Tag Archives: Andrew Benintendi

The Red Sox Are Trying Something New

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When you think of the all-time great Boston Red Sox, there are many players that come to mind. The organization has been blessed with an absurd amount of legends in its long history, from Ted Williams, to Carl Yastrzemski, to Carlton Fisk, to David Ortiz, and countless more. While all those legends are separated by decades, there is one thing that most of them share in common. Outside of Pedro Martinez, the best Sox players were always hitters. Looking at 2018, that probably won’t be the case. The Red Sox are trying something new this season – and that’s ok.

The Red Sox Are Trying Something New

Image result for win dance repeat

It may not look like the normal Red Sox team, but there should be a lot of dancing this season 

Image credit: SI.com

Historically, the Red Sox have never made acquiring top pitchers their main priority. Of course, they’ve never turned down signing a good pitcher if one fell into their lap, but generally speaking the organization has always put the focus on getting the best bat instead of the best arm. In 2016, the Red Sox took a turn from history and put more of the focus on pitching. With Ortiz retiring, they knew there would need to be a change in organizational philosophy.

With Ortiz’ departure imminent, the Sox went all in on pitching. Within two years, the Sox had remade their starting rotation. Boston added Chris Sale, David Price, and Drew Pomeranz to join Eddie Rodriguez and Rick Porcello. Additionally, the bullpen has added a series of hard throwing late inning arms to replace the likes of Jean Machi and the corpse of Junichi Tazawa.

Despite winning 93 games and the division title, the Red Sox 2017 season didn’t go as planned. Overall, the pitching held up its end of the bargain, but the offense lacked pop due to the absence of Ortiz along with some regression from the young core. Meanwhile, the Yankees young core had spent all of 2017 destroying baseballs, coming one game shy of the World Series.

Red Sox Nation freaked when the Yankees acquired NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. The most power happy offense had added the best power hitter from the 2017 season. With all that firepower, there’s no way to think that the Red Sox can produce an offense that could match the Yankees. They can’t, but that’s fine. The Red Sox aren’t trying to, and they shouldn’t.

Where the Red Sox Stand Now

Adding J.D. Martinez would help Boston, but it’s not going to make or break the season. With or without him, Boston will not be able to match the Yankees lineup bat for bat. That’s where the pitching staff comes in. The Sox have a rotation led by two true aces in Chris Sale and David Price. Drew Pomeranz put together a great season last year, and Alex Cora should be the fix that lets Eddie Rodriguez make the leap. Rick Porcello is just one year removed from a Cy Young and will probably be better this year than last.

The bullpen is looking great too. The Sox should look to add another late inning arm, but the bullpen still figures to be a big strength. Craig Kimbrel was the best closer in baseball last year, and Carson Smith looked good in a small sample size. Tyler Thornberg still exists and will be pitching at some point. Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes should never be the top arms in the bullpen, but they’re great depth to have.

The Winning Strategy

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Chris Sale’s arm will play a big role in this teams success

Image credit: NESN.com

The pitching will be enough to keep games close, so the offense doesn’t need to be a juggernaut to win games. Let’s assume the worst case scenario that Martinez doesn’t sign and nobody else is brought in. There would be a relative lack of power, but the Sox would still be in good shape.

Mookie Betts is an annual MVP candidate and will almost certainly be better in 2018 than 2017. Jackie Bradley Jr is streaky, but when he’s hot, he’s nearly unstoppable. Xander Bogaerts won’t ever hit 30 home runs, but he’s got amazing hands and is one of the best at making solid contact and getting on base. His innate ability to get on base and hit to all areas of the park makes him a great fit for the lead-off or second spot. On top of that, his annual second half slump could be a thing of the past now that the Sox have a manager that actually knows when a player needs a rest day.

Young Reinforcements

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Expect this guy to become a household name before long

Image credit: Boston Globe

The established players should bounce back, but the younger players should add a kick of their own too. Andrew Benintendi played incredibly well for a rookie, but he did have his ups and downs. With a full year of the majors under his belt, he should continue his upward trajectory and could even push for the MVP if everything breaks right.

Third baseman Rafael Devers had a steep learning curve in 2017 and played incredibly well. Devers was promoted to the majors after just a week in Triple A after spending the first half of the season in AA ball. Somehow, the jump from AA pitching to major league didn’t affect him. Devers was one of the best power hitters on the team last year, and was responsible for some of the best moments of the season. His defense needs work, but his bat and athleticism have unreal potential.

All in all, this shapes up to be a good offense without accounting for Martinez or another power bat. It’s certainly an offense that’s good enough to compete with a good pitching staff to compliment it. When paired with a great pitching staff, it’s downright scary. It’s not a lineup that looks like a typical Red Sox lineup. It’s something new, but it’s something that should lead to serious World Series contention.

 

Cover image courtesy of Boston.com.

The Possible Power Hitters of the Red Sox

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Current or New Hitters?

