It isn’t unusual for the Red Sox to bring a 20-year-old prospect into the heat of a pennant race, as club promoted Xander Bogaerts in 2013 and Yoan Moncada just last season. As WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford points out, however, he difference between those callups and today’s news about Boston’s promotion of Rafael Devers is that Bogaerts and Moncada were being counted on just as supporting pieces to an already-strong roster. In Devers’ case, he is coming into a Red Sox lineup that has struggled with consistency all season and has been thoroughly lacking at third base. It’s quite a bit of pressure for such a young player, and Bradford feels that the multiple slumping regulars in the Sox lineup need pick things up, regardless of how Devers performs.
Here’s more from around the AL East…
- The Red Sox have been scouting Reds shortstop Zack Cozart, CSNNE.com’s Evan Drellich reports (via Twitter), though with the caveat that teams around the league are doing their due diligence on many options at this time of year. MLBTR’s Jeff Todd cited Cozart as a possible creative choice for Boston’s third base problem last month, and obviously the Sox will continue to explore possibilities until they get a sense of what Devers can do in the bigs. Cozart has been on fire at the plate this year, though as Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes, the shortstop is still being careful about re-aggravating the right quad injury that led to a brief DL stint in June.
- The Blue Jays front office “is split on whether the team should be broken up and traded away,” Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. Team president Mark Shapiro suggested earlier this month that the Jays could explore both buying and selling at the deadline, and more recent reports had the team open to trading pending free agents while preferring to keep players that could help Toronto compete in 2018. Given how several Jays key veterans are either experiencing off-years or could be in decline, it isn’t surprising that there are questions as to whether the Jays can reasonably count on these players to rebound. A big sell-off at the deadline would help replenish the farm system, though with some good controllable talent and one more year of Josh Donaldson under contract, one can also make a case that the Jays should make another push next year.
- With Jacoby Ellsbury looking like an expendable part on the Yankees roster, ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required) looks at some of the potential large contracts New York could take on as a way of facilitating a trade for the outfielder, who is owed roughly $75MM between now and the end of the 2020 season. Olney’s names (all speculative) range from other unfavorable contracts like Jordan Zimmermann to more valuable assets like Giancarlo Stanton, though obviously much more than just Ellsbury would need to be included in a Stanton trade. Ellsbury has full control over his future via a no-trade clause, though Olney wonders if the outfielder would accept a deal to a team that could offer more playing time if Ellsbury becomes the odd man out in the Yankee outfield.
TheMichigan
Can’t Boegarts play Third? I’m pretty sure it would be easier to get a Shortstop in this market rather than rush Devers up and try to hot glue the situation that needs extensive fixing.
weatherwiz
I don’t think they should move Bogaerts to 3B. They did try him there over there before (there was a time where he was going back and forth between the two) but he’s really worked hard to become a much better defensive SS and has opened the eyes of many who said he wouldn’t last at the SS position.
Little Whirl
He’s basically serviceable there but I’d be more than a little surprised if he doesn’t move to his right in the next half decade or so.
halos101
Red sox fans in this site seem to be pretty clear that he cannot play third so i would guess he’s better off at short
Otto371
Bogaerts is not moving to third, he didnt hit nearly as well when he was playing over there.
MB923
He’s only played 54 career games at 3B and hasn’t played there since 2014. And in 2014, He had a sub par year that year at both 3B and SS.
Overall he’s had only 203 career PA as a 3B (and yes the numbers are very poor), but how do you know they are poor due to him playing 3B as opposed to this just being an extremely small sample size?
mookiessnarl
Because he was pretty much devastated when they moved him over there. And he admitted it in interviews. He’s likely to be less fragile about it, but you don’t reward a kid who has busted his butt to become a workable shortstop by moving him every time you get a better option.
