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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 24, 2020 10:15:31 GMT -5
All Red Sox news on and off season Thread.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 25, 2020 11:28:10 GMT -5
testing does anyone see this?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 9:13:05 GMT -5
Red Sox Unlikely To Trade Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez
By Anthony Franco | August 30, 2020 at 7:58am CDT
At 11-22, the Red Sox are one of the league’s few clear sellers. In recent days, teams have been connected to each of Matt Barnes, Christian Vázquez, Kevin Pillar and Jackie Bradley, Jr. While those players all look like strong trade candidates, star shortstop Xander Bogaerts and designated hitter J.D. Martinez are unlikely to be traded before Monday’s deadline, hears Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
That’s not particularly surprising, as Bogaerts and Martinez were always something of longshots to move because of their contractual situations. The former signed a six year, $120MM extension last April that’ll pay him around $3.5MM the rest of this season and guarantee him $20MM every year from 2021-25. For a player of Bogaerts’ caliber, that’s a more than reasonable rate in a vacuum. But teams are often reluctant to take on hefty financial commitments mid-season, and that’s all the more true in a year when every team is facing massive, pandemic-driven revenue losses.
It’s possible the Sox could explore a Bogaerts trade this offseason, although getting a deal done would hardly be much easier. His extension comes with a potential full no-trade clause that will kick in September 6, meaning Bogaerts could block any offseason move. He also has an opt-out clause after 2022, further complicating matters. If Boagerts continues to perform at an elite level, he’d very likely exercise that opt-out and hit free agency two-plus years from now. If he were to underperform or get bogged down by injury, any acquiring team would be on the hook for the entirety of the deal at fairly significant rates.
Those logistical challenges cast doubt on the likelihood of a trade, but Bogaerts continues to offer fantastic production. He’s been the seventh most valuable position player by fWAR since the start of 2018, hitting a robust .299/.372/.541 (137 wRC+) with solid defense at shortstop. Disappointing 2020 aside, Boston doesn’t seem ticketed for any sort of large-scale rebuild. They’d certainly be happy to continue slotting Bogaerts into the middle of the lineup if they’re not bowled over by a great offer.
While Bogaerts has continued to perform up to his lofty standards, Martinez has not. The 33-year-old would’ve been an obvious trade candidate had he been hitting anywhere near his 2018-19 levels, when he combined for a .317/.392/.593 line (154 wRC+) with 79 home runs in 1306 plate appearances. He’s off to a miserable start in 2020, though, mustering just a .207/.295/.371 mark through 31 games. More worrisome, Martinez’s average exit velocity is down over two miles per hour from last season (and over four MPH from his 2018 peak).
One poor month doesn’t negate Martinez’s elite track record, but it makes him a risky buy for potential contenders. He’s due a little over $4MM for the rest of this season and is guaranteed $38.75MM over the next two years. Martinez can opt out at the end of this season or next; while he once seemed a strong candidate to test free agency after 2020, it’s unlikely he’d do so unless he turns things around quickly. With ownership groups across the league hesitant to absorb much money, it seems Martinez will try to recapture his old form down the stretch at Fenway.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 9:16:45 GMT -5
Red Sox open for deadline business, but their shelves appear a bit bare By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated August 29, 2020, 11:41 p.m. 23 Matt Barnes has an impact arm that could net the Red Sox a strong return at the trade deadline. Matt Barnes has an impact arm that could net the Red Sox a strong return at the trade deadline.Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Time and again, the Red Sox have promised they’ll remain active in advance of Monday’s trade deadline, open-minded — at least in theory — to moving virtually anyone on the roster amidst a season that stands a strong chance of ending as one of the worst in franchise history. Openness to dramatic deals, however, is not the same as a likelihood of them occurring.
It would be a surprise if the Sox, who already moved Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree, sat still through Monday, but it would be equally surprising if the team started trading away players who are easily envisioned as long-term core contributors.
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The Sox are interested in building towards sustainable contention — i.e., creating a broad talent base of players with multiple years of team control — but they’re also committed to trying to contend in 2021. That being the case, the scope of a sell-off may well be limited to players who are either eligible for free agency after this year or next. While they didn’t rule out the possibility completely, multiple evaluators consider it unlikely that the Sox move players who are under team control beyond 2021. Get 108 Stitches in your inboxGet everything baseball from the Globe's Red Sox reporters every Monday-Friday during baseball season, and weekly in the off season.
So when the dust settles on Monday, who’s likely to be around? Untouchable-ish
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom didn’t want to back himself into a corner — after all, he’s already dealt away Mookie Betts — but realistically, the Sox aren’t dealing players who they see as part of their long-term core. So, there’s little chance that Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, or Alex Verdugo gets traded.
