Archive for the ‘Anthony Ranaudo’ Category
Red Sox Roster Ramblings
Mike Napoli Almost in the Fold
There have been media reports the Red Sox and free agent Mike Napoli finally reached an agreement – although GM Ben Cherington says nothing is done yet.
Instead of three years and $39 million, Napoli will now get a one year, $5 million deal – which includes incentives that can bring the contract value to $13 million.
The Red Sox will be getting a motivated or upset-at-management player – or maybe some of both.
Napoli’s health situation must really be bad if he had no other alternative than Boston’s low-ball offer.
The situation leads one to wonder how much the Sox can expect to get out of Napoli.
Figure the physically demanding position of catcher is probably out for Napoli if he is an injury risk.
And don’t expect too much DH’ing with David Ortiz manning that spot.
With Napoli at first – expect the Red Sox to grab a lefty bench bat to back him up.
Casey Kotchman and Lyle Overbay have been suggested as possibilities – but their drawback is they are first basemen only. Ideally, Boston would want more versatility for the bench with a player who can handle both first and the outfield.
Another candidate to consider: Tyler Colvin – The Rockies are building and Colvin is a bench player. Boston should be able to match up for Colvin with an arm and/or good prospect. A lefty bat, Colvin can play first and outfield.
The Boston Herald looked at the top five Red Sox seasons from a first baseman. We will see if Napoli can crack the list in 2013.
Bogaerts Goes Classic
Red Sox super-prospect Xander Bogaerts will represent The Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
This will be the first glimpse of Bogaerts against big league competition. Here’s a nice profile of the native Aruban from MiLB.com.
Find the classic’s schedule here.
Prospects to Watch
Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Matt Barnes are universally seen as the current Big Three of Red Sox prospects.
A couple of second-tier prospects to keep an eye on:
- Bryce Brentz. He is Boston’s best power-hitting outfield prospect – a spot the big league team could use some help. Brentz had a strong post-season run with Pawtucket last season. The Red Sox hope Brentz’ late season taste of AAA positions him for a strong season. And if that happens, he could be the first outfielder to be called up in 2013, if needed.
- Anthony Ranaudo. Never give up on young pitching, especially if they haven’t had arm trouble in the pros. That’s the position the Red Sox find themselves in with Ranaudo, who had an injury-plagued 2012 season (but not involving his arm). Ranaudo is on a mission to return to form – and if he does, Ranaudo should rise on the Sox prospects list.
Not Signing Free Agent Because Of Draft Pick is Crazy
Let me start with, I agree teams should build from within through a strong farm system.
But this idea that teams – like the Red Sox – can’t sign free agents that require draft pick compensation is nonsense.
I get as Rob Bradford writes, the pick could turn out to be a quality major leaguer.
But the baseball draft is a crapshoot.
For every Mike Trout (taken #25 in 2009 – what were the other teams thinking?), there is a Daniel Moskos (taken #4 in 2007 – one pick ahead of Matt Wieters, not the money-saving move Pittsburgh was hoping for).
So if the Red Sox think Adam LaRoche (not Mike Napoli and his rumored injury risk) is the answer for the team over the next three years at first base, sign him.
Would you do a trade to acquire a proven major leaguer like LaRoche for:
- Kolbrin Vitek – drafted by Boston in the first round in 2010? Yes.
- Bryce Brentz – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2010? Maybe yes, maybe no.
- Anthony Ranaudo – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2010? Yes.
- Reymond Fuentes – drafted by Boston in first round in 2009? Yes.
- Bryan Price – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2008? Yes.
That said, it is not something a team should do every year because that move reduces their chances at striking gold high in the draft.
And the quality of the upcoming draft should factor into the consideration. With strong draft years something to weigh into holding onto picks.
Lastly, because the Red Sox were among the worst ten teams in baseball last season, free agent compensation would be a second – not a first – pick (and Boston would lose draft money available for that pick too). A position the Red Sox may not find themselves in again (if GM Ben Cherington did a good job this off-season).
A pure philosophy of avoiding free agents because of compensation is wrong-headed.
Just like how trading prospects for established major leaguers typically works out for the team acquiring the proven big leaguer, go for the major league talent.
The Red Sox say they aim to contend in 2013 and to do so, the team needs a quality a first baseman.
If LaRoche is the best choice – sign him, don’t worry about the draft pick.
What do you think? Should the Red Sox hoard their picks – or use them to sign free agents?
Five Things to Watch: Red Sox Prospects
Here’s a quick list of things to watch for among Red Sox Prospects.
Will Middlebrooks. He had a great year in AA Portland last season – but poor results in a short AAA Pawtucket stint. Middlebrooks is a player who has shown steady improvement each year in the minors. Will he continue his progression with the PawSox this season – and establish himself as heir apparent to Kevin Youkilis at 3B? And be ready for a 2012 call-up if Youkilis gets hurt once again?
Anthony Ranaudo. Another “tale of two cities” performer last year. Ranaudo delivered in Low A Greenville but was pretty mediocre in High A Salem. It was Ranaudo’s first year in pro ball – so most likely adjustment was needed to the longer season. Does Ranaudo step it up in 2012 and show he can be a #2 or #3 starter? Do the Red Sox push Ranaudo getting him to Portland during the season?
Xander Bogaerts. He more than held his own as an 18 year old SS in Greenville (16 HRs, 45 RBIs in 72 games). How fast will the Red Sox push Bogaerts – Salem seems likely, perhaps even at the start of the season. Will Bogaerts reach Portland? And the bigger question – how high does he move up the charts on the top MLB prospects lists?
Jose Iglesias. He was a media darling this week – fielding grounders in pre-camp workouts. Iglesias added some muscle in the off-season. Will this additional strength help him move beyond being a good-field, no-hit SS? And whether he hits or not – will the performance of the Mike Aviles – Nick Punto combo – push Boston to promote Iglesias during the 2012 season?
Bryce Brentz. He fits the bill for what the Red Sox need most offensively: a righty power hitter who can play RF. Brentz has a breakout year last season – smashing 30 HRs with stops in Greenville and Salem. Will he continue the success in Portland – with perhaps a jump to Pawtucket during the 2012 season? And establish him as a bona fide big-league power hitting OF prospect?
Who’s on your “watch list” for Red Sox prospects? And what are you watching for them to do in 2012?
Albie Jarvis
