What is with all the fascination with Ian Desmond on here? He is the type of player that the Sox should be avoiding.

He is a good defensive shortstop who will hit 20+ HR and steal 15-20 bases and won't be overly expensive. Also willing to play other positions so a multiyear deal is an option. He has literally had 1 bad year and it happened to be in a contract season, a reverse Cespedes. You hope Desmond can bounce back for cheap rather than hoping Cespedes can maintain for 27.5m

Edited January 23, 201610 yr by Knackattack

If he doesn't opt out, it almost definitely means he didn't come anywhere close to repeating his 2015 season.

What is with all the fascination with Ian Desmond on here? He is the type of player that the Sox should be avoiding.

 

Until last year...his numbers were really sick. If he could be had with a cheap, incentive laden deal with just a one year club commitment...that'd be a very worthwhile signing.

 

What is with all the fascination with Ian Desmond on here? He is the type of player that the Sox should be avoiding.

 

He's the opposite of Cespedes.

 

Great/underrated player at most important position on the field in the prime of his career.

 

Buy low instead of overpay.

 

Clearly was affected by off-field issues last year.

 

If Marcus Semien is 8th, he's top five if he plays like the previous seasons...you have Correa and Lindor, Crawford, Bogaerts...aging Tulo and Andrelton Simmons.

 

 

 

 

 

God knows I have too many posts in this thread that were anti-Cespedes, but for those that wanted him....would you have been ok with paying him 27.5?

He is a good defensive shortstop who will hit 20+ HR and won't be overly expensive. Also willing to play other positions so a multiyear deal is an option. He has literally had 1 bad year and it happened to be in a contract season, a reverse Cespedes. You hope Desmond can bounce back for cheap rather than hoping Cespedes can maintain for 27.5m

-"Good defensive shortstop" is a bit of a stretch

-Will hit 20+ HR? That's a huge assumption. He hit 19 last year and may struggle converting to the AL. Nothing is guaranteed.

-He can be willing to play other positions all he wants, but his defense there will likely not be very good

-Agree with your last sentence

27.5 pretty much has to assure everyone that he opts out (cause the remaining money on that deal would be way less than a deal a year from now...unless he is hurt or totally tanks). That is a real hefty price to pay for 1 year (that said I don't blame the Mets). Clearly Cespedes wanted to stay in New York and leveraged everyone else and unless someone offered him a legit longer term deal with a lot of guaranteed money, he was going to go to the Mets.

 

Now things are finally going to get interesting. Lets see how the Sox pivot. Maybe Desmond and Jackson or Desmond and a trade.

I won't be all that surprised when Avi puts up better offensive numbers than Cespedes next year. I'd sign Jackson, move Eaton to left, and Melky to DH. Desmond, I really have no opinion on him and don't care if they sign him , or not. I'd just as soon let Saladino and Sanchez battle it out for SS.

 

Seriously?

-"Good defensive shortstop" is a bit of a stretch

-Will hit 20+ HR? That's a huge assumption. He hit 19 last year and may struggle converting to the AL. Nothing is guaranteed.

-He can be willing to play other positions all he wants, but his defense there will likely not be very good

-Agree with your last sentence

It's not a huge assumption that he'll hit 20 HR, he just had 19 in a clear down year.

God knows I have too many posts in this thread that were anti-Cespedes, but for those that wanted him....would you have been ok with paying him 27.5?

 

I wanted Cespedes, and want nothing to do with that 1 year 27.5 million contract (that's what it essentially is)

27.5 pretty much has to assure everyone that he opts out (cause the remaining money on that deal would be way less than a deal a year from now...unless he is hurt or totally tanks). That is a real hefty price to pay for 1 year (that said I don't blame the Mets). Clearly Cespedes wanted to stay in New York and leveraged everyone else and unless someone offered him a legit longer term deal with a lot of guaranteed money, he was going to go to the Mets.

 

Now things are finally going to get interesting. Lets see how the Sox pivot. Maybe Desmond and Jackson or Desmond and a trade.

 

The clear answer is Desmond & Jackson, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Desmond & trade for one of the Colorado OFers.

It's not a huge assumption that he'll hit 20 HR, he just had 19 in a clear down year.

And his career average is 19 HR/162 games.

I'm not saying this to nitpick at 19 vs. 20. There are other factors that may cause a drop in power. He could have trouble adjusting to the AL, like LaRoche and Dunn did.

That is just crazy insane money. Further illustrates the need to draft better

God knows I have too many posts in this thread that were anti-Cespedes, but for those that wanted him....would you have been ok with paying him 27.5?

 

Only if you could guarantee a 5-6 war season.

 

In other words, no.

 

The Mets' situation coming off the surprising World Series appearance is different than ours...and they can't afford him long-term.

 

Not to mention they have the ability to trade Harvey (assuming he remains 100% healthy) to replace Cespedes.

27.5 pretty much has to assure everyone that he opts out (cause the remaining money on that deal would be way less than a deal a year from now...unless he is hurt or totally tanks). That is a real hefty price to pay for 1 year (that said I don't blame the Mets). Clearly Cespedes wanted to stay in New York and leveraged everyone else and unless someone offered him a legit longer term deal with a lot of guaranteed money, he was going to go to the Mets.

 

Now things are finally going to get interesting. Lets see how the Sox pivot. Maybe Desmond and Jackson or Desmond and a trade.

 

i think some sports writer said in another thread, the sox FO stated they will not go after any one that will cost a draft pick. i hope i got it right.

The clear answer is Desmond & Jackson, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Desmond & trade for one of the Colorado OFers.

 

Yep, I'm on board with that. I don't think Jackson or Fowler is happening.

I just don't want avi in RF put him in the minors and see if he can learn

-"Good defensive shortstop" is a bit of a stretch

-Will hit 20+ HR? That's a huge assumption. He hit 19 last year and may struggle converting to the AL. Nothing is guaranteed.

-He can be willing to play other positions all he wants, but his defense there will likely not be very good

-Agree with your last sentence

Desmond -

 

Positive defensive WAR the past 5 years

Hit 20 HR three out of the last four seasons.. and the one time he missed the 20 mark he hit 19

I'm sure he could slide over to 2nd/3rd and be okay. This is a rangey shortstop with a good arm.

I wanted Cespedes, and want nothing to do with that 1 year 27.5 million contract (that's what it essentially is)

 

With you, here.

 

That has to be the dumbest deal in baseball history.

 

For me, I would have been pissed if a team signed him for something like 3/65. However, I'm at peace with what he got and Sox not offering. All the best to the Mets in the NL

That is just crazy insane money. Further illustrates the need to draft better

 

it is getting there, they just really need to blow the int't draft away and go over.... get as many prospects the team can. then let their development sort them out.

Yep, I'm on board with that. I don't think Jackson or Fowler is happening.

 

Signing Desmond and trading Avi and Adams for CarGo. I think that would work.

i think some sports writer said in another thread, the sox FO stated they will not go after any one that will cost a draft pick. i hope i got it right.

I hope you got that right too.

Signing Desmond and trading Avi and Adams for CarGo. I think that would work.

 

That would be beautiful.

For me, I would have been pissed if a team signed him for something like 3/65. However, I'm at peace with what he got and Sox not offering. All the best to the Mets in the NL

 

all i am going to say it they better kick the shiiiite out of the norhtside.