Craig Breslow hired as Head Of Baseball Operations

[mvp 78]

As long as Crag doesn't go 20 for 20 on pitchers in the draft, I'll give him a shot.

 

Will he elevate Romero to GM? Or is he going to chose someone else?

[Hugh2]

well with position players at least

 

Bloom didn't run the drafts, Sox had an affinity for drafting predominately position players with higher picks for years before he got here. What Bloom did do was hire more scouts and coaches and beefed up the pitching development program, something that takes years to pay dividends and maybe not the results you like if you still fail to draft those guys.

 

Bloom doesn't have the balls to run a big market club like Boston, but he'd be perfect for a franchise that is in shambles and does not have any realistic chances of competing for years. They're losing Ohtani, money is tied up in guys who are either turning in to DL machines or have completely fallen off a cliff (Trout/Rendon). And they have the worst farm in baseball. They need to start from scratch.

[notin]

Bloom didn't run the drafts, Sox had an affinity for drafting predominately position players with higher picks for years before he got here. What Bloom did do was hire more scouts and coaches and beefed up the pitching development program, something that takes years to pay dividends and maybe not the results you like if you still fail to draft those guys.

 

Bloom doesn't have the balls to run a big market club like Boston, but he'd be perfect for a franchise that is in shambles and does not have any realistic chances of competing for years. They're losing Ohtani, money is tied up in guys who are either turning in to DL machines or have completely fallen off a cliff (Trout/Rendon). And they have the worst farm in baseball. They need to start from scratch.

 

I doubt the predilection towards taking position players was solely a numbers game. It might be worth noting Bloom is the only CBO/GM in recent history to never take a pitcher in the first round…

[mvp 78]

Bloom didn't run the drafts, Sox had an affinity for drafting predominately position players with higher picks for years before he got here. What Bloom did do was hire more scouts and coaches and beefed up the pitching development program, something that takes years to pay dividends and maybe not the results you like if you still fail to draft those guys.

 

Bloom doesn't have the balls to run a big market club like Boston, but he'd be perfect for a franchise that is in shambles and does not have any realistic chances of competing for years. They're losing Ohtani, money is tied up in guys who are either turning in to DL machines or have completely fallen off a cliff (Trout/Rendon). And they have the worst farm in baseball. They need to start from scratch.

 

Moreno is a cheap mother f***er and isn't getting rid of Minasian until his contract is up.

 

Bloom is probably a better fit for a smaller market like KC or OAK/LV.

[moonslav59]

I doubt the predilection towards taking position players was solely a numbers game. It might be worth noting Bloom is the only CBO/GM in recent history to never take a pitcher in the first round…

 

It could still be based solely on crunching numbers, that include risk of injury and other variables pitchers bring to the formula that batters don't.

[Hugh2]

I doubt the predilection towards taking position players was solely a numbers game. It might be worth noting Bloom is the only CBO/GM in recent history to never take a pitcher in the first round…

 

A first-round pick every several years that's a pitcher doesn't invalidate the concept that they predominately pump resources into the position side. This has been well-established with the Sox organization for some time. They love and draft up the middle athletes. Yes, they take a Tanner Houck here and there and not pass up on a Jay Groome when he falls. But those are more of an exception than a rule.

 

If you purely look at the numbers, it's not going to be lopsided. You have a 180-man roster to fill out across the minors and you need roughly half pitchers at every level. But if you look at where the money is predominately being spent over the long term, it's hitting. It's much more hitting. And the fact that they draft a Trey Ball, or Jay Groome high here and there and they flop only strengthens the argument that they also develop position players better. That and you hit on position players much more often, thus increasing the probability of a dud draft when going all pitching.

[Hugh2]

It could still be based solely on crunching numbers, that include risk of injury and other variables pitchers bring to the formula that batters don't.

 

Also, Dave D took 2 pitchers in the first round with his 4 first-round picks. He seems to be 1/2. Groome is a complete bust, and Houck is TBD but he looks to be a valuable player, it's just still iffy if he has a home as a starter or a reliever.

[moonslav59]

Also, Dave D took 2 pitchers in the first round with his 4 first-round picks. He seems to be 1/2. Groome is a complete bust, and Houck is TBD but he looks to be a valuable player, it's just still iffy if he has a home as a starter or a reliever.

 

DD only had 3 first round picks. Their 2019 first round pick (#33) was dropped to #43 due to going over the lux tax (per soxprospects.com).

 

His only other first pick was Casas in 2018.

 

DD's pitcher's drafted:

 

2016: 4 of top 6 picks (Groome, S Anderson, Shawaryn, Nogosek)

2017: 4 of top 6 picks (Houck, Thompson, Scherff, Schellenger)

2018: 2 of top 6 picks (Feltman & Ward)

2019: 3 of top 3 picks (Zeferjahn, Song, Murphy)

 

13 pitchers drafted in the top 6:

Houck looks good and could get better.

Murphy looked okay in '23 but is a long shot.

The rest are very long shots.

He was basically 1 for 13.

