The Boston Red Sox are in first place and appear to be headed to the playoffs. Despite the positive, they do have needs, but with those needs is risk – risk that should be avoided.
Certain professions have a tendency to be considered a bit “shady” meaning that it is caveat emptor or buyer beware. The latest list I looked at had one specific position omitted. I assume that the author was neglectful via omission, did not do diligent research or was not a baseball fan. Missing from the list is baseball general managers or other executive titles that have been formulated to essentially broaden the scope of the position.
In Boston, we have President of Baseball Operations and within that blanket is the GM and assistant GM and various others who are there to protect ownership – usually from themselves. The Red Sox have recently been on the short end of dealings with other teams. Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg and wasted prospects and talent until they prove otherwise. Drew Pomeranz had hidden health concerns that Boston let pass when they became public.
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- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
The above represent important considerations at this time of the year. Teams are positioning themselves for a possible playoff run and that means shopping for talent to bolster your squad. As with any wheeling and dealing you have buyers and sellers who are each looking for an optimum return on any player maneuvering. That – of course – links back to “Buyer Beware.”
The Red Sox have some notable holes to discuss with third base being the most obvious. Personally, I would stay with Deven Marrero and Tzu-Wei Lin and pray to various baseball entities’ that Brock Holt finally recovers. Names occasionally surface, such as Martin Prado, as the latest potential cure and like many cures occasionally it exceeds the disease.
Prado falls into the category of overpriced and we all know about overpriced – just say “Pablo Sandoval” and you have that pegged. Prado is just symptomatic of a GM attempting to dump salary – simple as that. At least Prado has supplanted Todd Frazier. A mistake that can be rectified by finding another landing spot. This is classic at this time of the year and the Yankees made the most industrious of ventures in this area in 2016.
Underperforming players or broken down wrecks are certainly available if someone is willing to take on salary or hope a baseball miracle happens. Think any team is holding a siege of Yawkey Way for Panda? Do you want a big bat in the lineup? Get the shopping cart out for the Chris Carter. How many times have the Yankees DFA this guy? Maybe a pitching version of broken down is your desire? Ah….Bartolo Colon! A player who is ancient and probably collecting a salary, social security, and a baseball pension.
Free agents cost money – a lot of money. Teams are pressured into getting at least something for a potential rental. The rumor mill is rampant with all sorts of nuggets regarding a soon to be potential $100 Million players. This is a danger zone for teams and since this is all about the Red Sox just beware.
Dave Dombrowski has no qualms about dealing prospects and that is where beware comes in. Older Red Sox fans will just remind one and all of Jeff Bagwell. The Red Sox want that super stud the exchange will undoubtedly center around Sam Travis or Rafael Devers. I’m not emotionally ready for that unless it is Mike Trout being sent to Boston.
Next: Catching up with old friend Manny Delcarmen
The Red Sox are in relatively solid shape despite the rash of injuries. Third base is defensively stabilized and the offensive part is doing those baseball little things that contribute to wins. The pitching is the best in the American League and the offense is starting to consistently score runs. Package this all together and the Red Sox just need to sit on the sidelines.