J.D Martinez is still on the market, and Spring Training is around the corner. The Sox have shown interest in Martinez, and it is a waiting game to see what he is going to do. With the Red Sox organization not making any moves to get the power hitter that they need, it’s time to look at the possibilities of the current power hitters. There’s still hope that the Sox will pick up a power bat, but the questions are who and when. Could it be J.D., or a could it be a current player? The Red Sox have good hitters, but they need great hitters if they are going to stack up against other teams.

Hanley Ramirez

The current designated hitter of the Sox has always been a great batter. “El Trece” had a tough 2017 season, and his place on the team has definitely been questionable. With the possibility that J.D Martinez becomes a part of the Red Sox roster, what will happen with Hanley? With Mitch Moreland back for another season, Hanley is not going to be the first choice for first baseman. The thing Hanley needs to work on the most is his control and keeping his eye on the ball. Watching tapes and trying to see where he hits the ball is the best way for Hanley to approach a tough pitcher. Could 2018 be Hanley’s year to be the power hitter everyone is looking for?

Mookie Betts

There is no doubt that Mookie is a great player. With consecutive Golden Gloves he has proven that he is a strong outfielder. Mookie is young, but he is confident with his swing. When he can control the bat he hits beautifully, and it definitely pays off. He ranked high on the team with twenty-four runs in the 2017 regular season. There is rarely a day that Mookie doesn’t play or has an all around bad game. Mookie has a special quality of being great in the outfield and at the plate simultaneously. The 2018 season could be the time for Mookie to lock in and show that he has the potential to play for many more years. As a hitter, Mookie is strong and has the chance to be even greater.

Andrew Benintendi

The former rookie has learned to play the Monster with poise very quickly. Benintendi has a beautiful swing. If it’s done right, Benintendi hits big. The biggest thing for Andrew to work on is his execution and control while at home plate. Now he is aware of how certain players will pitch to him, and is learning the dynamics of playing at Fenway. He is young and has the potential to play left field for many more years. Andrew hit twenty home runs in his rookie season after cutting his 2016 appearance short with an injury. This season is the year for Benintendi to focus on his hitting power. Benintendi is one of the hitters with a style. He swings with power and is quick. He has the potential to turn his swing into more.

Rafael Devers

The soon to be rookie of the Sox quickly became popular after being called up from Pawtucket last season. Hitting ten homers very quickly after his arrival proved that Devers was a force to be reckoned with. Rafael is undoubtedly going to be one of the most watched rookies in Sox history. Devers formed a quick bond with people like David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez, and maybe their advice will push him over the edge. The baby-faced player quickly became a household name in New England with his ease to hit homers at Fenway. With that being said, it seemed almost unreal when you see Devers play, because he is just freshly twenty-one and playing like a veteran.

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Jackie Bradley’s 2017 season can be remembered by that one catch he made where he robbed Aaron Judge of a home run. He’s a force in the outfield with his amazing power arm. It is going to be interesting to see if he takes his power arm and uses it to benefit himself at the plate. A notable seventeen runs in the 2017 season showed that there is promise with Bradley Jr. He is a player with compassion and leaves his heart on the field. Perhaps the best thing about Bradley is his arm. Due to his power arm, he protects the outfield and prevents runs. Therefore, if during Spring Training Jackie puts his arm to work on his batting, he will definitely become a key player or one of the power hitters of the Sox.

Sources

Boston Herald

MLB

Sports News Instant

Winter Weekend: The Special Surprises

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Winter Weekend 2018 was one for the books. The event was full of surprises for both the fans and the team. Here is a look at the incredible weekend:

Town Hall Review

Winter Weekend all started with an introduction of the 2018 team. From the shock of Andrew Benintendi’s new hair to new manager Alex Cora, everyone was smiling and cheering. Seven thousand people filled the theatre to catch a glimpse of what the players who will call Fenway their home this year. The players left and out came the owners, managers, and also a few special guests.

Red Sox Nation held back nothing when it came to bringing up the situation with J.D Martinez to Dave Dombrowski. In response he made sure to voice that winter is not over and that there are still over one hundred free agents available.

“You have to remember as a club, the number of good players that are on this team.”
-Dave Dombrowski

Town Hall Surprises 

Dombrowski expressed the fact that the Red Sox are already a strong team that can excel this season. Afterward David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez made a dazzling entrance.

Then my time to ask a question came. I became close with Tom Caron over the past year and he had a surprise up his sleeve. He shared with the theatre that I was a cancer survivor and recently had surgery, along with the fact that I was a die-hard Sox fan. Next thing I knew, I was called up onto the stage and was immediately wrapped in Big Papi’s arms. After that I proceeded to hug Alex Cora, Pedro Martinez, Sam Kennedy, Dave Dombrowski, and Tom Werner. They all shared their congratulations and best wishes. The rest of the night carried on with the two comedic special guests to light up Town Hall.