 

Among the 11 non pitchers taken in the top 6 picks:

Casas '18

Dalbec '16

Lugo '19

Brannon '17

(Duran in 7th rd '18)

Maybe 1 for 11, here.

 

 

 

[mvp 78]

Notable pitchers taken in DD drafts:

 

2016 - Groome, Shawaryn, Nogosek

2017 - Houck, Scherff, Crawford

2018 - Feltman, Ward, Politi, Fernandez,

2019 - Song, Murphy, Bell, Walter

 

A very mixed bag and no high end arms aside from Song and Groome who didn't work out. Development issue? Draft issue? Casas, Espinal and Duran seem to be the only potential everyday MLB guys that were drafted in those 4 years. Espinal maybe? The drafts from 2012 - 2017 were pretty horrible in retrospect.

[Bellhorn04]

Notable pitchers taken in DD drafts:

 

2016 - Groome, Shawaryn, Nogosek

2017 - Houck, Scherff, Crawford

2018 - Feltman, Ward, Politi, Fernandez,

2019 - Song, Murphy, Bell, Walter

 

A very mixed bag and no high end arms aside from Song and Groome who didn't work out. Development issue? Draft issue? Casas, Espinal and Duran seem to be the only potential everyday MLB guys that were drafted in those 4 years. Espinal maybe? The drafts from 2012 - 2017 were pretty horrible in retrospect.

 

Houck and Crawford in 2017 doesn't look bad.

[Hugh2]

Moreno is a cheap mother f***er and isn't getting rid of Minasian until his contract is up.

 

Bloom is probably a better fit for a smaller market like KC or OAK/LV.

 

Oh you’re probably right. My comment is half a joke, it’s like watching two fat ugly yankee fans getting married. “Awe, they have found love”

 

It will be interesting to see if he gets to run another organization he takes a job that is a demotion. There’s only 30 of them.

[mvp 78]

Oh you’re probably right. My comment is half a joke, it’s like watching two fat ugly yankee fans getting married. “Awe, they have found love”

 

It will be interesting to see if he gets to run another organization he takes a job that is a demotion. There’s only 30 of them.

 

Ben got another chance, but it took a little bit. Bloom will probably get there again just because he was able to build the farm system back up. Someone will value that.

[mvp 78]

If I'm the Pirates, I'd probably rather have Bloom than Ben if I'm being honest.

[mvp 78]

Houck and Crawford in 2017 doesn't look bad.

 

It's "fine." The overall picture of that stretch is UGLY.

 

We haven't seen the dividends from Bloom's drafts either. Maybe they all flame out too?

[moonslav59]

It's "fine." The overall picture of that stretch is UGLY.

 

We haven't seen the dividends from Bloom's drafts either. Maybe they all flame out too?

 

There certainly is flameout potential to Bloom's drafts, but it might take many years to get the final results. The amount of top picks going to HS players will prolong the final grade submission.

 

It didn't help that his first draft was during COVID and was just 4 rounds deep. Yorke still shows promise. Drohan and Jordan, not so much, but still a little.

2021's draft included Mayer, but there are a few prospects clinging to some hopes: E R-C, Hickey, Dobbins, Guerrero, Troye and maybe Kavadas.

Romero, the top pick from '22, could turn out a bust. C Coffey is about out of hopes. Anthony looks like a big prize (79th pick.) Rogers, Meidroth, I Coffey, Hoppe and maybe a couple others have some promise remaining.

The '23 draft is still pretty fresh, but Teel did nothing to cause any more doubts. A few others looked good out of the gates.

 

I'm hopeful Bloom's prospects do better than Ben & DD's:

 

DD: Casas, Houck, Crawford

Ben: Beni, Kopech, Beeks

 

Theo's last draft blew away all of Ben's and DD;'s drafts combined:

Betts, JBJ, Barnes, TShaw, Noe Ramirez

 

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Theo's last draft blew away all of Ben's and DD;'s drafts combined:

Betts, JBJ, Barnes, TShaw, Noe Ramirez

 

But were the latter GMs limited by new draft rules on signing $?

 

I remember Speier's book chronicling the Betts signing... Mookie had a number that if he didn't get, he was going to college. Theo caved at the end, and gave the 5th-rounder what he wanted to sign.

 

(don't you wish Theo was Boston CBO in 2020...)

[Bellhorn04]

There certainly is flameout potential to Bloom's drafts, but it might take many years to get the final results. The amount of top picks going to HS players will prolong the final grade submission.

 

It didn't help that his first draft was during COVID and was just 4 rounds deep. Yorke still shows promise. Drohan and Jordan, not so much, but still a little.

2021's draft included Mayer, but there are a few prospects clinging to some hopes: E R-C, Hickey, Dobbins, Guerrero, Troye and maybe Kavadas.

Romero, the top pick from '22, could turn out a bust. C Coffey is about out of hopes. Anthony looks like a big prize (79th pick.) Rogers, Meidroth, I Coffey, Hoppe and maybe a couple others have some promise remaining.

The '23 draft is still pretty fresh, but Teel did nothing to cause any more doubts. A few others looked good out of the gates.

