It took one owner to believe in his convictions that one player could potentially put his team over the top.
Washington Nationals owner Ted Lerner was that owner, ending Max Scherzer’s long free agency with a uniquely constructed seven-year, $210 million deal.
Lerner’s Nationals now possess an uber starting rotation with Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Doug Fister.
And for the moment, Tanner Roarke, 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA in 31 starts last season for the Nats, starts the season in the bullpen.
Will there be a trade? The Nats are saying no for the moment.
What does the Scherzer signing mean for the Red Sox?
It means James Shields is the last remaining big-name free agent.
The Red Sox, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers, and Angels would all be interested in Shields at a lower rate than the 5-year, $110 million figure that his agent advised teams is what it would take.
One major league source indicated that Shields has at least one four-year, $80 million deal. The fact Scherzer got $210 million has to bode well for Shields getting his price. It doesn’t appear the Red Sox will go that far. Right now the team is dealing from a position of strength, with five young veteran starters who all have their imperfections.
Red Sox manager John Farrell has praised Shields in the past, loving his toughness and his talent.
Despite Phillies GM Ruben Amaro’s recent declaration that he didn’t expect to deal Cole Hamels, it merely means Amaro hasn’t heard the magic names from teams like the Padres, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks.
The question remains will the Phillies miss out on acquiring Boston’s prospects because the Red Sox won’t give up Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart? Or would they take a lesser package of say four prospects out of the Henry Owens, Brian Johnson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Anthony Ranaudo, Matt Barnes, Deven Marrero, Garin Cecchini, Travis Shaw, and Rafael Devers group and be content to add both quantity and quality to their farm system?
Anyway, let’s get to the mailbag:
Would Joe Kelly, Christian Vazquez, Deven Marrero, and Brock Holt be enough to land Hamels or Zimmermann? No potential stars, for sure, but all could be pretty decent.
Dave, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
NC: If there’s no Betts or Swihart, there has to be a Henry Owens in there. Don’t think either team would accept that.
Now that Max Scherzer has landed with the Washington Nationals, and they currently have six starters, rumors are flying about them trading a starting pitcher, possibly Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister, and even Stephen Strasburg. Would it make more sense for the Red Sox to go after Strasburg given that he is the youngest of the three and that he has two years left before free agency?
Jim, Westwood, Ma
NC: From what I’ve been able to gather from my Nationals sources, they would like to hold on to Strasburg and all of their pitchers. Now, if they don’t live up to expectations I’m sure they would entertain moving him at the trading deadline. The point of signing Scherzer was to create an uber starting rotation.
Are the Sox in on Jordan Zimmerman? What type of package would the Nationals want in return?
Al, Wareham
NC: As per the previous question, don’t think the Nationals are going to trade him at this time. He’s worth three top prospects, or he’s someone you deal for an All-Star positional player.
With Jayson Werth out for at least 2 to 3 months after surgery, does that open the door for the Sox to use a surplus outfielder like Victorino as part of a package for Zimmermann?
Tom, Concord, NH
NC: Victorino is a hard guy to trade because he’s coming off of back surgery. In my opinion, teams would need to watch him play in spring training before anyone would be serious about a deal for him. The Nats are obviously in a position of strength with Zimmermann. They can let this ride out all through the 2015 season if they so choose.
I’m of the belief that great leadoff hitters and Buster Posey-type catchers are harder to find than an ace pitcher, and the Sox possibly have both in Betts and Swihart. I wouldn’t trade either. Do you agree?
Rick, Newtown, Conn.
NC: I believe Swihart is a unique talent and he would be my untouchable. Hard to find an athletic switch-hitter who is good from both sides of the plate. He’s also a player who can run and throw runners out. I think Betts is a fun player to watch, but to classify him as a great leadoff hitter at this juncture is premature. I want to see how Betts reacts to the adjustments pitchers will make to him in his first full major league season coming up. What I love about Betts is he doesn’t seem overmatched by anything. This upcoming season will tell us a lot about Betts’ future. He has a chance to be an All-Star.
Which is more important to a team’s success – an elite lead-off hitter making 700 plate appearances who can steal 25-30 bases and play terrific defense in the outfield and at second base if need be, like Mookie Betts, or an ace starting 32-34 games?
Mike, Henderson, Tenn.
NC: I guess it depends on what the rest of your lineup looks like. Betts should be an excellent leadoff hitter, but if he wasn’t around, could either Brock Holt or Rusney Castillo be good leadoff hitters? I think both of them could. What we don’t know is how “terrific” he would be in the outfield. Looked good after his conversion from second base, but the jury is out as to whether he’s a great center fielder. I think Cole Hamels is one of the best pitchers in baseball, a No. 1, an ace, and lefthanded. He’s a difference-maker and would be a worthy replacement for Jon Lester.
With Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriquez, Brian Johnson, and Edwin Escobar competing to be future starting lefthanders for the Sox, would it make sense for Boston to steal a page from the Cardinals and use two of these pitchers out of the bullpen to start the season? The strategy has worked well with St Louis and it is a good way to expose these pitchers to the majors without all the pressure of jumping into the starting rotation.
Tom, Philadelphia
NC: Don’t disagree. It’s the way it used to be done. A young pitcher would cut his teeth in the bullpen and then after a year or two he’d be in the rotation. So I could see one or two of those guys filling out Boston’s bullpen. Currently, the bullpen looks like Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Edward Mujica, Craig Breslow, Brandon Workman, Johnny Varvaro, and Tommy Layne. That’s seven bullpen guys. You also have lefty Drake Britton.
Pitching is so valuable, yet the Red Sox seem satisfied with just .500 type of guys. It’s no wonder Ben Cherington is looking to stockpile the bullpen – it will be used early and often. Your thoughts?
Frank, Westerly, R.I.
NC: I’m on record that they need an ace. But they have signed a lot of guys and spent a lot of money, signing Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, trading for Rick Porcello and Wade Miley, and signing Justin Masterson. But you’re right, they have enough resources to make one more big pitching move.
Power bullpens are the rage in MLB. I know Braves are getting a new park in 2017, but I’d like to see a trade for Craig Kimbrel to close. The Red Sox signed Uehara, and I think he’ll bounce back, but can he hold closer role for 1-2 years?
Dave, Ruskin, Fla.
NC: Kimbrel would be a nice get. But as I wrote in Sunday Baseball Notes, I believe the Braves hold on to Kimbrel until the All-Star break. If Braves are hopelessly out, I can envision the Braves dealing him off. I would also keep my eye on Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.
I know it sounds silly, but I think Craig/Victorino/Napoli and two prospects (not Betts, one pitcher) for Hamels and Howard. Howard showed signs of life last year. He did drive in 95 runs. That’s a bunch on that Philly team. Only contingency would be he could pass a physical. Would Amaro go for it?
JE, Orem, Utah
NC: Amaro needs to make a deal that will enable his team to get younger. That deal fails. Amaro is seeking a resting spot for Ryan Howard, but I don’t see that type of deal working out.
Throughout the years, bad negotiations seem to have Larry Lucchino associated with them. Is there any thought of limiting his involvement on the baseball side of things? The Red Sox’ two biggest needs are a front-line starter and bullpen lefty. So bad work on Jon Lester and Andrew Miller will cost the Sox dearly.
Rob, Fort Pierce, Fla.
NC: I don’t see a reduced involvement. He’s the president and CEO of the team and he runs the operation. Ben Cherington really makes the baseball decisions and Lucchino approves or rejects Cherington’s recommendations or expenditures. He has to be doing something right. Three championships and huge profits for the owners and a payroll that will eclipse the $189 million threshold for the luxury tax.
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