The Conductor: who should Breslow haul to Boston this winter?

RS2004foreever

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I have spent an embarrassing amount of time looking at right handed bats and the more you dive in the more you realize it’s incredibly weak across baseball, especially if the Red Sox (and I think rightfully so) want to avoid high strikeout players.

Teo made sense from a park fit an ability to hit lefties, but he can’t play defense and he’s a high K player.

In the last 2 seasons, Bregman is 8th in WAR among right handed hitters. He’s 14th in wRC+ and he has the 2nd best K rate of any right handed hitter.

His bat profile is also perfect for Fenway and he can play defense. He isn’t a lefty smasher but he is essentially a perfect fit otherwise offensively.

The other guy that always pops up on these list is Yandy Diaz. He also has the benefit of being able to back up first, something the roster doesn’t currently have. Kills lefties. Only Judge has a higher wRC+ the last two years against lefties.

Park fit is less of a positive and he’s going to cost player capital outside of just spending money.

All that being said, there just aren’t many good right handed bats available. It’s very challenging. Which is why I’ve really come around to the idea of Bregman
Interesting.
 

simplicio

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I understand all the reasons not to sign Bregman. My point is that, if this team really wants to make a right handed bat a priority - Bregman is easily the path of least resistance. He checks a lot of boxes.
Not checking the box of why we're looking for a RHB in the first place - ability to mash LHP - is a pretty significant failing for someone that's going to command significant dollars and years.
 

curly2

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I do have to push back (again) on this idea that the team is too left handed. As constructed now, the most likely regular lineup will be 5 LHH (Duran, Devers, Casas, Abreu, Yoshida) and 4 RHH (Wong, Story, Rafaela, Grissom).
The problem is the four righties are all big question marks. Wong's overall number look good, but he was tremendous for the first three months, then really fell off. Rafaela needs to learn at least a LITTLE plate discipline, Story, obviously, has been plagued by injuries with the Sox, but his OPS+ is 91 over a full season's worth of plate appearances, and Grissom needs to show he can hit in the majors.

It would be nice to have at lease one semi sure thing from the right side.
 

BigSoxFan

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I really doubt a player is going to make a decision on what's best for Boras, unless: 1) *all* things are equal, which deferred money makes it not; or 2) deferred money deals are the only deals available from teams to which Bregman wants to go.
Yeah, wasn’t trying to suggest Bregman would make the decision because of Boras, merely that the deferred route may be the only way he gets to a total $ figure that exceeds what he’s already allegedly turned down.
 

OCD SS

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I understand all the reasons not to sign Bregman. My point is that, if this team really wants to make a right handed bat a priority - Bregman is easily the path of least resistance. He checks a lot of boxes.
That really depends on how you define “path of least resistance.” He’s available for only money + the QO pick, but he if he goes to 3B then you have to totally rearrange the IF, and he’s not a good option for 2B.

If you’re going to add a bat, any bat, I think you need to show how you’ll move the roster around. With Anthony about ready, he can take the O’Neil spot. Anyone you add blocks him or has to replace someone else (for which, where are they going?)

Edit: I mentioned Profar a week ago, the hang up may be that he’s currently looking for 3 years.
 

SouthernBoSox

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That really depends on how you define “path of least resistance.” He’s available for only money + the QO pick, but he if he goes to 3B then you have to totally rearrange the IF, and he’s not a good option for 2B.

If you’re going to add a bat, any bat, I think you need to show how you’ll move the roster around. With Anthony about ready, he can take the O’Neil spot. Anyone you add blocks him or has to replace someone else (for which, where are they going?)

Edit: I mentioned Profar a week ago, the hang up may be that he’s currently looking for 3 years.
Totally understand the negatives on Bregman. Just wanted to point out the positives given the current state of right handed bats.

Profar is very interesting. He mashed last year. Killed lefties. His batting profile looks like a completely different person. No QO. Low K rate. If he’d agree to something like 2/24mm it could be a nice little move which would more or less insure that with all the FA movement the Sox would fill a lot of holes while also betting a draft pick/capital.
 

moondog80

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Randall Grichuk (.509) has a higher career slugging vs lefties than Alex Bregman (.494) if that's the primary element we are looking for.
And if he played a gold glove 3B, Girchuck would be lined up to make a lot of money.
 

buttons

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Totally understand the negatives on Bregman. Just wanted to point out the positives given the current state of right handed bats.

