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Hot Stove Is Heating Up…
…but where are the Boston Red Sox?
Yes, I know, Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom has been tasked to slash payroll. So he isn’t about to hand out 324 million dollar contracts to anyone, no matter how prolific a player/pitcher they may be.
But…something??
Thus far, the Sox’ moves have consisted of outrighting to AAA their third catcher from September, Juan Centeno; adding 5 guys to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule V draft; designating pitcher Brian Johnson for assignment, then outrighting him to AAA once no one claimed him (big surprise); non-tendering infielder Marco Hernandez and pitcher Josh Osich (then re-signing them to lesser deals); trading backup catcher Sandy Leon for someone light years away from the majors and losing reliever Trevor Kelley on waivers…oh and wait! As I blink, they just selected a 21 year old Double-A SS named Jonathan Arauz in the Rule V draft!! Wow…and now I blink again and infielder Jose Peraza is in the fold too!!
Scintillating.
The biggest names have just recently signed: Stephen Strasburg re-upping with the Nationals, Gerrit Cole with the aforementioned 324 mil from the Yankees and Anthony Rendon cashing in with the Angels.
A lot of the lesser names have signed as well. Kevin Gausman, Michael Pineda, Kyle Gibson, Didi Gregorius, Howie Kendrick, Drew Pomeranz, Tanner Roark, etc.
Not that the Sox need any of those guys in particular. But a little bit of a slow start to the offseason, no doubt.
I guess I shouldn’t worry all that much. There are still plenty of bodies out there. Then again, also not a ton of good ones either.
On top of that, Bloom’s best track to improve the team may be by trades. Actually, that is his best move to shave salary. Not sure he’s going to get much for most of his trade options.
For example, rumors abound that other teams may be interested in David Price since his price tag looks a lot cheaper compared to some of the silly contracts being thrown out in the last couple of weeks or so. But those rumors also say that either the Sox would have to eat some of that cash, or “throw something of value” along with Price in order to clear that contract. There was some mention of outfielder Andrew Benintendi being that “something of value”. Benny had a subpar year last year. But is young and presumably has room to grow still. So throwing him in a deal to clear other salary seems a little steep. Then again, the farm system is bare. So what minor leaguer would be “something of value”? Would they actually trade one of their few good prospects, whoever they are?
Example #2: Rumors also abound that the Sox are “aggressively shopping Jackie Bradley Jr.”. It’s about time. But about three years too late. Who’s going to give the Sox anything for a guy who can’t hit, but will make 8 figures next year through arbitration?
Unless the Sox try to trade Mookie Betts, which I have been in favor of if he truly does not want to re-sign here, or inexplicably deal someone like Xander Bogaerts or Rafael Devers, how much will they get in return for ANYONE in a trade?
I’m actually wondering if the Sox are seriously considering dealing Betts this winter. I don’t think they are, to be honest. Not necessarily a bad thing. But it won’t be great if he walks for nothing next offseason. A trade deadline deal cannot be ruled out. But if the Sox are in contention at the deadline, how can they deal him then?
Unless this is a true “bridge year”. But how can that be true if Betts, Bogaerts, Devers, J.D. Martinez and Benny return in that lineup? Sure, the pitching staff is more than suspect. But how can this group of guys not be at least competitive?
Not to mention if Bloom walks in here and they AREN’T in contention at least somewhat this season, he will not be a popular man around town. Not without divulging some sort of future plan…which you know he will not.
The way the 40-man roster stands now, with its current 38 players, there are holes all over the place. Even if those stud players mentioned above stay and produce, pitchers like Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi (& Price?) rebound and contribute, the fact remains that there is all kind of dead weight still from those guys on down to the end of the roster. Not to mention several minor leaguers that aren’t ready for prime-time.
Also…please don’t try to sell us on Dustin Pedroia playing 120-130 games at second base next year either. Actually, don’t even get me started on Pedey here right now. You all know how I feel about him. Great career here, feisty little player over the years, lost some respect for him in recent years with his behavior, but in the end, he is simply done due to injury and it’s time to go.
