While the Red Sox's struggles so far this season have not been lost on GM Theo Epstein, the club doesn't plan to make any major moves at this time, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. Even though there still areas in which the club can improve, any additions likely will have to come from within the organization until after June 1st.
“A lot of it is dictated by opportunity,” the GM said. “You’re not going to make a blockbuster trade in April, for the most part, or May. Usually that’s something for the middle third of the season.”
The Red Sox could likely use an upgrade behind the plate, but Epstein isn't terribly concerned, citing that other clubs aren't receiving high offensive production from their catchers either. Backstops Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek have a combined slash line of .181/.246/.244 thus far.
JackParkman
should have resigned victor, not signed crawford, insert platoon of cameron/free agent signing in left with kalish taking over next year.
bust0ff
As of this moment, Crawford is 142 AB into his tenure with the Red Sox and you have already decided that Kalish would be better than Crawford. How many at bats would it take for you to declare Kalish a failure next year? No one wants a guy like you to be a Red Sox fan. How about you go watch Jersey Shore or something more your speed.
proof2006
Wow Carl Crawford is that you? You took it very personal that @JackParkman:disqus doesn’t want Crawford. Take it easy there is no need to make personal attacks. doesn’t want Crawford. Take it easy there is no need to make personal attacks.
bust0ff
Wow JackParkman is that you? There is so much negativity and knee jerk reaction surrounding the Red Sox. It is way over the top.
jondogg2010
Look at the standings, that’s what matters. As poorly as the Sox have played so far they aren’t that far behind, and if they take care of biz in the Bronx, it’ll be even THAT much better!
NomarGarciaparra
Agreed. I’ll admit I get pretty pissed off sometimes when players are struggling badly…but stay optimistic, espeically with a guy like Crawford. He’s not 35 years old; he’s still in his prime, it’s not time to write him off yet.
Bet JackParkman was also one of the many that wrote Beckett off…and look how well Beckett is pitching.
woadude
Or how about you watch Jersey Shore? Kalish has a great bat and it was apparent that the outfield was not an area of weakness for the Sox as catcher has been embarrassing for them.
Lunchbox45
martinez is only in improvement at the plate, not behind it.
The sox offense is incredible, I’m pretty sure they can afford one hole.
That statement is of course solely based on the assumption that Crawford, Youk, Pedroia etc will return to career norms but given their success and history, their is no reason to doubt that assumption
jondogg2010
The only issue is that there really aren’t any upgrades avail at C, so they are sticking put. Everyone knows it’s a weakness for them so supple & demand theory. Can Iglesias play C?
Lunchbox45
awesome awesome stuff right there
JackParkman
pretty sure the main problem for the sox is catching. with victors production there plus cameron/kalish, it would be better than the production of crawford plus salty/tek.
which would you rather have:
victor (4yrs 50 mil)
cameron/kalish (1yr 7.5 mil/ 1yr .417 mil)
57.917 mil
crawford (7yrs 142 mil)
salty/tek (1yr .75 mil/ 1yr 2mil)
144.74 mil
i would argue that the 1st choice would have better production over the longterm than the second at a much lower price. BOOM, ROASTED.
MaineSox
I would chose Crawford every time. Victor isn’t a catcher, and his bat isn’t all that special for a DH, certainly not 50mil special. You also seem to forget that Kalish may very well be in the outfield next year anyway, so it’s not like you’re choosing between Crawford and Kalish. Then you have to think about who plays right next year if Kalish is in left instead of Crawford, and you’d still likely be looking for a catcher because even if he caught this year there is no way Victor catches for the next four years.
notsureifsrs
i choose package number two
those pretending martinez was a better option forget that he was equally inept defensively and couldn’t stick behind the plate for more than the next two season. so you’d be kicking the can down the road a couple years while tolerating weak defensive catching, sacrificing two draft picks (and $50M+), and then having to settle for a powerless DH for another two years after that
nothankyou. i didn’t/don’t like the crawford contract, but the choice you presented is easy
jondogg2010
Thank you. Ignorance is bliss isn’t it? It’s SO easy to say this early on and with the $ involved how we shouldn’t have signed Crawford. He still is a top 20 player so sit tight and be patient.