ThePriceWasRight
dont trade ellsbury for Zimmerman. I’d rather see jacoby in the yanks rotation than that bum.
jekporkins
Nobody nobody nobody wants Ellsbury, even to swap bad contracts. Just release him. He’s done.
driftcat28 2
I wouldn’t go that far to say he’s done. He definitely needs a change of scenery. And any team would be glad to take him for the league minimum. There’s a trade partner out there somewhere
TheMissing18thBanner
Better catch Loria before he sells the Marlins then
gomerhodge71
Seems like yesterday that Yankee fans were doing their happy dance and counting the championships they were going to win with Ellsbury. They failed to see what a lot of GMs saw, an injury-prone outfielder who was already on a slow decline. That 7-year deal was a joke from the start.
yankees_fan74
Troll
User 4245925809
I think what many saw was 2y and 50m to much. Just like Boras got with Choo that off season. It happens.
donniebaseball
Zimmerman has a no-trade through 2018. Even after the no-trade clause expires, I’m pretty sure he can still block 10 teams. I doubt he’ll be traded. His contract has been a disaster for Detroit.
stymeedone
Zimmerman also has a no trade contract. The only teams he would possibly waive it for is Milwaukee or Chicago. NY is safe.
MB923
“The only teams he would possibly waive it for is Milwaukee or Chicago.”
Does it say that in his contract, or is this just a guess on your part?
firstbleed
I think it is a reference that he grew up in Wisconsin (Stevens Point) and still has family there. Not sure if it is in his actual contract. At any rate you could add the Twins to that list too.
donniebaseball
He made comments about wanting the no-trade in Detroit so he could live close to his family in Wisconsin.
KnicksFanCavsFan
My guess is that he would say “yes” to any place where they are competitive since it’s clear he sucks and Detroit is rebuilding.
Phillies2017
At this point, the Jays should just try to rebuild. They have a decent farm system to start so it wouldn’t be like they’re starting from nothing. I would give it 2 years assuming they got fair returns for Stroman, Osuna, Donaldson and Smoak (if any tram believes in him).
Other than Tulo, they really don’t have any absolutely horrendous contracts considering $10,000,000 isn’t as bad as it used to be (in regard to Morales) and Martin is at least an amazing club house presence who would provide value in helping young pitchers.
Now is the time to start it though. They wait a year, and Donaldsons only a rental, Smoak could regress, Happ could fall apart with age- etc. etc.
jaysfan77
I think Smoak’s emergence is real and he’s cheap, he doesn’t have a lot of miles on him either so I’d keep him, plays great D as well. First base is not in demand around the league. I would say Martin’s contract is an albatross, but like you say he is a quality pro. I’m not sure why they’d trade Osuna and /or Stroman, you’d spend the next few years trying to draft players like that, hard to come by, and they are young and controllable, albeit about to get a bit more expensive, I think you trade them when you can’t sign them long term before free agency. Donaldson I’d probably trade now, unless you can’t get a good return, then in the winter.
It’s unfortunate all the Jays veterans have played so terrible this year, it really snookers managements options.
jimmertee
Good analysis. We’ll have to disagree on Smoak, but good on him for having a career year. [before this year Smoak had a terrible line over 6 years in the bigs and 3000 ab’s]. My vote is for the BlueJays to offer to trade everyone except Stroman, Osuna, Pillar and Vlad Jr in order to stock up on almost ready elitish prospects. The indecision in the front office whether to blow it up is concerning –
that they cannot see that this old core will not contend in the future.
Little Whirl
Justin Smoak’s coming out party has been so unexpected for me. I mean, he’s more than doubled his career bWAR in under 100 games. It’s bonkos.
I think it’s likely that this ends up being his career year, but he’s a steal right now on the deal he’s on (never thought I’d say that, ha) & I think he’d be potentially the top offensive position player out there if he’s made available this week. Now, this looks like an anemic marketplace for non-pitchers, but I think Smoak would be an interesting trade candidate in the offseason if nothing materializes in July.
jimmertee
I don’t know is you like or respect Greg Zaun, former Blue Jay and current Jays broadcaster, but he is repeatedly telling folks to trade Justin Smoak right now because he is at career highs.
