|
Post by telson13 on Sept 2, 2016 2:13:58 GMT -5
I mentioned in another thread the smart move for the Sox would be to have Moncada gain more experience in the minors next season until they are satisfied that he's ready. Call him up and when they feel he's likely up for good, then trade of Shaw but hold onto Shaw until that point in time. Why trade Shaw who could be that above average lefty, cost controlled, experienced, homegrown, core, 20HR backup 3B, 1B, LF, PH, DH. Perhaps Panda would be a better choice. Let's see how he finishes the year I think the big questions are: 1) Who will be playing 1b (and who will DH)?; if Shaw is the best option (if they, say, opt to DH Hanley and not sign a 1b/DH type like Beltran, or Encarnacion, or even Moss), then it makes sense for them to keep him both as 3b and 1b insurance should Moncada struggle and Travis take a full year to come back and build on his minor league time so far, after injury. 2) Can Shaw rebuild value now that his playing time has diminished due to poor performance? He's an above-average defensive 3b, and a roughly average hitter. So, if he's a 2-2.5 WAR player, he probably has more value to the Sox as a placeholder/potential (even if low) breakout candidate than he would to another team in trade. But if he gets back to hitting as he was earlier in the year, he may have significant value in trade as an above-average, low-cost player with four more years of control. At that point, if Moncada is up for good, and Sandoval looks like a serviceable backup plan, Shaw is the 1b. His production would be essentially average for first, and so he would have much more value to another team as an above-average 3b. In that case, he could bring a significant return in trade but be fairly easily replaced. It makes sense for Moncada to get AAA seasoning and see how the CIF/DH situation shakes out with Sandoval's return, Shaw's quality of play, and Hanley's success as a DH/backup 1b plan. At least with Hanley on board, they could go out and acquire a wholly offensively-minded player to DH, while moving him back to 1b if needed. If Moncada asserts himself as the starting 3b, then Shaw becomes relatively redundant on the Sox, so it makes a lot of sense to explore his trade value. But Shaw is probably the best option in trade both in terms of the Sox being able to absorb his absence, and being potentially very valuable to another team due to no salary issues and extended control. Of course, the really interesting thing in all of this is...who do they trade him for? I'd hope the Sox will get some RP depth in the offseason (I'd prefer several low-cost options instead of big contracts, given the extreme volatility of relievers), but they're set at LF, CF, RF, 2b, SS, and all five rotation spots. With Moncada, Devers, Sandoval, and in 2-4 years Dalbec, there's a glut of 3b options (and why trade a 3b for another 3b?). Leon/Vazquez/Swihart means C is set. And one of DH/1b is set with Hanley. Personally, I'd like to see them collect some high-upside arms in the low to mid-minors (but avoid MLB relievers, who are a gross market inefficiency right now), guys who have big stuff but maybe lack a refined third pitch or have command issues. Hope on them putting it together as starters, but seek out players who might profile well as high-leverage relievers. Or, go for 1b/DH types who have real offensive upside but lower value due to defensive limitations (Happ/Naylor types). Really, the Sox are in the very enviable position of basically having no rotation needs for 2 years (at which point Kopech should be ready and Groome close, and that's without the eminently possible Porcello and/or Pomeranz extension), no OF needs for four years, and no impending INF needs beyond 1b, for a *while*. So acquiring/developing bullpen arms, rotation depth, and a big bopper who doesn't need to play a lick of defense is about it.
|
|
|
Post by amfox1 on Sept 13, 2016 11:59:23 GMT -5
MLB Network Radio @mlbnetworkradio 11m11 minutes ago Farrell said Yoan Moncada "is getting it handed to him right now, gotta be honest" but "its important for him to be here so he can learn"
|
|
|
Post by ryantoworkman on Sept 13, 2016 14:22:11 GMT -5
MLB Network Radio @mlbnetworkradio 11m11 minutes ago Farrell said Yoan Moncada "is getting it handed to him right now, gotta be honest" but "its important for him to be here so he can learn" I think this as much about learning what the guys who are doing it every day do to prepare. Pedroia with his ealy morning arrival and daily routine is a good example. The guy has won a ROY, and MVP, but is still the hardest working guy on the team. Clearly he has a skills gap that needs to be closed. He can better focus on that when he returns to AAA next year because he's seen it first hand. We have to remember, he still has a developing brain, and introducing him to his shortcomings in such a way should have a more profound impact than simply talking about what needs work. He's so talented he's been able to overcome these holes because developing pitchers can't exploit them with regularity. He'll see more guys who can command off speed stuff in AAA than he did in the lower minors. He'll also have Arizona, and the winter to work on things. I'm encouraged for a mid 2017 sensational return and permanent spot in Boston. I'm thinking Panda wins 3B, Shaw becomes a multi-position sub, and by mid year the Sox are ready to deal one of them.
|
|
|
Post by DesignatedKyle on Sept 13, 2016 15:07:44 GMT -5
MLB Network Radio @mlbnetworkradio 11m11 minutes ago Farrell said Yoan Moncada "is getting it handed to him right now, gotta be honest" but "its important for him to be here so he can learn" Farrell's right on and Yoan couldn't be in a better atmosphere to struggle in, if that makes sense. He sits in the dugout next to one of the best hitters to ever play the game, a brilliant hitting coach, and a bunch of other youngsters who have experienced adversity in their journey to the bigs. And I can't forget Pedroia.
|
|
|
Post by brianthetaoist on Sept 13, 2016 19:36:47 GMT -5
Baseball America MiLB Player of the Year Yoan Moncada
|
|
|
Post by tjb21 on Sept 14, 2016 14:39:33 GMT -5
Congrats Yoan!
|
|
|
Post by adiospaydro2005 on Sept 14, 2016 15:19:38 GMT -5
From Badler's chat today Bill (Boston): Moncada is striking out at an alarming rate. Should that "swing and miss" rate be a concern or just part of the development process? Ben Badler: It’s a little bit of both. The strikeout rate in High-A was fine and rose when he got to Double-A. Kris Bryant struck out 26 percent of the time in Double-A and it jumped to 29 percent in Triple-A, and that was when he was a year older than Moncada is now. The swing-and-miss was why I though Moncada might have trouble making the jump to MLB as a September callup, but between the bat speed, his swing mechanics and what’s generally good strike-zone judgment even if the pitch recognition needs to improve, I think you’re going to see the contact frequency get better with more experience. Bill (Boston): Devers, future 1st baseman with the Red Sox (blocked by Moncada at 3rd) or traded for pitching? Ben Badler: Devers is very blocked by Moncada right now, but he’s turned himself into a good defender at third base. Given Dave Dombrowski’s history, I think he’s (very valuable) trade bait. www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-chat/
|
|
|
Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 15, 2016 2:24:54 GMT -5
I would love to see Moncada shifted to CF. He definitely has the tools to become a great CF if he got reps there.
|
|