Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[notin]

Trade front rumors/speculation;

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-budding-star-reportedly-being-discussed-in-trade-rumors-scott7

[moonslav59]

Trade front rumors/speculation;

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-budding-star-reportedly-being-discussed-in-trade-rumors-scott7

 

Shocking to the Post, but trading Duran is a well discussed topic on this site.

 

It could make some sense with all the Tommy Pham talk, or Soler.

 

I came to like Duran, last year, but I don't want him as our CF'er. I also think there is a significant chance he struggles, again.

 

There is also a chance that the 2023 Duran is the real deal.

 

Tough call, but if we get a solid SP'er for him, I'm fine.

[cp176]

Trade front rumors/speculation;

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-budding-star-reportedly-being-discussed-in-trade-rumors-scott7

 

Duran's name as well as others has been mentioned in trade talks since last year. I want them to keep him and if that means putting him in centerfield then so be it. He could become an outstanding asset. With the way this team is constructed presently, his centerfield defense or lack thereof isn't going to be a big deal over the long haul. You need to be strong up the middle for sure but in advocating for an unknown possibly ok and possibly not young second baseman and a catching staff that may or may not be adequate tells me that yup I'm keeping Duran and playing him.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

"Boston is on the brink of doing something bold."

 

Bold, as in confident and courageous? Yet, the Red Sox already have a roster worse than the last two years of last place ballclubs. Doesn't a professional sports team have to be confident and courageous to look its fandom in the eyes and promise to be competitive?

 

Bold, as in strong and vivid appearance? They already have weight-lifting muscles on O'Neill and tattooed arms on Houck... and Duran -- unless he's traded -- has both!

 

SI must just be talking about new Spring Training uniforms... Boston players will soon be wearing bold faced bold jerseys: RED SOX.

[Hugh2]

The only other person I want to see playing CF on this roster in Rafaela, I hope he’s with the big club if they’re trading Duran. If they trade Duran it’s presumably in a package for a front line starter. Go out and sign a guy and now things look astronomically different

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The only other person I want to see playing CF on this roster in Rafaela, I hope he’s with the big club if they’re trading Duran. If they trade Duran it’s presumably in a package for a front line starter. Go out and sign a guy and now things look astronomically different

 

Agreed. The easiest way back to respectability is to put a legitimate big league defense on the field. At least it gives fans hope, and shows respect to those paying for MLB entertainment.

 

Another defense like last year's, instead, will look like they're not even trying to improve...

[Bellhorn04]

The only other person I want to see playing CF on this roster in Rafaela, I hope he’s with the big club if they’re trading Duran. If they trade Duran it’s presumably in a package for a front line starter. Go out and sign a guy and now things look astronomically different

 

If Duran is in a package for a front line starter, there's something bigger in the package than Duran. Otherwise I have to think it would be done by now.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If Duran is in a package for a front line starter, there's something bigger in the package than Duran. Otherwise I have to think it would be done by now.

 

Maybe the reason the Red Sox haven't dealt for a front line starter isn't because they don't want to give up homegrown talent or improve the club... or the absurd We don't want to waste a good pitcher's prime before our young core of elite prospects mature into All-Stars.

 

Maybe they just don't want to acquire a front line starter because then they would have to pay him what he's worth.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe the reason the Red Sox haven't dealt for a front line starter isn't because they don't want to give up homegrown talent or improve the club... or the absurd We don't want to waste a good pitcher's prime before our young core of elite prospects mature into All-Stars.

 

Maybe they just don't want to acquire a front line starter because then they would have to pay him what he's worth.

 

I honestly have no idea what the f*** they're thinking or doing.

[Bellhorn04]

Somebody pointed out something that is a tad comical. After firing Bloom, the Red Sox decide to trot out Mayer, Anthony and Teel as the guys that are the key to the golden future.

 

All of them were acquired by Bloom.

[mvp 78]

If Duran is in a package for a front line starter, there's something bigger in the package than Duran. Otherwise I have to think it would be done by now.

