A Realistic View at 2023: Part I

[moonslav59]

I thought at the time Middlebrooks tripped him up on purpose…

 

I did, too. My only point was that Craig chose to veer towards 2B not home and forced the need to step over Middy. IT doesn't change the fact that the right call was made, but at some point the runner can't just go out of his way to run into a fielder just to get the call- not that that was what Craig did. I think he was in an awkward position to get up off 3B facing home, so he sprung up off track. Had Middy not lifted his legs, no call would have been made, and he'd have been safe, unless he tripped anyway.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Offense was not the primary reason for last year’s disappointing season…

 

No one said it was, but a heart of the order that averages 14 HRs from JD, X and Dugo was no Murderers Row... or even Hurterers Row.

 

All facets of failure need improving.

[Old Red]

No one said it was, but a heart of the order that averages 14 HRs from JD, X and Dugo was no Murderers Row... or even Hurterers Row.

 

All facets of failure need improving.

 

Raffy wasn’t exactly pounding the ball the last few months either.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Raffy wasn’t exactly pounding the ball the last few months either.

 

We have to assume his leg will heal and his bat will produce more like the first half.

 

The legs of JD and Bogey, however, were made for walking... and I don't mean to first base.

[mvp 78]

I'd rather have Conforto for 1 than Gallo or Bellinger for 2-3 or Beni for 3-4.

 

Any GM that gives Bellinger a multi-year deal needs to be committed.

[mvp 78]

This makes sense considering Kike's one-year deal... unless he has to play shortstop in '23 -- which may really be 50-50 right now. Then maybe a Kiermaeir placeholder for Rafaela is the bridge. They'd still need Conforto or Haniger and probably both to replace the bats of Bogey and JD.

 

And that basically gives them the same offense as last year's cellar dwellers.

 

I could see it. Both options have been mentioned. Plus, with Kiermaier going out for his usual 40-50 games at some point, it could give Rafaela a little bit of a taste.

[mvp 78]

Offense was not the primary reason for last year’s disappointing season…

 

No, but you can't slide back on offense and hope the pitching improves by some miracle. Every hole needs to be filled.

[mvp 78]

I did, too. My only point was that Craig chose to veer towards 2B not home and forced the need to step over Middy. IT doesn't change the fact that the right call was made, but at some point the runner can't just go out of his way to run into a fielder just to get the call- not that that was what Craig did. I think he was in an awkward position to get up off 3B facing home, so he sprung up off track. Had Middy not lifted his legs, no call would have been made, and he'd have been safe, unless he tripped anyway.

 

Why are you attacking Red Sox legend Allen Craig?

[mvp 78]

Raffy wasn’t exactly pounding the ball the last few months either.

 

Devers:

JUL 22 987 OPS

AUG 22 515 OPS

SEP/OCT 22 901 OPS

 

He had more RBI in SEP/OCT than any other month and 2nd best batting average as well.

[a700hitter]

The Winter Meetings start today. Bloom was spotted buying sunscreen (he is very fair skinned) and he picked up San Diego Zoo tickets and Sea World Tickets from the concierge desk.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Winter Meetings start today. Bloom was spotted buying sunscreen (he is very fair skinned) and he picked up San Diego Zoo tickets and Sea World Tickets from the concierge desk.

 

And the most lopsided comment in the Boston Globe yesterday got 135 likes and 6 dislikes: "Bloom continues to work hard to make the Red Sox a small market team no one cares about."

 

Rebuttal with the highest responses at 109 likes, 4 dislikes: "Correct but he's doing exactly what he was hired to do. The anger should be with ownership"

 

The most almost unanimous comment with 37-1 likes: "Sox management think their fans are stupid."

 

One that made me laugh, 20-3: "Sam never tells the truth."

[moonslav59]

 

Rebuttal with the highest responses at 109 likes, 4 dislikes: "Correct but he's doing exactly what he was hired to do. The anger should be with ownership"

 

So, the sports talk show majority may not mean what some think it means.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR

 

Bloom speaks...

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/chaim-bloom-on-bogaerts-pitching-offseason-additions.html

 

Globe reports: Tommy Kahle is another pen target. Reports are that the Sox offered Abreu low to mid 40's. (He signed for $59.5/3) It appears we were not close. (Not a good sign.)

 

Bloom says we may add 2+ pen arms.

 

Team wants to add 7-9 players, including 3-4 position players.

 

One SP'er who "can bring upside, leadership and consistency to the rotation, as well as innings."

