Post by Zig on Feb 23, 2015 18:58:12 GMT -5
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Five things to note in the wake of the Red Sox reaching agreement with Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada:
1) It's premature to think about where or how the Red Sox will use Moncada
First, he's 19 years old and regardless of his talent level -- which is considerable, obviously -- he's going to require time to develop. The earliest Moncada will reach the big leagues is probably halfway through the 2016 season.
For now, Moncada is an infielder, but given his size and body type -- he's 6-foot-2 and about 220 pounds -- it's tough to envision him playing the middle of the infield, though it's worth noting that one baseball source said Monday: "He's a shortstop right now, and usually, you keep someone at shortstop for as long as they can play the position.''
In time, a number of evaluators believe Moncada can play third base or a corner outfield spot.
Projecting a season or two down the road, remember that Mike Napoli is in the final year of his deal, while this is also the final guaranteed year for David Ortiz.
Third baseman Pablo Sandoval is just beginning a five-year deal and, one would assume, will play third at least three more seasons. But the Sox could always shift Sandoval to first base in a couple of years. Or they could transition Hanley Ramirez there in another couple of seasons, or make him the DH, opening a spot in left field for Moncada.
Finally, there's still a lot to learn about Xander Bogaerts at short. If he doesn't settle into the position, it's still possible Moncada could begin his major-league career there.
2) Regardless of where he plays, the Red Sox are bringing in an athletic, offensive force
At a time when runs and offense are down across the game, Moncada is one more piece to add to the lineup.
Moncada could join Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo and Blake Swihart -- along with veterans Ramirez, Sandoval and Pedroia -- to present a deep, versatile lineup by the middle of 2016.
That collection of offensive talent could form the core of some pretty potent offensive lineups for years to come.
The Red Sox already have one of the handful of most talented farm systems in the game. Adding a prime piece like Moncada makes it that much better. And remember, too, that the Sox will, for the second time in the last three years, have the No. 7 pick in the June draft, another opportunity for them to further stock the system.
3) Red Sox ownership is willing to flex its might
At a time when there are significant restrictions regarding how much money can be spent through conventional paths -- like the amateur draft -- Red Sox owners are committing to finding and funding alternate methods. In the last seven months, the have spent more than $130 million on two Cubans who could be everyday players for years to come.
The 2015 payroll, meanwhile, will be the highest in franchise history and will require the team to pay into the luxury tax for the second time since the system was implemented.
Thanks in large part to NESN, the Red Sox are an enormously profitable operation and have the resources to invest.
It seems obvious that two last-place finishes in the last three seasons is unacceptable and John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino have signaled a willingness to spend to ensure that doesn't happen again anytime soon.
4) Signing Moncada could make it easier for the Red Sox to use other prospects in a trade
Now that a premium talent like Moncada is on board, the Sox might be more willing to include some other highly-rated prospect to address other needs.
Whereas a week ago the organizaiton might have been unwilling to deal, say, third baseman Rafael Devers or outfielder Manuel Margot, now it's at least somewhat easier to justify their inclusion to land a big piece for the major-league roster.
While the Sox continue to insist that Swihart and Betts aren't going anywhere, would a package led by either Devers or Margot plus Henry Owens and one other prospect be enough to get them Cole Hamels, or another pitcher who becomes available at the deadline?
)5) The fact that the Red Sox outbid the Yankees for Moncada may be noteworthy
The Yankees, whose farm system isn't nearly as well-stocked as the Red Sox' system, have been surprisingly quiet on the Cuban front. The Yankees really haven't been players for Jose Abreu, Yasmany Tomas, Yoenis Cespdes or Castillo and fell, according to a source, several million short of the Sox' winning bid for Moncada.
It will take years to determine whether the Yanks' inaction was short-sighted or not.
In the meantime, the Red Sox can take some satisfaction in perhaps, some 12 years later, getting revenge on their rivals for losing out on another Cuban: Jose Contreras.
