"Hating the Yankees like it's a religion since 94'" RIP Mike.
"It's also a simple and indisputable fact that WAR isn't the be-all end-all in valuations, especially in real life. Wanna know why? Because an ace in run-prevention for 120 innings means more often than not, a sub-standard pitcher covering for the rest of the IP that pitcher fails to provide. You can't see value in a vacuum when a player does not provide full-time production."
The Pirates are expected to exercise the 2018 team option of $14.75 million on Andrew McCutchen:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/...en-kluber.html
https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...ccutan01.shtml
McCutchen is unlikely to land a long-term contract this offseason.
The outfield is the strength of this team. I would not look to trade any of the young core. Look to the infield and aging/injured players. Cut Hanley loose. Keep the catcher combo we have. Pedroia is the toughest decision to face. He produces when relatively healthy, but he has trouble staying on the field.
The Red Sox scored an additional 5.1 runs above the average MLB team due to their base running.
To break it down even more, 1.4 of the runs came from things like advancing an extra base, scoring on a sac fly, etc., 4.2 of the runs came from stealing bases, and hitting in DPs cost the team 0.5 runs.
The big problem is we're very restricted financially. 'Cut Hanley loose' sounds nice, but we're paying him 22 million next year, so getting some value out of him would be better. And we're paying Pedey for several more years, so all you can do is cross your fingers for health.
I posted in another thread that it is very unrealistic to expect to be able to cut players loose when they are no longer playing up to their contract value, especially if there are still multiple years remaining on the contract. Cutting Pablo loose was no small task. I would not expect that to become the norm.
That said, with the luxury tax being reset, I think the team has more financial flexibility going into this offseason.
I understand that, but carrying Hanley really hampers improving the team. The Sox organization will not be put out of business financially by cutting Hanley. Take the hit and move on. Hanley adds no value to the team . Pedroia's situation is much more difficult. There is still good value left in him unless his health has crossed the point of no return , which I believe that Hanley's has.
Cant cut Hanley because of his contract. Sox have to control his PA's. You cut him Sox still obligated to the wording of Contract, right? Which says he needs 1050 PA's, in 17 and 18 to vest for 19. Does it say it only has to be on the Sox? That's the question, I like to know.
If not and I was a team I'd grab him in a heartbeat, pay him Vet Minimum, make sure he gets his PA's, let Sox pay his vesting year, and then only pay his Vet Minimum, for final year.
This is a scenario that could happen, yes?
If we are talking the 2017 Betts, I agree.
The 2016 Betts only had 16 players hit for a better OPS and 25 with more HRs. He also "changes the game" with excellent defense and very good base running.
He was 3rd in WAR last year. He certainly made a big difference in 2016.
Even with the "off year" in 2017, here are the WAR rankings for 2016-2017 combined:
16.1 Trout
15.1 Bryant
14.3 Altuve
13.3 Betts
13.1 Seager
12.6 Donaldson
12.1 Lindor
11.7 Votto
11.6 Rendon
11.3 Ramirez
11.0 Turner
11.0 Arenado
26th Stanton 8.7
30th Bogaerts 8.0
36th Cozart 7.5
39th Pedroia 7.3
40th JBJ 7.3
43rd Santana 6.7
50th Upton 6.3
57th Abreu 5.9
60th JD Martinez 5.5
67th E Nunez 4.9
104th McCutchen 4.3
116th Hosmer 4.0
122nd Morrison 3.8