When the offseason started, Purple Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow recognized a number of areas of want he anticipated to deal with over the winter. On the high of the record was including a frontline starter and several other influence bats who may present some vital energy within the coronary heart of the order.
With the Christmas vacation approaching Breslow has introduced in a number of beginning pitchers and now an achieved bat in Willson Contreras. However chatting with the media on Monday, the Purple Sox boss mentioned the membership isn’t completed but.
“We’re nonetheless in search of any alternative to enhance our crew, we really feel like we’ve obtained a aggressive crew and one which’s able to a postseason run, however we additionally acknowledge that at this level the roster might be incomplete and it doesn’t make any sense to show off any particular path to bettering,” Breslow mentioned. “So we’ll proceed to look in free company and look within the commerce marketplace for methods to get higher.”
On the high of the record now’s one other bat, ideally an on a regular basis starter who may slot in close to the entrance of the lineup. Whereas Breslow wouldn’t tackle particular gamers the membership may goal — together with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman — he mentioned place gamers would be the fundamental focus for now.
“I feel our focus is fairly firmly on the place participant facet proper now, however that’s to not say we aren’t engaged in conversations round some extra pitching,” Breslow mentioned. “Precisely what that appears like, I’m undecided, however there’ll in all probability be alternatives so as to add to the bullpen and spherical out that group just a little bit and as at all times if there are probabilities to enhance the rotation we’re going to try that as effectively.”
Breslow additionally addressed the membership’s offseason strategy thus far, which has leaned closely in the direction of trades. Sunday’s Contreras acquisition marked the tenth commerce made by the Purple Sox because the season ended, but the membership is one among solely two groups that hasn’t signed a single massive league free agent, the opposite being the Colorado Rockies.
“It’s not a deliberate or intentional choice to shut off one pathway in favor of one other, we’re consistently making an attempt to put out the choices in entrance of us and make the perfect selections,” Breslow mentioned. “We haven’t signed a free agent but, that’s not as a result of there aren’t free brokers that we’ve been engaged with or as a result of there aren’t fascinating targets within the free agent market, we simply haven’t lined up but.”
Along with Contreras, the Purple Sox have additionally added right-handed starters Sonny Grey and Johan Oviedo, right-handed reliever Ryan Watson, left-handed reliever Tyler Samaniego, utility man Tristan Grey and lefty pitching prospect Jake Bennett to the 40-man roster.
Amongst these the Purple Sox have dealt away are younger right-handed starters Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins and Luis Perales, high outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, infielder Vaughn Grissom, and lefty relievers Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy, together with quite a few minor leaguers of various pedigree.
For essentially the most half the Purple Sox have primarily dealt from areas of surplus, significantly the membership’s big glut of MLB-ready depth starters and from its crowded outfield. However over time the Purple Sox run the danger of depleting the farm system they’ve spent the final 5 years constructing, and Breslow mentioned that’s one thing he’s conscious of because the offseason continues.
“My job is to be conscious of balancing the quick time period and the long run and there’s solely a lot which you could dig into your system and commerce earlier than you begin to influence your means to maintain success over time,” Breslow mentioned. “So free company is a part of the equation right here, it’s been part of the recipe for fulfillment for a very very long time, I anticipate that can proceed, it simply hasn’t but.”
Contreras to play largely 1B
Earlier than he efficiently transformed to first base throughout his remaining season with the Cardinals, Contreras spent his whole skilled profession as a catcher.
May he issue into the equation at that place in Boston? It’s potential, however Breslow mentioned that’s not the plan.
“I feel we’ll have these conversations however as of now we see him primarily at first base,” Breslow mentioned. “Possibly some DH alternatives, however the extra we are able to get his bat within the lineup the higher off we’re going to be.”
Contreras is coming off a strong offensive season by which he batted .257 with 20 residence runs, 80 RBI and a .791 OPS. He’s recorded 4 straight seasons with greater than 120 OPS+, which interprets to twenty% higher than common offensive manufacturing, and Breslow mentioned the membership believes his means to drive the ball to left area will make him an ideal match at Fenway Park.
“(He has) elite bat velocity, hits the ball actually onerous, and over the previous few years his means to tug the ball within the air has elevated, that’s one thing that’s going to profile very well at our park,” Breslow mentioned.
Breslow additionally famous that he beforehand labored with Contreras when the 2 have been each within the Chicago Cubs group earlier of their careers, and the Purple Sox boss spoke glowingly of Contreras’ character.
“You’ll not discover somebody who’s as aggressive and engaged and intense throughout the sport and who cares so deeply about his teammates, so we’re actually excited in regards to the influence he’ll have on and off the sphere.”
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