2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[notin]

I'm not mocking anyone who has confidence in Henry because of his spending habits that have made the Red Sox championship contenders many times the past two decades. He has proven himself to be the best owner Boston baseball has ever had.

 

But can anyone else at least acknowledge that those spending habits have radically changed since he hired Chaim Bloom? I understand the need to reset, but we have not seen Henry in public since the Sox traded Mookie. Maybe he's just laying low, staying away from crowds and staying healthy until he gets a vaccine. Hopefully, he's not losing interest...

 

If you understand the need to reset, then you get why nothing happened last offseason.

 

So that means you think November and (most of) December are the new normal. If so, the entire league has adopted those spending habits. So far, the largest free gent contract was given to James McCann and the largest AAV to 37yo Charlie Morton.

 

Maybe we could at least try acknowledging the uncertainty from the pandemic has been a much bigger influence on league-wide spending? COVID > Chaim?

[harmony]

Chaim Bloom was hired to field the best possible Red Sox team.

 

Bloom was not hired to spend, spend, spend.

[Elktonnick]

If you understand the need to reset, then you get why nothing happened last offseason.

 

So that means you think November and (most of) December are the new normal. If so, the entire league has adopted those spending habits. So far, the largest free gent contract was given to James McCann and the largest AAV to 37yo Charlie Morton.

 

Maybe we could at least try acknowledging the uncertainty from the pandemic has been a much bigger influence on league-wide spending? COVID > Chaim?

Your last line says it all.

[moonslav59]

Chaim Bloom was hired to field the best possible Red Sox team.

 

Bloom was not hired to spend, spend, spend.

 

He was hired to build a championship team- not by 2021.

 

Along the way, yes, build the best possible teams within the confines of a somewhat finite budget.

 

My guess is, Henry will allow Bloom to splurge when the time is right. I'm pretty sure Bauer, Springer and our current roster situation is NOT that time.

[TylerD]

He was hired to build a championship team- not by 2021.

 

Along the way, yes, build the best possible teams within the confines of a somewhat finite budget.

 

My guess is, Henry will allow Bloom to splurge when the time is right. I'm pretty sure Bauer, Springer and our current roster situation is NOT that time.

Agreed with this.

[dupree]

Are they in on Sonny Gray?

I seen a report that the red sox were continuing their streak of mediocre pitching signing.

 

Is bloom hoping to stand pat and hope to strike lightning in a bottle with one of the young kids or two of them to fill out the rotation?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

 

Maybe we could at least try acknowledging the uncertainty from the pandemic has been a much bigger influence on league-wide spending? COVID > Chaim?

 

No one here is underestimating the effects Covid has had. And those ongoing effects are all the more reason not to expect very much change across the industry. Red Sox fans know it can't get any worse than 2020, and eternal optimists provide inspirational boosts for us all. But for so many exhausted by a year of hearing and reading deceptive leaders spouting disinformation, it's hard not to be skeptical when Boston's front office insists it's building a contender for 2021.

 

Many here -- you and I included -- have said that the Red Sox need to make a splash for many reasons. Maybe we'll just have to be content with the splash that brought back Alex Cora to manage.

[Bellhorn04]

No one here is underestimating the effects Covid has had. And those ongoing effects are all the more reason not to expect very much change across the industry. Red Sox fans know it can't get any worse than 2020, and eternal optimists provide inspirational boosts for us all. But for so many exhausted by a year of hearing and reading deceptive leaders spouting disinformation, it's hard not to be skeptical when Boston's front office insists it's building a contender for 2021.

 

Many here -- you and I included -- have said that the Red Sox need to make a splash for many reasons. Maybe we'll just have to be content with the splash that brought back Alex Cora to manage.

 

There are still 3 months or more left in the offseason and all the pitchers mentioned as possible targets for us are still out there. I prefer to believe Bloom is playing the long game to get as much bang for the buck as possible.

 

If we stand pat from here out, I'll be as shocked as anyone.

