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Red Sox Trade Potential 2019: Rafael Devers For Kris Bryant

A shock-wave spread across the MLB Hot Stove when Buster Olney reported that the Chicago Cubs could trade Kris Bryant.  The Red Sox minor league system is bare, but Rafael Devers is young, cheap, talented, and a powerful trade chip.  Would a Rafael Devers Kris Bryant swap make sense?

Rafael Devers

Devers can be seen as a Red Sox wunderkind.  He will only be 22 years old at the start of 2019 season.  At that tender age, his accomplishments are many.  Here are just a few:

  • His Baseball Reference page compares him at a similar age to Willie Mays and Cal Ripken Jr.
  • He’s the youngest Red Sox player to hit a Home Run since Tony Conigliaro in 1965.
  • He has a .884 OPS in the postseason including 3 Home Runs and 14 RBI in 15 games.

Because of these, and many other great performances, most consider him an untouchable.  And for the vast majority of all the talent in all the world, he is.

But what if he could be the centerpiece, or only piece, in a trade for one of the best young players in all of baseball?

Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant himself is seen as a Chicago Cubs wunderkind.  At the tender age of 26, he has already been a Rookie Of The Year, an NL MVP, and linchpin of a 2016 World Series Championship for the Cubbies.

Devers may be full of potential, but Bryant is a monster and has proved it over a much larger sample.  Bryant is also playing much better defense than Devers at third base.

So why would the Cubs trade him?  Because many of the same concerns the Red Sox have had with Mookie Betts.  Bryant has refused to talk long-term extension with the Cubs.

Now, Theo Epstein, the President of the Cubs, downplayed the possibility of trading Bryant.  But what do we expect him to say?  If there is even a possibility, this could be an incredible opportunity.

In the spring of 2017, the Chicago Cubs visited Fenway Park for a 3 game series.  It was a brief glimpse of the kind of, pardon the term, damage Bryant could do.  In those 3 games, he hit 2 Home Runs, 2 Doubles, and had a 1.429 OPS.

Red Sox Payroll Concerns 2020

At the end of the 2019 season, the Red Sox have a number of payroll concerns.  Among them are trying to sign Mookie Betts to a long-term deal, Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts becoming free agents, and JD Martinez having an opt-out in his contract.

Having Kris Bryant, a superstar, on the team at a lower number through 2021, would provide some flexibility for the Sox in the short term.  And Bryant is a much better bet to invest in than Rafael Devers.  Bryant is simply a better player.

Because of Rafael Devers’ postseason success, and tantalizing thoughts of Willy Mays and a young and healthy Tony C, he could be a one for one trade chip for Kris Bryant.  And hey, it’s just the kind of trade Dave Dombrowski is known for.

Comparing The 2003 Red Sox to The 2018 Red Sox

While nearly 15 years has separated these two teams, there are a lot of similarities between them. With what appears to be two different ages of baseball, what can we take away from the ages?

The opening day lineups.

In 2003, The opening day lineup looked like this. 1. Johnny Damon CF, 2. Todd Walker 2B, 3. Nomar Garciaparra SS, 4. Manny Ramirez LF, 5. Kevin Millar 1B, 6. Shea Hillenbrand 3B, 7. Jeremy Giambi DH, 8. Trot Nixon RF, 9. Jason Varitek C Starting Pitcher Pedro Martinez.

This lineup had it all.  They had key veteran players to build around. They had speed, raw power, and most of all talent. This team was poised to make a deep October run until the rival Yankees ended it on a sour note. The 2004 team would eventually reverse the 86 year long drought. After that “The Curse of The Great Bambino” was over.

This season, the Opening Day lineup consisted of 1. Mookie Betts RF, 2. Andrew Benintendi LF, 3. Hanley Ramirez 1B ( not on the team anymore.) 4. J.D Martinez DH, 5. Xander Bogaerts SS, 6. Rafael Devers 3B, 7. Eduardo Nunez 2B, 8. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF, 9. Christian Vazquez C. Starting Pitcher Chris Sale. 

The Similarities.

This team also has raw power and speed. Their ace Chris Sale is most comparable to Pedro Martinez in his intensity and competitiveness. Both teams had a multitude of different ways to scare opponents offensively.

By the numbers: Both teams led the league in runs batted in, hits, OPS, total bases, and extra base hits. Both teams were leading their division up to this point in the season (2018 season isn’t 100% over yet). These teams were offensive power houses that American League teams were scared to pitch against.

Both teams provided some serious defense as well. It wasn’t always about amazing run support. The pair of teams had a stud patrolling in right field (2018 Betts, 2003 Nixon). Both teams had a perennial shortstop (Bogaerts, Garciaparra). Both teams had a highly regarded designated hitter (Martinez, Giambi). Finally, both teams made a very questionable move during the season (2018 cutting Hanley, 2003 signing David Ortiz).