Slopeboy
Sox are in good shape. Yes, they can use a decent catcher, but all in all, the team is solid and as the season goes along, they’ll get better. If they can avoid injuries, they’ll be a force.
proof2006
I wouldn’t call being 5.5 out as being in good shape, but it’s definitely not the end of their season. They have many gamed against the yankees still to cut into that lead. not the end of their season. They have many gamed against the yankees still to cut into that lead.
yazpik 2
They should trade for Miguel Olivo, he´s good behind the plate, and good vs lefties too… some power,…
jondogg2010
I think that would be a good move, only problem is since everyone knows the Sox NEEDS a catcher and it will take twice as much as it should to get him.
towney007
Of course they’re not. I’m sure they’re just itching to bail on a catching prospect they’ve chased for three years after less than 100 AB’s.
I get that this stretch has been mind blowingly frustrating, but I can’t remember a time in my life where the Boston sports media and Red Sox in general have been THIS annoying.
User 4245925809
Boston media is ALWAYS annoying, it comes from..well it’s base and general area.
Varitek is a problem and should play at most 1 game out of the rotation’s starts if he HAS to be around, the one Beckett starts since he insists on him catching his games if Boston is going to go with Salty, that is how he is going to get better not splitting playing time with an almost 40 YO who cannot hit, nor throw.
let Salty at least have some time behind the plate, 1 month playing F/T and see what he can do. If not? THEN get someone, this platoon isn’t doing any good.
Cyyoung
Absolutely, if I was the GM I would let Varitek walk and bring in another youngster. He has handcuffed the team at this position for 2 years. Now what? Trade a kid in the Minors, to upgrade the catchers spot. It goes on and on.
Boston fans think Varitek is the only catcher who ever played the game, and the hell with the pitchers who cannot pitch to different catchers, makes zero difference.
Ricky
and who plays RF next year when Drew is done??? That is where Kalish comes in. If he still has a shoulder by that time. Crawford gets out to a slow start and all of the sudden it was a big mistake to sign him. He is an amazing player and with the core the Sox have after what they did last off season they will be in contention for years.
notsureifsrs
josh reddick thinks you should all stop talking about that guy ryan kalish
quintjs
The way everyone has written off Reddick reminds me of the way everyone wrote of Lester and Lowrie, and look where they are now.
Now Reddick may not be any more than a AAAA guy at best, but he has shown some potential and hasn’t really had a great shot so far, rather being called up for a few games, demoted, recalled for a few weeks, demoted.
Not sure how it would worth with all the LH outfielders, but if they could get a RH outfielder and a RH infielder who could play the outfield for the bench next year, I would split RF between Kalish and Reddick in 2012 until one takes the job.
As for the Red Sox Catching situation in 2011 – the lack of offensive production isn’t ideal but it is hardly a massive problem on the team, there is plenty of offense 1 through 8, especially now that Crawford is starting to heat up, which the earlier posters haven’t noticed. The Red Sox main problem at catcher is they don’t have a good catcher. If you are not going to hit at catcher, you have to be gold glove, which neither Tek nor Salty are. So the Sox are getting no offense or defense at catcher, and thats a problem. They just need to get a catcher that is either going to hit, or can block balls and throw the odd runner out.
User 4245925809
forget hitting, pretty much what u said. One that can play good, solid defense and throw.
Jonathon Laird comes to my mind in that regard right now and he is sitting on the Cardinal Bench right now as a rarely used backup. he calls a good game, has a rifle for an arm and can’t hit a plug nickel. Keep Salty (the Epstein favorite) and there is then no reason to keep the “calls a good game” rubbish with Varitek since you have a game caller that STILL can’t hit with Laird, only this one ca throw out runners.
Problem solved….
jondogg2010
You’re right, he’s going to be a better player.
towney007
Well, it’s not like there aren’t a million outfield options out there. Maybe Choo ends up on the market (apologies if I’m off on his contract), maybe the answer is Kalish, maybe its a Josh Willingham type or maybe even a rehab project… who knows.
Just the pitch in general this year has been so needlessly frantic it’s mind blowing.
