A Realistic View at 2024: Part I

[Old Red]

I’m starting to realize just how bad your reading comprehension is…

 

And this is from the guy who asked last year if the Red Sox signed JT for the bench.

[notin]

He did not mean it wasn't a wish but a "daydream."

 

He's just pointing out the new GM or CBO may have a different idea on where Story plays. He's not saying it will happen; it will likely happen; or he wants it to happen.

 

I don't think anyone wants Story at 2B, since we have no other capable SS, right now. Maybe the next GM gets one, and enacts a change. Probably not, but possible.

 

I agree it’s unlikely, but I hope if something unforeseen happens like Milwaukee makes Willy Adames available, the Sox don’t avoid checking in on this because they won’t move Story back to 2b…

[notin]

And this is from the guy who asked last year if the Red Sox signed JT for the bench.

 

I will call that Exhibit B concerning your reading comprehension…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Does anyone really believe a team with the worst defense is just two pitchers away from becoming good again? No matter which starters Boston lands -- unless they're Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson clones -- the fielders will still have to make plays behind them.

 

If the Sox actually do hire someone from the outside to run things, it very well could mean they're open to also making major changes on the big league roster.

 

Would it be so surprising if at least one major shake-up of position players happens -- where maybe they actually move a big contract to make room for another?

 

One of Story, Yoshida or even Devers could be gone, if it's all part of a package that makes the club better.

[moonslav59]

I agree it’s unlikely, but I hope if something unforeseen happens like Milwaukee makes Willy Adames available, the Sox don’t avoid checking in on this because they won’t move Story back to 2b…

 

I think the moving Devers to 1B is a better hill to climb, notin.

 

Story is an excellent defensive SS, and we have Mayer in the wings. If Story blows out his arm, you can blast us all away, but hopefully he can play SS, until Mayer is ready.

 

Unless we trade Mayer, Adames is a pipedream.

 

BTW, BTV accepted:

Mayer

for Burnes, Adames & $8M

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Unless we trade Mayer, Adames is a pipedream.

 

BTW, BTV accepted:

Mayer

for Burnes, Adames & $8M

 

Can I have a hit off that pipe?

[notin]

I think the moving Devers to 1B is a better hill to climb, notin.

 

Story is an excellent defensive SS, and we have Mayer in the wings. If Story blows out his arm, you can blast us all away, but hopefully he can play SS, until Mayer is ready.

 

Unless we trade Mayer, Adames is a pipedream.

 

BTW, BTV accepted:

Mayer

for Burnes, Adames & $8M

 

I don’t think either is a bad move, although Matt Chapman might be a top 5 free agent and therefore very costly.

 

Not sure if Adames will be available but that depends on how Milwaukee handles their final year arb guys (like Burnes, too) in the aftermath of hearing Woodruff is out for next year…

[moonslav59]

Does anyone really believe a team with the worst defense is just two pitchers away from becoming good again? No matter which starters Boston lands -- unless they're Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson clones -- the fielders will still have to make plays behind them.

 

Hand raised, as long as the 2 pitchers are solid #1/2 types and don't get hurt or suck.

 

We won't have the same crappy D behind the staff, again, next year, even if no additions are made to strengthen it.

SS is the most important defensive position in MLB, along with catching. We should go from worst to top 5 with a healthy Story. No addition needed. (Reyes & Rafaela are back-ups: no more Kike.)

LF should greatly improve as Yoshida moves to DH near FT. Duran may not be good in CF, but he should be fine in LF. No addition needed. (Abreu may get some time in LF.)

CF should improve the more Rafaela plays, but his innings amount is unknown, as of now. (Abreu is better than Duran in CF.)

2B should improve with just Reyes and urias playing nearly all the innings, there. If EValdez plays, a lot- nevermind. (Our 2B D sucked in 2023.)

RF, 3B, 1B and C should stay about the same. (One could argue catchers take longer to mature, and Wong/McGuire should improve, but let's just say "the saame.")

