beck72

The Sox are playing not to lose rather than going all out to win because they are too afraid of getting hurt. It’s a legit concern for guys like TA, Jose, Robert, Vaughn. But the Baltimore series showed what hustle, athleticism, and playing solid, fundamental baseball can do. The Sox have superior talent. But the Sox are playing far too tentative and are a station to station team. More versatile Talent like Sosa is needed for the system rather than one dimensional guys like Sheets, Burger and need to move on from the key yearly injury concerns of guys like Eloy, Moncada, Grandal. We can’t sell low on Eloy and Moncada. But they can’t stay healthy and are dragging the Sox down.

McGuire got that for him

Sheets would be a very good offer for Manaea. Like Dunning was for Lynn.

With Pollock on board, the Sox could include Sheets in a deal for Manaea. It’s probably more than what he’s worth. But with so many teams wanting SP, that should be a top offer.

It’s one year. Having a LH option with Engel, Sheets and Vaughn means whoever is playing the best is getting the most playing time. Trading for more SP depth should be on the agenda. Like Montas. Adding McHugh or Tepera via free agency would solidify the bullpen. I’m not totally against signing Conforto. But his market seems to have increased. Signing Conforto for 4, 5 years at $20 + mill also keeps the Sox from extending current guys. Not to mention blocking Colas or Cespedes. If RF is still a problem at the deadline then the Sox can add then (when some minor leaguers value have upped their value).

I’d like the Sox to pick up Kevin Kiermaier. Improve the OF defense and provide CF insurance for Robert injury. A Kimbrel swap with TB?

This is a good article on Lopez' skill set and upside. https://www.royalsreview.com/2021/4/20/22389283/nicky-lopez-is-threading-the-needle Some would say he's not a player to build around because of his lack of power. And he may not be a .300 hitter. But the defense, speed, contact, pitch recognition, sure would compliment the Sox needs now and in the future. If a deal built around Crochet [who may not or may not be able to transiiton to starter], I could see the Sox pulling the trigger. Add a power hitting, lefty hitting RFer and the position players would be set.

Nicky Lopez from KC. Coming into the year he was looked at as a utility player. The Sox would have to buy high. But he’d bring what Madrigal was supposed to. And can play SS.

This was the article I was referring to. Different writer. https://risingapple.com/2021/10/10/ny-mets-michael-conforto-devils-advocate/

I will give Mets fans one thing-they know what terrible baseball looks like. Conforto is either part of the solution or part of the problem for the Mets (offhand Die Hard reference-Christmas movie time has officially started). Their fans think he’s part of the f——-n’ problem

Of course we all are.

They have seen him for years. That’s more than Sox fans.

In that article it gives the stats of how bad he's hit in high leverage situations and how he's hit in Mets losses. You'd still want him at 5 yrs and $100 mill? I haven't heard many Mets fans wanting to build a winning team around Conforto. Not a guy I'd want the Sox to spend that money on.

Please no Conforto. The fans who have seen him for his entire career have little good to say about him other than he tries hard and seems like a good guy. Complaints such as: he is prone to long slumps that coincide with Mets losing streaks; he has potential but hasn't reached it; his lack of power; and that he won't be worth the money some sucker team is likely to give him. They say they can't believe they can get a pick for him as well. That doesn't seem like the key posiition player acquisition I'd want the Sox to add. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/michael-conforto-to-reject-qualifying-offer.html [ Check out the comments section]. https://risingapple.com/2021/10/10/ny-mets-michael-conforto-devils-advocate/

If Conforto had Schwarbers power… The sox are at the win now stage that they should pay for a players proven consistency and track record-particularly vs AL east and west pitchers-the teams the Sox need to get past. That’s why I particularly liked Semien. For the right guy, a NL player could fit-both bat and glove. But Conforto if he’s not hitting won’t be a plus defensively.

Having played his entire career in the NL there will be an adjustment period to learn the AL pitchers. How big will that be? Big enough that there will be some struggles even for the best hitters. Having the biggest contract for a Sox position player on a guy Mets fans say is inconsistent and frustrating, who they are fine letting him walk away, who they don’t see as a core piece for their future, I’m a little skeptical.

I agree it’s early and there’s plenty of time to make deals. I think the Sox will strike earlier than not via free agency. The trades will take some time. I forget which Mets site it was from but almost every person was fine with letting Conforto go. Too inconsistent and frustrating for them. If he put up Schwarber like numbers with decent defense fine. He’d be the top salaried position player but likely 7th best player. Conforto coming in trying to prove he is worthy of a huge contract, adjusting to a new league, I find it hard to see him replicating even his 2021 numbers.

Schwarber especially is too one dimensional. Spending that money and 4’yrs the Sox need decent defense. Conforto should get more in both years and dollars. He’s not the missing sure fire piece that would be our top salaried positional player. Call me crazy but to win the AL, I’d like players who know the league and have had success. Both bats and arms.

Very true. I certainly get the feeling the Sox are going to get a clear upgrade in the lineup. The Eaton/ Mazarra type roll of the dice flyers are not the way to go.

What kind of deal is Taylor projected to get?

He does check off some boxes the Sox need. In one of Hendriks interviews after the season he stated the Sox really needed a few more glove first guys. That may not be Taylor but he would make the Sox better in other ways.

How is Taylor’s defense at 2b from watching him?

I still think the Sox have a big trade to add a big lefty bat. The options such as Conforto, Schwarber, in free agency will be too costly in terms of years and dollars.

If Schwarber was a 1 year deal, maybe. Four years and $80 million, no way. The best way to get a LH power bat is through a trade. Conforto also will be too expensive in both years and dollars.

I’d rather the Sox pay a little more for Graveman than try and add someone to replace Hendriks if Liam got hurt mid year. Having key insurance policies for guys like Liam, TA, Grandal, and Moncada in case of injury also factors in to what moves the Sox make this winter