NomarGarciaparra
I don’t know about the contract situation with Choo either (and don’t wanna bother looking it up), but Choo would be an awesome guy to have. He is a J.D. Drew like player – good defense (Choo is probably even a bit better? Better arm at least?), 20-25HR, patient at the plate, draws lots of walks, and Choo hits for higher avg. I would suspect if he has another good season, you’d be looking at a 5 year deal for ~$80-85M.
patschamps
Just remember that Crawford always started off good in Tampa and then as the season went along it got worse. He basicly stops stealing around July 1st. Keep your heads up evilempireboston fans, at least you’ll get a high draft choice if you continue to play like you are. But then again do you know how to draft or just overpay for other teams players
MaineSox
Who let you out? Tell me you’ve at least got your helmet on.
z3rogs
CC’s Career Pre-All Star splits: .291 AVG, .334 OBP, .433 SLG
CC’s Career Post-All Star splits: .299 AVG, .335 OBP, .449 SLG
Mario Saavedra
Not to defend patschamps, but the steals statistic would be interesting to have.
MaineSox
Total stolen bases by month for his career:
Mar/Apr: 66
May: 82
June: 69
July: 69
Aug: 68
Sept/Oct: 61
notsureifsrs
what a bum
notsureifsrs
YEAR – APRIL-JUNE/JULY-SEPT
2010 – 28/19
2009 – 40/20
2008 – injury
2007 – 20/30
nothing alarming there, particularly when you remember the guy spent those seasons playing on turf all year
A
I still think Doumit or Snyder would be a good relatively cheap option. The Pirates have some minor league OF depth so the Sox don’t have to worry about Reddik or Kalish beind traded. Lars Anderson might appeal to the Pirates or maybe Doubront if the Pirates ate some salary. Or maybe you could go Doumit/Snyder and Meek(when he is healthy) for Doubront, Anderson and a piece. With the Pirates kicking in some cash.
woadude
The Pirates would be interested in Doubront but there is no way they would even listen to an offer if the name Anderson was even muttered, same with Reddick and the same with Bowden, Doubront and Scutaro would get you Snyder maybe with a low end prospect thrown in.
RedSoxDynasty
Doubront is way more valuable than Doumit/Snyder FYI!
woadude
He fills your need at catcher, all i am saying
RedSoxDynasty
I know what you’re saying but, while Improvements right now their value still isn’t worth any decent prospect. I still have faith in Salty and people need to be realistic with him. .240, 12, 60 and decent defense is what I would expect this year. Nothing great but the expectations are to improve in all aspects each year. Catchers are hard to predict and, probably more than any position in the game, need patience as they develop! Saltys physical tools are immense so let’s see him sink or swim!
It_Is_What_It_Is_Ormaybenot
Half of baseball would have interest in Doubront and you think we’d trade him for a scrap heap re-do? Dude, you do realize that the other three players you wouldn’t take in a trade are starters or Closer on a team that is arguably equal to the current Pirate team? They are young and they are cheap with plenty of potential, in a trade for players who are past 30 and have already proven they aren’t good enough to play for other teams? Snyder is hitting .268 in the National League central, do you really think his avg would be any better than the current Sox catchers in the AL east? Wow that Pirate coolaid must taste pretty good…..
Bucs666
I have nothing but admiration for the Red Sox organization. In my opinion, they are the most well run in the major leagues. But you, sir, are out of your mind. Those “scrap heap re-do”s, as you call them, are better than anything that the Sox have right now. The Pirates are an up-and-coming young team and I can not for the life of me see why they should trade anybody for your crumbs.
It’s far too early to be debating the relative merits of a Pirates/Red Sox trade. Let’s let this play out a couple of months before exchanging trade ideas.
It_Is_What_It_Is_Ormaybenot
I agree the Pirates are a young team, but still waaaaayyyyy back of the crowd, please note the position they are drafting in June. My point was simply the poster said they wouldn’t even entertain any trade with those names in it, and the fact is though Anderson has struggled, I wouldn’t trade any of them for those two catchers because while you may think they are better than anything we have currently, they might be marginally so at best and have no real upside. Reddick has actually garnered interest from other teams and Bowden has been a shut down closer this year and would quite likely play very well in the National Central or West for that matter and he is what 23? 24?. Any player with that potential should garner better than a re-do catcher who project no better than what we already have. So you may think me “out of my mind” but then you also think your team an up and comming team. I can live with that….
woadude
Reddick and Anderson are the scrap heap re-dos, they couldn’t sniff the Majors, he was such a joke last September call up, he was jumped 2 times in the majors, first was Youk, and then he was jumped by Rizzo before being dealt to San Diego, and I imagine he will be jumped again because he is terrible, and Reddick is fading fast, already jumped by Kalish and was jumped by Westmoreland before he had a brain issue, even if Westmoreland picked up a bat right now he would be better then Reddick.
