The Mets and Francisco Lindor will explore extension talks “in earnest” this week, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Lindor has set opening day as the deadline for an extension, but the Mets have not appeared overly concerned by the limited timetable thus far. They are presumably confident in their ability to work something out in a short amount of time, or less concerned with the prospect of Lindor hitting free agency. If there were a year to allow a star like Lindor to test the market, after all, next winter is the time as there are plenty of potential options in the much-vaunted 2022 free agent class. While we continue to wait for progress on this front, let’s check in on some roster news from the Red Sox…
- Newly-acquired Franchy Cordero may not be ready for opening day, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Cordero has yet to clear COVID-19 protocols. It would be understandable to be judicious with someone in Cordero’s position – a not-yet established big-league regular joining a new franchise. Especially considering Cordero’s spotty injury history, the Red Sox may want to prioritize getting Cordero’s year started with a head full of steam. The Red Sox are planning to start the season with a short bench, but Cordero’s delay could mean an early roster spot for Michael Chavis or Marcus Wilson. By adding Marwin González and Kiké Hernandez this winter, the Red Sox have afforded themselves plenty of roster flexibility.
- González figures to find himself playing left field against lefties even when Cordero returns, writes the Athletic’s Chad Jennings. But he won’t be much help in center, whereas Cordero could see some time in the middle. While they wait for Cordero – assuming Jarren Duran doesn’t make the roster – Boston is without a clear every down option in center. Alex Verdugo and Kiké are the two players on the roster most clearly prepped for the spot, but Boston does seem to favor Duran joining the team at some point during the 2021 season. Not only has the youngster received favorable comparisons to Grady Sizemore this winter, but he’s gone 5-for-11 with a .500 OBP through their first six spring games. Though that means very little in terms of statistical significance, first impressions at this level can certainly impact an organization’s viewpoint on a player.
Met’s being over confident is a red flag. This means they won’t sign him to an extension and he will test FA.
Wrong
If he doesnt sign an extension it’s not a big deal. This years SS FA’s will be the biggest in a while. You can easily replace him with a more than adequate SS at a fraction of the price. Allowing you to do other things. How many teams will be big spenders this year when it comes to SS.
Ik, it was a joke anyways. I think Lindor will test FA but resign. If he doesn’t stay they have lots of options to choose from
Luc: I don’t think Lindor will resign but I do believe that he will RE-SIGN. No, I’m not the grammar patrol but sometimes one character changes the entire meaning. Just saying…
It’s not a sure thing (overpay being the out) that if they let him walk as a FA that one of the other big SS will come as a FA.
Would you want to make Baez the highest paid SS of that class if you’re the Mets?
Ok grammar cop
I mean, he’s right though.
Hey Luc, if you were a pending free agent, would you be more willing to resign or re-sign? That’s not being a grammar cop, it changes the entire meaning. “Say what you mean & mean what you say.” is a long lost phrase that people should still follow. I think it’s kind of silly that since I stated that I’m not the grammar patrol that you couldn’t resist calling me a grammar cop.
Ok, I rlly don’t care. People know what I mean. At least I hope. I will try to make the change next time but this isn’t English class. We talk about baseball here
Everyone understood what he was saying clown
Why do people get so hostile and angry when someone suggests how to make something correct? Yes, people understood what he was saying and it’s not the end of the world. But neither is offering a correction. No one likes having it pointed out that they’re wrong, me included, but there’s no need for hostility when someone is just offering up a simple correction. Jeez louise. It’s not like he insulted someone’s mom, wife or kids or anything.
Shouldn’t “Louise” be capitalized?
Name one friggin time a player resigned. Resigning means you’re leaving a paid position. You breaking balls about grammar showed your ignorance when it was VERY clear what he meant. Idiot.
shouldnt the p in Phillies be capitalized? unless you are referring to the Phillies as an object and i dont think people like being referred to as objects. Even then it is a name and should probably be capitalized.
The reason people get mad of grammar police is because if it is understood in context by 99.99999999999999999999% of the world. You have wasted their time, space on a board just to be a troll, cause other people to troll the troller, again wasting space and time, and then causing people like me to post to explain why grammar police are annoying and here are the reasons.
Baez is the worst SS of the Big 5 next year he’s not going to get nearly as much as the 4 guys ahead of him. People also underrate Story who may actually be the best of the bunch.
