Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[notin]

like I have said many times on here Henry approves just enough signings for the team to remain in the mushy middle. to date other than the yankees who are not finished none of the the ther AL East teams have done anting either. Blue Jay fans are just as upset as Sox fans

 

I’ve been saying basically that for weeks, but with more typos…

[Bellhorn04]

I think they’ll make some moves - some that look detrimental and some that look good (but will be disparaged anyway). And I think they weren’t as far from the post season as many want to believe last year.

 

They were 11 games out of a Wild Card spot last year. No one can really argue that one way or the other. It's a numerical fact.

[Old Red]

If anyone is truly confident the Sox are going to make a flurry of moves that will make them good bets to make the playoffs, my hat's off to their optimism.

 

I’m not that confident, but I guess I’m not as bummed out as some, because I didn’t think the Red Sox would sign any of the top high priced FA anyway. It there was a sham it was meeting with the Yam Man. They didn’t get a second meeting like the Yankees, and Mets did.

[notin]

They were 11 games out of a Wild Card spot last year. No one can really argue that one way or the other. It's a numerical fact.

 

Most of that happened after the trade deadline when the trans in the running bolstered themselves and the Sox handed Luis Urias a white flag.

 

They were 3 games out at the deadline, yes or no?

[Randy Red Sox]

Most of that happened after the trade deadline when the trans in the running bolstered themselves and the Sox handed Luis Urias a white flag.

 

They were 3 games out at the deadline, yes or no?

 

season doesnt end at the deadline but no-one told Chaim that i guess

[moonslav59]

Yoshida came to Boston for his age 29 season and posted an OPS+ of 109.

 

Hideki Matsui came to NY for his age 29 season and posted an OPS+ of 109.

 

For the next 7 seasons, Matsui would post an OPS+ of 126. Did anyone see that coming after Godzilla’s first uninspiring year?

 

No, and that is likely a very rare case.

 

I do think he'll do better, but not great like Godzilla great.

[moonslav59]

And I have this weird feeling that nothing big is going to happen.

 

It does seem that way, despite all these statements like, "We need to trim salary first, then...[we will make you an offer.]"

 

The Sox might be one reason the best pitchers remaining have not signed, yet. They are waiting for Jansen or Yoshi to be traded. Then, I woke up.

[moonslav59]

Even with the $19 mill on Giolito, Breslow's other moves, especially trading Sale and Verdugo, pretty much offset that cost. And by today's standards Giolito's contract is dirt cheap.

 

It's all part of the great sham.

 

Try to do just enough to fool the fans into thinking you are trying to win. Another one year deal based on hopes of a bounceback.

 

Sound familiar?

[moonslav59]

And that’s the story you’d tell if you were in his place as opposed to the first one, right?

 

I'm not sure what "not losing last place" means. It kinda sounds like winning last place.

 

It does seem very much like the Sox are favored to "not lose" last place.

 

We have not replaced JT or Duvall. O'Neill for Dugo is close to a push. Grissom looks to be a plus, and some kids stepping up their game should probably happen, but Giolito did not come close to fixing our rotation, and is a big question, himself.

 

I realize other teams lost players and have not equaled their losses with additions, but...

 

BAL has so many really good young players, with more coming up, soon, and some are nearing their prime years.

TBR never goes away. They can lose really big players and never seem to miss a beat.

NYY gets Rodon back. It's like they just signed him.

TOR seems to have lost the most, but I think they have money to spend and will add Snell, Monty or Imanaga plus maybe more.

 

Maybe, someday I will flip a switch towards optimism, but that day seems far away.

 

[/b.]

[notin]

I'm not sure what "not losing last place" means. It kinda sounds like winning last place.

 

It does seem very much like the Sox are favored to "not lose" last place.

 

We have not replaced JT or Duvall. O'Neill for Dugo is close to a push. Grissom looks to be a plus, and some kids stepping up their game should probably happen, but Giolito did not come close to fixing our rotation, and is a big question, himself.

 

I realize other teams lost players and have not equaled their losses with additions, but...

 

BAL has so many really good young players, with more coming up, soon, and some are nearing their prime years.