No position should get worse.

 

Major changes could be made.

 

One could be to trade Yoshida and cash for ____, move Devers to 1B, Casas to DH, add a great defensive SS or 2B and play Story at the other slot, and we could got from worst to top 5 with just 2 outside additions and some rotations.

 

[moonslav59]

Can I have a hit off that pipe?

 

Burnes and Adames have one year remaining. I'm thinking BOS might say no, even with $16M given.

[notin]

Does anyone really believe a team with the worst defense is just two pitchers away from becoming good again?.

 

Some believe the Sox need a right-handed bat as well…

[notin]

Burnes and Adames have one year remaining. I'm thinking BOS might say no, even with $16M given.

 

If you trade for them before March, you could get the draft pick back…

[Old Red]

I think the moving Devers to 1B is a better hill to climb, notin.

 

Story is an excellent defensive SS, and we have Mayer in the wings. If Story blows out his arm, you can blast us all away, but hopefully he can play SS, until Mayer is ready.

 

Unless we trade Mayer, Adames is a pipedream.

 

BTW, BTV accepted:

Mayer

for Burnes, Adames & $8M

 

When is the last time any of your BTV accepted trades for the Red Sox actually happened?

[moonslav59]

Some believe the Sox need a right-handed bat as well…

 

2 excellent pitchers and Duvall and call it a day. (I'd prefer 3, but this is the "realistic" thread.

 

Maybe trade Dugo for a good LH RP'er or SP depth.

[mvp 78]

So they’re going to continue with obvious mistakes? That’s not exactly a winning endorsement against my ideas.

 

But even Sean McDonough said Story should be the second baseman. I can’t speak for Story if he has a preference one way out the other, but whoever the Sox hire might like the idea of returning him to second. Even if it’s improbable, it’s not impossible like you say…

 

I'm a Story to 2b truther.

[mvp 78]

Cora is not the head of the FO. Stop beating that drum. It's an incorrect take. Whoever is hired as GM will have ultimate say in who plays. It's like you telling me my secretary has final say on which clients I receive when. She has input, but in the end, I decide, as I am her boss.

 

Interesting! I've been trying to get time on your calendar for months, but she wouldn't let me in! Unless...

[mvp 78]

Assuming no additions, could this be the 2024 totals?

No injuries

LF

1000 Duran

300 Refsnyder

100 Yoshida

50 Abreu

CF

1000 Rafaela

450 Abreu

RF

1000 Dugo

450 Abreu

 

 

No.

[mvp 78]

He did not mean it wasn't a wish but a "daydream."

 

He's just pointing out the new GM or CBO may have a different idea on where Story plays. He's not saying it will happen; it will likely happen; or he wants it to happen.

 

I don't think anyone wants Story at 2B, since we have no other capable SS, right now. Maybe the next GM gets one, and enacts a change. Probably not, but possible.

 

I'm not anyone.

[mvp 78]

All you guys were all pondering last offseason after Bogey signed with SD, and before Story got hurt on who the Red Sox were going to get to play SS, because you thought Story should stay at 2B, and I kept saying all along that Story was going to be the SS, which he would have if he hadn’t gotten hurt. I was right then, and I believe I’m right now that barring injury Story will be the opening SS of day 1 in 2024. Is that a 100% certainly? If you want to say no fine.

 

He'll be the Opening Day SS, but he shouldn't be.

[mvp 78]

And this is from the guy who asked last year if the Red Sox signed JT for the bench.

 

He averaged about 2 innings per game in the field. Guess that's a lot of time on the bench.

[mvp 78]

I don’t think either is a bad move, although Matt Chapman might be a top 5 free agent and therefore very costly.

 

Not sure if Adames will be available but that depends on how Milwaukee handles their final year arb guys (like Burnes, too) in the aftermath of hearing Woodruff is out for next year…

 

Woodruff's career is most likely over.