 

Bloom pushed back on the notion of "no competitive offer" made to Bogey, saying " “have certainly made offers to him, we’ve been engaged, and we’ll stay engaged.” Bogey is still "a chief priority."

 

Bloom also noted Story or Kike could play SS, if Bogey departs.

 

Nate and Wacha are "both still possibilities."

 

[notin]

No, but you can't slide back on offense and hope the pitching improves by some miracle. Every hole needs to be filled.

 

Maintain the offense. Improve the pitching. Improve the defense…

[notin]

Any GM that gives Bellinger a multi-year deal needs to be committed.

 

Per his agent, Belllinger is seeking a one year deal…

[moonslav59]

Still lots to choose from, and some teams might now be less inclined to spend big on a second FA.

 

We knew the Phillies were going to get a top 3 SS. We pretty much knew we weren't choosing this winter to go large on a SP'er like deGrom or Verlander.

 

It's easy to start feeling down while watching other teams make big splash signings, but I'm hopeful, despite Blooms statements about wanting to add 8-9 players.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bloom says he's still engaged to Xander, but Chaim won't give him a ring.

[notin]

Still lots to choose from, and some teams might now be less inclined to spend big on a second FA.

 

We knew the Phillies were going to get a top 3 SS. We pretty much knew we weren't choosing this winter to go large on a SP'er like deGrom or Verlander.

 

It's easy to start feeling down while watching other teams make big splash signings, but I'm hopeful, despite Blooms statements about wanting to add 8-9 players.

 

Of course about 20 teams have made no moves above the level of minor league contract. The Yankees, Dodgers, Jays, Cardinals, Giants, Cubs, White Sox, etc. Not like the Red Sox are watching the entire league fill holes while they remain idle…

[Bellhorn04]

Of course about 20 teams have made no moves above the level of minor league contract. The Yankees, Dodgers, Jays, Cardinals, Giants, Cubs, White Sox, etc. Not like the Red Sox are watching the entire league fill holes while they remain idle…

 

But the Red Sox need a busier and more successful offseason than any other team in baseball, arguably.

 

They're getting close to signing Kahnle, reportedly.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Maintain the offense. Improve the pitching. Improve the defense…

 

How do you envision the latter? Franchy is an Oriole, so at least that boosts Boston closer to Baltimore in overall team defense. Maybe Kike stays healthy and in center... though anyone is better than Duran.

 

Yesterday, Bloom finally mentioned Story at short -- so who will he get to replace Trevor's Gold Glove at second? It's also going to be difficult to find any outfielder better than Bradley. Are the Sox willing to pay for a new catcher who is an actual better receiver than McGuire?

 

One underrated area is a full season with Casas at first, which will help tighten up the entire infield. In his debut month it was clear Casas is a legitimate first baseman -- and not someone trying to learn the position in the big leagues. To me, he already looks as polished as any Sox sacker since Youk.

 

But what Bloom really meant when he said he wants pitchers with upside and leadership is that they can throw accurately to every base, including home base. I heard scouts are holding PFP auditions right now in always sunny San Diego...

[Hugh2]

But the Red Sox need a busier and more successful offseason than any other team in baseball, arguably.

 

They're getting close to signing Kahnle, reportedly.

 

I agree, Bloom needs to have a good offseason and he hasn't inspired a lot of enthusiasm in Soxnation. I think Judge/Correa needs to get straightened out before a lot of the other dominos fall and reportedly Aaron Judge is at the winter meetings; it's speculated that he's there to announce his decision. I think one or both of Judge/Correa are signed by the end of the week. After that I think we will learn of Bogaerts fate quickly, unless of course Bloom shocks the baseball world and signs Carlos Correa.

[Bellhorn04]

Bloom says he wants One SP'er who "can bring upside, leadership and consistency to the rotation, as well as innings."

 

Who might he be thinking of?

[mvp 78]

Bloom says he wants One SP'er who "can bring upside, leadership and consistency to the rotation, as well as innings."

 

Who might he be thinking of?

 

Bassitt

Kluber

Greinke

Quintana

[mvp 78]

MLBTR

 

Bloom speaks...

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/chaim-bloom-on-bogaerts-pitching-offseason-additions.html

 

Globe reports: Tommy Kahle is another pen target. Reports are that the Sox offered Abreu low to mid 40's. (He signed for $59.5/3) It appears we were not close. (Not a good sign.)

 

Bloom says we may add 2+ pen arms.

