SCCWS

Another possible factor is the players around JDM in the lineup. In 2018, Bogaerts often batted 4-5 and was some protection behind Martinez. In 2019, Bogaerts often batted 2-3. JDM never really had much bat protection behind him especially w Moreland/Pierce hurt most of the year.

4 Games In his first year in the minors , But that was !0 years ago

Not a guarantee. Some rumors in Boston media that he won't. We should know by the weekend.

Two things 1. JD has never played 1st in majors. 2. After having a year w some back issues, 1st would be a terrible place to play.

Rendon already turned down a $210/7 year deal w Washington last month. If the Sox went for him, I would not be confident they would still be willing to spend big bucks elsewhere. I think if they are going to spend $30Mil it should go to SP as the first priority. If you think they are going to do that and still spend 30+ on Rendon then I agree. My gut is they will jump the payroll to $125.

Hopefully they were not idiots because if they were, they are the same ones going into this FA season.

My guess is Boston will start by trading Price and eating 50% of his contract. The question is would teams want Price at $48/3.

I would assume some of that was the back issues he battled at times in 2019. He also played in the field less as well because of his back.

He may be but he is a gamble. In 2019 he had shoulder, groin and achilles issues. Obviously w the fluke achilles, he was never able to show that his fastball was back in his rehab then ML 1 inning stint. If he comes really cheap he is definitely worth a shot but if it comes down to a 1yr he probably will stay in NY. I am not sure how available the achilles medical reports are?

Not necessarily. Betts in his "hit the FA market year" may be more valuable to them in their pursuit of a playoff spot than getting a mediocre return. I think, like the Goldschmidt trade, someone will take a flyer on Betts with MLB talent hoping to sign him long-term. I would love him on the Sox long-term but I would be afraid we would only be a rental stop. Now that their new nerd-GM is in place, decisions should be made after the series on at least JDM. I would assume Betts will not be moved till ST.

If Boston loses JDM and decide they will trade Betts, they will want MLB ready talent in return like Goldschmidt got last year. "A year ago, the Diamondbacks had a franchise player in Paul Goldschmidt, who had just one remaining year before reaching free agency. Arizona found a market of roughly four teams for the first baseman’s services, electing to deal him to St. Louis for two projected big league regulars — catcher Carson Kelly and pitcher Luke Weaver — along with a decent prospect with a limited ceiling (Andy Young), as well as a competitive balance draft pick. They secured multiple players ready to be solid big leaguers (even if not stars) while also deepening their prospect pool. On one hand, Goldschmidt represented a relative bargain at $14.5 million entering the final year of his deal. Moreover, at 31, he seemed open to a long-term deal with a team that traded for him. Still, his market was limited by his position (first base) and post-prime age. One executive surmised that Betts, even with a projected salary through arbitration of more than $27 million and a near-certain entry into free agency, might find interest level to be twice that of Goldschmidt’s given his value in center or right, creating the possibility to exceed the package garnered by Arizona." https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/10/07/someone-gotta-assessing-trade-value-mookie-betts/JoTYwAy6YSjjOU6mBWUNFN/story.html

You can't assume that. Maybe Gio in the Nats rotation this year would have been the 2018 version we saw. Like TA took a major step up this season, Gio also made changes that reversed his progress.

Grandal wore out in the 2nd half as well. His stats are pretty much the same as McCann's. Grandal usually wears out in the 2nd half so i think more rest will really help him stay fresh. But I disagree w the posters who see him getting less than $15 mil per year. My gut is 3/$54 will be his new deal. I also don't think he gets the $20 that some predict.

You have lost me. In this scenario, you have released McCann and made Collins your back-up? I don't think they can assume Collins is a #2 and if Grandal got hurt they are screwed. If they sign Grandal, I think they catch McCann the other 60 games. Let Collins catch a year at AAA and see how he progresses. Also Grandal had as bad a 2nd half as McCann. Historically, Grandal struggles in the 2nd half. Maybe only catching him 100 games vs his usual 130 will prevent his 2nd half drop-off.

I think you only want JDM to play RF to satisfy his desire to not be just a DH. Boston played him about 25% of the time. The problem is he has had back issues so limiting his OF appearances may actually keep him healthy.

Koch's article was written in a totally different context. His idea was to trade Devers along w David Price and his $$ contract in order to resign Betts and JDM. Maybe when the White Sox are up against the luxury tax limit you look to trade rebuild assets to protect other assets.

I think it is a good idea but they also could get burned. What if he wants to be a SS? Also there is the gamble he struggles in RF or is unhappy and you end up with more issues. I think as fans we all say players can be moved to a new position but not all like to or are able to.

I think the difference is he has been there a year so they should have good info on the risk. They also know his clubhouse influence, how the staff feels etc. But maybe he hates Milwaukee and the Brewers don't end up w an advantage.

He turned down 4/$60 from the Mets so I have to think he will at least get 3/55 from someone, possibly the Brewers.

When you say $50 after arbitration. roughly how many roster spots does that cover? I agree they won't go $90 again but I don't think they go over $120. I think your $30 for Wheeler( type) plus a 5th seems pretty accurate. One thing many posters don't seem to mention is a LH starter. It seems the better FA are RH but we need a quality LH in case Rodon has struggles.

No. He signed w Boston on the stipulation that he was not just a DH. He is a poor but not terrible RF, maybe Eloy-like. It would be doubtful any NL team would take him so it might come down to staying in in Boston at $21 Mil or going to White Sox if they offer something like 3/75Mil. He may be too expensive for Toronto who most likely will show interest.

But Martinez signed w the expectation to play on occasion in the OF. He played about 25% of the games in either LF or RF. I think he is considered a below average but not terrible RF. Maybe that would describe Eloy as well? " Convincing Martinez to sign on the dotted line came with the promise that he would occasionally see time in the outfield." https://bosoxinjection.com/2019/03/10/red-sox-plan-use-j-d-martinez-right-field/

According to attached, Cardinals were 9th at $165 and Mariners were 10th at $152. So if we added $80( 100% increase) we would be 10th or top third. But my gut is we end up at $120 (50% increase) which is 17th. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/salaries/2019/team/all/

One factor in who we sign is whether Hahn has a budget going in. If the Sox payroll in 2019 was about $80 Mil( I know different sources have different amounts) thne I would assume Hahn is going in with something like a 25%, 50% or 100% increase. I think that number will determine where he spends. For example, if he has another $80 to add, then Grandal would be a target. If he has $20 Mil( plus players leaving) then I would think they will spend it elsewhere. My guess is the number will be around $120 Mil. I would think his first move is a SP since that may very well be his costliest add. I would guess, Grandal is probably going for at least 4/$72

Hopefully the Yankees will target Cole. Remember they really wanted Wheeler at the deadline but the teams couldn't agree on a deal.