Craig Breslow hired as Head Of Baseball Operations

[moonslav59]

It was a lousy stab at fan appeasement if that's what it was.

 

No question about that, so far.

 

4 years to go to try and salvage some value lost in years 1-2.

[mvp 78]

The guy is a better defender than I imagined. He was not post prime when we signed him. We knew about the park affects on his numbers, but his away numbers were nearly identical to Bogey's.

 

I liked the signing, but the injuries and rehabs killed us.

 

They signed him and we all knew about the current injury situation. 2 years later, he needs to prove his worth by playing a full productive season.

[moonslav59]

They signed him and we all knew about the current injury situation. 2 years later, he needs to prove his worth by playing a full productive season.

 

I think he can.

[mvp 78]

I think he can.

 

I'm sure he can. Will he? IDK.

[moonslav59]

I'm sure he can. Will he? IDK.

 

I'd guess he does fine for two years and decent the next two.

 

Just stay healthy!

 

I love a top defensive SS.

[Old Red]

I'm sure he can. Will he? IDK.

 

Who knows if his best days have come, and gone, and none of those good days will be with the Red Sox.

Edited December 11, 2023 by Old Red

[Dipre]

Story was not my favorite choice but I had no problem with it, particularly with the idea of him transitioning to 2B - which was the theory before they lost Boegarts. Really with him it has been all about health. The path to him being a 3 win player (a reasonable breakeven estimate) is at least pretty straightforward.

 

1. Appear in games

2. Be an average hitter

 

I mean last year he managed to produce 0.8 bWAR despite being useless with the bat. And he is a central reason the spine of the defense has a chance to be above average next season which would be a vast improvement on whatever they did in 2023.

 

And I do think there was pathway to 90 wins with that team entering 2022. The problem came down to some pitching regression and the corner bats being terrible.

 

All fair points, but I'm always weary of Coors field products regardless of their away numbers. With his size, I thought the problem would be moving off the position due to weight gain in his early 30's, but I'd be lying if I said I thought he'd have all of these health issues.

[mvp 78]

All fair points, but I'm always weary of Coors field products regardless of their away numbers. With his size, I thought the problem would be moving off the position due to weight gain in his early 30's, but I'd be lying if I said I thought he'd have all of these health issues.

 

He's been pretty great at SS. If he can just stay healthy, I think he'll be productive but that's why you don't intentionally buy damaged goods.

[sk7326]

He's been pretty great at SS. If he can just stay healthy, I think he'll be productive but that's why you don't intentionally buy damaged goods.

 

True.

 

That said, even 80-90% of his defense at shortstop combined with a .250/.320/.800 sort of line is a darn good player and flirts with All Star consideration if the counting stats are there.

[moonslav59]

True.

 

That said, even 80-90% of his defense at shortstop combined with a .250/.320/.800 sort of line is a darn good player and flirts with All Star consideration if the counting stats are there.

 

A GG-type SS that can hit .740-.760 is a big plus, especially over what we saw in 2023.

[mvp 78]

A GG-type SS that can hit .740-.760 is a big plus, especially over what we saw in 2023.

 

Instead of comparing to 2023, the Sox should be comparing themselves to what is at the top of the division.

[moonslav59]

Instead of comparing to 2023, the Sox should be comparing themselves to what is at the top of the division.

 

I do think Story at .750 with GG defense gets us a lot closer the rest of the division as a whole, but we are not likely going to equal Gunnar Henderson or Franco. Bichette is not likely, either.

 

Any major gain helps. We don't need to pass those ahead of us at every positions, but gaining at some and passing them at others can be enough.

 

2023 fWAR at SS

4.6 Henderson

4.6 Franco

3.8 Bichette

1.9 Volpe.

[mvp 78]

I do think Story at .750 with GG defense gets us a lot closer the rest of the division as a whole, but we are not likely going to equal Gunnar Henderson or Franco. Bichette is not likely, either.

 

Any major gain helps. We don't need to pass those ahead of us at every positions, but gaining at some and passing them at others can be enough.

 

2023 fWAR at SS

4.6 Henderson

4.6 Franco

3.8 Bichette

1.9 Volpe.

 

If he produces at the '22 levels, he's probably a 3.5ish fWAR guy (had 2.4 fWAR in only 94 G in '22). Franco probably won't play next season.

