Fire Bloom .

[mvp 78]

I'd put Duran in LF for 2024.

 

I considered it, at first and had Verdugo in RF.

[moonslav59]

Great stuff, as always. Thanks.

 

My view is a little simpler.

 

Thanks to Devers, Bogey, and JDM--and maybe even Story--the Sox hitting is getting back to the standard needed for the Sox to succeed in the toughest division in MLB. The problem, however, is that those first three want more money.

 

The pitching is just the opposite. Bloom and John Henry are still paying $36M for Sale and Price, who have done zilch for this team this year--and hardly anything for last year's team. Eovaldi @ $17M/year was a good addition, but is pricey compared to Pivetta, who has the same WAR, 1.2, and is paid just $3M, and Wacha, WAR 2.0, who is paid $7M. Whitlock and Houck are even bigger bargains.

 

So my no doubt simplistic view is that, since the hitters actually deliver the goods that the expensive pitchers don't deliver, the smart thing--and I'm astounded I am writing this because I am one cheap bastard--just might be to go ahead and pay Raffie, JDM, and Bogey enough to keep them.

 

As for the pitching, Bloom should continue to do what he has been doing: keep looking for bargains. Big bucks for great arms don't make sense to me even though I know there are some great starters who earn their huge paychecks.

 

Bloom has largely missed on pitcher signings, until this recent winter. Wacha, Strahm and Hill were good signings. The trade for Pivetta, Rule 5 addition, Whitlock and waiver wire addition, Schreiber has propelled Bloom to a solid plus on the pitching front for 2022, so far. The Sale & Price costs were DD's doing. The $17M for Eovaldi still looks good in my book.

 

We need Houck, Strahm and Schreiber to continue to carry the pen and maybe 1-2 other pen arms to improve, at least until Sale and or Paxton join the staff, or we pick up someone at the deadline. I'm not all that optimistic about the pen, but I've been surprised by Bloom's pen before.

 

The rotation has been a huge plus, especially over their last 5-7 starts.

[Swiharts Ghost]

I’d fire Bloom Now .Never addressing 1B and jettisoned Kyle and Hunter weakened the offense terribly .Bloom was a terrible hire .We are 1 game up from the Last place Orioles who look like and have beaten Blooms Redsox head to Head ...matter a face Blooms Redsox haven’t won a series against the AL East all year .Bloom is responsible for the depth he supposedly was hired for and he’s build a last place club .Bloom should be fired the nano second this season ends in a last place finish . Edited July 15, 2022 by Swiharts Ghost

[mvp 78]

I’d fire Bloom Now .Never addressing 1B and jettisoned Kyle and Hunter weakened the offense terribly .Bloom was a terrible hire .We are 1 game up from the Last place Orioles who look like and have beaten Blooms Redsox head to Head ...matter a face Blooms Redsox haven’t won a series against the AL East all year .Bloom is responsible for the depth he supposedly was hired for and he’s build a last place club .Bloom should be fired the nano second this season ends in a last place finish .

 

While this is technically true, they are zero games back in the Wild Card standings. Interesting that you didn't mention that.

[notin]

While this is technically true, they are zero games back in the Wild Card standings. Interesting that you didn't mention that.

 

 

This makes for an interesting (or maybe not) question.

 

Past GMs have been valued or degraded on this board based solely by how they finished in the standings. But that rarely tells the whole story, and almost never includes any caveat.

 

So this year hypothetically the Sox could finish in 5th in the AL East but might do so while winning 85 games. And if that happens, clearly the AL East is once again the AL Beast. But how will that fit into Bloom’s legacy?

[mvp 78]

This makes for an interesting (or maybe not) question.

 

Past GMs have been valued or degraded on this board based solely by how they finished in the standings. But that rarely tells the whole story, and almost never includes any caveat.

 

So this year hypothetically the Sox could finish in 5th in the AL East but might do so while winning 85 games. And if that happens, clearly the AL East is once again the AL Beast. But how will that fit into Bloom’s legacy?

 

A last DAMN place team that is .500 or above would get the biggest asterisk this side of a French comic book. They have been horrible against the AL East this year. What that tells me is that, they'll probably do better against TBR, TOR, BAL, NYY down the stretch.

