Right this moment’s mailbag will get into offseason wants for the Pink Sox, how the Cubs would possibly match Matt Shaw in, attainable suitors for Willy Adames, whether or not Jo Adell has turned a nook, and way more.
Dave asks:
As a disgruntled Pink Sox fan (largely attributable to John Henry pulling within the purse strings), what are the Pink Sox’s largest wants going into subsequent season? I believe as all the time the necessity for an additional innings eater within the rotation. Additionally curious as to if Duran was provided as commerce, what sort of beginning pitching would he command? As without cost brokers – I do not assume the Sox will carry again any of them. Though for the proper value perhaps Pivetta.
Here is how the workforce units up proper now:
That does not embrace a quartet of highly-regarded place participant prospects: outfielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer, infielder/heart fielder Kristian Campbell, and catcher Kyle Teel. And naturally, Rafaela can play heart in addition to the center infield.
The Pink Sox will want somebody to separate time at catcher with Wong till Teel is prepared, whether or not it is Danny Jansen or one other veteran. Second base has been a difficulty, with Grissom, Enmanuel Valdez, and David Hamilton getting the majority of the taking part in time there. With Mayer, Campbell, and Rafaela all choices there, I do not see a lot room for a veteran.
The outfield items can transfer round as effectively. Wilyer Abreu has had a superb rookie season, although he has not proven the power to hit left-handed pitching. That drawback prolonged even to Devers and Duran this yr. Of the prospects I discussed, solely Campbell bats right-handed. Baseball America touched on this subject not too long ago.
Devers had a robust yr, whereas Story’s contract calls for a beginning job. Yoshida, additionally well-paid, won’t have that luxurious. The Pink Sox signed Rafaela to a $50MM contract in April, however he actually hasn’t hit exterior of July and is on monitor for a 1-WAR season. I am unsure the place he suits.
At 4.71 runs scored per recreation, this has been a superb offense. That is regardless of giving common taking part in time to Rafaela. It additionally contains huge contributions from Tyler O’Neill, who appears prone to depart as a free agent, and Rob Refsnyder, who’s unlikely to repeat.
Given the flexibility and uncertainty round a number of of those gamers, there are numerous methods subsequent yr’s lineup can shake out. I’ve seen the thought of buying and selling Duran talked about right here and there. Duran, 28, might be arbitration eligible for the primary of 4 occasions in 2025 and is beneath management by means of 2028. He is break up his time between heart and left discipline in his breakout season, and performed each positions capably. He is one in every of baseball’s quickest gamers, his arm is robust, and his Statcast hitting metrics are solidly crimson.
Duran is on monitor for a 7-WAR season that in a few years would make him an MVP frontrunner. He supplied the majority of his offensive worth from June by means of August, throughout which he had a 168 wRC+. Duran has an 87 wRC+ in opposition to lefties this yr, although he did hit southpaws effectively in June and July.
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