Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy met with the media for a postmortem on the 2019 season Monday. At a time when the future of superstars Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez is uncertain — Betts is a free agent after 2020 who has repeatedly voiced a desire to test the open market, while Martinez can opt out of the final three seasons of his contract next month — Kennedy acknowledged that there “is a way” to keep both Betts and Martinez on the roster but added that doing so “will be difficult” (Twitter links via Alex Speier of the Boston Globe).
Such comments only figure to fuel speculation that Betts could be made available in a what would be a blockbuster trade this winter, although the Sox have given no firm indication that he’ll be shopped. Betts earned $20MM this season in just his second trip through the arbitration process, and it’s likely that his salary will jump into the $30MM range next year. Betts didn’t replicate last year’s MVP production nevertheless put together yet another brilliant all-around season. In 706 trips to the plate, the 26-year-old batted .295/.391/.524 with 29 home runs, 40 doubles, five triples and 16 stolen bases. He posted flat-out elite defensive marks, per virtually every metric, for the fourth consecutive season, as well: +16 Defensive Runs Saved, +13.3 Ultimate Zone Rating, +7 Outs Above Average.
As for Martinez, he’s signed for another three years at a total of $62.5MM. He’ll receive a $2.5MM buyout if he opts out of the deal this offseason, meaning he’d need “only” to top a three-year, $60MM commitment in free agency in order to come out ahead. That’s not a given, as he’d surely be hit with a qualifying offer and face some questions about his defensive abilities (or lack thereof) when negotiating with National League clubs. But, asked just last night about sticking in Boston or searching for what would perhaps be his fifth team in five seasons, Martinez replied that he “kind of like[s]” moving around and wouldn’t mind doing so again if need be.
Payroll became an issue with the Red Sox last year when the team was quite clearly doing everything in its power to avoid crossing the third and final luxury tax threshold in free agency. Boston did nothing to address its bullpen outside of some low-profile rolls of the dice, and the team’s lack of bullpen depth proved costly in the long run. Still, significant additions would’ve come with a 75 percent dollar-for-dollar luxury hit, and the Boston ownership group demonstrated that even an organization with that level of deep pockets has its limits.
The Red Sox currently have “only” about $151MM counting against their luxury tax bill in 2020. That’s well south of the $208MM cutoff for the baseline luxury threshold, but that $151MM projection only includes currently guaranteed contracts. In other words, it doesn’t yet factor in arbitration raises for players whose salaries have yet to be determined. Not only will Betts be in line for an enormous raise on this year’s $20MM salary, but the Red Sox will also need to negotiate raises for Eduardo Rodriguez ($4.325MM in 2019), Brandon Workman ($1.15MM), Jackie Bradley Jr. ($8.55MM), Sandy Leon ($2.475MM), Steven Wright ($1.375MM), Matt Barnes ($1.6MM), Heath Hembree ($1.3125MM) and Andrew Benintendi ($717K). Obviously, some of those players could be traded or non-tendered, thus eliminating the need to worry about potential raises.
One of the biggest questions facing ownership is whether the team is comfortable paying the luxury tax for what would be a third consecutive season. The number of successive seasons is important, because penalties escalate with each consecutive year above the line. As a third-time offender, the Red Sox would be subject to a 50 percent luxury tax for every dollar spent over $208MM. They were taxed at a 30 percent rate in 2019 and 20 percent in 2018.
Kennedy plainly stated today that dropping beneath the luxury tax base of $208MM is a “goal but not a mandate” (Twitter link via Speier). The Red Sox, of course, are in the process of seeking out a new leader for their baseball operations department after firing Dave Dombrowski earlier this month, but the quartet that is heading up baseball ops an on interim basis — assistant GMs Eddie Romero, Brian O’Halloran, Zack Scott and Raquel Ferreria — have discussed scenarios in which they’d exceed the luxury tax in early discussions surrounding the team’s offseason approach and 2020 plans.
Obviously, the health and well-being of the team’s top two starting pitchers will be paramount not only when forecasting the team’s 2020 playoff chances but also in determining what types of additions need to be made over the winter. To that end, O’Halloran informed reporters today that the club anticipates both Chris Sale and David Price will be ready for Spring Training. If so, they’d return to join right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and the aforementioned Rodriguez. Complicating matters for the Sox is that each of Sale, Price and Eovaldi delivered mixed results, at best, throughout injury-shortened seasons and now represent question marks more than sure things. Not only will the team need to foster some additional depth, but adding a reliable source of innings to help round out the rotation seems likely to be a goal.
