Should Jackie Bradley Jr be traded?

[notin]

Well said, and I’ve been saying since the off season began that how the Red Sox have done business in the past is the past, and Bloom wasn’t brought here to be like Dombrowski. Management said at the end of the season how they were to do business this offseason, and so far they have stuck to that plan, and to them being justified after getting into the post season last year. I don’t think JH wants to spend like he did in the past, and if he does I hope it’s on Bogey, and Raffy before he spends on anyone else. Next year will be the telltale sign after big contracts come off the books, but right now it’s short year contracts.

 

I wouldn’t read too deep into all these media quotes, Manny of which were taken out of context and are easily interpreted multiple ways…

[Hugh2]

They stayed under the limit in 2020 too. Why didn't they go over last year?

 

Because the team was horrible

[Hugh2]

With Sale out, maybe they figured they wouldn’t be competitive so going over was opening that window too early. They did add money in July with Schwarber…

 

To exemplify this point. Early in the year without Sale they were coming off a campaign of having the 4th worse record in baseball. WIthout your star pitcher, why wouldn't you wait one more year to spend on FA when the next years class is 10X as talented?

 

Now, I love how you mentioned Schwarber, because at that point Sale was coming back and the Sox were in the playoffs.

[mvp 78]

Because the team was horrible

 

They were in the ALCS.

[Hugh2]

They were in the ALCS.

 

They were in the ALCS at the end of 2021. If we want to discuss their budget for 2021 we should acknowledge that the team is largely set and most of the money is spent in the 2020/2021 offseason and before the 2021 season begins. At that point in time, the Sox had the 4th worse record in baseball and were garbage.

 

It would be fair to counter with the trade deadline, but made better deals with better results than a heavy cash investment would have rendered and If you think you can do that and stay under with a star 2021/22 class on the horizon I think you do it.

[moonslav59]

I think Sox management was a bit surprised we had a strong 2021 season, and still felt "this was not THE year."

 

It's understandable, despite the anguished pleas from some fans and posters about not knowing when a better chance may come.

 

These guys know what their doing, and they have a string track record of cycling into rings.

 

2018 was not that long ago. We are closer to 2018 than 2018 was to 2013.

[Bellhorn04]

The 2021 Red Sox were incredibly fortunate to make it as far as they did. They were an 88 win team based on Pythagorean record.

 

You could argue that they had no right even being in the playoffs after how they performed in games 154-159. Cora did a terrific job keeping them going after that.

[mvp 78]

They were in the ALCS at the end of 2021. If we want to discuss their budget for 2021 we should acknowledge that the team is largely set and most of the money is spent in the 2020/2021 offseason and before the 2021 season begins. At that point in time, the Sox had the 4th worse record in baseball and were garbage.

 

It would be fair to counter with the trade deadline, but made better deals with better results than a heavy cash investment would have rendered and If you think you can do that and stay under with a star 2021/22 class on the horizon I think you do it.

 

Sox were in first place at the deadline. They could have gone over the luxury tax limit, but intentionally did not. There isn't much indication that they will definitely NOW go over.

[mvp 78]

I think Sox management was a bit surprised we had a strong 2021 season, and still felt "this was not THE year."

 

It's understandable, despite the anguished pleas from some fans and posters about not knowing when a better chance may come.

 

These guys know what their doing, and they have a string track record of cycling into rings.

 

2018 was not that long ago. We are closer to 2018 than 2018 was to 2013.

 

"Playoffs are a crapshoot." They were in first place. It was a year to go for it.

[Bellhorn04]

"Playoffs are a crapshoot." They were in first place. It was a year to go for it.

 

In retrospect I think Bloom did a fine job at the deadline and thereafter.

[Bellhorn04]

As much as we debate over the crapshoot premise, I don't see anyone can argue it isn't a crapshoot for a WC team.

[mvp 78]

In retrospect I think Bloom did a fine job at the deadline and thereafter.

 

Solid B.

[mvp 78]

As much as we debate over the crapshoot premise, I don't see anyone can argue it isn't a crapshoot for a WC team.

 

Which means there is more of an impetus to maintain 1st place. Needed to further strengthen their position by Sept 1.

[Bellhorn04]

Which means there is more of an impetus to maintain 1st place. Needed to further strengthen their position by Sept 1.

 

This could certainly be debated. The Rays ended up winning 100, so it appears Bloom correctly assessed our chances of passing them.

[moonslav59]

"Playoffs are a crapshoot." They were in first place. It was a year to go for it.

 

I understand that position, but I do not agree, nor do I think Sox management viewed, this past summer as the time to go all in.