 

Yes, I wasn't meaning that they really have to compare position by position, but as a whole. Last year, they really struggled up the middle. They need to make sure that C/SS/2B/CF isn't a dumpster fire on 4/1.

[moonslav59]

If he produces at the '22 levels, he's probably a 3.5ish fWAR guy (had 2.4 fWAR in only 94 G in '22). Franco probably won't play next season.

 

Yes, I wasn't meaning that they really have to compare position by position, but as a whole. Last year, they really struggled up the middle. They need to make sure that C/SS/2B/CF isn't a dumpster fire on 4/1.

 

So, after telling me not to compare to 2023, you did.

[notin]

Instead of comparing to 2023, the Sox should be comparing themselves to what is at the top of the division.

 

Baby steps…

[mvp 78]

So, after telling me not to compare to 2023, you did.

 

I'm not comparing it to last year??? I'm just saying make sure the team is good this year. Am I not allowed to make that statement?

 

It's important for the team to have a strong starting rotation and be good up the middle. That's always my biggest concern...

[mvp 78]

Baby steps…

 

I'm not saying get there overnight.

[moonslav59]

I'm not comparing it to last year??? I'm just saying make sure the team is good this year. Am I not allowed to make that statement?

 

It's important for the team to have a strong starting rotation and be good up the middle. That's always my biggest concern...

 

Okay. You can say it. I can't.

 

BTW, I agree on our highest needs.

[Old Red]

Okay. You can say it. I can't.

 

BTW, I agree on our highest needs.

 

🙈🤭🙈.

[Randy Red Sox]

I'm not saying get there overnight.

 

3 last places finishes in 4 years certainly is "not getting there overnight"

[moonslav59]

3 last places finishes in 4 years certainly is "not getting there overnight"

 

Sounds familiar.

 

At least Ben got a ring during the last time it happened.

[moonslav59]

3 last places finishes in 4 years certainly is "not getting there overnight"

 

The "good times" are certainly becoming more spread out.

 

In the last 21 years, here are some of the best teams- by record and playoff advancement, only:

 

Red= after 2013

 

Group A

108-54 (WS win 4-1, 1st place) 2018

98-64 (WS win 4-0, the first in forevah, 2nd place) 2004

96-66 (WS win 4-0, 1st place) 2007

97-65 (WS win 4-2, 1st place) 2013

 

Group B

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-3) 2003

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-3) 2008

92-70 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-2) 2021

 

Group C

93-69 (1st place, lost ALDS 3-1) 2017

93-69 (1st place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2016

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2005

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2009

 

Non Playoff Group:

90-72 (3rd place) 2011

89-73 (3rd place) 2010

86-76 (3rd place) 2006

84-78 (3rd place) 2019

 

 

[Old Red]

The "good times" are certainly becoming more spread out.

 

In the last 21 years, here are some of the best teams- by record and playoff advancement, only:

 

Red= after 2013

 

Group A

108-54 (WS win 4-1, 1st place) 2018

98-64 (WS win 4-0, the first in forevah, 2nd place) 2004

96-66 (WS win 4-0, 1st place) 2007

97-65 (WS win 4-2, 1st place) 2013

 

Group B

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-3) 2003

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-3) 2008

92-70 (2nd place, lost ALCS 4-2) 2021

 

Group C

93-69 (1st place, lost ALDS 3-1) 2017

93-69 (1st place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2016

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2005

95-67 (2nd place, lost ALDS 3-0) 2009

 

Non Playoff Group:

90-72 (3rd place) 2011

89-73 (3rd place) 2010

86-76 (3rd place) 2006

84-78 (3rd place) 2019

 

 

 

I heard a poll today, which was what team would you want to be the last 10 years.the Dodgers with 1 WS title, or the Red Sox with 2 WS titles, but all those last place finishes. You guessed it the the Dodgers won, because they were more competitive for those 10 years every year. Not what you would have picked I know.

[moonslav59]

I heard a poll today, which was what team would you want to be the last 10 years.the Dodgers with 1 WS title, or the Red Sox with 2 WS titles, but all those last place finishes. You guessed it the the Dodgers won, because they were more competitive for those 10 years every year. Not what you would have picked I know.

 

The one WS title by LAD was the 2020 season, so that should count as a half championship.