If the Sox do indeed aspire to dip back below the tax line, then there could be a wide-ranging series of changes to the roster this winter. However, nothing from today’s press conference seems to suggest that any sort of rebuild is in the offing. O’Halloran noted that while resetting the luxury line at some point would obviously be beneficial, the club’s goal is to build a championship-caliber roster (Twitter link).
Wright,Barnes,Leon let go….Obviously solves no money issues what so ever but those 3 would not be a big loss imo. plus no one knows the health of Wright
IMO, no chance Barnes is let go. And I doubt Leon goes anywhere.
Yeah, all 3 are so cheap…almost wouldn’t make sense to dump them
Yeah, all 3 are so cheap…almost wouldn’t make sense to dump them
———————————————————————-
One of the things RS fans don’t always get is that we need to replace anyone we drop. Over the past three years, Barnes is #22 in RP fWAR. I don’t think that’s the best way to measure an RP, but put another way, Joe Kelly’s ERA/FIP/ERA+ for the past 3 years is 3.91/3.60/112. Barnes for the past 3 years is at 3.77/3.12/122. And Kelly costs $25M/3.
Leon, at least, is more questionable. He might cost upwards of $3M this year. But since we have no one in the minors, we have to get a FA backup catcher for less than $3M? I doubt it.
I guess you have no idea how good Barnes is.
Well I don’t know, he only has two pitches and walks way too many guys. Just because he throws a hundred miles per hour doesn’t make him a great pitcher. Especially not a great eighth inning guy. Maybe a seventh inning guy sixth inning guy now.
You don’t let go of relievers who strike out more than 15 per 9, who has four straight years of comfortably better than league average ERA.
You consider it when his cost outlives his value. Barnes is a solid depth reliever but as Gar indicated walks too many to consistently be trusted. Joe Kelly 2.0 (a little better than Kelly historically but in my view a reasonable comparison – Joe found himself at the right time to get that Dodgers’ contract).
Please inform us just how good Barnes is in your opinion
28% better than league average. That is how good.
You shouldn’t judge a player on stats. Any Sox fan knows the struggles of their relievers, even the recent good ones like CK and Pap. Quality relievers cannot in my view struggle with control. Forces them to throw too many pitches or to face too few batters.
Two things to keep in mind.
1-On the issue of walks, you have to keep it in context of K/W, which is still good.
2-More importantly, let’s say he gets paid $2M in 2020. LMK what you can find an RP with an ERA < 4.00 for $2M.
3-He had the 3rd best ERA in the BP last year. If we get rid of Barnes, does that mean we get rid of everyone worse than Barnes, and only use 2 RPs?
I don’t agree on k/bb ratio. Nothing wrong with a ground ball DP. A strikeout on 3 – 5 pitches is fine but more than that limits him to one inning and baseball should be trying to get away from the one inning reliever not continue down this path if long, boring games with too many pitching change breaks.
5.3 walks per 9 isn’t good….
The fact that Betts reached 20 mil in arb and maybe 30 mil in arb this year is insane. There is no team going to trade for a guy that has one year left and makes more in arb then a qo would be.
He’ll have a trade market. He just won’t bring that much in return.
For a team like the Yankees that’s only a player away it’s probably worth it.
Thanx we already have 75m plus committed to our outfield next year. Betts is great but not where the Yankees should spent their money. Now that Pappa George is gone and we play with a budget.
He‘ll bring a king‘s ransom but won’t be traded to the Yankees.
His return will not be crazy.
It’s more like a Prince’s allowance. One year left and a cost of $30 million. Not too many teams will even talk. Tough luck for leaving Trader Dave in too long. It will take a lot of luck and a couple of years to get back in the playoffs.
The Dodgers have prospects and might be interested.
No way the Sox deal him to the Evil Empire (LOL). I do agree that the system is nuts in that Betts had a worse overall season and is expecting a 50% raise. At these salaries, why not have a mandated pool of money that has to be spent, pay base salaries determined by position and years in the majors and then have performance bonuses based on a combination of personal and team goals? Imagine a union actually having union type compensation system.