Little Whirl
Am definitely aware of Zaun (although I come up short on either ‘liking’ &/or ‘respecting’ him), & I do agree with him on this. I question how robust the trade market will be though (granted, 2017 Smoak would be a big upgrade for two AL East teams at least) & I’d think the Jays would like to keep him if they are going to attempt to earnestly contend in 2018 (I’d favor stepping back a little, personally). . Whatever the case, in baseball terms, Smoak is affordable.
I’d almost be inclined to see what’s out there in the offseason when (theoretically) all 29 other teams could be buyers, but I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him if a palatable offer comes through.
clrrogers 2
The Blue Jays need to trade everyone they can now. It’s going no to take longer and be more painful if they wait another year. Rip the band aid off quickly now. Don’t pull it off slowly for two years.
jimmertee
Yes, Yes, Yes. This indecision in the front office is nonsense. Pull the rip cord!
Little Whirl
Completely agree. They are the oldest team in the league & it shows.
driftcat28 2
Ells for Greinke contract swap. I can only dream
agentx
That’s Avatar-level dream world dreaming, driftcat28. Arrow up for your wishful thinking!!
Macho King OG
Ellsbury can still play, but he’s done with the Yanks. A contract swap would be the best thing, especially for a pitcher, with possible departures this off season. Ells shouldn’t block Frazier from playing because of his salary, Cashman has to get it done.
LuisSojo
As a Yankees fan I keep thinking about trading Ellsbury for Samardzija. I wonder what kind of prospect(s) the Yankees would have to add. The contracts are the same length but Ellsbury makes about $3M a year more, plus he has a $5 buyout of an option year.
KnicksFanCavsFan
I was thinking about Samardzija but I’m not interested in giving them a prospect (unless it’s a low end one we have no intentions of protecting from the Rule 5 draft) just to rid salary.
timm-2
+1
But do the Giants have a use for Ellsbury?
fighterflea
If Ellsbury accepts a trade, then:
to the Phils – Ellsbury, Andujar, Fowler, Kaprielian and Sheffield
to the Yanks – Nola, Franco and Kendrick
Yankees get pieces for this season and beyond. Phils acquire what they have to hope will be some foundational pieces going forward. Phils don’t need and might not start Ellsbury and it’s an expensive contract to absorb. If luxury tax considerations don’t concern the Yankees, they don’t make this deal. Yankees keep their ‘untouchable’ prospects. (Torres, Adams, Frazier) Nola isn’t on the market but in the right deal, everyone on the Phils is.
John Murray
Considering the value of young, controllable starting pitching now, I can’t imagine the Phillies surrendering Nola for less than at least one of Torres or Frazier, and at least one of Mateo or Adams.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Nola hasn’t proven enough yet that he’s an elite pitcher worthy of Torres/Frazier plus Mateo/Adams.
That being said, the Phillies are rebuilding and Nola is more a proven commodity with the CHANCE to be an all-star caliber young pitcher and I don’t think they would trade the more proven commodity with years of control for a package of elite yet unproven talent. Sort of a “bird in the hand beats two in the bush” valuation.
Plus, Andujar (3b), Mateo (possible 2b or 2b), Kap and Sheff (starting pitchers) might be seen as super valuable guys that might plug some holes. I won’t move them unless I felt it was for a player with a little more of a track record of success. That’s not to knock Nola tho.
fighterflea
Archer in Tampa could be your more proven starter but that wouldn’t solve your Ellsbury problem since Tampa isn’t taking bad contracts. The Rays still see themselves as contenders.
The larger point is that there aren’t a lot of teams with young starting pitchers of good pedigree who (i) aren’t competing as actively now as the Yankees, (ii) would accept less than on-field Yankees or premium prospects or (iii) can help the Yankees as they try to get below the luxury tax threshold by taking back a burdensome contract.
