A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

When the closing bell rang on deadline day, July 30, the Red Sox were 8.5 games ahead of the Yankees.

 

Less than 3 weeks later they're tied.

 

"But they're professionals! So what if the front office didn't celebrate their mid-season accomplishments by supporting them with legitimate reinforcements -- like all the other contenders did -- it shouldn't affect their performance."

 

"It's not like these are young men playing a kid's game... they're not all entitled adolescents who have always been at the top of every level they've played in since Little League, praised and idolized by family, friends, and communities... until now..."

[Bellhorn04]

"But they're professionals! So what if the front office didn't celebrate their mid-season accomplishments by supporting them with legitimate reinforcements -- like all the other contenders did -- it shouldn't affect their performance."

 

"It's not like these are young men playing a kid's game... they're not all entitled adolescents who have always been at the top of every level they've played in since Little League, praised and idolized by family, friends, and communities... until now..."

 

I'm with you on the first sarcastic paragraph, not so much the second.

[mvp 78]

When the closing bell rang on deadline day, July 30, the Red Sox were 8.5 games ahead of the Yankees.

 

Less than 3 weeks later they're tied.

 

Bloom should have traded away assets at the deadline.

[mvp 78]

At least they are just ripping the bandaid off quickly and not waiting for September.

[Bellhorn04]

Bloom should have traded away assets at the deadline.

 

Well, the in-between approach is not looking too sharp right now, that's for sure.

[oldtimer]

A little different thought here. I see the acquisition of Travis Shaw as a recognition of what we have talked about since well before the trade deadline. We were weak at 1st base and needed a competent left handed hitter who could play first. Clearly, but picking up Shaw, the management acknowledged that Cordero didn't fill the need. In addition, it implies that management doesn't really think Schwaber is a good fit to play 1st, particularly in a pennant race. The problem with the move is that Shaw is also not a strong player at that position as seen by the fact he was cut loose and made available. It speaks to me of our management's position of unwillingness to spend either the money or trade resources to fill the need they knew they had. Actually, since the trade deadline, Dalbec has done well but is still not someone who will hit good pitching with any consistency. Few can.

[mvp 78]

Well, the in-between approach is not looking too sharp right now, that's for sure.

 

The results have not been great.

 

Well, I thought this team would be about an 86 win team. They started off ahead and are now cooling off. Maybe they wind up around 86 wins. I think many people here would have been happy at that on 4/1.

 

To me, if you're in first place at the deadline, you have to go for it. You aren't guaranteed that positioning over the next few years. Trying to be cute about the lux tax is going to get them in trouble.

[notin]

The results have not been great.

 

Well, I thought this team would be about an 86 win team. They started off ahead and are now cooling off. Maybe they wind up around 86 wins. I think many people here would have been happy at that on 4/1.

 

To me, if you're in first place at the deadline, you have to go for it. You aren't guaranteed that positioning over the next few years. Trying to be cute about the lux tax is going to get them in trouble.

 

I would have liked them to go for it, too. I just wonder what that would have meant in this case.

 

Unfortunately, I can only go by what players were actually traded and what they were traded for. If "going for it" meant trading Tristan Casas for Jon Gray, then I can holding off on that. I remember the 1995 Red Sox trying to get Denny Neagle at the deadline, and the Pirates insisting on Nomar Garciaparra in a trade. That's certainly one instance where I am glad they didn't go for it...

[mvp 78]

Well, today was about as bad as could be.,

 

How many times have we heard something similar recently? This is the death rattle of their playoff chances.

[mvp 78]

I would have liked them to go for it, too. I just wonder what that would have meant in this case.

 

Unfortunately, I can only go by what players were actually traded and what they were traded for. If "going for it" meant trading Tristan Casas for Jon Gray, then I can holding off on that. I remember the 1995 Red Sox trying to get Denny Neagle at the deadline, and the Pirates insisting on Nomar Garciaparra in a trade. That's certainly one instance where I am glad they didn't go for it...

 

Agreed. The prices did seem a little steeper than normal. I'd rather they punt instead of cratering their organization for a flawed MLB team.

[notin]

Agreed. The prices did seem a little steeper than normal. I'd rather they punt instead of cratering their organization for a flawed MLB team.

 

Of course, they did neither of those. I have my doubts this team will miss either Aldo Ramirez or Alex Scherff.