 

I'm hopeful Bloom's prospects do better than Ben & DD's:

 

DD: Casas, Houck, Crawford

Ben: Beni, Kopech, Beeks

 

Theo's last draft blew away all of Ben's and DD;'s drafts combined:

Betts, JBJ, Barnes, TShaw, Noe Ramirez

 

 

 

DD: Duran

 

If we include IFA's

 

DD: Bello

Ben: Devers

[mvp 78]

There certainly is flameout potential to Bloom's drafts, but it might take many years to get the final results. The amount of top picks going to HS players will prolong the final grade submission.

 

It didn't help that his first draft was during COVID and was just 4 rounds deep. Yorke still shows promise. Drohan and Jordan, not so much, but still a little.

2021's draft included Mayer, but there are a few prospects clinging to some hopes: E R-C, Hickey, Dobbins, Guerrero, Troye and maybe Kavadas.

Romero, the top pick from '22, could turn out a bust. C Coffey is about out of hopes. Anthony looks like a big prize (79th pick.) Rogers, Meidroth, I Coffey, Hoppe and maybe a couple others have some promise remaining.

The '23 draft is still pretty fresh, but Teel did nothing to cause any more doubts. A few others looked good out of the gates.

 

I'm hopeful Bloom's prospects do better than Ben & DD's:

 

DD: Casas, Houck, Crawford

Ben: Beni, Kopech, Beeks

 

Theo's last draft blew away all of Ben's and DD;'s drafts combined:

Betts, JBJ, Barnes, TShaw, Noe Ramirez

 

 

 

So far, Bloom's drafts seem to be better than the previous era of drafting. However, it will take time for a real review as you said.

[Hugh2]

But were the latter GMs limited by new draft rules on signing $?

 

I remember Speier's book chronicling the Betts signing... Mookie had a number that if he didn't get, he was going to college. Theo caved at the end, and gave the 5th-rounder what he wanted to sign.

 

(don't you wish Theo was Boston CBO in 2020...)

 

The 2011 draft was also the last draft where there weren’t any penalties for going over your bonus pools. I’m not even sure there pools then? But I do remember that in 2012 and from then on if you spend like that you start losing 1st round picks.

 

I also remember the day when you could trade for a rental, let them walk and receive TWO supplemental first round picks.

[Hugh2]

That’s the type of s*** they should bring back if they want wheeling and dealing and exciting trade deadlines and winter meetings with more free agents.

 

But. Big market teams exposed that system.

[moonslav59]

The 2011 draft was also the last draft where there weren’t any penalties for going over your bonus pools. I’m not even sure there pools then? But I do remember that in 2012 and from then on if you spend like that you start losing 1st round picks.

 

I also remember the day when you could trade for a rental, let them walk and receive TWO supplemental first round picks.

 

Back then, many teams like the Sox and Rays were able to stockpile picks by losing players to free agency.

 

In 2011, we had 4 picks in the top 40. The Rays had 10 in the top 60 and 12 in the top 89, that year. They got Snell with their 7th pick at #52.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

MLB teams should also be allowed to trade pick positions up to draft day, like in other sports. That could generate more excitement (or job openings).

[moonslav59]

MLB teams should also be allowed to trade pick positions up to draft day, like in other sports. That could generate more excitement (or job openings).

 

It's weird how they don't do this, already.

 

It would add a whole new dimension to draft day.

[mvp 78]

It's weird how they don't do this, already.

 

It would add a whole new dimension to draft day.

 

Teams are now given a draft cap based on their draft positions. Would you do away with that?

[moonslav59]

Teams are now given a draft cap based on their draft positions. Would you do away with that?

 

It would be difficult to apply the cap numbers to a changing draft order. I guess an adjustment could be made with every trade.

 

I like the idea of trades being allowed. I don't care much about the specifics.

[notin]

Teams are now given a draft cap based on their draft positions. Would you do away with that?

 

Trade the money with the slot. Otherwise it makes no sense…

[Hugh2]

Trade the money with the slot. Otherwise it makes no sense…

 

It prevents guys from moving themselves down in the draft so a richer club can sign them for more money.

 

It doesn't work 100%, but the system the have now make it much more fair than it was.

[Hugh2]

I think they should keep the cap system but allow trading picks, this allows teams to increase their pool if they wish.

 

Maybe you disallow top 5 or top 10 picks from being traded. They allow bonus slot money to be traded in the IFA system. It's not a stretch.

[mvp 78]

Trade the money with the slot. Otherwise it makes no sense…

 

I think you wouldn't trade the money. The team with the bad record still keeps the extra slot money and can pick later in the draft. The better team just has a chance to pick a really good player they would never have been able to get previously at the expense of the rest of their draft.

[notin]

It prevents guys from moving themselves down in the draft so a richer club can sign them for more money.

 

It doesn't work 100%, but the system the have now make it much more fair than it was.

 

And for higher picks, receiving that draft allocation money is contingent on signing the player, so teams do not pay over slot for pick one of ignore pick 2 to stay on budget. Should the team trading the pick (without money) have their budget depend on another team signing the player?

 

If you don’t send the money with the pick, teams with more picks would have less money per to sign them…