Sean McAdam serves as Comcast SportsNet's MLB Insider. Read more from Sean here, or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.
www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/five-things-about-moncadas-signing-red-sox
1) It's premature to think about where or how the Red Sox will use Moncada
First, he's 19 years old and regardless of his talent level -- which is considerable, obviously -- he's going to require time to develop. The earliest Moncada will reach the big leagues is probably halfway through the 2016 season.
For now, Moncada is an infielder, but given his size and body type -- he's 6-foot-2 and about 220 pounds -- it's tough to envision him playing the middle of the infield, though it's worth noting that one baseball source said Monday: "He's a shortstop right now, and usually, you keep someone at shortstop for as long as they can play the position.''
In time, a number of evaluators believe Moncada can play third base or a corner outfield spot.
Projecting a season or two down the road, remember that Mike Napoli is in the final year of his deal, while this is also the final guaranteed year for David Ortiz.
Third baseman Pablo Sandoval is just beginning a five-year deal and, one would assume, will play third at least three more seasons. But the Sox could always shift Sandoval to first base in a couple of years. Or they could transition Hanley Ramirez there in another couple of seasons, or make him the DH, opening a spot in left field for Moncada.
Finally, there's still a lot to learn about Xander Bogaerts at short. If he doesn't settle into the position, it's still possible Moncada could begin his major-league career there.
2) Regardless of where he plays, the Red Sox are bringing in an athletic, offensive force
At a time when runs and offense are down across the game, Moncada is one more piece to add to the lineup.
Moncada could join Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo and Blake Swihart -- along with veterans Ramirez, Sandoval and Pedroia -- to present a deep, versatile lineup by the middle of 2016.
That collection of offensive talent could form the core of some pretty potent offensive lineups for years to come.
The Red Sox already have one of the handful of most talented farm systems in the game. Adding a prime piece like Moncada makes it that much better. And remember, too, that the Sox will, for the second time in the last three years, have the No. 7 pick in the June draft, another opportunity for them to further stock the system.
3) Red Sox ownership is willing to flex its might
At a time when there are significant restrictions regarding how much money can be spent through conventional paths -- like the amateur draft -- Red Sox owners are committing to finding and funding alternate methods. In the last seven months, the have spent more than $130 million on two Cubans who could be everyday players for years to come.
The 2015 payroll, meanwhile, will be the highest in franchise history and will require the team to pay into the luxury tax for the second time since the system was implemented.
Thanks in large part to NESN, the Red Sox are an enormously profitable operation and have the resources to invest.
It seems obvious that two last-place finishes in the last three seasons is unacceptable and John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino have signaled a willingness to spend to ensure that doesn't happen again anytime soon.
4) Signing Moncada could make it easier for the Red Sox to use other prospects in a trade
Now that a premium talent like Moncada is on board, the Sox might be more willing to include some other highly-rated prospect to address other needs.
Whereas a week ago the organizaiton might have been unwilling to deal, say, third baseman Rafael Devers or outfielder Manuel Margot, now it's at least somewhat easier to justify their inclusion to land a big piece for the major-league roster.
While the Sox continue to insist that Swihart and Betts aren't going anywhere, would a package led by either Devers or Margot plus Henry Owens and one other prospect be enough to get them Cole Hamels, or another pitcher who becomes available at the deadline?
)5) The fact that the Red Sox outbid the Yankees for Moncada may be noteworthy
The Yankees, whose farm system isn't nearly as well-stocked as the Red Sox' system, have been surprisingly quiet on the Cuban front. The Yankees really haven't been players for Jose Abreu, Yasmany Tomas, Yoenis Cespdes or Castillo and fell, according to a source, several million short of the Sox' winning bid for Moncada.
It will take years to determine whether the Yanks' inaction was short-sighted or not.
In the meantime, the Red Sox can take some satisfaction in perhaps, some 12 years later, getting revenge on their rivals for losing out on another Cuban: Jose Contreras.
Sean McAdam serves as Comcast SportsNet's MLB Insider. Read more from Sean here, or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.
www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/five-things-about-moncadas-signing-red-sox
