A Realistic View at 2024: Part I

[notin]

Exactly. If Rafaela and Abreu moves up I'd imagine AAA team will need some depth piece.

 

I do struggle to believe both Rafaela and Abreu are starting in the Boston outfield in April (barring injuries).

 

If only one, it still complicates things. If it’s Rafaela, who plays RF? If it’s Abreu, does Duran start the season in CF?

[moonslav59]

I do struggle to believe both Rafaela and Abreu are starting in the Boston outfield in April (barring injuries).

 

If only one, it still complicates things. If it’s Rafaela, who plays RF? If it’s Abreu, does Duran start the season in CF?

 

A lot depends on Dugo's return or replacement, presumably by a RHB who can play CF and or RF.

 

If Dugo returns and Yoshi is the FT DH:

 

LF: Duran (Refsnyder?Yoshida)

 

CF: Rafaela OR Abreu (Duran)

 

RF: Dugo (Rafaela and Ref, if the RF is a smaller one.)

 

Abreu or Rafaela in AAA

 

Or, we could play Rafaela mostly in CF with some RF, with Abreu playing CF and maybe some LF and RF. I'm not sure enough ABs are there, especially if Ref gets 180+ vs mostly LHPs.

 

If we trade Dugo and sign Duvall for RF: the same situation arises. Duvall has pretty even spits, but maybe Abreu plays RF, when he sits vs some RHPs.

 

[Nick]

Until transactions take place, our OF right now looks like

LF Yoshida

CF Duran

RF Verdugo

OF Refsnyder

 

Of course I want it to be

LF Duran

CF Rafaela

RF Abreu

OF Refsnyder

DH Yoshida

Traded Verdugo

 

Nothing has happened yet other than Turner and Duvall leaving.

[mvp 78]

Until transactions take place, our OF right now looks like

LF Yoshida

CF Duran

RF Verdugo

OF Refsnyder

 

Of course I want it to be

LF Duran

CF Rafaela

RF Abreu

OF Refsnyder

DH Yoshida

Traded Verdugo

 

Nothing has happened yet other than Turner and Duvall leaving.

 

Who do you have currently DH'ing?

[moonslav59]

Who do you have currently DH'ing?

 

I think most of us view Yoshida as the 2024 near FT DH.

 

That might leave, "currently":

 

LF: Duran (Refsnyder, Yoshida, Abreu)

 

CF: Rafaela/Abreu (Duran)

 

RF: Dugo (Abreu/Rafaela or Ref in some short RF stadiums)

 

DH: Yoshida (Devers/Casas)

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think most of us view Yoshida as the 2024 near FT DH.

 

That might leave, "currently":

 

LF: Duran (Refsnyder, Yoshida, Abreu)

 

CF: Rafaela/Abreu (Duran)

 

RF: Dugo (Abreu/Rafaela or Ref in some short RF stadiums)

 

DH: Yoshida (Devers/Casas)

 

And most of you are ignoring that besides starting pitching, the one position Breslow has revealed his thoughts on so far to the public is DH, where he'd rather not have a full-timer, but instead use as a revolving door to give regulars a rest from playing defense.

 

That should actually make some posters happy, at least those who complain about Cora giving scheduled days off to certain batters, just when they seem to get hot...

[mvp 78]

I think most of us view Yoshida as the 2024 near FT DH.

 

That might leave, "currently":

 

LF: Duran (Refsnyder, Yoshida, Abreu)

 

CF: Rafaela/Abreu (Duran)

 

RF: Dugo (Abreu/Rafaela or Ref in some short RF stadiums)

 

DH: Yoshida (Devers/Casas)

 

I just asked Nick since he listed him as LF "currently."

[mvp 78]

And most of you are ignoring that besides starting pitching, the one position Breslow has revealed his thoughts on so far to the public is DH, where he'd rather not have a full-timer, but instead use as a revolving door to give regulars a rest from playing defense.

 

That should actually make some posters happy, at least those who complain about Cora giving scheduled days off to certain batters, just when they seem to get hot...

 

So that means he'd need a super utility guy to fill in at times when they are rolling the DH through the lineup. Acquisition? Kiner-Falefa? Merrifeld? Just use Rafaela?

 

I also think guys need the mental break from getting the day off, not just the physical break.

[moonslav59]

I just asked Nick since he listed him as LF "currently."

 

Yes. I get it.

 

I just offered a possible "current" alignment.

[moonslav59]

So that means he'd need a super utility guy to fill in at times when they are rolling the DH through the lineup. Acquisition? Kiner-Falefa? Merrifeld? Just use Rafaela?