Profar is very interesting. He mashed last year. Killed lefties. His batting profile looks like a completely different person. No QO. Low K rate. If he’d agree to something like 2/24mm it could be a nice little move which would more or less insure that with all the FA movement the Sox would fill a lot of holes while also betting a draft pick/capita
 

Fishy1

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I get the RH bat thing. But Vaughn Grissom doesn't turn 24 until next month. Kristian Campbell blew thru the minors putting up eye popping numbers not seen since Marcus B. And Rafaela is still young and talented enough to (we hope and pray)make strides at the plate. Story simply needs to stay healthy. I think the RH bat thing is less of a worry than many make it out to be and it'll be ok. A complementary catcher to Wong and another bullpen arm (Estevez is my pick) and this team can win 87-90 games as constructed.
Yeah, he actually was even better than Mookie. One of the best minor league careers so far in the last twenty years.

It's not uncommon for a guy with his talent and production to immediately put up a 4 fWAR+ season. He's in very illustrious company. He's in company like Juan Soto, Brandon Belt, Kris Bryant, Goldschmidt, Alonso, Schwarber. Guys with major bats, many of who got off to huge starts.

I know nobody trusts prospects until they prove it but he's got a great chance of doing so. Roman Anthony too. Hes had a more uneven go at the minors but he's younger.

If those guys hit--and I don't think it's unlikely at all that one or both do--the upside of this team is much higher than than the 87-90 wins people are predicting.
 
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buttons

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there is no one out there who is a great slugger, good defense, early 20’s free agent wanting to take a one year contract at say $15 ,000,000 with multiple Club options.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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Profar is interesting; every year he seems to be way too aggressive with his contract demands and ends up settling late. He’s been fairly versatile over the course of his career, but seems like he just played a mediocre LF last year- which kind of limits his appeal, I think. If the team thinks he can play some 2b and ss, though, than he becomes a potentially ideal fit. No QO, too, which is nice.
 

Yelling At Clouds

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Profar hasn’t played much infield these last few years, is that because the Padres didn’t need him to or because he doesn’t play it very well anymore? He hasn’t played enough at 2B recently for any numbers-based analysis and it’s not like I watch Padres games, so I really don’t know. I like him as an option if he can backup 1B//2B/3B much more than if he’s outfield-only.
 

Fishy1

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Profar has also been very up and down. I think we're falling for shiniest toy syndrome here. Last year was his best season ever by a country mile, and for the most part he's followed up every good year with a catastrophic one. The end result is a guy who's career wrc+ is basically 100, who is declining defensively, and who is on the wrong side of 30.

There's a good chance Refsnyder is the better hitter next year. He'll definitely be cheaper.
 

SouthernBoSox

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Profar hasn’t played much infield these last few years, is that because the Padres didn’t need him to or because he doesn’t play it very well anymore? He hasn’t played enough at 2B recently for any numbers-based analysis and it’s not like I watch Padres games, so I really don’t know. I like him as an option if he can backup 1B//2B/3B much more than if he’s outfield-only.
Yep, especially first base. You could basically keep the team as is right now, option Romy to AAA, and have a very deep and versatile group if Profar could handle first. Would allow them to not dump Yoshida for nothing.
 

SouthernBoSox

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Profar has also been very up and down. I think we're falling for shiniest toy syndrome here. Last year was his best season ever by a country mile, and for the most part he's followed up every good year with a catastrophic one. The end result is a guy who's career wrc+ is basically 100, who is declining defensively, and who is on the wrong side of 30.

There's a good chance Refsnyder is the better hitter next year. He'll definitely be cheaper.
This article breaks down some of the substantive changes Profar made this year.
 

Fishy1

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Profar hasn’t played much infield these last few years, is that because the Padres didn’t need him to or because he doesn’t play it very well anymore? He hasn’t played enough at 2B recently for any numbers-based analysis and it’s not like I watch Padres games, so I really don’t know. I like him as an option if he can backup 1B//2B/3B much more than if he’s outfield-only.
Fangraphs can pretty easily show you how much and where a guy has played. Just scroll down on their page.