Rockafuller
Kap and Sheffield are top end prospects
El Duderino
They should get top end prospects for a young, controllable pitcher. The problem is the trade also includes Franco (who has been better since the all-star break and is also cost controlled for years) and Ellsbury.
The Phillies may be bad, and they certainly blew it with not trading Hellickson last year, but there’s no way they’d ever do this trade.
Michael Chaney
They’re good prospects, but they’re not at all top end…especially with Kap’s injuries lately. For someone with as much control as Nola, you’d likely need Frazier or Torres, or Mateo at the bare minimum.
costergaard2
Replying to LuisSojo, Ells for Samarjza, I would eat the $14mm and call it even, that wouldn’t be a bad day…
slider32
The Giants seem to be a match with either Cueto or Samardjaza, If I was Cashman I would sweeten the pot with Mateo.. Cueto and Ellsbury have similar contracts/career WAR, and WAR this year.
KnicksFanCavsFan
That’s exactly the wrong thing to do. Cueto and Samardjza are also on bad contracts. In fact, in a one for one deal for either, they take on an additional $25 mil if they trade for Cueto and save just about $8 mil if they trade for Samardjza. All 3 are candidates to benefit from a change of scenery but there is just as much, if not more, inherent risk with SP entering the 32-35 age range.
In no way shape or form should any team, especially the Yankees, include an elite level prospect to precipitate a trade being done for salary relief, which in this specific case IS NOT WHAT’S HAPPENING. This is a bad contract for bad contract swap where the Yanks are either saving very little (if Samardjza) or taking on additional salary (if Cueto).
dobsonel
I believe you are looking at this wrong as far as Cueto is concerned. First off Cueto has an opt out at the end of the season which he very well might excercise. Second, Cueto is not more expensive. He has an extra year of control so he is infact slightly cheaper on a per year basis (assuming he does not exercise said opt out.)
Cueto is still viewed as a quality pitcher. Yes this could turn into a bad contract swap in the future. For the time being ,however, this would be the smartest way for the Yankees to shift 20+ mil from an area of strength (the OF) over to an area of ever growing weakness (the rotation).
And Mateo is no longer viewed as an elite prospect.
AZPat
Or maybe they are scouting the Reds Suarez.
gneedoba
Why on earth would anyone with a no trade clause accept a trade to the Marlins right now
andm
Ellsbury needs to be getting on base and then stealing bases. Sox had to write off Sandavol contract. Yanks might need to do the same for Ellsbury.What a horrible signing. Yankees keep signing Red Sox CF after their best years are behind them. Are they going to go after JBJ in a few years too? lol.
mvpetro
Damon was a pretty big part of the Yankees 09 run and had was pretty good offensive numbers on the Yankees. Besides ellsbury what other Red Sox centerfielders signed with the Yankees with their best years behind them?
Connorsoxfan
Boggs maybe? That was just before my time so I don’t know much about how he did there. And I think that’s broadening it to all outfielders, but same concept:
MB923
Um, Boggs as in Wade Boggs? He played 1 career game in the OF (4 innings in LF in 1982). Of his career 2285 games played, 2215 were at 3B.
MafiaBass
The Chicken Man played third base.
Little Whirl
Not sure if he was trolling(?). I mean, even a novice Boston fan should be aware of the bare minimum pertaining to Wade Boggs.
MB923
Doubt he’s trolling. I’m guessing he missed the part where he said “centerfielders”
MB923
If you’re talking about Damon, his numbers (offensively) with Boston and NY are basically the same
With Boston – .295/.362/.441/.803, 108 OPS+
With NY – .285/.363/.458/.821, 112 OPS+
PeterDipersio
Lol! The Yanks like to give out big contracts and watch the person underperform on the last part of the contract, example Alex Rodriguez, Ellsbury, Jason Giambi
mvpetro
A-rod was a huge part of 2009 ws. I’d say the contact was worth it.
Bleeding Blue&Orange
To be fair, Ellsbury has underperformed the entire contract
MB923
2014 he did pretty good. Since then, not so good.