[notin]

A last DAMN place team that is .500 or above would get the biggest asterisk this side of a French comic book. They have been horrible against the AL East this year. What that tells me is that, they'll probably do better against TBR, TOR, BAL, NYY down the stretch.

 

A French comic book? Or a Gallish one?

[mvp 78]

A French comic book? Or a Gallish one?

 

I believe the original comic was written en francais, in modern French if you will. I was not stating that Asterix was French, just that comic is written in French, so it's a French comic book.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Red Sox Team ranks - OF

 

BA - .235 - 19th

OBP - .290 - 25th

SLG - .362 - 24th

OPS - .652- 25th

HR - 19 - 26th

 

And this doesn't touch on the incompetence that Bloom demonstrated with the first base position.

 

I'm not saying Bloom should be fired, but there are legitimate concerns with his decision-making.

 

And how the Red Sox fix this mess for 2023 is not clear at all.

[notin]

I believe the original comic was written en francais, in modern French if you will. I was not stating that Asterix was French, just that comic is written in French, so it's a French comic book.

 

A fair point. I only read the English translations and was unaware of the origins.

 

But your reference was not too obscure for me…

[mvp 78]

Red Sox Team ranks - OF

 

BA - .235 - 19th

OBP - .290 - 25th

SLG - .362 - 24th

OPS - .652- 25th

HR - 19 - 26th

 

And this doesn't touch on the incompetence that Bloom demonstrated with the first base position.

 

I'm not saying Bloom should be fired, but there are legitimate concerns with his decision-making.

 

And how the Red Sox fix this mess for 2023 is not clear at all.

 

And honestly, just two FA acquisitions at RF/1B would have made the difference here. I think Bloom wasn't expecting Kiké to crater and an injury to Casas, but sometimes you need a one year bridge to get to where you're going. Dalbec has been soooo bad and there's just been no urgency to make a move.

 

The JBJ move just didn't make a whole lot of sense. They took on MORE salary for a worse player to get two prospects. The AA prospect seems to be an org guy that won't have an MLB impact. Binelas could be an MLB guy, but is just years away. Is that a move you make without having a backup plan for the blackhole in the roster?

 

OF questions going forward:

 

Kiké done after 2022. Re-sign? I say no.

 

Duran, can he play CF? Doesn't seem like it. He doesn't have the arm for RF. LF only profile?

 

Verdugo has a -3 DRS in LF this year. His defense is getting worse. He's slowed down every year since 2020. Would he even be able to play RF anymore? LF only profile now?

 

Are they really going to bring JBJ back? Why not just buy him out? Negative fWAR guy for 2 straight years. Better to leave him at home.

 

Cordero is not a MLB talent.

 

Can they rely on Refsnyder long term? I don't think so.

 

Do any of these AAA guys have the ability to play CF/RF at Fenway: Fitzgerald, Granberg.... uh, all the other guys are just org filler (Stewart, Davis, Mieses)? Granberg is actually kind of interesting to me because he has just hit everywhere he's been. He's under the radar for sure.

 

Is Rafaela close enough to ready for 2023 at some point?

[notin]

I think Duran and Verdugo both get a longer look. Even if neither is an ideal - or even league average - fit defensively, both have shown the ability to provide an overall positive impact.

 

I disagree Cordero is not an MLB talent. But I would agree he’s a role player/4th outfielder. And would adamantly agree he’s not an infielder.

 

Refsnyder is at best a role player, and while clearly underrated by a lot of previous employers, is probably in the midst of a career year. Like Cordero, he’s a role player at best. But hey, teams do need role players. Benches don’t warm themselves. (Unless you have some cool electric bench that does. But that’s another topic.)

 

Granberg might be under the radar, much like I always felt Cole Sturgeon was. But I also felt Sturgeon’s ceiling was Cordero/Refsnyder role player. (Sturgeon less so with the bat, moreso with the glove.). Granberg might fit that type as well, but at some point this team needs starters to keep these bench players benched…

[notin]

And I disagree on the Bradley move. They had a clear goal of improving OF defense, which was an issue last year. His weak offense might not play as a starter, but overall he is a clear talent. He didn’t get that contract you question by being mediocre…

[mvp 78]

I think Duran and Verdugo both get a longer look. Even if neither is an ideal - or even league average - fit defensively, both have shown the ability to provide an overall positive impact.