Bucs666
Doubront is an interesting prospect, no doubt. Anderson, at this point, is nothing more than a marginal trade chip. Bowden looks to be a reliever. And I have no idea whatsoever why the Pirates would be even semi-interested in Scutaro.
MaineSox
Bowden is a reliever, though he appears to be a dang good one.
MaineSox
I find it kind of interesting that you include Reddick in there. He struggled mightily in his first go around in Pawtucket to be sure, but (in an admittedly small sample size) his numbers are right back to where they have always been coming up through the minors, so I don’t think anyone should write him off yet, and he should still be considered a decent prospect.
jondogg2010
Yeah, because Lyle Overbay is soo great…
RedSoxDynasty
When you’re 1b is Lyle Overbay, Lars Anderson suddenly looks like a blue chip prospect!
notsureifsrs
doumit and snyder are marginal upgrades not worth the acquisition cost
Bucs666
My dead grandmother would be more than a “marginal upgrade” to the Red Sox catching situation right now.
notsureifsrs
wait which one of those two is your dead grandmother. i need to watch more pirates games
i’d sign one of them if they were available, but probably wouldn’t trade for them
jondogg2010
They are in a salary dump or non-prospect move imo.
kimofromkauai
In my limited viewing it seems to me that Salty is very poor at calling or framing pitches. He also seems to get criticized constantly by announcers. His glove also appears to be less than stellar.
Maybe the Sox need another cagey old vet, like Varitek to split the job.
notsureifsrs
i’ll take jon lester’s word over the announcers 10 times out of 10. salty is what he is: an unpolished prospect trying to do in the majors what he should be doing in the minors (develop)
towney007
Yankee hitters looked pretty crossed up last night, he walked Pap and Bard through two tough innings and Lester’s been very vocal at his game calling abilities as has Varitek. I think he’s fine. People just need to show some patience.
notsureifsrs
it’s not like i can’t understand why people are frustrated with him. he’s played very poorly
but it’s also not as if he was a stud and is now just bombing for the bosox. he’s never had the opportunity to develop into the player he has always had the potential to be. and instead of doing that full-time every day in the minors like most guys get to, he’s having to try to do it playing 3 out of every 5 games. in the bigs. in one of baseball’s largest and most overexposed markets. in a pennant race. in the league’s toughest division
i have sympathy for the guy. it’s not fun to watch him struggle and hurt the team. but i can’t be very hard on him for it
yazpik 2
Brandon League, and Miguel Olivo for Kalish or Reddick could be good for both sides…
Lunchbox45
much better for the mariners
wickedkevin
At first I didn’t agree with your comment, but then I realized that if that trade did happen, the Sox would be left without a RF next year. Big problem.
Lunchbox45
i think the problem is that a cheap controllable potentially impact bat is worth far more then a bottom of the barrel catcher and a reliever who would have a tough time making or atleast finding meaningful playing time in the red sox bullpen.
Salty’s career OPS+ is 79 Olivo’s is 83… is that marginal upgrade really worth kalish or reddick?
jondogg2010
Would it reaaaaly take either player? idts
$6101468
I have been after the Sox to get Olivo for four years. This guy is a decent catcher and can have some reasonable power. His OBP is not the best so that means no stamp of approval from Theo and Bill James – I guess all their advanced scouting and metrics show Salty to be the real deal. Say, Bill James, how is that 144 page report on Crawford working out?
notsureifsrs
salty has a higher wOBA than olivo right now. you need a stamp on your forehead
$6101468
Another gem from Fan graphs? I guess the excuse machine is in full blossom for Salty. The difference THIS season for this faux stat is negligible. Of course you can also point out dWAR where the “Illustrious” Salty also has an advantage. Bottom line is using the actual body of work at the MLB level Olivo would have been a better choice. Stick with Salty and this team is dead.
As far as trading Kalish for Olivo that would be a huge no. But getting Olivo would be a yes.
notsureifsrs
i love it when people talk about advanced statistics as if they are unsolvably complex ad hoc conspiracies to undermine their cherished preconceptions
i also love that you fell back on “olivo is just slumping now, you have to look at his track record” comment IMMEDIATELY AFTER your comment deriding bill james’ work on crawford’s track record because he started the season slumping
masterful mental gymnastics
$6101468
Metrics has the one big issue and that is how do you quantify the human factor? Neyer and James have made an attempt at this with their CY Predictor. In fact I am a firm believer in metrics – and, yes, I am a member of SABR. but I do draw the line at the absurd (WAR) and even to some extent UZR or +/- but at least attempts are made at refinements. Provides more insight.