That was a lot to say.
Avgjoe- M’s fan here (sadly). We have RF Haniger and CF Kyle Lewis with LF Kelenic and OF Taylor Trammell seemingly covered. We only have one Top 100 INF Prospect (Noelvi Marte) Our payroll will be miniscule so I see us going after one of those 5 FA INF’ers. Presuming Lindor makes it to FA.
The M’s could easily afford any one of those 5 All-Star SS’s. Frankie Lindor’s Defense might make him the all around better purchase but I hope we get Trevor Story. Of course, It’s probably a pipe dream, watch us sign Jedd Gyorko or Brad Miller instead! Haha
Grammar and spelling are important. Now that you know the difference between “resign” and “re-sign,” there’s no excuse for getting it wrong unless you’re just lazy. It’s not difficult to get it right. Someone pointed out a typo of mine yesterday, and I thanked that person. It’s nothing to get angry about. Why develop bad communication habits? A leading reason for people not getting jobs is grammar and spelling errors on resumes and cover letters.
This is a baseball rumors website. Not a job interview jackass. Why would he say, “Lindor is going to get to free agency and then resign from the Mets.” If you are too stupid to realize what he is saying that is your issue. I see you have never been on the internet before where everyone, EVERYONE, does not focus on grammar
Jesus, a bunch of editors in the room here….if you want grammar rumors, go on that site. Everyone has to prove a point so they’re the smartest guy on a website/app.
I used to only go to Grammar Rumors to read about your postings on baseball websites, but now I cut out the middleman and just come here.
Ghosted – problem with everyone trying to “prove they are the smartest guy on a website” is they just come off snarky and arrogant….not smart…..
…why I rarely come to this website anymore….
Article says ‘presumably’ confident, not that they’re overconfident or even confident. Haters gonna hate.
Cohen has the money to pay market price at any time.
Anyone else besides me notice bostons over emphasize on bench players? like they seem overly desperate to have atleast 4 ‘fill in’ guys, i know they are good to have, i just dont get the obsession on having average injury plagued very basic players everywhere.
I think its about future trade chips. They won’t be competitive this year and this could give them bats they can move at the deadline. At least one or two of the guys should have value.
You’re asking players to play an 162 game season this year. You better have flexibility on your roster. Last year was a 15K, this year is a marathon. I used to like the last 3.1 miles of a 15K because most of the runners would start losing steam after 10K. There is nothing to like about the last 5K of the marathon unless you’ve paced really wisely. The Red Sox are being smart going into this year.
Their talking about having as so many pitchers on the 26 member roster at certain points. That only leaves few reserve spots increasing the importance of having multiple jack of all trades on the bench.
Projections suggest Red Sox will be competitive this season, generally placing them around the final Wild Card slot. Seems right if they get anything out of their rotation.
Whose projections? 65 to 75 wins gets you close to the Wild Card slot?
I think this is with the purpose of having one extra pitcher in the roster, instead of a position player like in prior years. They know our bullpen is not that strong, hence more options to chose from.
100% correct. Nice job
It’s not the quality of the pen but it’s because pitchers will be watched carefully regarding innings pitched after last year. I still don’t understand it because as pros everyone should’ve gotten their work in to keep their arms strong, etc.
Looie – you would hope pitchers got their work in last year, but the fact is most probably did not.
Belongstointhehall – Most of these guys have played their whole lives and the innings issue is completely blown out of proportion. I expect the #1 starters on the good teams to throw no less than 200 innings because their arms don’t have memories like batteries where if you don’t drain it to nothing the full capacity won’t happen.
Injured players recovering this year need to be watched just like any other year. Young pitchers that haven’t ever thrown the number of innings one might throw in the majors need to be watched. But guys like Kershaw, Scherzer, DeGrom and others are all fine pitching their normal load.
If pitchers CHOSE to not workout and stretch out their arms and build their arm strength during the last year, then yes those pitchers need to be watched. If it turns out they didn’t properly prepare for the 2021 season, then teams need to consider that in their next contract.
The innings thing is much ado about nothing. Just some writers misguided belief in how pitchers prepare for a season.
Completely agree. They are building a team of misfit utility players. It worked for Oakland but sadly won’t work in the East. Unless you’re the Rays but you can’t beat who’s best at it.