 

Saturday: Surprises, Autographs, and Fun 

Everyone that was present at Town Hall quickly learned about my story along with my Twitter handle. So did Andrew Benintendi, my favorite player on the team. A member of the front office gave my family and I a special pass to meet Benintendi later on that afternoon. The morning first started out with meeting Brock Holt and Luis Tiant. One half of the Flow Bros and a legend. The day then proceeded with an interview on NESN about my experience at Town Hall. The ballroom was full of activities for young and old fans. They were having a blast with current and former players attending the event received interviews from Tom Caron.

Benintendi Time

The time for one of the biggest surprises of the weekend quickly approached. We were up next to meet Andrew Benintendi and Ben Taylor. I walked up to him and he smiled while I introduced myself and told him I was the cancer survivor from Town Hall. While I was in the middle of asking if he could sign my jersey he dashed around the table to give me a huge hug. I was in complete shock, and so was my family. Andrew quickly pulled out his phone and asked for a picture. As some may know, in 2013 Benintendi’s mother battled breast cancer, so he was very aware of my situation. Throughout that time everyone yelled, “It’s Benny biceps. She did it. She met him”. It felt like I was dreaming during the whole experience. To this day I’m still in shock because it felt so unreal.

Ortiz and Pedro Are at It Again

David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez are always a hit at Town Hall. In similar fashion they stole the show again during each of their panels. The two sat on stage and cracked each other up. They are truly best friends and it also shows. Finally, we ended the day with “The Teammates for Life” panel, which featured David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and Pedro Martinez. They discussed the bond they have created through the organization. It was absolutely hilarious. They shared stories and laughed for an hour.

Unfortunately the evening came to an end to mark the conclusion of Winter Weekend 2018. It’s safe to say that Sox Nation are now excited for the season to begin.  

Photo and Video Credits

Red Sox Organization

NESN

Andrew Benintendi: From Rookie to Key Player

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No Longer the Sox Rookie

The Arkansas Razorback alum is in the spotlight today. Andrew Benintendi is entering his 2nd full season with the Boston Red Sox. Sadly, he won’t be basking in the limelight of being the team’s rookie. But, there is no doubt that the 23-year-old left fielder will be in any shadow unless given by the green monster. He had an unbelievable rookie year coming in second place behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for AL Rookie of the Year.

Benny and the Razorbacks

The small, lightweight boy from Madeira, Ohio quickly became a force to be reckoned with in Arizona. He wasn’t just a bench warmer or a place holder. He stepped up and was awarded in doing so. His accolades speak for themselves:

  • Was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team
  • Led Arkansas with 17 stolen base
  • Golden Spikes Award Winner
  • Dick Howser Trophy Winner
  • SEC Male Athlete of the Year
  • Baseball America National Player of the Year
  • Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year
  • SEC Player of the Year (Coaches)
  • All-SEC First Team (Coaches)
  • Louisville Slugger All-America First Team
  • ABCA/Rawlings All-America First Team
  • NCBWA All-America First Team
  • D1Baseball All-America First Team
  • Baseball America All-America First Team
  • Collegiate Baseball All-America First Team
  • NCAA Stillwater Regional All-Tournament Team
  • MLB Draft Pick – No. 7 Overall – Red Sox

Benintendi has quite the college resume for only playing with the Razorbacks for 2 years before entering the MLB draft as a number 7 prospect in the MLB. This is clearly not a normal resume as some collegiate baseball players look to reach the same level as Benintendi in their senior year to get the final push. No doubt the Razorbacks had a special player on their hands.

His Struggles Will Not Stop Him

He had some amazing moments, but he also had moments where he was in a slump. Every player faces these moments and for Andrew’s was slightly more targeted with him being the rookie. Commentators and fans doubted him. But there was no way he would let himself be known as just an okay baseball player. He was in his prime the season before his rookie year, being called up into the big leagues. That came to an abrupt stop on August 24, 2016, while playing the Rays. He has always had a problem with his knee but this sprain seemed to be the one to take him out. Throughout the 2017 season if his knee was hit or he tweaked it slightly the coaches took many precautions when making sure the healing process was never interrupted.

Rookie Season: A Quick Overview

“It felt good to get it out of the way. It’s just one of those things you dream about your entire life. I got to first base and it kind of set in.” Andrew Benintendi on first major league hit.

Opening day at Fenway in 2017 and Andrew Benintendi, number 16, left fielder, was introduced to the Red Sox Nation. He had the looks and was certainly very humble and honored to be a part of the team. There are a handful of moments that truly stood out for Mr. Benintendi that will stay in the minds of the Sox fans for years.

Up first is the over the wall catch in Tampa Bay. To this day people still wonder how he did it. The rookie made a risky move and succeeded. Not many can say that they flung themselves over a wall onto a table to catch a baseball and only came out of it a little sore.

Up second is the way he protects the monster. Not many left fielders can succeed when it comes to the beloved monster at Fenway. But Benny caught on quick and learned how to use the wall. It’s not easy and he has work to do, but it’s now known that he can play the wall.

Lastly, his swing. He has the beautiful stance. The breathtaking form. When he hits the ball and it goes where it needs to, it truly is perfect. He plays with passion and doesn’t take or for granted. He always talks about how he wants to be better. The 23-year-old seems to focus on something new every day.

