Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[mvp 78]

I guess we're at the WERE THE 2023 BOSTON RED SOX ACTUALLY GOOD stage of the offseason.

 

The answer is obviously no.

[Old Red]

Once again Old Red chastises a fan for being excited about the team.

 

The Sox did have a good record against those divisional foes all year long. Had you decided not to turn off when the team was playing will you might have noticed that…

No I’m chastising all the whiners, and cryers about playing in a tough Div, and the schedule. Wow!

[mvp 78]

Once again Old Red chastises a fan for being excited about the team.

 

The Sox did have a good record against those divisional foes all year long. Had you decided not to turn off when the team was playing will you might have noticed that…

 

They were 1-7 against TBR prior to Sept. They were above .500 against TOR, NYY and BAL.

[notin]

Here’s the thing. The Red Sox used to be one of the toughest ball clubs, and now they are not, and to blame what Div they play in, or the schedule for the fall is just ridiculous.

 

Yeah!! That would be like constantly refuting a 78-84 record by making sure m the team only gets referred to as a “last place” team! Because all last place teams are equal, be they 78-84 or 50-112!

[Old Red]

Nobody is whining about it. Except you, all through 2022 any time add none pointed out their record outside the division…

 

Nobody is whining about it? Wow!

[mvp 78]

Or 76-86 if Bo Bichette knew how to run the bases…

 

Bo Bichette will never learn how to run the bases. I don't know how much coaching they did in that farm system...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Here’s the thing. The Red Sox used to be one of the toughest ball clubs, and now they are not, and to blame what Div they play in, or the schedule for the fall is just ridiculous.

 

No, here's the thing: the Red Sox suck, because they have losing records, and all the other teams in the division are better.

 

And Boston fans can't just look forward to highly-ranked prospects turning things around, when rivals like Baltimore and Tampa still have better prospects coming, while New York and Toronto have owners willing to spend large amounts of money to improve.

[notin]

They were 1-7 against TBR prior to Sept. They were above .500 against TOR, NYY and BAL.

 

They were above .500 against NY and Toronto even after September. And even counting the 1-7 record with Tampa, they were over .500 against the AL East prior to September.

 

This is a big reason why Bloom’s White flag at the deadline was so bad…

[Old Red]

Yeah!! That would be like constantly refuting a 78-84 record by making sure m the team only gets referred to as a “last place” team! Because all last place teams are equal, be they 78-84 or 50-112!

 

Who said anything about all last place teams being equal? Who? If you can’t play with the big boys, and win against the big boy’s no matter what Div you are in, or what schedule you play then you are just not that good to begin with.

[mvp 78]

Nobody is whining about it. Except you, all through 2022 any time add none pointed out their record outside the division…

 

I think Old Red just reads every moon post and assumes the tone is whiney. IDK.

 

It's fine to talk about a bad Sox team and state the division foes kicked their asses in September of '23. Is that whining? I don't think so. It's just what happened. I'm not even Dinelson Lamenting it.

[notin]

Nobody is whining about it? Wow!

 

Where has anyone lamented playing in the AL East?

 

Acknowledging it isn’t whining…

[Old Red]

I think Old Red just reads every moon post and assumes the tone is whiney. IDK.

 

It's fine to talk about a bad Sox team and state the division foes kicked their asses in September of '23. Is that whining? I don't think so. It's just what happened. I'm not even Dinelson Lamenting it.

 

Moon is in a different category all to himself, and I definitely don’t think how Moon goes how goes the Nation.

[Bellhorn04]

Under .500 stinks no matter what division you're in.

[mvp 78]

No, here's the thing: the Red Sox suck, because they have losing records, and all the other teams in the division are better.

 

And Boston fans can't just look forward to highly-ranked prospects turning things around, when rivals like Baltimore and Tampa still have better prospects coming, while New York and Toronto have owners willing to spend large amounts of money to improve.

 

If the prospects were going to be wearing BOS jerseys on Opening Day, maybe it'd be a different story. Right now, it's a waiting game for a whole 'nother year.

[Old Red]

Where has anyone lamented playing in the AL East?

 

Acknowledging it isn’t whining…

 

It’s been acknowledged since Div came into baseball, but it’s only brought up when the Red Sox aren’t doing well.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Now, here's something to celebrate... but no jumping up and down or you might throw up:

 

Today's headline from reporter Ian Browne: "Coach Bailey might be Sox’s top pitching get"

 

(Andrew doesn't turn 40 until the last day of May, but come on -- out of the majors for seven years? How long before he goes on the IL...)

[Old Red]

No, here's the thing: the Red Sox suck, because they have losing records, and all the other teams in the division are better.

 

And Boston fans can't just look forward to highly-ranked prospects turning things around, when rivals like Baltimore and Tampa still have better prospects coming, while New York and Toronto have owners willing to spend large amounts of money to improve.