This is Profar in the infield. Hasn't played much there at all since 2019.


 

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YTF

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I do have to push back (again) on this idea that the team is too left handed. As constructed now, the most likely regular lineup will be 5 LHH (Duran, Devers, Casas, Abreu, Yoshida) and 4 RHH (Wong, Story, Rafaela, Grissom). They've got at least two RHH for the bench in Romy and Refsnyder that can off-set some deficiencies against LHSP. And if Campbell forces his way into things, he's another potentially strong RHH.
I'm with you here and have made the same point a month ago or so. As the roster is currently constructed, seven of the projected thirteen position players (counting Narvaez) are right handed, That said, I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more RH power. Campbell may be that guy in waiting.
 

Cassvt2023

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Profar has also been very up and down. I think we're falling for shiniest toy syndrome here. Last year was his best season ever by a country mile, and for the most part he's followed up every good year with a catastrophic one. The end result is a guy who's career wrc+ is basically 100, who is declining defensively, and who is on the wrong side of 30.

There's a good chance Refsnyder is the better hitter next year. He'll definitely be cheaper.
Umm. I will only agree with the cheaper part of this. Rob Refsnyder has never put up numbers anything close to what Profar did last year. What's to make you think that will change? (that 1yr 1m deal the Padres got him on must've been the FA signing of the year.)
 

Fishy1

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This article breaks down some of the substantive changes Profar made this year.
It points to some mechanical changes he made, which, like good for him. Is it permanent? Maybe. Could he be having an Adrian Beltre-like or Justin Turnerish breakout in his 30s? It's not impossible!

But I would not be willing to bet on it unless there was a preponderance of evidence. He has, again, been tremendously up and down in his career, going from being slightly above average to being abysmally below average, and now having a massive season.

That points to a problem with consistency that may disappear at age 32, but I think is unlikely too.

The odds that it's one anomaly year in a player who is otherwise on the wrong side of 30 and has had 12 years of offensive mediocrity are pretty high, IMO, especially since 32 and 33 is an age where guys start to show increased decline.
 

Fishy1

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Umm. I will only agree with the cheaper part of this. Rob Refsnyder has never put up numbers anything close to what Profar did last year. What's to make you think that will change? (that 1yr 1m deal the Padres got him on must've been the FA signing of the year.)
...because Profar himself had never posted numbers close to what he did last year? Because he posted a wrc+ of 78 just two years ago, in 2023? Because his career wrc+ is 99? Because he's followed literally every good year in his career with a bad one?

His last four years cumulative wrc+ is 107. Refsnyder's is 116. Their career wrc+ is identical. Yes, Profar has always played a bigger, full-time role, but for his career he's basically had a neutral split (99 wrc+ against both LHP and RHP), so he's no good as a platoon option.

As I've said, I'm not saying it's impossible the guy has made a permanent change. It's just that given how up and down he's been, there's a really good chance he's down again next year. This seems like a classic case of recency bias to me in a guy who's accumulated less than ten fWAR in 12 years and who can barely play the outfield.

We've got enough guys who can't play defense already, and if he's playing the field, he's likely blocking Anthony. Hard pass from me.
 

Cassvt2023

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...because Profar himself had never posted numbers close to what he did last year? Because he posted a wrc+ of 78 just two years ago, in 2023? Because his career wrc+ is 99? Because he's followed literally every good year in his career with a bad one?

His last four years cumulative wrc+ is 107. Refsnyder's is 116. Their career wrc+ is identical. Yes, Profar has always played a bigger, full-time role, but for his career he's basically had a neutral split (99 wrc+ against both LHP and RHP), so he's no good as a platoon option.

As I've said, I'm not saying it's impossible the guy has made a permanent change. It's just that given how up and down he's been, there's a really good chance he's down again next year. This seems like a classic case of recency bias to me in a guy who's accumulated less than ten fWAR in 12 years and who can barely play the outfield.