 

I don't think punting was a viable option. If fans and the media did not like Bloom's failure to add a big name, just imagine how well trading off pieces on a first place team would have gone?

[mvp 78]

Of course, they did neither of those.

 

I don't think punting was a viable option. If fans and the media did not like Bloom's failure to add a big name, just imagine how well trading off pieces on a first place team would have gone?

 

If the prices were that high though, why not take advantage and continue to add pieces for the future?

[Bellhorn04]

The results have not been great.

 

Well, I thought this team would be about an 86 win team. They started off ahead and are now cooling off. Maybe they wind up around 86 wins. I think many people here would have been happy at that on 4/1.

 

To me, if you're in first place at the deadline, you have to go for it. You aren't guaranteed that positioning over the next few years. Trying to be cute about the lux tax is going to get them in trouble.

 

The only question is whether the lux tax had much to do with the deadline inactivity. Who could we have acquired by spending at the deadline? I don't know.

[Bellhorn04]

Of course, they did neither of those. I have my doubts this team will miss either Aldo Ramirez or Alex Scherff.

 

I don't think punting was a viable option. If fans and the media did not like Bloom's failure to add a big name, just imagine how well trading off pieces on a first place team would have gone?

 

You're 110% right on that. It was not a real option.

[notin]

If the prices were that high though, why not take advantage and continue to add pieces for the future?

 

Because the team was in first place and once you send the message that a first place team is in Sell Mode, you run the risk of fans remembering that when season ticket sales start up again...

[notin]

The only question is whether the lux tax had much to do with the deadline inactivity. Who could we have acquired by spending at the deadline? I don't know.

 

That's another factor, although there was absolutely no reason it should have been one.

[Bellhorn04]

That's another factor, although there was absolutely no reason it should have been one.

 

But what deals did we miss out on by not being willing to take on salary?

 

It's a rhetorical question, because I don't think anyone knows, and I'm pretty sure Bloom won't be spouting off about it any time soon.

[notin]

THe big issue at the deadline was that the other teams had top level prospects to part with, particularly pitching prospects. Who's the best sox pitching prospect above A ball? Bello? This is his first good season. He might have had some value to some team. Seabold? It made no sense to trade him for useful pitching since he is looking like he could be useful pitching.

 

One really big thing that hurt Bloom there was losing both Mata and Ward for the season back in March/April, as these were the only real pitching arms he could deal for anything of value. Certainly, neither might have been enough, but that they both went down also eliminated the chances that either one put together a good season and became a sought-after commodity, like Bello did.

[Bellhorn04]

THe big issue at the deadline was that the other teams had top level prospects to part with, particularly pitching prospects. Who's the best sox pitching prospect above A ball? Bello? This is his first good season. He might have had some value to some team. Seabold? It made no sense to trade him for useful pitching since he is looking like he could be useful pitching.

 

One really big thing that hurt Bloom there was losing both Mata and Ward for the season back in March/April, as these were the only real pitching arms he could deal for anything of value. Certainly, neither might have been enough, but that they both went down also eliminated the chances that either one put together a good season and became a sought-after commodity, like Bello did.

 

Well, if you're a glass half-full guy, we still have all 4 of those dudes.

[notin]

But what deals did we miss out on by not being willing to take on salary?

 

It's a rhetorical question, because I don't think anyone knows, and I'm pretty sure Bloom won't be spouting off about it any time soon.

 

No. Bloom might drop the name of a player or two that he was in talks about, but it's not likely he will end any of the interviews with "Maybe if my boss wasn't so f***ing cheap!!"

[notin]

Well, if you're a glass half-full guy, we still have all 4 of those dudes.

 

But only Seabold has the potential to be useful this season, and even his injury issues have made that questionable...

[Bellhorn04]

No. Bloom might drop the name of a player or two that he was in talks about, but it's not likely he will end any of the interviews with "Maybe if my boss wasn't so f***ing cheap!!"

 

Although that line would be good for a few laughs, if Bloom was grinning and Henry was sitting there ashen-faced beside him.

[Bellhorn04]

But only Seabold has the potential to be useful this season, and even his injury issues have made that questionable...

 

With every passing day, future-thinking is looking better than present-thinking...

[notin]

Although that line would be good for a few laughs, if Bloom was grinning and Henry was sitting there ashen-faced beside him.

