A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Nick]

Yes, you could call it Bloom's Last Stand or Bloom's Revenge . It would feature comments on why Devers was traded for Bogaert's return from SD.

 

I think we dodged the bullet with Xander signing. It's business. How excited am I to be a Padres fan knowing we're year 1 of 10+ year deals of Xander and Machado? I can't wait until they're 40. Oh boy.

 

And Borass will demand $40M for Soto.

 

You chose very unwisely, Padres.

 

They should have extended Soto and passed on Xander.

Edited July 3, 2023 by Nick

[Hugh2]

I think we dodged the bullet with Xander signing. It's business. How excited am I to be a Padres fan knowing we're year 1 of 10+ year deals of Xander and Machado? I can't wait until they're 40. Oh boy.

 

And Borass will demand $40M for Soto.

 

You chose very unwisely, Padres.

 

They should have extended Soto and passed on Xander.

 

The back half of the Xander deal is going to be very ugly, but I don't think he's fallen off the wall here and now, I think he's just in a bad slump.

[Nick]

The back half of the Xander deal is going to be very ugly, but I don't think he's fallen off the wall here and now, I think he's just in a bad slump.

 

Many here would disagree, but Devers was a bigger priority for Bloom.

 

With Story and Mayer on the horizon, and the third base occupied by Devers, why would we sign Xander to a 10 year deal?

 

How many Sox fans dropped off because of it?

 

Being a baseball fan today means your favorite Sox many not be a Sox forever. Those days are gone.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Many here would disagree, but Devers was a bigger priority for Bloom.

 

With Story and Mayer on the horizon, and the third base occupied by Devers, why would we sign Xander to a 10 year deal?

 

How many Sox fans dropped off because of it?

 

Being a baseball fan today means your favorite Sox many not be a Sox forever. Those days are gone.

 

The problem with your first statement is that Bloom himself said that signing Bogaerts was his priority. And of course we all believe Chaim -- he's the Chief!

 

Of course, I agree with the rest of your post -- sadly...

 

... and, going back to Bellhorn's post about the trade deadline: Jansen's the Sox' lone All-Star, and seems like a good guy and a team leader -- but don't all those attributes make him one of the few players who could bring back an actually decent prospect in a deal?

 

"We would be remiss as an organization," replied Bloom, "if we didn't explore all options, to improve the upside of our ballclub, for the present and the future... because those who forget the past got to change your evil ways, baby... with Jean and Joan, and a who knows who."

[moonslav59]

Ever the optimist. At least you don't give up.

 

Sadly, I was one of the first to give up, last year.

[Bellhorn04]

Sadly, I was one of the first to give up, last year.

 

We all used to be able to give up a lot earlier, before they added all these damn wild cards.

[Nick]

The problem with your first statement is that Bloom himself said that signing Bogaerts was his priority. And of course we all believe Chaim -- he's the Chief!

 

Of course, I agree with the rest of your post -- sadly...

 

... and, going back to Bellhorn's post about the trade deadline: Jansen's the Sox' lone All-Star, and seems like a good guy and a team leader -- but don't all those attributes make him one of the few players who could bring back an actually decent prospect in a deal?

 

"We would be remiss as an organization," replied Bloom, "if we didn't explore all options, to improve the upside of our ballclub, for the present and the future... because those who forget the past got to change your evil ways, baby... with Jean and Joan, and a who knows who."

 

I'm bit skeptical of these All Star selections. So many teams with one selection and my guess is certain positions are more open than others. Devers and Verdugo deserves just as much as Jansen. Same goes for Bello.

[Nick]

Ok, someone mentioned Perez is #3 starter for the Rangers. They are getting blitzed by the Astros 10-5.

 

Perez lasted 1 1/3 innings today. Giving up 6 hits, 6 earned runs on 3 dingers.

 

You think the Rangers are concerned about Paxton's health?

 

They invested $500M last year between Seager and Semien.

 

They paid out $185M contract to deGrom this year.

