After a disappointing 3rd place finish in 2011 the Rochester Red Sox are stuck in a tough spot this coming season. While they have plenty of talent going into 2012 there are internal talks about how realistic a contender they can be. The 2012 draft class is deep but the real stud players most likely wont be around when the Red Sox pick in round 1.
2012 Contracted Players
5yr- Ryan Braun 5/12
3yr- Clayton Kershaw 3/13
3yr- Dan Haren 3/12
3yr- Brandon Phillips 3/12
2yr- Craig Kimbrel 2/12
2yr- John Axford 2/12
2yr- Carlos Gonzalez 2/11
2yr- Mike Morse 2/11
2yr- Mark Reynolds 2/12
2yr- Chone Figgins 2/12
Discussions on who to keep and who to possibly shop have taken place within the Red Sox organization. With two 3yr spots and four 2yr spots open they have plenty of space for contracts this year. But thoughts within the organization are that the team would rather fill 2 or 3 of those spots with quality over quantity.
Even though a lot of rumors are swirling there has only been talks of one name definetely on the trading block this offseason. Red Sox Owner/GM Richard Chase confirmed he is very likely to move Chone Figgins (2/12) to someone for very cheap. "If we had Chone Figgins from 3-4yrs ago we would be excited to have him on our roster. Fact is ever since he signed with Seattle he has become a complete slug. He doesn't even steal enough bases to be a reserve infielder for us." said Chase. Someone looking for Figgins to possibly rebound after a tough season could be interested. Keep in mind the Red Sox have been able to deal Mike Aviles and Everth Cabrera while under contract for peanuts.
An anonymous source within the organization has said the Red Sox may consider moving a big piece or two from the roster this offseason. Although the team will never confirm it in public, Ryan Braun, Brandon Phillips, Dan Haren and Mark Reynolds may all be available for the right price. Whats that price you may ask? Well sources say draft picks are Owner/GM Richard Chase's favorite commodity. We have to suspect players would also have to be involved in some manner as well. What would one year of Ryan Braun (5/12) be worth? How about two eligable years of Dan Haren and Brandon Phillips? Even Mark Reynolds big power numbers and 1B/3B could bring a lot of value to a team for two years.
With all the speculation going around with this team one thing is for certain. Owner/GM Richard Chase will not be quiet in the Winter Meetings. He is an aggressive owner who loves to make deals and is always looking to improve his roster. 3rd place and getting a payout may make some owners happy but for Chase; "It's a failure. If you ain't first your last."
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Winter Meetings Recap and Draft Buzz
It was a relatively quiet Winter Meetings for the Rochester Red Sox in 2011 compared to other teams. Only 3 deals were made but the Red Sox come out of the meetings very happy with their roster going into the draft. The additions of Dan Haren 3/12 and Josh Beckett 2/11 to the rotation gives the Redsox 3 power arms (along with Brett Anderson) to bolster the Sox staff. Utility man Everth Cabrera 2/11 also joined the roster in a deal that brought a second 1st round pick to the Red Sox. Cabrera a middle infielder who has SB value if an injury occurs in San Diego or he gets dealt. "We had a good group of offensive players going into the Winter Meetings. The key for us was too add a couple starters to upgrade the pitching rotation. We like power arms that can miss bats and we feel we added that this offseason." said Red Sox GM Chase.
Now with the winter meetings in the past, the next priority is the 2011 eMLB draft. Last year the Red Sox dealt their 1st and 2nd round picks in the winter meetings for Morneau and Uggla. Both are no longer on the teams roster. "We felt getting proven players via trade was a priority last year. It may have cost us a little but I dont think it hurt us too bad. Plus we did get the steal of the draft with Carlos Gonzalez in round 3." With 2 picks in the first round there is a lot of speculation in what direction the team will go. The draft is loaded with SP but GM Richard Chase is not a guy who likes to draft pitching in the first round. With 2 picks will that change his mind? "We dont plan on taking a SP in the first round, especially with the guys we added via trade. We would like to get a 3yr bat and a top 2yr bat with our first 2 picks. With how deep this draft is in SP we feel that round 3 will be the spot to grab another SP or RP." said Chase.
