2023 Free Agents

[moonslav59]

Click has been a lot less active than Bloom. Most likely because he didn’t need to be…

 

He did have similar circumstances in terms of no large and long contracts given, but he was handed a solid 40 man roster and farm. He improved the team in his 2-3 years, there.

 

It's interesting to try and figure out which GM improved their whole team (40 man and farm + budget) by more: Bloom or Click. The starting points were vastly different.

[dgalehouse]

We have here a small, but very devoted group of Bloom fans. They like and identify with his style, especially the analytics, money ball and bargain shopping. They were happy with his hiring. Now, they will continually make excuses for him and try to spin things to his advantage. They will never agree with those who see his failures. And they will downplay or denigrate the success of other executives in order to make Bloom look better. There really is no sense arguing with these folks. Nothing will change their opinion. Results really don't matter to them as long as they like the process. They actually say things like , " finishing in last place doesn't bother me. " And so it goes.

[Old Red]

We have here a small, but very devoted group of Bloom fans. They like and identify with his style, especially the analytics, money ball and bargain shopping. They were happy with his hiring. Now, they will continually make excuses for him and try to spin things to his advantage. They will never agree with those who see his failures. And they will downplay or denigrate the success of other executives in order to make Bloom look better. There really is no sense arguing with these folks. Nothing will change their opinion. Results really don't matter to them as long as they like the process. They actually say things like , " finishing in last place doesn't bother me. " And so it goes.

 

Well said. I was against the Bloom signing on day 1, and the small sample size that this forum is is mostly pro Bloom, and have been since day 1. The here, and now, and the results is what matters most to me, but everyone is entitled to their opinions even if it takes a few years down the road to get good results, or if they never materialize.

[Hugh2]

We have here a small, but very devoted group of Bloom fans. They like and identify with his style, especially the analytics, money ball and bargain shopping. They were happy with his hiring. Now, they will continually make excuses for him and try to spin things to his advantage. They will never agree with those who see his failures. And they will downplay or denigrate the success of other executives in order to make Bloom look better. There really is no sense arguing with these folks. Nothing will change their opinion. Results really don't matter to them as long as they like the process. They actually say things like , " finishing in last place doesn't bother me. " And so it goes.

 

This is a very gross mid characterization of non-bloom haters.

[notin]

We have here a small, but very devoted group of Bloom fans. They like and identify with his style, especially the analytics, money ball and bargain shopping. They were happy with his hiring. Now, they will continually make excuses for him and try to spin things to his advantage. They will never agree with those who see his failures. And they will downplay or denigrate the success of other executives in order to make Bloom look better. There really is no sense arguing with these folks. Nothing will change their opinion. Results really don't matter to them as long as they like the process. They actually say things like , " finishing in last place doesn't bother me. " And so it goes.

 

Just remember folks, dgalehouse is one of the nicest people on here. He has to tell us that because no one would ever draw that conclusion from anything he posts.

 

And don’t worry if your think Your opinion isn’t getting across to him; he won’t read it anyway and plans on assigning you an opinion and then berating you for it. Albeit nicely…

[notin]

This is a very gross mid characterization of non-bloom haters.

 

And one he’ll repeat ad nauseum…

[Old Red]

And one he’ll repeat ad nauseum…

 

To an objective observer his observation would be spot on no doubt.

[Hugh2]

To an objective observer his observation would be spot on no doubt.

 

You’re a biased observer who shares his sentiment. Us “bloom lovers” have characterized our stance time and time again. We all disagree on s*** here but we don’t make up s*** about what the other side believes in to strengthen our position and feel better about ourselves. At least Dgale is polite about it, just because we don’t hate bloom and call for his head doesn’t mean we love him, agree with all of his moves and it CERTAINLY doesn’t mean we believe this can go on in perpetuity without any ramifications INCLUDING being fired.

 

Don’t worry…I don’t expect this to resonate with you

[Old Red]

Just remember folks, dgalehouse is one of the nicest people on here. He has to tell us that because no one would ever draw that conclusion from anything he posts.

 

And don’t worry if your think Your opinion isn’t getting across to him; he won’t read it anyway and plans on assigning you an opinion and then berating you for it. Albeit nicely…

 

One thing I like about this forum is how posters are encouraged to voice their opinions even if it doesn’t match other posters opinions. I know I’ve been encouraged in the past, and still feel encouraged every day now.

[Hugh2]

If we are just going to invent positions about other people I’d rather invent a persona about myself….seeing how we are just making crap up.