Now the comment on Crawford was targeted just for that human factor mentioned above. No matter how much they may wish to spin stats and history it can come down to an intangible and Crawford may join (I hope not) Lugo and Drew as tragic mistakes in Red Sox history. Bill James may also need Dr. Phil to help out a wee bit. A great signing that may fail over issues other than sheer talent. Happens.
But back to Olivo. Kottaras, Ross, Brown, Cash, Molina are off the top of my head some of the prizes that the Sox have attempted to use since 2008 when ‘Tek and his bat went Mendoza. IMO Olivo would have been a nice player to have around. He is certainly capable of giving a good 100 games allowing ‘Tek to maximize his ability. I am under no illusion that Olivo is a top of the line catcher but he is certainly superior to what I have observed from Salty. They can bring in Tuck and work with him a decade and it won’t help and really didn’t. Hope I am dead wrong on Salty since he had a world of promise and is still young but it appears to be a combination of physical and mental issues.
towney007
That’s an absolutely awful trade considering that Kalish is a potential 20HR/20SB guy. For a reliever and a catcher with a little pop? Is this a joke?
bigpat
I guess it’s part of Theo’s genius to flat out punt the catcher position until the middle of the season. It’s hard to argue with bringing in guys like Crawford and Gonzalez even though Crawford hasn’t performed thus far, but even though catcher isn’t a very important offensive position, relying on Salty and Varitek (who should be coaching at this point) is something a non contending team would do.
No Gimmicks
Crawford will be fine. Just some quick hits stats for you:
In the last 10 games Crawford has hit .293. His career line is .294 so what you’ve seen from him going back to the Angels series is basically what he’s been in his career.
If he continues on this pace for another 150 at-bats(bringing him to just under 300, aka ~half a season) his 2011 average will be ~.273. A respectable number.
For the sake of argument, we’ll say he ends up with 500 at-bats this year. I think he’ll end up hitting about .280 or .285. To attain a .280 avg, he must get 140 hits. He has 31 in 146 at-bats. He’ll have to hit .308 the rest of the way. Likely, no, but close. And possible.
Josh Moody
Yamaico Navarro and Marco Scutaro for Chris Snyder
Threat_Level_RedSox
Nope.
jondogg2010
Navarro for Snyder straight up maybee but not both
It_Is_What_It_Is_Ormaybenot
nope…
arthur3
Theo Epstein is widely regarded as one of the best GM’s in baseball, and he would not, in any way, express that the Sox need immediate catching help…. this would only drive up his cost to acquire a catcher. Gut feeling says that he is actively pursuing a replacement for either Varitek or Salty, but other GM’s are detecting some desperation and are “asking for the farm”. It will come down to finding a team willing to lower the current asking price(s), or succumb to the inevitable…. the Sox can only be a play-off level team with a legitimate catcher (and the sooner the better!!)
jondogg2010
The point I’ve been making all along
whatever
“he would not, in any way, express that the Sox need immediate catching help”
No but that tasty slash line does.
Harrison
I would like a soto an Marshall trade for the red sox. That would solve 2 problems right there. Wed get a good catcher and we would have our lefty in our bullpen.
jondogg2010
Would be nice, but would be quite costly. Hendry isn’t oblivious to the Sox’ situation for sure.
towney007
There isn’t a catcher in baseball that’s not locked up long term that’s worth the Red Sox trading several prospects for, which will be the asking price. And you’re on drugs if you think that after spending 2 years trying to acquire Salty, that Epstein is giving up on him after only 79 AB’s.
If they get to the deadline and they’re still hurting, they’ll probably try to sign Bengie Molina on the cheap. Outside of that, they’re sticking with Salty and they should. It’s not every day switch hitting catchers with high power ceilings come into your organization for chump change.
I don’t see anything happening until at least July – that’s IF Salty still fails to produce. He’s already starting to look more comfortable behind the plate.
Matt Galvin
Pirates don’t need another infielder.
Anderson is behind Gonzalez,Kevin Y.,Ortiz on the 1B/HD D. Chart.
Nova and Westerland can also play RF
Jonathan
How about Devin Mesoraco for Kalish? That way, the Reds get a third outfielder with power and speed, and the Red Sox get one of the better catching prospects.