Hunter Renfroe traded to Brewers for JBJ and 2 prospects

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
Moderator
SoSH Member
It may be that Bloom knows another GM who’d want Binelas or Hamilton in a trade later on in the offseason, in which case this would be more like a delayed 3-team deal.

Someone would have to be dealt. Dalbec is a FA in ‘27, and we’ll have Casas, Jordan, Binelas and (possible DH) Kavadas in the pipeline ready by ‘25.
Not all of those prospects will pan out, and Dalbec will be non-tendered well before 2027 unless he improves much more than you’d expect a player his age to improve. It’s possible that another trade is in the works, but given the value we gave up relative to Binelas’s perceived value (as measured by published prospect ratings), I think it’s much more likely that CB plans to keep Binelas.
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
It may be that Bloom knows another GM who’d want Binelas or Hamilton in a trade later on in the offseason, in which case this would be more like a delayed 3-team deal.

Someone would have to be dealt. Dalbec is a FA in ‘27, and we’ll have Casas, Jordan, Binelas and (possible DH) Kavadas in the pipeline ready by ‘25.
I'm not saying the prospects potentially don't have value. (I'm also not really worried about a log jam - we'll have a DH/1B spot to sort it out, and a legit 3rd hitter has trade value in that sort of scenario.)

But the more I think about this, the more I think they're banking on a significant contribution from JBJ. It goes back to Renfroe. The Sox could have DFA'd Renfroe, just like the Rays did. That's a net savings of $7M (or whatever) they could use in the FA market or to subsidize some kind of trade.

But assuming they stood pat, they'd have to plug an OF spot with someone like Cordero, or any other of the AAAA players out there, like the guy played for the Yanks recently. Instead, they got JBJ at a fairly significant sum. But at this point there's a non-zero chance a AAAA player might out perform him.

They also got two prospects - a AA guy with tools but not a great bat, so he profiles more like a utility guy. ( I don't think he's the prime factor here.) Then they got a low-minors masher who was highly regarded at one point before an injury.

So either they think Bradley can meaningfully contribute and there's potential value, or they think the acquisition of the low-minors guy is worth eating JBJ's salary and buy-out when they DFA him. (There's also the cost of a 40/26 man slot for Bradley, meaning no MLB development time for someone in the minors. Plus the lux tax impact, whatever it might be.)

We're still early in the offseason, so, no need to draw any larger conclusions at this point. But I'd be shocked if they somehow flipped JBJ without sending some of that acquired value with him.
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
Maybe I'm not being clear, and if I'm not I apologize. Bloom didn't make this trade because he thinks that the two prospects are going to make 5 WAR over their cost controlled years. He made this deal because he obviously thinks that there is a significant potential for one of them to contribute much more than 5 WAR - that is, to generate the surplus value he looks for in a deal.

It's not risk-free but at some point, the potential upside is real enough (50%? 40%?) that Bloom likes the deal.

In addition to being a fascinating commentary on how the rookie wage scale has suppressed the value of draft picks, it's also a commentary on how hard the talent acquisition process is these days. MLB has locked down most of the ways that teams can use payroll to boost their chances at acquiring talent. Bloom is using the RS's payroll like NBA teams do - a means to generate additional swings at the talent development pool. Very creative.
As above, I also think they may really think JBJ has something left in the tank. If he's a black hole, as he was last year, that's going to impact the team's ability to get into the post season. I don't think they'd be willing to risk that for what seems to be a bat-first player.

From the MLB scouting report:
Binelas' best tool is his left-handed power, the product of strength and bat speed. He uses the entire field and doesn't chase many pitches out of the strike zone, yet he doesn't have a history of hitting for high averages. While he draws his share of walks, he's a streaky hitter who falls into prolonged slumps when his timing gets out of whack.

It remains to be seen whether Binelas can stay in the infield. Scouts don't like his hands, footwork or funky throwing motion at third base, and he looked rough at first when Louisville moved him there in the spring. Though his speed plays as fringy in games, he recorded plus 60-yard dash times on scout day in the fall, so his best option may be left or right field.
But maybe they think Binelas is more than he seems.
 

nvalvo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
21,482
Rogers Park
The fact that the organization is happy to pay $17 million for two prospects, one of whom was just drafted in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, is a pretty fascinating bit of insight on the MLB draft in general. And specifically in how it is designed to suppress the money going to players.

