Let's get crazy (risky acquisitions and offseason plans)

[Cesar Crespo]

JBJ is worth much more than Baez.

Why? He has 1 more year of control, is significantly cheaper, almost 3 years younger and has far more positional versatility. All this while showing improvement every single year offensively. I guess it comes down to whether people think he's a plus defender at SS/2B or not.

JBJ may be worth more, but I doubt it is "much more." Even if you think JBJ is a 4-5 win player, Baez has the offensive and defensive potential to match that. This is a kid who hit 36 HRs as a 20 year old between A and AA, from the SS/2b position. The power is legit and he's just now entering his age 25 season. He's younger than Betts and Bogaerts by 2 months.

He's not an OBP guy, but I could easily see Baez putting together some .270/.320/.500 type seasons while playing above average defense at either 2b, SS or even 3b. He could replace Pedroia if need be, allow you to trade Xander or move Devers to 1b. I'd have to think long and hard about a JBJ for Baez swap. I think people are being far, far too dismissive towards Baez but this board has a somewhat negative view on low obp/high slugging players.

 

[Doctor G]

Seems like a perfect fit for Cora to mentor.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I know they've been looking for bats, but if JD Martinez proves too difficult to sign, would DD consider adding Votto? Votto is 34 (35 in September 2018), and has 6/157 left on his contract. He also has a full no trade, which might scotch things before they begin. However, he would seem to represent the perfect type of hitter to add to a lineup heavy on RH hitters, and his ability to play 1b allows Hanley to stay at DH. Given the contract, the Reds may be willing to take B level prospects just to have Votto off the books, or perhaps someone like ERod if it came to that.
I realize this is a long shot, which is why I'm posting it here. If the acquisition cost isn't prohibitive, I believe I'd prefer Votto at 6/157 from ages 34-40 than JDM at 6/180 from 30-36. I realize the age difference isn't negligible, but Votto is an elite level batter who hasn't shown significant skill slippage-his 2017 season saw a career low 11.7k rate while his bb rate stayed at 19.
Just trying to figure out a plan B so the Red Sox aren't tied to Boras' timetable with Martinez (or heaven forbid, HOsmer.)

I'm sure Dombrowski would love to trade for Votto but he's been very vocal about not wanting to leave Cincinnati. Plus, I'm not sure the Sox have the chips even if he'll waive the NTC. I'd prefer him over every other option out there, though.

 

[PapaSox]

I know they've been looking for bats, but if JD Martinez proves too difficult to sign, would DD consider adding Votto? Votto is 34 (35 in September 2018), and has 6/157 left on his contract. He also has a full no trade, which might scotch things before they begin. However, he would seem to represent the perfect type of hitter to add to a lineup heavy on RH hitters, and his ability to play 1b allows Hanley to stay at DH. Given the contract, the Reds may be willing to take B level prospects just to have Votto off the books, or perhaps someone like ERod if it came to that.
I realize this is a long shot, which is why I'm posting it here. If the acquisition cost isn't prohibitive, I believe I'd prefer Votto at 6/157 from ages 34-40 than JDM at 6/180 from 30-36. I realize the age difference isn't negligible, but Votto is an elite level batter who hasn't shown significant skill slippage-his 2017 season saw a career low 11.7k rate while his bb rate stayed at 19.
Just trying to figure out a plan B so the Red Sox aren't tied to Boras' timetable with Martinez (or heaven forbid, HOsmer.)

He'd be a great addition. However, he seems to enjoy Cincinnati and has made no indication he is willing to break from his no trade clause. If he did decide to allow a trade with Boston I imagine we'd be talking Pomeranz, Hembree, Travis and possible Marrero.

Edit: Snodgrass beat me to it

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I know they've been looking for bats, but if JD Martinez proves too difficult to sign, would DD consider adding Votto? Votto is 34 (35 in September 2018), and has 6/157 left on his contract. He also has a full no trade, which might scotch things before they begin. However, he would seem to represent the perfect type of hitter to add to a lineup heavy on RH hitters, and his ability to play 1b allows Hanley to stay at DH. Given the contract, the Reds may be willing to take B level prospects just to have Votto off the books, or perhaps someone like ERod if it came to that.
I realize this is a long shot, which is why I'm posting it here. If the acquisition cost isn't prohibitive, I believe I'd prefer Votto at 6/157 from ages 34-40 than JDM at 6/180 from 30-36. I realize the age difference isn't negligible, but Votto is an elite level batter who hasn't shown significant skill slippage-his 2017 season saw a career low 11.7k rate while his bb rate stayed at 19.
Just trying to figure out a plan B so the Red Sox aren't tied to Boras' timetable with Martinez (or heaven forbid, HOsmer.)