 

From now on I am lord Jedi grand master of the universe. Refer to me by my title or face my wrath.

[moonslav59]

We have here a small, but very devoted group of Bloom fans. They like and identify with his style, especially the analytics, money ball and bargain shopping. They were happy with his hiring. Now, they will continually make excuses for him and try to spin things to his advantage. They will never agree with those who see his failures. And they will downplay or denigrate the success of other executives in order to make Bloom look better. There really is no sense arguing with these folks. Nothing will change their opinion. Results really don't matter to them as long as they like the process. They actually say things like , " finishing in last place doesn't bother me. " And so it goes.

 

Great strawman you built here. You are very good at it.

[moonslav59]

To an objective observer his observation would be spot on no doubt.

 

Like you know what objective means.

 

Nobody here likes last places finishes or dumpster diving, but the budget forced the diving. That’s as objective as can be.

[dgalehouse]

Just remember folks, dgalehouse is one of the nicest people on here. He has to tell us that because no one would ever draw that conclusion from anything he posts.

 

And don’t worry if your think Your opinion isn’t getting across to him; he won’t read it anyway and plans on assigning you an opinion and then berating you for it. Albeit nicely…

 

Absolutely.

[Old Red]

Absolutely.

 

Struck some nerves, and it never takes much at all. Imagine if you give Bloom any criticism at all you are a hater, but when you PBA at the drop of a hat you’re not a lover. Only on here would you get logic like that.

Edited November 26, 2022 by Old Red

[dgalehouse]

Struck some nerves, and it never takes much at all. Imagine if you give Bloom any criticism at all you are a hater, but when you PBA at the drop of a hat you’re not a lover. Only on here would you get logic like that.

 

They get very upset at any criticism of Bloom. To me, it's not about hate. Just win, baby.

[Old Red]

They get very upset at any criticism of Bloom. To me, it's not about hate. Just win, baby.

 

Exactly! Results matter.

[Bellhorn04]

They get very upset at any criticism of Bloom. To me, it's not about hate. Just win, baby.

 

I don't see anyone getting very upset at all. You're making that part up.

[dgalehouse]

I don't see anyone getting very upset at all. You're making that part up.

 

I guess it depends on your definition of "very upset." Would " a bit testy " be more appropriate ?

[Bellhorn04]

I guess it depends on your definition of "very upset." Would " a bit testy " be more appropriate ?

 

OK, but you and Old Red can be testy too. We can all be somewhat snarky here.

 

I see people defending Bloom on some points and criticizing DD on some points, sure, but that's not the same thing as getting upset. It's just discussion and argument.

[Old Red]

I don't see anyone getting very upset at all. You're making that part up.

 

Why does the hater word have to come out when someone like Bloom is criticized? Seems a little over the top to me.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

This forum is tame compared to posters who respond online to Red Sox articles in the Boston Globe (I paid my dollar for six months). On there, both Old Red and Notin are right: a vast majority of fans want Bloom fired yesterday, and complain daily -- sometimes with humor -- with digs at him, the org, and the writers, who are, after all, employees of Henry (Globe owner)... including Shaughnessy: loathed by many, respected by most, read by all, but never censored for representing old-timers too rickety to cross another bridge year.

 

There is also a small group of regulars who always have to defend themselves for always defending Bloom... so they also exist elsewhere (unless they're the same talksox dudes under different aliases).

 

Bottom line: we all want the Sox to be good again now, and nobody is saying they're ok with a few more years in the cellar.

[Hugh2]

Why does the hater word have to come out when someone like Bloom is criticized? Seems a little over the top to me.

 

There's a difference between criticism in a healthy manner, everyone deserves it and perhaps some people deserve it more, perhaps even Bloom deserves it more. But you people or at least some of you criticize every single little thing he does. Like the man is not allowed to make any moves unless it addresses specifically what you think he should do. He can't focus on depth, a bench bat, filling out a minor league roster, or none of the stuff that every GM or director of operations in baseball do for their teams and always have done for their teams in the history of the sport. If NESN came out with a story about him tying his shoes in the morning you all be foaming at the mouth that he DARES to put his physical appearance first when the rotation is still in shambles. HOW DARE YOU BLOOM!!!! That type of criticism is not healthy, and it makes it look like it's not based on rational logical thought but rather it's an emotional response because you guys are upset your team had a bad season. Contrary to popular belief....none of us like seeing a losing season.

