Mets/LAD/NYy interested in Alexei, according to Levine

[Bigsoxhurt35]

No thanks to a Yankees trade. Mets need to be the team over the Yanks. I don't like the Yankees prospects.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Bigsoxhurt35

[LDF]

No thanks to a Yankees trade. Mets need to be the team over the Yanks. I don't like the Yankees prospects.

 

I think the yanks have a better group of prospects, or should I say a deeper

pool of prospects.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I watched video of Greene last night on mlb.com and noticed he does miss location a bit more than a starter should. Kid has a nice two-seam he throws 93/94 with downward movement, a nice little slider that fooled batters and thought I had seen a few cutters as well. I would gladly take Greene but the Yanks should send another player with him in a trade for Alexei.

 

Any chance the Sox could get the Yanks to bite on John Danks.

One thing we have been noticing with Hahn is that he prefers ground ball pitchers which is great when you play in the cell. However what hasn't been adressed is a catcher who can help those kind of pitchers out.

 

I saw something on fangraphs where they were talking about the most pitches missed by an umpire that were in the strike zone but called balls. The ump might 've been Cederstrom but it was Carroll pitching and Nieto catching and the pitches missed by the ump were all really nice pitches with downward movement which Nieto didn't handle very well. Maybe Flowers would've got a few of those calls but I really think a defensive catcher who can handle pitchers with sink is a must wether its the backup catcher or the starter. Maybe that's a good pitch framer or a guy who gets down low so he doesn't have to stab at the pitches with a downward motion .

 

As much as I think Gillaspie has improved and may continue to improve I'm coming around to the idea of Headley because of his glove and the importance of as many good infield gloves a possible to help the pitchers. If Hahns going to continue to get groundball pitchers then he also must remember that those types are even better when they get great defense behind them and catching them.

Edited November 14, 2014 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[LDF]

One thing we have been noticing with Hahn is that he prefers ground ball pitchers which is great when you play in the cell. However what hasn't been adressed is a catcher who can help those kind of pitchers out.

 

I saw something on fangraphs where they were talking about the most pitches missed by an umpire that were in the strike zone but called balls. The ump might 've been Cederstrom but it was Carroll pitching and Nieto catching and the pitches missed by the ump were all really nice pitches with downward movement which Nieto didn't handle very well. Maybe Flowers would've got a few of those calls but I really think a defensive catcher who can handle pitchers with sink is a must wether its the backup catcher or the starter. Maybe that's a good pitch framer or a guy who gets down low so he doesn't have to stab at the pitches with a downward motion .

 

As much as I think Gillaspie has improved and may continue to improve I'm coming around to the idea of Headley because of his glove and the importance of as many good infield gloves a possible to help the pitchers. If Hahns going to continue to get groundball pitchers then he also must remember that those types are even better when they get great defense behind them and catching them.

 

nice point. I was reading this afternoon on prospects and how coaches are looking at

catchers with a keener eye. it is funny you mention catchers who are better defensively,

b/c this article stated that the first thing all the coaches are looking, on how they block a pitch

and handle the defensive aspect of the game. trying to get these kids better prepared for

their time when they get drafted.

[Boopa1219]

I think the yanks have a better group of prospects, or should I say a deeper

pool of prospects.

 

The Mets have strong top line prospects and the Yankees have better prospects in the lower levels.

[BlackSox13]

One thing we have been noticing with Hahn is that he prefers ground ball pitchers which is great when you play in the cell. However what hasn't been adressed is a catcher who can help those kind of pitchers out.

 

I saw something on fangraphs where they were talking about the most pitches missed by an umpire that were in the strike zone but called balls. The ump might 've been Cederstrom but it was Carroll pitching and Nieto catching and the pitches missed by the ump were all really nice pitches with downward movement which Nieto didn't handle very well. Maybe Flowers would've got a few of those calls but I really think a defensive catcher who can handle pitchers with sink is a must wether its the backup catcher or the starter. Maybe that's a good pitch framer or a guy who gets down low so he doesn't have to stab at the pitches with a downward motion .

 

As much as I think Gillaspie has improved and may continue to improve I'm coming around to the idea of Headley because of his glove and the importance of as many good infield gloves a possible to help the pitchers. If Hahns going to continue to get groundball pitchers then he also must remember that those types are even better when they get great defense behind them and catching them.

Agree with everything you say. I think Gillaspie is still young enough to continue improving but how much is the question. I'm hoping the Sox try to grab Headley and use Gillaspie as a backup at1st and 3rd base as well as batted in the DH slot. I like Gillaspie's versatility and bat.

 

Defensively I think Flowers can handle ground ball pitchers but pitch framing is a different story. I agree that Flowers needs to work on pitch framing but I'm concerned about finding a different catcher and then find out that catcher lacks in another area. Flowers will continue to get better so unless an obvious upgrade comes along, he's the guy. Hopefully the Sox figure it out before Danish makes his debut because that kid induces a ton of ground balls. Sox have time as far as Danish is concerned though.

 

My problem with trading Alexei is replacing his defense won't be easy. IMO, the Sox best bet is Sanchez at SS and Semien at 2B, or at least with the players the Sox currently have anyway.

