Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[notin]

Well, we do now. That's for sure. But we wasted 18 pages of posts on the fantasy of signing Chapman and moving Devers off third. It was never going to happen.

 

It’s sort of shocking how many people repeatedly complain about the FO and club performance but also immediately leap to that same FO’s defense over anyone else’s ideas.

 

There’s a lot more fantasy in thinking this team is going to go out and sign big names all stars than there is thinking they won’t go through a series of cost-conscious chess moves…

[Old Red]

It’s sort of shocking how many people repeatedly complain about the FO and club performance but also immediately leap to that same FO’s defense over anyone else’s ideas.

 

There’s a lot more fantasy in thinking this team is going to go out and sign big names all stars than there is thinking they won’t go through a series of cost-conscious chess moves…

 

What’s shocking is that you still don’t get that the Red Sox are not going to do what you want them to do. Who is leaping to the FO defense? We’re just telling you they are not going to do what you want them to do. If that is coming to the defense of the FO in your mind then so be it, but that’s not what it is. It’s just reality.

[notin]

What’s shocking is that you still don’t get that the Red Sox are not going to do what you want them to do. Who is leaping to the FO defense? We’re just telling you they are not going to do what you want them to do. If that is coming to the defense of the FO in your mind then so be it, but that’s not what it is. It’s just reality.

 

We all get that, but we all also have certain hopes for moves. If we only discuss what they are going to do, discussions are rather boring.

 

Hell we still have discussion about Betts’ departure four years later, when it’s beyond inevitable that they had no plans to keep him. How are those conversations reality?

[Old Red]

We all get that, but we all also have certain hopes for moves. If we only discuss what they are going to do, discussions are rather boring.

 

Hell we still have discussion about Betts’ departure four years later, when it’s beyond inevitable that they had no plans to keep him. How are those conversations reality?

 

As you would say not even close to the same point.

[moonslav59]

That would be a very questionable attitude from the Sox front office given how last year played out.

 

Of course at least you must then agree with me that this poor defense is really a choice to here making…

 

You are only allowed to criticize the FO on approved subjects.

[mvp 78]

It’s sort of shocking how many people repeatedly complain about the FO and club performance but also immediately leap to that same FO’s defense over anyone else’s ideas.

 

There’s a lot more fantasy in thinking this team is going to go out and sign big names all stars than there is thinking they won’t go through a series of cost-conscious chess moves…

 

Not defending FO, it just doesn’t make sense to add Chapman without moving Devers, Casas or Masa.

[moonslav59]

Not defending FO, it just doesn’t make sense to add Chapman without moving Devers, Casas or Masa.

 

If those moves improved the LF and 1B defense, maybe, but even still, that's a lot of moves to make for 1 guy's addition.

 

There are better ways to spend our limited funds.

[notin]

Not defending FO, it just doesn’t make sense to add Chapman without moving Devers, Casas or Masa.

 

Moving Yoshida back to LF undoes some of the defensive benefit. But it still looks like an overall improvement.

 

And if they move Duran for pitching - which they have tried according to MLBTR - that at least clears a path for Rafaela…

[notin]

If those moves improved the LF and 1B defense, maybe, but even still, that's a lot of moves to make for 1 guy's addition.

 

There are better ways to spend our limited funds.

 

Given that Chapman cost about the same as Giolito, are there really?

 

The Sox might go out and get Montgomery, which will be an option until he signs elsewhere, but that’s going to cost more than Chapman did.

[moonslav59]

Given that Chapman cost about the same as Giolito, are there really?

 

The Sox might go out and get Montgomery, which will be an option until he signs elsewhere, but that’s going to cost more than Chapman did.

 

I'd rather have Gio than Chapman, and the money isn't even a close match.

 

I'd rather have Monty over Chapman or Monty over Chapman & Gio.

[moonslav59]

Moving Yoshida back to LF undoes some of the defensive benefit. But it still looks like an overall improvement.