TBR never goes away. They can lose really big players and never seem to miss a beat.

NYY gets Rodon back. It's like they just signed him.

TOR seems to have lost the most, but I think they have money to spend and will add Snell, Monty or Imanaga plus maybe more.

 

Maybe, someday I will flip a switch towards optimism, but that day seems far away.

 

 

 

 

No idea what you’re talking about except:

 

1) so you clearly agree no one else in the AL East has done anything. Toronto apparently gets points for future moves they haven’t made yet, but in the meantime, why are you simply not acknowledging they’ve spent less on free agents than Boston despite being praised for their cash, and so far their big lineup changes are replacing Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Cavan Biggio.

 

2) that comment referred to Bellhorn’s anticipated commentary from Biggio, involving him likely saying most teams haven’t done very much (true), there are still opportunities to improve (also true) and the Sox are trying like hell (debatable, but not patently false)…

[Old Red]

I'm not sure what "not losing last place" means. It kinda sounds like winning last place.

 

It does seem very much like the Sox are favored to "not lose" last place.

 

We have not replaced JT or Duvall. O'Neill for Dugo is close to a push. Grissom looks to be a plus, and some kids stepping up their game should probably happen, but Giolito did not come close to fixing our rotation, and is a big question, himself.

 

I realize other teams lost players and have not equaled their losses with additions, but...

 

BAL has so many really good young players, with more coming up, soon, and some are nearing their prime years.

TBR never goes away. They can lose really big players and never seem to miss a beat.

NYY gets Rodon back. It's like they just signed him.

TOR seems to have lost the most, but I think they have money to spend and will add Snell, Monty or Imanaga plus maybe more.

 

Maybe, someday I will flip a switch towards optimism, but that day seems far away.

 

[/b.]

 

Ah, answering my post again though someone else again, which you said you wouldn’t do. That’s a sham. Not losing last place means nothing, but a a losing last place in a Div team means everything.

[moonslav59]

Thus spoke MLBTR...

 

Six teams in on Ryan Brasier.

 

Why can't we ever be in on studs like him?

[Old Red]

No idea what you’re talking about except:

 

1) so you clearly agree no one else in the AL East has done anything. Toronto apparently gets points for future moves they haven’t made yet, but in the meantime, why are you simply not acknowledging they’ve spent less on free agents than Boston despite being praised for their cash, and so far their big lineup changes are replacing Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Cavan Biggio.

 

2) that comment referred to Bellhorn’s anticipated commentary from Biggio, involving him likely saying most teams haven’t done very much (true), there are still opportunities to improve (also true) and the Sox are trying like hell (debatable, but not patently false)…

 

Once again all these other Div teams don’t have to do as much as the Red Sox do. They have all finished ahead of the Red Sox the last two years. I’m glad the Yankees haven’t done anything to improve. I guess Soto doesn’t count. Dugy will help them too.

[moonslav59]

No idea what you’re talking about except:

 

1) so you clearly agree no one else in the AL East has done anything. Toronto apparently gets points for future moves they haven’t made yet, but in the meantime, why are you simply not acknowledging they’ve spent less on free agents than Boston despite being praised for their cash, and so far their big lineup changes are replacing Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Cavan Biggio.

 

2) that comment referred to Bellhorn’s anticipated commentary from Biggio, involving him likely saying most teams haven’t done very much (true), there are still opportunities to improve (also true) and the Sox are trying like hell (debatable, but not patently false)…

 

Yea, that was kinda bogus mentioning TOR might add some, later, but I did mention they "lost the most," so maybe they might be faves for 5th place, right now- or co-faves.

[notin]

I'm not sure what "not losing last place" means. It kinda sounds like winning last place.

 

It does seem very much like the Sox are favored to "not lose" last place.

 

We have not replaced JT or Duvall. O'Neill for Dugo is close to a push. Grissom looks to be a plus, and some kids stepping up their game should probably happen, but Giolito did not come close to fixing our rotation, and is a big question, himself.

 

I realize other teams lost players and have not equaled their losses with additions, but...

 

BAL has so many really good young players, with more coming up, soon, and some are nearing their prime years.

