Red Sox/MLB 2024 Regular Season IV - Red Sox swept by the Blue Jays today and are now 29-37 at home.....
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Weissert's a paper transaction most likely.... Worcester doesn't play tonight.....
Cespedes has a long way to go but is a great prospect.
We still have Grissom as well, hope he can show us something with the bat is still in AAA.
Hamilton can play at the ML level.
Meidroth is intriguing to me....only 23, having a solid season in AAA.
Westbrook has not showed much IMO, time to send him back to AAA.
2b is def. a strength for the Sox in the minors.
GatorMike
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BostonBob
4 Ever The Greatest
ESPN grades the Priester deal.
Red Sox grade: C
This is a trade of former top-100 prospects -- Yorke ranked No. 47 in Kiley McDaniel's preseason rankings in 2022; Priester No. 77 in the same year -- although neither have quite taken off since then. Priester has made 14 major league starts with the Pirates, and Yorke has hit well since his promotion last month to Triple-A.
Priester was the 18th pick in the 2019 draft, and his prospect profile has always been more projection than dominant results. He was perhaps rushed to the majors last season and struggled in 10 appearances, recording a 7.74 ERA and 12 home runs allowed in 50 innings. He's been up-and-down between the Pirates and Triple-A in 2024, making six starts and four relief appearances with Pittsburgh. He has a five-pitch repertoire, throwing a 93-mph sinker more than his four-seamer, but neither pitch generates much swing-and-miss and lefties have crushed him with a .329/.398/.518 line.
The Red Sox have done well with pitchers who don't live and die on four-seam fastballs up in the zone, so maybe they see something they can work with here. The Red Sox have to upgrade their fifth starter, although the recently acquired James Paxton will get a shot there, so maybe Priester runs out to the bullpen for now with a longer-term idea of giving him another opportunity to start. The fastball profile doesn't scream "reliever," but the Red Sox bullpen has a 6.39 ERA in July, so they need some depth there as well.
Pirates grade: B-
Yorke was a massive surprise as a first-round pick in 2020 then hit top-100 status after hitting .325 in Class A in 2021. He struggled in 2022, but he was battling injuries (turf toe, wrist, back), and he had an OK season at Double-A in 2023. He was back there to begin 2024 and hit just .251 in 45 games, but he's hit .310/.408/.490 in 38 games for Triple-A Worcester, boosting his profile once again. His arm limits him to second base in the infield, but the Red Sox also gave him some time in left field to give him a little more versatility -- and he's still just 22.
Nick Gonzales has been the Pirates' regular second baseman of late and he's been serviceable, hitting .258/.293/.387, although much better against lefties. Both hit right-handed, so there isn't a natural platoon situation here if the Pirates call up Yorke immediately. Given that Gonzales is three years older and has a poor strikeout-to-walk rate, I'll take Yorke as the better fit at second base moving forward -- if not right now, then at least in 2025. There isn't a huge ceiling here, but Yorke could settle in as a solid-average second baseman. -- David Schoenfield
Red Sox grade: C
This is a trade of former top-100 prospects -- Yorke ranked No. 47 in Kiley McDaniel's preseason rankings in 2022; Priester No. 77 in the same year -- although neither have quite taken off since then. Priester has made 14 major league starts with the Pirates, and Yorke has hit well since his promotion last month to Triple-A.
Priester was the 18th pick in the 2019 draft, and his prospect profile has always been more projection than dominant results. He was perhaps rushed to the majors last season and struggled in 10 appearances, recording a 7.74 ERA and 12 home runs allowed in 50 innings. He's been up-and-down between the Pirates and Triple-A in 2024, making six starts and four relief appearances with Pittsburgh. He has a five-pitch repertoire, throwing a 93-mph sinker more than his four-seamer, but neither pitch generates much swing-and-miss and lefties have crushed him with a .329/.398/.518 line.
The Red Sox have done well with pitchers who don't live and die on four-seam fastballs up in the zone, so maybe they see something they can work with here. The Red Sox have to upgrade their fifth starter, although the recently acquired James Paxton will get a shot there, so maybe Priester runs out to the bullpen for now with a longer-term idea of giving him another opportunity to start. The fastball profile doesn't scream "reliever," but the Red Sox bullpen has a 6.39 ERA in July, so they need some depth there as well.
Pirates grade: B-
Yorke was a massive surprise as a first-round pick in 2020 then hit top-100 status after hitting .325 in Class A in 2021. He struggled in 2022, but he was battling injuries (turf toe, wrist, back), and he had an OK season at Double-A in 2023. He was back there to begin 2024 and hit just .251 in 45 games, but he's hit .310/.408/.490 in 38 games for Triple-A Worcester, boosting his profile once again. His arm limits him to second base in the infield, but the Red Sox also gave him some time in left field to give him a little more versatility -- and he's still just 22.
