Fire Bloom .

[Bellhorn04]

Very true, and to me, what were the expectations and contexts involved?

 

I expected an improving team, and most us records as the final indication. Nothing wrong with that.

 

I see a farm and budget vastly improved for the future.

I see a deeper team with less black holes than we've had since 2018.

I see a team just a couple big acquisitions away from being a top 6 contender.

 

After the mandated Betts/Price deal and massive budget cuts, I saw a long road ahead of us.

 

Others did not or would not accept the situation handed to Bloom.

 

Certainly, beginning with the Story signing, we've had the budget and a bit more help from the farm than we had since 2018, so I am not happy about the record, now, either.

 

There is still over 90 games to go, so let's see what happens.

 

Over 90 games to go, but how many games until it's time to decide whether to have a fire sale?

[moonslav59]

Of course it did. The Yankees exploited that loophole for years, and got multiple championships and playoff berths out of it.

 

The Rays once had something like 11 picks in the top 80 by manipulating the comp pick system.

 

The Sox were pretty good at that, too.

[Bellhorn04]

I think the idea was to contend for a playoffs slot, not a ring, and give the impression we were on the rise.

 

It's funny to think that if Nate, Wacha, Hill, Strahm and JD were sucking, right now, the narrative would be much different.

 

It would be different, but it still wouldn't be good LOL

[mvp 78]

Over 90 games to go, but how many games until it's time to decide whether to have a fire sale?

 

I just don't know if there's enough to sell.

[Dipre]

I just don't know if there's enough to sell.

 

...which is the reason why they're so intent in creating a strong farm system.

[Hugh2]

Drafting "unsignable players," late in the early rounds was also a huge advantage to big spending teams.

 

The situation is much different, now. It is much harder to build a strong farm, especially if you are winning and/or spending over the line.

 

That's not to say it is impossible, but only a handful of teams have done it on a consistent basis, since the rule changes.

 

They could also get extra draft picks for type a/b free agents too. You still get A pick now depending on where you stand on the luxury tax if a player rejects a QO and signs with another team. But you used to get TWO picks for some players. YOu could trade for a rental at the deadline, let him walk, and then get two prospects out of it.

 

Some notable players they drafted because of that system.

 

Clay Buccholz

Jed Lowrie

Brandon Workman

JBJ

[Old Red]

...which is the reason why they're so intent in creating a strong farm system.

 

You shouldn’t have to suck at the major league level to do it.

[mvp 78]

...which is the reason why they're so intent in creating a strong farm system.

 

They have guys to sell, but they don't really have "expiring contracts" like last season.

 

They could deal a whole hell lot of people including farm capital to fix some of their issues (defense, bad pitching, offensive heavy farm).

[moonslav59]

Over 90 games to go, but how many games until it's time to decide whether to have a fire sale?

 

Hopefully until August 1st, at the latest.

 

It is looking more and more like 2022, but I still have hope. (I know I am in a tiny minority.)

[moonslav59]

They could also get extra draft picks for type a/b free agents too. You still get A pick now depending on where you stand on the luxury tax if a player rejects a QO and signs with another team. But you used to get TWO picks for some players. YOu could trade for a rental at the deadline, let him walk, and then get two prospects out of it.

 

Some notable players they drafted because of that system.

 

Clay Buccholz

Jed Lowrie

Brandon Workman

JBJ

 

Ellsbury, too, and then Kopech for losing Jake!

[Dipre]

They have guys to sell, but they don't really have "expiring contracts" like last season.

 

They could deal a whole hell lot of people including farm capital to fix some of their issues (defense, bad pitching, offensive heavy farm).

 

They don't have enough depth to pull that off in my opinion.

[Hugh2]

Ellsbury, too, and then Kopech for losing Jake!

 

I knew I was going to miss someone.

[moonslav59]

They have guys to sell, but they don't really have "expiring contracts" like last season.

 

They could deal a whole hell lot of people including farm capital to fix some of their issues (defense, bad pitching, offensive heavy farm).

 

Players with 1.3 years are not traded as often but could be.

 

We could end up being buyers, or both.

[Dipre]

You shouldn’t have to suck at the major league level to do it.

 

We know that. That's on Bloom for faulty roster construction.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

The Red Sox should be sellers IMO. It is all about getting the team ready to compete in 2024. The 2023 team was never constructed to win a championship.

