Rounding_Third

Age is relative, Suzuki has remained pretty healthy while Avila has had some issues. Suzuki's games played the last 5 years or so has come down but still way more than a backup catcher. Depends on how he feels about reducing them even more to, say, 50 games or so for a full season. Sound about right for a backup? All good stuff on Suzuki vs Avila comparison. Avila's D is still so very impressive and it dominates the fWar difference. His OBP is higher but OPS lower than Suzuki's. If the Sox got their LH every bat, this stat is less meaningless. Maybe my misperception but durability seems a significant factor to me. Ironically, one of Avila's worst seasons was with the Sox which probably adds to my slight bias. I obviously prefer Suzuki but would not be disappointed with Avila. He'd probably be a little more affordable, as well. Just to add, I don't consider Molina an option. He's too expensive. Anyway, I'd be surprised if he didn't take a discount and finish with StL. Collins is a whole other thing. He has such a small Sox sample size over 2 years, its hard to judge it. And his minor league stats are very good but they are minor league stats. Most importantly, if we sign another vet SP (& new closer) and now the rotation is suddenly very vet and we're all in, we must have a vet backup catcher. When that cost is so minimal, it would be an terrible omission. If we weren't "all in", different story with him. I hope they keep Collins around and he can figure it out and be prepared when he's called upon again. He's too valuable to quit on him.

I may have misinterpreted but I'm not sure what the highlighted means. But no trades; an every day LH DH and/or LF FA veteran doesn't require a trade or loss of any current players. Yeah man, Walker is very intriguing for many reasons, not the least of which is he could be very affordable; low risk, high ceiling. If we got a quality 500+ plate appearance LH bat, whether we get a RHB vs LHB catcher does matter as much. That being said, Avila is still an excellent defensive player but can't hit worth a *&^%, particularly over the last 3 seasons. Suzuki's career batting (and recent years) is so much better, including against RHP. He's not nearly as good defensively as Avila so what would the Sox consider more important? It also seems logical to me that Grandal's days off would be predominantly against LHP. Don't know why but I get the feeling that 50 games would be Avilla's top end while Suzuki would breeze through them. So I like Suzuki better but wonder if he would be ready and willing to reduce his playing time. Feel so bad for Collins. Like all Sox fans, been pulling for him. Sucks that he's struggled.

Abreu; what a clutch stud! Yeah, hopefully Robert can figure it out. Also that Moncada gets healthy again and has a comeback year (+75 pts). Poor guy, that covid knocked him for a loop all season. Him and a healthy Eaton is going to very welcome indeed. If he just has an average year, its >50 pts over Mazara. Just those 3 guys improving alone should help a lot. Throw in some decent LH DH/LF production and wow! Also, article out today that proposed Taijuan Walker could be an appealing Sox SP signing. He's kind of under the radar but only 28 and had an excellent bounce back year from TJ surgery. He's probably on the low end of the cost scale, too. Interesting for sure.

I guess the wildcard here is what are the Sox still willing to spend to go "all in" in probably a season still (partially?) affected by covid. Of the 4 SP's you mentioned, Kluber seems way too risky, Richards & Paxton are a little pricier, middle of SP cost range, with Richards not reaching 100 innings in 5 years. Quintana is lower end cost, seems a real good fit, and might take a discount with the Sox. Paxton would be a nice signing too if the Sox are willing to go that high. On the other hand, the org strength is pitching so they have to weight that out. Can we trust #4 and/or #5 to Cease, Lopez, Kopech, and Stiever (others)? Perhaps if we had to. Same with pen, if we had to, could we? Perhaps. Successfully? I think for both there's a chance, be it small. However the biggest org weakness is LH hitting. The 2021 lineup only has 3 LH bats, 2 SH (+ Garcia) and Eaton. The org's others consist of Collins, Sheets, & Yermin. Not much there. Last year, even with the great RH dominated lineup, the Sox batted .254 and were 4 games under .500 against RHP and it may have cost us the division and maybe beyond. This MUST improve! If they decide to go lower end due to other signing(s), my 1st choice would be Daniel Murphy at <=$5. He's a well proven .280-.300 hitter (much better earlier) with decent .OPS. And I think he's still capable of a truly monster year in this lineup. Sorry but no way with Collins if "all in". His defense is not all that good either though small sample size. Its too important of a position, especially when they probably could get Kurt Suzuki for <=$3. Its hard for us GM's here not knowing the top end payroll plan for 2021 (& beyond).

In order of importance: 1. Veteran LH DH (or LF so Eloy can DH - Brantley?) 2. Closer 3. 4th starter 4. Veteran backup catcher. Our LH bat depth is woeful! With all due respect to them, Vaughn, Collins, & Yermin should not be on the 2021 roster if Sox are truly "all in". Vaughn should spend the entire 2021 in AA and/or AAA as did Madrigal and Robert in 2019, no matter his success. Sox won't start his rookie FA clock with little to none org resume.