 

And if they move Duran for pitching - which they have tried according to MLBTR - that at least clears a path for Rafaela…

 

So, 3 positional changes and a trade to make room for 1 guy.

 

Why so complicated?

[notin]

So, 3 positional changes and a trade to make room for 1 guy.

 

Why so complicated?

 

Three?

 

Are you counting moving Yoshida from left field to left field as a position change?

 

One change - Devers from 3b to DH - is all it would have required. I’ve seen you suggest lineups with more position changes based on lefty-righty matchups.

 

As for Duran - not necessary, but it is something the Sox have already reportedly explored…

Edited March 2, 2024 by notin

[notin]

I'd rather have Gio than Chapman, and the money isn't even a close match.

 

I'd rather have Monty over Chapman or Monty over Chapman & Gio.

 

 

Well, Giolito makes $18mill next year but his AAV is $19.25. Chapman makes $20mill, but his AAV is $18.0mill. After that, both can opt out.

 

As for Montgomery, mixed emotions on him following suit with Chapman and Bellinger. The Sox won’t have some insane 6-7 year deal, which is nice. But most likely it would then be a one year deal…

Edited March 2, 2024 by notin

[Old Red]

Three?

 

Are you counting moving Yoshida from left field to left field as a position change?

 

One change - Devers from 3b to DH - is all it would have required. I’ve seen you suggest lineups with more position changes based on lefty-righty matchups.

 

As for Duran - not necessary, but it is something the Sox have already reportedly explored…

 

A $300M DH for the Boston Red Sox not to mention adding more payroll for the payroll strapped Sox. Wow! It was NEVER going to happen, and now it can’t happen at least for this year. WOW!🤭🙈🤭

[Old Red]

Three?

 

Are you counting moving Yoshida from left field to left field as a position change?

 

One change - Devers from 3b to DH - is all it would have required. I’ve seen you suggest lineups with more position changes based on lefty-righty matchups.

 

As for Duran - not necessary, but it is something the Sox have already reportedly explored…

 

How many players have the Red Sox supposedly been listening to offers on?

[moonslav59]

Well, Giolito makes $18mill next year but his AAV is $19.25. Chapman makes $20mill, but his AAV is $18.0mill. After that, both can opt out.

 

As for Montgomery, mixed emotions on him following suit with Chapman and Bellinger. The Sox won’t have some insane 6-7 year deal, which is nice. But most likely it would then be a one year deal…

 

I was thinking Chapman has more years, but yes, the opt out makes t0hem about the same.

 

I'd still take the pitcher, and the choice isn't even close.

 

Even if we could dump Yoshida's full deal in a trade, I'd take Gio, every day.

 

I'm not even a Gio fan.

[moonslav59]

Wheeler signs extension for $126M/3 ($42M x 3 years!)

[mvp 78]

@Buster_ESPN

Zack Wheeler’s 3-year, $126 million extension is the highest annual salary for any contract extension ever.

 

Time for Snell and Monty to sign elsewhere and get this offseason over.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

Next winter's FA pitching class is super overrated and it's only going to get more thinned out

 

@LouMerloni

I’ve heard many people say next years FA Starting pitching Class is better than this past one. We forget about extensions. Will there be better options than Ohtani, Yamamoto, Gray, Snell, Monty?? Doubt it.

 

@LouMerloni

If you look, a lot of big names. Some are already over 35, even older. Some have recent injury risk. It’s not as good a class as most are making it out to be. This past class will end up being better

[mvp 78]

@tylermilliken_

Obviously the Red Sox will need to spend if they want to sign a front end starter, but this is the best of 2025 FA class for starters:

 

Corbin Burnes

Max Fried

Max Scherzer

Shane Bieber

Alex Cobb

Kyle Hendriks

Charlie Morton

Nick Pivetta

John Means

Yusei Kikuchi

 

Gerrit Cole has an opt-out. Justin Verlander and Nate Eovaldi a vesting option. Clayton Kershaw a player option

 

Maybe Roki Sasaki shakes things up if he gets his wish.

