1. Sign A Top Tier Free Agent Starting Pitcher
In my previous article, I recommended pursuing David Price and Zack Greinke. I wasn’t being totally ridiculous, but I’m not sure that’s the best course of solution, now that I think about it further. Not to rehash excessively – I’m hoping you actually read that article – but that goes against the grain of staying with a young core and not over-spending on marquee free agents. So, I think that Hazen and company should shy away from the likely massive price tags that will accompany Price (pun unintentional, but nearly unavoidable) and Greinke. I might still make a run at Greinke, but without going overboard. Despite being slightly older than Price – just about a year, so it’s negligible – he’s right-handed, which is preferable at Fenway Park. That’s a strike against Price. Also, Greinke has a fair advantage in postseason pitching record. As long as he doesn’t have to face Daniel Murphy.
However, assuming that being conservative in the Greinke sweepstakes means they don’t get him, I’d like to pursue Jordan Zimmermann. He’s a big groundball machine, who doesn’t give up many homers, which always helps your cause at Fenway. He’s younger than both Price and Greinke and surely will cost significantly less, while possessing a high upside. Over the last four seasons, Zimmermann has averaged 4.2 WAR, which works out to a current market value of approximately $20 million for a season. How about buying low on Zimmerman and make him an offer of four years and $65 million, with a performance incentive-laden vesting option for a fifth season.
A wish list without Sonny Gray?!
I agree with a lot of that. load the bullpen with as much proven talent you can find, i have loved the idea of Zimmerman, i do not think Grienke in Boston is a good idea for him. I think Shaw should be the utility corner infield spot though, he was a great story but i can’t imagine Dave Dombrowski giving him first base for 2016 after such a smal sample size with how incredibly hot he was for like 3 weeks. Zimmerman and Porcello in my mind would work off of one another with those sinkers and 2 seamers, maybe help each other out. Aslo get big Schil there in the spring and teach those guys that nasty splitter, like he did with pap.
First of all, thanks for sending a well-thought-out, logical comment. I shy away from Gray for two quick reasons. 1.) After all the backlash Billy Beane has endured from the Donaldson trade and the overall dismantling of the team, I doubt he’d pull the trigger on a trade for Gray. Which leads me to reason 2.) If he did agree to trade Gray, I think Hazen would be forced to empty a boatload of prospects and maybe a major league ready player. That, I don’t want to do. Gray is fantastic, though.