[mvp 78]

When is the last time any of your BTV accepted trades for the Red Sox actually happened?

 

Sox would have needed to have a GM/CBO that wanted to do trades in the first place.

[Old Red]

He'll be the Opening Day SS, but he shouldn't be.

 

He’s a SS, and only played 2B, because of Bogey. He’s an excellent SS, so I don’t get what all the intrigue is about moving him to 2B. He played a great short RF in 2022, but he can’t do that anymore. His range is more useful at SS.

[Old Red]

Sox would have needed to have a GM/CBO that wanted to do trades in the first place.

 

And how many of those suggested trades do you think would have happened?

[moonslav59]

When is the last time any of your BTV accepted trades for the Red Sox actually happened?

 

I don't really care. Do you?

 

Most of the time, it's just to show what it might take to get someone I want or who others have expressed interest in. It's not meant to be something I think should, can or could happen.

 

Many trades I suggest on BTV, I put a thumbs down on the Sox side of the trade.

 

Since the Sox team has made no major trades in 5 years, it's hard to get one right (or wrong).

[moonslav59]

No.

 

What do you see as the major flaw(s)?

[Old Red]

I don't really care. Do you?

 

Most of the time, it's just to show what it might take to get someone I want or who others have expressed interest in. It's not meant to be something I think should, can or could happen.

 

Many trades I suggest on BTV, I put a thumbs down on the Sox side of the trade.

 

Since the Sox team has made no major trades in 5 years, it's hard to get one right (or wrong).

Whatever floats your boat.

[mvp 78]

He’s a SS, and only played 2B, because of Bogey. He’s an excellent SS, so I don’t get what all the intrigue is about moving him to 2B. He played a great short RF in 2022, but he can’t do that anymore. His range is more useful at SS.

 

He's a fine SS, but long term he's going to be pushed to 2B. He was better there in 2022. It was like having Pedey back there, injuries and all!

[mvp 78]

And how many of those suggested trades do you think would have happened?

 

Hard to say.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Hand raised, as long as the 2 pitchers are solid #1/2 types and don't get hurt or suck.

 

We won't have the same crappy D behind the staff, again, next year, even if no additions are made to strengthen it.

SS is the most important defensive position in MLB, along with catching. We should go from worst to top 5 with a healthy Story. No addition needed. (Reyes & Rafaela are back-ups: no more Kike.)

LF should greatly improve as Yoshida moves to DH near FT. Duran may not be good in CF, but he should be fine in LF. No addition needed. (Abreu may get some time in LF.)

CF should improve the more Rafaela plays, but his innings amount is unknown, as of now. (Abreu is better than Duran in CF.)

2B should improve with just Reyes and urias playing nearly all the innings, there. If EValdez plays, a lot- nevermind. (Our 2B D sucked in 2023.)

RF, 3B, 1B and C should stay about the same. (One could argue catchers take longer to mature, and Wong/McGuire should improve, but let's just say "the saame.")

No position should get worse.

 

Major changes could be made.

 

One could be to trade Yoshida and cash for ____, move Devers to 1B, Casas to DH, add a great defensive SS or 2B and play Story at the other slot, and we could got from worst to top 5 with just 2 outside additions and some rotations.

 

 

I really appreciate your analysis, especially when posts see both sides -- like today's optimism/pessimism preview.

 

But I also think it'd be best to cut back on the pipe when looking at the last-place roster, and thinking the addition of two top pitchers will make the current personnel that much better.

 

It's not like there are any rumors of candidates for new Chief Officer rushing to Boston the past month, so maybe not so many view the Sox as quick fix title contenders yet...

[mvp 78]

What do you see as the major flaw(s)?

 

Rafaela getting that much time in CF. I think he sees a lot of time at 2B/SS in 2024. It's not ideal, but Cora hinted at it. Eventually, he should be the fulltime CF, but they will still use him to fill in MIF until the younger guys show up later in '24 and '25.