Little Whirl
Well, that’s most FA contracts. Seeing as most players are no younger than their late 20s when they enter FA, the back halves of most deals are typically going to be post-prime. I don’t think it’s really a secret, but that’s the way it has been for a while.
Hanlog1105
Yeah cause the Yankees are the only team to give out big contracts and suffer through some ends to those contracts.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Lol..isn’t that just about every team that signs a player to a long-term deal once they’ve hit FA (meaning they’ve been in the league for more than 6 years). I mean the Marlins (Stanton), Angels (Pujols), Tigers (Cabrera) and many others have or will be in that same situation.
baseball365
As it’s already been said, an Ellsbury for Samardzija swap is painfully obvious, which is exactly what both teams need, which is why this won’t happen. The obvious rarely happens in baseball. Every season teams have a black hole at one position. Some teams carry it over for another season. Like the Yanks at 1st or the Red Sox at 3rd for example. The Giants however have an epic black hole at all three outfield positions and this has been going on for like 5-6 years with no end in sight. While Ellsbury is overpaid, he would be an immediate stabilizer to that outfield, even if a marginal improvement in production for now. Both teams have been connected to each player in the past so it’s not like these are two players that don’t make sense for each team. Samardzija is exactly the type of mid rotation guy the Yanks need right now and with nothing guaranteed past Severino in 2018, it’s not terrible to have him slot in somewhere in the rotation and figure it out with a new team. There is just no room for Ellsbury, so a trade seems inevitable at this point. Really no other better match out there for two teams at the moment.
A team like the Giants has no value in a + 5 ERA $20mm pitcher like Samardzija. Ellsbury is owed approximately $8mm more over the life of the two contracts. The Yanks should send Ellsbury, $8mm, Luis Cessa and Chasen Shreve.
baseball365
Cueto and Verlander are also options. With Verlander, it would be almost the same thing with no money changing hands. It’s even money so a swap plus the Yanks could add in a lower level pitching prospect. Cueto would be the Yanks taking on money the Giants just dumping him in exchange for Ellsbury. The Yanks would need some guarantee that Cueto won’t opt out after the season, which looks unlikely anyway. Definitely no to Jordan Zimmerman. I feel like any three of these trades make a lot of sense for all teams and could get done with some combination of extra spare parts, etc.
stymeedone
No team is going to just give away a recently TOR pitcher, just because NY is willing to pay the salary. Even the Shark had multiple teams kicking the tires this July. How many teams have approached the Yanks about Ellsbury??
baseball365
Huh?
bencole
Dude Cueto is going to cost you Frazier or Torres for sure, and if you want rid of Ellsbury’s contract, both. Ellsbury for Cueto? I can’t even believe I just read this. Even the Ellsbury for Samardzija trade doesn’t help the Giants enough for them to consider it.
baseball365
You have absolutely no concept of how this works, sorry to say. So your deal is Frazier, Torres, Ellsbury and the Yanks add about $50mm in total payroll for a sub 5.00ERA pitcher who posses an opt out and that has look overall terrible this season?
Hmm..I’m gonna think this one over for a few minutes.
KnicksFanCavsFan
That makes ZERO sense. The Giants are in last place, Cueto is owed $93 mil over the next 4 years and his analytics are horrible (highest ERA, FIP and xFIP since 2008, lowest GB% of his career, highest walk rate and a near high HR rate) and his FB velocity has dropped steadily over the last 4 years.
A trade of Cueto and Ells saves the Giants about $25 mil.
seckert15
If I was NY and I traded for Cueto I would want him to opt out. Money off the payroll and money to spend on a upgrade.
Bleeding Blue&Orange
Samardzija does have the peripherals to turn it around though. Which is why a few teams have been rumored to be scouting him
baseball365
With the Giants paying half his salary though. This is the part most people fail to consider. Teams can scout him all they want, but no one taking him for even money. So, the Giants pay him 50% to play elsewhere to get maybe a couple B level prospects? They’re better of taking Ellsbury for even money + a little cash from Yanks + maybe a couple flyers like a Cessa and adding Shreve to the pen. Not a bad deal at all, if you consider the economics.