Looking into the Future for Benintendi

Hardworking and humble are just a few words to describe the young man. I can see him being in a Sox uniform for many years. He’s made the special bond with his teammates and truly loves playing in the city of Boston.

“Just the presence he has, he’s always under control. He controls his at-bats. He’s going to be good for a long time.” -Dustin Pedroia on Andrew Benintendi

 

Sources

NBC Sports

MLB

Arizona Razorbacks Baseball

What a Hanley Ramirez Trade Could Look Like

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Photo by Getty Images

Trading Hanley Ramirez Could Help or Ruin This Season

In what seems to be a lackluster off-season for the Boston Red Sox, teams like the New York Yankees got seemingly stronger. So far, in response they have resigned Mitch Moreland to a team-friendly 2 year contract. In addition to making Samuel Adams the official beer of the team. The clear-cut move: Trade Hanley Ramirez.

With a hefty $22 million dollar vesting option for 2019, the trade will be tough. He only needs 497 plate appearances this year. The President of Baseball Operations is no stranger from making trades. The key to pull this off is simple: leave the farm system alone!!!!

Dave Dombrowski has a reputation of making trades for win now mode. Examples of this are going for Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel. With that being said, if you move the DH to a National League team, you could potentially receive a couple of prospects in order to make room for JD Martinez. There might even be flexible room enough to grab a bench bat to even out the salaries. One way to boost the intrigue is to eat some of his $22 million dollar contract.

It helps to have the history that Dave and Martinez have throughout the years. When he held the same position in Detroit, he traded for Martinez. After that, his stats went up. It helped to be around hitters like Miguel Cabrera, who is a lock for the Hall of Fame. In Boston, David Ortiz will be back around the clubhouse, as he has a verbal agreement with his team.

With a little over 100 days until the regular season is under way, there is plenty of time to make a contender out of a very good ball club. With players such as Benintendi, Devers, and Betts driving the young core, this team’s future looks bright.

 

Credit to NESN for the featured picture.

 

RED SOX HOT STOVE: Who Could Be Leaving Boston

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Every morning I look out my window, see a dark gloomy sky and realize there is no baseball on for the next few months. I watched a rerun of the Red Sox getting spanked in Game 1, against the Astros, in the ALDS. Why? If you clicked on this article, much like myself, you’re missing baseball. Although the offseason is not that good, it’s not that bad since the Hot Stove for trade rumors is constantly on broil. Since this team is not the top World Series team going into the season, there are some pieces that need to be moved to get to that level. Here are some of the Red Sox players I can see packing their bags this offseason:

Sam Travis:

It’s sad to see Sam Travis on this list for me. Aside from any new acquisitions, he was the most talked about player all spring last year. He hit a hand full of home runs, and became the instant thought of power for the future, well before Devers. It certainly didn’t carry into the regular season. Travis hit .263, in only 76 at-bats. In those at-bats, the one stat that mattered most with Dr.Chill, is 0 HR. I personally believe we are going to have another year of Mitch Moreland being the first baseman due to his season last year. There still is a lot of value with Travis, and I could see him in a deal to get immediate power.

Christian Vazquez:

This one may seem strange for people who watched Christian Vazquez in 2017, but this is exactly why I could see him hitting the road. Vazquez hit a clean .290 AVG this year, and although he only hit 5 HR, I think I can remember each one. Two of them were walk-offs, and at home, Vazquez came to ball. At Fenway, the man hit .348 AVG, with an OPS of .905. Do you think Dave Dombrowski really thinks this can happen again? There seems to be a lot of value right now for Vazquez, than this time last year. While the stock for Christian Vazquez is up, I won’t be surprised to see him traded.

Ben Taylor:

For those of you who aren’t aware, Ben Taylor was the guy you saw some time around April, with the sick stache. Although his caterpillar might make it out of November, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t.  One of the top guys on this roster who has a secured job is Craig Kimbrel. If you asked me last year, I’d have said Taylor was safe due to a shaky year for Kimbrel. However, judging by the fact the flamethrower could be the reliever of the year in the AL, I think Taylor’s days are numbered. Taylor is one of the Red Sox top reliever prospects, and could bring a lot of value to a team with a struggling bullpen.

Eduardo Rodriguez:

Eduardo had quite the start to the 2017 season. At one point, he was in the All-Star conversations, and the number two to Chris Sale. Injuries have been the killer for E-Rod. After undergoing another surgery, I’m not sure how much longer this club can wait for his potential. E-Rod is only 24, and the signs of injury this early in his career could be alarming for most clubs. There are still teams out there willing to take a chance at what he can bring to a rotation. Even when healthy, finishing with a 4.19 ERA, it was disheartening to end the season. The wear and tear of the MLB season does not seem a good fit for E-Rod in Boston. Yuck.

Xander Bogearts:

Thirty-four. No, I am not talking about David Ortiz every one’s favorite home run threat, couldn’t be further from the subject. That is the number of how many games it took the two time Silver Slugger, Xander Bogaerts, to hit a home run this season. Maybe a batting average of .273 isn’t terrible, but for the player Xander should/could be, I really think that number should be higher. He only hit 10 home runs in a season.

