Should the Red Sox sign him, what makes him good, can he stay at third, is he getting better, and more about the biggest decision this team has to make since trading Mookie Betts
I tend to agree with the short answer of “Yes”. If I had to lengthen it a bit I might say “indubitably”.
Part of me wonders how we can so easily forget the impact of one particular DH only player that was recently inducted to a famous corridor who’s name rhymes with Mavid GOArTiz. A player who arguably has had a greater impact on a single organization than Ortiz may not exist, though I might argue that person exists and his name is Devers. Whether he plays third, first, or dh or whatever. You cannot under any circumstances let that guy play for any other team. In my humble opinion.
I don't necessarily disagree, except to say this: every team has a budget. We talk about how the Red Sox should've paid this guy or that guy, but every dollar you give to one guy is a dollar they can't give to someone else. So while I do think they need to sign Devers, I do think that paying $30+ million to a part time 1B/DH (in one scenario) isn't the wisest way to allocate dollars and I wouldn't expect the Bloom administration to go that way.
I agree 100% the Sox should extend Devers and I believe they will.
He’s answered the defensive question, which means they know they’ll be paying a 3b and not a 1b-DH. That should clarify his value.
I’d add just one thing. Given their luxury tax situation, perhaps the Red Sox preferred to do this extension after all those millions came off the books this winter.
Good piece, Matt. Why haven’t the Red Sox met Devers price yet? Perhaps it is a concern over defense. But I’m more inclined to believe that the primary reason is that ownership has no interest in paying top market deals to keep its super duper stars. The Sox are looking for a deal and absent that they’re willing to let him (them) go. Not to be a sky is falling guy but that philosophy would/will have a disastrous impact on the connection between team and fan base. Talk about things I’d prefer not to ponder before bedtime.
IMO, the Sox have backed themselves into a corner and the only way to start to right the Mookie debacle is to meet Xander and Devers’ asking price whether it financially makes sense or not.
I don't think it's that the Henry group is cheap, but I do think they've been purposely shopping at the inexpensive end of the isle. We'll see what happens with Bogaerts and Devers. I think, if pushed to make a guess, that they keep one of them, but if both go then that with the Mookie debacle will paint a decidedly ugly picture.
I tend to agree with the short answer of “Yes”. If I had to lengthen it a bit I might say “indubitably”.
Part of me wonders how we can so easily forget the impact of one particular DH only player that was recently inducted to a famous corridor who’s name rhymes with Mavid GOArTiz. A player who arguably has had a greater impact on a single organization than Ortiz may not exist, though I might argue that person exists and his name is Devers. Whether he plays third, first, or dh or whatever. You cannot under any circumstances let that guy play for any other team. In my humble opinion.
I don't necessarily disagree, except to say this: every team has a budget. We talk about how the Red Sox should've paid this guy or that guy, but every dollar you give to one guy is a dollar they can't give to someone else. So while I do think they need to sign Devers, I do think that paying $30+ million to a part time 1B/DH (in one scenario) isn't the wisest way to allocate dollars and I wouldn't expect the Bloom administration to go that way.
Thanks, Matt.
I agree 100% the Sox should extend Devers and I believe they will.
He’s answered the defensive question, which means they know they’ll be paying a 3b and not a 1b-DH. That should clarify his value.
I’d add just one thing. Given their luxury tax situation, perhaps the Red Sox preferred to do this extension after all those millions came off the books this winter.
That's a great point, Walt. I hadn't looked at the luxury tax implications. My bad on that one.
Good piece, Matt. Why haven’t the Red Sox met Devers price yet? Perhaps it is a concern over defense. But I’m more inclined to believe that the primary reason is that ownership has no interest in paying top market deals to keep its super duper stars. The Sox are looking for a deal and absent that they’re willing to let him (them) go. Not to be a sky is falling guy but that philosophy would/will have a disastrous impact on the connection between team and fan base. Talk about things I’d prefer not to ponder before bedtime.
IMO, the Sox have backed themselves into a corner and the only way to start to right the Mookie debacle is to meet Xander and Devers’ asking price whether it financially makes sense or not.
Thanks, Shedd.
I don't think it's that the Henry group is cheap, but I do think they've been purposely shopping at the inexpensive end of the isle. We'll see what happens with Bogaerts and Devers. I think, if pushed to make a guess, that they keep one of them, but if both go then that with the Mookie debacle will paint a decidedly ugly picture.