 

I disagree Cordero is not an MLB talent. But I would agree he’s a role player/4th outfielder. And would adamantly agree he’s not an infielder.

 

Refsnyder is at best a role player, and while clearly underrated by a lot of previous employers, is probably in the midst of a career year. Like Cordero, he’s a role player at best. But hey, teams do need role players. Benches don’t warm themselves. (Unless you have some cool electric bench that does. But that’s another topic.)

 

Granberg might be under the radar, much like I always felt Cole Sturgeon was. But I also felt Sturgeon’s ceiling was Cordero/Refsnyder role player. (Sturgeon less so with the bat, moreso with the glove.). Granberg might fit that type as well, but at some point this team needs starters to keep these bench players benched…

 

In order for Cordero to be an MLB caliber 4th OFer, he needs at least one carrying tool. What is it? Defense? No. Hit tool? No. Power? Not in game anyway. Speed? No. What's the tool?

 

We know that Cordero can't hit above 700 OPS in MLB. We can't say that yet about Granberg.

[mvp 78]

And I disagree on the Bradley move. They had a clear goal of improving OF defense, which was an issue last year. His weak offense might not play as a starter, but overall he is a clear talent. He didn’t get that contract you question by being mediocre…

 

He wasn't medicore before signing the contract. He fell off the cliff after signing it though.

[notin]

He wasn't medicore before signing the contract. He fell off the cliff after signing it though.

 

But at the time, that was just one bad season…

[mvp 78]

But at the time, that was just one bad season…

 

Yes, at the time you can make the argument for how it could have made sense (I disagree with it though). I'm really questioning whether they can really bring him back for 2023. I think they just have to let him go. Eat the $8M buyout and have him go away rather than pay him $12M to be a negative fWAR guy for the third straight year.

[notin]

Yes, at the time you can make the argument for how it could have made sense (I disagree with it though). I'm really questioning whether they can really bring him back for 2023. I think they just have to let him go. Eat the $8M buyout and have him go away rather than pay him $12M to be a negative fWAR guy for the third straight year.

 

I imagine-$8mill buyout or not - JBJ will be continuing his career in another uniform. My first instincts tell me that uniform will bear the insignia of the Hiroshima Carp. Although I’m partial to the Nippon Ham Fighters…

[mvp 78]

I imagine-$8mill buyout or not - JBJ will be continuing his career in another uniform. My first instincts tell me that uniform will bear the insignia of the Hiroshima Carp. Although I’m partial to the Nippon Ham Fighters…

 

He seems like an Orix Buffaloes kinda guy to me.

[vjcsmoke]

Perhaps it will be time to revisit this thread depending on what Bloom does at the deadline.

 

Regardless he should feel on the hot seat now. He has made a lot of bad moves. He has failed to keep our best homegrown players. And worst of all he doesn't look like he has a plan.

 

 

Ball is in your court, Bloom. Your move!

[vegasbob]

Perhaps it will be time to revisit this thread depending on what Bloom does at the deadline.

 

Regardless he should feel on the hot seat now. He has made a lot of bad moves. He has failed to keep our best homegrown players. And worst of all he doesn't look like he has a plan.

 

 

Ball is in your court, Bloom. Your move!

 

Thanks for the link , good background

[vegasbob]

There is a considerable amount of time spent in various forums geared towards the budget/luxury tax. Keep in mind, there is no salary cap in baseball, J. Henry could authorize spending any amount for key players like Betts and Devers. Bloom is only operating under the guidelines he is given by ownership. One of those must be , Be Competitive. The additions or progression of guys in the system has not yet paid off well for Bloom.

 

He will ultimately pay for those shortcomings with his job..

 

I understand and agree with avoiding 10 year range contracts. Imagine if we had locked up JDM for 8=10 years as the best DH, post Ortiz in MLB. The team would be choking on that pill for a few more years. Sorry to say, same for Bogaerts , although Bogey could opt in himself if he wanted to stay with the Red Sox , and still live very comfortably in Aruba the rest of his life.