[moonslav59]

We know that. That's on Bloom for faulty roster construction.

 

Let the season play out, but as of now, I can’t disagree.

 

I’ll make one point: if the JH plan was to just compete for a playoff slot, this year, regardless of what we wanted or expected, Bloom has missed the mark by 2-4 wins. Wait a week and we might be 1-2 GB a WC slot.

 

(Not a prediction.)

[moonslav59]

The Red Sox should be sellers IMO. It is all about getting the team ready to compete in 2024. The 2023 team was never constructed to win a championship.

 

I don’t think that was the goal, despite the playoffs are a crapshoot beliefs.

[redsoxrules]

Team should be trying to make the playoffs regardless. In 2021 no way in hell I would have thought that team had a chance to win the WS. I know they didn't win it but they came close to making it to the big dance. And look at the Phillies last year. Just get in as you never what can happen.

[Dipre]

This team could be competitive with very slight tweaks to the current roster. They just fumbled it.

[moonslav59]

Team should be trying to make the playoffs regardless. In 2021 no way in hell I would have thought that team had a chance to win the WS. I know they didn't win it but they came close to making it to the big dance. And look at the Phillies last year. Just get in as you never what can happen.

 

I’m not a playoffs are a crapshoot guy, but surprises do happen.

[Dipre]

I’m not a playoffs are a crapshoot guy, but surprises do happen.

 

I am, because there's plenty of evidence to suggest that inferior teams can make a run. (See: 2006 Cardinals, 2014 Giants, 2021 Braves, 2003 Marlins).

[Bellhorn04]

I don't believe the playoffs are a total crapshoot, but I think the crapshoot factor is significant.

[moonslav59]

I am, because there's plenty of evidence to suggest that inferior teams can make a run. (See: 2006 Cardinals, 2014 Giants, 2021 Braves, 2003 Marlins).

 

4 in 20 years may be significant, but it's also pretty close to a crapshoot, too.

 

The rule changes that make it harder for winning and rich teams to build strong farms has given weaker teams a better shot. I think, before 2003, it was more of a crapshoot.

 

More playoff games and wins needed counters this idea, though.

[notin]

This team could be competitive with very slight tweaks to the current roster. They just fumbled it.

 

They could be competitive with slight tweaks to the lineup, never mind the roster…

[notin]

4 in 20 years may be significant, but it's also pretty close to a crapshoot, too.

 

The rule changes that make it harder for winning and rich teams to build strong farms has given weaker teams a better shot. I think, before 2003, it was more of a crapshoot.

 

More playoff games and wins needed counters this idea, though.

 

 

How often in the last 20 years has the best record win the WSC?

[redsoxrules]

How often in the last 20 years has the best record win the WSC?

 

6. The Red Sox were 3 of those 6

[dgalehouse]

MLB cheapens the regular season with gimmicks like three wild cards. It is all about bleeding more and more money from the fans. That being the case, you still have to go for it. The playoffs are definitely a crapshoot. The wild card teams all have a legitimate chance at the brass ring.

[notin]

6. The Red Sox were 3 of those 6

 

So 10% more often than when a team squeaks in and wins it all

[MADSTORK]

The argument that Mayer “fell into his lap” is for simpletons.

 

Mayer was passed on by three other teams, all of whom selected players ranked lower. No one ever discredited Dombrowski selected consensus top ranked draft pick Jay Groome because he simply “fell into his lap”…

 

Rangers tigers took arguably best 2 pitching prospects that draft

 

Rumor had it Mayer wasn’t going to sign any deal lower than the slot $$ allocation which was 9 million #1 overall or he would jump to College

 

Pitt took Davis a College player at 2 million under slot Cherington went the safe route with a college player and saved 2 million for other signings

 

Did Mayer fall in his lap ? Yes

[redsoxrules]

MLB cheapens the regular season with gimmicks like three wild cards. It is all about bleeding more and more money from the fans. That being the case, you still have to go for it. The playoffs are definitely a crapshoot. The wild card teams all have a legitimate chance at the brass ring.

 

Yeah I wasn't a fan when they added more of these wild cards. They should have stopped at just the 1 wild card. That way it's 4 on each side. Longer series. They play 162 games to get there so to have your season be decided by a best of 3 games on the first round is crazy.