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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 27, 2014 12:06:06 GMT -5
While this depth thing is true, it is easy to imagine Castillo struggling then ending up in the doghouse with the perceived hustle issues while jbj hits to his minor league norm at the bucket.
I'm not expecting or rooting for Castillo to fail,, but I'd say there is about a 20% chance that jbj is contributing in Boston august 1.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 27, 2014 10:49:59 GMT -5
I'm all in on the bucketful of reclamation projects strategy.
I hope it's openly discussed with both jbj and middlebrooks to relax and spend the better part of 2015 trying to hit their way out of aaa.
We have plenty of flexible options ahead of both of them in the short term so this won't hurt the big club.
I'm sure if jbj is hitting 300 July 1 we will find some place for him to play. (And the same goes for middlebrooks, even if that is another city)
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 25, 2014 13:22:26 GMT -5
It is exciting to consider the possibility of a Craig resurgence.
He was the only bat in the st,Louis lineup during the world series that worried me, particularly in Fenway.
With Napoli, Hanley, and even Victorino potentially needed time off, he may just get enough at bats before June 1 to see what we have.
Depending a bit on the spring and what we see, if all looked good for everyone, I wouldn't mind moving anyone with options down for a month or so.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 25, 2014 13:13:06 GMT -5
Plus, signing everyone in one offseason when you have a protected first rounded really minimizes the draft pick/slot money cost of FA signings. Plus, signing everyone in one offseason when they aren't competing with the Yankees or Dodgers to bid them up. Great point. I am truly shocked that the yanks had no interest in the panda and in Hanley. Had they pulled this off this board would be engulfed in whatifism. I'm glad the fo executed on a well thought out plan. My only q is if we can get an illiterative nickname for Hanley. Petey, papi, panda and if it is ok with Lester, the pizza?
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 25, 2014 12:52:08 GMT -5
This off season still feels like it hinges on Lester.
If we sign him, then it seems reasonable that marketable spare parts should be enough to get the next mid rotation piece.
And by marketable spare parts, I do mean Nava, Craig, Victorino, or Cespedes and a second tier pitching prospect or even buck or Kelly for the right upgrade.
I wonder if Cespedes in right is still in Bens mind.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 25, 2014 12:12:34 GMT -5
I agree that both Napoli and Cespedes are marketable and would be worth keeping.
I'm also sure that once victorino and Craig establish health they too will be sought after.
I don't think it will take very long (mid spring say) for this to occur.
I don't think there will necessarily be a rush to move anyone.
I thought the Lackey deal was worthwhile at the time for both sides and now I supposed we can look forward to the reverse Lackey.
An expendable cost controlled arm with a above average upside everyday guy for a shorter term 2b or number three arm or even a 1b type by including lower end prospects.
I don't want betts, Xander, Swihart, Barnes, Owens, or Johnson to go, and I particularly like rdlr.
Any combination of the rest of the aaaa arms I'm ok with and I do think that will be enough to upgrade the middle of the rotation.
I would even move Buckholtz as part of an upgrade, and with his contract I do think there will be interested teams.
I
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 25, 2014 11:47:30 GMT -5
Check out the fan graphs article that really gives hard reasoned facts to specifically project Hanley and the panda in the fens. www.fangraphs.com/blogs/hanley-panda-and-the-monster/While his line drive rate may steal some dingers, if he runs correctly 50 doubles may be possible. I think someone should climb in his head and suggest he could break records to get him sprinting but playing left (and aggressively throwing out guys at 2nd, which he should project to excel at) should teach him as well. Overall, I'm really happy with both signings but Hanley in particular could regain his top 10 mlb hitter form. This was the new inefficiency and the sox happily took advantage. The youth movement makes this investment financially possible and the timing was necessary. No impact free agents in the next few years come close and more and more guys are getting locked up with Stanton the obvious example.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 24, 2014 21:13:28 GMT -5
Webster and nava Workman and victorino Buck and Craig
Luccino please
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 22, 2014 4:42:49 GMT -5
Assuming you are correct, I still would expect betts near the top as well.
Castillo Mookie Petey (if fully recovered and rebounding instead of following his trend downward) Papi Panda Napoli Cespedes Vasquez Xander ( who I think is going to kill it next year)
If Castillo and Betts perform at the top, this is potentially as good a lineup as we have seen in quite a while.
Should swihart mash early, he could be a second half call up and part time boost at the bottom of the order.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 22, 2014 4:31:39 GMT -5
There's no question to me that 6 120 would get it done but I do think 5 95 might be enough.