 

For the Sox, a front line starter is anything better than Bello. I think you could get someone on a short term contract for Duran that is better than Bello.

[Hitch]

Somebody pointed out something that is a tad comical. After firing Bloom, the Red Sox decide to trot out Mayer, Anthony and Teel as the guys that are the key to the golden future.

 

All of them were acquired by Bloom.

 

He drafted relatively well. And still deserved to be fired.

[mvp 78]

Somebody pointed out something that is a tad comical. After firing Bloom, the Red Sox decide to trot out Mayer, Anthony and Teel as the guys that are the key to the golden future.

 

All of them were acquired by Bloom.

 

And then Baseball America tanked the farm's ranking to 13th, so maybe waiting on the farm isn't a great idea. Yes, comical.

[mvp 78]

He drafted relatively well. And still deserved to be fired.

 

Yes, sir.

[mvp 78]

I honestly have no idea what the f*** they're thinking or doing.

 

They may have no idea.

[Bellhorn04]

For the Sox, a front line starter is anything better than Bello. I think you could get someone on a short term contract for Duran that is better than Bello.

 

In that case I'd question if it's worth it, because Duran may turn out to deliver much more value. If we're only getting someone a bit better than Bello, might as well just let Bailey try practicing his alchemy on what we have.

[Duran Is The Man]

They may have no idea.

 

they just need to hire more VPs.

[Bellhorn04]

He drafted relatively well. And still deserved to be fired.

 

I like playing devil's advocate, I must admit. I was not unhappy when they fired Bloom, but I'm very unhappy right now, and I'm seeing a lot of signs that Bloom wasn't the real problem, or was far from the only problem. Maybe he was getting a lot of confusing and contradictory messages just like we are now.

 

It's sort of up to Breslow to prove that a competent CBO can rise above all that confusion. Good luck, Crag.

[moonslav59]

Of those 3, I let Bregman walk.

 

Of course, my decision is based more on him being a whiny little sack of #$@# than a baseball player...

 

It seems to me, the Astros have let more bid name players walk than the Sox, over the past 5-7 years. The always seem to have someone ready to step in, and they spend moderately to add, where needed most. They do not always hit on their signings, either. Most of their strength has come up through their system. They even had 5 homegrown starters in their rotation, a few times, here and there.

 

Here is a partial list of players not extended or re-signed since 2017:

 

George Springer (.852 OPS w HOU, including .953 his last 2 yrs, plus PO heroics)

Dallas Keuchel (Cy Young winner and 3.66 ERA w HOU)

Charlie Morton (3.36 ERA w HOU)

Gerritt Cole (2.68 ERA w HOU and top 5 in CY voting, both years)

Carlos Correa (.837 OPS w HOU & .860 PO OPS)

Zack Greinke (3.89 w HOU, but was 37 y/o.)

Justin Verlander (2 Cy Awards and a 2nd place finish in 4 years, plus PO heroics)

 

[moonslav59]

If Duran is in a package for a front line starter, there's something bigger in the package than Duran. Otherwise I have to think it would be done by now.

 

Teams may be waiting on Monty and Snell to sign, before a certain SP gets traded.

[moonslav59]

For the Sox, a front line starter is anything better than Bello. I think you could get someone on a short term contract for Duran that is better than Bello.

 

I think any deal with Duran, not including Mayer, Teel, Anthony, Bleis or Rafaela would have to include Houck, Whitlock or Crawford plus Wikelman or Perales. I'm not even sure how good of a SP'er we can get with these 3 players.

[Bellhorn04]

Teams may be waiting on Monty and Snell to sign, before a certain SP gets traded.

 

Who knows. There was a time we thought things were going to break loose after Yamamoto signed.

[Bellhorn04]

I think any deal with Duran, not including Mayer, Teel, Anthony, Bleis or Rafaela would have to include Houck, Whitlock or Crawford plus Wikelman or Perales. I'm not even sure how good of a SP'er we can get with these 3 players.

