Fire Chaim Bloom!

[Kimmi]

I think what Kimmi means is the club will be competitive in 2021 but unlikely to be contending for a deep playoff run. She can of course speak for herself, but the Sox have a long way to go to be back in contention and it will likely take a number of positive steps and time (2022 at least) to rebuild the team and strengthen the minors. so far Bloom is doing what I would have expected given the constraints and the state of things when he got here.

 

By competitive, I mean the team will be in the playoff hunt. I don't expect the team to dominate or run away with the division, but we will have a good chance at the postseason. Once we get to the postseason, anything can happen.

 

IMO, Bloom should not exceed the luxury tax this offseason. Let the reset run another year. Then, if need be, he can exceed the limit after next season, by which time we should be getting close to the Dodgers' level of excellence as a franchise built for the short and long terms. Bloom has had a good teacher and role model in Friedman.

[notin]

The folks who applauded the hiring of Bloom are certainly going to give him a long leash. That is to be expected. The question is ; just how much losing will the rank and file Sox fans abide ?

 

 

Does it matter? The only opinion ion on the subject that matters is Henry’s. And he can be very mercurial.

 

Odd point for those attributing this season to Bloom. The Red Sox STILL have the third highest payroll in MLB!!!

 

 

And the most expensive pieces Bloom spent on were Perez and Peraza. This is a Dombrowski Mess...

[Kimmi]

And I think that’s by design. Bloom is likely looking at his Ray’s predecessor as a guidance for what he wants to do. Andrew Friedman has shown the world how the Rays style can translate to a big market club. He certainly spends to keep his stars, but his farm system is phenomenal for a team picking late in every draft and yet he doesn’t burn it down to win now. That’s what he wants to build.

 

Listen, I think Bloom is your most valuable asset. I sure as s*** don’t want to see a Dodger level sustained period of elite performance while having a near unlimited farm full of elite prospects.

 

I agree with most of this. However, Bloom will find a way to be competitive next year by signing solid, yet inexpensive and short term players. Book it.

[jacksonianmarch]

I don't disagree with your first statement, but the talent is there. It's not like Bloom assembled a bunch of scrubs for position players.

 

Bloom is going to assemble a contending team by doing the Bloom thing. That's why he was hired. He is not going to spend unwisely, and he will continue to strengthen our farm in the process.

 

Once again, you need to stop with the 'massive rebuild' posts. As much as you'd like to believe it, this team is not in as bad of shape as you think it is.

 

I think Bloom scares you.

 

Bloom is your biggest asset. But you underestimate the degree of f***ed your team is. DD left you with an offense that’s good, not great, that’s gonna get very expensive very soon and a rotation that’s overpaid, injured and poorly producing. He also left you with a farm where the harvest occurred, the ground scorched and then covered and mixed with salt to prevent any further growth.

[notin]

Bloom is your biggest asset. But you underestimate the degree of f***ed your team is. DD left you with an offense that’s good, not great, that’s gonna get very expensive very soon and a rotation that’s overpaid, injured and poorly producing. He also left you with a farm where the harvest occurred, the ground scorched and then covered and mixed with salt to prevent any further growth.

 

Incorrect!! As usual.

 

John Henry is the Sox biggest asset. He can change the outlook of this team with the stroke of his pen...

[jacksonianmarch]

Incorrect!! As usual.

 

John Henry is the Sox biggest asset. He can change the outlook of this team with the stroke of his pen...

 

If Henry was your biggest asset, he wouldn’t have let DD burn your franchise to scorched earth to win a title

[mvp 78]

If Henry was your biggest asset, he wouldn’t have let DD burn your franchise to scorched earth to win a title

 

The checkbook is the biggest asset.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The checkbook is the biggest asset.

 

Fans are the biggest assets, as long as we keep switching to Chevy and sipping whiskey after sanding table legs (or is that asshats)...

[Bellhorn04]

The fans, Henry's checkbook and Bloom's acumen are all assets, hopefully...

[Kimmi]

Bloom is your biggest asset. But you underestimate the degree of f***ed your team is. DD left you with an offense that’s good, not great, that’s gonna get very expensive very soon and a rotation that’s overpaid, injured and poorly producing. He also left you with a farm where the harvest occurred, the ground scorched and then covered and mixed with salt to prevent any further growth.

 

No, I think you overestimate how screwed my team is. They are playing very poorly, but they're not as bad as how they're currently playing. I can't argue about the state in which Dombrowski left our farm, but when he left, we had, and still have, a solid core of players.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No, I think you overestimate how screwed my team is. They are playing very poorly, but they're not as bad as how they're currently playing. I can't argue about the state in which Dombrowski left our farm, but when he left, we had, and still have, a solid core of players.

 

That was my answer all last winter, coming off a season when Boston had four star regulars in Betts, Bogie, Devers and JD (all high in stats, all with MVP votes). All except JD were still young, even pre-prime, with Benintendi another youthful regular with potential. Betts has been replaced by Verdugo -- not in stature, but as another to build around (and even lower the core age, as he's 4 years younger).

 

I'll bet even now there are some good clubs that would love to have those players...