[notin]

No one here is underestimating the effects Covid has had. And those ongoing effects are all the more reason not to expect very much change across the industry. Red Sox fans know it can't get any worse than 2020, and eternal optimists provide inspirational boosts for us all. But for so many exhausted by a year of hearing and reading deceptive leaders spouting disinformation, it's hard not to be skeptical when Boston's front office insists it's building a contender for 2021.

 

Many here -- you and I included -- have said that the Red Sox need to make a splash for many reasons. Maybe we'll just have to be content with the splash that brought back Alex Cora to manage.

 

Another possibility is you’re being impatient

 

Ignore Bloom’s quotes about why he didn’t trade for Snell; we both know he didn’t have the pieces and now know he was not going to answer to the press by saying “Because our farm sucks! That’s why!”

 

When was the last big Sox off-season free agent acquisition? Have they signed a notable since JD Martinez? That was on February 26, 2018. Nearly 3 years ago. So why the belief it all started with Bloom?

[mvp 78]

What month of elimination entails “contender?”

 

1/2 way through September

[mvp 78]

We understand that you are frustrated and disappointed by the key personnel losses suffered by your 33-27 Yankees, and the complete inertia of Hal and Cash since signing Cole.

 

Ah yes, but you see, their projected WAR is the highest in the AL. He doesn't really have to be worried!

[mvp 78]

I'm not mocking anyone who has confidence in Henry because of his spending habits that have made the Red Sox championship contenders many times the past two decades. He has proven himself to be the best owner Boston baseball has ever had.

 

But can anyone else at least acknowledge that those spending habits have radically changed since he hired Chaim Bloom? I understand the need to reset, but we have not seen Henry in public since the Sox traded Mookie. Maybe he's just laying low, staying away from crowds and staying healthy until he gets a vaccine. Hopefully, he's not losing interest...

 

How often was he in public aside from sightings at games on NESN?

[mvp 78]

Are they in on Sonny Gray?

I seen a report that the red sox were continuing their streak of mediocre pitching signing.

 

Is bloom hoping to stand pat and hope to strike lightning in a bottle with one of the young kids or two of them to fill out the rotation?

 

I don't think he's expecting to make a big postseason run this year. I think he expects the team to win 86ish games.

 

He's going to sign 1-2 SP FAs. He's going to fill out the bullpen better. Just don't expect the standings to look like 2016-2018.

[mvp 78]

No one here is underestimating the effects Covid has had. And those ongoing effects are all the more reason not to expect very much change across the industry. Red Sox fans know it can't get any worse than 2020, and eternal optimists provide inspirational boosts for us all. But for so many exhausted by a year of hearing and reading deceptive leaders spouting disinformation, it's hard not to be skeptical when Boston's front office insists it's building a contender for 2021.

 

Many here -- you and I included -- have said that the Red Sox need to make a splash for many reasons. Maybe we'll just have to be content with the splash that brought back Alex Cora to manage.

 

I think this team's core is good enough to contend for a WC spot while going cheap this offseason.

[mvp 78]

There are still 3 months or more left in the offseason and all the pitchers mentioned as possible targets for us are still out there. I prefer to believe Bloom is playing the long game to get as much bang for the buck as possible.

 

If we stand pat from here out, I'll be as shocked as anyone.

 

That's what the beat guys have been saying all along. If we get to ST and the Sox have only signed Renfroe and Andriese, then get worried.

[Kimmi]

What month of elimination entails “contender?”

 

LOL What makes you so sure the Sox will be eliminated from anything?

[mvp 78]

LOL What makes you so sure the Sox will be eliminated from anything?

 

He's a Yankees fan.

 

Have I told you the tale of Jesus Montero?

[Kimmi]

It's still early.

 

I do doubt we make any big splash signings, this winter, but we've gone 2 low-spending winters in a row under Henry before.

 

I'm thinking we'll end up being in the top 5 highest budget teams in 2021, so it's hard for me to acknowledge what I think you want me to do.

 

Last year was our reset. This year is a pandemic-uncertain year which has most teams skeptical of spending big money. I don't see the lack of spending as any indication of loss of interest on Henry's part. Additionally, the Sox are not anywhere near finished for this offseason.