Earnest talks are the very best type of talks. In fact, the Importance of being Ernest cannot be overstated.
Hey Vern!
Knowhutimean?
I think Duran will get at least a September call up before the end of the season. He’s had a great spring, but he hasn’t seen time at AAA yet, and his AA numbers are so/so. Like the Sizemore comparison, but Duran doesn’t have the same power, yet. If Duran performs well in the minors in the first half, he could come up and take over center, move Verdugo to right, and push Renfroe out of playing time (assuming he isn’t flipped before the trade deadline if he performs well).
You could definitely see him soon, I hear he’s hungry. Like a wolf!
philliesphan77,
I’m not the grammar patrol, but I believe that’s spelt ‘woof’.
You’re not the grammar police of me!
In an Ordinary World, the Sox could carry Duran’s Notorious bat. Now Planet Earth has Come Undone and their relievers are Wild Boys, so they need to have an unknown extra pitcher AKA The Seventh Stranger. I think this could be The Reflex by Chaim against potential bad pitching, but maybe he’ll change his mind if there is a New Moon On Monday. Save A Prayer for the Sox this year.
I was told by people in the know that the time he spent in Puerto Rico was against talent anywhere from AA to AAA to major leaguers. And after a brief adjustment he fared Very well. A childhood friend of mine also played down there so he’s telling me Duran is the real deal and ready. They will hold him to AAA to stop his clock from starting early but I’d guess he’ll be here after the 20 game minimum is met. Again this is from a current major league player.
He earned a Caribbean Series All Star nod. i believe he was one of only two that didnt have MLB experience (most notable amounts) to make that group. good company at his age.
Durren isnt Sizmore, hes much closer to Jacoby Ellsbury in every way possible. Slap hitter, super blazing fast runner, noodle arm and jacoby is 6’1 while durren is 6’2 almost identical player in every single facet. Hes definitely not sizemore.
“Grady Sizemore” – classic Red Sox hype.
Bonkers giving him the Sizemore comp but nothing is worse than saying someone is Trout/mantle good before playing a game in the US at any minor league level….
Like when we kept hearing Jesus Montero was “the next Miguel Cabrera.” They must have been referring to some other Miguel Cabrera who didn’t play baseball…
I think the comparison isn’t as crazy as it sounds. They’re both 6’2” left handed center fielders. Both (in the minors) had/have high OBP and SLG, but without the long ball (although, Sizemore did develop it a little in AA, but it wasn’t until the majors that it really developed). They also are comparable with speed and defense. Duran is older than Sizemore when he came up, but hopefully Duran has time to develop a power game.
Unless they mean Sizemore by the time he got to the Red Sox…
what on Earth is “classic Red Sox hype”?
Since you asked, “classic Red Sox hype” is the can’t miss nature of Red Sox prospecting. Sorry, but I checked out after the hype of Will Middlebrooks, Henry Owens, and Blake Swihart. When is Lars Anderson getting elected to Cooperstown? Jay Groome win his Cy Young yet? Craig Hansen must be due for a raise? Hype.
And what about the ones ranked around the same spot that have done well? Devers, Bogearts, Betts, Dalbec…need I go on? Most people believed those prospects were reasonably ranked, and if not, perhaps it was the benefit of the doubt given (deservedly) to a team that develops talent well.
Every team in baseball has that every team no exceptions. This isn’t just a Red Sox thing. It’s simply the nature of prospects however the Red Sox have had quite a few position players pan out.
Every team overhypes some and has others who favorably shock.
You named four players, one of whom is far from proven. Yes, you need go on. I didn’t say anything about such “hype” being exclusive to the Sox, merely it’s “classic” Red Sox hype.
Ok 30 Parks just because they aren’t on the team anymore doesn’t take away from the fact that Betts, JBJ, Benentendi, as well as Devers, Bogey, Vasquez, all position players that were prospects in the Red Sox system. I would say they hit on a decent amount of there position players probably kore then most teams.
More
17 prospects graduated from the Red Sox farm system and are successful players in the majors from 2013 until 2020. The Red Sox farm system has out=performed most other farm systems in the last decade but continues to be belittled by the morons that think ranked players matter.
Swihard being ranked hire than Mookie is enough proof to me they are clueless. Need something more recent? Jeter Downs #40 despite only playing well in 12 of 289 minor league games and #100 Bobby Dalbec who got called up and did extremely well in his debut and looks to be a future starter if not a future all-star if things go well.
