Red Sox: Off Season '23-'24

[Bellhorn04]

Just read through this thread for the period around the Imanaga signing. It's fair to say that most of the comments were cynical and/or despondent about the lack of action on the starting pitching front.

[moonslav59]

Just read through this thread for the period around the Imanaga signing. It's fair to say that most of the comments were cynical and/or despondent about the lack of action on the starting pitching front.

 

Yes, I think most would have been happy with more action than Gio (minus Sale.)

 

I did forget about Uwasawa. We actually added Criswell, Anderson and Uwasawa as minor league depth. Murphy was an option, too, before he was lost for the season.

[notin]

Just read through this thread for the period around the Imanaga signing. It's fair to say that most of the comments were cynical and/or despondent about the lack of action on the starting pitching front.

 

How much was specific to Imanaga? Or was it just General Inactivity stuff?

 

One issue we deal with in offseasons is the press every year expects the Red Sox to spend. And they predict the Sox will sign X and the Sox will sign Y. But every year, the Sox avoid X and Y because they don’t want to pay $Z….

[moonslav59]

How much was specific to Imanaga? Or was it just General Inactivity stuff?

 

One issue we deal with in offseasons is the press every year expects the Red Sox to spend. And they predict the Sox will sign X and the Sox will sign Y. But every year, the Sox avoid X and Y because they don’t want to pay $Z….

 

The only real question might have been Gio vs Imanaga or Gio vs Lugo. It was never going to be 2 of the 3.

 

If we keep adding just one SP'er, we aren't going anywhere.

[Randy Red Sox]

especially guys of that calibre

[moonslav59]

especially guys of that calibre

 

Not only do we just add one SP'er, we are actually replacing 1 or 2 with just one, each year.

 

2020: Lost Price & Porcello- added Perez (lost Sale to injury and ERod to Covid)

2021: Lost Sale to injury- added Richards

2022: Lost ERod & Richards- added Wacha and Hill

2023: Lost Wacha and Hill- added Kluber

2024: Lost Kluber & Sale- added Gio.

 

We've been going backwards and not even staying even in numbers, let alone quality.

 

Even if you don't count losing Sale to injury, we still lost 7 and added 6.

 

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Not sure where to post this so I'll ask it here. Are you happy with the NESN broadcast? Specifically the part where they spend the top of the 4th of every game on split screen as they interview a former player or the Director of the Jimmy Fuind as the game is going on? I have started watching the other team's broadcast, I can't stand watching and hearing that as a 2 run triple is taking place. Those other broadcasters are suprisingly complimentary of our team, nearly all of them.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Not sure where to post this so I'll ask it here. Are you happy with the NESN broadcast? Specifically the part where they spend the top of the 4th of every game on split screen as they interview a former player or the Director of the Jimmy Fuind as the game is going on? I have started watching the other team's broadcast' date=' I can't stand watching and hearing that as a 2 run triple is taking place. Those other broadcasters are suprisingly complimentary of our team, nearly all of them.[/quote']

 

Nope, don't like any interruptions, especially interviews that don't pertain to the action.

 

But just so I'm not all cranky old get those kids offa my TV -- if they really have to get others involved, put a headset on a current player, whether in the dugout or bullpen (not mic'ed up, running around distracted), and ask about the specific inning they're all watching together.

 

This could be like a color commentator in uni, discussing the situation and what may be going through the heads of the batters, pitchers, fielders, managers, etc... but only like once a game.

 

Then again, with all the guarded secret strategies about how to approach opponents, who's going to be honest and divulge any plan that the other team's clubhouse tech guy is monitoring? Maybe reciting lines and delivering deceptions will become part of acting practice: "With first base open, OB, there's no way we're giving Judge anything to hit here" (and after the quote is relayed to the batter, the pitcher throws strikes right down the middle).