The fact that he has a “worse overall season” and is still a 7 war player is probably exactly why he’s making $30m in an industry that rakes in nearly $12 billion dollars.
If the industry is so sound then get rid of the luxury tax. It is not well balanced. My argument is he had a worse season and was already rewarded for his 2018 year by his 2019 contract. Because it’s a team game, money paid to one affects what’s left to pay others. Sox will always pay but now they are forced to make business decisions as compared to on field baseball ones. He deserves a raise with his additional year in but not $10m more. Perhaps $24m. Just my take.
Lol at this stupidity.
guess I have to agree. LOL
Teams that see themselves as a 2020 contender will be lining up for him with a fistful of their own prospects even if Betts’ salary will be $30M. He’s as close to a sure bet as you’d get to be a difference-maker.
Please name me these mystery teams that are going to be “lining up” for Betts. NYY, HOU, Tampa, Twins, A’s, Dodgers, Brewers, Cubs. All contending teams that either have no need for him (even if he’s an upgrade, not paying the trade cost) or don’t trade prospects/pay large salaries EVER.
1-The Cubs had a bad performance in CF this year. They would love him.
2-It doesn’t have to be playoff teams. There are teams teams that want to make the jump from being young to being a contender. And those are the teams with the best farms. Mostly I have the CWS & SDP in mind. Even teams that I think aren’t that close, like Cincy & TX, still might want to make a move.
Cincy I could see. Texas and CWS are way too far away to splurge on a one year rental. San Diego has way too many OF options to dump prospects for a 1 year guy as well.
If we’re talking FA Lansing spots I think everyone looks at Mookie. But as a 1 year rental trade piece he just won’t have a huge market. Young controllable pieces are too highly valued in today’s game
The WS played .447. Lots of teams will develop talent on the cheap, and then look to supplement with free agents. I that the WS were in the market for Machado last year. Personally, I value prospects more, but lots of teams like to go over the top at some point. Tickets count.
One of the reasons I like SD is because they could trade a guy like Renfroe in a heartbeat.
Sure the CWS May go big, but only for $, not prospects. And not for a 1 year rental. Just stop
What would you want the White Sox to trade for him?
It’s obviously time for a rebuild. You can’t cut a bunch of payroll from a bad team and patch holes so it’s time to stop with the Marlins blueprint and time to pretend you’re the Cubs or the Rays.
How are you going to rebuild? There’s no way to rebuild. You’ve got high price starting pitchers that you can’t trade to reduce those salaries. You’d have to attach young guys which the Sox don’t have.
Or they would have to pay some of the salary which would defeat the purpose.
They can’t rebuild it’s a retool out of necessity. Martinez walks, Betts gets traded and maybe Bradley too. Retooling and hopefully the starters do what they’re supposed to and since the offense is good they’ll be right back in contention.
No time to hope Gary. Pray and expect the worst. The are paying the PRICE for signing David, should have signed Chris on SALE, and Nate has only been on the IL one time, though he leads the slums for the DL.
These contracts will keep getting worse and there is no relief given that there are no attractive prospects to package with this bloat.
Honestly they make my head spin. I guess JD will leave IF he gets more money, that is an “if”. He can’t play a position, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Evil Empire locks in on him just for spite. The sad fact is the Boston Redsox NEED a JD bat type, otherwise it’s 2017 revisited.
The Yankees don’t need another DH. And they are also mindful of salary obligations. Terrible take
I meant it in jest!
They DO have a JD-type bat that they didn’t have in ‘17 – his name is Devers.
They need another big bat to compliment my fave player, Devers.
Hey pasha…your evil empire references are as tired as the worn arms of Sale and Price.
Evil Empire jealousy.
Lol guess you never heard Cashman call the Redsox “the Golden state Warriors”
I can’t see Betts getting a 50% pay increase in arbitration to get $30mil especially when his numbers went down this year. $25-28mil sounds more reasonable.
Literally nothing about a “50% pay increase” has anything to do with what his salary will be next year.
By that logic he got a 100% pay increase last year when he went from $10m to $20m with an MVP year, so with an extra year of service, a mere 50% raise for a 7 War season that will still be Top-10 MVP caliber would be well within the range of possibility.
But it wont be because of that at all since thats not how it works.