So let’s get to work Chaim. More than Arrauz and Peraza for sure. At least maybe re-sign Rick Porcello back to that one year deal he wants to try to reset his value. He was brutal last year. But at least he takes the ball every 5 days. More than you can say for most of the rest of the starters still here…oops…shortly after I wrote this, Porcello inked a one year deal with the Mets. Oh well…
Changing gears a smidge:
In one more piece of recent Red Sox news, Dwight Evans had a renewed chance to make the MLB Hall of Fame the other day as he appeared on the Modern Baseball Era ballot.
This committee meets “twice every five years” and covers players, managers, umpires and executives from the 1970-1987 time frame. It gives everyone in this period a second chance at the Hall basically.
But does everyone actually deserve a second chance at the Hall?
I am not so sure.
The Modern Era’s first enshrinements were Jack Morris and Alan Trammell in 2017. Then the “Today’s Game Era” (1988-present) committee put in Lee Smith and Harold Baines in 2018. The winners this year the Modern Era put in Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller (Players Association head).
Are ANY of these guys Hall of Famers??! I’d say perhaps Miller since he led the charge for collective bargaining agreements, free agency and arbitration. But none of those players are Hall of Famers. They just aren’t.
And that includes our old friend Dewey Evans.
Evans was a very good player. Better in the second half of his career than the first. Piled up almost 400 homers and 2,500 hits. And I had no idea until recently that he had more homers in the 1980s than ANY other player.
Those are all nice. But did anyone buy a ticket to watch Evans play baseball?
We did for Pedro. We did for Roger (he WILL get in someday, and you know he belongs). We did for Teddy Ballgame (well, not me, I wasn’t born, but you get the point).
I am not even sure Yaz is a Hall of Famer. But people that watched him play in his early years swear by it. And presumably bought a ticket to watch him play.
Not for Dewey.
Loved the guy when he wore the Sox uni. But not once ever did I think he was a Hall of Famer.
And now, with all of these recent dudes getting in, Cooperstown is getting so watered down, it’s kind of disheartening.
Do we put Evans, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, etc. in because Baines is in? It’s trending that way.
Evans got 8 of the 12 votes he needed for induction on this committee (75% of the 16 members). And was next in line behind Simmons and Miller.
Does that mean he is a lock when they reconvene in 12/22?
Say it ain’t so.
You’ll hear more ranting from me soon in my annual Cooperstown column. But that’s all for now.
SELL!!
So, that London series was fun, eh?!
29 runs given up, 21 by that vaunted bullpen that we’ve already covered ad nauseam…sweet. Well, the Boston Red Sox DID score 21 themselves. Of course, after they got down big in both games. Then couldn’t get a key hit to actually come all the way back in either.
Where does this leave the team? I say it’s time to sell off parts.
84 games in and now 11 games behind the division leading New York Yankees. Sure, they are only 2 games out of the second wild card (4 out of the top spot). But does this feel like a team that can make some noise come playoff time?
No F’n way. Not to me anyway. And I think to most of us.
We are not even at the All-Star break quite yet, why am I so ready to throw in the towel?
It’s pretty easy to understand actually. I mean, you have seen how listless they have appeared for most of the year, right?
The players (and the manager, and the front office, and the rest of the organization…) will undoubtedly blame the long 2018 season for the way they came out of the gate for this current season…and how they have kind of sleepwalked since then. And maybe that is a factor…though it really should be a small one.
The Red Sox brought 21 of the 25 guys back who were on the World Series roster last season. And one of the departed, Drew Pomeranz, doesn’t even count since he didn’t even pitch for several weeks down the stretch, including the playoffs. Ian Kinsler, Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel were essentially the only departures. Most of the guys on the current roster were here last year as well, although not active for the World Series, or the playoffs for that matter. But here nonetheless.
Really, when you think about it, the only two players that have played more than a minor role on this years’ team that was not involved in any way last year at all are Michael Chavis and Colton Brewer. I’ll give you Marcus Walden too if you like. Since he pitched a few innings early in the year and then was never to be heard from again.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: that is not enough player turnover. You need new blood every year, but especially after winning it all. Keeps the fire burning and everyone is presumably still hungry.