[Larry Cook]

Hang’em Chaim has shown an amazing ability to trot out scores of different pitchers, and all them turn out terrible!

[jacksonianmarch]

No, I think you overestimate how screwed my team is. They are playing very poorly, but they're not as bad as how they're currently playing. I can't argue about the state in which Dombrowski left our farm, but when he left, we had, and still have, a solid core of players.

 

Yes, the Sox are this bad. If there wasn’t a pandemic, the Sox would be holding open tryouts for pitchers. The pitching is otherworldly atrocious. They’re one of the worst pitching staffs of all time. That’s not just a bit of underperformance. That’s like calling the titanic a minor nautical misadventure. The Sox are a steaming pile of dumpster trash. But you’ve got a genius in the FO who will rebuild it. My only hope and prayer is Henry gets impatient...

[Sox75]

Incorrect!! As usual.

 

John Henry is the Sox biggest asset. He can change the outlook of this team with the stroke of his pen...

 

True.....

 

Which makes it all the more depressing, that with all that money, he let Mookie go.... ultimately for next to nothing.

 

I like Verdugo's up side, but Mookie is perhaps a once in a generation FRANCHISE player. THE FACE of an organization.

 

I don't think we've ever let it sink in, but we may likely have 10 more HUGE $$$$$ BUSTS, before we get something anywhere near how special Mookie is.

 

Not to mention what a classy, intelligent, unique, and quality human being he seems to be! That type of individual does not come around too often, and it feels like he was panic sold, while trying to get rid of some other trash.

 

It really is beyond an outrage to have sold away the rising face of the Red Sox, simply under the pretense that Henry couldn't afford to pay THAT RISING SUPERSTAR?

 

As though saving a few million on THAT SUPERSTAR would save money to get another superstar?

 

I get the business aspect, but I'll never agree that it was worth it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

True.....

 

Which makes it all the more depressing, that with all that money, he let Mookie go.... ultimately for next to nothing.

 

I like Verdugo's up side, but Mookie is perhaps a once in a generation FRANCHISE player. THE FACE of an organization.

 

I don't think we've ever let it sink in, but we may likely have 10 more HUGE $$$$$ BUSTS, before we get something anywhere near how special Mookie is.

 

Not to mention what a classy, intelligent, unique, and quality human being he seems to be! That type of individual does not come around too often, and it feels like he was panic sold, while trying to get rid of some other trash.

 

It really is beyond an outrage to have sold away the rising face of the Red Sox, simply under the pretense that Henry couldn't afford to pay THAT RISING SUPERSTAR?

 

As though saving a few million on THAT SUPERSTAR would save money to get another superstar?

 

I get the business aspect, but I'll never agree that it was worth it.

 

I agree with this entire post. The best teams almost always have the best players; such an obvious statement looks ridiculous while I'm even typing it. A quick glance at the yearly Top Ten WAR for the past 50 seasons is loaded with guys on first-place clubs. In just the past half decade, those that led or finished near the top in their respective leagues include Betts, Bellinger, Bregman, Altuve and Bryant -- all familiar names on World Series teams. Even the 2015 Royals had Lorenzo Cain, who was 5th in the AL that year.

 

You don't always get what you pay for, but you have to be willing to pay for what you want.

[notin]

I agree with this entire post. The best teams almost always have the best players; such an obvious statement looks ridiculous while I'm even typing it. A quick glance at the yearly Top Ten WAR for the past 50 seasons is loaded with guys on first-place clubs. In just the past half decade, those that led or finished near the top in their respective leagues include Betts, Bellinger, Bregman, Altuve and Bryant -- all familiar names on World Series teams. Even the 2015 Royals had Lorenzo Cain, who was 5th in the AL that year.

 

You don't always get what you pay for, but you have to be willing to pay for what you want.

 

 

I looked at the highest seasons by fWAR for a player in the past 50 years. Surprisingly, only 4 of the top 10 made the postseason....

[Bellhorn04]

I looked at the highest seasons by fWAR for a player in the past 50 years. Surprisingly, only 4 of the top 10 made the postseason....

 

Just ask Mr. Trout.

[notin]

I looked at the highest seasons by fWAR for a player in the past 50 years. Surprisingly, only 4 of the top 10 made the postseason....

 

Of course, that was hitters only...

[Kimmi]

Yes, the Sox are this bad. If there wasn’t a pandemic, the Sox would be holding open tryouts for pitchers. The pitching is otherworldly atrocious. They’re one of the worst pitching staffs of all time. That’s not just a bit of underperformance. That’s like calling the titanic a minor nautical misadventure. The Sox are a steaming pile of dumpster trash. But you’ve got a genius in the FO who will rebuild it. My only hope and prayer is Henry gets impatient...

 

I'm not talking about our pitching staff. I know they're horrendous. I'm talking about our offense. They should be slugging their way into the playoffs, and they have fell terribly short.

 

With regards to the pitching staff, we have guys coming back next year (hopefully). Eovaldi is not meant to be an ace, but he is very good as a #3 guy. Yes, we still need pitching help, which Bloom will take care of.