Jud Fabian was a higher rated prospect than Binelas and was drafted 46 spots higher than Binelas. And yet, slot money at that spot was $1.8 million, and the Sox were apparently unwilling to go as high as $3 for him. Binelas does have the benefit of adding a strong 29 games at Low A to his resume, but it's still an interesting comparison.
"Unwilling" — they had a hard cap on what they could spend on the first ten picks. They couldn't meet Fabian's ask, and were gambling that they could offer Fabian every dollar they had remaining, and he might take it. He didn't, and now we get the pick again next June.

So it's more that they are making deals like this because it's the way you can still buy prospects, now that the draft slotting is enforced and the international fa market has budget caps.

Interesting because they had David Hamilton as the 16th best prospect and Binelas the 17th in the Brewers system yet I don’t see Hamilton even listed in the top 30 for the Red Sox
It seems like Binelas has helium because he made such a good transition to pro ball after a rocky junior year. The August rankings that had him 17th were made before he had done that, so I wouldn't worry about them much.
 

billy ashley

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,228
Washington DC
The fact that the organization is happy to pay $17 million for two prospects, one of whom was just drafted in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, is a pretty fascinating bit of insight on the MLB draft in general. And specifically in how it is designed to suppress the money going to players.

Jud Fabian was a higher rated prospect than Binelas and was drafted 46 spots higher than Binelas. And yet, slot money at that spot was $1.8 million, and the Sox were apparently unwilling to go as high as $3 for him. Binelas does have the benefit of adding a strong 29 games at Low A to his resume, but it's still an interesting comparison.

I think this is a really cool observation, but one item to note. The comparison on cost isn't apples for apples. Signing Jud Fabian would have impacted Boston's ability to sign Hickey + Kavadas. I think it's pretty clear that Jud is the best of those 3 prospects, but the risk is potentially better spread out across Hickey and Kavadas.
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
Here’s a deep pre-draft scouting dive on Binelas by the very good Mariners blog Lookout Landing. Describes him as “a Michael Conforto archetype” at the plate.
 

BringBackMo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,316
I dont think this is the right way to look at it. Normally, faster guys can hedge speed declines by hopefully improving their routes/jumps. Bradley is already 99th percentile there - any speed lost is likely going to hit his range. For what its worth, Andruw Jones (another elite defensive CF who was not fast and honestly a better defender than JBJ) fell off the face of the earth defensively around 30 as his speed evaporated. Jones partially got a bit out of shape, but I suspect if Bradley's speed declines, hes not going to be a good defender and the decline will come very fast. I dont think theres any indication that JBJ has particularly slowed, but he is around the age where many non-elite athletes do.

Right field seems an ideal defensive place for him to hide a decline in speed and his ball tracking and knowledge of angles would be of great use in Fenway's disaster of a RF. That said, hopefully hes not playing much because hes pretty likely to be a pretty poor hitter.
I was responding to a line in a post that I'll copy and paste here:

"The only thing I worry about with JBJ's defense is that its based on speed."

My response dealt entirely with the fact that the excellence of JBJ's defense has never been rooted in speed. That is not the same thing as saying that if JBJ were to begin to lose speed that it would not affect his defense. I'm sure that it would. FWIW, according to various defensive metrics posted on Fangraphs and Baseball Reference, JBJ seemed to have his typical year in the field last season.
 

cantor44

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2020
1,637
Chicago, IL
Verdugo plays a pretty good right field. Maybe it opens up a spot for Schwarber or some other thumper in left.
This was my thought. It opens a spot for Schwarber ...Which then potentially allows Kiké to return to second .... or there would be a basic rotation of Schwarber/Dalbec/Arroyo/JBJ/Kiké ....
 

Lose Remerswaal

Experiencing Furry Panic
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
In addition to being a fascinating commentary on how the rookie wage scale has suppressed the value of draft picks, it's also a commentary on how hard the talent acquisition process is these days. MLB has locked down most of the ways that teams can use payroll to boost their chances at acquiring talent. Bloom is using the RS's payroll like NBA teams do - a means to generate additional swings at the talent development pool. Very creative.
when we lose him to the FSG owned Suns in a year, we will have seen it coming.
 