 

It's now or never type of the year for the Rangers.

 

They would love to have Big Maple in Big Texas.

 

We should get a young starting arm....they have enough of it.

 

The Rangers are $5M+ under the cap. We're on the hook for $4M on Paxton. Hell we can pay 100% of his salary if that helps. Bloom is just that kind of a guy. How enticing is that for the Rangers? Get a quality #3 pitcher and stay under the cap. They have plethora of young arms.

 

It's a no brainer.

Edited July 3, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

The problem with your first statement is that Bloom himself said that signing Bogaerts was his priority. And of course we all believe Chaim -- he's the Chief!

 

Of course, I agree with the rest of your post -- sadly...

 

... and, going back to Bellhorn's post about the trade deadline: Jansen's the Sox' lone All-Star, and seems like a good guy and a team leader -- but don't all those attributes make him one of the few players who could bring back an actually decent prospect in a deal?

 

"We would be remiss as an organization," replied Bloom, "if we didn't explore all options, to improve the upside of our ballclub, for the present and the future... because those who forget the past got to change your evil ways, baby... with Jean and Joan, and a who knows who."

 

Not to nitpick, but yes, Bloom said Xander was a priority. But I'm saying that I think Bloom knew Devers was the bigger priority.

 

And Bloom has said many things that hasn't come true. Not saying he's a liar. He believes in certain things, but he's often wrong.

[notin]

Ok, someone mentioned Perez is #3 starter for the Rangers. They are getting blitzed by the Astros 10-5.

 

Perez lasted 1 1/3 innings today. Giving up 6 hits, 6 earned runs on 3 dingers.

 

You think the Rangers are concerned about Paxton's health?

 

They invested $500M last year between Seager and Semien.

 

They paid out $185M contract to deGrom this year.

 

It's now or never type of the year for the Rangers.

 

They would love to have Big Maple in Big Texas.

 

We should get a young starting arm....they have enough of it.

 

The Rangers are $5M+ under the cap. We're on the hook for $4M on Paxton. Hell we can pay 100% of his salary if that helps. Bloom is just that kind of a guy. How enticing is that for the Rangers? Get a quality #3 pitcher and stay under the cap. They have plethora of young arms.

 

It's a no brainer.

 

Per BTV, Paxton would be worth former Vanderbilt RHSP Kumar Rocker (3.86 ERA in A+ this year) or 18yo OF Anthony Gutierrez (.931 OPS in Rookie Ball/ .573 OPS in A ball), assuming no money changes hands.

 

Including $2mill equates to RHP Brock Porter. Including all $4mill equates to former Vanderbilt RHSP Jack Leiter. I don’t see that one happening.

 

I could maybe see Rocker. Porter feels like a stretch. Leiter is a pipe dream…

[vegasbob]

I'm bit skeptical of these All Star selections. So many teams with one selection and my guess is certain positions are more open than others. Devers and Verdugo deserves just as much as Jansen. Same goes for Bello.

 

With the A-S game in Seattle , I am actually glad that no player other than Jansen will have to make that trip . Note that the following week's schedule includes a trip to Chicago Cubs and Oakland. Then near end of July another trip out to San Francisco and Seattle. Stay home and get rested, babies born, bats turned on a lathe , gloves oiled, etc . Be ready to rip off a 10 game win streak.

[notin]

Not to nitpick, but yes, Bloom said Xander was a priority. But I'm saying that I think Bloom knew Devers was the bigger priority.

 

And Bloom has said many things that hasn't come true. Not saying he's a liar. He believes in certain things, but he's often wrong.

 

There’s a lot of criticism for “Bloom said this” and “Bloom said that” and a lot of fans getting riled because he didn’t match their interpretation of his actions. But who was the last GM the Sox had who said anything at all?

 

I always assumed most GMs kept quiet to keep from being scooped by rival GMs. I get now it’s to avoid criticism from fans…

[dgalehouse]

Assigning a number to each of your starting pitchers is meaningless. ( Freddy Fargo is our # 3 starter, but he might be a #2 , etc.) Your rotation has five starters . They will each pitch in sequence. During the season , all of that will be scrambled several times. There is no point in numbering them.

