I guess no one can argue with that, Jose! I can't. I'd like to see Swihart back and JBJ back. To me, the best addition to this team would be a Bill Mueller type --- Matt Carpenter lite, maybe? Or maybe a Kevin Millar. In other words, to paraphrase Dan Duquette, I'm interested in replacing Papi'a on base percentage, more than in replacing the power.

On a different topic, I wonder if come spring Pedroia is sporting a C. Thoughts?

On a different topic, I wonder if come spring Pedroia is sporting a C. Thoughts?

C issued to white catcher
C dropped when white catcher retires
dark-skinned DH recognized as team leader, but not given C
dark-skinned DH retires
C immediately issued to white 2B

Optics on that won't be good at all, which is why I totally expect this team to do that.

Worth noting that Swihart still has options, and Vazquez does not.

Thanks vi, I hadn't looked at that. That is probably for the best because I think Swihart can benefit from working in the minors more than Vazquez.

Toby - I don't think Pedroia will have a "C" next year. Remember, Varitek got that immediately after 2004 and it was part of re-signing him and I think the Sox did that as an incentive to that contract.

I was thinking about the DH issue. Let's assume for the moment that Encarnacion would project as about a 13-15 WAR player over the next four seasons. If he was a third baseman I don't think there would be a lot of dispute about signing him to a big money deal. The fact that he's a DH should not preclude that signing.

Whether they give Dustin the captaincy this year or some day in the future, I just don't want to see the C on the jersey.

I sure hope they let Swihart C in AAA to start the season and not dump him. Hell, if you want him to do 3 G a week at C and 1 in LF, that's fine--such a player would be useful to have on the roster--but let the guy C and see if Leon pumpkins more in 2017; if so you dump him and go with Swihart/Vasquez as your tandem mid-year and go from there.

Again, with Swihart while I do think they might have been down on his defense as a C, I also think they were trying to be clever and fill the LF position after Young/Holt's injuries while also getting some down-the-road positional flexibility/experience for him, but of course it all went badly because Swihart got hurt.

To be honest (and I know you've not gotten to the IF yet), it feels like a lot of decisions might hinge on the Sandoval situation. If they're able to unload him and get back a stud 3B (TBD, haven't looked at who's available; assume Jose will cover this :), then some of the concern about production at DH and C (as far as production) might go by the wayside. Until you figure out Sandoval, I don't think you run out and sign an EE or anyone else to be a DH-only.

Naturally "figuring out" might be simply calculating internally he's a very expensive PH/spare part and a sunk cost, and moving on from there, but if he figures into your offensive plans at all, then all the other moves you may make would have to take this into account. Naturally dumping the contract (just so you don't have the distraction) is one option, but it's not clear there's any motivation to only get 5 cents on the $1 for him by trading him right now.

To be honest (and I know you've not gotten to the IF yet)

Shhhh...don't tell anyone.

D'oh! I'm a dope with too little coffee in his bloodstream and not enough spice in his life...

Signing Encarnacion to DH seems like such an obvious move that it almost has to happen.