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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 11:03:39 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 17m Rosenthal on MLBN: "Vazquez is an interesting question, Sox have done background work on Mets minor leaguers. That's a possibility. Sox are entertaining anything and everything."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 11:59:33 GMT -5
Why these dark days of the Red Sox still hold hope for the future The organization has a knack for starting the path to its highest highs from its lowest lows.
By Jon Couture August 31, 2020 | 12:12 PM
COMMENTARY
For all the decades we spent bemoaning Red Sox failures to win a championship, the toxic stew we’re seeing this season is rare. Eighty-six years and curses duly noted, the Sox have been more frequently mediocre than 12-22 bad. Only once since 1934 have they lost this much, this soon, and it was 24 years ago with a team “likeable and downright interesting,” as Chad Finn wrote in his paean to 1996.
More than that, when they have been truly heinous to watch and support, the darkest days of the Red Sox have almost always managed to produce an ember. Consider, if I may delay talking about this year’s seat-fillers — understandably, but also now sadly absent Mitch Moreland — for as long as possible: Advertisement
• In 1906, Boston went 49-105, one of only five seasons in which they’ve lost at a pace worse than this year’s. The Americans’ starting catcher since their birth, Lou Criger, was ineffective that season due to a morphine addiction — shout out to “Red Sox Century” — and gave way to a succession of potential replacements. Among them was a Mainer fresh out of Holy Cross, Bill “Rough” Carrigan, who retired 10 years later as the player-manager leader of back-to-back world champions, and whose gushing admirers include Babe Ruth, who called him the best manager he ever played for.
• Boston’s other four worst teams all came between 1925-32, during the cash-strapped ownership of Bob Quinn. Somehow, losing 315 games in a three-year stretch from 1925-27 is just the start. When a barely maintained Fenway Park had a massive fire in May 1926, Quinn left it burned out and spent the insurance money on payroll. The franchise finally bottomed at 43-111 in 1932, oft-mentioned of late as the 2020 squad chases the six more wins it needs to better that .279 winning percentage. At least that year and the rampaging Depression finally shook Quinn loose, replaced by Tom Yawkey’s money. Which, noting nothing else about his legacy, can be thanked for rebuilding Fenway into the version now in baseball lore. Advertisement
• The last 100-game loser in Red Sox history came in 1965, a seventh straight sub-.500 season that coincided with the last days of, and the days following, Ted Williams. Drawing barely 8,000 fans per game, and just 1,247 for Dave Morehead’s September no-hitter was finally enough to get Yawkey to dismiss Pinky Higgins, a status-quo loving Texan in every awful way you can imagine during the 1950s and 60s. Within 24 months, Yaz was captain, a prospect-laden roster was turning heads under former Triple-A manager Dick Williams, and the modern era of Red Sox baseball was underway.
You get the point. The listless early ’90s teams of Butch Hobson led to Dan Duquette, a modern front office, and the underpinnings of the 2004 team. Bobby Valentine’s 2012 debacle begat building around chemistry and veterans with something to prove in 2013. Almost every cloud in Red Sox history has had a silver lining, so there’s no reason to think even these Not Ready For 162 Games players can’t be redeemed.
Especially when fanless games, a shortened schedule, and a distracted world have given Chaim Bloom every opportunity to rip this thing down to the studs with minimal blowback.
“At the end of the day, to do what we’re trying to do over the time period that we’re trying to do it, we need talent throughout the system. We need waves of it,” Bloom said Sunday, discussing Moreland’s trade to San Diego for a pair of 20-something position players, Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario, who were in the Padres’ top 30 prospects. “That, we think, has to be our first priority when we’re looking at trade returns in this context.”
Just 14 players remain from the 2018 world champions, with Bloom — only the chief baseball officer for 10 months — stewarding the trades of Mookie Betts, David Price, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Moreland, and whoever will follow them before the 4 p.m. Monday deadline. This, also, is not unique. When Dick O’Connell took over for the disgraceful Higgins in 1966, he largely just emptied the minors to see what he had. Duquette’s 1994 Red Sox used an MLB-leading 45 players and 23 pitchers. Among them were many of the day’s Dylan Coveys and Zack Godleys and Ryan Webers and Kyle Harts and Andrew Triggses.
It is the nature of a true rebuild. What comes today, whatever it is or isn’t, will be too. Blessed be the ones who only have to watch the pieceparts play games for two months instead of six.
In 2007, the Red Sox won their second World Series in four years, with a core that included no less than five players — Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon, and Jon Lester — who were significant parts of the title parade well before free agency. It felt like the start of something big. Four years later, it hadn’t yielded so much as another pennant, and John Henry was crashing sports radio to defend his honor to a rightfully enraged fan base.
