How is Bloom doing as a GM?

[moonslav59]

And why do you think he did not send them packing?

 

Sale wasn't even on my list.

 

Barnes was from before DD, but Bloom extended him, so he counts as a Bloomer.

[a700hitter]

And why do you think he did not send them packing?

Tell me why.

[Kimmi]

I don't think Henry and Bloom's plan involved winning a ring in 2022, so it's hard to assign a grade based on that.

 

I agree on the long term outlook looking much better than it did after 2019 and 2020, and a bit better after 2021.

 

This winter will be Bloom's flashpoint moment and will largely set his legacy in stone.

 

Bloom has a tall task in trying to keep the team competitive while prioritizing the long term sustainability of the team. Most teams looking for long term sustainability will do a complete tear down and rebuild. Bloom didn't and still doesn't have that luxury. I know things aren't going well this year, but IMO, the team put together this year was good enough to be competitive.

 

This winter and the 2023 season will be year 4 for Bloom. I'm not sure what you mean by this being his flashpoint moment (re-signing Bogaerts or Devers?), but I'm not sure that the team is at the point to be "all in". That's not to say the team won't be competitive, just that many people may once again be disappointed with his offseason moves.

[moonslav59]

Bloom has a tall task in trying to keep the team competitive while prioritizing the long term sustainability of the team. Most teams looking for long term sustainability will do a complete tear down and rebuild. Bloom didn't and still doesn't have that luxury. I know things aren't going well this year, but IMO, the team put together this year was good enough to be competitive.

 

This winter and the 2023 season will be year 4 for Bloom. I'm not sure what you mean by this being his flashpoint moment (re-signing Bogaerts or Devers?), but I'm not sure that the team is at the point to be "all in". That's not to say the team won't be competitive, just that many people may once again be disappointed with his offseason moves.

 

Flashpoint, because it will be his 4th season and he should have about $90M to spend. Even putting off the Devers extension a year will still make this winter his defining moment. I doubt he spends it all on 1 year deals, so he'll never have close to this much winter spending, again. We lose some deadwood, especially Price's money, once and for all, but we also may lose some very tough players to replace, and replacing some by re-signing them may prove to be the wrong decision.

 

He has to keep fans interested and excited. If he can't do that with $90M, I think his time in Boston will be limited.

 

He still has a decent core to work with, and some promising young players that are ML ready or already proven. He has to choose what positions to hand to the youth and what positions to fill with outsiders. It's not an easy call.

 

More importantly, I think, the number one priority will still be beyond 2023. That makes walking the tightrope even harder. My guess is he signs a few one year players to bridge to the youth movements e thinks are 0-1 years away from fruition, but He'll choose one or two slots to block or close up for prospects. That might coincide with him trading said "blocked" prospects to fill another hole, somewhere else. Yes, I do think he makes one big splash trade, and not the Beni, JBJ, Ottavino kind, where he gets prospects- included. This time, I think he gives up some prospects for a controllable key player for our future.

 

That's why I call it his flashpoint offseason.

[moonslav59]

Let's assume he has $90M to spend.

 

Let's agree he has 7-8 sure slots to fill.

 

I think he trades to fill one, lets the kids or in system players fill 2, and adds 4-5 moderate to big name FAs.

 

Which slots does he leave to the current players/prospects?

 

Which slot does he trade for (and maybe trade away?)

 

Which slots does he sign FAs to fill.

 

Here's a breakdown on what we have in the system, already, at each high need slot:

 

SP1/2: Sale/Paxton/Pivetta (I'm not seeing it.)

CF: Duran/Rafaela (Nope)

2B (if Story plays SS): E Valdez/Arroyo/Downs (maybe?)

SS (if Story plays 2B): Downs (Nope)

C: McGuire/Wong/RHern/Cottam (someone might get traded away, here)

RF: Verdugo/Refsnyder (assuming we add a CF'er and Duran/Pham play LF) (Not liking this, much.)

1B: Hosmer/Casas/Dalbec/EValdez? (This might be the position we let ride, yet again.)