Christian Vazquez isn’t quite as off-limits, but he’s still unlikely to be dealt. He’s signed to an affordable contract through 2021 with an option for 2022, represents an above-average option behind the plate, and there’s a general scarcity of catching both in the Sox organization and throughout baseball. Plus, his trade value might be capped by his offensive struggles this year.
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Perhaps under normal circumstances, the Sox would have considered moving Andrew Benintendi for a pitcher. But with Benintendi nowhere near returning from a rib injury and his production cratered, that possibility is gone.
Nate Eovaldi was unlikely to be dealt under any circumstances due to the two years and $34 million he’s owed, but his placement on the injured list with a calf injury Saturday essentially ensures that he’s going nowhere. No market
At the start of the year, J.D. Martinez seemed like one of the most fascinating Red Sox trade candidates given the expansion of the designated hitter into both leagues. On one hand, he’s historically one of the premier hitters in baseball. On the other hand, his contract — which has two years and $38.7 million remaining, as well as opt-outs after both the 2020 and 2021 season — has always made it puzzling to figure out whether he could be dealt.
However, Martinez is amidst one of the worst stretches of his career. He carried a .205/.297/.366 line into Saturday, his routine upended by the lack of access to video and restrictions on access to the batting cage during games. The likely targets
Supply and demand suggests that relievers will have value, part of the reason why the Phillies wanted to strike early to acquire Workman and Hembree for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold. Baseball is awash in injuries after its compressed July reboot, and teams need arms.
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As such, Matt Barnes — a healthy reliever with a history of regular-season and postseason success, as well as multiple swing-and-miss offerings and an additional year of team control beyond the 2020 season — may be one of the likeliest Red Sox players to be dealt.
The righthander’s trade value has taken a hit both because of his inconsistent performance this year — in his first 12 innings, going into Saturday, he had a 6.00 ERA with 15 strikeouts and nine walks — and because, as manager Ron Roenicke acknowledged, his “stuff is a little bit down, but I still like what he’s doing and I still like the fastball.”
Barnes entered Saturday with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 95.1 miles per hour this year, down from 96.6 m.p.h. in 2019. He hadn’t gotten the same volume of swings and misses with his fastball/curveball combination that he has in the past few years.
That backdrop made his appearance on Saturday night a potentially significant one. Barnes featured perhaps his best stuff of the season. He commanded his fastball well while topping out at 97 m.p.h. while getting a season-high five swings-and-misses to record a save in the Red Sox’ 5-3 win over the Nationals.
“Good to see,” said Roenicke.
Though inconsistent this year, he’s had enough strong outings this year to look like a pitcher capable of making an impact for a team this year and next, and he’ll likely never again have more trade value than he does right now. Perhaps, as the Sox did with Workman, they could package him with additional players to increase the return.
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Interest in complementary rental players who are eligible for free agency after this year is kicking up, suggesting that there should be a modest market for Kevin Pillar. The same could be true of Jackie Bradley Jr., but for a team that borders on unrecognizable, the Sox may not want to deal one of their long-time anchors given that he’d be unlikely to command more than a marginal prospect.
Mitch Moreland represents an intriguing candidate. He’s been a force this year, leading the big leagues entering Saturday with a 1.309 OPS against righthanders, and with an inexpensive team option on his contract for 2021, he wouldn’t be a pure rental. Even so, because he has a contract option, there’s no rush for the Sox to deal him if teams aren’t willing to offer a valuable prospect in return.
Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him on twitter at @alexspeier.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 9:17:59 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox trade rumors: Matt Barnes drawing interest from Cubs, Nationals in addition to Astros (report) Updated 7:45 AM; Today 6:05 AM Matt Barnes
Boston Red Sox's Matt Barnes pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes is drawing trade interest from the Cubs and Nationals in addition to the previously reported Astros, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal. According to McAdam, the Cubs are among the clubs “most interested” in Barnes while Washington and Houston have engaged in talks with the Red Sox.
Barnes, who got the save in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Nationals, owns a 5.54 ERA in 13 appearances this season. He is one of Boston’s most coveted trade candidates in part because he is under club control through next season and any team who acquires him will have him under contract through 2021.
On Friday night, The Athletic reported Houston has expressed interest in Barnes. The addition of Chicago (which at 19-14 leads the NL Central) and Washington (who at 12-18 are in last place in the NL East) into the sweepstakes will create some competition as the Red Sox hope to drive Barnes’ price up before Monday afternoon.