Sox need to figure out who they are building around. Does not look like Mookie is interested in a long term deal.
The problem with Mookie is he wants any deal on his terms. Theoretically he has every right to do this and even if the sky collapses, he can always take his banked earnings to the nearest bowling alley and rolls perfect games until the end of time. He really though is holding the team hostage and for that reason I explore a trade. Not saying he gets dealt but just like Mookie doing for himself, the team has to do what’s in their best interests, As everyone says, baseball is a business. Imagine him getting traded to an empty stadium. I’m not trying to insult another fan base so I’ll keep this neutral. Won’t really happen due to the money involved but my point is when is enough $$? If my bills are paid and there’s money in the bank, I’d want to factor in happiness, which an extra few million won’t buy. Makes no sense in baseball for a team to have 60% of the payroll tied up in seven players (Betts. Sale, Price, JDM, Boegarts, Eovaldi and ERod) when most have significant injury histories and playing next year without a sizable time on the IL is questionable.
apparently there are at least 3 kinds of sports cities. The ones like Boston that demand competitiveness and will spend huge amounts of money. another is a city like Tampa or Oakland that has empty stands and makes very little money but also has a very very low payroll and somehow they have excellent management that gets them in the playoffs. and then there are the cities of the teams that are in between. with some making the playoffs and some missing the Playoffs the difference being the quality of their Management and the ability of one city to spend a little bit more on payroll than another. For example the difference between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. but when you have the highest payroll in all of baseball and you don’t make the playoffs that is flat-out embarrassing and frustrating.
and the fans and owners of that franchise have every right to demand change.
Mookie needs to go get traded ASAP.
Theo trades himself, Schwarber, Ian Happ & Adbert Alzolay for Mookie Betts. Jed Hoyer takes the reins. Too much, too little or too late?
Too little. I like Happ well enough. I like Schwaber well enough, but it is a weak fit. If LF were available, I’d like it more. And not crazy about Alzo, though he does have some value.
If JDM opted out, and if we traded JBJ, then we could move Benni to CF, and have an open LF/DH slot. It still wouldn’t be enough, but the fit would be better.
I’ve always thought that anyone could trade for any player, depending on how badly they want to decimate their farm. But in this case, I’d prefer to deal with the WS or Padres. The Padres have pro OF corners that can replace Betts, and the WS have Madrigal ++ that might resolve some long-term positional holes that we need to address.
I like that, cuz I believe in Theo-logy.
Do not under any circumstances tender JBJ a contract.Wright and Leon can go. Mookie could lose his arbitration case and make $22 mil if the FO has the balls to do so.
Lol Betts ain’t loosing his case unless he posts a ridiculous number, something above 30 and Boston ain’t winning on a 22 million post. That’s a ridiculous comment and embarrassing.
No more embarrassing than your Dodgers suggestion.
@Fatt- For what it’s worth, I agree with you
What? You guys are insane lol. 2 million raise on a 6-7 war season from a top5-10 mvp quality type player???? I’d say top 2 even, probably with his 4 year stats. I’d say 6 million raise minimum with a cap at 10 unless they do a 22mill offer and Betts asks for a hair above 30 in which case he wins by a landslide.
And if somehow they become dead set on trading Mookie, do you really believe the dodgers wouldn’t be interested in a 30m TOTAL amount contract? They aren’t opposed to high AAV just total contract amounts. Extremely possible within the range of outcomes
Even Inferior Josh Donaldson got more than 22M
LAD already have Bellinger in RF. They could move Betts to CF, but I doubt they are ready to write off 3 years and $46M of Pollack’s contract.
Also, the Dodgers are the prime example of a team that covets its prospects over everything else. They almost certainly will not trade for BEtts
If the Red Sox submit a $22M salary figure, there is zero chance Betts loses a hearing. No arbitration panel is going to look at his 2019 season and say that a 10% raise seems fair.
I respect your opinions usually, and completely agree Steve.
MLB salaries are out of touch. Mookie Betts is at $20M/yr. He should perform at a very high level just to keep it at $20M/yr, not play at a high but a reduced level for an enormous increase. 10% raise on $20M is a great deal of money.
What’s a good increase in the workplace, 3.5%?