 

 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Agree with everything you say. I think Gillaspie is still young enough to continue improving but how much is the question. I'm hoping the Sox try to grab Headley and use Gillaspie as a backup at1st and 3rd base as well as batted in the DH slot. I like Gillaspie's versatility and bat.

 

Defensively I think Flowers can handle ground ball pitchers but pitch framing is a different story. I agree that Flowers needs to work on pitch framing but I'm concerned about finding a different catcher and then find out that catcher lacks in another area. Flowers will continue to get better so unless an obvious upgrade comes along, he's the guy. Hopefully the Sox figure it out before Danish makes his debut because that kid induces a ton of ground balls. Sox have time as far as Danish is concerned though.

 

My problem with trading Alexei is replacing his defense won't be easy. IMO, the Sox best bet is Sanchez at SS and Semien at 2B, or at least with the players the Sox currently have anyway.

Here's the link to what I was talking about with video. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/investigati...14/#more-158004

[Lillian]

Agree with everything you say. I think Gillaspie is still young enough to continue improving but how much is the question. I'm hoping the Sox try to grab Headley and use Gillaspie as a backup at1st and 3rd base as well as batted in the DH slot. I like Gillaspie's versatility and bat.

 

Defensively I think Flowers can handle ground ball pitchers but pitch framing is a different story. I agree that Flowers needs to work on pitch framing but I'm concerned about finding a different catcher and then find out that catcher lacks in another area. Flowers will continue to get better so unless an obvious upgrade comes along, he's the guy. Hopefully the Sox figure it out before Danish makes his debut because that kid induces a ton of ground balls. Sox have time as far as Danish is concerned though.

 

My problem with trading Alexei is replacing his defense won't be easy. IMO, the Sox best bet is Sanchez at SS and Semien at 2B, or at least with the players the Sox currently have anyway.

 

Do you think that Sanchez has the arm to play SS? Their respective roles were exactly reversed in much of their Minor League play.

[LDF]

Here's the link to what I was talking about with video. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/investigati...14/#more-158004

 

nice find, nice article.

 

the sox had a great catcher in Jim Essian. he had a rep of arguing with the ump

but he never turn around nor would he take his mask off. no one knew he was

arguing with the ump but the batter, pitcher and later the tv crew. the announcer

said he was not trying to show up the umps.

 

he would constantly berate the ump b/c he would tell them they missed the call

strike. he would keep the glove there for the ump to really look at the framing. Jim

Essian got kick out of 1 game b/c he was calling the ump an idiot b/c he can't see

the ball when it was a strike. this was all relayed thru the batter whom the reporter.

 

now Hawk have said that Jim Essian was great in framing, left the glove there for the ump

to see. he left it a lot longer if the ump missed the call while Jim Eddian argued about it. JE

also cheated the glove a little when the ball was a little outside, up or down, by moving

the glove quickly over the strike zone. Hawk also said that by doing this, he helped the pitchers

get strike when it should have been a ball.

 

I love it then when Hawk and Wimpy would explained all this. it was like a edu on baseball. all the

old time catchers esp the great ones had this way to help out the pitchers. it was funny when

I remember a catcher getting again kickout b/c the catcher thought he was squeezing the strike

zone. he did it on purpose b/c the ump will then make a effort to widen the zone.

[LDF]

The Mets have strong top line prospects and the Yankees have better prospects in the lower levels.

 

I respect your answer, I disagree with it, but I will discuss this on another time.

 

sorry.

[GreenSox]

No to Niese. He's not the pitcher the Sox need by any measure.

 

I also disagree that Alexei has marginal value - worthy of a JR Murphy (no to Yankee catching prospects as well).

You have to look at it in context. At least 2 teams are right on the verge of contention and have a glaring need for SS. There are no acceptable FA options. That ups his value.

Also, when Ken Williams can trade the Sox 2 top pitching prospects for 1.5 years of Edwin Jackson and his 5+ ERA and inflated salary, I refuse to give up this early that there isn't a generous GM out there.

Edited November 14, 2014 by GreenSox

[Eminor3rd]

Here's the link to what I was talking about with video. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/investigati...14/#more-158004

 

I missed this article when it was published, and I'm really glad you brought it up.

 

This is the kind of thing that makes you wish WE could have been the ones that snatched Francisco Cervelli away from the Yankees. It's really ncie to have a bat at that position, but we've got to take care of the defense/receiving first.

[witesoxfan]

I'd much rather have Niese over Greene. Niese is just 2 years older.

 

And he is less talented and is going to cost more to get based on his "proven" moniker.

[2nd_city_saint787]

I am not trading Ramirez straight up for either.

 

Neither would I, but as the main piece I, personally would rather have Niese.

 

And he is less talented and is going to cost more to get based on his "proven" moniker.

 

I guess maybe I'm just a bit weary of trading Lexi for a guy who was never really that good in the minors. I mean I know prospect rankings should be taken with a grain of salt but looking at many prospect lists this Greene fellow never even ranked in the top 20.