 

When the suspects/prospects actually start producing in a Red Sox uniform, or are traded for someone who does is the time to get excited for me, and not until, because none of them are any sure thing.

[notin]

It’s been acknowledged since Div came into baseball, but it’s only brought up when the Red Sox aren’t doing well.

 

And is it the truth or not?

[Old Red]

And is it the truth or not?

 

Of course it’s the truth, but like I keep saying if the Red Sox are good enough it shouldn’t matter. Go root for K.C. if you want to root for a weaker Div team otherwise enjoy the ride either up, or down the hill.

[mvp 78]

Other than hindsight, why would the Sox have signed Kyle Gibson over Kluber?

 

Both had similar xFIP, innings, k/9, but Gibson was a much more consistent innings eater. With Sale and Paxton projected to be part of the rotation, they would need someone certain to pick up the slack for two guys coming off injuries and may be limited. Gibson is a 30 game a year guy. He's going to take the ball every 5th day. With Kluber, there was still the question mark of the recent injury history and age catching up to him. Gibson is the ground ball, pitch to contact guy who you know what you're going to get out of year to year. That rotation needed more consistency. We even said so last offseason. Kluber, Paxton and Sale in the rotation at the same time was a significant amount of uncertainty. Gibson isn't a sexy FA signing, but he's a Porcello type that can get you to the pen in good shape most days.

[mvp 78]

Now, here's something to celebrate... but no jumping up and down or you might throw up:

 

Today's headline from reporter Ian Browne: "Coach Bailey might be Sox’s top pitching get"

 

(Andrew doesn't turn 40 until the last day of May, but come on -- out of the majors for seven years? How long before he goes on the IL...)

 

I saw a headline that stated how impressed Winckowski was with the new offseason program and how all these big changes were implemented by Bailey. We'll have to see what impacts, if any, are seen this year.

 

"We can't get you players, but how about a new coach!?!?"

[Bellhorn04]

And is it the truth or not?

 

If you win 85 games and finish last you might have a case. If you win 78 games the last place arguments all become academic. As Dipre would say, you're bad and you should feel bad.

[mvp 78]

So exactly was whining again? I went back and read the past few pages and didn't see any whining.

 

Is it whining simply because it's something you don't want us to talk about?

[notin]

So exactly was whining again? I went back and read the past few pages and didn't see any whining.

 

Is it whining simply because it's something you don't want us to talk about?

 

 

Old Red only allows his topics and his sides of them! And he loves to repeatedly discredit people by bringing up stuff they said in the past, sometimes even changing the context.

 

But whatever you do, don’t do this stuff to him! That’s not fair!

[Dipre]

If you win 85 games and finish last you might have a case. If you win 78 games the last place arguments all become academic. As Dipre would say, you're bad and you should feel bad.

 

Get your own catchphrase.

[notin]

If you win 85 games and finish last you might have a case. If you win 78 games the last place arguments all become academic. As Dipre would say, you're bad and you should feel bad.

 

The important thing here is you’re giving credit to scenarios that have never happened.

 

While no one is saying 78-84 is good, since the creation of the current divisional alignment, only one team (2005 Washington Nationals) has won more games and come in last. Only 3 teams have won exactly 78 games and come in last - the Red Sox all three times.

 

No one is saying 78-84 is good. But, abundant pessimism, it actually isn’t horrible and it certainly isn’t hopeless. It’s basically a .500 team. And teams have gone from far worse records to World Series titles in one season…

[Dipre]

I'd believe in the Red Sox' chances a lot more if they actually improved their starting rotation. Which they could do, even on the cheap, but it seems like they're just unwilling to spend. If they're just waiting out the market and sign a couple arms that can absorb innings without being horrible, the optimist in me can come back.

[Old Red]

So exactly was whining again? I went back and read the past few pages and didn't see any whining.

 

Is it whining simply because it's something you don't want us to talk about?

 

There has been whining on here for the last two months.Its like the 2024 season has already started, and It’s like the Red Sox already have a losing record, they are last in the Div, and calls are going out for a firesale.

[Dipre]

There has been whining on here for the last two months.Its like the 2024 season has already started, and It’s like the Red Sox already have a losing record, they are last in the Div, and calls are going out for a firesale.

 

But you're the main whiner and complainer on this board. What the hell is happening?

[Old Red]

Old Red only allows his topics and his sides of them! And he loves to repeatedly discredit people by bringing up stuff they said in the past, sometimes even changing the context.

 

But whatever you do, don’t do this stuff to him! That’s not fair!

 

That’s always your standard response on topics. Talk about discrediting. You told me I couldn’t say that I think Sale is going to stay healthy this year, and have a good year for the Braves. Why was your reasoning? Because I called him Frail Sale when he was in Boston as did many other Red Sox fans.