Should we be rebuilding?

[jaysfan2014]

We have a young rotation coming up and emerging, and we have the money to find an OF and a 2B and bullpen help. I mean, if there's a team that REALLY needs a rebuild, try the Yankees! Boston's moves this offseason have increased the chances of the Yankees finishing near the bottom of the AL East (with Tampa likely to be a last place team, as I expect a fire sale.) For proof:

 

 

Still, even with the moves, they're still likely behind Baltimore(decent offense, good pitching, and Gausman) and Toronto(offense, young rotation) in the AL East. And based on Cherington's talk, Betts could be AAA bound instead of Boston, because of Castillo's contract, and Cespedes.. won't matter, Betts will likely be dealt anyway along with others for a SP..

 

As it stands, their weakest link is their rotation. And what happens if Lester chooses Chicago (or even the Yankees?) over Boston? Then their acquisitions will look like a waste.. Also, the team is willing to go over the tax.. but only to a certain point.

 

According to Alex Speier, Boston only has about $7-8M left before they start paying luxury tax..

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/alex-speier/2014/11/24/so-%25E2%2580%25A6-there-any-money-left-pitching-red-sox-ros

 

They need two starters(more likely three if Buchholz and Kelly continue to struggle), bullpen help, and a backup for Christian Vazquez (Swihart needs more AAA time and may be part of a trade package for a SP.) I can't see the Sox going through $200M, considering revenues and market size (yes, they're a $1.5b team, but that's only if it was put up for sale. It has nothing to do with their budget.) Problem is that Victorino is near unmovable, and Cespedes' value is low due to his 1 year left before free agency and no arbitration allowed on him. Most teams want Betts and their SP prospects in ANY deal. And they aren't getting a SP for Middlebrooks, Bradley Jr, or Nava.. teams are smarter than that.

[jaysfan2014]

2012 Red Sox - Last Place

2013 Red Sox - World Series Champs

 

#BlueJaysMessageBoardLogic

 

2013 team was a fluke from Victorino, Napoli and Drew having rebounds and Ellsbury being healthy. Those three players regressed back in 2014, and Ellsbury left for the Yanks.. don't start thinking that Ramirez and Sandoval equals a championship for Boston, especially they need more, plus are up against budget and luxury tax constraints after Sandoval and Ramirez's signings.

[LongTimeReader]

2013 team was a fluke from Victorino, Napoli and Drew having rebounds and Ellsbury being healthy. Those three players regressed back in 2014, and Ellsbury left for the Yanks.. don't start thinking that Ramirez and Sandoval equals a championship for Boston, especially they need more, plus are up against budget and luxury tax constraints after Sandoval and Ramirez's signings.

 

You may be able to fluke yourself through the play-offs but there's only so much "fluke" in a 97-65 win season.

[guylaroche5]

If we were to honestly identify positions of need right now, we would conclude that we still need a good infielder, a left and a centre fielder, at least one ace and 2-3 decent bullpen pieces including a closer. In what universe are we close to being a contender?

 

why exactly do we need an ace? baltimore won 96 games and got to the championship series with a rotation extremely similar to what we have now

[saskjayfan]

Sorry guys, but this Jays team is not competing.

 

We're at the stretching point when it comes to salary, and we have two stars, a few decent players, and a whole lot of average of below average players (including the entire pitching staff.)

And what do you think happens when injury strikes? You think we have a ton of talented guys just waiting for their shot? Nope. We had Dan Johnson as our backup.

 

If you like finishing 3rd or 4th every year, without whiffing the playoffs, then by all means, continue with this illusion.

But eventually, the Jays will get serious enough about making the post-season that they'll realize that sometimes you have to take a step back before you take two steps forward.

 

Impatience is not helping us, but fans can actually get excited about prospects. If we have a bunch of really, talented hot prospects, the fans will come out.

 

 

The reason we should rebuild now is because we can actually get some pretty good stuff for Bautista and Encarnacion.

 

There are three teams in particular that are filled with talent, and don't know where to put it all: Chicago Cubs, LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

We could trade our two big bats, and our old starters for a boatload of young talent and the payroll flexibility to land some Japanese/Cuban free agents.

 

adam...why are we compounding our errors. This team has zero chance of competing. Why did they get Donaldson?