Barnes drew interest from multiple teams at last year’s trade deadline and the Red Sox discussed him with multiple teams during the winter, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Before the club traded Workman and Hembree, NBC Sports Boston’s John Tomase reported that Barnes was Boston’s most coveted bullpen piece before the deadline.
Last weekend, Barnes said he wasn’t worried about the possibility of being traded.
“If rumors and stuff start floating around, obviously you’re going to see them,” Barnes said. “But at the end of the day, I’m on the Red Sox right now, and I need to go out there and be prepared to go get three, four, five outs, whatever it may be that’s called upon me tonight if the situation arises. And if I start trying to distract myself on ‘what-ifs’ and ‘oh nos,’ then I’m not going to do justice to myself or my teammates tonight. So you have to take it day by day. Obviously things could change by the minute right now. But that’s part of the business. That’s part of what we sign up for. And until Chaim or Rags (Roenicke) or somebody calls me to the office and says, ‘You’re no longer with us,’ my full attention and my full devotion is to this organization and winning ballgames.”
“I have absolutely no control over whether or not I get traded,” Barnes added. “So to me, worrying about something I have absolutely no control over seems like a waste of time.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 9:18:51 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox trade rumors: Giants, Indians ‘believed’ to have interest in Jackie Bradley Jr. (report) Today 6:00 AM Jackie Bradley Jr.
Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr. makes the catch on the fly out by Washington Nationals' Howie Kendrick during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
The Giants and Indians are among the teams “believed” to have interest in trading for Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Heyman reports that the Red Sox may ultimately decide to hold onto Bradley Jr. through Monday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.
With the deadline fast approaching, Bradley Jr. stands out as a likely trade candidate for a Red Sox team intent on selling. The 30-year-old is a free agent at the end of the season and doesn’t appear particularly likely to re-sign with Boston with top outfield prospect Jarren Duran projected to join Alex Verdugo and Andrew Benintendi in a young Red Sox outfield in 2021.
Bradley Jr., who is hitting .245 with two homers and 11 RBIs through his first 29 games in 2020, hasn’t shown much at the plate this season but is still one of the American League’s premier defenders in center field. His relatively high salary ($11 million before being prorated) might scare some teams off, but the Red Sox are reportedly willing to kick in some salary relief to facilitate deals like they did in the trade that sent Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to Philadelphia last week.
The American League Central-leading Indians are known to be looking for outfield help and have also been loosely linked to both Benintendi and Verdugo so far this month. San Francisco is 16-19 and in the mix for a wild-card spot in the National League and is expected to add some pieces before Monday afternoon.
Though Bradley Jr.’s status makes him a logical candidate to be dealt, the Red Sox might decide to keep him due to his importance in the clubhouse. In addition to being one of the team’s longest-tenured players, the veteran is the club’s only African-American player and has taken on a more active role in recent weeks in speaking out about racial injustice and the importance of equality in the United States.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 10:52:17 GMT -5
Padres Acquire Mitch Moreland
By Anthony Franco | August 30, 2020 at 10:24am CDT
The Padres are acquiring first baseman Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox, reports Robert Murray (Twitter link). Prospects Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario are headed to Boston in return, reports Dennis Lin of the Athletic (via Twitter). The Padres have since announced the trade.
Moreland, 34, has been in Boston since the start of 2017. On the whole, he’s been a little better than average at the plate, combining for a .251/.332/.471 line (108 wRC+). He has been on an absolute tear this season, though, blasting eight home runs in 79 plate appearances en route to a .328/.430/.746 slash. Moreland has always hit the ball hard, generally avoided strikeouts and drawn his fair share of walks.
Like incumbent Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, Moreland’s a left-handed bat, but he could complement right-handed hitting DH Ty France. Thanks in part to strong contributions from Hosmer and France, San Diego’s lineup has been among the best in baseball this season. Moreland is owed the balance of his $925K prorated salary and comes with an affordable $3MM club option for 2021.
More to come.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:02:43 GMT -5
Red Sox trade Mitch Moreland to Padres, call up Bobby Dalbec By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated August 30, 2020, 25 minutes ago 10
With Monday’s trade deadline approaching, the Red Sox dealt yet another on- and off-field anchor of their recent teams, this time trading first baseman Mitch Moreland to the Padres in exchange for infielder Hudson Potts and outfielder Jeisson Rosario.
Moreland signed with the Sox as a free agent prior to the 2017 season, and re-signed with the team both after that season (a two-year deal) and just before the start of the 2020 campaign – a sign of how much the Sox valued both his skill-set and off-field leadership.
“When you want to move forward,” Ron Roenicke told the media after the trade was made official, “... You make hard deals at times.”
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Roenicke said Moreland “should be huge” for the Padres.
