A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[moonslav59]

If there’s one silver lining in falling apart, it’s seeing who cracks and acts like a baby first. These are the fans who go through TVs faster than the rest of us, the ones who can’t control their emotions and throw their remotes against the walls.

 

Relax buttercups, there’s still plenty of baseball left to play.

 

Some of us a very relaxed and have never thrown a remote.

 

The reality is, we will be sellers, even if we go 5-3 in the next 8.

[Hugh2]

Some of us a very relaxed and have never thrown a remote.

 

The reality is, we will be sellers, even if we go 5-3 in the next 8.

 

I think we should be cautious sellers, however. I don't think we should be in the business of trading away guys like Bogaerts and Devers, and if you do trade one of those guys away it's because you know there's no way you're signing both and you make a huge effort to sign the other. E.G. you resign Devers and trade Bogaerts moving Story to SS next year.

 

But, my focus would be on moving assets such as J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi. Both these guys are gone at the end of the season anyway and you would get a premium for both these players right now. Martinez is down with his power a bit this year but he's still a premium bat with a history of hitting in the postseason. Teams overpay for that. Nathan Eovaldi is pitching like a good middle rotation guy, not an ace but teams will still pay a premium for that to shore up their rotation to get them to the postseason, also he has a history of performing well in the post season too. Those two players are guys who likely did not factor into our long term plans but would add good assets to the farm for next year.

 

Next year you come in with Casas at 1st, at least one of Bogaerts/Devers (maybe both) and hopefully Bloom feels comfortable enough with the farm being deep enough to unload a few assets to upgrade the roster. Core is still in place, or at the very least not any worse off than it's now.

[Hugh2]

Hugh, the team is decimated by injuries, we just went 4-13 against AL East teams and a fire sale looks like it makes the most sense.

 

There's plenty of baseball left, but it doesn't look like it's going to be good baseball for the Red Sox.

 

You are not wrong, but my remote is safe. Weirder things have happened in baseball.

[moonslav59]

You are not wrong, but my remote is safe. Weirder things have happened in baseball.

 

Yes, they have, and I still have a sliver of hope remaining. We started out 10 and 20 and showed resolve and fight, already this season.

 

The thing is, so many of our key players may not even return from injury, this season, or they may come back in September (Sale, Kike).

 

Others are expected to return in August, but at what level? (Devers, Story, Wacha, Wink, Strahm, Hill, Arroyo and other marginal players).

 

There are just too many healthier teams than us fighting for that last slot or two.

 

A sliver is all that remains.

[Hugh2]

The Sox level of play, plus his own injuries have probably pushed back the arrival of one named Casas in Boston. Mine as well let him eclipse the service time next year, show up more ready, and get that extra draft pick for finishing atop the ROY voting.

[mvp 78]

If there’s one silver lining in falling apart, it’s seeing who cracks and acts like a baby first. These are the fans who go through TVs faster than the rest of us, the ones who can’t control their emotions and throw their remotes against the walls.

 

Relax buttercups, there’s still plenty of baseball left to play.

 

I guess some people enjoyu 1-9 skids?

[mvp 78]

Hugh, the team is decimated by injuries, we just went 4-13 against AL East teams and a fire sale looks like it makes the most sense.

 

There's plenty of baseball left, but it doesn't look like it's going to be good baseball for the Red Sox.

 

And the early word is that Raffy is going to be out longer than 10 days. When the narrative is that Xander and Raffy have played their last game together, it's hard not to be slightly upset. Sorry for not being a baseball automaton.

[mvp 78]

A fire sale?

 

A fire sale actually makes the least amount of sense.

 

(My view of a firesale is dealing away more than just expiring contracts.)

 

And again, the team is decimated by injuries and still only 3 games out? How much do you want to unload before some of the injured players return?

 

I'd only dump the expiring guys. I think it's a lost year. It's fine. They'll be good again next year with reinforcements.

[mvp 78]

Some of us a very relaxed and have never thrown a remote.

 

The reality is, we will be sellers, even if we go 5-3 in the next 8.

 

The posters who had to have their dogs hidden from them by their wives aren't on here anymore.

[mvp 78]

You are not wrong, but my remote is safe. Weirder things have happened in baseball.

 

This is true. I'll give you that.

[cp176]

My biggest concern is that JH has decided that other things have taken on more importance in his life than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe there is a plan and maybe there isn't. None of us knows for sure what is going on here. I know that it is important to stay optimistic but simply based on the moves that have been made and those that haven't been made, I'm concerned about the the team going forward.