 

By all accounts, the Sox are one of the most, if not the most, active team this offseason. They are looking into pretty much every possible move, both through free agency and through trades, both short term moves and long term moves. Bloom didn't rule out a big move either, though I don't see that happening.

 

Patience people. Being thorough takes time.

[Kimmi]

If you understand the need to reset, then you get why nothing happened last offseason.

 

So that means you think November and (most of) December are the new normal. If so, the entire league has adopted those spending habits. So far, the largest free gent contract was given to James McCann and the largest AAV to 37yo Charlie Morton.

 

Maybe we could at least try acknowledging the uncertainty from the pandemic has been a much bigger influence on league-wide spending? COVID > Chaim?

 

You said that much better than I did.

[Kimmi]

1/2 way through September

 

At least!

[Kimmi]

He's a Yankees fan.

 

Have I told you the tale of Jesus Montero?

 

Is that the same tale as that of Deivi Garcia?

[mvp 78]

Is that the same tale as that of Deivi Garcia?

 

It hits a lot of the same notes.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Another possibility is you’re being impatient

 

Ignore Bloom’s quotes about why he didn’t trade for Snell; we both know he didn’t have the pieces and now know he was not going to answer to the press by saying “Because our farm sucks! That’s why!”

 

When was the last big Sox off-season free agent acquisition? Have they signed a notable since JD Martinez? That was on February 26, 2018. Nearly 3 years ago. So why the belief it all started with Bloom?

 

Disagree; that's a certainty. But if we show too much patience then we won't have much of a talksox forum during the offseason (posters maybe aren't into nostalgia like on other boards)...

 

A few folks like to check the trade simulator, while others seek to combine old school and analytics; we use data, logic, experiences as baseball historians and baseball players, and bad ole human emotions to form opinions. Nobody's totally right or wrong, it's nothing personal, no harm no foul pole. It's all just the internet without inflection, and the end we're only typists with fake names and often faceless avatars.

 

I may be the only one here suspicious of Bloom and the reasons Henry hired him, but I'll bet I'm not the only one in Red Sox Nation. I want to be proven wrong, and wait to be pleasantly surprised.

 

All I can do is keep wondering publicly, figuring the front office will eventually see my pleas as a desperate fan. We all know how much influence I had on them in keeping Mookie...

[jacksonianmarch]

LOL What makes you so sure the Sox will be eliminated from anything?

 

Unless Henry authorizes a ridiculous amount of spending, you’ll be eliminated pretty early on.

 

And to be honest, I’d love it if he did. I would love Henry to get impatient and push Bloom to alter a badly needed rebuild into a hastily built short term contender with underwater contracts

[mvp 78]

Unless Henry authorizes a ridiculous amount of spending, you’ll be eliminated pretty early on.

 

And to be honest, I’d love it if he did. I would love Henry to get impatient and push Bloom to alter a badly needed rebuild into a hastily built short term contender with underwater contracts

 

Depends on your definition of early on. Do you think they are a below .500 team?

[notin]

Depends on your definition of early on. Do you think they are a below .500 team?

 

Today?

 

Sure. They have only 4 starting pitchers we can name and a bullpen that needs serous help.

 

But then being a sub-.500 team in December is pretty meaningless...

[jacksonianmarch]

Today?

 

Sure. They have only 4 starting pitchers we can name and a bullpen that needs serous help.

 

But then being a sub-.500 team in December is pretty meaningless...

 

As currently constituted, I think the sox are a last place team.

[harmony]

As currently constituted, I think the sox are a last place team.

In the same division as the Orioles, the Red Sox are probably no worse than a fourth-place team.

[notin]

As currently constituted, I think the sox are a last place team.

 

I also think as presently constituted, it is still December, a month in which no games are played.

 

If I check the standings, the Sox have the same record as the Yankees at 0-0, you know, as presently constituted...

[Bellhorn04]

As currently constituted, I think the sox are a last place team.

 

As currently constituted, the Yankees are a 33-27 team minus LeMahieu, Tanaka, Paxton and Happ.