In both cases they had their first seasons with an incredible duo. After the signing of David Ortiz to pair with Ramirez the tandem would go on to ravage pitchers for years. Most would regard the two as the best 3 and 4 hitter combo of all time. In 2018, the J.D and Mookie combo offers hope of a new duo equal to that of the deadly 2003 pair. Offering up a different approach to the game, this duo can hit, work the count, and launch home runs with the best of them.

Some differences that should be highlighted.

One of the biggest differences were the managers. Grady little led the team in 2003. After a controversial ending to their season he was heavily blamed for not cruising by the Yankees. This led to his timely firing by Theo Epstein and company. Which led to the hiring of legendary manager Terry Francona.

In 2018 the Red Sox are led by Alex Cora, the former bench coach of the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros. He is way ahead of his time. In implementing his system, his bench coaches and assistants utilize new forms of measurements in the game. Using new revelations such as: launch angle, statcast, war, and other forms of saber metrics. He is one of the main reasons why this 2018 team is on the verge of making history.

Comparing managers and General managers.

As for the general managers, they too take separate approaches. Theo was a free agent build type of guy, along with an incredible farm system. That’s how he also made the Chicago Cubs a world series champion. He is also one of the youngest general managers to win a World Series, as well.

On the other hand, Dave Dombrowski also has a winning approach. Dombrowski arrived after the departure of former GM Ben Cherington. He built the franchise into a winning culture in a matter of two seasons. While most people note the demolition of the farm system, it is slowly building itself back up with great draft additions such as Tristan Casas. Dave has also won a title with the then Florida Marlins, who now are called the Miami Marlins.

Even the fact that it seems like a different era of baseball is very prevalent. Pitchers are throwing harder, while also not staying in the game as long as they used to. Guys like Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddox were pitching a lot more innings a season.

The MLB commissioner office seems like it is always trying to speed up the game, while not being as concerned with more pressing matters such as PEDs and off the field incidents. As long as the commissioner can stay focused on the most important matters the sport can continue to grow and be more fun for generations to come.

Conclusion.

While both teams are strikingly similar, the differences stand out well. The 2018 team is more aggressive on the base paths, and are much faster. That comes with the evolution of the game. This team is also a lot younger than Red Sox teams of years past. This 2018 team looks very hungry, but hopefully the outcome will differ from the fate of the 2003 team.

While the 2018 season is still heating up, how it will be written among the other Red Sox teams will soon come into fruition. Keep it here for the best coverage of all your favorite Boston teams and players. Only at Bostonsportsextra.com

Can The Red Sox Get To 116 Wins?

While the Red Sox have an unprecedented 85-35 win loss record, can they catch up to a record only two teams have ever achieved before?

116 wins, something only two teams have ever won that many games in a single season. The 2001 Seattle Mariners and the 1906 Chicago Cubs. The only difference… the 1906 Cubs played 152 games that year. This 2018 Red Sox team currently holds a .708 win percentage, however, there are still 42 games to be played.

The path to 116

With 42 games left in the regular season, the Red Sox would have to go 31-11 to finish the season. With 7 games against the Indians, 6 against the Yankees, and 3 against the defending champs as the hard part of the remaining schedule. Can this team achieve a .739 winning percentage during the last stretch? It’s definitely up for debate.

Who can help?

The numerous games with teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays should be a promising sign, as long as they don’t lose easy games. Although there will be more frequent rest periods, ( including innings limits for starters), Alex Cora will still manage this team to be more competitive and hungry than the game before.

With MVP candidates Mookie Betts and J.D Martinez still staying hot at the plate, is there any wonder to how this team became so amazing? We cannot forget to mention David Price, Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale, and all of the other guys who keep this team competitive. This team really has adapted the New England Patriot way of next guy up mentality. They way Boston sports has evolved into team equality has been astonishing to see.

What are the odds?

While finding the exact odds are improbable, they do have some numbers on their side. Out of their remaining schedule, 24 of the games are at home,  while owning the leagues best home win loss record. The team has a 9-1 record throughout their last 10 games. They have never lost more than three games consecutively all season long.

No matter what happens a strong playoff run looks imminent. as long as the team comes out of the regular season as injury-less as possible, I and fellow members of Red Sox nation can sleep well at night.

What do you think?

Comment,share,tag,tweet,like, and follow to let us know what you think! Let your opinion be heard.

Red Sox Starters

The Red Sox Need Another Right Handed Starter

With 4 southpaws in the starting rotation, adding another right handed starting pitcher would help bring more transition throughout series.

As of right now, the rotation consists of Sale,Price,Porcello,Rodriguez, and Pomeranz. Does anyone else spot the problem? There is only one right handed starter!!! Sure, Steven Wright has recently been activated by the Red Sox but will he make an impact? Well, his last start was April 29, 2017, and he will start his way back as a bullpen player ( for now.)