 

LOL.

 

Being a Dodger fan for the next 10 years looks way more inviting, but it's all speculation.

 

As much as I meant to show how scarce or good years have become since 2013, out of the 11 top seasons, I listed, the playoff years, 4 have been in the last 8 years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021.)

 

One could also say we only have 1 in the last 5 years, which is terrible.

 

I'm very happy with the last 21 years, but not the last 5.

 

Would you take LA's (or anyone else's) last 21 years or ours?

Edited December 12, 2023 by moonslav59

[Old Red]

The one WS title by LAD was the 2020 season, so that should count as a half championship.

 

LOL.

 

Being a Dodger fan for the next 10 years looks way more inviting, but it's all speculation.

 

As much as I meant to show how scarce or good years have become since 2013, out of the 11 top seasons, I listed, the playoff years, 4 have been in the last 8 years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021.)

 

One could also say we only have 1 in the last 5 years, which is terrible.

 

I'm very happy with the last 21 years, but not the last 5.

 

Would you take LA's (or anyone else's) last 21 years or ours?

2020 was tainted l but I’d take our 4 championship years, and the rest would be the Dodgers years.

[moonslav59]

2020 was tainted l but I’d take our 4 championship years, and the rest would be the Dodgers years.

 

All the rest?

 

17-4?

 

As you would say, "WOW!"

 

Now, if you said, "after 2013," you'd have a strong case.

 

9 first place

1 second place

10 straight playoffs (11 counting 2013.)

 

It's interesting to note they lost in the ALDS 5 of those 10 times, the ALCS 3 times, the WS twice and the one tainted win. That is better than our record, for sure, but from 2003 to 2013, I'll take our rings, playoffs and records.

 

We know our record, but from 2003-2013, LA had this...

3 4th place

1 3rd place

3 2nd place

4 1st place

5 playoffs with 2 losses in NLDS and 3 in the NLCS

 

 

 

 

[notin]

I heard a poll today, which was what team would you want to be the last 10 years.the Dodgers with 1 WS title, or the Red Sox with 2 WS titles, but all those last place finishes. You guessed it the the Dodgers won, because they were more competitive for those 10 years every year. Not what you would have picked I know.

 

Sometimes the grass is greener simply because of all the fertilizer. I’m calling BS on that poll.

 

We were also-rans for a bunch of years and no one liked it. Heck, people freaked out at the Bloom hiring because they thought we were going to be Tampa North. Tampa has 5 straight postseason appearances - a streak the Red Sox have never had in their 120 year history. But still, no one wanted to be the Rays.

 

I bet if that question was reversed and Boston’s last 10 years was one titled and a slew of near misses, and the Dodgers had two titles and a slew of bad seasons, and that same crowd was asked that question, you’d get the exact same answer. After all, none of us from 1918 trough 2004 were saying “just one more ALCS appearance before I die.”..

[moonslav59]

Sometimes the grass is greener simply because of all the fertilizer. I’m calling BS on that poll.

 

We were also-rans for a bunch of years and no one liked it. Heck, people freaked out at the Bloom hiring because they thought we were going to be Tampa North. Tampa has 5 straight postseason appearances - a streak the Red Sox have never had in their 120 year history. But still, no one wanted to be the Rays.

 

I bet if that question was reversed and Boston’s last 10 years was one titled and a slew of near misses, and the Dodgers had two titles and a slew of bad seasons, and that same crowd was asked that question, you’d get the exact same answer. After all, none of us from 1918 trough 2004 were saying “just one more ALCS appearance before I die.”..

 

You hear some weird stuff on Red's Big Corner.

[Old Red]

You hear some weird stuff on Red's Big Corner.

 

I hear weirder stuff on here from as usual a very small minority.

[sk7326]

2020 was tainted l but I’d take our 4 championship years, and the rest would be the Dodgers years.

 

The 2002-2013 was much better to be a Red Sox fan. It's not close. And that's even setting aside the specific nature of 2004 (the most emotionally satisfying title any team has won ever).

 

That said, I do understand your feelings about the Dodgers the last decade. That used to be us - a fertile farm system to produce our stars along with deep pocketed ownership who filled in the gaps. It's nice to have a team always in the mix - and frankly Boston fans deserve that given the outlay etc.

Edited December 12, 2023 by sk7326