Closer: Houck/Whitlock (Depending on who might be a starter)

 

My guess is, we let 1B and Closer go to in-system players and work to upgrade or break even at the other 5-6 slots.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

My guess is, we let 1B and Closer go to in-system players and work to upgrade or break even at the other 5-6 slots.

 

It's an educated guess, based on Bloom's history in Boston. He didn't spend to get a real first baseman because of Casas, and there's no reason to change now; Casas and Hosmer can handle 1B and DH, at least on a rebuild. And if there's one position Bloom loves to avoid big costs, it's the bullpen. He'll find a few decent guys cheap, and blow small bills on handfuls of others.

 

But even if there ever comes a time when it's deemed as right to "go for it," does anyone ever see Bloom winning a bidding war with, say the Mets, for an Edwin Diaz?

[Bellhorn04]

It's an educated guess, based on Bloom's history in Boston. He didn't spend to get a real first baseman because of Casas, and there's no reason to change now; Casas and Hosmer can handle 1B and DH, at least on a rebuild. And if there's one position Bloom loves to avoid big costs, it's the bullpen. He'll find a few decent guys cheap, and blow small bills on handfuls of others.

 

But even if there ever comes a time when it's deemed as right to "go for it," does anyone ever see Bloom winning a bidding war with, say the Mets, for an Edwin Diaz?

 

Interesting question. First of all, getting in a bidding war with the Mets or Yankees will more than likely result in a grotesque overpay.

 

But if the owners are all in, yes I believe he would do it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Interesting question. First of all, getting in a bidding war with the Mets or Yankees will more than likely result in a grotesque overpay.

 

But if the owners are all in, yes I believe he would do it.

 

They're all smart businessmen, but the fans who care more about the team than doing the wave and singing "so good" would love such a gesture. And that would make them smart baseball people...

 

... of course, there would still be a few in the media and on here who'd complain.

[moonslav59]

It's an educated guess, based on Bloom's history in Boston. He didn't spend to get a real first baseman because of Casas, and there's no reason to change now; Casas and Hosmer can handle 1B and DH, at least on a rebuild. And if there's one position Bloom loves to avoid big costs, it's the bullpen. He'll find a few decent guys cheap, and blow small bills on handfuls of others.

 

But even if there ever comes a time when it's deemed as right to "go for it," does anyone ever see Bloom winning a bidding war with, say the Mets, for an Edwin Diaz?

 

This is one reason I chose those 2 slots to "let be." However, I also agree on not spending big money or prospect capital on upgrading those two slots. To me, our most pressing needs are (in order):

 

1. CF

2. Ace or solid #2 type

3. 2B/SS

T4. C

T4. RF/DH

6. Closer/solid set-up for Houck

7. SP depth

8. 1B/DH

9. Pen depth

10. OF depth

[dgalehouse]

It's an educated guess, based on Bloom's history in Boston. He didn't spend to get a real first baseman because of Casas, and there's no reason to change now; Casas and Hosmer can handle 1B and DH, at least on a rebuild. And if there's one position Bloom loves to avoid big costs, it's the bullpen. He'll find a few decent guys cheap, and blow small bills on handfuls of others.

 

But even if there ever comes a time when it's deemed as right to "go for it," does anyone ever see Bloom winning a bidding war with, say the Mets, for an Edwin Diaz?

 

I think not spending big on the bullpen is part of the analytics creed. Most folks who are really into analytics subscribe to this. Bloom would certainly be in that category.

[moonslav59]

I think not spending big on the bullpen is part of the analytics creed. Most folks who are really into analytics subscribe to this. Bloom would certainly be in that category.

 

But the plan is to find a cheap but good closer and set-up- maybe via trade.

[notin]

I think not spending big on the bullpen is part of the analytics creed. Most folks who are really into analytics subscribe to this. Bloom would certainly be in that category.

 

The analytics actually do dictate spending on the bullpen, or at least having good relievers ready to handle more impactful situations in game, typically denoted by the WPa. They do not emphasize spending big on a closer, as very often the most critical moments are not in the 9th inning.