Downs never made the top 100 until he played 12 games at AA in 2019 after being traded from Cincinnati to the Dodgers. The Dodger’s hype using the 12 games moved him from obscurity to 40th. That over-rating then got translated into a great deal for Bloom when in fact it was a huge mistake, especially in light of all the pitching the Dodgers have. That’s the politics of prospects.
The rankings mean NOTHING. Think of them as talking points for the media that help foster interest in the game. They clearly are not scientific. They are influenced by team politics and they don’t reflect actual contributions of a farm system to the MLB team. So basically, they are worthless except as talking points to stimulate debate and bragging rights for organizations. Not valid bragging rights, just contrived bragging rights defined by writers who create the hype for specific players.
What no Jacoby Ellsbury comparison!
Classic hype? It’s done every day with every prospect on every team. Someone asks who does so and so remind you of. Don’t overthink things 39 Park.
30 Park
i forgot Grady Sizemore was on the sox, which tells you how much of an impact he had since ive watched every game for about 17 years, This teams a shell, I know for whatever reason they cut dombrowski and theo left, but with those guys they SPENT and traded and you have 4 championships to show for it, they need to get back to that, after this season when they finish 5th( i think baltimores actually better, did i just say that?:) they will say okay, we just had 2+ years of being awful like we always are after winning it all, go get the biggest free agent. Just look at their history, the ‘gap’ years if you will between being great and being dead last, this team has no middle, they never win 78 games and get in as underdogs, its frustrating that unless they try to win everything, they dont try, whats wrong with winning the first round then being competitive and being knocked out, you dont need to win the WS every year, but to go this route is unacceptable, I mean were literally starting the season without a second baseman or 1st, 2 key positions, the fact that those arent filled is absolutely pathetic.
Having followed them since 1963, I used to love those years where they made you believe only to break your heart at the end. Can you imagine if Bucky Dent’s home run was in a meaningless game? Or if the ball went through Buckner’s legs in Spring Training? I’m ok when they’re out of it early because it allows me to focus on life and what’s really important: rooting against the yankees.
There’s a zero percent chance the Red Sox finish behind Baltimore this year. This Sox team will be better than you think. Also, why would Boston go out and sign a true 2nd baseman when their 2nd baseman of the future (Downs) is less than a year away from taking over? I’d argue the Sox do have a 1st baseman in Dalbec (or possibly Devers if the two switch positions), but their long term 1st baseman is also about a year away from the bigs (Casas). All of Sox fans knew this day was coming. They overspent on the wrong players so they would have to eventually rebuild. That’s where we are now but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Only two players have guaranteed contracts in 2023 (Sale/Boagarts) and Xander has an opt out too. One more year of this mediocrity and Boston will be on to building its next championship team under Bloom. This is coming to the Bronx soon as well. No way they will be able to keep Judge, Torres, Voit, Sanchez, etc..as they have too much money tied up in long term deals. The Yankees window will be closing once Boston’s reopens, so hang in there, brighter days are coming soon. This year’s team will finish .500 or better too; mark my words.
Extremely well said and the team you just described will be contenders for years. We will spend money on free agents that are Starting pitchers as we still struggle to develop our own but I have high hopes for Mata and Groom. That said, a home grown infield of Casas, Downs (kinda home grown) Bogey and Devers sounds great to me. We have a few catchers coming up in a few years and I truly believe Duran WILL be a stud. We may never have a Betts again, but who the hell does? They are generational type players and don’t kid yourself, he was NEVER signing back with us. We are one maybe two years away from the next great team that will compete for years.
Nice recap DM. Agree with most of it but the wild card with NYY is the next CBA. They will not do as great a re-build as Boston had to do because no one as great as Mookie wants out. Assuming financials rebound, X-man will be opting out even if it’s just to renegotiate, if the team is not back on track, he could though truly test the water. Everyone wants to win. Having said that, I still look at 13 and realize anything is possible. JDM is capable of having a Papi like post season.
Dorothy – I keep reading your comments and asking myself whether you are paid influencer by the Red Sox or a delusional fan who thinks he’s being loyal despite the owners and Bloom not being loyal to the fans. I can’t make up my mind on which but clearly your ideas are beyond optimistic.
