A Realistic View at 2024: Part I

[mvp 78]

There is NO MOVE more important than getting some SP. like they said on the MLB network if the Red Sox don’t improve the SP now the rest of the Div, which is already ahead of them will just run away from them even more. The future is now, and the biggest need is now.

 

If the Sox can add Yamamoto and trade for Burnes, it puts them in a great position in the division.

 

The Yanks added a big bat, but still have a lot of ??? in the rotation aside from Cole.

 

The Rays are looking to get rid of Glasnow and are always churning through TJS with their pitchers.

 

The Jays missed out on Ohtani and are perennial middle of the pack.

 

The O's are young and hungry, but haven't added and probably won't.

[mvp 78]

IMO, we need 3 SP'ers, but even two really good ones may be hard to acquire.

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I agree. If we don't add two, we won't even keep pace with the 4 teams above us, let alone gain on any.

 

It all comes down to additions to the rotation and how well they do.

 

If something is hard to do, should they just give up and not try to do it?

[moonslav59]

What later moves?

 

If they keep hoarding prospects, more guys will be gone via the Rule 5 process. May as well start clearing up space now. The Dodgers are not known for holding onto prospects until the end of time.

 

Later moves: We add two FA SP'ers, and maybe use a topo prospect in trade at a later time.

 

Deadline?

 

Next winter?

 

We still use the farm for additions, just maybe later.

 

I'm not worried about any Rule 5 guys we lost or might lose.

[Old Red]

If the Sox can add Yamamoto and trade for Burnes, it puts them in a great position in the division.

 

The Yanks added a big bat, but still have a lot of ??? in the rotation aside from Cole.

 

The Rays are looking to get rid of Glasnow and are always churning through TJS with their pitchers.

 

The Jays missed out on Ohtani and are perennial middle of the pack.

 

The O's are young and hungry, but haven't added and probably won't.

 

I’m not counting at all on the Red Sox getting The Yam Man.

 

The Rays always manage to come up with enough pitching.

 

The Jays missed out on Ohtani, so they must have plenty of unspent money to do other things.

 

The O’s are young, and what a waste if they don’t do much adding.

[moonslav59]

If something is hard to do, should they just give up and not try to do it?

 

No.

 

Why ask me that? Did I imply we should?

[mvp 78]

Later moves: We add two FA SP'ers, and maybe use a topo prospect in trade at a later time.

 

Deadline?

 

Next winter?

 

We still use the farm for additions, just maybe later.

 

I'm not worried about any Rule 5 guys we lost or might lose.

 

You should be worried about Rule 5 guys that you lose for free because they can be traded or actual value ahead of time.

[mvp 78]

I’m not counting at all on the Red Sox getting The Yam Man.

 

The Rays always manage to come up with enough pitching.

 

The Jays missed out on Ohtani, so they must have plenty of unspent money to do other things.

 

The O’s are young, and what a waste if they don’t do much adding.

 

I'm not counting on the Sox to do anything either. Just trying to keep an open mind and not be a Grinch this season. I'll wait until ST opens before I make any final proclamations.

[Old Red]

Later moves: We add two FA SP'ers, and maybe use a topo prospect in trade at a later time.

 

Deadline?

 

Next winter?

 

We still use the farm for additions, just maybe later.

 

I'm not worried about any Rule 5 guys we lost or might lose.

 

Trade deadline? Next winter? Maybe later? Wow, Wow, Wow! After two losing last place in the Div finishers, and you don’t get that what’s most important is now, and making the team better is now??? The team has to be made better now, and it doesn’t matter how it’s done, and that includes trading prospects, and yes even top prospects if that’s what it will take.

[Old Red]

I'm not counting on the Sox to do anything either. Just trying to keep an open mind and not be a Grinch this season. I'll wait until ST opens before I make any final proclamations.

 

We have no other option, but to wait to see how things shake out, but it would be nice if more was done than what’s been done already. Things should start to pick up after the Yam Man signs.

[mvp 78]

Trade deadline? Next winter? Maybe later? Wow, Wow, Wow! After two losing last place in the Div finishers, and you don’t get that what’s most important is now, and making the team better is now??? The team has to be made better now, and it doesn’t matter how it’s done, and that includes trading prospects, and yes even top prospects if that’s what it will take.

 

I hate the idea of putting off a move until the deadline to make your team better. Do it before the season starts and you may have 3-4 additional wins before the deadline. Plus, deadline deals typically come at a premium.

