Red Sox acquire Kyle Schwarber

chawson

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Ah, thanks!

Verdugo in center, Renfroe in right and Duran as defensive replacement, sometime platoon with Renfroe, and pinch runner.
Burning a top prospect like Duran’s service time and development for a pinch runner/bench role seems like something they wouldn’t do. I guess they could send him down again but it doesn’t exactly increase his value going into the offseason, nor give us a better idea whether he’s a starting outfielder in 2022.
 

Sox Puppet

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I used to think you could throw just about anyone at 1B, in which case I wouldn't be too concerned about Schwarber trying it on the fly.

Then I saw Arroyo do a split and apparently rip his groin in half.
 

Harry Hooper

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I used to think you could throw just about anyone at 1B, in which case I wouldn't be too concerned about Schwarber trying it on the fly.

Then I saw Arroyo do a split and apparently rip his groin in half.
Dwight Evans tried to play 1b, but then retreated to RF.
 

bankshot1

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KS is a our lefty dh starting in maybe in September. To pretend he's anything else seems delusional. To play him anywhere else seems cruel. I'd still like a decent fielding 1st baseman.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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Dwight Evans tried to play 1b, but then retreated to RF.
Didn't he go back to RF because they picked up his other cousin, Darrell?

Edit: I guess not. I guess that goes in the "I thought he played for the RS" thread.

Edit2 : it was the year of the other Parrish... who took over splitting 1B time from Dewey with Benzinger.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I’d be shocked if he is the 1B answer, but love getting his bat. I don’t think he platoons - not if he’s even close to what he was doing in June.
 

Jerry’s Curl

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Seems risky to play him at 1B late in the season with no experience there. I think he's going to play every day (with the Cora rest days) in the OF and a few starts at DH. I still think another move is coming at 1B.
 

beautokyo

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I don’t think he platoons - not if he’s even close to what he was doing in June.
That rhymes or is that just me.

He's been batting leadoff all year hasn't he?

My guess which is uneducated of course is that he's played 1st somewhere.....even if just fooling around. Francy took to it pretty easily it seems.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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Not loving the idea of a guy who never played 1B to come back after an injury like his and expect him to handle it. This can't be the plan... Either it's a bad one... or there's something else coming up.
The best configuration for the team is keeping Kiké in CF, Renfroe in right, Verdugo in LF. Arroyo at 2B. I'm not sure how Schwarber actually fits.....
With Arroyo on the DL still (with the same injury as Schwarber... stretching at 1B...ugh...) then he can sort of slot in to LF.
The entire configuration of the defense is puzzling right now unless they're moving on from Duran already too..... but that's pretty reactionary. I don't know if he should go back to AAA and beat the snot out of lesser pitchers or continue to see actual quality competition.... but the entire team seems like a square trying to go through a circular hole.
 

Jerry’s Curl

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Not loving the idea of a guy who never played 1B to come back after an injury like his and expect him to handle it. This can't be the plan... Either it's a bad one... or there's something else coming up.
The best configuration for the team is keeping Kiké in CF, Renfroe in right, Verdugo in LF. Arroyo at 2B. I'm not sure how Schwarber actually fits.....
With Arroyo on the DL still (with the same injury as Schwarber... stretching at 1B...ugh...) then he can sort of slot in to LF.
The entire configuration of the defense is puzzling right now unless they're moving on from Duran already too..... but that's pretty reactionary. I don't know if he should go back to AAA and beat the snot out of lesser pitchers or continue to see actual quality competition.... but the entire team seems like a square trying to go through a circular hole.
There's going to be a lot of shuffling positions to get Schwarber in the lineup. He gives Renfroe some days off against righties. Gets Kike some starts at 2B. Gives JDM and Verdugo some rest days. Now Duran isn't forced to play if he's struggling down the stretch.

He's obviously a huge upgrade over the Marwin and Santana types whom were getting regular ABs.
 
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YTF

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Not loving the idea of a guy who never played 1B to come back after an injury like his and expect him to handle it. This can't be the plan... Either it's a bad one... or there's something else coming up.
The best configuration for the team is keeping Kiké in CF, Renfroe in right, Verdugo in LF. Arroyo at 2B. I'm not sure how Schwarber actually fits.....
With Arroyo on the DL still (with the same injury as Schwarber... stretching at 1B...ugh...) then he can sort of slot in to LF.
The entire configuration of the defense is puzzling right now unless they're moving on from Duran already too..... but that's pretty reactionary. I don't know if he should go back to AAA and beat the snot out of lesser pitchers or continue to see actual quality competition.... but the entire team seems like a square trying to go through a circular hole.
I'm also thinking there has to be another attempt to bring in a first baseman. If Schwarber is plan A it means Dalbec could be your first baseman for a couple more weeks until KS finishes his IL stint and gets a rehab assignment to learn the position. He's a left handed power bat that Cora can find ABs for via a rotation of OFs and the DH slot. Sending Duran down shouldn't be a sign of moving on from him. It's only going to be for a couple of weeks and he'll be back in Sept.
 

