Free Agents

[harfman77]

Curious as to why you say that? If he can't indeed play the OF then I agree because I doubt either he or Abreu become a full time DH. That's why I was asking about the report of his ability to play the OF.

 

I know he's RH but so is Tomas. Is he simply not ML ready? I can't find much about the guy.

 

I don't think his bat is good enough to warrant the cost and a roster spot over someone like Andy Wilkins. I just don't see him as a fit, I believe he was Abreu's backup in Cuba, and doesn't really have the big bat profile of a lot of the other players that are being discussed. He is a guy that you would take a chance on with a minor league deal, but not throw a large signing bonus at.

[LDF]

I don't think his bat is good enough to warrant the cost and a roster spot over someone like Andy Wilkins. I just don't see him as a fit, I believe he was Abreu's backup in Cuba, and doesn't really have the big bat profile of a lot of the other players that are being discussed. He is a guy that you would take a chance on with a minor league deal, but not throw a large signing bonus at.

 

those players were discuss another thread.

 

http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?sh...92536&st=75

 

bottom line, and enticing package but I am questioning his

hit tools.

[NorthSideSox72]

If you haven't read this, it is great. SSS reviews 23 potential free agents... as items in the SkyMall catalog.

 

[LDF]

If you haven't read this, it is great. SSS reviews 23 potential free agents... as items in the SkyMall catalog.

 

man it was so kool. I laugh really hard. I don't if he intended to be tongue in cheek

humor or not. but it is funny.

 

then again maybe it is me.

 

thanks for sharing. still I needed the laugh.

[shysocks]

If you haven't read this, it is great. SSS reviews 23 potential free agents... as items in the SkyMall catalog.

Before reading I figured Scherzer would be the 7-foot Bigfoot garden statue... I was unaware there was something more ridiculous than that in SkyMall.

[bear_brian]

Here is an "all-in" FA approach for 2015:

 

1. Chase Headley for 4 years, $56M: great 3B defense, switch hitter, hope power returns, allows Gillaspie as trade chip

 

2. Kendry Morales for 2 years, $15M: Cuban, throw last year out due to late start, another switch hitter, can DH and play 1B. Teaming with Abreu would facilitate big comeback??

 

3. Emilio Bonifacio for 3 year, $10M: versatile, IF/OF, fast, would replace the pathetic L Garcia

 

4. Bullpen: a) Zach Duke for 3 years, $13M: LH, high K rate

b) Luke Gregerson for 3 years, $20M: one of the best RH relief pitchers, could close

 

5. Jason Hammel for 3 years $25M: gives us the RH starter, allows Bassit to go to bullpen

 

This adds approximately $ 45M to payroll, keeping us around $100M

[shysocks]

2. Kendry Morales for 2 years, $15M: Cuban, throw last year out due to late start, another switch hitter, can DH and play 1B. Teaming with Abreu would facilitate big comeback??

Morales could be a good pickup. He's not that old and last season has his price at an all-time low, but at the same time it's such a ridiculous outlier and he's always been a good hitter. I'd prefer the rotating DH/play matchups construction, but if we have to employ a full-time DH, we could do worse.

[LDF]

Here is an "all-in" FA approach for 2015:

 

1. Chase Headley for 4 years, $56M: great 3B defense, switch hitter, hope power returns, allows Gillaspie as trade chip

 

2. Kendry Morales for 2 years, $15M: Cuban, throw last year out due to late start, another switch hitter, can DH and play 1B. Teaming with Abreu would facilitate big comeback??

 

3. Emilio Bonifacio for 3 year, $10M: versatile, IF/OF, fast, would replace the pathetic L Garcia

 

4. Bullpen: a) Zach Duke for 3 years, $13M: LH, high K rate

b) Luke Gregerson for 3 years, $20M: one of the best RH relief pitchers, could close

 

5. Jason Hammel for 3 years $25M: gives us the RH starter, allows Bassit to go to bullpen

 

This adds approximately $ 45M to payroll, keeping us around $100M

 

interesting reading. well thought out. good job.

 

I saw this about Morales and I was gong to comment on it earlier but here goes.

on the rumor page the offseason plan on Cle, the reporter venture on it by saying

that he can see Cle going after Morales. the price tag could be a 1 yr at a low

salary to reestablish his value.

[Balta1701]

interesting reading. well thought out. good job.

 

I saw this about Morales and I was gong to comment on it earlier but here goes.

on the rumor page the offseason plan on Cle, the reporter venture on it by saying

that he can see Cle going after Morales. the price tag could be a 1 yr at a low

salary to reestablish his value.

The problem with Morales being part of an "all in" campaign is...what happens if he continues being terrible next year? We spent $40 million on other guys and wound up with a .615 OPS from our DH spot and that costs us a playoff birth.

[Whisox05]

Bruce Levine on Pablo Sandoval http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/10/21/lev...pablo-sandoval/

[LDF]

The problem with Morales being part of an "all in" campaign is...what happens if he continues being terrible next year? We spent $40 million on other guys and wound up with a .615 OPS from our DH spot and that costs us a playoff birth.

 

that is a very good point. but all this, the performances of the

players are all a risk. the worst gamble in injury.

 

re Morales, he has had a up - down hitting career. it may be a

good gamble, esp if he came with a low 1 yr salary.