Archer1979

shazowies
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
7,870
Right Here
Yes, this is true. I might have misinterpreted the post as suggesting that he was the type of CF who used his speed to overcome other shortcomings, like getting a jump, etc. (Sort of what is said about Duran).
He's always been an excellent center-fielder with great instincts, so I misspoke when characterizing him as only a speed guy. My point was once his speed starts to diminish, his ability to get to the ball is going to obviously drop. TBH... I'm not all that worried about his defense as it has to improve the overall outfield defense. His bat though...

BTW, I'm speculating that JBJ is going to be the starting CF just due to the annual price tag. $17MM is a little pricey for a late inning glove.

For those who don't want Schwarber in RF, I agree, its a lot of real estate. If JBJ ends up being the starting CF, then the only move is to have Kike move to RF instead of 2b... I can't see moving Verdugo to RF to make room for Kyle to go to LF. In that case, Schwarber becomes the 1B until JD's contract runs out.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
Why can’t Verdugo be moved to RF? He played more innings in RF than LF in 2020. He played 170 innings there this year. He was fine.

And why are we still talking about trading JD, isn’t LF now potentially open for Schwarber or someone else?
 

Mugsy's Jock

Eli apologist
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 28, 2000
15,069
UWS, NYC
Bradley in CF, Verdugo in RF, Schwarber, Bryant, Castellanos, Joc Pederson or whomever in LF seems optimal to me.

Hernandez at 2B, Arroyo is the utility IF, Duran stays in Worcester. Just need a RH bat off the bench who can ideally backup 1b/OF
I think this is bingo. Bradley as everyday CF sounds lousy, but if you get excellent bats in LF (Schwarber) and 2B (Kike), you've upgraded two positions to help pay the offensive bill.
 

snowmanny

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
15,669
It may be that Bloom knows another GM who’d want Binelas or Hamilton in a trade later on in the offseason, in which case this would be more like a delayed 3-team deal.
The Tony Armas Jr. move? I wonder how often that really happens.
 

sean1562

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 17, 2011
3,620
Have we given up entirely on Duran? He wasn't good in 33 games last year but had an .873 OPS on AAA. He is 25 next season. Are we assuming he is going to be traded this offseason? What is our current OF depth chart? Verdugo/Hernandez/Duran/JBJ/JDM/Cordero/Stewart/Refsnyder? With Arroyo/Hernandez/Aruaz/Munoz/Downs at 2b? Do we see Connor Wong get an expanded role this year?
 

cantor44

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 23, 2020
1,637
Chicago, IL
I think a few posters above are right to point out that Renfroe had mixed defensive results. Great arm, but also led the league in outfield errors (and if the stat was kept in missing the cut off man) ...Meanwhile, he does have some serious power. Not only the 31 HRs, but my subjective observation was that he hit a good 10 screaming line drives off the monster that would have been HRs in most parks. That's something significant to give up.

That is to say, this trade, on its own, doesn't fully make sense to me. Seems to me there is another shoe, but the lock out may keep it hidden. If this is a one shoe trade, color me skeptical (with one cold foot) ...
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
He's always been an excellent center-fielder with great instincts, so I misspoke when characterizing him as only a speed guy. My point was once his speed starts to diminish, his ability to get to the ball is going to obviously drop. TBH... I'm not all that worried about his defense as it has to improve the overall outfield defense. His bat though...

BTW, I'm speculating that JBJ is going to be the starting CF just due to the annual price tag. $17MM is a little pricey for a late inning glove.

For those who don't want Schwarber in RF, I agree, its a lot of real estate. If JBJ ends up being the starting CF, then the only move is to have Kike move to RF instead of 2b... I can't see moving Verdugo to RF to make room for Kyle to go to LF. In that case, Schwarber becomes the 1B until JD's contract runs out.
If the Sox didn’t want 31-year-old JBJ as their full-time CF at $12 million AAV last year, they definitely don’t this year. There are plenty of moves ahead and I like JBJ’s chances of rebounding a bit, but won’t be this team’s full-time anything, at least to start the season.

It also seems silly to luck into a 5-win season from your CF and then immediately move him off position a year before free agency.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Have we given up entirely on Duran? He wasn't good in 33 games last year but had an .873 OPS on AAA. He is 25 next season. Are we assuming he is going to be traded this offseason? What is our current OF depth chart? Verdugo/Hernandez/Duran/JBJ/JDM/Cordero/Stewart/Refsnyder? With Arroyo/Hernandez/Aruaz/Munoz/Downs at 2b? Do we see Connor Wong get an expanded role this year?
I haven't given up on him but all his damage was done in the first 2 months. His power was in question. In his last 33 minor league games, 103 PA/88 AB, he hit 1 HR.
He had 15 HR in his first 37 games, 180 PA in AAA.