 

Don't they need to sell tickets this offseason anyway?

[mvp 78]

We have no other option, but to wait to see how things shake out, but it would be nice if more was done than what’s been done already. Things should start to pick up after the Yam Man signs.

 

Yamamoto said he was going to sign AFTER Ohtani anyway. Maybe this will get the offseason moving quicker?

[sk7326]

I hate the idea of putting off a move until the deadline to make your team better. Do it before the season starts and you may have 3-4 additional wins before the deadline. Plus, deadline deals typically come at a premium.

 

Don't they need to sell tickets this offseason anyway?

 

Agreed. I put it this way. You need (particularly if you are Boston or NYY or LA or one of the big kids on the block) to have a pathway to success at all the positions. Now I get, say, not signing an Alex Verdugo level OF to give some playing time to a youngin who you think could be very good, and then maybe using the deadline to shore things up if you made the wrong call. But I don't like the idea of punting on making your team better.

[Old Red]

I hate the idea of putting off a move until the deadline to make your team better. Do it before the season starts and you may have 3-4 additional wins before the deadline. Plus, deadline deals typically come at a premium.

 

Don't they need to sell tickets this offseason anyway?

 

Putting off moves to make the team better now makes NO SENSE whatsoever. If the team doesn’t get better now it won’t matter come deadline time.

[moonslav59]

Trade deadline? Next winter? Maybe later? Wow, Wow, Wow! After two losing last place in the Div finishers, and you don’t get that what’s most important is now, and making the team better is now??? The team has to be made better now, and it doesn’t matter how it’s done, and that includes trading prospects, and yes even top prospects if that’s what it will take.

 

Did you miss the first part? WOW!

 

I said "We add 2 SP'ers," then maybe trade a top prospect at a later time. Why is that so absurd?

 

When I mentioned adding 3 SP'er, you and others said it was a pipe dream. Now, you insist we trade a top prospect after signing 2 top SP'er.

 

WOW, wow, WOW!

[moonslav59]

Putting off moves to make the team better now makes NO SENSE whatsoever. If the team doesn’t get better now it won’t matter come deadline time.

 

"No sense." It is probably what will happen, IF WE ADD 2 SP'ers via free agency. You guys are missing that kep caveat.

 

[notin]

We have no other option, but to wait to see how things shake out, but it would be nice if more was done than what’s been done already. Things should start to pick up after the Yam Man signs.

 

Yamamoto has until the first week of January to sign. I don’t expect him to do anything until his deadline date is very close…

[notin]

I hate the idea of putting off a move until the deadline to make your team better. Do it before the season starts and you may have 3-4 additional wins before the deadline. Plus, deadline deals typically come at a premium.

 

Don't they need to sell tickets this offseason anyway?

 

 

I don’t think that’s what he meant.

 

I think he meant sign two starting pitchers this off-season (rather than trading for one or both) and save the prospect capital for trading at the deadline…

[mvp 78]

I don’t think that’s what he meant.

 

I think he meant sign two starting pitchers this off-season (rather than trading for one or both) and save the prospect capital for trading at the deadline…

 

I don't like that approach for the reasons noted above.

[mvp 78]

Yamamoto has until the first week of January to sign. I don’t expect him to do anything until his deadline date is very close…

 

Should be a very boring next couple of weeks then. I wouldn't sign if I was Snell or Monty.

[moonslav59]

I hate the idea of putting off a move until the deadline to make your team better. Do it before the season starts and you may have 3-4 additional wins before the deadline. Plus, deadline deals typically come at a premium.

 

Don't they need to sell tickets this offseason anyway?

 

My thoughts are that upper brass is likely looking at 2025 as "the year," as our 3 top prospects should be here, by then, but they want to win, now, too.

 

My idea is not to "plan on trading at the deadline." I'd rather we build a winner, now, via free agency and try to save the prospects for a big boost in '25 to '26, but if it looks like we can win at the deadline with one more key piece, maybe make a trade, then. Or, make it next winter.

 

I'm not for trading a top prospects just for the sake of saying "We went for it all in 2024." If it means trading for Burnes and losing him to free agency after 2024, I'd rather wait.

[mvp 78]

My thoughts are that upper brass is likely looking at 2025 as "the year," as our 3 top prospects should be here, by then, but they want to win, now, too.