The rotation has struggled a little bit within the last two series. Within the last seven days, the starting rotation sports a 4.33 ERA in 54 innings pitched with a 3-3 record. Compared to April where they sported a 3.40 ERA in 230.1 innings pitched with a 19-6 record.  

While the month of May has seen a decline, now is the time to make the adjustments that are so desperately needed. There are many different low cost candidates that the team could look for in a trade before the trade deadline.

Trade Candidate: Julio Teheran Atlanta Braves

The 27 year old is molding a marvelous season thus far, with a 4-1 record throughout his first 9 starts, he sports a 3.49 era in 49 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts. In his last start against the Chicago Cubs,  he lasted 6 innings while giving up 4 earned runs on 4 hits and only 1 strikeout. While he’s not totally a makeshift player, he has lights out stuff. What would it cost in a trade? In short, it all depends on his market value up until the trade deadline. With the right mentoring, he could blossom into a powerful name in the future.

Trade Candidate: Dan Straily Miami Marlins

The 29 year old finished his first full season in 2017. In 2018 he has a 1-0 record with a 5.54 era in 13 innings during his first three starts. While he has never had eye popping stats, he is a ground ball pitcher. He does pitch well in hitter friendly ballparks. Like Miami, Fenway is a hitter friendly park. He has a very team friendly contract, only making $3.375 million this season with three years of arbitration afterward.

With the team still in great shape, there are so many avenues the team could take.Time will tell.

Jackie Bradley Jr. Has To Go!!!

While his outstanding defensive plays keep us in awe, this experiment has to end at some point.

Jackie simply cannot hit the ball, need I say it again?? While after every at bat that becomes an out, we all think it. Sure his catches and amazing arm is very helpful, there’s others who can replace him. Without him, the outfield is still strong. With Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in the corners, we could always use another fierce hitter in the lineup.

The red sox had that opportunity. Back in July, rumors came about that the team turned down a swap with outfielder Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs. That lineup would’ve been scary. This is his sixth season in the major leagues, hearing a streak of 5 for his last 50 at bats are getting old. While he had the 29 game hitting streak stun the entire league, it was also two seasons ago!!!

While looking for a replacement deems impossible, they have one on the roster already. Enter Blake Swihart. The catcher turned utility player was the hottest hitter for the Red Sox in spring training, if not one of the best in all of spring training. With growing experience, he could revitalize his career with an opening such as this one. Throughout his injury plagued career, Blake finally has his chance as an every day player.

With a highlight reel type player like Jackie there is still a great demand for a player with his skill set. Mainly national league teams would line up and pay a small fortune for his services. Also having one more option increases his value even more. Thus saving money for a free agent that also plays the outfield. ( Bryce Harper) Sorry Red Sox nation, but in order to put the best lineup game in and game out, the Red Sox need to trade Jackie Bradley jr.

The 100 Year Anniversary of the 1918 World Series Red Sox

Anniversary of the 1918 Red Sox

1918 was a year that was host to many pivotal moments in history. In November, World War I ended. It was also the year of the Spanish Flu breakout, that would ended up infecting approximately 500 million people around the world.

On a lighter note, however, 1918 saw the Boston Red Sox win the World Series against the Chicago Cubs in six games. The Red Sox finished the regular season with a 76-50 record, a .603 winning percentage.  The 1918 regular season was cut short because of the WWI “Work or Fight” order. This was the only World Series to be played entirely in September, as well as one of three Fall Classics to not feature a home run from either team. This also marked the first time the Star Spangled Banner was performed at a major league baseball game.

teamphoto__1303408832_3006

Lineup

Jumping into the actual team itself, the most popular player from this team was obviously Babe Ruth. There was only one other Hall of Famer on this ball club, Harry Hooper. Hooper was a 30 year old right fielder in 1918, in which he batted .298 and had a .796 OPS. Ruth, on the other hand led the league in Slugging (.555) and OPS (.966).

Also, the 23 year old compiled a 2.22 ERA with a 13-7 record and a 1.046 WHIP. He was about as valuable to a team as a player could possibly be. Other noteworthy pitchers include Carl Mays, who pitched in 35 games compiling a 2.21 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, Sam Jones with a 2.25 ERA in 24 games pitched, and “Bullet” Joe Bush who in 36 games compiled a 2.11 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. In fact, as a team, the Sox achieved a 2.31 ERA. This could be attributed to the low scoring qualities teams had in the dead-ball era.

star-spangledbanner-1918

The Series

The first three games were played at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Ironically, Comiskey Park was the home of the White Sox for 80 years (1910-1990). It was the better choice of venue over Weeghman Park because it had a second deck for viewers and held twice as many people. The Sox took two out of three in as many consecutive days in Chicago, and then took the series to Fenway Park.