 

Team wants to add 7-9 players, including 3-4 position players.

 

One SP'er who "can bring upside, leadership and consistency to the rotation, as well as innings."

 

Bloom pushed back on the notion of "no competitive offer" made to Bogey, saying " “have certainly made offers to him, we’ve been engaged, and we’ll stay engaged.” Bogey is still "a chief priority."

 

Bloom also noted Story or Kike could play SS, if Bogey departs.

 

Nate and Wacha are "both still possibilities."

 

 

Why is it not a good sign that they were far apart on Abreu? They had a number and Abreu signed with the Astros for much more. I'm glad the Sox didn't extend themselves and overpay. Abreu at 3x45 is a much better deal than 3x60.

[mvp 78]

How do you envision the latter? Franchy is an Oriole, so at least that boosts Boston closer to Baltimore in overall team defense. Maybe Kike stays healthy and in center... though anyone is better than Duran.

 

Yesterday, Bloom finally mentioned Story at short -- so who will he get to replace Trevor's Gold Glove at second? It's also going to be difficult to find any outfielder better than Bradley. Are the Sox willing to pay for a new catcher who is an actual better receiver than McGuire?

 

One underrated area is a full season with Casas at first, which will help tighten up the entire infield. In his debut month it was clear Casas is a legitimate first baseman -- and not someone trying to learn the position in the big leagues. To me, he already looks as polished as any Sox sacker since Youk.

But what Bloom really meant when he said he wants pitchers with upside and leadership is that they can throw accurately to every base, including home base. I heard scouts are holding PFP auditions right now in always sunny San Diego...

 

Casas is the best 1b since Moreland. That's not saying much, but Casas should be ok over there. He's definitely an upgrade over Dalbec.

[moonslav59]

Why is it not a good sign that they were far apart on Abreu? They had a number and Abreu signed with the Astros for much more. I'm glad the Sox didn't extend themselves and overpay. Abreu at 3x45 is a much better deal than 3x60.

 

Good sign: we did not get him. (I don't think he fits our biggest 5-6 needs- nor does Contreras.)

 

Bad sign: "Being in" on free agents might mean we are far away on all our bids, and won't pay what it takes to get who we want- even if an overpay.

 

Bloom's setting value seems to be pretty far down from what other GMs are setting, except for Chris Martin, who he paid more than Estevez got (a guy some had ranked higher than Martin.)

[moonslav59]

But the Red Sox need a busier and more successful offseason than any other team in baseball, arguably.

 

They're getting close to signing Kahnle, reportedly.

 

...and if Bloom is right about adding 8-9 players, that's probably 4-6 more than most teams will add.

 

Word is Dalbec is being shopped and the Rays are interested.

[moonslav59]

Bassitt

Kluber

Greinke

Quintana

 

I'm thinking...

 

Taillon

Nate

Quintana

Kluber

(Heaney seems to be close to signing with the Jays, I think.)

 

Is he still looking for the next Martin Perez- the 2022 version?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bloom says he wants One SP'er who "can bring upside, leadership and consistency to the rotation, as well as innings."

 

Who might he be thinking of?

 

Dare we attempt to translate Bloomspeak... "leadership" can only mean old, as in veteran experience... "consistency" better mean durability, because someone who's hurt every other year or month is inconsistent...

 

... but doesn't "upside" mean having promise and potential? Like, someone who can improve... which means maybe not so good yet... or more likely, not so expensive yet -- though not necessarily with a current address in a bin, metal receptacle, on a plantation or flea market.

[mvp 78]

Good sign: we did not get him. (I don't think he fits our biggest 5-6 needs- nor does Contreras.)

 

Bad sign: "Being in" on free agents might mean we are far away on all our bids, and won't pay what it takes to get who we want- even if an overpay.

 

Bloom's setting value seems to be pretty far down from what other GMs are setting, except for Chris Martin, who he paid more than Estevez got (a guy some had ranked higher than Martin.)

 

That's how the FA market works. We knew that the market was limited and the Sox had a lot of holes to fill. If they are going to stick with value plays (like waiting out the Story market), they will mostly be outbid during the offseason. DD isn't running the show anymore. It's not surprising. Should they have spent 22% of their offseason budget on a 1b/DH? That wouldn't make sense to me.

 

By what metric is Estevez ranked better than Martin?

 

He has half the career fWAR in MORE innings. Nearly 3x the bb rate. Higher ERA and xFIP. Worse GB%. Worse LOB%