 

My idea is not to "plan on trading at the deadline." I'd rather we build a winner, now, via free agency and try to save the prospects for a big boost in '25 to '26, but if it looks like we can win at the deadline with one more key piece, maybe make a trade, then. Or, make it next winter.

 

I'm not for trading a top prospects just for the sake of saying "We went for it all in 2024." If it means trading for Burnes and losing him to free agency after 2024, I'd rather wait.

 

IMO, if they are trading for a guy with one year of service left, it's because they believe he can be extended or is cheap to acquire.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

My thoughts are that upper brass is likely looking at 2025 as "the year," as our 3 top prospects should be here, by then, but they want to win, now, too.

 

My idea is not to "plan on trading at the deadline." I'd rather we build a winner, now, via free agency and try to save the prospects for a big boost in '25 to '26, but if it looks like we can win at the deadline with one more key piece, maybe make a trade, then. Or, make it next winter.

 

I'm not for trading a top prospects just for the sake of saying "We went for it all in 2024." If it means trading for Burnes and losing him to free agency after 2024, I'd rather wait.

 

Even if Ant-Teel-Mayer are all up by '25, rookie years like Lynn-Fisk-Nomar aren't automatic (just saying the Sox can't assume they're going for it with 1/3 of a line-up going through normal growing pains)...

 

... however, that can make establishing the stability of the top of a rotation even more vital now. Like we all keep saying, it all starts with starters...

[moonslav59]

IMO, if they are trading for a guy with one year of service left, it's because they believe he can be extended or is cheap to acquire.

 

Agreed, and I have said that about Burnes, but if he won't extend, then hold off a while, right?

 

(I sure wish we had traded for and extended Castillo, which I argued, at the time. His deal looks like a steal, now.)

[moonslav59]

Even if Ant-Teel-Mayer are all up by '25, rookie years like Lynn-Fisk-Nomar aren't automatic (just saying the Sox can't assume they're going for it with 1/3 of a line-up going through normal growing pains)...

 

... however, that can make establishing the stability of the top of a rotation even more vital now. Like we all keep saying, it all starts with starters...

 

I am 100% on board with trading for an ace. That has been my mantra for years.

 

My point was only based on the assumption we added 2 very good SP'ers by free agency. Hell, I'm all for adding 3 SP'ers. I'd sign 2 and trade for one, but that ain't happening.

 

I'd be fine, if we signed Monty and Imanaga, plus add a 2Bman and maybe a catcher or OF upgrade. That might get us near the 2nd line and nicely positioned for a stronger run in '26 with a 2 or 3 of out top 5-6 prospects making a big impact. We give trading a prospects a little more time, and then fill the biggest need at the deadline or next winter for "that final piece."

 

That's not saying I'm against trading one now.

 

I'd like to keep all 3, but I also want some top experienced talent, too. Trading now or later is fine with me- just not for rentals.

 

[notin]

I don't like that approach for the reasons noted above.

 

IMO you have to gets best available using whatever method is appropriate and affordable. Just clarifying that I didn’t take it to mean putting off any/all acquisitions until July…

[moonslav59]

Even if Ant-Teel-Mayer are all up by '25, rookie years like Lynn-Fisk-Nomar aren't automatic (just saying the Sox can't assume they're going for it with 1/3 of a line-up going through normal growing pains)...

 

I'm not pencilling in any of those top 3 prospects, but I do think there is a very good chance 2 are very helpful by 2025. Add rafaela, Yorke, Abreu, Wikelman and perales, and I'm thinking counting on 3 is not a stretch. The problem is, we don't know which 3, so that is why waiting to see what the big hole is, later, makes some sense.

 

Look, I'm all for going all in, now. Spend up to the $77M line AND trade a top 3 prospects with a couple tier 2 guys and get another top player with several years of team control. We'll still have enough prospects giving us a boost in 2025, plus some big contract money coming off the books that will allow us to sign more players in 2025, and still possibly reset, if that is the plan.

[Randy Red Sox]

Which will give Breslow the excuse of not being able to address the “ SP” as the other options will likely be all signed y then

[Randy Red Sox]

Now it’s 2026 till we can make a strong run??

[mvp 78]

Now it’s 2026 till we can make a strong run??

 

I don't know how they'd ever be able to sell that without all of Red Sox Nation's collective eyeballs spinning around like penny slots.

[dgalehouse]

The Sox had a winning formula, but they decided it was too expensive and wasn't " sustainable ", so they decided to change it. Now, they are still trying to figure out what is best. And the fans are confused and disgruntled.