I'd much prefer JDM at 6/180. As you said, 4 years is a pretty big deal. Outside of that, JD Martinez is free and Votto would require giving up talent. EdRod is a cheap, young, servicable pitcher with lots of upside and the Redsox have maybe all of 2 B level prospects in the system. He does hit left handed, so that is one advantage. JD Martinez has been as close to an elite hitter as you can get since 2014, if not being an elite hitter. Votto is better overall, but I think JD fits the Redsox needs more.

I'd rather have Votto at 6/157 than Cabrera at 6/184, but not by much. If the Sox are willing to commit to those contracts, I don't see any reason not to prefer JD Martinez over them. I also think JD gets closer to 6/150 than 6/180 but I guess we'll see.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I'd rather have Votto at 6/157 than Cabrera at 6/184, but not by much.

This baffles me. Votto is the better player of the two even before you factor in the fact that Cabrera has shown signs of decline lately and Votto hasn't. Votto would be a better deal at the same price. At $5M/year less, he's a hugely better deal.

 

[grimshaw]

Ya, Votto has been better the past three seasons. I'd much rather have him.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

This baffles me. Votto is the better player of the two even before you factor in the fact that Cabrera has shown signs of decline lately and Votto hasn't. Votto would be a better deal at the same price. At $5M/year less, he's a hugely better deal.

It's possible Cabrera is in decline, it's also possible he just had a bad year. The huge drop in ISO is pretty alarming and is more suggestive of decline, but he is only one season removed from being the monster he always was. I really don't want either one for their ages 37-40 seasons. Votto is 5 mil less, but when you factor in the pieces moved to acquire him, I'm not sure it's that big a deal. I don't see how either one is a more attractive alternative than JD Martinez.

That not by much comment also assumes EdRod was going back in the deal to the Reds.

 

[Pozo the Clown]

Disclaimer: this IS the "Let's Get Crazy" thread, so, here we go: Machado, Britton & Jones (all in their walk years) for Bogaerts, Bradley, Edro and Swihart. Would you pull the trigger?

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

Are you kidding me?

Hell no. Not even close, or close to being close.

 

[DJnVa]

Reportedly Machado wants to move back to SS

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Reportedly Machado wants to move back to SS

Of course he does. Manny Machado the shortstop probably makes another $30-50M in free agency over Manny Machado the 3B.

 

[chawson]

I can think of few MLB players less interested in playing in Boston than Manny Machado. Not happening.

 

[DanoooME]

I can think of few MLB players less interested in playing in Boston than Manny Machado. Not happening.

I can think of at least one.

Adam Jones

 

[Pozo the Clown]

I can think of at least one.

Adam Jones

Jones did receive a standing ovation at Fenway after the incident, so, perhaps he isn't holding the vast majority to blame for the deplorable actions of an ignorant few.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Of course he does. Manny Machado the shortstop probably makes another $30-50M in free agency over Manny Machado the 3B.

Knee jerk reaction is to agree on premise, but I wonder how true that is. Seems like we are entering a new golden age of SSs while 3B isn’t quite as stocked at the moment. I also don’t know what a year of defensive play at SS would look like, he hasn’t played it in a long time. Overall I think you’re probably right, just not by that much $.

 

[grimshaw]

Knee jerk reaction is to agree on premise, but I wonder how true that is. Seems like we are entering a new golden age of SSs while 3B isn’t quite as stocked at the moment. I also don’t know what a year of defensive play at SS would look like, he hasn’t played it in a long time. Overall I think you’re probably right, just not by that much $.

It wasn't a great offensive position last year though. 10 were above league average bats, of which 7 were below a wRC+ of 120. Compared to 19 above league average and 7 above 120 at 3b

Machado could be both a top 3 offensive and defensive shortstop in baseball.

 

[DanoooME]

I also don’t know what a year of defensive play at SS would look like, he hasn’t played it in a long time.

He played 43 games there just last year when Hardy was injured.