Sure, it's more fun to speculate on the big improvements that might happen in the winter, but Dombrowski has also shown he is fairly adept at bringing in more moderate additions to the roster (Brad Ziegler, Addison Reed, Doug Fister, Mitch Moreland, Chris Young, Rajai Davis, Eduardo Nunez, Fernando Abad, Aaron Hill).
So absent, or even ancillary to the big moves we are expecting (hoping for) this winter, what kinds of less exciting but still important acquisitions are we expecting to see? 1B, 2B and the bullpen seem like the most obvious areas for these kinds of deals. Maybe the OF, too.
First Base:
There were some suggestions in the crazy thread for names like Logan Morrison. Morrison likely just had a career year, but if the price is reasonable he'd be a fine Moreland replacement if they can't or won't slot in a significant upgrade. Most of his production came in the first half, but he hit 38 HR. Expecting 20 HR, a .330 OBP and a .450 SLG is probably reasonable going forward. So maybe a league average player overall, with decent pop.
Speaking of Moreland, could he be had for another 1/5 deal? His awful July probably shot his free agent value in the foot (yeah, that pun is intended. I'm hilarious).
Lucas Duda would probably be an improvement over Moreland, but will certainly cost more. Still, shouldn't be too bad of a contract. Same with Carlos Santana. Duda is 1B/DH only. Santana played a few games in RF last year, so maybe he could back up LF in 2018? He's obviously not going to spend any more time at 3B in his career.
Mike Napoli should be cheap but even with his 28 HR, he hit significantly worse than Moreland overall. Probably not a real option.
Second Base:
Eduardo Nunez seems like a great target if he's healthy. He appears to be built to hit in Fenway and would provide a replacement for Holt who would offer less defensive capability but much more offensive upside. He's likely getting something in the neighborhood of 10M AAV over multiple years, though, so this might depend on what big moves are made first.
Howie Kendrick might be too expensive as Pedroia insurance (and an early replacement), and he might not be willing to sign somewhere he isn't guaranteed a starting job.
Chase Utley would probably sign such a deal and wouldn't be too expensive. He's a league average hitter at this point, and doesn't play exceptional defense. My personal objection to him aside, he might be a good fit for the roster.
Neil Walker is only going to be 32 next year but is likely looking for a full time role. He's played a tiny bit of 3B and 1B in his career, but he's not really a Holt or Nunez type, so I don't think he makes sense for that kind of role, even if he can be promised 500 PAs.
Bullpen:
Bryan Shaw could also have had a career year, but could also be a legitimate breakout. His improvement isn't as dramatic as Morrison's, relative to the rest of his career, though it is significant. Again, if the price isn't too gaudy, and it shouldn't be, he might make for a fine Reed replacement, assuming he won't resign.
Speaking of Addison Reed, what would he cost to retain? He's coming off of a 1 year 7.75M deal and has had two strong seasons (at least in results) in a row. Maybe 2/10? Probably more than they'd spend to keep him.
Sergio Romo might be a decent addition as a middle reliever. He's obviously lost a tick, but he shouldn't be too expensive. Just came off of a 1/3M deal.
Anthony Swarzak had an excellent year and has been good in 2 of the last 3 seasons. He might be available for a contract like Abad's (1/2M).
There's not a lot on the reliever market to get excited about, though. And the pen has plenty of MR options, so they might not be too active here.
Outfield:
The addition of Bryce Brentz to the 40 man opens the door for him replacing Chris Young, though he's more likely going to be trade bait. Even still, at league minimum and having legit 30 HR power, he could be a solid 4th outfielder. He's not likely to be better than league average at the plate overall at the major league level, but if he can be Moreland with more home run pop, that's not bad.
Nori Aoki is a league average bat, but there is no home run power there. He still swipes a few bags, though. His platoon split was stronger against right handed pitchers last year, though for his career he's dead even at 105 wRC+ against both. His contract last year was 1/5.5M.
Curtis Granderson is a league average bat but can still go deep at least as well as Moreland did last year. he's coming off of a 4/60M deal, but won't get paid like that again. Maybe 2/20?
Jon Jay is another league average bat with defensive versatility (can play anywhere in the outfield), but with no power or speed left, and three players capable of playing CF on the roster already, he probably isn't even worth a modest contract to the Sox.
They could bring Rajai Davis back on the cheap, but as a speed only weapon (can't really hit anymore) at the plate, they're better off picking up someone like him (or him again) at the deadline for the stretch run and the playoffs.
Michael Brantley may be available and willing to sign a "I'm healthy!" deal. His talent is undeniable. His ability to stay on the field is not.