We've got enough guys who can't play defense already, and if he's playing the field, he's likely blocking Anthony. Hard pass from me.
I have to disagree wholeheartedly. I have a ton of respect for your posts and your knowledge @Fishy1 but this was pretty misleading. Rob Refsnyder has a 10 year career and a 1.6 career WAR. He is a journeyman who hits LHP well and plays below average D at the corner OF spots. The only reason the above numbers look as shiny as they do is because he has been completely shielded from being exposed if he were to be an everyday player. You must agree with at least this my friend?
 

simplicio

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Looking at Refsnyder's career numbers isn't productive. He's been a totally different guy since Boston got him and fixed his hitting mechanics.

Also he's definitely a platoon bat but he's been above average vs RHP two of his three years here. He faced RHP more than LHP this year so I'd disagree with your completely shielded comment too.
 

marcoscutaro

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I'm with you here and have made the same point a month ago or so. As the roster is currently constructed, seven of the projected thirteen position players (counting Narvaez) are right handed, That said, I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more RH power. Campbell may be that guy in waiting.
I agree. Let’s also not forget that Fenway Park is a better park for left handed batters.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast-venue?venueId=3&condition=All&rolling=0&batSide=L&tracking=All&speed=95 plus&angle=FB-angle&wowyBatSide=All

There’s also the case that 26% of innings are pitched by LHP, and not all those guys are Skubal esque studs, there’s a few Austin Gombers and Nestor Corteses out there too. Probably also good that the Sox have one of the 4 left handed hitters ever to have hit a home run off Skubal on the roster.

Let’s also not forget Refsnyder! And how far even average luck would have carried this team last year.

I’m really just curious which of Campbell/Anthony makes the opening day roster. Campbell feels most likely to me. Having two rookies starting puts pressure on them too.
 

Fishy1

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I have to disagree wholeheartedly. I have a ton of respect for your posts and your knowledge @Fishy1 but this was pretty misleading. Rob Refsnyder has a 10 year career and a 1.6 career WAR. He is a journeyman who hits LHP well and plays below average D at the corner OF spots. The only reason the above numbers look as shiny as they do is because he has been completely shielded from being exposed if he were to be an everyday player. You must agree with at least this my friend?
That's okay, and disagreeing is allowed ;). I think my only point is that there's a decent chance Profar regresses hard in spite of whatever hitting mechanics he improved, or just falls off a cliff as many players at his age so. I only brought up the career fWAR to highlight that last year basically doubled his career WAR. I wasn't trying to do a 1-1 comparison, just highlighting that I'm not sure Profar will be much better despite his breakout. Ymmv
 

Cassvt2023

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Looking at Refsnyder's career numbers isn't productive. He's been a totally different guy since Boston got him and fixed his hitting mechanics.

Also he's definitely a platoon bat but he's been above average vs RHP two of his three years here. He faced RHP more than LHP this year so I'd disagree with your completely shielded comment too.
Not sure if 146 AB's against RHP is enough to really determine anything.
 

Big Papi's Mango Salsa

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I feel we had this same discussion about Refsnyder after the 2022 season (he was quite good against RHPs) then he was absolutely horrendous against them in 2023, then decent against them in 2024. It’s almost like once someone makes an adjustment or fixes mechanics, we all forget that other teams are going to adjust to that.

Those players that are able to continually adjust and adapt become starters and in some cases stars. Those that don’t remain part time players or are out of the majors.

In some ways, I agree that the idea of needing a RH bat is overblown. Someone like O’Neill doesn‘t solve the problem. The Red Sox need, and have needed for a long time a core bat that can hit BOTH ledthanded and righthanded pitching. The problem they face is that the vast majority of the line up are not “confidence picks” to be able to adequately handle both LHPs and RHPs, which makes the line up on a whole very susceptible to exploitation, specifically against LHPs because they have neutralized the team‘s 3 best players (Devers, Duran, Casas).

The team has too many players that cannot reasonably be expected to hit same handed pitching with any consistency based on their time in Boston. They are, on balance significantly below average against LHPs (Abreu, Yoshida, Hamilton) or RHPs (Refsnyder, González) and guys that kind of just can’t be depended upon (Story).

Since I find it unlikely that MLB is going to allow the Red Sox to have a 30 man roster while other teams are allowed 26, they need a “core” bat (able to hit both) or two, and they need it desperately. Could that be Anthony and / or Campbell, certainly. Could those guys instead look like Jared Kelenic and Jackson Holliday, unfortunately that answer is also “certainly.”