[Kimmi]

I'm not talking about our pitching staff. I know they're horrendous. I'm talking about our offense. They should be slugging their way into the playoffs, and they have fell terribly short.

 

With regards to the pitching staff, we have guys coming back next year (hopefully). Eovaldi is not meant to be an ace, but he is very good as a #3 guy. Yes, we still need pitching help, which Bloom will take care of.

 

Now if we have the same kind of injuries to our pitching staff next year, then it's a different story.

[Kimmi]

I agree with this entire post. The best teams almost always have the best players; such an obvious statement looks ridiculous while I'm even typing it. A quick glance at the yearly Top Ten WAR for the past 50 seasons is loaded with guys on first-place clubs. In just the past half decade, those that led or finished near the top in their respective leagues include Betts, Bellinger, Bregman, Altuve and Bryant -- all familiar names on World Series teams. Even the 2015 Royals had Lorenzo Cain, who was 5th in the AL that year.

 

You don't always get what you pay for, but you have to be willing to pay for what you want.

 

The best players don't have to cost the most money.

[Bellhorn04]

Eovaldi is not meant to be an ace, but he is very good as a #3 guy.

 

I still hold out hope for Eovaldi...sort of the way I always did with Buchholz...hmmm...

[Kimmi]

I looked at the highest seasons by fWAR for a player in the past 50 years. Surprisingly, only 4 of the top 10 made the postseason....

 

It takes a complete team to get to the postseason. Spending all or most of your resources on one player is not the best way to build a team.

[Kimmi]

I still hold out hope for Eovaldi...sort of the way I always did with Buchholz...hmmm...

 

As do I.

 

And I am hopeful for Pivetta as a solid back end guy.

[Kimmi]

I read this morning that 19 players on our current 40 man roster (or 60 day IL) were not on the roster when Bloom joined the team. That's almost half of the 40 man roster that has been added since we hired Bloom.

[notin]

I read this morning that 19 players on our current 40 man roster (or 60 day IL) were not on the roster when Bloom joined the team. That's almost half of the 40 man roster that has been added since we hired Bloom.

 

Per Soxprospects.com, the current Red Sox 40 man roster has 39 players on it, and 21 were in the organization prior to Bloom's hire. He has added 18 players to the 40 man roster.

 

The bulk of his adds have been borderline pitchers (Mazza, Springs, Hall, Leyer, Kickham, Stock, Triggs, Covey, Valdez, Godley, Brice ) and utility infielders (Arauz, Munoz, Peraza). The remaining adds have been 2 SPs (Perez, Pivetta), a starting outfielder (Verdugo), and a backup catcher (Plawecki)...

[mvp 78]

Per Soxprospects.com, the current Red Sox 40 man roster has 39 players on it, and 21 were in the organization prior to Bloom's hire. He has added 18 players to the 40 man roster.

 

The bulk of his adds have been borderline pitchers (Mazza, Springs, Hall, Leyer, Kickham, Stock, Triggs, Covey, Valdez, Godley, Brice ) and utility infielders (Arauz, Munoz, Peraza). The remaining adds have been 2 SPs (Perez, Pivetta), a starting outfielder (Verdugo), and a backup catcher (Plawecki)...

 

Batting 1 for 18...

 

Actually, Valdez, Perez and Plawecki have been fine too.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I looked at the highest seasons by fWAR for a player in the past 50 years. Surprisingly, only 4 of the top 10 made the postseason....

 

I used bWAR. Just looking at the NL, annual WAR leaders for 25 of the past 50 years played on first-place teams (plus one Wild Card that made the World Series). Every guy is either a Hall of Famer or good enough for future consideration: Bench, Stargell, Morgan, Schmidt, Bonds, Bagwell, Pujols, Posey, Bryant, Yelich, Bellinger, and 2020 leader Betts (I would say maybe not Bryant, but Boston did show a video of him to Mookie to infer he's not Kris... and they were right; ugh).

 

As pointed out, I'm sure it's not the same for the AL because of Trout.

[notin]

I used bWAR. Just looking at the NL, annual WAR leaders for 25 of the past 50 years played on first-place teams (plus one Wild Card that made the World Series). Every guy is either a Hall of Famer or good enough for future consideration: Bench, Stargell, Morgan, Schmidt, Bonds, Bagwell, Pujols, Posey, Bryant, Yelich, Bellinger, and 2020 leader Betts (I would say maybe not Bryant, but Boston did show a video of him to Mookie to infer he's not Kris... and they were right; ugh).

 

As pointed out, I'm sure it's not the same for the AL because of Trout.

 

Interestingly, Fangraphs listed Bonds as having 4 of the top ten seasons in fWAR, but he only made the postseason in one (2002) of those 4 seasons.

 

Of course, if you go back before 2002 (I think) for fWAR, the numbers are calculated a bit differently because of the lack of the same type of defensive data. And if you go back before the 1990's, it does mess with your entire premise because teams were a bit more balanced economically. Johnny Bench and Willie Stargell did not monopolize a payroll the way Betts can...

[oldtimer]

It takes a complete team to get to the postseason. Spending all or most of your resources on one player is not the best way to build a team.

 

Exactly.