TBR never goes away. They can lose really big players and never seem to miss a beat.

NYY gets Rodon back. It's like they just signed him.

TOR seems to have lost the most, but I think they have money to spend and will add Snell, Monty or Imanaga plus maybe more.

 

Maybe, someday I will flip a switch towards optimism, but that day seems far away.

 

 

 

And Carlos Rodon is the Yankee Savior? (I mean, Juan Soto?)

 

In 9 MLB season, Carlos Rodon has 911 IP. History STRONGLY suggests a very predictable season outcome. Rodon makes Chris Sale look like Hoss Radbourne…

[moonslav59]

And Carlos Rodon is the Yankee Savior? (I mean, Juan Soto?)

 

In 9 MLB season, Carlos Rodon has 911 IP. History STRONGLY suggests a very predictable season outcome. Rodon makes Chris Sale look like Hoss Radbourne…

 

Who is Juan Soto?

 

LOL.

 

[Bellhorn04]

And Carlos Rodon is the Yankee Savior? (I mean, Juan Soto?)

 

In 9 MLB season, Carlos Rodon has 911 IP. History STRONGLY suggests a very predictable season outcome. Rodon makes Chris Sale look like Hoss Radbourne…

 

Soto and Verdugo should add 6-7 wins.

 

Yanks are rumored to be in on Snell and/or Cease.

 

Yanks also have a massive payroll budget for 2024, apparently. They offered Moto 10/300. Hal has had enough f'king around.

[notin]

Soto and Verdugo should add 6-7 wins.

 

Yanks are rumored to be in on Snell and/or Cease.

 

Yanks also have a massive payroll budget for 2024, apparently. They offered Moto 10/300. Hal has had enough f'king around.

 

 

Yankees being rumored = positive.

 

Sox being rumored = “interest kings”.

 

Let me know when the Yankees sign someone. Did you know so far the Yankees have spent the same amount on free agents as you have?

[notin]

Who is Juan Soto?

 

LOL.

 

 

The guy who won the AL MVP in 2024…

[Bellhorn04]

Yankees being rumored = positive.

 

Sox being rumored = “interest kings”.

 

The Sox reputation precedes them now, as the saying goes.

 

Look, I'm arguing with you, but at the same time I admire your positivity, and I hope you're the one who turns out to be right.

[Old Red]

The Sox reputation precedes them now, as the saying goes.

 

Look, I'm arguing with you, but at the same time I admire your positivity, and I hope you're the one who turns out to be right.

 

The Royals have come out, and said they are going for the Div as weak as it is. Outside of Tom saying full throttle have the Red Sox said what they are going for?

[jad]

The Royals have come out, and said they are going for the Div as weak as it is. Outside of Tom saying full throttle have the Red Sox said what they are going for?

 

Better profits; lower overhead.

[Old Red]

Yankees being rumored = positive.

 

Sox being rumored = “interest kings”.

 

Let me know when the Yankees sign someone. Did you know so far the Yankees have spent the same amount on free agents as you have?

 

If rumors were actualities the Red Sox would a whole different team right now, but they are not, and the Red Sox don’t have a whole different team.🤭

[dgalehouse]

The fact remains, that with three wild cards, it doesn't take all that much to gain entry to the crapshoot playoffs. You don't have to have a great team to do it. There is still time to add pitching. And there are some good ones still out there , most notably Snell. Don't throw in the towel at this point.

[moonslav59]

The Sox reputation precedes them now, as the saying goes.

 

Look, I'm arguing with you, but at the same time I admire your positivity, and I hope you're the one who turns out to be right.

 

Me, too, and there is still time to make some additions, maybe some quite significant ones.

 

So far:

 

Lost:

Turner (626/.800)

Dugo (602/.745)

Duvall (353/.834)

Urias (109/.698)

Sale (103 IP/4.30 ERA)

Paxton (96 IP/4.50 ERA)

 

Kike (323 PAs/.599 OPS)

Arroyo (206/.638)

Chang (112/.552)

Tapia (97/.701)

Mondesi (None)

Kluber (55 IP/7.04 ERA)

Brasier (21/7.29)

Bleier (31/5.28)

plus a bunch of minor leaguers who saw some ML time.