[mvp 78]

Not sure where to post this so I'll ask it here. Are you happy with the NESN broadcast? Specifically the part where they spend the top of the 4th of every game on split screen as they interview a former player or the Director of the Jimmy Fuind as the game is going on? I have started watching the other team's broadcast' date=' I can't stand watching and hearing that as a 2 run triple is taking place. Those other broadcasters are suprisingly complimentary of our team, nearly all of them.[/quote']

 

Feel free to make a new thread next time. I think the NESN programming is a worthwhile discussion.

[Bellhorn04]

How much was specific to Imanaga? Or was it just General Inactivity stuff?

 

One issue we deal with in offseasons is the press every year expects the Red Sox to spend. And they predict the Sox will sign X and the Sox will sign Y. But every year, the Sox avoid X and Y because they don’t want to pay $Z….

 

Can't really blame the press IMO, especially last offseason.

 

Anyway, John Henry has set us all straight about realistic expectations now.

[notin]

Can't really blame the press IMO, especially last offseason.

 

Anyway, John Henry has set us all straight about realistic expectations now.

 

The press linked us to Montgomery countless times, often because of his wife’s residency…

[Bellhorn04]

The press linked us to Montgomery countless times, often because of his wife’s residency…

 

True. He did seem like a logical fit for us, though, innings eater and all that. They did have a Zoom meeting with him. Reportedly they were not big fans of his stuff - that's certainly an acceptable reason to pass.

[Bellhorn04]

It was a bizarro offseason in the PR department for the Sox, I don't think anyone can dispute that.

[Maxbialystock]

Feel free to make a new thread next time. I think the NESN programming is a worthwhile discussion.

 

Agree. But also agree that those interviews are a distraction only because the producer insists on showing us the talking heads, including when a play is ongoing and they reduce the game picture so we can still see the talking heads.

[notin]

True. He did seem like a logical fit for us, though, innings eater and all that. They did have a Zoom meeting with him. Reportedly they were not big fans of his stuff - that's certainly an acceptable reason to pass.

 

I get passing.

 

I’m just talking about how there are repeated links and predictions around the web about expensive players the Sox could/should sign when the reality has been they’re more than likely not going to pay…

[moonslav59]

It was a bizarro offseason in the PR department for the Sox, I don't think anyone can dispute that.

 

For sure. Mixed messaging and back-tracking.

 

Lots of rumors of the Sox being "in on ___ and ___." That's nothing new.

 

Of the deal we made, the headliners stunk up the place, but some of the mid and lower tier additions have done well. (Same with Bloom, right?)

 

The Gio signing

The Sale & cash-Grissom trade

The Dugo for Weissert, Fitts and Judice trade

The Ammons for Slaten trade

The Robertson & Santos for O'Neill trade

The Urias for Isaiah Campbell trade

The Schreiber for Sandlin trade

The Criswell, Anderson, Alexander, Luetge and Uwasawa minor signings

Westbrook signed

Mickey Gasper minor league Rule 5

The Hendriks and Fulmer signings

Cash for Heineman

Romy Gonzalez off waivers

Extended Bello & Rafaela

 

In season additions:

Luis Garcia for Lugo, Kavadas, Zeferjahn & Vargas

Lucas Sims for Ovis Portes

Quinn Priester for Nick Yorke

Danny Jansen for Paulino, C Coffey & Batista

James Paxton for Bolivar

Dominic Smith signed

"Rented" Zack Short for 8 days

Bailey Horn for cash

Garrett Cooper for cash

 

The list is longer than I imagined it would be, and many are under-the-radar type deals, but Brez has been very active.

 

Edited August 18, 2024 by moonslav59

[notin]

For sure. Mixed messaging and back-tracking.

 

Lots of rumors of the Sox being "in on ___ and ___." That's nothing new.

 

Of the deal we made, the headliners stunk up the place, but some of the mid and lower tier additions have done well. (Same with Bloom, right?)