He was amidst a dominant 2020 performance, hitting .328/.430/.746. He has an affordable $3 million option for the 2021 season, a fact that added to the return offered by the Padres, who sent the Red Sox what one evaluator described as “two real prospects.” Get 108 Stitches in your inboxGet everything baseball from the Globe's Red Sox reporters every Monday-Friday during baseball season, and weekly in the off season.
Rosario – one of the top prospects in the 2016 international amateur pool – is a 20-year-old CF who hit .242/.372/.314 in High-A as a 19-year-old last year. His speed makes him a potential impact defensive player, while his plate discipline gives him a chance to contribute offensively – though to date, he’s struggled to make solid contact in games.
Potts, an infielder, was a 2016 first rounder who reached Double A last year as a 20-year-old. Baseball America recently ranked him as the No. 17 prospect in a loaded Padres organization thanks to what one evaluator described as “big power potential” and solid defense at third base. However, his strikeout rate does create questions about his floor. Potts hit .227/.290/.406 last year in the Texas League.
In many respects, Potts’ profile is similar to that of another top Red Sox prospect, Bobby Dalbec, whom the Red Sox are calling up on Sunday to replace Moreland at first base. He’ll start in their series finale against the Nationals at 1:35 p.m.
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As part of the moves, the Red Sox also released infielder Marco Hernandez.
The MLB trade deadline in the coronavirus-shortened season is Monday at 4 p.m.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:09:43 GMT -5
Jon Heyman @jonheyman · 33m On the Red Sox take
Mark Feinsand @feinsand · 34m 3B Hudson Potts (No. 16) and OF Jeisson Rosario (No. 19) were among the @padres' Top 20 prospects, per @mlbpipeline. Here are the scouting reports on the two newest members of the @redsox:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:16:01 GMT -5
Bobby Dalbec called up: Boston Red Sox promote top infield prospect after trading Mitch Moreland to Padres Updated 12:06 PM; Today 11:57 AM Bobby Dalbec
Boston Red Sox third baseman Bobby Dalbec grabs an infield grounder single by Baltimore Orioles JC Escara in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
The Red Sox are calling up top infield prospect Bobby Dalbec and hope to have him in the starting lineup Sunday against the Nationals, manager Ron Roenicke announced. Boston traded first baseman Mitch Moreland to the Padres for prospects Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario earlier in the day.
Dalbec is on his way up from the club’s alternate training site in Pawtucket and will play Sunday if he makes it in time. The 25-year-old, who was Boston’s fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, is currently ranked by MLB.com as the third-best prospect in the club’s farm system.
Dalbec hit .239 with 27 home runs and 73 RBIs in 135 games split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket last season. Immediately, he’ll join Michael Chavis in the mix for playing time at first base in the majors.
“I think it’s really important to see the possibility of what the future could look like,” Roenicke said. “Getting Bobby up here, who has been a guy who has been on our radar for a long time as one of our top prospects. Knowing the upside to what we think this guy can become. I think it’s important to see him, to see what he can do, and for him also to get comfortable with being in the big leagues. It’s still a weird atmosphere. It’s not the same as it was. I still think the atmosphere, knowing you’re in the big leagues will be important to him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:19:56 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 36m Sox make trade official. To make room for Potts and Rosario, Marco Hernandez was released.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:22:30 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 48m Hudson Potts is a 21-year-old INF. He was the 24th overall pick in the 2016 #MLB Draft.
Jeisson Rosario is a 20-year-old OF. He was an international signing from the Dominican Republic in 2016 for $1.85 million. No. 9 international prospect in that class per @jessesanchezmlb .
Moreland is likely to serve as a designated hitter for San Diego -- they already have Eric Hosmer, another left-handed hitter, at first base.
The Padres are going for it. The #RedSox continue their selloff, having already moved Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:23:31 GMT -5
Fred Lynn @19fredlynn · 11m Mitch Moreland will be a real asset in San Diego. #classact quality player and my wife’s favorite player. @redsox @nesn @padres Best of luck.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:24:35 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 45m Moreland has hit well all season and has a ton of postseason experience. Good pickup for SD.
Moreland's deal includes a team option for 2021 at $3 million.
.770 OPS for Moreland in 386 games for the Sox over four years.
.333/.412/.533 in 15 playoff games.
Very good 1B, clubhouse leader, involved in charitable efforts, a real pro.
He'll be missed in Boston.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 30, 2020 11:25:05 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 25m Brock Holt just said that the Red Sox never engaged him in contract talks over the offseason, which surprised him.
Also said when he texted with Mitch Moreland yesterday, Moreland didn't expect he was getting traded.
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