Alex Cobb’s agreement with the Orioles is the day’s biggest news out of the AL East, but here are some more notable items from around the division…
- The Red Sox seem to be inclined to carry the out-of-options Blake Swihart on the active roster to open the season, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports. While the club obviously feels it doesn’t want to lose out on his upside, that decision would also create some constraints elsewhere — perhaps forcing the Sox to make a move instead with one of their utility infielders. Indeed, as Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal writes (subscription link), the Sox have begun putting out feelers with other organizations regarding Deven Marrero (who is also out of option) and Brock Holt. While it’s not clear that either has drawn significant interest, it seems the team is preparing to move one of them or another similar player as part of its roster-maintenance efforts at the tail end of camp.
- Manny Machado’s move back to shortstop was inspired by his love for the position, the Orioles star tells ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, not as a way to better position himself for free agency next winter. “I think a lot of people are saying, ’He’s going over there because he wants more money or more value.’ It doesn’t come down to money or more value,” Machado said. “I’ve already established myself as a player. I’m worth what I’m worth already. It doesn’t matter if I’m at short or third. The transition over there is because that’s where my heart is. That’s what I do.” Machado’s preparation for the position switch included changes to his diet and offseason training regimen, and scouts have given promising early reviews about Machado’s defensive prowess at shortstop.
- Kendrys Morales lost weight in the offseason and is hoping to adjust his swing so that he hits fewer grounders in 2018, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca writes. Due to his lack of speed and opposing fielders playing the shift, Morales grounded into 22 double plays last season, which helped contributed to his below-average 97 wRC+ despite 28 homers and lots of hard contact. The subpar offensive performance and Morales’ lack of defensive contributions made him a sub-replacement level (-0.6 fWAR) player in his first year with the Blue Jays.
Swihart had over 200 abs in the minors last year and hit below the Mendoza line. So why worry about sending him down?
He would have to clear waivers first. He’d likely be claimed by another team.
He is out of options. Can’t send him to the minors without putting him on waivers.
He’d never make it through waivers. With Lin available, my guess is they’ll find a takes for Marrero. Holt has an option but I doubt they’ll send him down.
Marrero can’t hit his way out of a paper bag. What are you going to get back? I know he has a nice glove but it comes with no offense. I can see him getting claimed but I can’t imagine a team giving up anything that has a sliver of potential.
Iglesias couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag either but the Red Sox were able to get a very helpful Jake Peavy back … Now I know Merrero isn’t as good as Iglesias but value always lies in the eyes of the beholder
Yeah it’ll be cash considerations if him.
Holt is the guy to get rid of. He has 5 below average tools. At least Marrero can play defense.
Iglesias had that flukey unsustainable high batting average at the beginning of that season that made it look like he might be learning how to hit. Then Peralta got suspended and Detroit was desperate for a shortstop in the middle of the season, so the Sox got lucky to be able to get Peavy for him. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen again.
Just let him be a bench coach #futureSoxmgr
To answer your question that no one else did, the Red Sox would worry about sending him down because they don’t want to lose him (which they likely would on a waiver claim given his minimal salary) and they still believe he can play. If they didn’t think he can still be a useful (if not good) major league baseball player, then they would not worry about sending him down because it would not be a big deal to lose him on a waiver claim.
The first 3 people that responded said he’d have to make it through waivers…
Swihart’s bat was valued as a prospect because he was a catcher – those days are gone. Swihart is simply the last to linger from that over-hyped grouping of Henry Owens, Will Middlebrooks, and company. Sox missed their window to move Swihart.
Totally agree, classic case of holding on for a year too long. Instead of trading a year too soon.
The Sox moved him to catcher because of his bat and athleticism. His offensive potential is good enough to carry at any position
Sure, if by any position you mean catcher, shortstop, center field, or pitcher, his bat has a ton of potential.
Report earlier this spring said the Sox were already fielding offers on Sweihart, probable low ball offers, but the kid is a switch hitter… can hit MLB pitching and spent last year in recovery from a very bad ankle injury from 2016, this kid lacks a little maturity gentlemen but do not short change his talent!
Indians or D-Backs seem like potential landing spots for Marrero or Swihart. Cubs might get involved also.
D-backs have four middle infielders who aren’t good hitters. Why in the world would they want a fifth one?
Really strange offseason for the Red Sox. That is all. Few could disagree. They should have retooled with some players. Traded Jackie Bradley (not because they needed too, but because it made sense), now putting feelers out to trade their starting 3rd baseman. Don’t really have a good option at 2nd with Pedroia down. Jd to that massive contract. I don’t know folks. Or rather what I do know, is the Red Sox better win this year, because if they don’t this is the my total tear down candidate for next offseason. And I see that happening already.
Devers is their starting third baseman.
Starting 3rd base is Devers, which I have not heard one single report of them putting out feelers for. Nunez can handle 2nd while Pedroia is out, not the same D but serviceable. I don’t see much reason for it to make sense to trade JBJ other than people wanted him. Honestly, the only thing I find weird about this offseason is the Red Sox didn’t add an LHRP.
Why trade JBJ after a down year? They are not trading Devers, who is their starting 3rd baseman. Nunez not a decent stand in at 2nd for a month?
Why trade JBJ after a down year? They are not trading Devers, who is their starting 3rd baseman. Nunez not a decent stand in at 2nd for a month?
Machado’s gonna be a beast at Short for the White Sox.