I'm sure there are plenty of other options on the free agent market, and there are probably plenty of trade targets who fit this mode of thinking as well.
So absent, or even ancillary to the big moves we are expecting (hoping for) this winter, what kinds of less exciting but still important acquisitions are we expecting to see? 1B, 2B and the bullpen seem like the most obvious areas for these kinds of deals. Maybe the OF, too.
First Base:
There were some suggestions in the crazy thread for names like Logan Morrison. Morrison likely just had a career year, but if the price is reasonable he'd be a fine Moreland replacement if they can't or won't slot in a significant upgrade. Most of his production came in the first half, but he hit 38 HR. Expecting 20 HR, a .330 OBP and a .450 SLG is probably reasonable going forward. So maybe a league average player overall, with decent pop.
Speaking of Moreland, could he be had for another 1/5 deal? His awful July probably shot his free agent value in the foot (yeah, that pun is intended. I'm hilarious).
Lucas Duda would probably be an improvement over Moreland, but will certainly cost more. Still, shouldn't be too bad of a contract. Same with Carlos Santana. Duda is 1B/DH only. Santana played a few games in RF last year, so maybe he could back up LF in 2018? He's obviously not going to spend any more time at 3B in his career.
Mike Napoli should be cheap but even with his 28 HR, he hit significantly worse than Moreland overall. Probably not a real option.
Second Base:
Eduardo Nunez seems like a great target if he's healthy. He appears to be built to hit in Fenway and would provide a replacement for Holt who would offer less defensive capability but much more offensive upside. He's likely getting something in the neighborhood of 10M AAV over multiple years, though, so this might depend on what big moves are made first.
Howie Kendrick might be too expensive as Pedroia insurance (and an early replacement), and he might not be willing to sign somewhere he isn't guaranteed a starting job.
Chase Utley would probably sign such a deal and wouldn't be too expensive. He's a league average hitter at this point, and doesn't play exceptional defense. My personal objection to him aside, he might be a good fit for the roster.
Neil Walker is only going to be 32 next year but is likely looking for a full time role. He's played a tiny bit of 3B and 1B in his career, but he's not really a Holt or Nunez type, so I don't think he makes sense for that kind of role, even if he can be promised 500 PAs.
Bullpen:
Bryan Shaw could also have had a career year, but could also be a legitimate breakout. His improvement isn't as dramatic as Morrison's, relative to the rest of his career, though it is significant. Again, if the price isn't too gaudy, and it shouldn't be, he might make for a fine Reed replacement, assuming he won't resign.
Speaking of Addison Reed, what would he cost to retain? He's coming off of a 1 year 7.75M deal and has had two strong seasons (at least in results) in a row. Maybe 2/10? Probably more than they'd spend to keep him.
Sergio Romo might be a decent addition as a middle reliever. He's obviously lost a tick, but he shouldn't be too expensive. Just came off of a 1/3M deal.
Anthony Swarzak had an excellent year and has been good in 2 of the last 3 seasons. He might be available for a contract like Abad's (1/2M).
There's not a lot on the reliever market to get excited about, though. And the pen has plenty of MR options, so they might not be too active here.
Outfield:
The addition of Bryce Brentz to the 40 man opens the door for him replacing Chris Young, though he's more likely going to be trade bait. Even still, at league minimum and having legit 30 HR power, he could be a solid 4th outfielder. He's not likely to be better than league average at the plate overall at the major league level, but if he can be Moreland with more home run pop, that's not bad.
Nori Aoki is a league average bat, but there is no home run power there. He still swipes a few bags, though. His platoon split was stronger against right handed pitchers last year, though for his career he's dead even at 105 wRC+ against both. His contract last year was 1/5.5M.
Curtis Granderson is a league average bat but can still go deep at least as well as Moreland did last year. he's coming off of a 4/60M deal, but won't get paid like that again. Maybe 2/20?
Jon Jay is another league average bat with defensive versatility (can play anywhere in the outfield), but with no power or speed left, and three players capable of playing CF on the roster already, he probably isn't even worth a modest contract to the Sox.
They could bring Rajai Davis back on the cheap, but as a speed only weapon (can't really hit anymore) at the plate, they're better off picking up someone like him (or him again) at the deadline for the stretch run and the playoffs.
Michael Brantley may be available and willing to sign a "I'm healthy!" deal. His talent is undeniable. His ability to stay on the field is not.
I'm sure there are plenty of other options on the free agent market, and there are probably plenty of trade targets who fit this mode of thinking as well.