Add this to the fact that Manager Alex Cora simply did not have the team ready to go right out of Spring Training, another colossal mistake. “We did the same thing last year…” he liked to say in April. Welp, every year is different, so they need to be treated differently. Even I know that.
With this, the wretched bullpen that is like FOUR arms away from being useful, four arms that aren’t anywhere near the organization at this time and everything else, my recommendation is that they make some deals at the trade deadline. Sending guys out that is.
The team has already made it clear that they do not want to go over the luxury tax limit. So where are they going to acquire good bullpen arms, to start? They have no real prospects to give up, ones that other teams want anyway. So how do they fix things?
They don’t.
Since the farm system is so barren, maybe it’s time to see what some of these players can get you? Granted, most of these guys won’t fetch much. But you never know.
There is one trade deadline this year, on July 31st. No more “waiver” deadline on August 31st. Is this a good thing? I don’t know. At first blush, I say no. Some decent deals can happen in August. There are two full months to go after the deadline as it stands this year. That is a long time. Still a lot of clubs that think they have a chance. That number dwindles in August and makes things ripe for more deals. I don’t think I like it, but let’s see how it plays out this first year in existence.
So if the Sox are going to make moves, they have to happen sooner rather than later. And, as stated above, how can one be confident in this team as currently constituted going forward?
Not to mention that stretch in late July/early August with the 14 games in 15 days against only the Yanks and Tampa Bay. 8 of them against the Yankees, what is that 2-6 maybe?
So this will never happen at all, I will guarantee it. The Sox have spent too much money and there is too much talent on the roster for the organization to wave the white flag. They all will think they can turn that proverbial switch when it matters too. But let’s take a quick look below at specific things I would do, or at least consider doing, before July 31st, by positional group:
Catcher: No need to do anything here. Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are good enough. But maybe they can get Blake Swihart back? (I may never give this up!). Although Blake has been even more atrocious in Arizona than he was in Boston. That’s what happens when you play once every 10-15 days or so I guess.
Infield: Mitch Moreland and Steven Pearce seemed like a GREAT idea to platoon at first base for the 2019 season when it started. Unfortunately, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. Both of these contracts will expire at seasons end and it seems that Chavis has kind of locked in that first base role at this point anyway. If healthy, both Moreland and Pearce can provide some value to a (real) contending team. They won’t fetch a ton, but it should be considered.
Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez also are up at the end of the season. These guys won’t get you anything so I guess I probably wouldn’t bother. I don’t think I don’t want either of these dudes back next year, so maybe they can explore it. I’d actually take Holt back, but he may be up for a decent raise…and he can never stay healthy either. And I don’t want to see him every day at second base next year anyway.
Outfield: Here’s the big one. To start, let’s ship Jackie Bradley Jr. out of town as soon as possible. He hit .315 with 5 homers and 14 RBIs in June. .992 OPS. There is his hot month. He is making 8.5 mil this year, with one more year of arbitration next year. Probably get 10-12 mil or so. For 5 bad months and one good one. Let’s sell high now and hope some team is dumb enough to give them something good for him.
The elephant in the room? Mookie Betts. I am not in favor of moving him just to move him. But if he is really not going to sign here long term, then the reality is the Sox need to shop him. I have no idea if he wants to re-sign here. But it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it. And that is the popular opinion. The Red Sox HAVE to know how he feels, way better then Joe Fan does. If he is truly a flight risk, the Sox need to take action. Don’t be rash, but it has to be a real option. Although I will take a proven Major League player over prospects 100 times out of a 100, this may be an opportunity to do some replenishing on the farm.
J.D. Martinez has to be a consideration to move too. I believe there is a pretty good chance he opts out after this year and tries to secure that one last guaranteed contract…for more than he is supposed to get the next three years. Again, the team has to have a better idea of his feelings on opting in or out after the season. If the sense is that he will opt out, trades would have to be explored here.
Pitching staff: I don’t have the stomach to split out the bullpen and no one wants any of those guys anyway. The one starter that should have some value is Rick Porcello. Seeing he’s up after this year and the signing of Nathan Eovaldi basically ensured the Sox wouldn’t re-sign him, Porcello should be shopped. Sure, he’s not the “Cy Young Rick Porcello” this season, but he can eat innings and contribute to a contender. No doubt about it.