[Hugh2]

I guess some people enjoyu 1-9 skids?

 

No, they just depress me less. Kind of like driving in s***** snow in the winter....I don't enjoy it but I get a kick out of everyone who hates their life because of it. All those smashed guard rails and spinning tires.

[Hugh2]

My biggest concern is that JH has decided that other things have taken on more importance in his life than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe there is a plan and maybe there isn't. None of us knows for sure what is going on here. I know that it is important to stay optimistic but simply based on the moves that have been made and those that haven't been made, I'm concerned about the the team going forward.

 

I don't think this is true, or fair. He's a business man, and a better product leads to better revenue. The larger scheme of things suggests the Sox are fine. Ever since the "CURSE" was broken the Sox have done just fine in reinventing themselves. How many times have we taken a step back for a year or two only to come roaring back to a WS title? 2007 maybe, but certainly in 2013 and 2018...So it's settled. 2023 is our year. As a matter of fact, the more we suck the rest of the way the more convinced I am.

 

Kidding, kinda not really.

[Nick]

Yes, they have, and I still have a sliver of hope remaining. We started out 10 and 20 and showed resolve and fight, already this season.

 

The thing is, so many of our key players may not even return from injury, this season, or they may come back in September (Sale, Kike).

 

Others are expected to return in August, but at what level? (Devers, Story, Wacha, Wink, Strahm, Hill, Arroyo and other marginal players).

 

There are just too many healthier teams than us fighting for that last slot or two.

 

A sliver is all that remains.

 

How long do we stay with Verdugo? .679 OPS outfielder? When will he break out?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don't think this is true, or fair. He's a business man, and a better product leads to better revenue. The larger scheme of things suggests the Sox are fine. Ever since the "CURSE" was broken the Sox have done just fine in reinventing themselves. How many times have we taken a step back for a year or two only to come roaring back to a WS title? 2007 maybe, but certainly in 2013 and 2018...So it's settled. 2023 is our year. As a matter of fact, the more we suck the rest of the way the more convinced I am.

 

Kidding, kinda not really.

 

Bounce-backs like 2013 had a core of stars in the line-up and rotation that the Sox were able to supplement with useful pieces -- many of whom were veteran professionals in personal bounce-back years.

 

The first-place year in 2016 (and '17 and ultimately '18) had a blend of veteran core guys, young/instant stars and expensive supplements.

 

Who here now will form the core for '23 and beyond? Devers and Bogaerts? Most agree they won't resign both, and many doubt either. Then who's left: Trevor Story? Whitlock?

[mvp 78]

My biggest concern is that JH has decided that other things have taken on more importance in his life than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe there is a plan and maybe there isn't. None of us knows for sure what is going on here. I know that it is important to stay optimistic but simply based on the moves that have been made and those that haven't been made, I'm concerned about the the team going forward.

 

I'm not sure it matters what JH cares about. Just give the Sox a certain amount of $$$ and let someone else handle it. I don't want him getting in the way.

[mvp 78]

I don't think this is true, or fair. He's a business man, and a better product leads to better revenue. The larger scheme of things suggests the Sox are fine. Ever since the "CURSE" was broken the Sox have done just fine in reinventing themselves. How many times have we taken a step back for a year or two only to come roaring back to a WS title? 2007 maybe, but certainly in 2013 and 2018...So it's settled. 2023 is our year. As a matter of fact, the more we suck the rest of the way the more convinced I am.

 

Kidding, kinda not really.

 

Some people do forget that the Sox were in the ALCS just a few months ago and Bloom is building up a decent farm that we are seeing some fruits of.

[JDavis76]

Some people do forget that the Sox were in the ALCS just a few months ago and Bloom is building up a decent farm that we are seeing some fruits of.

 

Yeah, seabiscuit and bello look tremendous!

[mvp 78]

@BostonStrong_34

From The Sports Business Journal; The Boston Red Sox and MassMutual are in agreement on a 10 year deal worth $170-200 Million to be the official patch on the Red Sox jersey starting next season.

 

But how can they afford Xander and Raffy??????????????????????????/

[JDavis76]

@BostonStrong_34

From The Sports Business Journal; The Boston Red Sox and MassMutual are in agreement on a 10 year deal worth $170-200 Million to be the official patch on the Red Sox jersey starting next season.

 

But how can they afford Xander and Raffy??????????????????????????/

 

I wonder how long off it is that they will sell the naming rights to fenway.