Since June 30th, including his time in the Majors, Duran has 7 doubles, 4 triples and 3 HRs in 215 PA/195 AB and an ISO of .123. It was .121 in the Majors, so it's not like he fared much better in the minors. SSS and all.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
If the Sox didn’t want 31-year-old JBJ as their full-time CF at $12 million AAV last year, they definitely don’t this year. There are plenty of moves ahead and I like JBJ’s chances of rebounding a bit, but won’t be this team’s full-time anything, at least to start the season.
So the Sox didn’t want 31 year old Bradley as their starter at $12M AAV, but they are fine with having him as a backup at age of 32, at a similar price? Huh?

I don’t understand the logic in your argument.

Re: Duran, he has no real role on a team that already has two LH OF that don’t hit lefties very well.
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
So the Sox didn’t want 31 year old Bradley as their starter at $12M AAV, but they are fine with having him as a backup at age of 32, at a similar price? Huh?
Yes, Binelas and Hamilton make that worth our while, and because we’re going over the tax threshold this year.

But on a skills level, no, Bradley is not a starting full-time CF on a competitive team in 2022, especially not when we already have a top-5 CF already.
 

InsideTheParker

persists in error
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
40,371
Pioneer Valley
If the Sox didn’t want 31-year-old JBJ as their full-time CF at $12 million AAV last year, they definitely don’t this year. There are plenty of moves ahead and I like JBJ’s chances of rebounding a bit, but won’t be this team’s full-time anything, at least to start the season.

It also seems silly to luck into a 5-win season from your CF and then immediately move him off position a year before free agency.
The only thing that seems to answer this is that JBJ is not intended for CF but for RF. We'll have to wait and see.
 

chawson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
4,660
The only thing that seems to answer this is that JBJ is not intended for CF but for RF. We'll have to wait and see.
He’ll play some RF, but his bat is even less suited there. But you’re right — we have many long months to speculate what happens next.
 

pdub

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 2, 2007
516
Renfroe was good last year but I'm glad its JBJ coming back! I wonder if we are re-singing Schwarber or even Suzuki?
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
Well, if the plan is for him to be a backup I would probably trade or release him. He’s been awful as a pinch hitter and in games he doesn’t start, and seems to be the kind of guy who needs stability to thrive. His value as a defensive replacement is minimized by a team that has solid enough starters. And it’s not clear who you’d want him PH for.

If the trade was solely about getting the prospects, dump him and pick up a RH bat who would fit the team better, or give playing time to Duran who may be part of the team’s future.

I wonder if there is a team with a similarly bad contract that could be a match?

To the Reds for Moustakas and a prospect?

To the Rockies for Charlie Blackmon?
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Well, if the plan is for him to be a backup I would probably trade or release him. He’s been awful as a pinch hitter and in games he doesn’t start, and seems to be the kind of guy who needs stability to thrive. His value as a defensive replacement is minimized by a team that has solid enough starters. And it’s not clear who you’d want him PH for.

If the trade was solely about getting the prospects, dump him and pick up a RH bat who would fit the team better, or give playing time to Duran who may be part of the team’s future.

I wonder if there is a team with a similarly bad contract that could be a match?

To the Reds for Moustakas and a prospect?

To the Rockies for Charlie Blackmon?
They could always see what JBJ has left before cutting him, and then give time to Duran. Is there any real pressing need to cut him now?
 

mauidano

Mai Tais for everyone!
SoSH Member
Aug 21, 2006
35,627
Maui
I trust that Chaim and the Front Office are well aware of what they are doing and not just flipping baseball cards. I will miss Renfroes 30 bombs and some spectacular catches.

The trade seems as mentioned earlier a slight overpay but for two potential high return prospects; sure why not. Not a blockbuster deal by any stretch. JBJ was beloved in Boston but he's gonna have to have a major turnaround to maintain that love. Do hope Schwarber returns and can get a full healthy season to replace those 30 Home Runs. Like pitching, you can never have enough defense. Welcome home JBJ.
 