 

Frankly I think Breslow has already explored this stuff and found out he wasn't getting much without giving up one of the big three. And that's why nothing has happened.

[Bellhorn04]

Feb. 7, the Fearsome Foursome is still out there, and MLBTR is still mostly a snooze.

[moonslav59]

I like playing devil's advocate, I must admit. I was not unhappy when they fired Bloom, but I'm very unhappy right now, and I'm seeing a lot of signs that Bloom wasn't the real problem, or was far from the only problem. Maybe he was getting a lot of confusing and contradictory messages just like we are now.

 

It's sort of up to Breslow to prove that a competent CBO can rise above all that confusion. Good luck, Crag.

 

Bloom was handed a mess, despite having a solid core of 5-6 players, of which one (2, if you count Price) was immediately traded, and 2 others missed the 2020 season.

[moonslav59]

Frankly I think Breslow has already explored this stuff and found out he wasn't getting much without giving up one of the big three. And that's why nothing has happened.

 

That is likely, but with trades, sometimes there are a few moving parts going on, and once something is worked out, a deal comes together.

 

Some feeler went out. Some frameworks were likely established. It could be that Brez is waiting to see if the price drops on Monty or Clevinger, before making a trade already agreed upon. It could be another team is involved in a trade talk with a team, but they are waiting on Snell or Monty, first. If they sign one, they pull out of the trade and that guy goes to the Sox, instead.

 

Time is running out, and it seems less and less likely a big deal gets done with each passing day.

 

I'm pretty sure the SFG will be signing 1-2 of the big 4 remaining- Snell, Monty, Carpenter & Bellinger. The Yanks may swoop in on the other pitcher. I'm not sure who else is in the mix.

[Bellhorn04]

Bloom was handed a mess, despite having a solid core of 5-6 players, of which one (2, if you count Price) was immediately traded, and 2 others missed the 2020 season.

 

Yes, he was handed a mess. 2020 was a writeoff and 2021 was a pleasant surprise.

 

2022 and 2023 were the make or break years for Chaim.

[S5Dewey]

That is likely, but with trades, sometimes there are a few moving parts going on, and once something is worked out, a deal comes together.

 

Some feeler went out. Some frameworks were likely established. It could be that Brez is waiting to see if the price drops on Monty or Clevinger, before making a trade already agreed upon. It could be another team is involved in a trade talk with a team, but they are waiting on Snell or Monty, first. If they sign one, they pull out of the trade and that guy goes to the Sox, instead.

 

My personal preference is that Duran remains with the team. "Speed kills".

 

Time is running out, and it seems less and less likely a big deal gets done with each passing day.

 

I'm pretty sure the SFG will be signing 1-2 of the big 4 remaining- Snell, Monty, Carpenter & Bellinger. The Yanks may swoop in on the other pitcher. I'm not sure who else is in the mix.

 

I wish I shared your confidence. My fear is that they'll continue to sit on their hands and then say, "We were in on him but it didn't work out".

OTOH my HOPE is that Theo will tell Breslow to get his fingers out of his ass and do SOMETHING even if it turns out not to be right.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Today's announcement of the season-long Netflix docuseries explains a lot.

 

1. The Red Sox must be saving any big roster moves for the first episode. That's good TV!

 

2. Now we know what Werner, Sam and Brez really mean when they stress the importance of winning the Series.

 

3. But don't be cynical -- does anyone actually think Theo is going to let this be a weekly expose of how bad Boston sucks?

 

4. And the owners can't possibly allow this to be a six-month chronicle of Fenway Park being invaded by fans from LA, NY, Toronto and St. Louis... can they?

[jad]

Yes, he was handed a mess. 2020 was a writeoff and 2021 was a pleasant surprise.

 

2022 and 2023 were the make or break years for Chaim.

 

But then, a cynic might point out that the "mess" Bloom was handed included the best and one of the most popular players in the league, whom he promptly got rid of. There's that.