Nothing is guaranteed, ever. Betts becoming the face of baseball in Los Angeles and eventually ending their title drought won’t make trading him wrong. Nor will Bloom being the wrong guy to spend the largesse saved by letting Betts go. This is not to defend the trade: I am standing by my initial pronouncement on the deal of, “I get it, but I hate it.”
The point is, simply, we have been here before. And we have been here with far less.
Alex Verdugo has baggage and much to learn, but he’s also got promise. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers remain a potential decade-plus infield pairing. Eduardo Rodriguez still has his potential. Pawtucket’s final days include its usual mix of possible future stars. And if flipping a stopgap first baseman like Moreland to a team dying to end a playoff drought can net what it did, who knows what Bloom can wrench from the Mets or anyone else for Christian Vazquez, or Matt Barnes, or Ryan Brasier, or Kevin Pillar, or Jackie Bradley Jr.*
(Note: Trading Bradley Jr. after his actions, and notably those of his teammates, in the last 96 hours would be something else. And yet, they traded Betts and thought moving start times to 7:30 p.m. would be a good idea, so assume anything’s on the table.)
Whatever the final record reads, this calendar year has been as embarrassing as any the Red Sox have had in recent history. Any fan they’ve truly lost has every right to walk and multiple reasons they can point to. But that also means better days must be ahead, and history tells us they will begin on a day like this.
It’s deadline day. And whatever that means for the current roster, it’s end will mean something else, as Sept. 1 is luxury tax reset day. Gross that’s something we have to celebrate.
But it beats not getting to.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:12:10 GMT -5
Jon Heyman of MLB Network writes that the Mets "have their eyes" on Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic mentioned the Mets' interest in Vazquez on MLB Network on Monday morning. The Mets already have Wilson Ramos, but not much in the way of depth beyond that. Vazquez broke out last year and is under team control through 2022, so it's going to take some real prospects to pry him loose. The Mets figure to make a move for some sort of catching depth by Monday's deadline even if it isn't a big name like Vazquez.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:14:51 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 25m With McAdam reporting earlier this week the Sox were willing to get creative with money, and the luxury tax being reset, I wonder if there is talk about eating a bad deal to buy a prospect today. Odor due $28m over the next two years, but only $8.2m AAV. Texas trying to dump him.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:30:30 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo ·
On MLB Network, @ken_Rosenthal says the Red Sox are "entertaining anything and everything"... specifically talking about Christian Vazquez and the Mets' interest.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:40:41 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:49:10 GMT -5
Evan Grant @evan_P_Grant · 6m Sources: In a money swap deal, Rangers have discussed Odor for Nathan Eovaldi. Could involve Rangers taking on money extra money. Could involve a prospect going to Boston. Could go nowhere.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:51:41 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4m Beyond this season, Eovaldi has $34 million left and Odor $27 million.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 12:55:07 GMT -5
Mike Clevinger trade shows how far Red Sox remain from competing for elite talent By John Tomase August 31, 2020 12:30 PM
The Indians made Mike Clevinger available this week in part because he lost their trust after breaking coronavirus protocols, but also because he had declined their extension offers and they couldn't afford him long-term.
This perfect storm took a pitcher who should've joined ace Shane Bieber atop Cleveland's rotation and made him expendable. The Red Sox, desperate for pitching in 2021 and beyond, were unfortunately never going to be a factor for Clevinger, even if they wanted him, a fact the Padres made clear on Monday.
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San Diego acquired Clevinger hours before the trade deadline for a package including three of its top 11 prospects.
In the process, the Padres illustrated the chasm between their farm system and Boston's, which was decimated by years of one-way trades under former president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski that built a powerhouse World Series champion in 2018 at the expense of the team's future.
According to multiple reports, the Padres will send shortstop Gabriel Arias (their No. 7 prospect, per MLB.com), left-hander Joey Cantillo (No. 9), and middle infielder Owen Miller (No. 11) to the Indians. Joining them are former top-50 prospect Cal Quantrill — who had been linked to the Red Sox in Mookie Betts rumors this winter — as well as outfielder Josh Naylor, the 12th pick in the 2015 draft.
Tomase: Smart Moreland deal continues Sox rebuild
Arias is a 20-year-old with power who projects to be a plus defender at a key position. Cantillo owns a lifetime ERA of 2.51 in three seasons since being stolen in the 16th round as one of the youngest players in the 2017 draft. Miller is considered an above-average hitter in the mold of former Padres (and Red Sox) standout Mark Loretta.
