4/30-5/2 Red Sox vs. Giants Series Thread

This seems the most likely scenario to me, Valdez feels to me like he could return something of use at the deadline if the Sox are in a position to buy. I could see a rebuilding team thinking they could grab Valdez and give him some rope at the plate hoping he can blossom into a starting caliber 2nd baseman in time at a cheap price.

It's hard to see him passing Grissom if Grissom is as good as advertised and he's not a great bench piece being 2nd base only as you point out. Also Yorke(possible trade-bait himself though) is nipping at his heels Mayer may be entering the equation soon at SS which could push Story back over to 2nd, not to mention Meidroth hopefully continuing to develop. They appear rather strong at 2nd base options in the foreseeable future.

South Florida kid in the NE. I don't know how much exposure he has had to cold weather previously. But that could be playing a part in his slow start. South Florida kids are used to playing in the rain but cold is something all together different.

Not as sure about the Hamilton getting optioned for Grissom part as I would have been before they got Short and Smith. Presumably Smith and Cooper can both play 1b. If Short can play 3b well as a back up to Devers, what is Dalbec's role? If they option Dalbec, they then have both a righty and lefty (who can run) on the bench. When Yoshida comes back, they may need to get rid of Smith, in which case they may need to bring Dalbec back up. 

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Dalbec who gets optioned.

Cora saying Valdez is going to get work at all the corners. Makes a ton of sense, there’s potential in the bat but will be much easier to find him a role if he can add some defensive versatility. I’d buy he could work as a 2B/3B/LF guy

Proof that if Breslow churns through enough fungible bottom of the roster players he'll eventually come up with one who should hit lower in the lineup than Rafaela!

I’m happy he gave Valdez the day off

Wouldn’t be shocked, but still think it’s Hamilton as he provides absolutely zero value outside of being a pinch runner (which is irrelevant at this point in the season especially given the decent speed throughout the lineup).

I don’t think Yoshida affects smith. Probably dalbec. Cora is going to juggle the lineup and want bith LH and RH options. My guess is he would realy like Yoshida gone. Devers an Oneil 2 days a week at DH and rotate the hot bat after that

probably depends on how deep/well Winc pitches, the pen should be moderately well rested having had Monday off and deep starts from Crawford and Houck. If it's close and winc goes 4+ we probably try to rely on the more proven guys

Unless I missed something Smith/Cooper have no MLB time at 3B

I don't think he has the arm for 3B or RF, and him being 5'9" heavily caps his ceiling at 1B. I could see adding LF, but I'm not sure there's much point in trying him out there. Best case, he stays at 2B, gets back in a good rhythm with the bat, and then gets traded him to a team that could use a 2B.

It's not just stolen bases, Hamilton is also the best on the team at getting extra bases on batted balls, he is much more useful as a pinch runner, and actually could pinch hit for Short or Rafaela against a righty. It's not the biggest deal who the 26th man on the team is, but Hamilton in my mind clearly has more use than Dalbec. If they want to keep Dalbec so Hamilton plays every day in AAA though, that's fine.