The Official 2014 AL East Thread

Yup I agree. There already have been reports that Oakland offer a package similar to what the Cubs got for Shark/Hammels for Price but the Rays turned it down. I probably would have jumped at that getting a top 10 talent in Russell at the SS position, especially since TB has a pretty weak system at the moment.

 

They're not a good hitting baseball team this year, the pitching overall has been fine but they're awful offensively. They just don't have enough fire power to make a legit run. They have some nice trading chips on their team, they might as well get some players back that can help in the future.

 

Thing is hitting is so contagious, that can turn around at any time, not having pitching is what really messes up a season

 

Sox are 23rd in runs and BA, 11th in OBP and 26th in SLG % just to name a few stats. They are 10 games under .500, 9 games back in the division and 9 games back for a playoff spot. They are the 8th worst team in baseball right now with 74 games to play. They just don't have the power to make a long run.

Realistically they are an extreme long shot to make the playoffs. I'd much rather they see what players/prospects they can get back for their FAs to be guys like Peavy, Koji, Gomes, Pierzynski, Ross, and Drew since none of those guys will be back next year with the exception of possibly Koji and maybe Gomes but neither player they will offer a qualifying offer of 14 million for so there's no sense in keeping them.

Lester and Miller are two FAs at the end of the year that I'd like back and will absolutely have trade value so what I'd do if I were the GM and if the team wants them back next year is give them their best offer and if they reject it, trade both guys.

Bottom line is the team isn't going to win with the current roster they have and I don't think there are any realistic big time hitters available at this deadline (I don't count guys like Either as a difference marker) so they might as well try and get players/prospects in return instead of letting guys walk for nothing.

 

I'm not big on Russell, so I wasn't to upset with them passing on that package.

But in general I agree. Unless they view Russell the same as me, it's hard to say they should pass on that package.

 

Why? The Yankees basically have a Mills in David Huff already on the roster.

 

Yeah I don't get why they keep running Whitley out there when it's clear he can't be a MLB SPer. He'll probably be fine as a 1 inning RPer but the guy just doesn't have the stuff to get through the batting order 2 or 3 times. But Mills certainly isn't the answer either.

 

Yeah I think that's going to be the Yankees problem this year in that their system is weak so other teams will be able to outbid them for the better players.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Peavy is dealt by tomorrow. Sox need to bring up another SPer for that game and there aren't any obvious send down to the minors guys except Mookie Betts but if they did that then they would be short on the bench.

 

The player option is only if he pitches a combined 400 innings in 2013 and 2014 (in 2014 he needs to pitch at least 190 innings) and also if he doesn't end the 2014 season on the DL. He threw only 144.2 innings in 2013, 157.1 if you include the post season. So he's going to need to pitch at least 244 innings this year which isn't happening.

Anyway I could see the Sox getting a B level prospect back for him. St. Louis apparently really likes him, they need pitching depth with all their injuries to their SPers and I do think he'll be much better pitching in the NL and in a bigger home park.

 

Wonder if the Cardinals would ever trade Allen Craig to the Sox for Peavy if the Sox took on most, if not all of his contract. Craig is having a down year this year and is owed 25.5 million from 2015 to 2017 with a 13 million dollar team option in 2018. The Cards have 4 guys (Holliday, Taveras, Adams and Craig) for 3 spots. This could be a way from them to clear up a spot and money. Sox could then play Craig in LF next year and then 1B in 2016, if/when Napoli leaves.

Anyway just an interesting thought.

EDIT: Craig isn't in the Cardinals line up tonight. Could be something or nothing, since Craig has been sitting a lot more recently because of his hitting woes.

 

And Ortiz opens his mouth again.... Strangely enough i'm sure he will get a free pass......

 

I wonder if the league is finally catching up to Tanaka or this is just a mini slump (maybe a bit of both).

 

Every pitcher pitches on 4 days rest though, unless there is an off day somewhere. Not sure how Girardi is ruining him.

 

Maybe Fink means he needs to skip a start or two, because In Japan they do 5 days rest right?

 

I get that maybe the team should give them extra rest but I don't see how pitching him on back to back starts on regular MLB rest is hurting him.

Maybe Finyank is drunk again?

 

I agree. That's the most likely scenario.

 

I think Murti simply messed up. By my quick count it looks like Tanaka started 8 games on 4 days rest, 8 games on 5 days rest and 1 game on 6 days rest (due to a rain out).

Maybe Murti meant that it was the first time in Tanaka's MLB career where he pitched back to back games on only 4 days rest? It seems like that if that's what he meant he's right.

Anyway you can see for yourself:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=tanakma01&t=p&year=2014

Either way still don't see how or why you can blame Girardi for this. It seems like the off days/rain outs so far worked in Tanaka's favor but he's got to learn how to pitch back to back to back (etc, etc) on only 4 days rest if he wants to be successful in the MLB.

My stance has always been no one should be untouchable and a good GM should listen to offers for every and any player he has in his system. If another team wants to give the Sox a hell of a package for Lackey and the Sox FO thinks it will really help their franchise going forward, why not?

 

Looking back at his game logs it looks like those were the only games he started on back to back 4 days rest.

 

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ya AJ.

I'm totally on board with playing the young kids, let them take their lumps now when the team isn't going anywhere so they're ready for next year. Also it gives the Sox FO time to see them at the MLB level to determine if they can handle it in the big leagues.

Next step is trading/releasing Drew and move Bogaerts back to SS and let Middlebrooks/Cecchini play 3B and make sure Mookie Betts plays every day too in the OF along side JBJ.

 

To a degree they can. It's not always about stats or putting up numbers. It's about how they handle things in the clubhouse, on the field. If they are having good at bats, doing well defensively, base running etc.

JBJ has started to hit the past few weeks after changing batting stances and opening up more. Bogaerts looked like he did all of last year, including in the post season and did so until June when he started to slump. Mookie Betts played in what 4 or 5 games so far, kind of hard to judge him.

Farrell just confirmed that Vazquez is up for the rest of the year and will be the #1 catching going forward.

5 rookies will be in tonight's line up with Holt, Bogaerts, Betts, JBJ and Vazquez.

 

Yeah, I think they realized it after they got swept to the Cubs.

You'd have to think Drew and Peavy are absolutely gone sooner than later. Miller, Gomes, Doubront, Breslow, Mijeca could be too. I wonder about Lester, Koji, Buchholz and Lackey. If I have to guess I'd think the Sox will spend the next 2 weeks trying to get a contract extension done with Lester but if they can't they might as well trade him and see if they can possibly re-sign him in the offseason, unless they decide his price tag is way out there. I absolutely think they should trade Koji. And I bet they listen on Lackey and maybe Buchholz too.

 

Peavy to the Yankees?

Seriously though hope it's not serious, he was fun to watch pitch. If he's hurt the Yankees are screwed, obviously.