Craig Breslow hired as Head Of Baseball Operations

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You can line up all those guys in a spreadsheet based on a two year sample and say you like them or not. I looked at their pitch mix and their Statcast pages. Singer is not a #2. Keller is not as good as Bello going forward IMO. Why would you trade for Alcantara if you have no idea what he's going to look like when he pitches again? Also, you don't even know his contract status. He's not pre-ARB anymore as he's already signed an extension.

 

I just don't think you can put every pitcher in a 150 man list and grab the 45th guy and say "well, he'll be a good #2 then!" It's just not how life works. You need to actually look at how that pitcher would work for BOS and how that pitcher projects going forward. The Sox should sign Yamamoto, trade/extend Burnes then call it a day. Get two impact arms to lead the rotation that will completely change the look of the rotation.

 

Burnes

Yamamoto

Bello

Sale

Crawford/Pivetta/Houck/Wikelman

 

What you say about Alcantara also applies to Ohtani as a pitcher. A few media types have advocated for Breslow to recruit the latter (basically to make their jobs more interesting; we all know left-handed hitting isn't remotely a priority).

 

But... he's Ohtani! Sure, and a lot of folks might prefer driving a red Mustang convertible to work every day... but they'll still have to sit in traffic jams during rush hour.

[mvp 78]

What you say about Alcantara also applies to Ohtani as a pitcher. A few media types have advocated for Breslow to recruit the latter (basically to make their jobs more interesting; we all know left-handed hitting isn't remotely a priority).

 

But... he's Ohtani! Sure, and a lot of folks might prefer driving a red Mustang convertible to work every day... but they'll still have to sit in traffic jams during rush hour.

 

Ohtani is the big media signing for sure. Think of all the stories they can write! He'd be terrible for the 2024 Sox. He may be good for the short term 2025-27 Sox. I think long term, that injury risk is just too great. He's not really two players for the price of one. You're paying for an injury prone pitcher who will be in his 30's the next time he pitches and has only had one truly great season. The other half of Ohtani is just a DH. That contract is just not for me. I don't believe he is a player that will age well.

[moonslav59]

 

I just don't think you can put every pitcher in a 150 man list and grab the 45th guy and say "well, he'll be a good #2 then!" It's just not how life works.

 

I realize it is a crude and flawed way to look at slot rankings, but these guys have all pitched well enough to outperform most others.

 

I did not mean to imply these guys are better than Bello or will be. Bello's 2022-2023 numbers are brought down by 2022, but also the end of 2023.

 

I'm fine saying Bello is the #2 and Singer, Keller or Sandoval would be the #3. I think it would very hard to say any of these guys have 90 SP'ers better than them.

 

I see Cease as a solid #2.

 

The one year of Burnes is a big turn off.

 

If we are looking at 2025, I think Alcantara is in play.

 

.

[Bellhorn04]

Gray looked really good in his relief stint in Game 1.

 

Craig and I would like to see him get a start before the Series is over, for more evaluation...

 

Different Gray!

[mvp 78]

The one year of Burnes is a big turn off.

 

If we are looking at 2025, I think Alcantara is in play.

 

.

 

If they trade for Burnes it's to extend him within the week IMO.

 

Trading for Alcantara this season just doesn't make much sense. At least let him rehab first before you put him on payroll.

[moonslav59]

If they trade for Burnes it's to extend him within the week IMO.

 

Trading for Alcantara this season just doesn't make much sense. At least let him rehab first before you put him on payroll.

 

Agreed on Burnes.

 

Trading for Alcantara now vs 2025 would create less of a return need, as MIA would love to save some more money for 2024. I get the turn-off, and our record with injured pitcher acquisitions is horrible. This kid is the real deal, though. His cost is $11.2 on the tax line from '24 to '26 and he has a $21M team option for 2027 with a $2M buyout. If he comes back strong in '25 and '26, we'd be paying $33.6 tax line for 2 years (3 seasons- 1 on IL.)