 

You type and come at us like we are overreacting or as you say "very upset" but I ponder if this is an indictment of how you feel. Because here is the reality, a lot can get lost in translation on a message board, sarcasm, intent, tone etc. I'm a very sarcastic, playful, fun-loving yet BLUNT person in real life. It probably comes off a bit dickish online but I suppose it is what it is. When you say you think we are very upset....it makes me wonder if you are in fact the one getting very upset and projecting your feelings onto us. It's ok....if you ever need to talk.

[Hugh2]

This forum is tame compared to posters who respond online to Red Sox articles in the Boston Globe (I paid my dollar for six months). On there, both Old Red and Notin are right: a vast majority of fans want Bloom fired yesterday, and complain daily -- sometimes with humor -- with digs at him, the org, and the writers, who are, after all, employees of Henry (Globe owner)... including Shaughnessy: loathed by many, respected by most, read by all, but never censored for representing old-timers too rickety to cross another bridge year.

 

There is also a small group of regulars who always have to defend themselves for always defending Bloom... so they also exist elsewhere (unless they're the same talksox dudes under different aliases).

 

Bottom line: we all want the Sox to be good again now, and nobody is saying they're ok with a few more years in the cellar.

 

You are probably right. Sometimes I wish we could tap into alternate universes and host a game show were we give these people control of the Red Sox and watch them bankrupt the team.......because I don't want that s*** in my universe.

[moonslav59]

Why does the hater word have to come out when someone like Bloom is criticized? Seems a little over the top to me.

 

It’s over the top saying there is a legion of Bloom lovers.

 

Those defending Bloom from the onslaught of uncontextualized bashing is not loving anymore than saying someone who disliked his signing from day one is a hater.

 

We all are somewhat guilty of exaggerating the other sides positions to varying degrees.

 

You say it’s being objective to look at just the results, but that implies those who view the context of dumpster diving and non signings is being subjective or overly defensive of our current GM.

 

Context is objective, too. Some might argue it is being more objective.

[moonslav59]

There's a difference between criticism in a healthy manner, everyone deserves it and perhaps some people deserve it more, perhaps even Bloom deserves it more. But you people or at least some of you criticize every single little thing he does. Like the man is not allowed to make any moves unless it addresses specifically what you think he should do. He can't focus on depth, a bench bat, filling out a minor league roster, or none of the stuff that every GM or director of operations in baseball do for their teams and always have done for their teams in the history of the sport. If NESN came out with a story about him tying his shoes in the morning you all be foaming at the mouth that he DARES to put his physical appearance first when the rotation is still in shambles. HOW DARE YOU BLOOM!!!! That type of criticism is not healthy, and it makes it look like it's not based on rational logical thought but rather it's an emotional response because you guys are upset your team had a bad season. Contrary to popular belief....none of us like seeing a losing season.

 

You type and come at us like we are overreacting or as you say "very upset" but I ponder if this is an indictment of how you feel. Because here is the reality, a lot can get lost in translation on a message board, sarcasm, intent, tone etc. I'm a very sarcastic, playful, fun-loving yet BLUNT person in real life. It probably comes off a bit dickish online but I suppose it is what it is. When you say you think we are very upset....it makes me wonder if you are in fact the one getting very upset and projecting your feelings onto us. It's ok....if you ever need to talk.

 

You are on one hell of a roll! Making a strong push for Poster of the Year, IMO- a fully objective opinion, I might add! Lol

[Old Red]

I don't see anyone getting very upset at all. You're making that part up.

 

Making that part up? I know what that part is all about, because someone on here said I hated Cora once, and just because I didn’t like of his cheating scandal, which I also said I wouldn’t have hired the cigar smoker with the Celtics, or the guy who wears the hoodie with the Pats, and I loved Red, so lots of guilty parties of making things up, so let’s call them all out.

Edited November 26, 2022 by Old Red

[a700hitter]

There's a difference between criticism in a healthy manner, everyone deserves it and perhaps some people deserve it more, perhaps even Bloom deserves it more. But you people or at least some of you criticize every single little thing he does. Like the man is not allowed to make any moves unless it addresses specifically what you think he should do. He can't focus on depth, a bench bat, filling out a minor league roster, or none of the stuff that every GM or director of operations in baseball do for their teams and always have done for their teams in the history of the sport. If NESN came out with a story about him tying his shoes in the morning you all be foaming at the mouth that he DARES to put his physical appearance first when the rotation is still in shambles. HOW DARE YOU BLOOM!!!! That type of criticism is not healthy, and it makes it look like it's not based on rational logical thought but rather it's an emotional response because you guys are upset your team had a bad season. Contrary to popular belief....none of us like seeing a losing season.