[bear_brian]

The problem with Morales being part of an "all in" campaign is...what happens if he continues being terrible next year? We spent $40 million on other guys and wound up with a .615 OPS from our DH spot and that costs us a playoff birth.

 

I don't disagree with your question, but we have to find a DH who can replace Dunn with the potential for better production but without tat terrible salary. Morales is a calculated gamble, with a good hitting history.

[Balta1701]

that is a very good point. but all this, the performances of the

players are all a risk. the worst gamble in injury.

 

re Morales, he has had a up - down hitting career. it may be a

good gamble, esp if he came with a low 1 yr salary.

I don't disagree with it being a move the Sox could make, I disagree with it being a good gamble if we're spending $40 million elsewhere. We wouldn't just be risking the salary spent on Morales, we'd be risking the entire extra payroll boost.

 

If we're spending $40 million/year this offseason, then spend an extra $5 million and bring in a DH who had a better year last year than Morales. Otherwise, don't bother spending it.

[LDF]

 

is a question, is it me or does a lot of sports site have

a more than avg interest in the sox team and its young

farm system.

 

 

 

[LDF]

I don't disagree with it being a move the Sox could make, I disagree with it being a good gamble if we're spending $40 million elsewhere. We wouldn't just be risking the salary spent on Morales, we'd be risking the entire extra payroll boost.

 

If we're spending $40 million/year this offseason, then spend an extra $5 million and bring in a DH who had a better year last year than Morales. Otherwise, don't bother spending it.

 

ohhh that is a great point. damn, I can't think of a counter now.

 

good job.

[harfman77]

I don't disagree with your question, but we have to find a DH who can replace Dunn with the potential for better production but without tat terrible salary. Morales is a calculated gamble, with a good hitting history.

 

To that end, I would rather pursue Pedro Alvarez or Dom Brown, both have Dunn like power with potential to hit better. They will also both cost less from a financial and prospect standpoint.

[shysocks]

To that end, I would rather pursue Pedro Alvarez or Dom Brown, both have Dunn like power with potential to hit better. They will also both cost less from a financial and prospect standpoint.

Saying Domonic Brown has the potential to hit better is really stretching the word potential to its limits. He stunk just as badly as Morales last year, except he doesn't have Morales' track record or the excuse of signing with a team in the middle of the year.

 

Alvarez, I agree, is an interesting option.

[southsider2k5]

I'd rather talk Adam Dunn out of retirement vs Morales.

[Eminor3rd]

I'd rather talk Adam Dunn out of retirement vs Morales.

 

Especially in a two-year deal. To me, he's only a candidate on a one year pillow contract and only if we fail at our main plan.

[bear_brian]

If money is no object, then V-Mart is the ultimate answer. I do not think the Tigers will let him get away, and it is probably not a wise diecision to invest in a 36 year old. I am intrigued by Alvarez, but what do we have to offer the Pirates? Dominic Brown is Dayan Viciedo, so no thanks. And - I identified a 2-year deal for Morales because I believe as a Boras client that is what it will take.

 

Don't you guys see Abreu as a catalyst for a Morales comeback? A real Cuban connection This guy was a very good hitter prior to last year, when he held out and missed all of spring training.

[harfman77]

Saying Domonic Brown has the potential to hit better is really stretching the word potential to its limits. He stunk just as badly as Morales last year, except he doesn't have Morales' track record or the excuse of signing with a team in the middle of the year.

 

Alvarez, I agree, is an interesting option.

 

Better than Dunn, not Morales. Morales is much better at putting the ball in play, but doesn't have the big power potential of Dunn, Brown, or Alvarez. Alvarez and Brown are both much more athletic than Morales and can at least run the bases, Morales has been more of a monolith since he injured his ankle. I like Morales a lot, but I am not sure how much he fits this team as constructed.

 

 

[joejoedairy]

I think Brandon McCarthy would be a good signing.

 

His numbers once he went to the Yankees and started using his change up were great

[Dick Allen]

The problem with Morales being part of an "all in" campaign is...what happens if he continues being terrible next year? We spent $40 million on other guys and wound up with a .615 OPS from our DH spot and that costs us a playoff birth.

Everyone can be terrible next year. No reason to ever spend money in an effort to improve. As Stacey says, if you are scared, buy a dog.

 

Morales with Boras being his agent, probably would opt for a one year deal instead of going really cheap for 2 or 3.

[shysocks]

Better than Dunn, not Morales. Morales is much better at putting the ball in play, but doesn't have the big power potential of Dunn, Brown, or Alvarez. Alvarez and Brown are both much more athletic than Morales and can at least run the bases, Morales has been more of a monolith since he injured his ankle. I like Morales a lot, but I am not sure how much he fits this team as constructed.

I agree with most of this, but I don't agree that Morales can't equal Brown's power. Brown has had one season as high as Morales' career ISO. His ISO in the minors is lower than Morales' career ISO. I'd take Morales before Brown and I don't think it's that close, even if you talk about acquisition cost.

 

I don't see 2014 as the start of a rapid decline for Morales; more like just a rotten fluke. Sounds like you feel roughly the same.

[Eminor3rd]

Everyone can be terrible next year. No reason to ever spend money in an effort to improve. As Stacey says, if you are scared, buy a dog.

 

Not wanting to spend money on players you think are bad has nothing to do with being scared.