Personally, I’m not sure what Xander’s value might be. If Xander does not hit well with a new hitting coach, and a new system of management in 2018, you have to think that’s the last straw. Xander is entering his year 26 season, where most players start to hit their prime.  I’m not sure if value is discussed with him on the phone, or in the locker room, but with a tool like Eduardo Nunez on the team now, it’s unclear if that value is in Boston.

Andrew Benintendi:

*ONLY IF BOSTON GETS STANTON*

LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, I don’t think anyone wants this to happen. Benintendi is one of the ROY finalists. Although he will probably not win the award, Benintendi didn’t have a terrible rookie season with the Red Sox. An average of.271, hitting 20 HR, and .776 OPS, is not as well as most thought he’d perform this year. Considering it was his rookie year at the age of 23, I’m not exactly upset with that performance. The bottom line is, Andrew Benintendi has top value out of the entire Red Sox roster. Defensively, he can be a threat, he has speed on the base paths, and is an all-around athlete.

Either Andrew Benintendi is a Sox player for life, or will be sent away for a power hitter from South Beach. It’s the difference between what this team wants in the future, or immediate present. Benintendi has three more years secured on his contract than Hot Stove favorite, Jackie Bradley Jr. If it were me, I’d rather give more around a package with JBJ, than settle for giving away Benintendi. If you’re a fan of Stanton being with the Red Sox, you may have to part ways with Benny Baseball. PRAY with me for JD Martinez.

Cubs Interested in Benintendi

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Don’t answer the phone.

It’s a foregone conclusion that Theo Epstein is the best GM is baseball. If you didn’t believe it by the time he delivered two World Series trophies in Boston, you have to accept it after what he’s done in Chicago. It’s like global warming, or the Tom Brady GOAT argument, it’s settled science.

When the best GM in baseball is interested in Andrew Benintendi, all you can do is check your caller ID and let it go straight to voice mail. Then delete it, throw away the sim card and change your number.

The total package

Of course Epstein wants Benintendi. He is the total package – great bat, great glove, above average speed and exceptional hair. In 151 games in his rookie campaign, Benny Biceps hit .271, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs. He slugged .424, stole 20 bags and played above average defense in baseball’s most fickle left field.

He’s 23 years old. He is only going to get better, and his upside projection is Mookie Betts-level. He isn’t yet hitting for the same power he did in the minors (.546 ISO-P/K), but that will come. We saw it in Ellsbury, we’ll see it in Benny.

 

What’s important to Theo

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In a word, value. In baseball terms, value is production over cost. The Cubs, despite their recent splurges in payroll, are not the Yankees or the Dodgers. Epstein understands this as well as he understands sabermetrics. Which is to say, better than basically everyone else in the game.

Epstein is a master of data analytics, recognizing potential and projecting talent better than anyone. He drafted Pedroia in the second round of the 2004 amateur draft, when everyone else in baseball projected him as little more than a utility player.

Theo also drafted Betts, Bogaerts, Bradley and Ellsbury. In Benintendi’s case, Epstein sees high performance, unlimited potential, and manageable cost for years to come.

 

Options

The Cubs have more than enough talent to compensate Boston for Benintendi, but most of that talent isn’t going to be leaving the South Side. Kris Bryant or Anthony Rizzo would provide the kind of corner infield power Boston is lacking, and if either are on the table, the Sox should make a deal. However, neither will be on the table.

Acquiring Kris Bryant (3B) would force a position change with Devers, which given his yips in the field, might not be a terrible idea to consider. Bryant is arbitration eligible and under team control until 2022. At just 25-yrs old, the 2016 NL MVP is not only already better than Benintendi, he is better than Benny projects. He isn’t going anywhere.

Anthony Rizzo (1B) has four years and $47M remaining on his current seven-year deal. At 28, he is at the precipice of his baseball prime – and he is already an elite talent. Rizzo (.273 BA, 32 HR, 109 RBI this year) has a career ISO-P/K of .304. He won a Platinum Glove in 2016, and finished this year with the highest fielding percentage of all NL first basemen.

If Chicago were strapped for cash or bereft of prospects, they could move Rizzo. They’re neither, so they won’t. The most likely marquee player on the table, is left fielder Kyle Schwarber. At 24, Schwarber (.211 BA, 30 HR, 59 RBI this year) was a key contributor to Chicago’s 2016 Championship run.

Embed from Getty Images

 

Just Say No

Schwarber alone wouldn’t be enough. Benintendi is to Schwarber, what Bryant and Rizzo are to Benny – better now, and way better three years from now. At 6’0”/235lbs, Schwarber is also not long for the outfield. He has “future designated hitter” written all over him. There is no value in a Benintendi for Schwarber deal, without much more added in by Chicago.