MLB is a different world
Smh why do I even try……
If the arbitration process allowed for a reduction in salary, he’d be in line for that. He got worse. He spent half a season entirely too passive at the plate (a K:BB ratio of less than 1.0; you don’t hit .330 without swinging the f***ing bat), by the time he started swinging it was too late. Whatever raise he gets, he doesn’t deserve, he just gets it on a technicality of the arbitration process.
Unless he hits .340 next year, then whatever he makes, I’ll let it go. Or plays CF after they (hopefully) punt on JBJ.
But if it’s in excess of $30 million, then both have to happen for me to tolerate it.
That is not how it works. Players in their final year of arbitration average over 50% raise. He is certainly in line for that with a top 10 season in baseball.
Are you just a troll or really that stupid?
Steve can you please elaborate on who makes up this arbitration panel and their justification for their numbers? if teams like Boston that have the highest payroll already in all of baseball can’t afford to keep these people then who in their right mind is going to pay them?
Amazing how many people can keep to two somewhat antagonistic ideas. The first is that Betts is an incredible player who should be traded only for a massive haul, even though he has only one ore year of control and will cost a ton in salary. The second is that he stunk the joint out last year (6.8 bWAR) and will get only the token raise in arbitration, and really, ought to take a pay cut.
I might agree, if 2020 was a total tank job. But I don’t think that a total tank is necessary, and we still need a CF. It would help to know what his projected salary would be, but I’d be glad to put $10M on the table. Contract years do strange things to players.
And unless Betts asks for $40M, then we’d lose in arbitration.
If all free agents are not resigned, JD Martinez opts out and Jackie Bradley Jr, Sandy Leon and Steven Wright are non tendered, the BoSox reduce payroll approximately $115M from 2019 salaries:
$23.75M – J.D. Martinez
$21.12M – Rick Porcello
$13.05M – Pablo Sandoval – ( $18.05 – $5M Buyout)
$9.50M – Andrew Cashner
$8.55M – Jackie Bradley Jr
$6.75M – Jhoulys Chacin
$6.50M – Mitch Moreland
$6.25M – Steve Pearce
$5.00M – Eduardo Nunez – Released
$3.58M – Brock Holt
$3.00M – Chris Owings
$2.48M – Sandy Leon
$1.75M – Tyler Thornburg – Released
$1.38M – Steven Wright
Those salaries are not part of the RS’ costs. Cashner is prorated for 1/3 of a season, and Chacin & Owings are probably minimum wage.
If you assume Betts arb numbers are around 30M, including new contracts that go into effect, the current status with JD is around 170M +/- a couple M. That includes about 8 players and filling out the fringe.
some of those people you mentioned above are people they will need replacements for. and some of those people we didn’t pay that full amount as it was an annual contract number and we acquired them in August such as chacin and Andrew cashner. so you’re going to have to move a 20 + million dollar a year player to have a significant impact in order to get below the luxury tax threshold up 208 million. and you will have to add at least one starting pitcher maybe more if you get rid of Porcello and or David Price. you will also need a backup catcher if you get rid of Sandy Leon but this isn’t big money. Jackie Bradley is a great defensive center fielder which most teams would be glad to have because he is a durable Dependable player that is good but not great and doesn’t make a fortune. so I suspect that they will look to unload at least one player making over $20 million dollars per year. my choice would be to move David Price. but you’ll probably find teams wanting you to eat some of David Price’s salary in any trade and the only thing that would probably benefit would be to get prospects for him. but instead of feeling like you could save 30 million dollars a year on David Price you’d probably end up having to pay 10 million of it back to David Price so that another team could take him. Which shows you just how bad the deals have been the Dave Dombrowski signed off on and probably one of the major reasons why he was fired to begin with.
BoSox do not have to dump their big salaries, they just can’t sign anyone else for a few years. I showed which salaries can go off the books in general terms, if you think you want it broken down further and perfect accuracy, then take the time to do it.
If they watch all those guys walk away other than JDM who they have no control over whether he opts out or not, they still will be at $195 million and have to replace 10 guys on the 25 man roster.
Subtract Betts estimated $30 million in arbitration and the Red Sox are around $165 million in payroll with 12 guys to replace.
Subtract JDM and the Red Sox are around $142 million with half a team to replace.
Subtract JDM and the Red Sox are around $142 million with half a team to replace.