 

You type and come at us like we are overreacting or as you say "very upset" but I ponder if this is an indictment of how you feel. Because here is the reality, a lot can get lost in translation on a message board, sarcasm, intent, tone etc. I'm a very sarcastic, playful, fun-loving yet BLUNT person in real life. It probably comes off a bit dickish online but I suppose it is what it is. When you say you think we are very upset....it makes me wonder if you are in fact the one getting very upset and projecting your feelings onto us. It's ok....if you ever need to talk.

This is a bit hyperbolic and hyperventilating. Breath into a paper bag for a minute. No one on here criticized Blooms depth moves. They were identified for what they are— nothing moves. It seems that you cannot come to grips with the track records of Bloom and Ben Cherries (both of whom were at the helm of 2022 last place clubs) versus the laudable record of DD’s career.

[Hugh2]

This is a bit hyperbolic and hyperventilating. Breath into a paper bag for a minute. No one on here criticized Blooms depth moves. They were identified for what they are— nothing moves. It seems that you cannot come to grips with the track records of Bloom and Ben Cherries (both of whom were at the helm of 2022 last place clubs) versus the laudable record of DD’s career.

 

Didn’t realize you could decipher hyperventilating through internet posts? If anything….THAT is hyperbole. But it’s a free country, you’re free to sling mud in place of actual well structured arguments all you’d like.

 

The proof is in the pudding, they weren’t “nothing” moves they were depth moves. And some were definitely more critical than others, I don’t care enough to go back and cite, but those paying attention in here know just that.

 

Depth moves matter, every team sustains injuries during a season. Some more than others, having a 2nd or 3rd string guy that (god forbid) you have to bring up for a week or two who can field his position is valuable. Value is not nothing.

 

Also, minor league moves for guys who will probably never reach the majors holds value too. Can he field his position? Afterall, the Tristan Casas’s of the world need someone to throw to them, and the Marcelo Mayers of the world need someone to throw too. Minor league depth has value. And are those people good guys? With strong work ethics? After all these are people, young people, and who they surround themselves with can have a tremendous impact on who they develop to become.

 

We’ve all seen the finished product of what this system can develop of likes of Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Rafeal Devers, and hopefully a Tristan Casas and Brayan Bello, and hopefully Miguel Bleis and Marcelo Mayer one day. Fielding good teams with good people around those guys may hold tremendous value and may be part of the reason why guys like Devers and Bogaerts are the men, and ball players they’re today. These just aren’t developing athletes they’re developing people, of highschool and college age playing away from home.

 

These are not nothing moves, they’re just moves that don’t matter to you because you don’t see their significance. And yes, these moves were insulted far and wide across all of Sox Nation. So let’s stop with the gaslighting, I think even Red would admit many questioned these moves. I believe the term used was “dumpster diving” by many.

[Old Red]

This is a bit hyperbolic and hyperventilating. Breath into a paper bag for a minute. No one on here criticized Blooms depth moves. They were identified for what they are— nothing moves. It seems that you cannot come to grips with the track records of Bloom and Ben Cherries (both of whom were at the helm of 2022 last place clubs) versus the laudable record of DD’s career.

 

The laudable record of DD in Boston got him fired, but the track record, or should I say bad track record of Bloom in Boston gets him applauded.

[Hugh2]

Us DOBs (defenders of Bloom) are well within the gripes of that what was a Bloom and DD, and Charrington regimes. We just understand that the results of a team are the results of its roster, which typically expand across many regimes.

 

The Sox came within 2 games of a World Series last year, if they had won it, we’d have acknowledge Dave deserved at least partial credit for those teams, the same way Ben Charrington had his stamp on Dave’s teams. As a matter of fact the teams Dave won with where HEAVILY built by Ben C. Really the big move that pushed them over the edge may have been Chris Sale, it was also Dave who extended him which seems like a Bone head move now, but any ramifications from that seem to be solely on Bloom.

 

Next year, is perhaps the first year the team will be more Blooms than Daves, at least inarguably. No one denys next year is make or break. No one denys Bloom doesn’t deserve any criticism.

 

We just don’t live in a singular black and white world were everything had to be one persons fault. The world is very grey. You guys can come over to this grey are. It’s ok, you’d have to agree with us, you can keep all your same viewpoints in this grey area….you just have to admit everything isn’t black and white.