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Post by brendan98 on Dec 8, 2023 21:16:00 GMT -5
Even though O'Neill had the drop off from his breakout 2021 season, the last 2 years he's had a .788 OPS and a .793 OPS vs LHP. Could be a platoon OF if he doesn't bounce back vs RHP.
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Post by brendan98 on Dec 8, 2023 20:59:58 GMT -5
Keep hearing that the Sox are willing to sacrifice offense at second base if they get a plus defender that will help the pitching staff at the position. Heard more rumors today that they are kicking the tires on Whit Merrifield, and I just can't help thinking that I'd much rather see them open the season with Rafaela as the primary 2B, with Reyes to back him up and Valdez in reserve. Much like Casas last year, give Rafaela a month of starts next year and see if you feel like he is adjusting at the MLB level or if he needs a little more time in AAA. I think he is naturally gifted enough defensively that spring training should be more than enough to prepare him to play a very good defensive 2B by the time the season starts. Offensively, I wouldn't expect a high OBP, but the kid had 62 extra base hits in 136 games between AA/AAA/BOS, so he could provide some pop at the bottom of the order, and wreak some havoc on the bases.
Since they are prioritizing defense over offense at the position, and they have some premium middle infield prospects that are already MLB ready, or right down the road, I think it would be foolish to use any significant amount of salary cap on a stop gap second baseman. Yorke will start the year at AAA, likely Meidroth too, both of those guys could be options by summer, and if Mayer can get healthy I could see him making up for some of the time he lost last year, moving quickly and putting himself in the MLB picture later in the year.
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Post by brendan98 on Dec 6, 2023 15:21:46 GMT -5
Thank God nobody(DD) took Noah Song, I don't think I could deal with that again this year! TIC
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Post by brendan98 on Dec 6, 2023 1:00:24 GMT -5
I am a Verdugo fan, but I am excited to see Abreu as the Sox everyday RF. Sure Verdugo has more certainty, but someone else described him earlier in this post as average and I agree he is exactly that. Maybe Abreu doesn’t pan out, but I’d rather see what happens next year with him in RF than what we’d most likely get from Verdugo, especially for around $9M less.
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Post by brendan98 on Nov 27, 2023 15:26:39 GMT -5
FYI, with that kind of slash line, you're talking Bryce Harper numbers, or maybe Soto with a bit less OBP. I get it, however I was originally going to use his post All-Star stats, but thought they might be a little too aggressive .317/.417/.617
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Post by brendan98 on Nov 27, 2023 14:37:23 GMT -5
Casas' average was .133 at the end of April, from that point on in 354 AB's he hit .291, I am not a believer in "but if you take away this slump he was actually" however with regards to Casas' season last year you can make the case that he figured some things out (got a little more aggressive in the zone) and that while still refining his approach over the rest of the season he hit .291 which is in my opinion/hope more indicative of what he is offensively than the .263 BA that he finished the season at:
Based upon the final 5 months of 2023, I would predict a +/- 10 range on his year next year and estimate: Batting Avg .280 - .300 On Base % .380 - .400 Slugging .500 - .520
The median for those numbers would be a .900 OPS compared to .857 in 2023. 30+ home runs seems completely doable, and hopefully the defense improves as well.
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Post by brendan98 on Nov 17, 2023 22:55:04 GMT -5
It is possible they are clearing the way for Rafaela to play 2B until Mayer is big league ready, then Story back to 2B?
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Post by brendan98 on Nov 15, 2023 10:01:20 GMT -5
Absolutely love Xander, but want nothing to do with that contract, even if it gets us Soto.
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Post by brendan98 on Nov 13, 2023 15:29:58 GMT -5
I don't know if this has been brought up yet, but how about a Soto trade package centered around Yoshida?
Red Sox get: Soto
Padres get: Yoshida Houck Bleis or Yorke Drohan
I hope the Sox don't deal Mayer, Anthony or Teel from the positional prospects, and would like to see them keep the arms with the highest upside Wikelman and Perales.
I think if you could get this deal done, you have Soto, Duran, Abreu, Refsnyder in the outfield. Trade Verdugo for pitching, and probably try to resign Duvall if you can. I'd like to see Rafaela get a shot at the starting 2B job, and also bring back Turner to DH and balance out the lineup.
C Wong 1B Casas Turner 2B Rafaela Reyes SS Story Reyes 3B Devers Turner DH Turner LF Soto CF Duran Refsnyder Rafaela RF Abreu Duvall
On a daily basis you'd have Soto, Turner, Devers, Story, Casas in the middle of your lineup.
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Post by brendan98 on Sept 11, 2023 14:21:43 GMT -5
Is anyone buying the Trout trade rumors from earlier today? Would the Angels entertain a Sox trade offer built around Story? How much more would they need and could the Sox get him without including Bello, Casas, Mayer, Anthony, Rafaela?