 

I also think guys need the mental break from getting the day off, not just the physical break.

 

If Urias and Reyes are both on the 26. I think we could see these back-ups/fill-ins:

 

3B: Urias

SS: Reyes (Rafaela)

2B: Reyes or Urias, whichever is not starting.

1B: ??? (Devers???)

 

If we don't have Urias and Reyes, and look to get Rafaela more PAs by using him as a back-up IF'er, so Abreu can get more in the OF, then I guess we could do that.

 

I'm not sure if using Rafaela at SS and 2B makes more sense than Reyes..

[Nick]

Who do you have currently DH'ing?

 

DH'ing by committee.

 

Cora will have 1)scheduled day off or 2)scheduled defensive day off but DH'ing.

[moonslav59]

DH'ing by committee.

 

Cora will have 1)scheduled day off or 2)scheduled defensive day off but DH'ing.

 

With so many OF'ers worthy of a look-see, I think it makes most sense to DH Yoshida almost FT. Cora will give him 7-10 days off, and he could maybe play LF a little, so others can "rest" while DH'ing.

 

I'd much rather DH Devers and Casas 2 days than give them another day off, but they will both get some days off with Cora at the helm.

 

Maybe DH could look like this:

 

Yoshida: 142 games

Refsnyder: 10 games (v L)

Devers: 5 games

Casas: 5 games

[moonslav59]

With so many OF'ers worthy of a look-see, I think it makes most sense to DH Yoshida almost FT. Cora will give him 7-10 days off, and he could maybe play LF a little, so others can "rest" while DH'ing.

 

I'd much rather DH Devers and Casas 2 days than give them another day off, but they will both get some days off with Cora at the helm.

 

Maybe DH could look like this:

 

Yoshida: 142 games

Refsnyder: 10 games (v L)

Devers: 5 games

Casas: 5 games

 

IMO, nobody else hits well enough to deserve to "rest" at DH.

 

Maybe Story?

[Old Red]

I know everyone on here is sold on with Duran, but I am not. I know he was better last year than his disaster 2022, but I would want to see more of his 2023 again before I pencil him in FT anywhere. He didn’t finish 2023 very good his last month before he got hurt, and he may only be somewhere as good between his 2022 season, and 2023, so what then.

Once again I don’t see Raffy as any backup at 1B this coming year,and I don’t believe Cora does either. He needs all the work he can get at 3B.

[Nick]

I know everyone on here is sold on with Duran, but I am not. I know he was better last year than his disaster 2022, but I would want to see more of his 2023 again before I pencil him in FT anywhere. He didn’t finish 2023 very good his last month before he got hurt, and he may only be somewhere as good between his 2022 season, and 2023, so what then.

Once again I don’t see Raffy as any backup at 1B this coming year,and I don’t believe Cora does either. He needs all the work he can get at 3B.

 

I will be first Duran fan to scream out "bench him" if he's not doing his job. But he has some unique skills that make me want him to succeed. His 4 doubles game without a ball ever getting to the fence was incredible.

[moonslav59]

I know everyone on here is sold on with Duran, but I am not. I know he was better last year than his disaster 2022, but I would want to see more of his 2023 again before I pencil him in FT anywhere. He didn’t finish 2023 very good his last month before he got hurt, and he may only be somewhere as good between his 2022 season, and 2023, so what then.

Once again I don’t see Raffy as any backup at 1B this coming year,and I don’t believe Cora does either. He needs all the work he can get at 3B.

 

I'm not "sold," yet. 2023 is not a large enough sample size to think he's turned a corner by that much. No 49 PA sample sizes proves a guy can hit LHPs, and his numbers beforehand were off the scale horrific.

 

IMO, we should start him as a platoon LF'er. I would avoid playing him in CF.

 

Playing in just LF and batting mostly against RHPs (at least until he shows he can hit LHPs, well enough) would help hide his problem areas. I hope he continues to improve and earns the FT job.

 

He's got a ways to go to be good enough to play CF, a lot.

[moonslav59]

ROY Award announced, tonight.

 

Normally, I don't care much for awards, but if Casas wins or places second, the team gets some draft perks.

 

GO TRISTAN!

[mvp 78]

If Urias and Reyes are both on the 26. I think we could see these back-ups/fill-ins:

 

3B: Urias

SS: Reyes (Rafaela)

2B: Reyes or Urias, whichever is not starting.

1B: ??? (Devers???)

 

If we don't have Urias and Reyes, and look to get Rafaela more PAs by using him as a back-up IF'er, so Abreu can get more in the OF, then I guess we could do that.