——————————————————-
Assuming we let all those guys go, we’d need a 1B, CF, RF, DH, SP, and a couple of RPs. Closer to a 1/3 of a team. And that doesn’t include any return we’d get from Betts. If we got Patino/Refroe+ for Betts, then we’d be down to needing just a CF, DH and a couple of RPs.
The Padres aren’t giving up Renfroe or Patino on their own for a one-year rental. Let alone both.
Sox HAVE to get under $208 next year. Forget John Henry’s money. They already have been punished in the draft and the team needs to rebuild its pipeline. To that end, I do believe they should trade Mookie for a MLB ready player and young talent. The haul won’t be huge, but it will be something. If the Dodgers and Twins both lose out on the WS, they could both be a fit.
Keep in mind that Devers may also sign an extension this offseason, too, adding to future obligations. Sox need young cheap talent until Sale, Price, Eovaldi, and (sorry) Pedey come off the books.
Can we get an AGon/Carl Crawford/Josh Beckett bailout please????
the way things are going we may have to have the US treasury bill bail them out. LOL
if you look at what mookie is expected to get in 2020 and then look at that list of players above starting with Eduardo Rodriguez and going down to Benintendi you quickly see that one Mookie Betts contract is worth more than all of those other eight people combined. So one has to seriously take a look at one player is worth more than 8 or more players. doesn’t it make more sense to get rid of a player like David Price or JD Martinez or Mookie Betts so you can keep a whole bunch of good young or inexpensive players? and with all that money they spent on those people they still haven’t made the playoffs this year so what’s the point of paying all that money? and let’s not forget but every other team in the MLB had a lower payroll than Boston. just think about that. every single team that’s in the playoffs right now paid less to get there than Boston.
how do you think that makes John Henry feel and Dave Dombrowski look? Every single team in the major leagues this year that is in the playoffs paid less to get their than Boston and Boston didn’t make it. if there’s no other thought you have on all of this Fiasco with Boston that should be the one that sticks in your mind and why Dave dabrowski is gone
The team won a championship going for it. Everyone knew 2020 was coming. No one expected the Mutts (Mets) to have more wins in 2019 however. My issues is the Sale signing. Even if he comes back strong in spring training, his M.O. is he performs as the league’s best only for a half a season. Ownership approved all signings though and the next GM knows he’ll be paid now and that he’ll eventually be the scapegoat later.
I would consider dealing JBJ, Benintendi and Betts. We all know what JBJ is so he should be priority #1 in regards to a trade. I would love for Benintendi to stick around for the long haul but you cant pay much more than an above avg skill set. As for Betts if the price is right you have to move him. The Red Sox should sell high on Workman as well.
I see and interesting trend in baseball. I see many teams like Tampa that have numerous empty seats and I see teams like Tampa making the playoffs with a payroll approximately 25% of the Boston Red Sox. And I see the Boston Red Sox saying we plan to cut payroll. do you realize that John Henry cancel the Red Sox for approximately 3 billion dollars for a Forbes and by the Tampa Rays for approximately 1 billion dollars. why wouldn’t John Henry just want to sell the Red Sox by the Tampa Rays have two billion his pocket a team in the playoffs with one of the lowest payrolls and all the baseball?
that was supposed to say John Henry could sell the Red Sox for 3 billion dollars buy the Tampa Bay Rays for 1 billion dollars have 2 billion dollars in his pocket minus taxes have a team in the playoffs with a payroll 25% of his current payroll in Boston. So if you were about to buy a baseball team why wouldn’t you want to sell the Red Sox and buy the Tampa Bay Rays?
Tampa has good tv numbers. It’s the location of the stadium that people hate
Because the elderly watch a lot of TV.
And the stadium is horrific
Florida is too hot and humid to be in a crowd.
I read a post earlier today that said that the Tampa area had the highest per capita attendance at professional baseball games in the US. I am sure that includes spring training and minor league teams, but it shows that people do pay to see baseball there.
A recent article in the Tampa Bay Times said that the average commute to Tropicana Field from outside St Pete on a weekday was over 1.5 hours. By the time you park and get into the stadium and to your seats that is 2 hours. They included 6 communities into the commute times, Tampa, Clearwater, Brandon, Spring Hill, Bradenton, and Sarasota. The article said 70% of season ticket holders are located in those areas.