Which is again why I think Bregman is a great fit. Even recently, he has demolished RHP, he has been neutral against LHP, and he plays 3b very well defensively. In this regard he also would not block either Anthony or Campbell, but he also hedges against one of them going the way of Jared Kelenic. You can sign one player and fix multiple issues (inability to be decent against both sides of the mound, horrific infield defense, good enough bat to hit in the top 5 in the line up). His hitting profile even looks good for Fenway Park - yes, his home run overlay decreases home runs, though all of those it takes away (at least to the pull side) are still singles or doubles. Not to mention the increased number of “outs” to the pull side that instead become singles, doubles or home runs at Fenway.

Unfortunately, it also comes with paying him at ages 35 and 36 (or even 37). Maybe the Red Sox are just totally “out” on the top of the FA market (again, those “unicorns” like Soto or Yamamoto are always going to be won by the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, or whatever).

So they’re (and we’re) either going to have to accept some bad years at the end or accept not getting any top tier talent from the FA market.

Ultimately, though I want the player, I don’t think Bregman ending up in Boston is a reasonable possibility - because I think they have decided to be “rational” about all top of the market free agents, and thus end 2nd or 3rd on all of them. This will help them avoid Carl Crawford or extension version Chris Sale, yes. It will also prohibit them from landing Manny Ramirez, David Price and JD Martinez.

Profar is an interesting name, but for me his performance is too mercurial to invest in. He’s not consistent enough to invest in long term. He’s not good enough defensively to fix their issues on that side. Would I rather have him than Romy Gonzalez - yes, but at that point it doesn’t really matter.

But he’s (similar to Yoshida) also not impactful enough as a DH that I think it makes sense to have him taking up the spot while not a) aiming higher or b) just seeing which of the kids can succeed in the game of adjustments necessary since c) at least they’d be able to be capable defensively to provide rest days for Devers and Casas to each DH 20 times a year.
 
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HangingW/ScottCooper

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Jurickson Profar is flying under the radar but would be a great RH bat (885 OPS against LHP and also switch hits) to provide 2B/LF insurance if they go with Campbell and Anthony. You’d probably still need to move on from Yoshida and rotate multiple players through the DH spot.

Duran
Story
Devers
Profar
Casas
Abreu/Refsnyder
Wong
Anthony
Campbell

Rafaela
Refsnyder
Gonzalez
Backup C
I could get behind a Profar addition. He makes more sense than Santander and probably Bregman. I assume he'd probably only be 3 years too.
 

Cassvt2023

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It seems like the 3 best remaining FA Catchers leave quite a bit to be desired. Yasmani Grandal, Elias Diaz and James McCann. I think I'd lean toward Grandal, who switch hits and at least had a .400 SLG and .705 OPS last year. He also caught some pretty good young pitchers in both Chicago and last year in Pittsburgh. I'll admit know very little about their defensive metrics or their intangibles when it comes to handling a staff. Barring a trade, it seems like it'll be one of these guys on a 1 yr deal unless they think Narvaez is ready to handle a backup role.
 

Yelling At Clouds

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It seems like the 3 best remaining FA Catchers leave quite a bit to be desired. Yasmani Grandal, Elias Diaz and James McCann. I think I'd lean toward Grandal, who switch hits and at least had a .400 SLG and .705 OPS last year. He also caught some pretty good young pitchers in both Chicago and last year in Pittsburgh. I'll admit know very little about their defensive metrics or their intangibles when it comes to handling a staff. Barring a trade, it seems like it'll be one of these guys on a 1 yr deal unless they think Narvaez is ready to handle a backup role.
Grandal has caught three of the Red Sox' projected starters (Crochet, Buehler, and Giolito) and also at least two of their projected high-leverage relievers (Hendriks and Chapman). Take FWIW!

Could cut either way, as I think of it.
 

Cassvt2023

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Grandal has caught three of the Red Sox' projected starters (Crochet, Buehler, and Giolito) and also at least two of their projected high-leverage relievers (Hendriks and Chapman). Take FWIW!