If we take the option, his tax hit would be $54.6M/4, or about $13M/yr, but we'd get 3 years from him.

 

It was this reasoning that led me to like the Sale extension, so I realize the risk. Alcantara is younger, though.

 

 

 

[mvp 78]

Alcantara WAS the real deal. I know that guys are coming back from TJS stronger these days, it's just still a risk and it will still cost a lot in prospects to get him FOR A GUY WHO WON'T EVEN PITCH IN 2024.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Different Gray!

 

Nothing is black and white.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If they trade for Burnes it's to extend him within the week IMO.

 

Trading for Alcantara this season just doesn't make much sense. At least let him rehab first before you put him on payroll.

 

I tried calling Chaim, but he can't come to the phone right now...

[moonslav59]

Alcantara WAS the real deal. I know that guys are coming back from TJS stronger these days, it's just still a risk and it will still cost a lot in prospects to get him FOR A GUY WHO WON'T EVEN PITCH IN 2024.

 

Yes, it is a gamble. A big one.

[mvp 78]

Yes, it is a gamble. A big one.

 

I'm not sure it's something a brand new CBO would do. One who was on the hot seat? Maybe.

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure it's something a brand new CBO would do. One who was on the hot seat? Maybe.

 

I'm not for shooting at 2025. I've waited long enough, but if the plan is to go all in for 2025, when Mayer, Teel and maybe Anthony will be MLB ready, and Yorke, Rafaela, Abreu, Casas, Bello and others are nearer to prime, then it may be worth a dice roll.

[mvp 78]

One thing that was mentioned on the most recent Sox Prospects podcast was that the Cubs farm system had the highest velo in MiLB and was #2 in the STUFF metric. For a system managed by Crag, it gives me a little hope that he can move on from the pitchability guys that we currently have (like Walter) who just flame out at the higher levels of the farm.

[Old Red]

Breslow will get introduced Thursday by Sam The Sham who will tell everyone this is the guy the Red Sox wanted all along. It’s taken awhile for the press conference, because Sam is still working on his speech, and is making sure all the I are dotted, and all the t are crossed.

[moonslav59]

Breslow will get introduced Thursday by Sam The Sham who will tell everyone this is the guy the Red Sox wanted all along. It’s taken awhile for the press conference, because Sam is still working on his speech, and is making sure all the I are dotted, and all the t are crossed.

 

Is Breslow the guy you wanted?

 

What is the crowd on your bid corner saying about him?

[Duran Is The Man]

Is Breslow the guy you wanted?

 

What is the crowd on your bid corner saying about him?

 

i don't know about Red but Breslow was not even my Top 10 of who i thought might get the job. and really, i'm not sure how much it matters who it is if it's the same dysfunctional, haphazard, half-assed FO/ownership approach.

[moonslav59]

i don't know about Red but Breslow was not even my Top 10 of who i thought might get the job. and really, i'm not sure how much it matters who it is if it's the same dysfunctional, haphazard, half-assed FO/ownership approach.

 

I don't know if Breslow was on anyone's radar, early on.

 

The more I read about him, the more it seems like a good choice, but it's hard to know, when there is no history as a GM.

 

Bloom seemed like a good choice for that situation, but I think the priorities have changed. It's hard to know that, for sure, though. Maybe the rebuild continues until Mayer, Anthony and Teel are fully established, and then we "go all in," again.

[mvp 78]

All along, I said I liked the IDEA of Bloom, but Bloom in action was bad (bad offseason moves and lack of trade deadline moves left MLB team in the dust even though the farm got better). Maybe this version will fix the issues the previous CBO had? We'll see.

 

I agree that there are problems in the FO that may not be fixable if the new CBO is unable to make substantial changes. We're already hearing some grumbling from people in the FO that Crag is too analytical. If that's the case, that employee has to go. Everyone should be rowing in the same direction and that should be what the CBO wants to do, not what Vlad Dracul wants to do or what Grimma Wormtongue wants to do.

