Who should be the opening day CFer for the Sox?
I'm fine with JBJ unless somebody better comes along
I like JBJ too, but think Pillar could sign for less money on a shorter deal. I originally thought JBJ could sign for 2/12-14M. Other places think he'll get a 3rd year and maybe even more money. In this market, I think JBJ won't get much more than my original prediction.
The Pillar of Strength!
(OK, maybe I only voted for him so I could use that.)
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
I'd also be fie with JBJ at 2/$12 -$13 mil. I would use Duran for the 4th outfielder, trade Beni and look for a power bat for LF.
I picked Springer, because even though it won't be him (the horrors of losing a draft pick), he is by far the best all-around in the poll, and the Red Sox need really good players so they can be really good again. I think Springer will be at least good for the next four years, and can play any outfield position, so he won't block a guy like Duran down the road.
Every other name on this list that is not a Red Sox is a back-up/fourth man type... so I'd also sign a second, inexpensive guy for depth.
The issue isn't so much the draft pick. MLBTR predicts he will get 5 years/125 million, and that looks like it's being discounted a little for the COVID-19 factor.
So that's 25 mill a year tacked onto the payroll.
Springer is an excellent player that every team would love to have. But I would rather see that kind of money allocated to pitching.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
If the market is such that Brad Hand cannot even get claimed off waivers with a $10mill contact attached, a player like Springer might decide to take a one year deal and re-enter the market without a Qualifying Offer after next season, where he could presumably get a much better contract.
Do you give up the draft pick and use a huge chunk of the team budget (whatever it is) to sign Springer for a single season?
I almost voted Taylor. I picked Marisnick, because I want almost all our resources going to building up the pitching staff- hopefully longer term.
Sox 4 Ever
Pillar has been a good value over his career.
FanGraphs has his career dollar value at $103 million.
B-R has his career earnings at about $15 million.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.