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Post by julyanmorley on Dec 8, 2023 9:05:25 GMT -5
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ematz1423
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 9:25:14 GMT -5
I don't hate the thought of Rafaela being the CF to start the year. His great defensive ability gives him a solid floor in terms of WAR either way, he just has to hit semi decent in order to be a solid ML CFer. I'd hesitate to say he should be the starting CF without seeing what else they do because I would like a little more certainty in the lineup going into the season than an OF of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu if they plan to put Yoshida at DH at all and ?-mark at 2nd base.
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 8, 2023 9:44:45 GMT -5
I don't hate the thought of Rafaela being the CF to start the year. His great defensive ability gives him a solid floor in terms of WAR either way, he just has to hit semi decent in order to be a solid ML CFer. I'd hesitate to say he should be the starting CF without seeing what else they do because I would like a little more certainty in the lineup going into the season than an OF of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu if they plan to put Yoshida at DH at all and ?-mark at 2nd base. Yeah Duran/Rafaela/Abreu is fun in concept but I'd really like some more certainty on the roster. Plus it feels like pretty poor depth. I'm not wild about any of the free agent outfielders at their likely contracts, so barring a trade I think bringing Duvall back is probably my preference, but if they could get Teoscar on a two year deal I'd be on board. Add: Taylor or Bader for CF I'd be good with too.
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ematz1423
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 9:51:18 GMT -5
I don't hate the thought of Rafaela being the CF to start the year. His great defensive ability gives him a solid floor in terms of WAR either way, he just has to hit semi decent in order to be a solid ML CFer. I'd hesitate to say he should be the starting CF without seeing what else they do because I would like a little more certainty in the lineup going into the season than an OF of Duran/Rafaela/Abreu if they plan to put Yoshida at DH at all and ?-mark at 2nd base. Yeah Duran/Rafaela/Abreu is fun in concept but I'd really like some more certainty on the roster. Plus it feels like pretty poor depth. I'm not wild about any of the free agent outfielders at their likely contracts, so barring a trade I think bringing Duvall back is probably my preference, but if they could get Teoscar on a two year deal I'd be on board. Add: Taylor or Bader for CF I'd be good with too. OF Depth isn't bad with Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Yoshida/Refsnyder if that is indeed who is still in the org come opening day. I want to see them add Bader if I had my pick of FA OFers. He feels like he fits with his RHH and good defensive ability in the OF. I'd be fine with Teoscar but I'm not really eager to pay him if his market ends up being close to what his projections are. Taylor for a 1 year deal wouldn't be bad either. I'd also take Duvall back as well. Long story short I don't really love the idea of a multi year deal with any of the FA OFers so I'm all for a 1 year stop gap deal with a RHH OFer.
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 8, 2023 10:01:04 GMT -5
Yeah Duran/Rafaela/Abreu is fun in concept but I'd really like some more certainty on the roster. Plus it feels like pretty poor depth. I'm not wild about any of the free agent outfielders at their likely contracts, so barring a trade I think bringing Duvall back is probably my preference, but if they could get Teoscar on a two year deal I'd be on board. Add: Taylor or Bader for CF I'd be good with too. OF Depth isn't bad with Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Yoshida/Refsnyder if that is indeed who is still in the org come opening day. I want to see them add Bader if I had my pick of FA OFers. He feels like he fits with his RHH and good defensive ability in the OF. I'd be fine with Teoscar but I'm not really eager to pay him if his market ends up being close to what his projections are. Taylor for a 1 year deal wouldn't be bad either. I'd also take Duvall back as well. Long story short I don't really love the idea of a multi year deal with any of the FA OFers so I'm all for a 1 year stop gap deal with a RHH OFer. One guy gets hurt and then who comes up as the new DH and/or 4th OF? Do you bring Dalbec up and roll with just four? Hamilton? Agree though as currently constructed and based on projected deals I think I like Bader the most.