 

I'm not sure if using Rafaela at SS and 2B makes more sense than Reyes..

 

Dalbec is the backup 1B for now. After him it'd be Kavadas or Scott. Seems like they'll have to figure something out there.

[mvp 78]

DH'ing by committee.

 

Cora will have 1)scheduled day off or 2)scheduled defensive day off but DH'ing.

 

DH by committee, but Masa gets 50% or more of the reps maybe?

[moonslav59]

Dalbec is the backup 1B for now. After him it'd be Kavadas or Scott. Seems like they'll have to figure something out there.

 

None will be on the 26, but yes, with an injury, Dalbec would be called up.

 

Who would play 1B, when casas gets his scheduled days of rest?

 

I suggest maybe Devers with Urias at 3B.

[moonslav59]

Eligible players who are not added to their team's roster by 6 pm tomorrow, can be selected by another organization in the Rule 5 Draft, which is set for Wednesday, Dec. 6

[mvp 78]

I know everyone on here is sold on with Duran, but I am not. I know he was better last year than his disaster 2022, but I would want to see more of his 2023 again before I pencil him in FT anywhere. He didn’t finish 2023 very good his last month before he got hurt, and he may only be somewhere as good between his 2022 season, and 2023, so what then.

Once again I don’t see Raffy as any backup at 1B this coming year,and I don’t believe Cora does either. He needs all the work he can get at 3B.

 

I'm not SOLD on Duran. I think he should be given a chance to start this year. It's not like they have been options in the OF right now. Abreu won't BABIP 431 next year so his numbers will take a hit. Rafaela is still an unknown. Cora isn't happy with Verdugo. Masa sucks in LF. Refsnyder has a bad glove and has a noodle bat facing anyone that throws RH. Seems like Duran should get a long look? There are no locks out there.

[mvp 78]

I'm not "sold," yet. 2023 is not a large enough sample size to think he's turned a corner by that much. No 49 PA sample sizes proves a guy can hit LHPs, and his numbers beforehand were off the scale horrific.

 

IMO, we should start him as a platoon LF'er. I would avoid playing him in CF.

 

Playing in just LF and batting mostly against RHPs (at least until he shows he can hit LHPs, well enough) would help hide his problem areas. I hope he continues to improve and earns the FT job.

 

He's got a ways to go to be good enough to play CF, a lot.

 

Preference is definitely for LF for sure.

[mvp 78]

None will be on the 26, but yes, with an injury, Dalbec would be called up.

 

Who would play 1B, when casas gets his scheduled days of rest?

 

I suggest maybe Devers with Urias at 3B.

 

They would not move Devers to 1B for a handful of games. More likely they find someone else to learn 1B.

[notin]

I'm not SOLD on Duran. I think he should be given a chance to start this year. It's not like they have been options in the OF right now. Abreu won't BABIP 431 next year so his numbers will take a hit. Rafaela is still an unknown. Cora isn't happy with Verdugo. Masa sucks in LF. Refsnyder has a bad glove and has a noodle bat facing anyone that throws RH. Seems like Duran should get a long look? There are no locks out there.

 

Agreed.

 

Duran has at the very least earned a shot…

[Old Red]

They would not move Devers to 1B for a handful of games. More likely they find someone else to learn 1B.

 

Devers has 2 positions. 3B, or DH. 1B is not in his immediate future especially as a backup.

[mvp 78]

Devers has 2 positions. 3B, or DH. 1B is not in his immediate future especially as a backup.

 

Putting him into a parttime role at 1B would ultimately hurt his 3B defense even more IMO. I don't like that idea at all. If they are going to have Devers move to 1B, they do it all at once.

[notin]

Putting him into a parttime role at 1B would ultimately hurt his 3B defense even more IMO. I don't like that idea at all. If they are going to have Devers move to 1B, they do it all at once.

 

 

Right now soxprospects lists the bench as McGuire, Reyes, Refsnyder and Valdez. That’s their guess.

 

Valdez might wind up learning some 1b, or (more likely), the Sox bring in someone like Wil Myers or Garrett Cooper who has some 1b experience and can play the position adequately, and potentially handle other backup roles as well…

[Old Red]

Putting him into a parttime role at 1B would ultimately hurt his 3B defense even more IMO. I don't like that idea at all. If they are going to have Devers move to 1B, they do it all at once.

 

I agree 100%, but one on here keeps touting Raffy as a backup 1B.

[notin]

I agree 100%, but one on here keeps touting Raffy as a backup 1B.

 

He’s entitled to his theories. Not like Cora reads these boards to get ideas…