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 11, 2023 11:55:46 GMT -5
Would it be too much of a step up in competition for Roman Anthony as a 19 yo with a half season of Hi A under his belt?
Would love to see Teel and Mayer, also Wikelman and Guerrero.
Others - Bonaci, Blaze and Meidroth.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 4, 2023 17:13:31 GMT -5
It would have been nice if Song could've just been a baseball player when he finished his committment to the Navy, a shame that Dombrowski started this circus with him, hopefully he can be a normal minor leaguer now and focus on his development going forward.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 4, 2023 14:38:08 GMT -5
I find it interesting and would love to know the thinking behind Yohanfran Garcia ranked ahead of Cespedes. Not that I’m an authority of any sorts, but “Catcher raking in the FCL” and “shortstop raking in the DSL” sound fairly comparable to me, with preference for the former due to being a level higher. Your mileage may vary, obviously. I get it, and definitely not trying to imply it should be switched, just thought with Cespedes pedigree it might be flipped. Will be interesting to watch in the coming years.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 4, 2023 13:55:59 GMT -5
I find it interesting and would love to know the thinking behind Yohanfran Garcia ranked ahead of Cespedes.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 4, 2023 13:46:26 GMT -5
Wow, the Sox farm system is healthy!
Fans can complain all they want about the Major League product, but Chaim Bloom has done his job with the farm system.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 4, 2023 10:39:18 GMT -5
I kinda wanted him to go to winter ball and play 2b. He’s doing so well in AAA. Would the Boston Red Sox be better with him at SS and Story at 2b? Story is gonna end up at 2b anyway. Once Marcelo is ready. Probably 2025. We can move Ceddanne to RF then. Marcelo plays SS and Verdugo becomes a free agent. THIS IS THE WAY. If Rafaela and Mayer develop the way we all hope this is likely the best outcome IMO.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 2, 2023 14:48:30 GMT -5
Fair. I’m not arguing they fail if they don’t. Might be impossible. But if we are simply throwing out hypotheticals… my hope is RH power OF. If not, as I said, it’s not a bad OF. Now…I would not be happy if they said “here are your 2024 Red Sox” and did not try to do more. But that seems hard to imagine. What, exactly, do they have with Rafaela? He is absolutely raking at AAA. He might just kick the door down if he keeps it up. He should also factor heavily into next year’s plans. This is why I feel the Sox really need to get a look at this kid in the Bigs, he could be the SS next year or the centerfielder, or the rightfielder (a la Mookie), or a super utility guy.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 2, 2023 13:43:56 GMT -5
Rafaela up, does he get a single pitch to hit?
Edit: the answer is nope!
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 2, 2023 7:48:15 GMT -5
So Duran leads the AL in doubles. What a breakout season. 4 behind the MLB lead, gotta think he gets that. So many of those 2B's are singles for mere humans.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 1, 2023 19:30:01 GMT -5
Worcester is in such a hitter's league - and it's a hitter's park. Rafaela's .966 OPS is "only" good for a 133 wRC+. Conversely, this is also worth noting when guys with underwhelming AAA numbers like Murphy and Walter come up and are actually able to hold their own in MLB. Not to nitpick but his AAA OPS is now at 1.004 with a HR and single in 3 ab's today.
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Post by brendan98 on Aug 1, 2023 19:20:49 GMT -5
Rafaela doesn't seem to have a whole lot more to prove in AAA, I didn't say he doesn't have anything to work on (his approach), but I would love to see the Sox call up Rafaela and see what he can do? Maybe he's talented enough both defensively and offensively to come up and make a difference right now. If we get Story back soon, how much of an upgrade would a Story/Rafaela double play combo be? Bat him 9th, tell him he's up for his glove and anything he does with the bat is gravy, and see what happens.
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Post by brendan98 on Jul 28, 2023 19:40:26 GMT -5
Does anyone know why Story was replaced? He's only been playing 5 innings per game at SS so far. Good to know! TY
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Post by brendan98 on Jul 28, 2023 19:35:34 GMT -5
Does anyone know why Story was replaced?
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Post by brendan98 on May 18, 2023 14:21:43 GMT -5
The thing that excites me even more about Duran is that, since becoming a professional he has converted from infielder to outfielder and has totally revamped his swing mechanics, I believe that there is a ton more room for him to improve offensively and defensively.
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Post by brendan98 on May 18, 2023 14:10:26 GMT -5
Big "What if", but what if Drohan dominates AAA hitters like he did AA, realistically how long would the Sox leave him in the minors?
I know that development plays a role in that determination, but the Sox biggest weakness at this point is the #4 & #5 starters, if Drohan pitches like he did in AA could we see him in Boston before the All Star break?
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