 

It makes sense, as the bigger and more important moments are dictated by the hitter and runners on base, not by the inning…

[dgalehouse]

But the plan is to find a cheap but good closer and set-up- maybe via trade.

 

Baseball is entertainment. And the Mets have a good thing going. Diaz enters the game to the blare of trumpets and the crowd is really into it. They are having a great time at Citi Field. And they are one of the favorites to win it all this year.

[moonslav59]

Baseball is entertainment. And the Mets have a good thing going. Diaz enters the game to the blare of trumpets and the crowd is really into it. They are having a great time at Citi Field. And they are one of the favorites to win it all this year.

 

No doubt. It was also fun as all hell to watch the low cost Uehara mow down batter after batter like no Sox RP'er had ever done before.

 

It won't be easy finding someone even close to Koji, but I think that is the type of initial closer profile we are seeking.

[Bellhorn04]

Baseball is entertainment. And the Mets have a good thing going. Diaz enters the game to the blare of trumpets and the crowd is really into it. They are having a great time at Citi Field. And they are one of the favorites to win it all this year.

 

And if they don't win it all this year, it'll be 36 years and counting since their last title, and there will be lots of moaning and groaning.

 

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

[notin]

Baseball is entertainment. And the Mets have a good thing going. Diaz enters the game to the blare of trumpets and the crowd is really into it. They are having a great time at Citi Field. And they are one of the favorites to win it all this year.

 

 

Diaz certainly contributes, but he’s useless if the 9 guys on the field can’t get him a late lead…

[dgalehouse]

And if they don't win it all this year, it'll be 36 years and counting since their last title, and there will be lots of moaning and groaning.

 

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

 

Their fans were ecstatic in 1986. On the other hand , I was in total despair. Things have sure changed since then. Now , the Mets have a new owner , new GM and a whole new winning attitude. And Diaz is a big part of it.

[dgalehouse]

Diaz certainly contributes, but he’s useless if the 9 guys on the field can’t get him a late lead…

 

That's true , but you could probably say something like that about anybody . A team game for sure. Diaz is a very big part of it.

[Old Red]

Everybody still happy with their vote?

[Bellhorn04]

Everybody still happy with their vote?

 

My vote was just OK. I'm fine with that.

[Old Red]

My vote was just OK. I'm fine with that.

 

I guess all the bashing, and support Bloom has gotten on here doesn’t matter in the long run. It only matters what JH thinks.

[mvp 78]

Everybody still happy with their vote?

 

Yup, last place in 2020, ALCS in 2021, last place in 2022 = just ok in my book since he hasn’t wrecked the long term future of the club to get the bad results.

[Oscars]

Bloom built a terrible roster for 2022, with stiffs at 1st base, a right fielder with a salami bat, and a woefully incompetent bullpen.

Bloom deserves a lot of heat for this years team.

[notin]

I guess all the bashing, and support Bloom has gotten on here doesn’t matter in the long run. It only matters what JH thinks.

 

Did you ever for even a millisecond think differently?

[Old Red]

Did you ever for even a millisecond think differently?

 

No, but JH does have Rabbit Ears.

[moonslav59]

Bloom built a terrible roster for 2022, with stiffs at 1st base, a right fielder with a salami bat, and a woefully incompetent bullpen.

Bloom deserves a lot of heat for this years team.

 

Other than JBJ, his additions to a winning team were pretty good.

 

Wacha>Perez

Hill> Richards

Schreiber> Ottavino

Story>Marwin

Strahm>Andriese

Refsnyder>Santana

 

Renfroe>>>> JBJ

 

It was the carry over roster that s*** the bed (Sale, Nate, JD, Dalbec, Dugo, Barnes, the kid pitchers and to some extent Bogey and lately, Devers.)

 

Blame Bloom for not trading all the returning vets, if you want, but I get a snaeky suspicion, he'd have been bashed more for trying that, last winter.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Other than JBJ, his additions to a winning team were pretty good.