First, they got Hernandez because Downs is NOT the future. He has failed to live up to his hype at all levels of the minors except 12 games at AA when he faced 2 of the bottom 3 pitching staffs in the the league and had a field day. Hernandez gives Bloom a chance to dump Downs before anyone stops believing the hype and that will happen when Downs returns to AA and can’t hit above .240. He’s JBJ with bat speed and power and no ability to make contact against below average pitchers.
Next, Dalbec must play 3B because Devers sucks and will suck the rest of his life since he’s played 8 years of professional baseball and has a .fielding percentage far below league average in every year and for his career. That’s the text book definition of sucking.
Next, Casas will be the 1B of the future and together with Dalbec they will be a very solid corner infield. Bloom needs to remove the opt out by extending Bogaerts and he needs to determine if he can find a 2B other than Downs that can actually hit and field and costs less than $1M for the next 4 to 6 years.
Next, the Red Sox didn’t overspend on anyone except Cora and Bloom. Price was worth his cost at the time of his contract, Sale is worth his, JD was worth his at the time, etc etc. The bad contracts go back long before DD and there was NEVER a need to part with Mookie except he didn’t want to stay and play for racist owners. David Price, while Sale is hurt, would have been the #1 SP in 2021 and he’s significantly better than both E-Rod and Eovaldi. Good thing we are paying him $16M to play for LAD!!! Further proof the owners and Bloom a idiots. FYI… the luxury cap issue was a disaster that DID NOT need to happen but I’m not going to explain that yet again.
The light at the end of the tunnel as you described it was the precisely planned conclusion to the Red Sox run laid out by DD. He set the roster to be highly competitive through 2022 and they would have been except for a few key injuries and a gigantic mistake of alienating Mookie Betts.
Next, “the next championship team under Bloom:”? Do you truly believe there already has been one? See, that’s what NEXT means. There will be no finishes above 4th before Bloom is fired. Wake up and smell the coffee or the stench that is Bloom’s dismantling of a championship team.
Boston’s chance to be great again isn’t happening soon and contrary to your badly misguided perspective on the Yankees, they will sustain being competitive into the future because their owners spend money like a team that makes hundreds of millions a year. That’s why Red Sox fans should be irate. They also make the big bucks just like the Yankees but they have chosen to not plow the earning back into the team but rather they have chosen to pocket it!!!
Yes, owners have bought the right to pocket earnings if they so choose and fans have the right to complain about it. Especially fans who spent 86 years in a drought.
FYI… the most elite FAs available in the next few years are very likely going to the Yankees. Why? Because they will spend whatever it takes to be competitive, unlike Henry in recent years. Also, most of the other big market clubs are backed up against the 1st threshold so the SS class as they call it will be owned by the Yankees. You better hope the Yankees don’t couple Cole and Kluber with another stud because if they ever figure out 3 studs will get them to the world series, the AL will be just like the NL with the Dodgers owning the top seed.and the Yankees owning the top seed in the AL.
I’m marking your words about .500. NOT A CHANCE unless Sale wins 16 after he comes back. Take each of the 19 series and predict the likely outcomes. It’s the only way for fans to realize what bad shape the team is in right now. 76 games against the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays and Baltimore. ONLY the Orioles present a team that would allow Boston to win 10 of 19. All other series will be well below .500. You don’t finish above .500 with a team that goes 32-44 in their own division and that’s best case scenario!! I have them at 29-47. 32=44 comes from 7/19 vs Yankees, 7/19 vs TB, 7/19 vs Tor and 11/19 vs BAL. I think it’s more likely that they win 6 against each of the top 3 teams and maybe one more against BAL for a total of 29 and 47. To get to .500 they need to win 49 out of 86 games against the 15 other teams they play in 2021. Teams like CWS, MIN, CLE, ATL, WAS, PHI, NYM and several other lesser teams. The 49 wins versus the rest means winning at a rate of roughly 57% of their games. That’s a 93 win season pace. I’m sorry but no way they beat all those other teams at a 93 win season pace.
Thus, NO .500 season is on the horizon.
Mark my words!!
KD, well said. However, I do see Boston still pulling off 36 wins in the division and pumping teams outside the division to reach .500.
In 2013 I wrote the Red Sox off and thought Cherington had a brutal offseason. Yet they somehow came together and won the World Series. Moral of the story is I stop doubting the Red Sox.
