAR are Ohtani, Jung Ho Lee, and Bellinger, none of which would have made much sense for the Red Sox. The realistic alternatives last offseason weren't any better.
Duran and Abreu both exceeded expectations in 2023, which is what's causing this crunch, but I doubt Breslow is really "miffed" about that.
Yeah, I'm not knocking Yoshida's ability to be an above average hitter. But when it's a DH/LF-only profile with <20 HR pop while being a negative in terms of defense and speed contributions, the trickle down effects of rostering a player with those constraints deserve enhanced scrutiny. Everything from the handedness of the major leaguers + top prospects, to Fenway's demands for a strong RF, to limiting the fits for bringing in impact power bats with DH profiles... Yoshida, in my eyes, really needs to be that 130 wRC+ guy he was in the first half of 2023, to feel like an asset. I have a hunch that Yoshida + Duran aren't going to co-exist for much longer on this team.
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Post by sxfan on Mar 1, 2024 18:18:30 GMT -5
I'm on the train of no CJ Cron or Bobby Dalbec off the bench. No versatility and a no hit tool bat for either player.
Romy Gonzalez seems more useful than both of these players (was thinking this before the home run he hit today). Can play anywhere in the outfield and infield with right handed pop. Very underrated roster claim by Breslow.
Gives the Sox a chance to carry- Emanuel Valdez Pablo Lopez Reese McGuire Along with Gonzalez
On the bench. I like the idea of Emanuel Valdez splitting some time with Grissom and pinch hitting off the bench when needed (Catching position, Rafaela late in games).
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Post by sxfan on Mar 1, 2024 19:05:11 GMT -5
Is that $2 million guaranteed once he's added to the roster or can they still DFA him for free? It's guaranteed unless someone claims him from the Sox, once the season starts. So it's a situation where the Sox pay him to stay or let him opt out.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Mar 1, 2024 19:55:09 GMT -5
Yoshida projects as their 4th best hitter by wRC+ (just behind O'Neill), and if he weren't on the roster I'm not sure who they could've added to improve the offense. The only OF/DH free agents who project for more WAR are Ohtani, Jung Ho Lee, and Bellinger, none of which would have made much sense for the Red Sox. The realistic alternatives last offseason weren't any better.
Duran and Abreu both exceeded expectations in 2023, which is what's causing this crunch, but I doubt Breslow is really "miffed" about that.
Yeah, I'm not knocking Yoshida's ability to be an above average hitter. But when it's a DH/LF-only profile with <20 HR pop while being a negative in terms of defense and speed contributions, the trickle down effects of rostering a player with those constraints deserve enhanced scrutiny. Everything from the handedness of the major leaguers + top prospects, to Fenway's demands for a strong RF, to limiting the fits for bringing in impact power bats with DH profiles... Yoshida, in my eyes, really needs to be that 130 wRC+ guy he was in the first half of 2023, to feel like an asset. I have a hunch that Yoshida + Duran aren't going to co-exist for much longer on this team. I agree with you that O'Neill is intended to be an every day player. If forced to guess I'd say the outfield will start out with Duran, O'Neill, and an Abreu/Refsnyder platoon. I can see Yoshida shifting to LF against lefties with Cron or sometimes even Casas getting DH ABs (if Cron plays 1b) I think what will happen as at some point, between O'Neill's injury history and Duran's tendency to throw his body around I think ther will be an injury that opens up a roster spot for Rafaela. The question will be will he hit well enough to hang onto the CF job if they get the injured player back? I would guess this means Duvall isn't coming back.
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