 

Wacha>Perez

Hill> Richards

Schreiber> Ottavino

Story>Marwin

Strahm>Andriese

Refsnyder>Santana

 

Renfroe>>>> JBJ

 

It was the carry over roster that s*** the bed (Sale, Nate, JD, Dalbec, Dugo, Barnes, the kid pitchers and to some extent Bogey and lately, Devers.)

 

Blame Bloom for not trading all the returning vets, if you want, but I get a snaeky suspicion, he'd have been bashed more for trying that, last winter.

 

The two veteran starters added last winter were definitely better than the two you listed that left. But some of the other match-ups are a stretch, since guys like Marwin, Andreise and Santana didn't even last the season last season. You've made other posts that Story effectively replaced Renfroe, right?

 

Plus, you left out Diekman, and that Robles replaced Robles, and the fact that Bloom didn't replace a league-leading home run hitter he didn't even try to resign.

 

Most of the additions you listed have been ok, except for 10-1 Wacha, this year's unexpected star. But with all the money coming off the books, the Sox are primed to add legitimate All-Star players and not just another handful of mediocre acquisitions (and that counts Story, a decent contributor, albeit with a 30% K-rate).

[notin]

No, but JH does have Rabbit Ears.

 

He pays attention to TV ratings and attendance numbers.

 

He doesn’t know this site exists and wouldn’t (also, shouldn’t) care about what we had to say even if he did…

[Hugh2]

Other than JBJ, his additions to a winning team were pretty good.

 

Wacha>Perez

Hill> Richards

Schreiber> Ottavino

Story>Marwin

Strahm>Andriese

Refsnyder>Santana

 

Renfroe>>>> JBJ

 

It was the carry over roster that s*** the bed (Sale, Nate, JD, Dalbec, Dugo, Barnes, the kid pitchers and to some extent Bogey and lately, Devers.)

 

Blame Bloom for not trading all the returning vets, if you want, but I get a snaeky suspicion, he'd have been bashed more for trying that, last winter.

 

Oh you better believe he'd be bashed for trading JD and Eovaldi. That would have been a clear sign of giving up. Unfortunately, Bloom is in a "damned if you do damned if you don't seat" maybe it's deserving, maybe it's not. If the Sox bounces back with a 95 win season next year his seat is going to cool down a lot, but at this point here's going to be a very vocal crowd of Bostonians that will always dislike him no matter what he does now. That's just the nature of fans.

[moonslav59]

The two veteran starters added last winter were definitely better than the two you listed that left. But some of the other match-ups are a stretch, since guys like Marwin, Andreise and Santana didn't even last the season last season. You've made other posts that Story effectively replaced Renfroe, right?

 

Plus, you left out Diekman, and that Robles replaced Robles, and the fact that Bloom didn't replace a league-leading home run hitter he didn't even try to resign.

 

Most of the additions you listed have been ok, except for 10-1 Wacha, this year's unexpected star. But with all the money coming off the books, the Sox are primed to add legitimate All-Star players and not just another handful of mediocre acquisitions (and that counts Story, a decent contributor, albeit with a 30% K-rate).

 

Marwin was 9th in PAs, last year, despite being dumped. He was 7th in PAs in April & May.

 

Refsnyder has 2 more PAs than Santana had.

 

The fact that they did not last the season does not mean they didn't suck. They sucked so badly, they were dumped.

 

Yes, Story's bat was supposed to replace Renfroe's, so if you want to flip Story for JBJ, the scorecard barely changes.

 

To me, Bloom's off season moves were a net plus. It was the returning vets and injuries that killed this team. I find it harder, but not impossible, to lay all or most of the blame on Bloom for that.

 

Yes, I left out Diekman, I had listed him and then edited my post to put in Schreiber, who I had forgotten. (BTW, Diekman did not last the season, like the guys you did not want to count- like Marwin & Andriese.)

 

OK:

 

2021 Robles> 2022 Robles

Rios> Diekman

.

Edited September 1, 2022 by moonslav59