At the moment’s mailbag will get into offseason wants for the Purple Sox, how the Cubs may match Matt Shaw in, doable suitors for Willy Adames, whether or not Jo Adell has turned a nook, and rather more.
Dave asks:
As a disgruntled Purple Sox fan (principally on account of John Henry pulling within the purse strings), what are the Purple Sox’s greatest wants going into subsequent season? I feel 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 spending a dime brokers – I do not assume the Sox will convey again any of them. Though for the proper worth perhaps Pivetta.
This is how the crew units up proper now:
That does not embody a quartet of highly-regarded place participant prospects: outfielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer, infielder/middle fielder Kristian Campbell, and catcher Kyle Teel. And naturally, Rafaela can play middle in addition to the center infield.
The Purple 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 problem, with Grissom, Enmanuel Valdez, and David Hamilton getting the majority of the enjoying 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 nicely. Wilyer Abreu has had a wonderful rookie season, although he has not proven the power to hit left-handed pitching. That downside prolonged even to Devers and Duran this 12 months. Of the prospects I discussed, solely Campbell bats right-handed. Baseball America touched on this problem not too long ago.
Devers had a robust 12 months, whereas Story’s contract calls for a beginning job. Yoshida, additionally well-paid, won’t have that luxurious. The Purple Sox signed Rafaela to a $50MM contract in April, however he actually hasn’t hit exterior of July and is on observe for a 1-WAR season. I am unsure the place he suits.
At 4.71 runs scored per recreation, this has been an excellent offense. That is regardless of giving common enjoying time to Rafaela. It additionally consists of large contributions from Tyler O’Neill, who appears more likely to go away 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 a number of methods subsequent 12 months’s lineup can shake out. I’ve seen the concept of buying and selling Duran talked about right here and there. Duran, 28, can be arbitration eligible for the primary of 4 instances in 2025 and is below management by means of 2028. He is cut up his time between middle and left subject in his breakout season, and performed each positions capably. He is considered one of baseball’s quickest gamers, his arm is powerful, and his Statcast hitting metrics are solidly crimson.
Duran is on observe for a 7-WAR season that in a few years would make him an MVP frontrunner. He offered 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 12 months, although he did hit southpaws nicely in June and July.
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