KnicksFanCavsFan
How do peripherals turn things around? You can say that his peripherals might explain away some of the bad but that’s not the same as what you say. I guarantee you no one was willing to trade for him and take on all of that salary without the Giants eating a lot of it and getting nothing of consequence (prospects) back in return.
costergaard2
Great comment 365, but I would just send Ells and maybe $10mm, why the extra prospects ? The Giants have 3 rings in the last 8 years, they should see the value as well as a modicum of payroll savings…
baseball365
Thanks. Whatever the difference in cash btw whats owed to Ellsbury and Samardzija, the Yanks pick up. I have him at $19.8mm a season and Ellsbury at $21.3mm + $5mm buy out. Giants have two very expensive massively underperforming pitchers, who as we know are a risk every time they take the ball to serious injury (not to be a doomsdayer about this), so with nearly $200mm tied up between two 5.00 ERA pitchers, they would be nuts to not move one for a somewhat useful outfielder. Seems like a no brainer to be honest. Would just need to work out smaller pieces, terms, etc. One of those pitchers should be on the Yanks and the Giants should have Ellsbury. There really isn’t much else to argue. And this isn’t a case of the Yanks getting the better. They’re the one doing the Giants a favor the way I see it.
baseball365
And you’re right, extra players really aren’t necessary, but the Yanks have a roster crunch coming up anyway, so why not toss them a Cessa or Shreve along with cash and Ellsbury. I add the extra players since he was injured a couple weeks ago, so Ellsbury could see limited playing time for the rest of 17, so the Giants can get some immediate return on the trade and have Ellsbury for 18-20.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Why are people insisting that the Yanks should send ANY prospects to the Giants for either of Cueto or Samardjza. In fact, especially not for Samardjza. Yanks only save $8 mil.. Cueto might make a little more sense to send a mediocre non-elite prospect or young controlable arm like Cessa or Shreve but that’s about it.
The only way the Yanks should entertain sending additional players is if they are part of a larger deal involving other mlb players OR a swap of my fringy organization prospects I’m not going to protect from the Rule V for your same kind of prospect(s). Otherwise, it should be a 1 for 1 deal.
baseball365
All fine. And I agree, but the fundamental points stand that the Giants are terrible and forecast to be terrible for a couple years with a limited farm, the worst outfield and two pitchers at a total cost of $200m that are pitching near 5.00ERA’s. No trade is going to right that ship, but flipping out on of those starters for Ellsbury makes a lot of sense considering how that team is built. And people can spare me how Ellsbury sucks and doesn’t do anything for the Giants. Please. So you would rather have two overpaid pitchers stinking up the joint (each of which no one would trade for unless the Giants absorb salary) and a still crappy outfield.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Are you directing your reply to me? I have no problem working out a trade with the Giants for either of the two (or maybe even both) but I wouldn’t send the Giants a prospect unless it was part of a bigger deal with other “good” players involved.
baseball365
Nah. I agree with you. Just voicing thoughts since others have no idea what they’re talking about. So many think Ellsbury is comparable to Sandoval and that’s just absurd. Neither has anything remotely even similar, like at all.
timm-2
Ellsbury +8mm for Shark shouldn’t require either of the other players. If they want Cessa they take on the $8mm
baseball365
Agreed. I was being overly generous upon further glance. Whatever the result, the two teams and these players make a ton of sense. Turns out the Yanks have an opening in their rotation for one underperforming expensive pitcher and the Giants have three openings in their OF for one underperforming overpaid outfielder.
jdm1980
Ells for Verlander id take that two bad contracts flyer trade. Change of scenery maybe needed
baseball365
Verlander would do well in NYC. I’ve seen him around town and at 1OAK before. Seems like its the vibe he likes.
donniebaseball
Verlander has a no-trade clause and even if he waives it, there’s no way avila trades Verlander without asking for prospects.
baseball365
And the promotion of Devers is how do you say, “No Bueno.” Not a favorable move, especially on a team with poor management and bad attitudes (looking at you Price). 20 year old kid is not ready for that. They really need some vets on that team to balance things out right now. As I’ve read many places, the Red Sox have all the signs of another epic late season collapse and I’ve really soured on Price.