SouthernBoSox

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This seems less like a 1b acquisition and more like an upgrade against RHP acquisition. I expect there to be a ton of cycling between Renfroe, Verdugo, Hernandez, JDM, and Schwarber.

I’d be in complete shock if he plays one second at first.
 

BornToRun

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You guys are funny.

“In Chaim we trust!”

*acquires June POTM who’s always been a solid power hitter*

“What the fuck are we doing!? Chaim obviously doesn’t know Schwarber can’t play first!”
 

RobertsSteal

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He seems like a redundant version of Franchy — lefty slugger with no real position — albeit with a clear track record of being an actual big league hitter, unlike FrAAAAnchy.

I can’t see how they both exist on the same roster. Makes me wonder if FC goes out today, either as a trade piece or back to Woo as a roster move when we pick up a real 1B (please, FFS)…
 

BornToRun

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It's streaky, bullshit, all-or-nothing OPS. He has 80 career doubles to go along with his 146 career HR's. That should speak volumes ...
Explain to me, in detail, what “streaky, bullshit, all or nothing” OPS is. And then explain why I should be concerned that he’s hit 146 homers over his career.
 

Cesar Crespo

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It's streaky, bullshit, all-or-nothing OPS. He has 80 career doubles to go along with his 146 career HR's. That should speak volumes ...
Speak volumes of what? This comment makes no sense whatsoever. Explain please.

Why should we be concerned he has more HRS than doubles? So did Barry Bonds. So did Arod. So did a lot of players. What does it say?
 

Yo La Tengo

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Renfroe's splits this year:
vs lefties: 262 .375 .449 .824
vs righties: .251 .278 .451 .729


Dalbec this year:
.215 .260 .393 .653


It would be a weird use of resources to upgrade RF against righties instead of 1B. So I'm assuming there will be another move(s) and/or the plan is for Schwarber to play 1B.


 

OnTheBlack

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It's streaky, bullshit, all-or-nothing OPS. He has 80 career doubles to go along with his 146 career HR's. That should speak volumes ...
I’m sure some of the bigger stats folks here can attest, but has there ever been any research done on if streaky hitters create excess (or less than optimal) value? Because although KS might hit 12 homers in 10 games and 12 the rest of the season, hell, he might have just won you 10 games…
 

Cesar Crespo

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I’m sure some of the bigger stats folks here can attest, but has there ever been any research done on if streaky hitters create excess (or less than optimal) value? Because although KS might hit 12 homers in 10 games and 12 the rest of the season, hell, he might have just won you 10 games…
There has, and it's been posted on here over the years. It suggested streaky hitters created excess value. No clue where to find the articles though.

It's been discussed over the years because of JBJ.
 

sfip

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He'll only be playing around a couple weeks before rosters expand to 28 9/1.

This strikes me as JD insurance more than anything. Now that waiver wire trades can't happen after today, if JD goes down for any amount of time after Schwarber returns, Cora can still have Schwarber's thump in the lineup at DH. It also allows Cora to pinch run for JD and replace him with Schwarber in the lineup.

It doesn't hurt to take a look at how Schwarber would be at 1B before he returns, but I wouldn't be optimistic about it.

Also, how many more people will post the, "It's incredibly hard" Moneyball scene without bothering to see it's been posted in this thread many times?
 

Cesar Crespo

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He'll only be playing around a couple weeks before rosters expand to 28 9/1.

This strikes me as JD insurance more than anything. Now that waiver wire trades can't happen after today, if JD goes down for any amount of time after Schwarber returns, Cora can still have Schwarber's thump in the lineup at DH. It also allows Cora to pinch run for JD and replace him with Schwarber in the lineup.

It doesn't hurt to take a look at how Schwarber would be at 1B before he returns, but I wouldn't be optimistic about it.

Also, how many more people will post the, "It's incredibly hard" Moneyball scene without bothering to see it's been posted in this thread many times?
I doubt they moved Aldo for an insurance policy. Why do people have such a hard time believing he will play 1b? This happens anytime a player is rumored to switch positions. "No way that happens." Then it happens. The board was having this debate with Franchy not that long ago.

It's not like this is a rare thing. Maybe he will fail at it, but I think it's the plan.
 