 

When you look at all these names, signing Montgomery as a 4-5 year piece makes too much sense. If you can get Burnes next year, great, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Sox may have to replace Gio and Pivetta next offseason. Missing out this year because of a short term depressed budget would be a long term mistake IMO.

[notin]

@tylermilliken_

Obviously the Red Sox will need to spend if they want to sign a front end starter, but this is the best of 2025 FA class for starters:

 

Corbin Burnes

Max Fried

Max Scherzer

Shane Bieber

Alex Cobb

Kyle Hendriks

Charlie Morton

Nick Pivetta

John Means

Yusei Kikuchi

 

Gerrit Cole has an opt-out. Justin Verlander and Nate Eovaldi a vesting option. Clayton Kershaw a player option

 

Maybe Roki Sasaki shakes things up if he gets his wish.

 

When you look at all these names, signing Montgomery as a 4-5 year piece makes too much sense. If you can get Burnes next year, great, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Sox may have to replace Gio and Pivetta next offseason. Missing out this year because of a short term depressed budget would be a long term mistake IMO.

 

If the plan really is to wait until next year, it could easily go wrong. Even the players who have not yet extended still have 8 months to do so.

 

If the Sox are not sold on Montgomery for some reason, I think the plan is to get another starter internally, which means more Houck and/or Whitlock and possibly Winckowski. At the very least, if that is the plan, hopefully they at a minimum backfill the vacated bullpen spot. Ryne Stanek is the best available RP still looking for work...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Wheeler signs extension for $126M/3 ($42M x 3 years!)

 

That goofy Dombrowski, at it again!

 

Someday they'll write a book about him titled Ball Money.

 

It will be the blueprint for future billionaire owners to aspire to -- but only guys who inherit billions, and not some genius who thinks he's smarter than the market.

[Old Red]

That goofy Dombrowski, at it again!

 

Someday they'll write a book about him titled Ball Money.

 

It will be the blueprint for future billionaire owners to aspire to -- but only guys who inherit billions, and not some genius who thinks he's smarter than the market.

 

The Phillies now have 7 players this year making at least $20M.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Phillies now have 7 players this year making at least $20M.

 

I coach youth sports with a few guys from Philly, and they and their families have had a total blast the past few years rooting for the Phils and all their star players. And they're really encouraged, looking forward to another season beginning this month.

[Old Red]

I coach youth sports with a few guys from Philly, and they and their families have had a total blast the past few years rooting for the Phils and all their star players. And they're really encouraged, looking forward to another season beginning this month.

 

He probably didn’t think so at the time, but JH did DD a favor by firing him.

[moonslav59]

Next year, the Phillies will have 5 players making over $23.8M a year.

 

They have 8 over $18M, now.

[mvp 78]

If the plan really is to wait until next year, it could easily go wrong. Even the players who have not yet extended still have 8 months to do so.

 

If the Sox are not sold on Montgomery for some reason, I think the plan is to get another starter internally, which means more Houck and/or Whitlock and possibly Winckowski. At the very least, if that is the plan, hopefully they at a minimum backfill the vacated bullpen spot. Ryne Stanek is the best available RP still looking for work...

 

Not great!

[notin]

Not great!

 

Agreed. I’d greatly prefer even Lauer over that crowd. But I’m just hoping they don’t do it half ass like they did last year and not even bother at the very least adding a reliever…

[moonslav59]

Sonny Gray to get an MRI.

 

BorA$$ says new teams have reached out on Snell & Monty, since ST'ing began.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Sonny Gray to get an MRI.

 

BorA$$ says new teams have reached out on Snell & Monty, since ST'ing began.

 

New, like expansion teams? The Red Sox look like an expansion team: lots of one or two-tool position players, pitching staff of oldsters and youngsters -- but no one in his primester.