 

Oh it would be very funny. Especially since Henry looks like he enjoys humor about as much as most people enjoy speeding tickets....

[notin]

With every passing day, future-thinking is looking better than present-thinking...

 

And in April, that was the song and dance. But in July/august for a team still in it.

 

The big problem with "future thinking" is it's not like the Rays are going to lose Franco or the Blue Jays are going to lose Bichette and Guerrero any time soon. This division is pretty stacked with MVP-caliber players under 25...

[Bellhorn04]

A little different thought here. I see the acquisition of Travis Shaw as a recognition of what we have talked about since well before the trade deadline. We were weak at 1st base and needed a competent left handed hitter who could play first. Clearly, but picking up Shaw, the management acknowledged that Cordero didn't fill the need. In addition, it implies that management doesn't really think Schwaber is a good fit to play 1st, particularly in a pennant race. The problem with the move is that Shaw is also not a strong player at that position as seen by the fact he was cut loose and made available. It speaks to me of our management's position of unwillingness to spend either the money or trade resources to fill the need they knew they had. Actually, since the trade deadline, Dalbec has done well but is still not someone who will hit good pitching with any consistency. Few can.

 

What if Travis simply can't hit any more though?

 

His current 2021 BA is .188.

 

It might not be long before fans want to see him about as much as they want to see Cordero...

[Nick]

After the Arroyo incident, my guess is some on Sox staff do not want Schwarber getting hurt playing 1B, especially if he's not 100%. That would be very very bad optical. They'll look like a clown.They need his bat. With Schwarber DH'ing, moving JD to outfield will allow Kike to play 2B and maybe even 1B when Arroyo comes back. Yeah, it's not left handed bat but right now I'd rather see Kike than Dalbec. We'll see if Shaw can get hot. He's not having a good year. Shaw is not the player the Yankees got at trade deadline. Edited August 18, 2021 by Nick

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

THe big issue at the deadline was that the other teams had top level prospects to part with, particularly pitching prospects. Who's the best sox pitching prospect above A ball? Bello? This is his first good season. He might have had some value to some team. Seabold? It made no sense to trade him for useful pitching since he is looking like he could be useful pitching.

 

One really big thing that hurt Bloom there was losing both Mata and Ward for the season back in March/April, as these were the only real pitching arms he could deal for anything of value. Certainly, neither might have been enough, but that they both went down also eliminated the chances that either one put together a good season and became a sought-after commodity, like Bello did.

 

Mata was also the most likely starter to get called up midseason and contribute, like Gil in NY.

 

I still can't believe the White Sox thought it was a good idea to trade Madrigal, a 24-year-old .300 hitter in the bigs for the privilege to pay Kimbrel $16 million in '22 when he's 34 (maybe there's a buyout... but still, talk about going for it now). Gotta wonder how much more Bloom could've gotten from Chicago for the younger Barnes at almost half the salary...

[moonslav59]

40 or 42 games remaining for the 3 teams tied for the 2 wild card slots: NYY, OAK & BOS.

 

SEA & TOR are 4 back and still in it, for now.

 

Remaining Games:

 

BOS

7 vs TBR

6 v BAL

6 v CLE

4 v NYY

3 v TEX

3 v MIN

3 @CWS

3 @ SEA

3 @ WSH

2 v NYM

 

NYY

7 v TOR

6 v BAL

4 v BOS

4 v MIN

4 @ OAK

3 @ LAA

3 @ NYM

3 v CLE

3 v TEX

3 v TBR

2 @ ATL

 

OAK

9 v SEA

6 v HOU

5 v CWS

4 NYY

3 v SFG

3 @ DET

3 @ TOR

3 v TEX

3 @ KCR

3 @ LAA

Edited August 18, 2021 by moonslav59

[jacksonianmarch]

Ultimately, I think Bloom was unhappy the Sox were good this year. They were over their skis all year. Had they flopped earlier, they’d have been able to tear down the team which is what Bloom would have wanted. JD would have had some value. ERod maybe some value. Eovaldi definitely. Heck, they could’ve even entertained a blockbuster and moved on from Bogey. Thing is, with the Sox being good, it didn’t allow the tear down Bloom wanted and will actually have to escalate the rebuild because fan expectation for 22 is that they compete