That's a ton of talent, and the Red Sox might not have been able to pull together such an offer even with their best prospects. The Padres, by contrast, retained some of the most highly regarded youngsters in baseball, including left-hander MacKenzie Gore, shortstop C.J. Abrams, right-hander Luis Patino, and catcher Luis Campusano.
The deal offers a reminder of Bloom's task — repopulate the Red Sox farm system so that Boston can not only build from within, but contend for talents like Clevinger if they hit the market. Bloom has already taken that approach with his first two deals, landing a pair of promising pitchers from the Phillies for closer Brandon Workman and setup man Heath Hembree, and a pair of position players with potential from the Padres for first baseman Mitch Moreland.
As the clock ticks towards 4 p.m., Bloom could still move setup man Matt Barnes and catcher Christian Vazquez. If he does, expect the return to be dominated once again by prospects, because the only way to build something sustainable is from the bottom up
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:20:04 GMT -5
Andy Martino @martinonyc · 4m The Red Sox ask for Christian Vazquez is very high, per league sources. Sounds like Sox and Mets would have to bridge a pretty big gap before 4 to get a deal done.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:21:46 GMT -5
Red Sox trade rumors: Boston discussing Nathan Eovaldi for Rougned Odor swap with Rangers (report) Updated 2:09 PM; Today 2:04 PM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
The Red Sox and Rangers have discussed a trade that would send right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to Texas for second baseman Rougned Odor, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It’s unclear if the deal has a chance of getting done before Monday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.
The deal could involve Boston taking on extra money to receive a prospect from the Rangers, according to Grant. Both Eovaldi (owed $34 million through 2022) and Odor (owed $27 million before a $13.5 million option kicks in for 2023) have significant salary commitments remaining, causing the clubs to look to be creative in getting a deal done.
Swapping Eovaldi for Odor would shave approximately $9 million off Boston’s 2020 payroll, allowing the Red Sox to potentially spend more in free agency this winter. Though the Red Sox need starting pitching both now and in the future, the club is clearly rebuilding and would likely be willing to move Eovaldi if a talented young prospect was included in the return.
Eovaldi, who is currently on the 10-day injured list with a mild calf strain, owns a 2-2 record and 4.98 ERA in 2020, the third year of a four-year, $68 million deal he signed with the Red Sox after the 2018 season. He has emerged as a candidate to be traded with the Red Sox reportedly being willing to send “significant” salary relief to clubs.
Odor, 26, has gotten off to a dismal start offensively this season, hitting .150 with a .485 OPS and three homers in 22 games. Though he has hit 30 home runs in three of the last four seasons, Odor has struggled to hit for average and has seen his defensive skills decline, making him expendable for the Rangers.
Odor has been sidelined for the last week with an eye infection. In Boston, he would profile as a short-term fix with pop at second base, where the Red Sox have been rotating Jose Peraza, Michael Chavis and Jonathan Arauz this season.
Both the Rangers and Red Sox have been busy as sellers in advance of the deadline. Boston has already shipped relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to the Phillies and first baseman Mitch Moreland to the Padres while the Rangers swung a deal earlier Monday to send lefty Mike Minor to the Athletics. Texas is reportedly considering trading starter Lance Lynn and slugger Joey Gallo as well.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:24:02 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 20m No idea how an actual Odor-Eovaldi swap would play out. But it would cut about $9m off of next year's payroll with no money involved, so I imagine you would get a prospect back from Texas and then just replace Eovaldi with someone this winter (Mike Minor-esque).
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 31m For luxury tax purposes, Odor is $8.25 million AAV and Eovaldi $17 million. So Odor gives you more flexibility.
Eovaldi would seem to be a more useful player at this stage.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:25:28 GMT -5
Hey KimmiRed Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 15m Sounds like we could find out today how the draft is going to work next year. Imagine handing out a World Series trophy but not believing this season's records are legitimate enough to determine draft order? Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 8m Please please please.. "While sources believe nothing will change in terms of how the draft order is determined, teams have been told that commissioner Rob Manfred has the right to modify the order with a season shorter than 81 games." baseballamerica.com/stories/source
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:43:53 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 19m Consistent with everything I’ve heard over recent days. Sox are in no rush to deal a player with multiple remaining years of control whom they value as above-avg. So, no need to make a deal for it’s own sake. Doesn’t mean they won’t deal Vazquez but they’re not driven to do so.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2020 13:50:48 GMT -5
Ken Rosenthal @ken_Rosenthal · 5m At this moment, talk of Mets landing Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez is overblown, sources tell The Athletic. Among available Red Sox players, outfielder Kevin Pillar drawing strong interest. LHP Josh Osich, RHP Matt Barnes also in play.
Cubs perhaps strongest possibility for Osich.
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