The Red Sox won two out of three in Fenway as well, resulting in a series win. Babe Ruth went 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA between Games 1 and 4. This would be the last time the Sox won a World Series until 2004, when the curse was finally broken. Also, this marked the last time the Sox won a World Series on their own field until 2013. Meanwhile, it took the Cubs another 98 years before they would go on to win their next World Series as well. If history truly repeats itself, this could be the last year the Red Sox could win a World Series before another 86 year drought.

Hopefully one comes sooner than that, of course.

@ELJGON

Division Predictions: NL Central

The National League Central should be interesting this season. From the huge additions in Yelich and Cain by the “Brew Crew”, the signing of Marcell Ozuna in St. Louis, and to a very talented Cubs team. They will draw some attention this season as it looks the division just got more competitive.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals definitely upgraded with the acquisition of Marcell Ozuna in the trade with Miami. Ozuna adds power to a lineup which includes the likes of Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler. Martinez is the anchor of the rotation, which includes Michael Wacha and Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals added a huge piece in Ozuna and could turn a lot of heads this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The losses of Andrew McCutchen and ace Gerrit Cole definitely have taken a toll on the Pirates. The loss of the two stars puts a damper on their hopes of succeeding within the division this season. Josh Harrison is leading a lineup that has certainly lost a lot of spunk with the loss of McCutchen. However, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco may provide a little help for Harrison in the long run. Jameson Tailon and Ivan Nova will look to take the heap of the load in regards to the pitching staff with the loss of Gerrit Cole.

Cincinnati Reds

The only name to focus on in regards to the Reds is Joey Votto. Votto, coming just two points shy of the NL MVP last season, is looking to have another how you say a very “Joey Votto” type of year. Last season, he slugged 36 homers and 100 RBI’s while compiling an average of .320. He’s definitely capable of topping off numbers like that this season as he possibly may have a shot at another MVP in the future before he finally calls it quits. They also have Billy Hamilton and I heard that he’s the fastest guy in the league or something.

Milwaukee Brewers

Watch out for the Brew Crew this season. Milwaukee added two HUGE additions in Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. This will definitely provide a large impact in the lineup which includes Eric Thames (31 Home runs in 2017) and “The Mayor of Ding Dong City” himself Travis Shaw. The Brewers lineup looks scary this season which is going to be very exciting to watch. All they need is the right pieces in the pitching staff and you have a club that could go deep into the postseason.

Chicago Cubs

Straight up, they’re going to win the division this year. It’s almost no contest if you don’t take the Brewers lineup in account. The addition of Yu Darvish is simply a luxury as it only makes them even better than they already were. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo return as the big threats of a very talented lineup. Which is also compiled of Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Wilson Contreras, and Jason Heyward. Ben Zobrist and Albert Almora Jr. (who is entering his third season after hitting .298 last campaign), look to provide their talents in a big way per usual. With a rotation of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, newly acquired Yu Darvish, José Quintana, and Tyler Chatwood there is no doubt at all the Cubs take the division again this season.

Final Standings

Chicago Cubs

Milwaukee Brewers

St. Louis Cardinals

Pittsburgh Pirates

Cincinnati Reds

Darvish Signs, What Does This Mean for MLB?

Finally. Another big name comes off the free agent board as Yu Darvish pens a six-year $126M deal with the Chicago Cubs. The deal comes with an opt-out clause in 2019 and the deal will go through his age 36 year. Darvish had been drawing interest from teams such as the Twins, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros, and the Brewers. He is coming off a season having posted a 3.86 ERA, 209 punch outs and ending with a 10-12 record (career worst). He was still considered the top pitcher in the free agent market ahead of Jake Arrieta. This comes despite performances in both the regular season and the postseason.

Darvish is joining a Cubs pitching staff that is heavily stacked with Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, and new addition Tyler Chatwood. With the squad Chi-Town has this season, they are yet again favorites to win the NL Central, despite Milwaukee stocking up. The Brewers hauled in Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. They are now more of a threat at the plate with Thames and Braun. So now we leave ourselves with the question:

Where does this leave the MLB?

Only time will tell when the current free agents that are left are going to find a home. Hopefully the Darvish signing will spark the free agent board and we’ll begin to start seeing more signings. We’re still waiting on whether Eric Hosmer is going to be the new face of San Diego or if he will stay with Kansas City. JD still hasn’t signed and I personally don’t want to get into that at the moment. Jake Arrieta hasn’t signed with ANYBODY yet. Anything can happen really now that pitchers and catchers are reporting for Spring Training and other position players are making their way down there. We could see multiple big signings in the next week or two. However the way this offseason is going I’m not getting my hopes up.

My predictions: Arrieta to Milwaukee or Washington, Hosmer to KC and JD….. Honestly I don’t really care where he goes. I’m over it at this point.