Stanton

The Red Sox Should Not Trade for Stanton

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The Boston Red Sox should not trade for Giancarlo Stanton. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. Stanton is a pleasure to watch.  He hits the ball harder than anyone I have seen. I’ve sent many videos of his home runs to my brothers over the years. With all the following aspects considered however, the Red Sox have better options available to them.

The Money

The Sox would owe Stanton fat stacks.  Yes, Stanton is an all-world talent and worth a lot of money. Yes, he is still only 27 years old. But other options  can be had much cheaper that aren’t much worse at the plate. Giancarlo Stanton will get $285M over the next 10 seasons. He then has a team option in 2028 for $25M. If one assumed that wouldn’t be picked up, the team would still owe him $10M  as a buyout of his contract. Bare minimum.   For the $295M owed to Stanton, JD Martinez could be had for half of that, maybe even less than half. Is Stanton really worth that much more than Martinez? That answer is no.

The Cost of Trade

If you do believe Stanton is worth all that much money, how about the trade aspect? JD Martinez is a free agent. No players would have to be given up to acquire him. Stanton would cost players, and good ones at that, in addition to the near $300M. How could someone justify spending $150-$175M  more and good players on top of it for Stanton as opposed to Martinez? Who would it take to acquire Stanton? A centerpiece of Jackie Bradley Jr. or Xander Bogaerts along with a couple prospects? Or maybe all of them. In theory Stanton would be worth such a package, but considering all angles that’s not the case.

The Statistics

Stanton Catch

Giancarlo Stanton catches the third out in the second inning during game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 25, 2015 (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Stanton is actually a better defender than Martinez. He is surprisingly solid for someone his size, but unless we move Bradley neither of these guys would be acquired to play the field. If they are designated hitters, defense is a moot point. So let’s just focus on the offense.

JD Martinez had his breakout four seasons ago. Over that four-year span, how much better has Stanton been than Martinez? In the last four years Giancarlo Stanton has batted .271 with a .939 OPS. JD Martinez in those same four years has hit for a .300 average with a .936 OPS. Martinez hits for a much higher average, but Stanton walks a lot more so their on base percentages are very similar — .366 for Stanton to .362 for Martinez. That actually leaves Martinez with the very slight edge in slugging, .574 to .573. Surprise!

When it comes to home runs, Giancarlo Stanton has averaged 38 home runs over those four seasons. That number jumps to 49 per 162 games due to injuries. Martinez lags behind, but not so far behind that Stanton becomes worth that much more than him. Martinez has averaged 32 home runs per year, or 40 home runs per 162 games played. The reason his slugging is higher is he gets more hits and a lot more doubles. Their triple slash lines are nearly identical.

Giancarlo Stanton vs JD Martinez

Blast

Stanton takes aim at the ugly sculpture in center field.

Year Tm Lg G PA AB 2B 3B HR RBI BA OBP SLG OPS
2014 MIA NL 145 638 539 31 1 37 105 .288 .395 .555 .950
2015 MIA NL 74 318 279 12 1 27 67 .265 .346 .606 .952
2016 MIA NL 119 470 413 20 1 27 74 .240 .326 .489 .815
2017 MIA NL 159 692 597 32 0 59 132 .281 .376 .631 1.007

 

Year Tm Lg G PA AB 2B 3B HR RBI BA OBP SLG OPS
2014 DET AL 123 480 441 30 3 23 76 .315 .358 .553 .912
2015 DET AL 158 657 596 33 2 38 102 .282 .344 .535 .879
2016 DET AL 120 517 460 35 2 22 68 .307 .373 .535 .908
2017 TOT MLB 119 489 432 26 3 45 104 .303 .376 .690 1.066
2017 DET AL 57 232 200 13 2 16 39 .305 .388 .630 1.018
2017 ARI NL 62 257 232 13 1 29 65 .302 .366 .741 1.107

I’m not saying Martinez is better than Stanton, though the numbers show the difference might not be so large. All I’m saying is, there isn’t even close to a $150M gap between them, let alone some good players on top of it.

JD Martinez hits a 3-run home run off of Matt Wisler (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Why not add them both?

Hey, I’d be all for adding them both. If the Sox were to sign JD Martinez and then trade, say, Jackie Bradley Jr. and a prospect or two for Stanton they could slide Betts to center, put Stanton in right and DH Martinez. That is one heck of a lineup. How do you pay both of them though? The Red Sox would soar well past the luxury tax and be stuck above it for years to come. With Chris Sale, Mookie Betts and others needing to be paid in a couple years the payroll is going to rise, not decrease.

And if we miss on JD Martinez?

If we were to whiff on JD Martinez, then I would more seriously explore trading for Stanton. There is no other bat available that can compare. Eric Hosmer is available and has a solid bat, but he is no true power threat like the Red Sox need. They need a thumper, someone opposing pitchers should fear. Hosmer is an up and down offensive player with 20-25 home run power. There are also rumors he is looking for 200 million dollars which borderlines on the absurd.