Nick Gonzales has been the Pirates' regular second baseman of late and he's been serviceable, hitting .258/.293/.387, although much better against lefties. Both hit right-handed, so there isn't a natural platoon situation here if the Pirates call up Yorke immediately. Given that Gonzales is three years older and has a poor strikeout-to-walk rate, I'll take Yorke as the better fit at second base moving forward -- if not right now, then at least in 2025. There isn't a huge ceiling here, but Yorke could settle in as a solid-average second baseman. -- David Schoenfield
BostonBob
4 Ever The Greatest
ESPN grades the Paxton deal.
Red Sox grade: C-
Because Paxton was DFA'd by the Dodgers this week, this isn't a true deadline deal but more of the standard kind of swap you see as teams manage their rosters through the season. That the Dodgers were willing to jettison Paxton as part of an attempt to improve the rotation is an indictment of where he's at in his career, though that's not to say he can't provide a modest upgrade in rotation depth for Boston.
Paxton pitched for the Red Sox last year but they are getting a different pitcher, even though his ERA is roughly the same. This version doesn't throw as hard, doesn't miss many bats and has given up an awful lot of hard contact. Perhaps because of this, Paxton's walk rate is also at a career nadir because he is unwilling to work in the strike zone with the diminished stuff. Or maybe it's his command but, either way -- it's not good.
It's those under-the-hood indicators that knock the Red Sox down a bit here, as they did give up talent for a DFA'd player and might have done better by waiting to see who else becomes available. That said, Paxton is a familiar face and the Red Sox should know what they're getting.
Dodgers grade: C+
Bolivar is a 17-year-old infielder from Venezuela signed in January for a $25,000 bonus, nominally as a shortstop though he has already moved off that position. He's not only just 17, he just turned that age three weeks ago and to project him out from here based on his Dominican Summer League stats would be silly. We can say that he hit well while often batting cleanup for the Boston entrant in the DSL (.844 OPS in 17 games at that slot). The Dodgers must have liked him, as you figure there was a non-zero trade market for Paxton given the number of teams looking for rotation depth. But, as with nearly all prospects this young: Who knows? -- Doolittle
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ESPN grades the Jansen deal.
Red Sox grade: C+
The Red Sox rank seventh in OPS from the catching position, but that's entirely because of Connor Wong's .803 mark -- Reese McGuire's is .575 in a little less than half the plate appearances. Jansen has a .671 OPS this season and .733 for his career -- he has slumped badly over the past few weeks but given his track record, you like his chances to outperform what Boston could expect from McGuire.
For that matter, Wong's batting numbers might be expected to regress, as he is outperforming his forecasts by a considerable amount. He and Jansen should be a nice tandem going forward, assuming the latter can acclimate quickly to working with a new staff. McGuire, assuming he is the odd man out, has better defensive marks than Wong, who is a strong thrower. Jansen can plug most of a defensive void opened up by a loss or decline in playing time for McGuire but -- major caveat -- you never know quite what to expect when catchers change teams midstream.
One thing you do like is Jansen's power swing, which features well above average flyball and pull rates. That seems like a pretty good recipe for Fenway Park. He has a .793 OPS there in 42 games for his career. Perhaps Boston will try to carry three catchers and work Jansen in at DH on occasion. Jansen is a rental pickup who will enter free agency this winter.
Blue Jays grade: B-
The Blue Jays aren't in full reset mode yet, but they are actively subtracting as we race toward the deadline. Jansen and Yimi Garcia (traded to Seattle on Friday) were both walk-year players. Nate Pearson (traded to Chicago on Saturday) was as much as anything someone who needs fresh voices in his ear. As long as we're not seeing names like Gausman, Guerrero, Bichette, it's not quite a reset -- but the ship has sailed on 2024.
This is a solid return for a rental catcher who will be highly sought-after in free agency this winter. Coffey is a powerful infielder who has 14 homers this season. He had one spree from June 9 to June 15 when he homered in six straight games, including a two-homer contest. His inability to make enough quality contact to feature that power has kept him off most prospect rankings before this season even though he was the 41st overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Liberty.
Paulino was ranked as Boston's No. 31 prospect (40 FV) by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel before the season, a steady climber in the Boston system after signing at 16 in 2019. He's a lefty swinger with productive speed attributes who has moved around a lot defensively. He has a lot of trouble with same-side hurlers. Batista is a 19-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic who is a flier-type of pickup. -- Doolittle
Red Sox grade: C-
Because Paxton was DFA'd by the Dodgers this week, this isn't a true deadline deal but more of the standard kind of swap you see as teams manage their rosters through the season. That the Dodgers were willing to jettison Paxton as part of an attempt to improve the rotation is an indictment of where he's at in his career, though that's not to say he can't provide a modest upgrade in rotation depth for Boston.
Paxton pitched for the Red Sox last year but they are getting a different pitcher, even though his ERA is roughly the same. This version doesn't throw as hard, doesn't miss many bats and has given up an awful lot of hard contact. Perhaps because of this, Paxton's walk rate is also at a career nadir because he is unwilling to work in the strike zone with the diminished stuff. Or maybe it's his command but, either way -- it's not good.