Lose Remerswaal

Experiencing Furry Panic
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Why can’t Verdugo be moved to RF? He played more innings in RF than LF in 2020. He played 170 innings there this year. He was fine.
Was he, though? I'm not great on Defensive stats, but of the ones I'm looking at, plus my memories of watching him, I don't recall feeling too comfortable with him in RF (or CF)
 

Twilight

Well-Known Member
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2006
122
I think this is bingo. Bradley as everyday CF sounds lousy, but if you get excellent bats in LF (Schwarber) and 2B (Kike), you've upgraded two positions to help pay the offensive bill.
That seems like it would downgrade the defense in three positions, though, as compared to a Verdugo-Kike-JBJ outfield with Arroyo at 2B, and IMO the Sox should be looking first to improve their defense.

In LF, Verdugo > Schwarber (who's not even on the team currently), and in RF, JBJ > Verdugo. Kike is much better defensively in CF than 2B, where I'd give Arroyo a chance at the job after an offseason getting healthy. If/when Arroyo gets Eastern Equine Encephalitis, then you can move Kike to 2B, or continue down the depth chart.

They have some pretty great flexibility at many positions now, which we know they value, and much of it is already on the field in the form of a starter at a different position. That might allow them to go with a shorter bench and keep the stronger, starter-quality players on the field more often, with enough flexibility throughout the roster to give everyone a break when they need one or fill in for minor injuries and not lose too much.

JBJ: RF, CF
Kike: CF, 2B, SS
Verdugo: LF, RF
Dalbec: 1B, 3B
JD: DH, LF (if needed or to keep him happy)

There's probably still room for Schwarber (1B, LF, DH): they need depth at 1B if he's willing to keep working at it in the offseason, he'd DH some, and play LF if they see JBJ on the bench more than I think they do.

Even with Schwarber, they'd have 6 primary players for 5 positions (JD/Schwarber/Dalbec/Verdugo/Kike/JBJ for DH/1B/LF/CF/RF). That seems reasonable, especially if you plan on Kike and Dalbec getting a fair number of games at positions not on the list above, as they did last year. The average is over 140 games per player.
 

InsideTheParker

persists in error
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
40,371
Pioneer Valley
Renfroe was good last year but I'm glad its JBJ coming back! I wonder if we are re-singing Schwarber or even Suzuki?
Need lyrics: I have been trying to think of good rhymes, but "bomber" is only a near-rhyme. Also swabber. Barber is the best I can come up with. Suzuki just falls off the lips, and doesn't need a rhyme as much as repetition. So pukey rhymes with Suzuki, but is neither apt nor pretty. What songs did you have in mind?
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
The only thing I worry about with JBJ's defense is that its based on speed. If he starts, his bat is obviously going to be a liability, but I've got to think Chaim and Co. know that already and will try to squeeze out what they can for as long as they can (guessing just 2022).

All this leads me to believe as someone speculated earlier, Kike to 2nd and Schwarber to RF.
If they signed Schwarber to play the outfield he's going to left and Verdugo is going back to right. Why on earth would they ever consider Schwarber over Verdugo there?
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
I haven't given up on him but all his damage was done in the first 2 months. His power was in question. In his last 33 minor league games, 103 PA/88 AB, he hit 1 HR.
He had 15 HR in his first 37 games, 180 PA in AAA.

Since June 30th, including his time in the Majors, Duran has 7 doubles, 4 triples and 3 HRs in 215 PA/195 AB and an ISO of .123. It was .121 in the Majors, so it's not like he fared much better in the minors. SSS and all.
Duran made an adjustment for power - so we know the potential is there. I think it's likely he'll have to slug his way back out of AAA though. In his call-up, he wasn't much used as a PR/base-stealer, IIRC.

Need lyrics: I have been trying to think of good rhymes, but "bomber" is only a near-rhyme. Also swabber. Barber is the best I can come up with. Suzuki just falls off the lips, and doesn't need a rhyme as much as repetition. So pukey rhymes with Suzuki, but is neither apt nor pretty. What songs did you have in mind?
Seems like a mission for Schwarber the absorber, but I'm just an amateur.
 