I would definitely pay Stanton his contract and give up something to get him before entertaining that. Just no trading Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi or Rafael Devers. If we were to acquire him without giving up any of them would I be upset? Probably not. Like I said, I love Stanton, he is one of my favorite players. The Red Sox just better let us in to watch our home team take batting practice.

WDR

Does Giancarlo Stanton already “Win-Dance-Repeat”?

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays (Series Recap)

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After an extremely disappointing series with the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox jumped back on the winning train and swept their division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays.  Combining to score a total of 16 runs in the three game series, the Sox now have a comfortable 5.5 game lead over the second-place New York Yankees.

GAME ONE

Game one ended in a 6-5 victory for the Red Sox on August 28th, and featured vintage Drew Pomeranz doing what he does best: win games.  The opposing pitcher, Marcus Stroman was the on the bump.  Stroman looked comfortable in this outing.  With a 2-1 lead, Eduardo Nunez changed that momentum by hitting a laser-beam home run to left field to tie the game at 2.  However, after that home run, Stroman sat down six consecutive Red Sox batters including two strikeouts.

Bats fire up after 7th stretch

The Blue Jays then called for a pitching change in the seventh inning and it all went downhill from there. With a one-run Blue Jays lead, Christian Vazquez hit a two-run homer to left field off of Danny Barnes. Mitch Moreland knocked in Nunez on a weak hit ground back to the middle of second and first off of Aaron Loup, and Ryan Tepera walked Xander Bogaerts for a bases loaded RBI.  The Red Sox then took a 6-3 lead.

The Blue Jays scored the remaining two runs off, surprisingly, Craig Kimbrel, from a two- run home run by Justin Smoak on an 0-1 count with two outs.  You never see that happen, especially this year!

Strong series

The Red Sox offense looked good in the first game of the series. They combined for a total of 12 hits, four of those coming from Vazquez, who also tacked in two RBIs.  Nunez, Benintendi, Moreland and Ramirez combined for eight hits and two RBIs.

Drew Pomeranz pitched well, earning his 14th victory of the year and ranking him second in the MLB with wins behind Greinke, Kershaw, Sale and Davies.  His 3.23 ERA now ranks him 11th in the MLB.

GAME TWO

Game two was a fun one to watch.  Chris Sale put on one of the best pitching performances I’ve ever seen.  I could not stop watching the game because I was so mesmerized.  Sale dealt his absolute best.  He ended his night pitching 7.0 innings, allowed three hits with no runs and struck out 11 Blue Jays.  He decreased his ERA to a 2.77, 5th best in the MLB and 2nd in the American League behind Corey Kluber of the Indians.

Sales first strike out victim was Steve Peace and it was a beauty.  In the second inning he struck out Jose Bautista and Kevin Pillar.  He then struck out the side in the third inning, sending Miguel Montero, Ryan Goins, and Steve Peace back to the dugout.  He struck out Bautista again in the fourth and again in the seventh.  What can Chris Sale not do?

Chris Sale dealing against the Blue Jays

The Sox offense finally did something in the sixth inning, which honestly seemed like an eternity waiting for a run to score.  Nunez scored in Rajai Davis on his double to right field and Ramirez capitalized on that by hitting a solo shot to center field in the seventh inning.  Benintendi then wanted to join the action and he hit an RBI single to right field to drive in Davis.  The Sox went on to win 3-0 and take two games away from the Blue Jays in the three-game series.

After acquiring Rajai Davis on August 23rd from the Oakland Athletics, he’s been a quiet player.  So far he is batting .250 through five games with the Sox and even has two stolen bases.  This game accounted for two of the nine hits that game and also had a stolen base.  Nunez and Benintendi also had two hits that game as well.

GAME THREE

This is the game we all needed.  Rick Porcello facing off against J.A. Happ.  Let me start off by saying Porcello redeemed himself after his last outing. That was by far the worst thing I’ve ever seen.  Eleven runs in 4.2 innings and just four of those runs were “earned.”  He got shelled.  But I’m sure I can speak for Red Sox Nation and say we are happy with this last game.  He pitched 6.2 innings and only allowed one earned run off six hits.  He also managed to pick up his 9th win of the season, struck out seven and lowered his ERA from a 4.57 to a 4.45.

Happ looked sharp as well.   He pitched 6.0 innings and only allowed just one run off of four hits.  Happy received a no decision this game.  In the month of August, Happ is where he pitches his best.  Lifetime he is 21-15 (most wins amongst any months) with a 3.71 ERA (second lowest amongst any months).  Against the Sox, he is 5-3, third best record against any of the teams he has faced in his career.

Mitch Moreland came, saw and conquered.  Coming in a pinch hitter for Chris Young (DH), he went 2-2 with a home run and four RBI’s to help secure a 7-1 Sox victory.  The three other RBI came from Betts, Bogaerts and Ramirez.  Nunez, Betts, Bogaerts, and Hanley all had doubles and Bogaerts and Devers recorded stolen bases.  The Sox offense crawled all over the Jays pitching.