Mock drafts across the eMLB have the Red Sox looking at guys like Clay Buchholz, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Kendry Morales and Heath Bell. GM Richard Chase refused to comment on any names the team would be interested in drafting at 1.10 and 1.11. Some sources have stated that the speculation across the league is laughable for the most part. One annonymous source said "Out of all the mock drafts I have seen only 1 guy is really a consideration for the Red Sox."
With the draft unofficially starting on Monday it will be very interesting to see how things unfold. With 9 picks before the Red Sox pick back to back a lot can change on the draft board. No matter what happens in picks 1-9 the Red Sox must hit on their 2 first rounders. The team does not have a 2nd, 4th or 5th rounder due to trades in the winter meetings.
Now with the winter meetings in the past, the next priority is the 2011 eMLB draft. Last year the Red Sox dealt their 1st and 2nd round picks in the winter meetings for Morneau and Uggla. Both are no longer on the teams roster. "We felt getting proven players via trade was a priority last year. It may have cost us a little but I dont think it hurt us too bad. Plus we did get the steal of the draft with Carlos Gonzalez in round 3." With 2 picks in the first round there is a lot of speculation in what direction the team will go. The draft is loaded with SP but GM Richard Chase is not a guy who likes to draft pitching in the first round. With 2 picks will that change his mind? "We dont plan on taking a SP in the first round, especially with the guys we added via trade. We would like to get a 3yr bat and a top 2yr bat with our first 2 picks. With how deep this draft is in SP we feel that round 3 will be the spot to grab another SP or RP." said Chase.
Mock drafts across the eMLB have the Red Sox looking at guys like Clay Buchholz, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Kendry Morales and Heath Bell. GM Richard Chase refused to comment on any names the team would be interested in drafting at 1.10 and 1.11. Some sources have stated that the speculation across the league is laughable for the most part. One annonymous source said "Out of all the mock drafts I have seen only 1 guy is really a consideration for the Red Sox."
With the draft unofficially starting on Monday it will be very interesting to see how things unfold. With 9 picks before the Red Sox pick back to back a lot can change on the draft board. No matter what happens in picks 1-9 the Red Sox must hit on their 2 first rounders. The team does not have a 2nd, 4th or 5th rounder due to trades in the winter meetings.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Winter Meeting Trades and Rumblings
Excited for the start of the winter meetings the Rochester Red Sox wasted no time making a pair of deals early on. The first deal was to swap SP Jair Jurjens 2/11 for Dan Haren 3/12. "We like Jair as a pitcher but we feel Haren is more of a power arm that we need right now and also a guy we control for an extra year." said GM Richard Chase. Haren currently joins Brian Anderson in the Red Sox rotation that hopes to improve from last year.
In another move the Rochester Red Sox moved up to pick 1.11 from 2.4 which now gives them back to back first round picks. The Red Sox also gave up their 5th round pick (5.4) and took on Everth Cabrera's contract 2/11 in order to get the deal done. "We felt there are a handful of guys in this draft we really like and we wanted to guarentee we get two of them." said GM Chase.
Going forward the Rochester Red Sox are still looking to make some moves. Everth Cabrera 2/11 is available for a last round pick. The Red Sox are also interested in adding a SP or RP via trade in the winter meetings as well. "We have had a very good start to these winter meetings but we dont feel like we have accomplished everything we want to." said GM Chase.
In another move the Rochester Red Sox moved up to pick 1.11 from 2.4 which now gives them back to back first round picks. The Red Sox also gave up their 5th round pick (5.4) and took on Everth Cabrera's contract 2/11 in order to get the deal done. "We felt there are a handful of guys in this draft we really like and we wanted to guarentee we get two of them." said GM Chase.
Going forward the Rochester Red Sox are still looking to make some moves. Everth Cabrera 2/11 is available for a last round pick. The Red Sox are also interested in adding a SP or RP via trade in the winter meetings as well. "We have had a very good start to these winter meetings but we dont feel like we have accomplished everything we want to." said GM Chase.
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