KD I think you are flat out wrong on Downs in my opinion. I think your flat distain has clouded your judgement on him.
I have to admit I haven’t watched him much so seeing him during spring training is my only reference but he looks good. There is no question that he has quick wrists and makes solid hard contact he looks smooth in the field. He is also a very patient hitter and seems to hunt pitches he can do damage on. He reminds me of a young right handed version of Robinson Cano. I’m not saying he is going to be as good as Cano just that the similarities are there.
I know that you have this weird thing that says if the guy doesn’t tear up the minor leagues then he wont be able to hit in the big leagues but that is simply not true. Downs has a quick compact swing much like Cano and should continue to improve as he gets more experience. There are hitters that can hit minor league pitching then get the bat knocked out of their hands when they get to the big leagues or they simply cant hit the offspeed pitches. Downs stays back on the ball and has a plan at the plate I think he adjusts well to advanced pitching and goes much like Cano on his trajectory.
If you doubt that players can get better as they go up the ladder in the minors simply look at Cano. Going by your theory you would been arguing how much he sucks and that he is overrated he didn’t really hit in the minors until the upper minors but everyone could see the talent. You have to remember these are just kids and sometimes it takes time to adjust. We have no idea how homesick some of these young guys are and how it may effect them. I am not a scout but have been watching baseball for 40+ years and what I see is a patient hitter who will take a walk with strong quick wrists that punishes mistake pitches and also looks smooth in the field. The kid flat out looks like a future big leaguer to me and let me tell you if he is the future 2nd baseman along with Verdugo who I think will remain a solid outfielder then the trade for 1 year of Betts was a solid one if Bloom was truly put in the position to trade him which I believe he was.
Bruin1012 = I respect that you like Downs but I spend an enormous amount of my time researching players through the minors for all the fantasy leagues I’m in and I was shocked to see him pop up to the top 100 prospect list after 12 good games. When I dug into it even further I researched the pitchers that gave up the hits to him and they frankly stink so I further discounted his 12 game hitting spree.
To be a top 50 Prospect you need to consistently hit in the lower minors. Downs has not done that. In fact, like I mentioned, if he didn’t walk he would have no redeeming qualities except a fast bat that doesn’t make contact and power that results from the lack of discipline in trying to make hard contact on EVERY pitch, even 2 strike pitches. Those skills historically don’t translate into successful MLB players. Go back to Betts, Bogaerts and others and see what they did at the same point in their careers in the minors. It’s not even close. The best comp is probably Chavis!! And to be fair to Chavis, he had to deal with some significant family issues when he first broke into baseball so I cut him so slack for his first few years.
Downs is a lot like Devers. He needs the spotlight to feel good about himself. Watch his behavior when he hits. Devers’ ego needs to constantly be monitored to ensure he doesn’t lose confidence, thus Cora exists. He hits for himself, not the team. Downs’ body language reads the same way. Let him go back down to AA and see if he hits above .250. At his age, a future star should eat up AA pitchers. If COVID didn’t happen he would have started 2020 in AA and probably would have had yet another “ho hum” performance like his previous 3 years and the Red Sox would have promoted him to AAA in 2021 to not lose face on the terrible Betts deal. Remember, this guy was taken instead of pitching when pitching was needed.
I would be happy to see Downs turn out the way you expect him to but I’m very confident that he won’t.
Also, I know you are a Devers supporter too and I just watched the first 3 innings of today’s game. I thought Pivetta was outstanding. The score keeping absolutely sucked. Pivetta gave up 1 legitimate hit and it was to the first batter of the game and sorry for digressing but the pitch call was horrible!!! To whomever is calling pitch location, learn your job!!. He went back to the same location after the hitter was on the previous pitch and simple fouled it back. That should have suggested to the pitch caller that it was time to go away if he thought the down and in pitch was the best out pitch location. Instead, he basically throws the same pitch to the same zone and the ball is roped to the right field corner and the runner ends up at 2B. A ground ball to Chavis at 2B moves the runner to third. And then the Butcher gets the call. Devers has a hard hit one hopper go right past his glove as he awkwardly tries to balance himself since his footwork is so atrocious. Most good high school 3Bs could have gloved the ball but Devers isn’t at that level. Thanks to horse crap, politically motivated, score keeping Pivetta gets charged with a hit and an earned run. Anyone watching, including the TB announcer, saw that it should have been an error. So, instead of finishing 3 innings with a 0 = 0 score, the Red Sox are down 1 – 0 and nobody looks at the box score and sees it’s Devers fault. This happens ALL THE TIME.