Jimbodandy

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There's going to be a lot of shuffling positions to get Schwarber in the lineup. He gives Renfroe some days off against righties. Gets Kike some starts at 2B. Gives JDM and Verdugo some rest days. Now Duran isn't forced to play if he's struggling down the stretch.

He's obviously a huge upgrade over the Marwin and Santana types whom were getting regular ABs.
This.

Not sure how adding a LHH stud bat to a lineup that isn't quite deep enough and isn't quite left handed enough can be perceived as a bad thing. We're currently using our backup catcher as a pinch hitter because the other options are worse.
 

bosockboy

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I doubt they moved Aldo for an insurance policy. Why do people have such a hard time believing he will play 1b? This happens anytime a player is rumored to switch positions. "No way that happens." Then it happens. The board was having this debate with Franchy not that long ago.

It's not like this is a rare thing.
Well they literally just tried that with Arroyo and it backfired mightily. Guessing that’s why it seems unlikely.
 

SouthernBoSox

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I’d be stunned if the Red Sox don’t acquire a left handed first baseman today.

I think Schwarber is more of a balance for Hernandez, Renfroe, and JDM than anything else. Between DH, OF, and 2B, I believe you will see a more situational lineup than what we are currently seeing.

He’s never played first, is on the IL with a hamstring injury, and isn’t a good fielder in general.

I’d be shocked if he took one grounder at first.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Well they literally just tried that with Arroyo and it backfired mightily. Guessing that’s why it seems unlikely.
They shouldn't let one unlucky event stop them from trying guys at other positions if it might be beneficial to do so.

edit: Of course this is the same board that uses LF as the excuse Blake Swihart sucks and there's the Steven Wright PR experience.
 

RedOctober3829

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I’d be stunned if the Red Sox don’t acquire a left handed first baseman today.

I think Schwarber is more of a balance for Hernandez, Renfroe, and JDM than anything else. Between DH, OF, and 2B, I believe you will see a more situational lineup than what we are currently seeing.

He’s never played first, is on the IL with a hamstring injury, and isn’t a good fielder in general.

I’d be shocked if he took one grounder at first.
He’s already taken grounders at first in Washington this year when Josh Bell got hurt.
 

Rovin Romine

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Overall, I am a touch puzzled.

-Schwarber seems a good LHH/bench bat acquisition, and they don't seem to have a reliable bat they can/will promote.
-He can be mixed and matched with the existing OF-types to create some good PH opportunities. Say PH for the 2B player, and move E.Hernandez to 2B, and reshuffle the OF. (But Cora usually does not PH early in games).

OTOH:
-He brings no defensive value and no great upgrade at his natural position.
-He is injured, which reduces his on the field time.
-He may opt out after the end of the season.

In isolation, it's not a terrible trade. But in the context of the team, we have a much larger potential upgrade at 1B. I can't see how Schwarber addresses that.

We'll have to see if another trade is happening before evaluating this one.
 

bosockboy

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I’d be stunned if the Red Sox don’t acquire a left handed first baseman today.

I think Schwarber is more of a balance for Hernandez, Renfroe, and JDM than anything else. Between DH, OF, and 2B, I believe you will see a more situational lineup than what we are currently seeing.

He’s never played first, is on the IL with a hamstring injury, and isn’t a good fielder in general.

I’d be shocked if he took one grounder at first.
Agree and I don’t see a way Schwarber and Duran both play together. To me this is a sign Duran isn’t going to be a contributor down the stretch.
 

InsideTheParker

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My point exactly. He’ll be a Red Sox in uniform for about a month or two. He’ll DH probably and JD will be in LF a lot more.
This is the only thing that makes sense to me. I woke up to this news and I hate it, unless it is part of some miraculous plan in Bloom's head that I am unable to guess at.
 

SouthernBoSox

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He’s already taken grounders at first in Washington this year when Josh Bell got hurt.
I meant in a game. Listen maybe that’s the plan, but I think this allows them to trade Duran, have more OF/DH flexibility and bolsters the lineup against RHP.

We will know a lot more at 4 today but I just can’t see them going all in on this. It lacks prudence and Chaim seems to be like the most prudent front ops guy we’ve ever seen.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Well they literally just tried that with Arroyo and it backfired mightily. Guessing that’s why it seems unlikely.
So one injury means that no one should ever change positions or try new ones ever again? Every single player they've used at 1B this year had more game experience at another position than they did at 1B coming into the season. Arroyo was the only one who'd never done it before at any level, and got a bit overzealous. I don't think that's a reason to not keep experimenting with other players. Especially since if they want to try Schwarber at first, they can give him a few days in Worcester to give it a go before attempting it in a game that matters (like they did with Franchy who hasn't been great but also hasn't hurt himself).