A move to most area of Tampa itself would solve the commute problems and a new ballpark would solve playing in Tropicana Field.
Tampa, highest baseball attendance per capita? I call BS. That stadium is empty unless the Yanks are in town.
If Martinez returns, Betts is gone. Best case scenario is Martinez opts out and Betts is traded for young pitching.
A’s would be a good fit for Betts. They could absorb the salary for one year. Any prospect cost could be partially made up by the draft pick compensation after the season. A player like him could help challenge the Astros for the division next year.
No way. Oakland would never pay a player over $20M in expected arbitration earnings for Mookie in 2020. That’s why they stay in it year after year.
Red Sox fans, any chance JBJ is non-tendered or traded?
If arbitration would somehow give him a raise then yes. He is alreasy being paid what he is worth or more and I like JBJ but no reason for a raise.
It almost doesn’t matter what they do if Sale, Price,and Evoldi are part time 5 IP starters.
Agree, they either believe those 3 can bounce back or they might as well pull a Houston-Chicago and tank like crazy.
The real problem is Sale and Price contracts. Those contracts will haunt the Redsox for years. Their farm system sucks so they need prospects. Trade Betts and take back some salary for better prospects, By now we all know the drill. Pray Martinez opts out and build around Bogaerts and Devers. They won’t be contenders in 2020.
“Pray Martinez opts out and build around Bogaerts and Devers.”
I agree and would add Rodriguez and Benintendi.
I wouldn’t mind if benintendi left, unless Bradley is traded and we need benintendi to play center…..
As a general rule of thumb, if you are “praying” that a player opts out, it’s not going to happen.
Perhaps the Red Sox pick up a GM from Tampa’s organization.
25% of the payroll and 12 more wins than Boston in 2019.
2018? 2017? 2016? Rays had a good year but it is just an ebb and flow thing and without atleast spending to keep some of their own talent they will never be a serious WS threat.
Steve Adams I have a question on what you just said online. I just missed out getting a chance to ask you the question as you closed out the session. You indicated that John Henry was loaded and could afford to pay whatever we want who cares about an additional $40 in luxury tax? but it would make sense for John Henry to sell the Sox make 3.2 billion take the proceeds by the Tampa Bay Rays for 1 billion and that 40 million dollars that he’d have to pay in luxury tax would be eliminated because Tampa has a budget one quarter of what Boston’s is. Then he would be able to buy all the free agents all over again and still be under the luxury-tax. Wouldn’t that be what you would do if you were a billionaire and had a lot of money and we’re trying to be Thrifty?
assuming of course you gave a crap about baseball and weren’t more interested in just enjoying your life and money. Lol
I saw the comment by Steve Adam’s that John Henry was doing a slight of hand indicating he fooled Red Sox fans when he said he was going to try and drop the Red Sox total payroll to under $208 M in 2020 and that Henry could afford a $40M luxury penalty as he’s got the bucks. I have no idea how he makes a comment like that? The Red Sox had the highest payroll in the MLB the last 2 years. Buying these aging overpriced dinosaurs like Cabrera, Pujols and soon to be aging overpriced dinosaurs like Machado, Hosmer, etc is a waste of money and future resources. Teams like Tampa see that you can get to the playoffs for 25% of what the big spenders pay and everyone knows it’s a toss-up as to who makes it all the way in the playoffs. It’s sad to see the MLB not have a salary cap and teams like NYY, BOS, LAD buy playoff appearances with owners that have superior resources. It’s especially funny to see teams like Tampa eat their lunch with brains and hustle. Glad John Henry sees that too and hope he stops competing for the dinosaurs and finds and develops the young talent. I see very few articles about just how amazing teams like Tampa and Oakland are to compete with the rich teams.
Shoulda tried to trade Price back in July. He seemed healthy, was pitching well, and though the Sox seemed like they might contend, it also seemed unlikely.
this ownership group would have ponied up if they were playing better. they saw the starting pitching take a big step back this year and knew even with a bullpen that they wouldn’t win it all. so why go over the last luxury tax threshold? at least that’s what I’m reading into it.
Now Oakland’s season is over let’s interview Billy Beane in Boston and see if we can finally get him here.
Yes I agree that Billy Beane deserves a chance to win it all.
With his brains and John Henry’s money he will get there.
So bring him to Boston.
A.S.A.P.