JimD

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2001
8,681
I'm liking this deal because I am more than a little excited about adding to the team's prospect pipeline while there is a potential opportunity after the lockout to trade for one of the A's starters.
 

edoug

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
6,007
Need lyrics: I have been trying to think of good rhymes, but "bomber" is only a near-rhyme. Also swabber. Barber is the best I can come up with. Suzuki just falls off the lips, and doesn't need a rhyme as much as repetition. So pukey rhymes with Suzuki, but is neither apt nor pretty. What songs did you have in mind?
Pam Dawber, Dauber
rebuke me, new key,
 
Last edited:

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
I think someone may have mentioned it already, but for the prospect rankings being quoted for Binelas and Hamilton that had them both in the teens for the Brewers, the last time prospect rankings were put out was just after the draft, before Binelas starting tearing the cover off the baseball.
 

Hee Sox Choi

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 27, 2006
6,133
Re: Hunter Renfroe

Renfroe has always been a Lefty Crusher™

As good as Renfroe was last year, his wRC+ vR was 102. In the playoffs, he was picked apart by good R pitchers. He's not a guy you want in the playoffs.

Career wRC+:
Renfroe v L: 137
Renfroe v R: 91

Bloom can pick up a L crusher for cheap and platoon him with a better bat vR.
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
You guys know Bloom can see JBJ's stats too, right? No way he's starting.
Marwin Gonzalez - 242 ABs, OPS+ of 52.
Franchy Cordero - 127, 32.
Danny Santana - 116, 40.

All combined for a negative 1.5 WAR. Hope springs eternal, even if the track record and actual play suggested it wouldn't.

JBJ had positive value up until last year when he cratered in a new environment and league.

They're gonna start him.
 

snowmanny

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
15,669
Marwin Gonzalez - 242 ABs, OPS+ of 52.
Franchy Cordero - 127, 32.
Danny Santana - 116, 40.

All combined for a negative 1.5 WAR. Hope springs eternal, even if the track record and actual play suggested it wouldn't.

JBJ had positive value up until last year when he cratered in a new environment and league.

They're gonna start him.
I’m less sure of that, but if they do start him they have to be prepared to pull the plug by June if his cratering wasn’t due to the National League.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
FWIW, Renfroe hit 156/252/393 the year before Bloom acquired him. He was a starter. Gonzalez, Ottavino, Hernandez…..he’s acquired lots of players coming off poor seasons. In fact, he’s almost exclusively acquired players coming off of bad seasons!

Frankly, acquiring established players who have had a lousy year seems like a pretty good way to get excess value.
 
Last edited:

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,442
Unless I'm missing someone, they have 6 players for 5 positions (If Waltham Kyle unsigned), it's too early to worry about whether JBJ will play in CF, RF or be on the bench

CF
RF
LF
DH
2B


Enrique, JBJ, Verdugo, Arroyo, JDM, Duran

if Kyle is signed, Duran goes to Worcester and they trade speed and defense for power and OBP.

(Assuming they try to give Devers, X, and Dalbec 150+ games, at 3B, SS, and 1B)
 

PrometheusWakefield

Member
SoSH Member
May 25, 2009
10,441
Boston, MA
Marwin Gonzalez - 242 ABs, OPS+ of 52.
Franchy Cordero - 127, 32.
Danny Santana - 116, 40.

All combined for a negative 1.5 WAR. Hope springs eternal, even if the track record and actual play suggested it wouldn't.

JBJ had positive value up until last year when he cratered in a new environment and league.

They're gonna start him.
I think it's somewhere in between. I think JBJ is a 400 PA part time player who gets the start when some aspect of the game situation (ballpark, the opposing pitcher, the starting pitcher) calls for defense. It gives Cora options rather than a single defined set of starters.

I also think and hope that this paves the way for the return of the Schwarbs
 

Heating up in the bullpen

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 24, 2007
1,082
Pittsboro NC
Why would they be wondering that?


Independent of that, if nothing else, this trade shows that the concerns about Bloom turning the Red Sox into a small payroll team are just plain dumb. There are ways to use one's money advantages that aren't signing the biggest name free agent to a big money deal. Taking on JBJ and his salary in order to get a couple good prospects is a way for a team to use its deeper pockets that hasn't been legislated out of the game with taxes and slotting and bonus pools. I like it and I don't care if JBJ ever takes the field again in a Red Sox uniform (though the fan in me is happy to see him back). The only unfortunate thing is we're going to be waiting quite a while to find out what comes next.
+1
 