 

I've read a few scouting reports of his since you posted this and ya, I'm just not impressed.

 

I certainly could be wrong on this and maybe something he learned at the major league level clicked with him and he will continue to be the pitcher he is now.

Edited November 14, 2014 by scs787

[Whisox05]

Probably the most value alexei is going to have is right now. He's coming of getting a silver slugger award which is given to the best offensive player at that position in each league. He was a gold glove finalist. The yankees, mets, dodgers, mariners, and A's all need shortstops. If the sox want to compete this year then they need to do alot of upgrading to get to that point. If the sox sign say rasmus, morales, one of Hammel, Mccarthy or Masterson then that's not competing. You having to hope all of those guys bounce back to compete. Not one but all. If the sox are actually competing in 2015 then can still trade Alexei. Look at 2004 when carlos Lee was traded for podsednik and luis vizcaino. They also used the money saved to put towards other players like dye, hernandez, pierzynski and ect. If you trade Alexei and get at least 2 players back to go right into the opening day roster and use the money to put to other players then you are filling a bunch of positions at once you do open up ss but have guys to fill in.

 

[LDF]

No to Niese. He's not the pitcher the Sox need by any measure.

 

I also disagree that Alexei has marginal value - worthy of a JR Murphy (no to Yankee catching prospects as well).

You have to look at it in context. At least 2 teams are right on the verge of contention and have a glaring need for SS. There are no acceptable FA options. That ups his value.

Also, when Ken Williams can trade the Sox 2 top pitching prospects for 1.5 years of Edwin Jackson and his 5+ ERA and inflated salary, I refuse to give up this early that there isn't a generous GM out there.

 

great point. but i keep saying there are 4 maybe 5 teams that can

use Alexei.

[Chisoxfn]

Neither would, but as the main piece I, personally would rather have Niese.

 

 

 

I guess maybe I'm just a bit weary of trading Lexi for a guy who was never really that good in the minors. I mean I know prospect rankings should be taken with a grain of salt but looking at many prospect lists this Greene fellow never even ranked in the top 20.

 

I've read a few scouting reports of his since you posted this and ya, I'm just not impressed.

 

I certainly could be wrong on this and maybe something he learned at the major league level clicked with him and he will continue to be the pitcher he is now.

I'd rather have Niese. I think he's the better pitcher long-term but I again, don't think he's who I am getting as the headline in a Ramirez trade. Neither of them are attractive enough headliners. You need more then that. We are talking about trading one of the best SS's in baseball. I want more then a slightly above league average cost controlled pitcher who doesn't have upside past that. At least Niese is slightly above league average, I don't think I can say that about Greene. Especially when I look at how our organization has been able to develop pitching and not positional talent.

 

 

[LDF]

 

let me asked this, of the mlb teams needing a upgrade at SS and who may

trade for that upgrade. who are they. NYM, MYY, Dodgers, OAK who else??

 

the way I am looking at this, does any of those teams have a sense of urgency to

get this deal done? who will offer the better package? can the sox use this to fill those

holes that they have?? does the sox really need to make this trade?

 

well the sox really don't need to make this trade, however the sox can play all

who are interested against each other. Dodgers and the Yanks seems to have

the most that the sox need. the Mets has some key players that will help the

sox now, and Oak, well I am not a big fan of them.

[spiderman]

let me asked this, of the mlb teams needing a upgrade at SS and who may

trade for that upgrade. who are they. NYM, MYY, Dodgers, OAK who else??

 

the way I am looking at this, does any of those teams have a sense of urgency to

get this deal done? who will offer the better package? can the sox use this to fill those

holes that they have?? does the sox really need to make this trade?

 

well the sox really don't need to make this trade, however the sox can play all

who are interested against each other. Dodgers and the Yanks seems to have

the most that the sox need. the Mets has some key players that will help the

sox now, and Oak, well I am not a big fan of them.

 

Who are the veteran SS options on the market that a team might prefer over trading for Ramirez?

[LDF]

Who are the veteran SS options on the market that a team might prefer over trading for Ramirez?

 

look at the Mets last week, they went out and try to find a trading partner and it failed.

 

the options are one thing, whether the team want to go with that option is another.

[LittleHurt05]

Given the recent La Stella trade, I'm starting to think a Starlin Castro trade for Mets young pitching is imminent.

[LDF]

Given the recent La Stella trade, I'm starting to think a Starlin Castro trade for Mets young pitching is imminent.

 

a very good point. I didn't even think of it that way.

[caulfield12]

a very good point. I didn't even think of it that way.

 

 

Unless LaStella's just insurance for a Baez flameout and they want to keep Alcantara in the outfield.

[Bob Sacamano]

ess LaStella's just insurance for a Baez flameout and they want to keep Alcantara in the outfield.

 

I'm actually thinking Cubs make a move for Hamels. Baez, Vogelbach, Edwards, Wood (to replace Hamels' depth lost) maybe?

[witesoxfan]

I'm actually thinking Cubs make a move for Hamels. Baez, Vogelbach, Edwards, Wood (to replace Hamels' depth lost) maybe?

 

I don't see any way Philly would make that deal.