 

The Gio signing

The Sale & cash-Grissom trade

The Dugo for Weissert, Fitts and Judice trade

The Ammons for Slaten trade

The Robertson & Santos for O'Neill trade

The Urias for Isaiah Campbell trade

The Schreiber for Sandlin trade

The Criswell, Anderson, Alexander, Luetge and Uwasawa minor signings

Westbrook signed

Mickey Gasper minor league Rule 5

The Hendriks and Fulmer signings

Cash for Heineman

Romy Gonzalez off waivers

Extended Bello & Rafaela

 

In season additions:

Luis Garcia for Lugo, Kavadas, Zeferjahn & Vargas

Lucas Sims for Ovis Portes

Quinn Priester for Nick Yorke

Danny Jansen for Paulino, C Coffey & Batista

James Paxton for Bolivar

Dominic Smith signed

"Rented" Zack Short for 8 days

Bailey Horn for cash

Garrett Cooper for cash

 

The list is longer than I imagined it would be, and many are under-the-radar type deals, but Brez has been very active.

 

 

More active than you document. I bet that’s less than half of his in-season acquisitions.

 

But I suppose one question that might help here is one of perspective. I don’t expect you to research an answer, but ot matters if this level of activity is on the low end, high end or in the middle among MLB CBO/GMs…

[mvp 78]

Agree. But also agree that those interviews are a distraction only because the producer insists on showing us the talking heads, including when a play is ongoing and they reduce the game picture so we can still see the talking heads.

 

If they didn’t do picture in picture, it may not be as big of a deal?

[mvp 78]

It was a bizarro offseason in the PR department for the Sox, I don't think anyone can dispute that.

 

Henry and Werner are clearly ot on the same page.

[moonslav59]

More active than you document. I bet that’s less than half of his in-season acquisitions.

 

But I suppose one question that might help here is one of perspective. I don’t expect you to research an answer, but ot matters if this level of activity is on the low end, high end or in the middle among MLB CBO/GMs…

 

I didn't count no-names and players that did not make the ML roster, but I might have missed a couple of those.

[notin]

I didn't count no-names and players that did not make the ML roster, but I might have missed a couple of those.

 

Guys like Keller and Wingenter were forgettable, but they still count…

[moonslav59]

Guys like Keller and Wingenter were forgettable, but they still count…

 

Plus, Yohan Ramirez.

 

Brought back Jacques and Joely (and Mills.)

 

There were many players who were added and never made it.

[mvp 78]

Guys like Keller and Wingenter were forgettable, but they still count…

 

Don’t forget Keller, you may see him again!

[mvp 78]

That’s not a threat.

[notin]

That’s not a threat.

 

It sure feels like one…

[Maxbialystock]

If they didn’t do picture in picture, it may not be as big of a deal?

 

Correct. I usually have the sound off, so any and all blather is fine with me.

 

I hasten to add that those non-baseball interludes are compelling evidence that even NESN and the Red Sox leadership think it's OK to show distractions instead of the games.

 

I have no objections to the Jimmy Fund or to the Sox involvement in it. In fact, I think both are great and should continue. My objection is to their willingness to sublimate the game and the players to the cause. I hasten to add that the Sox would never, ever sacrifice TV commercials so that the blathering could be done between innings.

Edited August 19, 2024 by Maxbialystock

[mvp 78]

Correct. I usually have the sound off, so any and all blather is fine with me.

 

I hasten to add that those non-baseball interludes are compelling evidence that even NESN and the Red Sox leadership think it's OK to show distractions instead of the games.

 

I have no objections to the Jimmy Fund or to the Sox involvement in it. In fact, I think both are great and should continue. My objection is to their willingness to sublimate the game and the players to the cause. I hasten to add that the Sox would never, ever sacrifice TV commercials so that the blathering could be done between innings.

 

When the game is less than half the screen, what's the point? It's not surprising considering Werner thinks this is just a tv show. At least we are still stuck with Sox Appeal during the games.

[Bellhorn04]

That half and half thing started in golf. It is indeed incredibly annoying. I don't think it's too good for the eyes, either.

[mvp 78]

That half and half thing started in golf. It is indeed incredibly annoying. I don't think it's too good for the eyes, either.

 

Maybe even NASCAR.