SupremeZeus
If a team is interested in Ellsbury they simply have to wait for the Yankees to release him. Full no-trade. Lol.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Yankees would just bench him if that’s the case. His case is NOT comparable to that of Sandoval. Sandoval hasn’t played more than I think 50 games in the last year, became useless at 3b and wasn’t hitting. Ells is no where near the player he was with Boston but he can play the field, steal bases and be a decent (and ridiculously paid) 4th or 5th OF. This is not like the NBA where there’s a salary cap and teams need to move salary inorder to add more players.
firstbleed
If the Red Sox made the World Series this season Devers would celebrate his 21st birthday around the same time. He is much closer to 21 then 20 and has been playing pro ball for over 3 years. Yes he is a kid but a seasoned one. Lots of people on here acting like they want him to fail… #haters.
redsoxrob406
Bacher if your asked divers what he thought He would say give me a chance I’ll show you what I got. Everybody is talking about how great he is after three years in the minors this can only strengthen his resolve to either get better to get back to the majors or he’ll show everybody that he’s good enough to stay
madmc44
Raphael Devers Minor League Career began with the Dominican Summer League at
Age 17.
Age 17–he played DSL and Gulf Coast Rookie Ball.
Age. AB. HR. RBI. K. BA
17 261. 7. 57. 50. .322
18. 469. 11. 70. 84 .288 Greenville Low A
19 503. 11 71. 94. .282. Salem Adv A
20 322. 20. 60. 63. .296. Port AA & AAA
He has more Pro AB’s than many college players turn Pro. He has about a 1 in 5 K ratio. He’s not a great defender but after working with Butterfield he will improve. He has good power to all fields. He’s only 20 and is still growing into his body.
CoachWes2000
When it comes to Cozart, it appears to be a buyer’s market. If things continue on their current path, as far as Cozart’s offense and defense are concerned, it would be in the Reds best interest to sign Cozart to a team friendly (if possible) 2 year extension with a team option for a 3rd year. At the end of the current season, revaluate the trade market and then consider your options. That way if you already have him signed you won’t have to force a deal now that won’t land you much of anything and if a deal isn’t enticing this off-season, you’ll still have 2018 and, should you choose to do so, have 2019 as options for trade consideration. In the end you, either you end up with 3 more potential years with Cozart or you have the time to broker a better deal than you could now. Just an opinion.
madmc44
Bogaerts is a fine player–he’s slumping -from .330 to .291. Not bad but a .040 drop in a month is dramatic. He go hit on the hand which is challenging. Moreland is in the same kind of slump since breaking his left foot big toe.
With the Yanks back by 2.5 and the Rays back by 3.5 it might be advantageous to put them on the DL with a lead and get them healthy for the final run.
Lin and Marerro can cover SS and Ramirez and Holt at 1 B.
jonscriff
would trade ellsbury for zimmermann
rich5344
Red Sox should get Beltre from Texas. He won’t cost that much, as his salary of $18 million will not demand a highend prospect. Send like Henry Owens with a lower prospect for belter. He only has, I believe a 2 year deal, which Boson can absorb. He did really good with the Red Sox when he was their. Beltre can help Devers get to where he should be as a stud major leaguer
any thoughts?
rich5344
another option, maybe even better, get Nunez, who can play 3B and is basically a rental. He profiles perfectly to a lot of the core red sox youngsters
send Owens and lower lever prospect
rich5344
here is an idea to get some pop into the Red Sox lineup???
Jose Abreu ??