Snake mentioned Duffy. Very interesting. Not sure if he could pitch an entire season as a SP but he did EXTREMELY well for the Royals when put into the SP role after being a reliever. That would be a great middle of the order pickup imo.
What a steal for them. They didn't need Moncada (who was flat awful in his brief stint last season) and their rotation is pretty set moving forward with Sale, Price, Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Wright under control for at least the next 3 seasons. They also have Buchholz for this season and Pomeranz for 2 more.
So much for the Red Sox financial woes.... they are also going to pay the $31,000,000 left on Moncada's contract. That is probably the bonus money that he signed for. If I remember correctly he was signed for a bonus amount of $31,500 and the Red Sox were then charged an international signing tax of $31,500. Moncada will follow the same rules concerning arbitration, etc as everyone else. I could be wrong, as that was several years ago that he signed out of Cuba. One way to look at it is that the Red Sox real cost was 63 million (Moncada) + 39 million (Sale Salary)...... or $102 million dollars for 3 years of Sale, and the A+ level pitcher everyone likes. The Red Sox have SERIOUS money.
What does this do to the package Archer will command? Can we get him for prospects without a proven major leaguer?
Yup, that is my thought as well. The Red Sox could move Bucholz and Pomeranz for prospects or other pieces if they want to. Something to remember about Moncada, he is almost guaranteed to be moved to 3rd or 1st. He is stocky and has gotten bigger. The White Sox are already talking about putting him at third. The pitcher that the White Sox got very likely may end up in the pen. The White Sox will give him a shot to be a starter but not certain he is a starter.
We'll know what Moncada did after his 4-20 start once he appears in a major league game again. In essence, you judged him after 20 plate appearances. Bregman was brutal his first 34. Frotunately for Alex, the Astros stuck with him and he showed what he is capable of. Quite possible the same thing happens with Moncada.
I agree that Moncada very well could do what Bregman did after a slow start, but until he does it, there is a question. I am not in anyway writing him off, I think he is an elite hitting prospect, but I also think that had Moncada torn the cover off the ball last year, he may very well still be on the Red Sox.
Would you do Tucker, Martes and Franklin Perez for Quintana? I would have to think about it.... Franklin Perez is really good.
Moncada had 1BB and 12K in 21 PAs. Bregman had 2BB and 10K in 34 PAs. It doesn't mean Moncada won't figure it out, but I find his start to be more concerning.
Dombrowski is a war-time GM. Luhnow has shown flashes but hasn't been able to truly pull off that sort of move yet... likely due to a combination of payroll restraints and his natural attachment to some homegrown players.
Lines been drawn in the sand and Red Sox are going for it (Luhnow needs to make some moves to counter this). I do expect an offensive drop off from the Sox losing Ortiz/Shaw/etc. But what worries me is how I think they will try to get EE next. That would catapult them into the drivers seat in the AL with a nasty bullpen. Do the Astros stand a chance? Yes. Here's why: 1.) There is no reason to think Gurriel/Bregman won't improve. 2.) Correa could be on the verge of breaking out as well. 3.) Upgrades at C, OF, DH. Nuff Said. 4.) McCullers breakout year? Keuchel comeback year? This is all stuff we know but it's not set in stone. We stand a chance but the Sox are the team to beat with CLE/HOU on the heels. PS...We need Luhnow to trade for Archer. Just make it happen. Great clubhouse guy. Had down year. He just fits the bill.
I'm actually okay with it. I believe in Luhnow's ability to restock the farm (especially with the new CBA rules). He has an excellent resume. Despite the whining on this board, Luhnow is a historically strong drafter. In 2013, he had produced more MLB players than any other scouting director. Luhnow has also shown an ability to pluck strong players on waivers, via throw-ins, and by way of cheap signings. As a side note, happy birthday to Franklin Perez!
I would do that and wouldn't think twice. If we could add a front end starter without touching the major league roster, you do it 10 times out of 10 right now
I think a perfect ending to this offseason would be the additions of Quintana and Chapman. Having a nails bullpen is underrated on so many fronts, but keeping starters fresh is a number one priority for me if I'm the Astros. A strong bullpen makes 180IP per starter a reasonable goal.
I would rather substitute another prospect instead of the rapidly emerging Perez... but ultimately I would do the deal. Quintana isn't dominant but he is consistent, is good for 200 innings, with an era of around 3.2-3.4 like clockwork. He also is under team control for 4 more years at a very low salary.