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ematz1423
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 10:05:02 GMT -5
OF Depth isn't bad with Duran/Rafaela/Abreu/Yoshida/Refsnyder if that is indeed who is still in the org come opening day. I want to see them add Bader if I had my pick of FA OFers. He feels like he fits with his RHH and good defensive ability in the OF. I'd be fine with Teoscar but I'm not really eager to pay him if his market ends up being close to what his projections are. Taylor for a 1 year deal wouldn't be bad either. I'd also take Duvall back as well. Long story short I don't really love the idea of a multi year deal with any of the FA OFers so I'm all for a 1 year stop gap deal with a RHH OFer. One guy gets hurt and then who comes up as the new DH and/or 4th OF? Do you bring Dalbec up and roll with just four? Hamilton? Agree though as currently constructed and based on projected deals I think I like Bader the most. Fair question, perhaps the answer is to sign some sort of decent AAAA OFer(s)?
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ematz1423
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 11:53:52 GMT -5
Here's my more than likely way off base prediction of the 2024 lineup/rotation: C-Wong 1st-Casas 2nd- Merrifield SS-Story 3rd-Devers LF- Duran/Bader CF- Rafaela/Bader RF- Abreu/Bader DH- Yoshida
SP-Montgomery/Sale/Bello/Lugo/Crawford or Pivetta whoever wins the spot.
I put Bader in there as the backup to each OF slot as I think if he signs here health permitting he gets plenty of PT and is a pseudo starting OFer for them. Not saying some of these would be my preference but figured I'd toss out a prediction anyway.
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Post by nomar on Dec 8, 2023 11:59:44 GMT -5
I think if I could choose one player for the Red Sox to not sign it would be Merrifield.
I think Snell’s health, control, and the QO are all huge turn offs, but I would loathe watching Merrifield’s 5th percentile xwOBA contact or now below average 2B glove.
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Post by julyanmorley on Dec 8, 2023 12:00:28 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey today said the Sox talked to Merrifield but that they have been "curiously" insistent that the 2B is likely coming from a trade
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 8, 2023 12:02:53 GMT -5
Drury is by far the most obvious trade candidate but I'm going to hold out hope it's Kim
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 12:06:59 GMT -5
I don't love Merrifield, heck depending on the day I don't even like the thought of adding him but I'm not going to predict a trade since that's just too hard a prediction and Merrifield with his ability to be at least an average 2nd baseman while also being able to log some time as a RHH OFer would be a pretty good fit for the roster in that regard.
I'm also hesitant to the idea of making a trade for a 2nd baseman since in order to get one worthwhile they're going to have to give up something worthwhile. So I'm wondering whether or not in the end if Merrfield and his 1.5 WAR for 2 years 18Mish would bring more value than theoretical 2-3 WAR trade piece that is going to cost something worthwhile (Houck,Duran,Crawford,someone in the 5-10 range on the farm etc.)
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Post by nomar on Dec 8, 2023 12:08:03 GMT -5
Drury is by far the most obvious trade candidate but I'm going to hold out hope it's Kim Drury, Polanco, Adames, or Kim all would work for me. Polanco might be the worst fit with his glove, but the extra year of control could come in handy for bridging to Mayer.
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Post by julyanmorley on Dec 8, 2023 12:10:16 GMT -5
I wonder if they just stay under the luxury tax again
$40 million AAV on starters Bader Farmer
I think you can squeeze that in. I would be real annoyed if the move to put them over was to pay Gurriel or Teoscar until they're 34.
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Post by julyanmorley on Dec 8, 2023 12:13:41 GMT -5
They also keep talking about their future 2B acquisition being a good defensive player, which would seem to rule out India, Polanco and Amed Rosario. It's kinda weird that they're just saying all this unless they have a deal in their back pocket for someone
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Post by scottysmalls on Dec 8, 2023 12:16:30 GMT -5
They also keep talking about their future 2B acquisition being a good defensive player, which would seem to rule out India, Polanco and Amed Rosario. It's kinda weird that they're just saying all this unless they have a deal in their back pocket for someone Wild speculation but this would fit Drury and also if they already had a plan to get him it would make sense if the Angels are waiting to finish the deal until they get final confirmation from Ohtani that he will not be returning.
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 12:18:21 GMT -5
They also keep talking about their future 2B acquisition being a good defensive player, which would seem to rule out India, Polanco and Amed Rosario. It's kinda weird that they're just saying all this unless they have a deal in their back pocket for someone This is a good point, it kind of seems like maybe they have the framework of a deal in play already but perhaps it's dependent on FAs? If that's the case it would lead me to believe that perhaps one of Crawford/Houck/Pivetta would be the one going back to acquire said 2nd baseman? Just spitballing here anyway.
