danr
Veteran
Posts: 1,871
|
Post by danr on Apr 5, 2014 1:07:00 GMT -5
We could well lose Lester, Peavy, Lackey and be looking around to replace them. Our starting pitching prospects have to come through or we will be paying a huge premium for top starting pitching. This is why the best organizations like Tampa, St. Louis and Boston put such emphasis on pitching in their drafting. The Sox are in a phenomenal position with the strong pitching in the minors. Peavy and Lackey are nearing the end of their careers. but the arms are there in the minors to replace them. It has become easier to find good position players than it is good pitching. Elite players, of course, are always scarce. Betts and Cecchini pose interesting questions. Betts is not going to get Pedroia's job, so what is going to happen with him? Cecchini could be Napoli's replacement unless Middlebrooks is moved over and he sticks at third. But what if Betts is moved back to SS and Bogaerts is moved to third? The Sox are in a great position to have at least one really good position player too many, and possibly even two.
|
|
|
Post by brianthetaoist on Apr 5, 2014 6:39:21 GMT -5
There are problems also though. We don't have hardly anyone besides Pedroia, Napoli and Buchholz signed beyond next year ( beyond the youngsters and guys in their initial 6 years of control like Doubront and Nava ). We have tons of flexibility but what if there are not enough good players available at a reasonable price on the market in 2 years? It's probably better than having your hands tied with expensive bad players for sure but there are some potential downside risks also. Your parenthetical there is pretty important, though, on the position-player front. The Sox have long-term control over the current starters at 2nd, SS, 3rd, LF, and have JBJ for CF. That only leaves C (where they have multiple prospects), 1B (and they have multiple IF prospects to work with), and RF (where they are pretty thin). Realistically, when it comes to free agency, the Sox could only be looking at filling RF in a couple years, as well as adding Jonny Gomes style bench players. And if Betts can learn the outfield, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could be in RF. Pitching's another story ... but then it always is.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,838
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Apr 5, 2014 6:40:43 GMT -5
One of the most valuable players in all of baseball is I guy in my area.......Ben Zobrist. When you watch him every day he is amazing because he plays the infield and outfield at a near gold-glove level. He also is one tough out. Mookie Betts has the athletic ability to play several positions at a high level. I'd love to see them start working him in as an outfielder. Maybe 2 or 3 games out of ten he gets his reps out there. That kind of versatility would allow him to be in the majors when he is ready offensively. We certainly don't have a lot on the horizon in the outfield. Vic probably will be finished here after his 3rd season. Gomes will be long gone. Betts could get a lot of at bats by being versatile. Nice problem.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Apr 5, 2014 7:32:37 GMT -5
Zobrist is a one of a kind type player. Probably as rare to find a guy like that as it is to find a Trout. Mulitple positions of elite defense that is, not overall value.
|
|
|
Post by burythehammer on Apr 5, 2014 8:48:10 GMT -5
Come on, JBJ and Bogaerts' days as prospects are very close to ending, it's not overeacting at all to say Mookie is #1 for all intents and purposes.
|
|
|
Post by gregblossersbelly on Apr 5, 2014 9:10:35 GMT -5
I can see Mookie playing LF and batting lead-off. Late 2015 or 2016. Our OF isn't really set going forward. If he's got a good OBP with speed. Mix in a little power. Does the trick for me.
|
|
|
Post by taftreign on Apr 5, 2014 9:25:47 GMT -5
Come on, JBJ and Bogaerts' days as prospects are very close to ending, it's not overeacting at all to say Mookie is #1 for all intents and purposes. Henry Owens might have something to say about that! Edit: Agree though he very well may be our #1 offensive player soon.
|
|
|
Post by jchang on Apr 5, 2014 10:47:57 GMT -5
As much as I am a fan of Owens, I am not big on quibbling over rankings within a grade, but I would like to see half integer grades as MLB does 20-80 in steps of 5. The conservatism in Mookie's grade stems from last year being his breakout season. in the next month or so, Mookie should have sufficient credentials to be a grade 6 if not 6.5 prospect. My opinion is that Coyle should stop slugging, just do good at bats and stay healthy all season, instead of showing power.
|
|