There was a report that he was eager to move on and not favoring sf at all.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 22, 2014 4:18:39 GMT -5
I'd rather have Cespedes than Victorino because I think he will have a big season, maybe his career year. Given the Globe story that the Sox offered 5/95 to Sandoval, I suspect SF will match, or exceed, that offer and he stays with them. That wasn't a closing offer from the Sox, but one designed to test whether he is just using the Sox to jack up the SF offer. I don't buy the analysis that Nava, etc. can produce something similar to Cespedes. especially if there is not a thumper at 3B. I agree with your rationale on keeping Cespedes, but I do see why if he was sought out by a team like the Phillies looking to move pitching he could be moved. I do think that 5 95 gets it done on panda. So for those of us who think mookie is ready to leadoff, it leads to an interesting lineup. Mookie Petey Panda Papi Napoli Now, it gets interesting. I don't know whether it will be at the start of the year, but I do think Xander is in for a big rebound and could bat 6th. I also really like Castillo and think he could perform well right out of the gate next year. So if they both hit, and you wanted more of an obp type leading back to the top of the order, it could be Xander Castillo Vasquez Then lf. Under this scenario, a nava/victorino/Craig platoon in left might be more than adequate and thus make Cespedes expendable. Of course, from a pure mashing perspective Mookie Petey Panda Popi Napoli Cespedes Xander Vasquez Castillo Sounds like a top five run scoring team.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 19, 2014 22:18:15 GMT -5
And if we got panda and needed dough for starter two, could move Napoli and Frisco platoons at first...
Lester + Panda - Napoli + (Shields. | Hamels | Santana)
40m - 13m + 20m < cap.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Nov 19, 2014 22:01:59 GMT -5
On the bright side, I won't have to waste any time learning to pronounce his name.g
Q kuk?
Kuk kuk?
Rooster squared?
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Oct 22, 2014 11:11:48 GMT -5
I agree with all the points above and I would love to see an overlay of his spray chart from Craig's last healthy year projected into Fenway's demensions.
I think his true sox upside could be huge and certainly worth taking a chance on in at least a left field platoon role and rf/1b backup.
A bench including Holt, Craig, and by mid year Swihart could really help a stretch run.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 30, 2014 12:19:33 GMT -5
Is it just me or does it feel like After the press conference Cherington is all in on Sandoval?
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 25, 2014 19:33:58 GMT -5
Castillo with a robusto to left!
Rooosney smuggles that pitch Outta here!
( this sounds better in your best john sterling voice)
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 25, 2014 19:29:26 GMT -5
... followed by Betts just missing a cheaply at pea sky which was apparently caught by Freddy Blassies ghost! What do these words mean when put together like this? Sorry iPad spell check strikes again!
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 25, 2014 19:00:37 GMT -5
Vasquez with a bomb cleaning out the inside fb followed by Betts just missing a cheaply at pea sky which was apparently caught by Freddy Blassies ghost!
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 25, 2014 18:19:17 GMT -5
I saw him in the last playoff game in Pawtucket. I agree with all the high floor talk. He was clearly the most athletic player on the field and that means something.
The bat will ultimately tell the story. He clearly had the work ethic to get himself in peak shape and was rewarded for it.
Whether he can make the constant adjustments necessary to perform at an above average center or right fielder level at the plate is still a question but I like his odds.
A betts, Bradley, Castillo "roration"' in center and right would surely keep the pitching staff happy!
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 25, 2014 18:09:30 GMT -5
Looks like no Napoli, Holt, or Ortiz for the last few.....Tanks for the memories 2014 sox!
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 18, 2014 10:31:41 GMT -5
You didn't really ask that, did you? ?
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 18, 2014 9:35:00 GMT -5
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 17, 2014 21:18:54 GMT -5
My options for third in order of preference....
1. Trade for Wright.(if the should've looks ok) 2. Move Petey. 3. Survive till June with Holt and make a judgement in house then between Holt, and A Cecchini/Middlebrooks platoon (if they have performed well enough at Aaa. 4. Sandoval 5 anyone else (Ramirez on a one year overpay? ) but Nth. headley. I just don't like him... I find the d overrated and the power seems to be completely gone
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 16, 2014 19:43:49 GMT -5
Mookie comes in second on klaw prospects of the year ( to Bryant)
Starting Betts in Double-A this year seemed aggressive, as he had just 51 games in high-A in 2013 and would play all of 2014 at age 21. But he destroyed two levels on his way to the majors, hitting .346/.431/.529 with 33 steals in 40 attempts between the Eastern and International leagues and all but forcing the Red Sox to call him up to the majors in July. He lost his rookie status this year but performed so well that he must have a regular job somewhere at Fenway in 2015, even with the signing of Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo.
Actually runners up are in alpha order....
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Sept 16, 2014 14:49:56 GMT -5
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