YTF

Member
SoSH Member
There is definitely more to be written to this story, but in the meantime to all of those looking for the Sox to re-sign Schwarber I'd like to know what other non pitching moves you hope to see. For the record, I'm OK with Schwarber returning, but I'd rather not have him AND Martinez on the team. If that's the case we're looking at very similar lineup challenges to the last two months of this past season with the main difference being that we've swapped out JBJ for Renfroe. If Schwarber and JDM both remain on the roster we're still in the position of sacrificing defense to keep both bats in the lineup. A full spring training of Schwarber learning to play 1B would be helpful. Even more so if they were able to sign him now and say, "Kyle spend the off season working on your 1B skills.", but at this point we have no idea if/when the Sox might be able to sign him nor do we have any idea what sort of spring training we'll see this season. Like I said there is more to be written to this story, but I'm curious how you see Schwarber fitting in.
 

BravesField

New Member
Oct 27, 2021
252
I think the option / buyout of JBJ probably make a deadline deal difficult- if he’s playing well, they will probably want to keep him the next year, too.

Sox now have the following players on one year deals, could make for a Cubs type fire sale if things don’t go well.

Eovaldi
Sale* (opt-out)
Hill
Wacha
Paxton** (option)
Bogaerts* (opt-out)
Hernandez
Martinez
Vazquez
Plawecki
Bradley** (option/buy out)
I was thinking the exact same thing. This team has got Yawkey Way Fire Sale written all over it. And frankly speaking, I think Bloom would be OK with a reset.
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
There is definitely more to be written to this story, but in the meantime to all of those looking for the Sox to re-sign Schwarber I'd like to know what other non pitching moves you hope to see. For the record, I'm OK with Schwarber returning, but I'd rather not have him AND Martinez on the team. If that's the case we're looking at very similar lineup challenges to the last two months of this past season with the main difference being that we've swapped out JBJ for Renfroe. If Schwarber and JDM both remain on the roster we're still in the position of sacrificing defense to keep both bats in the lineup. A full spring training of Schwarber learning to play 1B would be helpful. Even more so if they were able to sign him now and say, "Kyle spend the off season working on your 1B skills.", but at this point we have no idea if/when the Sox might be able to sign him nor do we have any idea what sort of spring training we'll see this season. Like I said there is more to be written to this story, but I'm curious how you see Schwarber fitting in.
I really don't. Unless they trade JD or Dalbec. I'd be fine with any 2 of the 3, provided they get value for the traded party. Dalbec has the most control/upside, so maybe Bloom signs Schwarber, and trades Dalbec for prospects. Then for DH/1B, JD/Schwarber this year, and Schwarber/Casas next year. Maybe you even trade JD later this year if you're not contending. That way you end up with some stability and more talent brought into the org.

But if I'm Bloom, I also have to be thinking, why not JD/Dalbec this year, and Dalbec/Casas next year. That gives you a lot of free cash to acquire a FA or subsidize a trade. Lotsa ways to do it.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,020
Oregon
I was thinking the exact same thing. This team has got Yawkey Way Fire Sale written all over it. And frankly speaking, I think Bloom would be OK with a reset.
Why do you think Bloom wants to take a team that went to the ALCS last season and blow it up? I mean, beyond your having a feeling.
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
I was thinking the exact same thing. This team has got Yawkey Way Fire Sale written all over it. And frankly speaking, I think Bloom would be OK with a reset.
Or is has the same thing that last year's team had. Let's have a bunch of guys on short term deals and then evaluate how everyone looks in July. If they're in the mix at midseason they aren't going to fire sale.
 

YTF

Member
SoSH Member
I really don't. Unless they trade JD or Dalbec. I'd be fine with any 2 of the 3, provided they get value for the traded party. Dalbec has the most control/upside, so maybe Bloom signs Schwarber, and trades Dalbec for prospects. Then for DH/1B, JD/Schwarber this year, and Schwarber/Casas next year. Maybe you even trade JD later this year if you're not contending. That way you end up with some stability and more talent brought into the org.

But if I'm Bloom, I also have to be thinking, why not JD/Dalbec this year, and Dalbec/Casas next year. That gives you a lot of free cash to acquire a FA or subsidize a trade. Lotsa ways to do it.
I'm of a similar mind. With 525 games started in LF over his career, there's not much hope for Schwarber's OF defense to improve. If the Sox sign him I prefer he is the DH or plays 1B, but he really needs time to learn the position.