[cp176]

Some people do forget that the Sox were in the ALCS just a few months ago and Bloom is building up a decent farm that we are seeing some fruits of.

 

I hope that you are right about the farm buildup. There have been more players added to it for sure. We've all learned though that prospects are prospects until they actually show the ability to perform at the ml level. I can only speak for myself here but I have a tendency to get over excited and overly optimistic about the kids on the farm. At this point in time, I don't see one player at double or triple A that shouts out I'm the next guy. I'm not buying into the Casas hype until I actually see something outstanding from him when it counts. A huge buildup of farm mediocrity I guess can be a good thing if you use them the right way - including trades to get better.

[jad]

I hope that you are right about the farm buildup. There have been more players added to it for sure. We've all learned though that prospects are prospects until they actually show the ability to perform at the ml level. I can only speak for myself here but I have a tendency to get over excited and overly optimistic about the kids on the farm. At this point in time, I don't see one player at double or triple A that shouts out I'm the next guy. I'm not buying into the Casas hype until I actually see something outstanding from him when it counts. A huge buildup of farm mediocrity I guess can be a good thing if you use them the right way - including trades to get better.

 

Agreed. But then again, if you build up the farm in order to trade for proven big leaguers, why not just keep the ones you have?

[cp176]

Agreed. But then again, if you build up the farm in order to trade for proven big leaguers, why not just keep the ones you have?

 

In my opinion it would be ridiculous if they did not resign both Bogaerts and Devers. The Story signing really does not look particularly brilliant at this time. He provides excellent defense at second base for us. Bogaerts continues to be more than adequate at shortstop and should remain there if resigned. I could care less that the flood of statistics that we get hit with say that Story is a better shortstop. Sometimes you make smart decisions based on other things.

[JDavis76]

In my opinion it would be ridiculous if they did not resign both Bogaerts and Devers. The Story signing really does not look particularly brilliant at this time. He provides excellent defense at second base for us. Bogaerts continues to be more than adequate at shortstop and should remain there if resigned. I could care less that the flood of statistics that we get hit with say that Story is a better shortstop. Sometimes you make smart decisions based on other things.

 

Assuming that bogey and devers will get in the neighborhood of $30M/yr, combined with chris frail's roughly $30M/yr and story's $22M/yr. Do you really think the sox will tie up roughly $110M/yr on just 4 players?

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

Michael Wacha is throwing live BP at Fenway. First pitch fastball, Franchy Cordero took him deep into the Sox bullpen.

[JDavis76]

@alexspeier

Michael Wacha is throwing live BP at Fenway. First pitch fastball, Franchy Cordero took him deep into the Sox bullpen.

 

Sounds like he's ready and will fit right in with the other current starters...

[notin]

Assuming that bogey and devers will get in the neighborhood of $30M/yr, combined with chris frail's roughly $30M/yr and story's $22M/yr. Do you really think the sox will tie up roughly $110M/yr on just 4 players?

 

The 2019 team had 4 players at $90mill combined. And 4 more combining for $60mill. History might work for them here. Especially as they’re poised for more minimum wage players that the 2019 team…

[moonslav59]

How long do we stay with Verdugo? .679 OPS outfielder? When will he break out?

 

His numbers seem to be showing some bad luck, and he has had some big hits and more rbis than some of our studs, but I’ll say it again: I don’t want Verdugo AND Duran both back, next year. I’d trade one at the deadline, if I felt we could get more now than this winter

 

I’d give up on both now, but out OF depth is non existent..

[notin]

I hope that you are right about the farm buildup. There have been more players added to it for sure. We've all learned though that prospects are prospects until they actually show the ability to perform at the ml level. I can only speak for myself here but I have a tendency to get over excited and overly optimistic about the kids on the farm. At this point in time, I don't see one player at double or triple A that shouts out I'm the next guy. I'm not buying into the Casas hype until I actually see something outstanding from him when it counts. A huge buildup of farm mediocrity I guess can be a good thing if you use them the right way - including trades to get better.

 

That’s fine. My policy is to never get excited over anyone in A ball. I only even notice them in AA, which IMO is the most important step…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

That’s fine. My policy is to never get excited over anyone in A ball. I only even notice them in AA, which IMO is the most important step…

 

The past two years have also shown us not to get too excited about stats in AAA; at least in Worcester.

 

Is it something about the Polar Grounds? Or should fans anywhere always be suspicious of a team named Woo.