Once again, none of this will happen. Then the Sox will squeak into the playoffs and lose in the first round.
But think about it, even if the Sox were able to unload most of the players with expiring contracts (or close to it) talked about above, they would still have a nice core of Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Andrew Benintendi, Chris Sale, David Price, Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez (I guess), Vazquez, Chavis and I suppose a couple of bullpen arms that can work the 6th and 7th. Maybe some decent major league players coming back in trades. Perhaps a top (real) prospect or three. And all of a sudden some money to spend, being not right up against the luxury tax anyway.
A World Series winning team? Unlikely. But making the best of a bad situation? Perhaps…It COULD be an interesting few weeks for the Red Sox. If they want it to be…
Week Fourteen…
So I know this is generally a football pick column…and it will be eventually…but we would be remiss if we didn’t give some comments on the Boston Red Sox re-signing of Nathan Eovaldi earlier this week.
For a quick refresher, this is what we wrote about a month ago:
“…The way Major League Baseball is trending, with “bullpen games”, the Sox technically don’t have to do anything here next year. WHAAAAAAAT???!! WHAT ABOUT EOVALDI??!! Nate Eovaldi has a special place in my heart for the way he pitched in the postseason this year. He always will. Especially that relief appearance in Game 3 of the World Series…in a game they actually lost. What an effort though. A guy with past arm trouble and free agency looming could have easily begged out of that game at any point…even at the beginning, seeing he had pitched in relief the first two games. He didn’t and became somewhat of a legend.
But give him 15-20 mil a year for 4-5 years? I’m not so sure about that. Seems like a risk. Past arm problems. But more importantly, past mediocrity. 44-53, 4.16 career heading into his age-29 season. Love the guy to death. But I think I am passing…”
Has my opinion changed? Actually, no. All around. Still will love the guy, no question. But not backing up the Brinks truck for him. Above all, he just hasn’t taken the ball enough in his career.
Turns out ol’ Nate got right about in the middle of what we had mentioned, about 17 per. A lot of dough seemingly just to reward someone for one postseason.
On the surface, this must slot Eovaldi into the 3rd or 4th slot in the rotation for 2019. Chris Sale and David Price go 1-2, Eovaldi and Rick Porcello go 3-4 and Eduardo Rodriguez would be 5. Steven Wright, Hector Velasquez and Brian Johnson give you 6-8 depth. Can’t complain about that staff on paper certainly.
The salaries? Listen, the Sox can spend whatever they want. We know this. John Henry ain’t hurting for funds. BUT…Price 31, Porcello 21 plus, Nate 17, Sale 15…heavy. E-Rod probably gets a nice bump in arbitration as well…because…everyone always does in that process.
Some have speculated that maybe Eovaldi may close this season, what with the likely departure of Craig Kimbrel. Unlikely. Good closers may approach the 17 mil per. But we don’t even know if Nate can be a good closer…he’s never done it. And with his injury history, not sure the Sox should even consider it. Despite his bullpen efforts in the postseason last season.
One thing it does tell me? Either Sale or Porcello will be allowed to walk after the 2019 season. And you heard it here first: The Blowhard believes that there is a greater likelihood that Porcello will be back in 2020 than Sale. Sale is clearly the better pitcher. By far. But with his health history, will they shell out probably over 25 million per for that uncertainty? Heading into his age-31 season? Not so sure. The team babied him more than ever last year. And he threw a mere 158 innings.
As mediocre as Porcello can be, he takes the ball every turn. He will also be heading into his age-31 season. The Sox may be willing to give him another 20 plus for a few years than 25-30 plus for Sale over likely more seasons.
Sounds silly, but let’s see how it plays out.
In summary, we obviously don’t love the Eovaldi deal. Just a little too much risk for me. But it’s not my money. And after dissecting things a little more, it may not be completely insane.
Again, let’s see how all this plays out in 2019.
And if they win another World Series, I guess who gives a rat’s ass?