[vegasbob]

Ok, someone mentioned Perez is #3 starter for the Rangers. They are getting blitzed by the Astros 10-5.

 

Perez lasted 1 1/3 innings today. Giving up 6 hits, 6 earned runs on 3 dingers.

 

You think the Rangers are concerned about Paxton's health?

 

They invested $500M last year between Seager and Semien.

 

They paid out $185M contract to deGrom this year.

 

It's now or never type of the year for the Rangers.

 

They would love to have Big Maple in Big Texas.

 

We should get a young starting arm....they have enough of it.

 

The Rangers are $5M+ under the cap. We're on the hook for $4M on Paxton. Hell we can pay 100% of his salary if that helps. Bloom is just that kind of a guy. How enticing is that for the Rangers? Get a quality #3 pitcher and stay under the cap. They have plethora of young arms.

 

It's a no brainer.

 

FWIW, the Rangers evened up the game at 10-10 in the 7th. These are the guys in Fenway tomorrow afternoon. Maybe they will be arm weary from swinging the bat so much

[Nick]

The are paying Perez $18M.

That sounds like #3 to me.

 

Just kidding.

[Nick]

FWIW, the Rangers evened up the game at 10-10 in the 7th. These are the guys in Fenway tomorrow afternoon. Maybe they will be arm weary from swinging the bat so much

 

We might as well play good teams.

 

We suck vs bad teams.

[Nick]

Rangers go up 11-10 in bottom of 8th.

 

Houston goes ahead 12-11 in top of 9th.

 

Looks like Texas could use a closer. Lol

Edited July 3, 2023 by Nick

[notin]

Rangers go up 11-10 in bottom of 8th.

 

Houston goes ahead 12-11 in top of 9th.

 

Looks like Texas could use a closer. Lol

 

Most likely they will just use Chapman there.

 

Today Chapman faced the 9-1-2 hitters and Smith faced 3-4-5, etc. Expect those roles to reverse at some point…

[Nick]

Most likely they will just use Chapman there.

 

Today Chapman faced the 9-1-2 hitters and Smith faced 3-4-5, etc. Expect those roles to reverse at some point…

 

I was curious about that. Smith looks hittable.

[moonslav59]

We all used to be able to give up a lot earlier, before they added all these damn wild cards.

 

After losing 9 of 10 key games, last July, my gut was convinced it was over.

[moonslav59]

The are paying Perez $18M.

That sounds like #3 to me.

 

Just kidding.

 

Javier's ERA went from 3.72 to 4.34 after letting up 8 runs.

[Nick]

Not to be the Rain Man......

 

23-28 CC Wong

23-28 1B Casas

23-28 2B Story

??-?? SS ????

23-33 3B Devers

23-27 LF Yoshida

23-28 CF Duran

23-24 RF Verdugo

23-23 DH Turner

 

I think it's incredible that 5 of 9 positions have players under team control for 6 years, through 2028. 1 player (Yoshida) is under team control for 5 years (23-27). Another player, Verdugo is under team control for 2 years (2-24) and he maybe extended.

 

We just need to fill SS, DH and RF (it maybe Verdugo).

 

To me, we're closer than we think.

 

Work needs to be done with our starting rotation. We may need a witch doctor more than anything else.

Edited July 3, 2023 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Not to be the Rain Man......

 

23-28 CC Wong

23-28 1B Casas

23-28 2B Story

??-?? SS ????

23-33 3B Devers

23-27 LF Yoshida

23-28 CF Duran

23-24 RF Verdugo

23-23 DH Turner

 

I think it's incredible that 5 of 9 positions have players under team control for 6 years, through 2028. 1 player (Yoshida) is under team control for 5 years (23-27). Another player, Verdugo is under team control for 2 years (2-24) and he maybe extended.