Could cut either way, as I think of it.
Very interesting, thanks for this. I would guess he is their likely choice and it's probably a matter of what he is willing to sign for. It looks like he has over $100m in career earnings so maybe he is seeing which team that has an opening for a backup spot has the best chance to get him a ring. Maybe fellow Cuban Aroldis could help with a recruiting pitch. Also, having Varitek around as a fellow switch hitting C who is respected around the league can't hurt.
 

Yo La Tengo

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It seems like the 3 best remaining FA Catchers leave quite a bit to be desired. Yasmani Grandal, Elias Diaz and James McCann. I think I'd lean toward Grandal, who switch hits and at least had a .400 SLG and .705 OPS last year. He also caught some pretty good young pitchers in both Chicago and last year in Pittsburgh. I'll admit know very little about their defensive metrics or their intangibles when it comes to handling a staff. Barring a trade, it seems like it'll be one of these guys on a 1 yr deal unless they think Narvaez is ready to handle a backup role.
Grandal and Diaz look like the best bets to me. Grandal is scored as an above average blocker and appears to have very good framing skills. His fielding bible score is +5 for Strike Zone Runs Saved, which measures pitch framing, but he was a -4 for stolen bases. Overall he scored at 0 for the Fielding bible, while Elias Diaz was at +5, primarily for stolen base defense (although Savant gives him high marks for pitch framing). McCann was -5 and Wong was a remarkable -14.

Grandal had a .747 OPS against RHP last year while Diaz had a .721 OPS against RHP. But Grandal just turned 36, was bad against all pitching in 2023, and was lousy against RHP in 2022. Diaz just turned 34. I imagine the Sox are looking into all possible trade options while tracking both of them.
 

GB5

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I have been very interested in the RS ownership and their financial commitment to winning after all the things they have said. I like the moves so far but it still feels like they just want to dip their toes in the water but don’t want to go all the way in. If they sign say, C. Martin back to the bullpen and Grichuck or Profar, both to 1 year deals it will likely take them up against the 1st tax apron. Under this scenario would we feel as though they have met their requirement, or is the feeling they didn’t go all in, all the new guys got one year deals essentially, except Sandoval(whose contract is akin to a 1 year deal) no Crochet extension, so that the ownership didn’t really take any heavy financial risks?
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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If they put a winning team on the field in 2025, I really couldn't care less whether they committed money to future years in order to do it. Anyone signed only through 2025 can be re-signed if they're a vital cog in the machine.
 

Lukiewerle

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I know there has been talk about tanner scott, but both Danny Coulombe and AJ Minter seem like quality alternatives on potentially shorter deals at less aav and haven’t heard much buzz about either of them. Am I missing something?
 

chawson

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Grandal has caught three of the Red Sox' projected starters (Crochet, Buehler, and Giolito) and also at least two of their projected high-leverage relievers (Hendriks and Chapman). Take FWIW!

Could cut either way, as I think of it.
I’m not sure who are the parties responsible for the absolute misery, reportedly, of the recent White Sox clubhouses. I imagine Breslow and co. are keen on not recreating it.

That’s not to necessarily implicate Grandal, who I like on paper, but I wonder. IIRC, he once requested to leave a day or a few early before the ASB one year and Tim Anderson called him out on it and it led to a fight. On the other hand, this article about him last year with the Pirates is favorable about his leadership and competitive edge.
 

Yelling At Clouds

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I’m not sure who are the parties responsible for the absolute misery, reportedly, of the recent White Sox clubhouses. I imagine Breslow and co. are keen on not recreating it.

That’s not to necessarily implicate Grandal, who I like on paper, but I wonder. IIRC, he once requested to leave a day or a few early before the ASB one year and Tim Anderson called him out on it and it led to a fight. On the other hand, this article about him last year with the Pirates is favorable about his leadership and competitive edge.
Right, it's entirely possible that all those former teammates of his are advising against bringing him in for all we know!
 

simplicio

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I know there has been talk about tanner scott, but both Danny Coulombe and AJ Minter seem like quality alternatives on potentially shorter deals at less aav and haven’t heard much buzz about either of them. Am I missing something?
I think there may be injury concerns about both. I mean it definitely is for Minter, but the O's declining Coulombe's $4m option after he looked good coming back at the end of the year was somewhat surprising.

Also they're both LHP and we already have Wilson and Chapman at this point.
 