Not a bad choice. My preference is Suzuki though; ridiculously experienced. Casali really hasn't caught that many games in his career. I agree with poppysox that Collins isn't the guy for 2021....and, imo, not ever until he figures out MLB pitching. His defense isn't all the special, either. If the Sox are "all in", I can't see them not getting a reliable, veteran backup. God forbid that anything should happen to Grandal. Having Collins as their every day catcher for any length of time defeats "all in" and they can't put themselves in that vulnerable position. They probably could sign Suzuki for <=$3, 1 yr + opt and then see where Zack is a year from now. To me, its a must for "all in".

Kurt Suzuki Please Shahnta!

Yeah man! And from what I can tell for only $1.5-3m per.

Guys, please don't get me wrong, I think Vaughn will be great in a year or two, just not getting too high yet. Not grading him an A or F, just an I. Hopefully, a year from now, he's ready for the show. Ofc he's going to get a chance to succeed, he just hasn't got much of a minor league resume YET. His college stats are great , for sure, but he still needs to prove they convert to MLB org baseball. For anyone hoping for him on the 2021 Sox roster, I don't think that's going to happen.

I'm not ready to stamp Vaughn yet. .250 BA in A ball doesn't get me excited yet. Let's see how he does at Charlotte or Birmingham in 2021. Hopefully he excels! But I've seem too many "can't miss"'s miss. Hopefully, that core will improve on their production and sub .500 record against RHP. That being said, I'd still favor signing Brantley for 2 years with option or Murphy over Schwarber for 1 yr w/opt. Any other similar candidates that you know of?

True enough about Kyle. But perhaps LH DH should be considered to be a main part. That position has eluded us since Thome and was our Achilles heel last year. I'd like to see a LH DH inserted before or after Eloy (5th or 6th). Not sure if they could do that with Kyle, maybe, but certainly with Brantley and even Murphy.

Thank you sir! You as well! Looking forward to many fine and perhaps heated discussions amongst you all.

Did you copy the right post? We're in the same choir.

...and all the great posts that followed. Add Kurt Suzuki. If Hendricks is the only big splash over Brantley, Richards would be an astute signing either way, but Schwarber gives me the heebee-jeebees. He brings to mind Dunn and LaRoche. He's kind of in that same mold; ~ .250 BA, high strikeouts, NL to AL. His quality OBS is due, in large part, to a high walk rate. That's fine but but I'd rather see an impressive DH OPS based more on BA than BB. An alternative could be Daniel Murphy if he's willing to lay down the leather for the most part. He could possibly make the NL->AL easier because he's such a good hitter. And he could be a 1B backup along with 2B or 3B in an extreme pinch. He doesn't have the same power #'s but his K's are ~half of Schwarber's and would put the ball in play a lot more. He might be 2-4 $M cheaper, as well, making a Suzuki signing easier.

Okay so I went wee bit overboard with my gushing. But with all due respect, if you do the same research I did (stats/splits/interviews) you would understand why.

Eloy and Brantley could continue LF/DH platooning. Let's see where Vaughn is a year from now. Hope he's a nice problem to have.

He fits very well. He and Eloy can take turns in left as long as both bats are in the lineup most every day keeping both fresh and engaged. He's a leader, winner, clutch vet, professional, class act. He reminds me a lot of Bears' Allen Robinson. Vaughn needs another year in AA or AAA. Sox are going all in this year. I doubt they would then turn over their every day DH to a single A .250 hitter. Its not fair to the team and not fair to him. We desperately need a lefty bat anyway or be challenged by right handed pitching again.

I sure hope that one of those splashes is Brantley. A LH every day DH is our most glaring need. Moncada, Grandal, and Eaton aren't nearly enough. The 2020 record and stats against righties bear that out (w/Mazara vs Eaton). If its not a big splash because of signing Hendriks then a solid lesser one.....and NOT Schwarber!!!

Thanks! Even better if for less $. I agree about his D. But teams like to have a stable DH (only) in the order; Encarnacion, Cruz, Thome, etc. He's never done it but, if willing, I think he could make the adjustment (and also to the AL) and be a real force from the left side. He's also good enough to face lefty's and be in the lineup every day. Good veteran presence. This is predicated that 2020 was an aberration for him and not permanent substantial decline. His 2019 numbers were also down a little but I'd be very happy with them, especially for <$5m. He can also play a few positions in a pinch though below average. He could be a fantastic fit for a bottom price.

I saw site where market value for Colome at $7.9 and Hendriks at $15.5. Have no idea of its accuracy or reputation.

I'd rather see Colome resigned and use the $7-8m savings for other needs. Spending big bucks on a closer is so risky especially when other holes need to be filled.

Just joined. Greetings to all!!! If $15m remains; Colome, 2 yr-$8m per; Daniel Murphy, 1 yr-$5m + opt; Kurt Suzuki, 1 yr-$2m + opt. Would have to rely on org to provide 4th & 5th starters but Murphy (DH) could fit nicely between Abreu & Jimenez or Jimenez & Robert pushing Eaton to eighth.