 

Additions:

Giolito

O'Neill

Campbell

Slaten

Fitts

M Castillo

C Criswell

Weissert

plus some minor leaguers who may get MLB time (Olivares, Benitez, R Perez, M Contreras, J Westbrook and more...)

 

This is not the overhaul I'd hoped for, but maybe more is to come, shortly.

 

[notin]

The fact remains, that with three wild cards, it doesn't take all that much to gain entry to the crapshoot playoffs. You don't have to have a great team to do it. There is still time to add pitching. And there are some good ones still out there , most notably Snell. Don't throw in the towel at this point.

 

Really last year’s Red Sox team posted similar stats to the NL-pennant winning Diamondbacks in both pitching and hitting.

 

Also in wins.

 

I ageee with dgalehouse. Too early to give up. I have my thoughts on how the Sox could/should improve. Breslow will follow none of them (which, to be honest, is probably the right course). And I’m still on board that the jump of 78 wins to 88 wins isn’t necessarily as big as one thinks…

[Old Red]

The fact remains, that with three wild cards, it doesn't take all that much to gain entry to the crapshoot playoffs. You don't have to have a great team to do it. There is still time to add pitching. And there are some good ones still out there , most notably Snell. Don't throw in the towel at this point.

 

I’ve been saying all offseason to let’s see what the 26 man looks like on March 28.

[moonslav59]

The fact remains, that with three wild cards, it doesn't take all that much to gain entry to the crapshoot playoffs. You don't have to have a great team to do it. There is still time to add pitching. And there are some good ones still out there , most notably Snell. Don't throw in the towel at this point.

 

I'm thinking we have less than 1% chance at landing Snell.

Less than 25% at landing Monty.

Less than 40% at Imanaga or Stroman.

If you add all these up, maybe we have a 50% or better at landing one of these 4.

 

Then, maybe 50% at landing Teoscar or Duvall.

 

Maybe less that 50% at adding another SP'er, assuming we get a top 4, like Paxton or Ryu.

 

I might be overly generous with these numbers.

[notin]

I’ve been saying all offseason to let’s see what the 26 man looks like on March 28.

 

A rare moment where you and I agree…

[moonslav59]

Really last year’s Red Sox team posted similar stats to the NL-pennant winning Diamondbacks in both pitching and hitting.

 

Also in wins.

 

I ageee with dgalehouse. Too early to give up. I have my thoughts on how the Sox could/should improve. Breslow will follow none of them (which, to be honest, is probably the right course). And I’m still on board that the jump of 78 wins to 88 wins isn’t necessarily as big as one thinks…

 

It's not, but normally, that happens when the team looks like it improved on paper- not always, but usually.

 

Yes, the winter moves are not over. I'm not broken up over losing Sale, Dugo and Urias. (I expected the last two might happen.)

 

Losing JT and Duvall is pretty significant, and maybe O'Neill and Grissom can make up for that (or upticks from more players than not.)

 

Losing Sale and Paxton may seem like a plus, but their GS'd ranked 4th and 5th and 39 GS is almost 1/4th the total. Giolito is known for starting 30+ games a year, so that comes close to matching the 39 GS lost and 199 IP, too.

 

The rest of the players lost look to be addition by subtraction, and our depth looks good enough, so we can expect improving on their numbers.

 

About 200 PAs by Urias and Tapia at .700.

About 650+ PAs of sub .640 OPS by the others lost, combined.

Kluber, Bleier, Llovera, Ort, Brasier and others combined for a putrid 150+ IP.

Hopefully, we see just 0-5 IP from the likes of Jacques, but there is no guarantee Campbell, Criswell, Mata, Slaten, and others do better. How well will Schreiber and Bernardino do? Were they just "flashes?" Hell, soxprospects has Wink starting in AAA, so that is a sign our pitching depth is pretty good, but again, to me it looks a lot like we are repeating the quantity over quality plan, over and over, with the same results.

 

Maybe as spring approaches my optimism will return, but I think I'll need a big boost or two with some significant additions by then.