 

If we fail to make the playoffs, or look worse in the next few year than 2021, your position will look like the clearly right opinion.

[moonslav59]

In retrospect I think Bloom did a fine job at the deadline and thereafter.

 

Schwarber, Robles and Davis all did well, but I guess we were supposed to spend big and get some flops, instead.

 

We later got Iggy & Shaw.

 

One could argue, Bloom went 5 for 5.

[Bellhorn04]

I understand that position, but I do not agree, nor do I think Sox management viewed, this past summer as the time to go all in.

 

If we fail to make the playoffs, or look worse in the next few year than 2021, your position will look like the clearly right opinion.

 

The Dodgers went all in to try to repeat and gave up some serious prospects in the process, I believe.

[Bellhorn04]

Schwarber, Robles and Davis all did well, but I guess we were supposed to spend big and get some flops, instead.

 

We later got Iggy & Shaw.

 

One could argue, Bloom went 5 for 5.

 

Bloom impressed me a lot with the Shaw and Iggy pickups. It was a bit fluky that they did so well. But I just liked the fact he was staying on the job to the end.

[moonslav59]

The Dodgers went all in to try to repeat and gave up some serious prospects in the process, I believe.

 

It doesn't always work, and our 2013 season was an example of not going all in and still finding a way to win, but 2018 was the prime example of realizing the window was about to start closing, and we went out and got Eovaldi & Pearce- not all that much more exciting than Schwarber, Robles & Co.

[mvp 78]

I understand that position, but I do not agree, nor do I think Sox management viewed, this past summer as the time to go all in.

 

If we fail to make the playoffs, or look worse in the next few year than 2021, your position will look like the clearly right opinion.

 

I don't see how their performance in 2022 - 2023 should matter.

[mvp 78]

Schwarber, Robles and Davis all did well, but I guess we were supposed to spend big and get some flops, instead.

 

We later got Iggy & Shaw.

 

One could argue, Bloom went 5 for 5.

 

I can't say I was overly impressed with Davis or Robles.

[moonslav59]

I don't see how their performance in 2022 - 2023 should matter.

 

I do.

 

If they are stronger then and decide to make bigger moves to get us over the hump, I can understand why they went somewhat light in2021.

 

Was 2021 summer all that different from summer 2018?

[mvp 78]

I do.

 

If they are stronger then and decide to make bigger moves to get us over the hump, I can understand why they went somewhat light in2021.

 

Was 2021 summer all that different from summer 2018?

 

Yes, they didn't struggle to the finish line in 2018.

[notin]

Yes, they didn't struggle to the finish line in 2018.

 

To be fair, by the time they started struggling, it was too late to go all in…

[Bellhorn04]

In 2018 they were 75-34 on July 31.

In 2021 they were 63-43 on July 31.

[moonslav59]

Yes, they didn't struggle to the finish line in 2018.

 

I meant the summer moves made.

[notin]

In 2018 they were 75-34 on July 31.

In 2021 they were 63-43 on July 31.

 

The 2018 team was 10.5 games better and didn’t deal with a COVID outbreak…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The 2018 team was 10.5 games better and didn’t deal with a COVID outbreak…

 

It's arguable the "team" was the reason the team had a COVID outbreak... what's not is that Bloom and Cora should be looked upon favorably by history for keeping the '21 club afloat for those two weeks.

[moonslav59]

It's arguable the "team" was the reason the team had a COVID outbreak... what's not is that Bloom and Cora should be looked upon favorably by history for keeping the '21 club afloat for those two weeks.

 

So many gave up on the Sox, and there were enough reasons to do so.

 

Winning 11 of our last 16 games, despite being swept by the Yanks followed by losing 2 of 3 vs Baltimore was an amazing feat.

 

Guys like Schwarber, Iggy, Shaw, Robles, Davis and even Richards from the pen got us through some very difficult stretches.

 

This was a memorable season from start to finish.

 

Cora did an awesome job. Bloom filled about 15 slots on the 40 man and worked that damn taxi squad like a maniac.

 

23 different non pitchers got a PA in 2021.

33 no everyday players pitched for the Sox.

 

That's 55 players! Several 40 man roster players never got called up, so think of all the turnover and taxi squad additions and subtractions made.

 

I'm glad the 40 man roster only had a handful of glaring holes to fill, this winter.

[notin]

It's arguable the "team" was the reason the team had a COVID outbreak... what's not is that Bloom and Cora should be looked upon favorably by history for keeping the '21 club afloat for those two weeks.

 

Oh they were great.

 

I will admit I was already making white flags and brushing up on my French…