Hee Sox Choi

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I know there has been talk about tanner scott, but both Danny Coulombe and AJ Minter seem like quality alternatives on potentially shorter deals at less aav and haven’t heard much buzz about either of them. Am I missing something?
They probably won‘t sign until the bigger lefties are off the board which will probably increase their offers a bit.
 

nighthob

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
13,107
I’m really just curious which of Campbell/Anthony makes the opening day roster. Campbell feels most likely to me. Having two rookies starting puts pressure on them too.
It's almost certainly going to be both, and we're just going to have to be patient as they figure out hitting at the MLB level. For all the reasons that people talk about the jump from AAA to MLB being so big (the tendency of teams to stash rotational depth at AAA over young prospects) neither guy is going to benefit much from staying in Worcester to continue beating up on Ps not good enough to be in the big leagues. As a 20 year old Anthony wrecked AAA. You could give him another 100 PA in Worcester, but the result's going to be the same, he'll still struggle to adapt to MLB pitching. But adapt he will. Because failure just gets him all angery and when he gets angery he starts taking it out on baseballs.

You'd have a better case for starting Campbell in Worcester given his more limited exposure to AAA, his lower performance than the Emperor (though, to be certain a nigh on .900 OPS is still great), and the presence of Grissom on the roster. But quality RHH is in short supply throughout MLB right now. At most Campbell probably needs another 80-100 PA at AAA, but as with everyone else making the jump, he'll take time to adjust. But adjust he will because he has thunder in the wrists.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
22,807
Santa Monica
It's almost certainly going to be both, and we're just going to have to be patient as they figure out hitting at the MLB level. For all the reasons that people talk about the jump from AAA to MLB being so big (the tendency of teams to stash rotational depth at AAA over young prospects) neither guy is going to benefit much from staying in Worcester to continue beating up on Ps not good enough to be in the big leagues. As a 20 year old Anthony wrecked AAA. You could give him another 100 PA in Worcester, but the result's going to be the same, he'll still struggle to adapt to MLB pitching. But adapt he will. Because failure just gets him all angery and when he gets angery he starts taking it out on baseballs.

You'd have a better case for starting Campbell in Worcester given his more limited exposure to AAA, his lower performance than the Emperor (though, to be certain a nigh on .900 OPS is still great), and the presence of Grissom on the roster. But quality RHH is in short supply throughout MLB right now. At most Campbell probably needs another 80-100 PA at AAA, but as with everyone else making the jump, he'll take time to adjust. But adjust he will because he has thunder in the wrists.
I'd guess Spring Training results will impact where KC/RA break Day 1.

If those two continue to destroy baseballs for 4 weeks, Cora can start penciling them into the lineup every day (maybe shield RA against LHP at first).

If either struggles at Ft Myers, delay their clock & let them mash AAA pitching for a month.
 

Cassvt2023

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 17, 2023
1,256
I’ve concluded that this is what I think could make this a 90 win team based on what they’ve done to this point:

1) Sign Jurackson Profar to a 2yr/27m deal w/ an option year based on attainable incentives.
2) Sign Carlos Estevez to 2 a 3yr/27m deal. 3 guys at end of bullpen with closing experience.
3) Sign Yasmadi Grandal to a 1yr/2.5m deal to back up Wong. switch hitter, really good pitch framer
4) continue to see what may be available on trade involving Hamilton, Romy, Wink and possibly Abreu if Anthony is ready and Yoshida if you don’t have to eat a painful amount of those 3 yrs.

Go make playoffs while competing for the AL east along the way.
 

EdRalphRomero

wooderson
SoSH Member
Oct 3, 2007
4,585
deep in the hole
It sure seems in the absence of a clear path to offensive improvement, the best way forward is to strengthen the pen. The bullpen is inherently more flexible than the lineup. I’d be pretty happy with Jeff Hoffman. Let the youngsters find their way with the bats with a top pitching staff (starters and pen) carrying the load.
 

BeantownIdaho

New Member
Dec 5, 2005
648
Nampa, Idaho
The more I see what's available outside of Bregman....the more I am inclined to see Campbell at the MLB level and adding Hoffman to the bullpen. Since we have assets, we can always make a trade at the deadline for needs.