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Post by nomar on Dec 8, 2023 12:18:39 GMT -5
I really doubt they’ll stay under the CBT because Henry would get publicly crucified.
Anything they publicly say could be part of a negotiation. So while I agree India or Polanco wouldn’t be perfect fits and Breslow’s comments point away from them, it could be posturing.
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Post by jimed14 on Dec 8, 2023 15:26:12 GMT -5
Is Merryfield any better than Urias at this point? The majority of his value seems to come from baserunning now.
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Post by ematz1423 on Dec 8, 2023 15:58:14 GMT -5
Is Merryfield any better than Urias at this point? The majority of his value seems to come from baserunning now. I'd honestly say no probably not and he's probably going to cost roughly twice as much. I'd have kept Urias but that's in the past I suppose and I'll reserve my end judgement on that trade when the roster is finalized. That being said they do have a hole at 2nd right now, Merrifield is about the only "sure" thing on the market for 2nd base in the sense that he's more than likely an upgrade over the production they had at 2nd base last year which ain't saying much. That being said I do hope a good trade falls into their laps for 2nd base.
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Post by vokuhila on Dec 8, 2023 16:05:18 GMT -5
Drury is by far the most obvious trade candidate but I'm going to hold out hope it's Kim Dougie for Drury looked like such an obvious swap. But since that didn't happen and Dougie got moved and Drury didn't, it feels like LAA want to hold on to Drury. I hope I'm wrong, Drury would fit very nicely.
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Post by nomar on Dec 8, 2023 16:16:49 GMT -5
Drury is by far the most obvious trade candidate but I'm going to hold out hope it's Kim Dougie for Drury looked like such an obvious swap. But since that didn't happen and Dougie got moved and Drury didn't, it feels like LAA want to hold on to Drury. I hope I'm wrong, Drury would fit very nicely. Why would the Angels trade a rental for a rental? I think if they trade Drury it would be for a prospect package similar to Verdugo’s.
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Post by thegoodthebadthesox on Dec 8, 2023 16:30:46 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey today said the Sox talked to Merrifield but that they have been "curiously" insistent that the 2B is likely coming from a trade Maybe I'm in the minority here, I have been on this train since the deadline, but I'd be much more interested in banking on a Tim Anderson bounceback than I would Merrifield. Roughly equivalent floor, higher ceiling, probably similar cost-wise, and you have at least one thing you can point to (the White Sox being a tire fire) and say "okay, maybe last year was just weird". Not an ideal scenario, but a clearly better gamble to me.
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Post by jimed14 on Dec 8, 2023 16:45:58 GMT -5
Is Merryfield any better than Urias at this point? The majority of his value seems to come from baserunning now. I'd honestly say no probably not and he's probably going to cost roughly twice as much. I'd have kept Urias but that's in the past I suppose and I'll reserve my end judgement on that trade when the roster is finalized. That being said they do have a hole at 2nd right now, Merrifield is about the only "sure" thing on the market for 2nd base in the sense that he's more than likely an upgrade over the production they had at 2nd base last year which ain't saying much. That being said I do hope a good trade falls into their laps for 2nd base. They also could look for a SS to either play 2B or move Story back.
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Post by thegoodthebadthesox on Dec 8, 2023 17:49:57 GMT -5
So do we collectively think that this trade solidifies the OF rotation (Duran/Rafaela/Abreu with O'Neill as the 4th OF that plays 100 or so games against all of the lefties and then some, Yoshida moving to DH), or does anyone share my thought that there's one last domino to fall? To me, this makes Duran a little more expendable, and I'd still be very interested in selling on him at a value if possible, but I also don't hate the way this group shakes out right now if they are committed to moving Yoshida to DH full time.
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Post by beasleyrockah on Dec 8, 2023 17:54:35 GMT -5
Tyler O'Neill is being shopped aggressively and seems like a great fit now given salary and expected trade cost. I don't expect them to now land a rental OF like O'Neill, but it'd be a nice series of moves to flip Verdugo for pitching and then land O'Neill (RH bat) for position player prospects at a lower overall cost. I'd rather add a stopgap option for now given the presence of Duran, Abreu, Rafaela, and Anthony than lock in a mid-tier FA for more than two seasons. O'Neill has durability concerns but he should be motivated in a contract year plus he offers some legit upside if he stays healthy and approaches his 2021 form. Breslow reads the forum, confirmed!
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