[sk7326]

There is a considerable amount of time spent in various forums geared towards the budget/luxury tax. Keep in mind, there is no salary cap in baseball, J. Henry could authorize spending any amount for key players like Betts and Devers. Bloom is only operating under the guidelines he is given by ownership. One of those must be , Be Competitive. The additions or progression of guys in the system has not yet paid off well for Bloom.

 

He will ultimately pay for those shortcomings with his job..

 

I understand and agree with avoiding 10 year range contracts. Imagine if we had locked up JDM for 8=10 years as the best DH, post Ortiz in MLB. The team would be choking on that pill for a few more years. Sorry to say, same for Bogaerts , although Bogey could opt in himself if he wanted to stay with the Red Sox , and still live very comfortably in Aruba the rest of his life.

 

Indeed - but it does keep a tradition the owners (across baseball) have had treating the luxury tax as a de facto cap. It is why the players have the worst salary deal in the big North American sports - something which the new CBA helps somewhat but not at that level.

[jad]

Yeah, why wouldn't Bogey take way less than market value when by doing so he can make Henry richer? What's wrong with him?

[MADSTORK]

They did get a prospect for Renfroe. Two, in fact.

 

And Bradley is hardly the problem with this team….

 

 

What Prospects?

Binelas was 23 in single A now in AA and he can’t hit

Hamilton age 25 in AA is not a prospect, it’s called Bust

[MADSTORK]

There's a good chance maybe only 1-2 prospects gained in those 3 trades I mentioned amount to significant net pluses. Maybe none do, but increasing the quantity and quality of the farm improves your odds.

 

I won't count the Betts trade that brought us Verdugo, Downs & Wong, and the deadline sell off of 2020, by definition is about the future (Pivetta, Seabold and some long shots), but let's look at the other 3 trades: Beni, Ottavino and JBJ:

 

Beni>

Cordero: Looking much better, this year and has 2 arb years left

Winckowski: .595 OPS Against in AAA- about as good as we could have expected.

 

Lmao!!

 

AB in NY! How’s that for a nut punch 59 ?

Bloom is a joke

 

Fire this clown and call Epstein

[Swiharts Ghost]

If Bloom is this supposed genius why JBJ over someone like Puig ? Better fielder ??? Hardly ! Better arm Not even close now More Power ??? FFS hellllll no better career average ???? Bwahhhhhaaaa ummm no not ever .Puig Is sitting in Korea and Totally humbled by his Past .If Bloom is the Jedi dumpster diver why not go get Puig and resurrect his career ? If Watson can play NFL games with what 100 people accusing him can’t puig have some kind of career here ? JBJ Verdugo are hardly the Juggernauts .Go Call Puigs agent and see if you can catch lightning in a bottle .

[notin]

If Bloom is this supposed genius why JBJ over someone like Puig ? Better fielder ??? Hardly ! Better arm Not even close now More Power ??? FFS hellllll no better career average ???? Bwahhhhhaaaa ummm no not ever .Puig Is sitting in Korea and Totally humbled by his Past .If Bloom is the Jedi dumpster diver why not go get Puig and resurrect his career ? If Watson can play NFL games with what 100 people accusing him can’t puig have some kind of career here ? JBJ Verdugo are hardly the Juggernauts .Go Call Puigs agent and see if you can catch lightning in a bottle .

 

Coming from someone who has advocated for Puig more than once, HE HAS BEEN OUT OF MLB FOR THREE YEARS!!

 

Curtis Granderson has played in MLB more recently than Puig…

[notin]

What Prospects?

Binelas was 23 in single A now in AA and he can’t hit

Hamilton age 25 in AA is not a prospect, it’s called Bust

 

Binelas is 23? Hamilton is 25?

[illinoisredsox]

Binelas is 23? Hamilton is 25?

 

Just the stork trying to cause trouble.

 

Binelas just turned 22 in May and in his first full year of pro ball (he played 3 years of college ball through 2021).

 

Stork’s a little closer to the truth on Hamilton, who will turn 25 at the end of this season. He played college ball at Texas, and is in his 3rd year of pro ball. Developmentally, we have to remember, there was no 2020 minor league season.

 

Stork was just doing what he normally does, cause trouble. He is best ignored.