Rajai Davis and Mookie Betts surround Mitch Moreland after hitting a 7th inning home run

SERIES NOTES

  • Sox are now 335-275 lifetime against the Toronto Blue Jays
  • Benintendi went 4-12 with an RBI and double (.333 average)
  • Nunez went 5-12 with three doubles, a home run and two RBI (.417 average)
  • Ramirez went 5-12 with two doubles, five runs, two home runs and two RBI (.417 average)
  • Vazquez batted .625 with five hits, a double, a home run, two RBI
  • Moreland went 4-7 with a home runs and five RBI[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]

    (.571 average)

  • Reed pitched 2.0 innings striking out three and had a 0.00 ERA while facing seven batters
  • Sale is 2-0 against the Jays this season with a 0.00 ERA and striking out 106 in 77.1 innings
  • Pomeranz is 3-1 lifetime against the Jays with a 2.63 ERA

 

How Badly Do the Red Sox Want To Win the World Series ?

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Is this the year that the Red Sox win the World Series?  Is it all or nothing this season or are we satisfied with just making the playoffs and taking our chances?  The Red Sox have one move that could possibly make them a scary contender for the post-season (and maybe for years to come). Could possibly mortgaging the future for winning right now pay off?  Let’s explore and see what you think.

Giancarlo Stanton To The Red Sox

Do I have your attention?  This move is a real possibility right now.  The Miami Marlins have placed the South Beach Slammer on waivers, which he has cleared.  The Marlins will transition  to a new ownership group (good thing because Lauria is a clown) that includes Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan.  I guess the reason that Stanton was placed on waivers is to reduce payroll.  At $30M per season, losing that salary would lower anyone’s payroll.  Stanton contract extends for another ten years so no fear of not having him under control, contract wise.

Worth The Cost?

This question really needs an answer.  What do the Red Sox have to give up to get this behemoth in a Sox uniform for some time to come?  There are a couple of options that the Marlins might bite on to make this deal a reality.  The key to the deal?  Not too many teams can handle the salary that they would have to take on.  That limits the teams in the running, which works in the Red Sox favor.

One of the options gives the Marlins Jackie Bradley Jr., Joe Kelly, and Xander Bogaerts.  Before all of you folks throw me under the bus, I don’t want to lose any players.  You have to give up something to get something and this would work.  Yes, you lose a great defensive outfielder but you have Benintendi and Betts along with the acquired Stanton.

The team would suffer some defensively, but remain pretty damn good if you ask me.  This deal would likely require Betts moving to center and slotting Stanton in right.  Playing Fenway’s right field takes some work, so you pick where Stanton should go.  Nunez could replace Bogaerts.  This would allow Pedroia to stay at second and Devers playing third.  This plan doesn’t look so far fetched now, does it folks?

Another more radical theory on how the Red Sox could make this deal work gives the Marlins David Price in exchange for Stanton instead.  This does not shave a ton off of the Marlins payroll, so they may be the roadblock to this type of deal happening.  With all of the drama between Price and Eckersley, this may be a more popular move with Sox fans than you might think.  As Dr. Phil has said many times “save the drama for your Mama,” and I agree wholeheartedly.

What Does Stanton Bring To The Lineup?

Inserting Stanton into this lineup gives you an incredible power bat that the Red Sox have been missing since Papi retired.  Stanton is not your average power hitter, but a perennial bomber for years to come.  He has power to all fields and could possibly make the Green Monster seats look like the flight path at Logan.  A mere 27 years old, just reaching the prime of his career, his best is likely not behind him.  Stanton looks like a fairly solid outfielder but not as solid as the current occupant.  He’ll look like a like a drop off, but honestly he should be fine.  Stanton sports a respectable .268 career batting average, so he is not just an all-or-nothing homer run hitter (looking at you now Aaron Judge).

The Stanton Safety Net

Having made the player shifts to acquire Stanton, the Red Sox order would look a little different then it does now obviously.  With the continued bench presence of Chris Young and Brock Holt, there is always the possibility of giving players the needed days off if required.  You lead off with with Betts, Benintendi, Hanley, Pedroia, Stanton, Moreland, Nunez, and Devers in whatever order you want.  Good luck to the opposing pitchers and managers facing that type of offense.

In the second scenario, if we actually send David Price to the Marlins, the team faces more of a challenge.  This year might be tough to cover but hopefully with the return of Steven Wright, the return-to-form of Porcello, and the crazy condor-like Chris Sale, the future looks not bad on the mound.  All of this and no drama between Price and Eckersley unless it’s a road game isn’t so bad either.

Pay to play

In closing, I think that the Red Sox should shake things up a little bit and take the plunge to challenge for the World Series title.  I believe that this deal makes them a contender for the present and the future with either scenario.  The deal would require Stanton to approve it since he has a movement restrictive clause in his contract.  By the sound of everything we’ve heard, Stanton just wants to win and the Red Sox would certainly fit the requirements.

I would be interested to hear other people’s ideas on this concept.  As you can see, it is not as far fetched as you might think.  Let’s see how ambitious the Red Sox are in pursuit of the scariest hitter in MLB.  Let’s Go Red Sox