It's those under-the-hood indicators that knock the Red Sox down a bit here, as they did give up talent for a DFA'd player and might have done better by waiting to see who else becomes available. That said, Paxton is a familiar face and the Red Sox should know what they're getting.
Dodgers grade: C+
Bolivar is a 17-year-old infielder from Venezuela signed in January for a $25,000 bonus, nominally as a shortstop though he has already moved off that position. He's not only just 17, he just turned that age three weeks ago and to project him out from here based on his Dominican Summer League stats would be silly. We can say that he hit well while often batting cleanup for the Boston entrant in the DSL (.844 OPS in 17 games at that slot). The Dodgers must have liked him, as you figure there was a non-zero trade market for Paxton given the number of teams looking for rotation depth. But, as with nearly all prospects this young: Who knows? -- Doolittle
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN grades the Jansen deal.
Red Sox grade: C+
The Red Sox rank seventh in OPS from the catching position, but that's entirely because of Connor Wong's .803 mark -- Reese McGuire's is .575 in a little less than half the plate appearances. Jansen has a .671 OPS this season and .733 for his career -- he has slumped badly over the past few weeks but given his track record, you like his chances to outperform what Boston could expect from McGuire.
For that matter, Wong's batting numbers might be expected to regress, as he is outperforming his forecasts by a considerable amount. He and Jansen should be a nice tandem going forward, assuming the latter can acclimate quickly to working with a new staff. McGuire, assuming he is the odd man out, has better defensive marks than Wong, who is a strong thrower. Jansen can plug most of a defensive void opened up by a loss or decline in playing time for McGuire but -- major caveat -- you never know quite what to expect when catchers change teams midstream.
One thing you do like is Jansen's power swing, which features well above average flyball and pull rates. That seems like a pretty good recipe for Fenway Park. He has a .793 OPS there in 42 games for his career. Perhaps Boston will try to carry three catchers and work Jansen in at DH on occasion. Jansen is a rental pickup who will enter free agency this winter.
Blue Jays grade: B-
The Blue Jays aren't in full reset mode yet, but they are actively subtracting as we race toward the deadline. Jansen and Yimi Garcia (traded to Seattle on Friday) were both walk-year players. Nate Pearson (traded to Chicago on Saturday) was as much as anything someone who needs fresh voices in his ear. As long as we're not seeing names like Gausman, Guerrero, Bichette, it's not quite a reset -- but the ship has sailed on 2024.
This is a solid return for a rental catcher who will be highly sought-after in free agency this winter. Coffey is a powerful infielder who has 14 homers this season. He had one spree from June 9 to June 15 when he homered in six straight games, including a two-homer contest. His inability to make enough quality contact to feature that power has kept him off most prospect rankings before this season even though he was the 41st overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Liberty.
Paulino was ranked as Boston's No. 31 prospect (40 FV) by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel before the season, a steady climber in the Boston system after signing at 16 in 2019. He's a lefty swinger with productive speed attributes who has moved around a lot defensively. He has a lot of trouble with same-side hurlers. Batista is a 19-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic who is a flier-type of pickup. -- Doolittle
AA news:
appears that a new stadium is coming to replace the Diamond.... or at least a updated version of the stadium for the EL's Richmond Flying Squirrels.... expected opening by 2026
appears that a new stadium is coming to replace the Diamond.... or at least a updated version of the stadium for the EL's Richmond Flying Squirrels.... expected opening by 2026
Chevalier du Clavier
Écrivain de ferrage
- Jul 20, 2005
- 4,449
- 3,280
You might be cool, but you're not James McCann taking a pitch to the nose, blood gushing from the face and staying in the game cool.
- Jan 29, 2003
- 26,278
- 22,816
I can relate.
I gave myself a nasty cut on my thumb slicing onions the other day,
Making typing really mildly painful.
Worst part is that some onion juice got into the cut, when it happened.
Chevalier du Clavier
Écrivain de ferrage
- Jul 20, 2005
- 4,449
- 3,280
Chevalier du Clavier
Écrivain de ferrage
- Jul 20, 2005
- 4,449
- 3,280
Honestly would not like this if i was a Yankees fan unless the return they get for Cortes is serious
Chevalier du Clavier
Écrivain de ferrage
- Jul 20, 2005
- 4,449
- 3,280
Sandlin got up to 100.4 in his AA debut as a starter.
Seems to me they’re navigating the luxury tax threshold. I suppose the idea is Flaherty is better than Nestor at this very moment and since Soto is only signed for this year they better go for it.
Just seems like giving up Montgomery all over again though. Everything they’ve done at the deadline seems to blow up on them so hopefully that trend continues
hopefully, no weather delay tonight/AC Series preview vs. SEA;
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Cheating on his wife (now ex wife) saying their child couldn't be his. Finally realizing said child was his. And seeing the child sparingly.
Deadbeat loser.
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