The next inning, Devers does yet another ‘ole’ defensive move and once again no error. Fortunately Pivetta got a double play not involving Devers and got out of the inning without any further unearned runs being posted as earned runs. SO, Pivetta’s 3IP, 1ER, 3 H performance should have read 3IP, 0ER, 1 H.
In a season with 32 starts you can imagine the impact of Devers on each pitcher’s ERA, WHiP and other modern pitching metrics. The butcher needs to be moved off 3B now, especially with Dalbec being a more than adequate replacement and a dozen utility players that can handle 1B.
The team is actually better off defensively with JD in the outfield and Devers at DH than JD at DH and Devers at 3B. The numbers don’t lie.
Bruin1012 – You must have dug deep to try to find an example but Cano is a terrible example. The guy never hit under .275 while in all levels of the minors and Downs has never hit over .275 except for 12 games in AA in 2019.
Cano’s numbers suggest a bright future, Downs do not.
Bruin1012 – Quick update. I went to the MLB prospect rankings and Downs has fallen from #40 to #49 since becoming a Red Sox prospect. He hasn’t played a game but fell 9 spots. That’s how reliable the rankings are!!
Cross your fingers his debut in AA or AAA if the Red Sox want to keep pumping the hype is good. If not, by mid year he could be out of the top 100 and his entire value will have been wasted. He should be packaged right now in a deal to get a young pitcher with upside that will help the team. Utility players and power hitting 2Bs that strike out a lot and can’t move runners along are a dime a dozen. Good pitching prospects are worth their weight in gold which is why Bloom didn’t get one from Friedman like he should have.
KD i knew you were going to be all over Devers defense and you are right yesterdays game was terrible. Devers looks good as in he is in shape and athletically he should be able to play third but the time has to be fast approaching that he no longer plays third. I do believe that this is his make or break year defensively at third. I am not opposed to putting Dalbec at third and try Devers at first especially in a year that I don’t think Boston competes for anything this year unless a lot of things go right for them.
I didn’t have to look at all for the Cano comp because he reminds me of a right handed version. I’m not real sure where you got your minors information but the reality is in his 18 year old year Cano hit .231 in the minors. Cano hit for higher average in his age 19 season and almost exactly the same in age 20 season. What does Downs do better then just about any other good major league second baseman including Cano is slugging. I am convinced this kid looks to do damage he is a slugger and I think he will continue to be so going forward. I really like his chances and lets be real just looking at someones average is really not a good way to evaluate a minor leaguer. I’m convinced the major league pitchers will not be able to knock the bat out of his hands with big heat and he stays back on the ball well to be a solid off speed pitch hitter.
Chavis is a terrible comp for Downs totally different hitters. Chavis, to use the old adage, has a slider swing bat. Its almost like he drags the bat through the zone while downs whips it through the zone. I am skeptical that Chavis will ever be able to catch up to belt high and above heat his bat is just not quick enough. I don’t think Downs has the same issue I am bullish on Downs future from all that I have witnessed so far. I did look at a lot of the best current second baseman and Downs is at the very top with his OPS which may not be the best indicator but certainly better then average alone. It will be interesting to see what happens from here on out but I expect Downs to spend this year in the minors and be ready for the big leagues next year. I am not nearly as bullish on Chavis and if they can move him for some pitching then I would be all for that.
oh ya! we have no starting pitchers 3-5, but hey, no biggie!
I think the Mets will lock up Lindor, but I think they are in a position where waiting is fine. Huge SS FA class next year. Any offers right now will be in the 330+ range. If Lindor puts up 2020 numbers (doubtful, guy is a stud) then the Mets are stuck with a massive overpay. If Lindor underperforms in 2021, Mets may get a slight discount. Either way, Mets are in a great spot, and I fully expect Lindor to be in Queens for a long time.
I like the idea of NOT signing Lindor to an extension. Let’s wait and see how he performs this season.
Really excited for Duran to come up to the majors
Verdugo and Duran could be two thirds of a solid outfield going forward.