As for football:
Carolina (-1.5) at Cleveland
Carolina has lost 4 in a row and is 1-5 on the road. I really want to pick the Browns here. But…I can’t…
Carolina 23, Cleveland 20.
New York Jets at Buffalo (-3.5)
Brutal.
Buffalo 17, New York Jets 13.
New York Giants at Washington (-1.5)
Mark Sanchez. And Josh Johnson.
Nice!
I know, Odell Beckham Jr. is not playing. But it shouldn’t matter. Let’s also talk for a second about Colin Kaepernick. Washington is taking a lot of heat for signing those aforementioned stiffs over Kaep. Welp, I can see both sides. First off, a team would really have to change a great deal of their offense to sign and play Colin. And with a mere four games left, is it worth it? Johnson may be the literal definition of “journeyman”. But he has a history with Redskins coach Jay Gruden. That does matter, unfortunately.
One thing people fail to consider is the fact that Kaepernick is actually not very good. And now he hasn’t played since 2016, where he “led” the Niners to a 1-10 record in his appearances. Sure, there are so many bad backup QB’s in the league, he probably deserves a job somewhere. But we have also heard, and maybe inaccurately, that he has had opportunities to sign…and they weren’t for enough money to his liking so he passed. Yeah, this last point could be bogus. But I’m not ruling anything out with this guy.
Bottom line, Kaep still stinks and hasn’t played in two years. He’s probably good enough to hold a clipboard on some team…if he wants to. But would it really make a difference in Washington? That’s for everyone else to decide, not me…
New York Giants 20, Washington 13.
Atlanta at Green Bay (-5.5)
Let’s now see if it was Mike McCarthy or Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay 38, Atlanta 24.
New Orleans (-8.5) at Tampa Bay
After that dud last Thursday against the Cowboys and the early season loss to the Bucs at home, this feels like some kind of hurtin’ is about to be put on.
New Orleans 45, Tampa Bay 20.
Baltimore at Kansas City (-6.5)
Are the Ravens someone to worry about as we head toward the playoffs?
Baltimore 37, Kansas City 34.
New England (-8.5) at Miami
New England 30, Miami 24.
Indianapolis at Houston (-4.5)
If you asked me last week, I would have picked the Colts here to end Houston’s 9 game winning streak. But not after that putridness against the Jags a week ago.
Houston 34, Indianapolis 28
Denver (-5.5) at San Francisco
The Broncos are still in the mix…amazingly enough. Losing Manny Sanders will hurt. But not this week.
Denver 27, San Francisco 17.
Cincinnati at Los Angeles Chargers (-14.5)
The Bungles are cratering. Seems like too many points here though, even for the Chargers at home.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Cincinnati 20.
Detroit (-2.5) at Arizona
I read something Saturday about Matt Patricia’s “father-son” relationship with Chandler Jones. I was moved. Really. But maybe it’s because I read it right after I smoked some synthetic weed and ran shirtless to the local police station. Oh wait…
Detroit 24, Arizona 14.
Philadelphia at Dallas (-4.5)
Winner of this one takes the NFC East in my opinion. Although…maybe not. Before I looked at the remaining schedules, I had a feeling that the Eagles were ready to make a run. Then I saw they play at LA Rams and then at home against the Texans after the Cowboys (finishing against the Redskins in Washington). While the Cowboys play the Colts, Bucs and G-Men. Advantage: Dallas.
Dallas 27, Philadelphia 24.
Pittsburgh (-11.5) at Oakland
The Steelers should win this game pretty handily. But the way they are playing, who the hell knows?
Pittsburgh 38, Oakland 31.
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Chicago
Can’t say I’m completely on the Bears’ bandwagon. Whatever.
Los Angeles Rams 34, Chicago 24.
Minnesota at Seattle (-3.5)
The Seahawks will be rolling into the playoffs. The Vikes aren’t impressing anyone. ‘Hawks are at home. We are all pumped and jacked!!
Seattle 31, Minnesota 20.
Week (against the spread): 0-1
Week (straight up): 1-0
Season (against the spread): 103-90
Season (straight up): 122-71
The Billerica Blowhard 