[sk7326]

All along, I said I liked the IDEA of Bloom, but Bloom in action was bad (bad offseason moves and lack of trade deadline moves left MLB team in the dust even though the farm got better). Maybe this version will fix the issues the previous CBO had? We'll see.

 

I agree that there are problems in the FO that may not be fixable if the new CBO is unable to make substantial changes. We're already hearing some grumbling from people in the FO that Crag is too analytical. If that's the case, that employee has to go. Everyone should be rowing in the same direction and that should be what the CBO wants to do, not what Vlad Dracul wants to do or what Grimma Wormtongue wants to do.

 

If there is grumbling NOW - then they obviously should not have hired him.

 

Now, Bloom came from another organizational tree - and while he certainly had his faults, it also seems like there were institutional impediments to implementing The Ray Way ... and if you hire a guy from a specific shop, you should be willing to let him shape the org that way. Like Tampa spends more on scouting than anybody in the league - did Bloom get to do that? Good questions.

 

Now MAYBE working in the Cubs FO helps Breslow fit in here better - we know there is a lot of shared organizational DNA.

[mvp 78]

If there is grumbling NOW - then they obviously should not have hired him.

 

Now, Bloom came from another organizational tree - and while he certainly had his faults, it also seems like there were institutional impediments to implementing The Ray Way ... and if you hire a guy from a specific shop, you should be willing to let him shape the org that way. Like Tampa spends more on scouting than anybody in the league - did Bloom get to do that? Good questions.

 

Now MAYBE working in the Cubs FO helps Breslow fit in here better - we know there is a lot of shared organizational DNA.

 

I believe this bloated FO needs an enema. Any person who isn't on board with the hiring needs to GTFO. There's just too much deadwood.

[Bellhorn04]

I believe this bloated FO needs an enema. Any person who isn't on board with the hiring needs to GTFO. There's just too much deadwood.

 

Do we have any idea who grumbled about Breslow already?

[sk7326]

I believe this bloated FO needs an enema. Any person who isn't on board with the hiring needs to GTFO. There's just too much deadwood.

 

Sam Kennedy has had a zombie like ability to survive the other FO turnover.

 

The thing with Larry Lucchino is that part of his job was to be the ******* that fans hate. But he also had a TON of real baseball experience and accomplishment and a real eye for front office talent. Not liking him was part of his role - but he clearly was good at his job.

[mvp 78]

Do we have any idea who grumbled about Breslow already?

 

UNNAMED Front Office Source!

[mvp 78]

Sam Kennedy has had a zombie like ability to survive the other FO turnover.

 

The thing with Larry Lucchino is that part of his job was to be the ******* that fans hate. But he also had a TON of real baseball experience and accomplishment and a real eye for front office talent. Not liking him was part of his role - but he clearly was good at his job.

 

Larry was good at his job and knew baseball. Sam is just the used car salesman guy. Useless. Everyone saw the value in Larry even if they wanted Theo to be left alone. Sam?

[harmony]

UNNAMED Front Office Source!

The source probably has a name but was unidentified or anonymous.

 

An old newspaper editor was a stickler on that point.

[notin]

UNNAMED Front Office Source!

 

How did that person get so far in life without ever having a name? That’s just negligent parenting! Name your kids!

[Bellhorn04]

How did that person get so far in life without ever having a name? That’s just negligent parenting! Name your kids!

 

Some of the names parents are giving kids these days are worse than no name.

[notin]

Larry was good at his job and knew baseball. Sam is just the used car salesman guy. Useless. Everyone saw the value in Larry even if they wanted Theo to be left alone. Sam?

 

Larry’s track record for success is really unparalleled in the history of American sports…

[notin]

Some of the names parents are giving kids these days are worse than no name.

 

I was telling that the other day to my eldest son, Simonize Archipelago Fruit Bat Notin…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Some of the names parents are giving kids these days are worse than no name.

 

It's even carrying over into MLB. Every FOX commercial for a month has shown the same ballplayer strutting the diamond -- tall, dark and handsome -- but nameless...

 

The singers can only crone: "Hey, YOU!"