 

We just need to fill SS, DH and RF (it maybe Verdugo).

 

To me, we're closer than we think.

 

Work needs to be done with our starting rotation. We may need a witch doctor more than anything else.

 

Turner will be back in 2024, IMO.

[vegasbob]

Agree that Turner will be back if in good health because he also covers 2 fielding positions if needed.

 

The elephant in the room is the starting rotation. Sox simply cannot count on Sale for his last year. Bloom will need to re-sign Paxton or equivalent, and add 2 legit starters via trade/FA

[notin]

Agree that Turner will be back if in good health because he also covers 2 fielding positions if needed.

 

The elephant in the room is the starting rotation. Sox simply cannot count on Sale for his last year. Bloom will need to re-sign Paxton or equivalent, and add 2 legit starters via trade/FA

 

He’ll sign Snell; he’s had him before…

[notin]

Flexen DFAd again…

[moonslav59]

Agree that Turner will be back if in good health because he also covers 2 fielding positions if needed.

 

The elephant in the room is the starting rotation. Sox simply cannot count on Sale for his last year. Bloom will need to re-sign Paxton or equivalent, and add 2 legit starters via trade/FA

 

Exactly.

 

No Kluber, Kike, Duvall and Mondesi. Add 2 solid SP'ers via FA or by trading prospects.

 

1. Duran CF

2. Devers 3B

3. Story SS

4. Yoshida LF

5. Turner DH

6. Dugo RF

7. Casas 1B

8. Chang/Arroyo/Valdez 2B

9. Wong/McGuire C

Bench: Refsnyder, Chang/Arroyo/Valdez, Wong/McGuire

 

SP1 ______

SP2 Bello

SP3 ______

SP4 Houck

SP5 Whitlock/Sale/Crawford/Pivetta

 

CL Jansen

R2 Martin

R3 Schreiber

R4 Winckowski

R5 (see SP5)

R6 (see SP5)

R7 (see SP5) or Bleier/Mata/Walter/Murphy/Drohan/Kelly/Mills

 

ML Ready on the farm:

C C Hamilton, S Scott, R Hern (Hickey?)

1B Dalbec (Jordan?)

2B Yorke (Paulino?)

3B Sogard (Meidroth/Bonaci?)

SS D Hamilton (Mayer?)

OF Rafaela, Abreu, Rosier (Lugo?)

DH Kavadas

 

Maybe we add a 2Bman, too, but to me, 2-3 solid & durable SP'ers makes us strong contenders.

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

NYY and HOU won.

BAL lost.

 

+3.0 BAL

+0.0 NYY & HOU

 

-2.0 TOR

-2.5 LAA

-4.0 BOS

-5.5 CLE & SEA

 

MIN is in 1st at 42-43

CLE -0.5 ALC

DET -4.0 ALC

CWS -5.5 ALC

 

Only OAK and KCR are more than 5.5 games behind a playoff slot in the AL!

 

BOS

-13.0 TBR

-6.0 BAL

-4.0 NYY & HOU

-2.0 TOR

-1.5 LAA

We need to pass 3 of these teams (or TEX not HOU)

 

Edited July 4, 2023 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

There’s a lot of criticism for “Bloom said this” and “Bloom said that” and a lot of fans getting riled because he didn’t match their interpretation of his actions. But who was the last GM the Sox had who said anything at all?

 

I always assumed most GMs kept quiet to keep from being scooped by rival GMs. I get now it’s to avoid criticism from fans…

 

No one is exempt. Remember when Theo said something about a "bridge" year?

 

Bloom has had a somewhat unfortunate tendency to make statements that sound like promises.

 

You're right that most GMs say nothing. Dombrowski didn't have to say anything because it was so obvious what he was doing. Here's Kimbrel, here's Price, here's Sale, here's JDM, goodbye farm...

[Nick]

I'm wondering if Rafaela would be a great utility guy until he starts someday.

 

He can fill both infield and outfield positions at a high level.