Grady Sizemore is a Blast from the PAST
Yeah, he was a regional star who was on his way on becoming a star until his back betrayed him. He was something special to watch. Played all out 100% of the time (that was part of the problem).
regional? that dude was Mike Trout before real 5 tool guys were fully appreciated. look at his numbers. if he kept them up even over just a decade he was in the hall for sure.
Extend Conforto first
Duran’s expected weighted on-base average on contact (XWOBACON) is insane!
Do you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome? Ask your doctor is Xwobacon is right for you.
XWOBACON is also the formula I use for Sunday breakfast
Considering this thread, should it be irritable vowel syndrome ?
Heyooooo
Seems like it’s always something with Franchy over and over again. Ridiculous talent so far unrealized.
gotta say, im squarely on the Duean hype train now. forget him not having played too high in 2019, the guy looks ready. that said, I would like to see some of Wilson. i think he’s something of a forgotten prospect.
He’s going to sign. And he’s going to sign before the season. They didn’t make the trade to not sign him. They chose this player as the ss they want to go forward with that’s why they traded 2 major leaguers and 2 prospects they just drafted for him. If they didn’t know who they wanted, they could have simply waited one season but instead of watching him go to another team, they aggressively went after this guy for a reason.
He is very happy to be in NYC based on every single thing he’s done and said. They haven’t spoken about it yet. Why are people so insanely stupid on the internet?
that was also said about Realmuto and…
And Aroldis Chapman (Cubs) and Jason Heyward (Cardinals) and Justin Upton and Freddy Galvis (Padres). Heck, even Mookie Betts didn’t happen without the Dodgers basically paying him FA prices.
Alderson literally said that he was content trading those guys for just one year of Lindor. If extending him was such a big deal he would have made the trade contingent on an extension (like what the Reds did with Sonny Gray).
Do people think the Mets either lost out on Realmuto or didn’t want to spend money? I guess you can’t expect people to get it. As soon as they got Lindor, you’re looking at DeGrom at 34. Lindor at 30 to 35. Conforto at 25 to 30. Syndergaard at 24 to 30. And maybe Stroman. They have a legit prospect who may be their number one who’s ready in 3 to 4 years. And instead of getting into a bidding war and overpaying both years and money for an older catcher, they made a quick decision based on their lineup already being extremely good 1 to 8. Maybe…. Maybe if they didn’t already have Lindor, McNeil, Conforto, Alonso, Smith etc.. the slight upgrade from McCann to Realmuto is worth more money. But more than twice the money and years? Nah McCann sits rather nicely in the lineup in the 7 spot. For 10 mil a year and 4 years. An ideal contract. In 4 years that Realmuto deal will be a problem. You can’t pay 5 guys over 30 mil a year. So you get a very solid defensive player who in a good lineup can hit 7th and get you a. 270 20hr 70 rbi year for basically a bargain price. Good smart decision making
Do people think the Mets either lost out on Realmuto or didn’t want to spend money? I guess you can’t expect people to get it. As soon as they got Lindor, you’re looking at DeGrom at 34. Lindor at 30 to 35. Conforto at 25 to 30. Syndergaard at 24 to 30. And maybe Stroman. They have a legit prospect who may be their number one who’s ready in 3 to 4 years. And instead of getting into a bidding war and overpaying both years and money for an older catcher, they made a quick decision based on their lineup already being extremely good 1 to 8. Maybe…. Maybe if they didn’t already have Lindor, McNeil, Conforto, Alonso, Smith etc.. the slight upgrade from McCann to Realmuto is worth more money. But more than twice the money and years? Nah McCann sits rather nicely in the lineup in the 7 spot. For 10 mil a year and 4 years. An ideal contract. In 4 years that Realmuto deal will be a problem. You can’t pay 5 guys over 30 mil a year. So you get a very solid defensive player who in a good lineup can hit 7th and get you a. 270 20hr 70 rbi year for basically a bargain price. Good smart decision making
In just two years the Red Sox have gone from having one of the most dynamic outfields in baseball to being worried if Franchy Cordero will be ready for opening day.
I’ve heard of many strange COVID symptoms, but if it leaves Cordero with a “head full of steam” like this article says that would be a first.
Franchy “it’s always something” Cordero. Or FIASCO if you want the acronym.
I find it interesting that we all missed the rule change that Baseball has “downs” now