Red Sox 2024 Spring Training

[Bellhorn04]

Why did Bloom get fired? is a multiple choice question with no verifiable answer...

[notin]

Starting over? They didn't do a complete tear down of the system. They just swapped Bloom for Crag. Crag then came in and is going to add to the pitching development.

 

The positive steps with Bloom were: hoarding draft picks and..... What else did he actually do? So far, the 2020 draft hasn't panned out. The 2021 draft relies heavily on Mayer who struggled last season, while others drafted near him have done great (Jordan Lawlar). If Roman Anthony isn't an everyday player, the 2022 draft is a complete miss.

 

They only drafted 4 players in 2020. While none look like much, and maybe only Yorke has some promise, it's not exactly unheard of to miss on 4 picks. The 2021 draft still has a few players beyond Mayer, notably Rodriguez-Cruz that might prove useful. The 2022 raft might look better if Romero ever actually lasts a full season.

 

It's not exactly starting over, but we really don't know what Breslow has in store for this team. Not sure how he plans to fix the pitching if he only brings in Giolito and eventually Fulmer. I mean, the guy hasn't even DFAd Joe Jacques yet!

[notin]

Why did Bloom get fired? is a multiple choice question with no verifiable answer...

 

There are lots of possibilities. The fact that several of us all have legitimate complaints about him that don't necessarily overlap speaks volumes that it was not a single thing. But the overarching question is - what is the direction ownership expects from this team? Are they trying to compete, like they repeatedly have said? Are they just looking forward to better (re: cheaper) days? Do they care at all? Do they only want positive press?

[Bellhorn04]

There are lots of possibilities. The fact that several of us all have legitimate complaints about him that don't necessarily overlap speaks volumes that it was not a single thing. But the overarching question is - what is the direction ownership expects from this team? Are they trying to compete, like they repeatedly have said? Are they just looking forward to better (re: cheaper) days? Do they care at all? Do they only want positive press?

 

Do they even know what they're doing? is another. I'm past the point of assuming competence.

[mvp 78]

Why did Bloom get fired? is a multiple choice question with no verifiable answer...

 

I checked on Quora, it wasn't answered there either.

[notin]

Do they even know what they're doing? is another. I'm past the point of assuming competence.

 

My point.

 

I mean, there are plenty of think Bloom was fired for finishing last two years in a row. That's certainly a possibility as well, and the drafting wasn't a factor at all. Maybe they didn't like they he spent on players like Yoshida and Story. Maybe it was that he twiddled his thumbs while everyone else got pitchers in July. Maybe it was because his personality was not conducive to relaying a positive message to the public with anything remotely resembling credibility. Maybe none of those and something else entirely.

 

This is a multiple choice question where multiple answers could be correct. And that in itself was a good reason to fire him. But it doesn't help anyone understand what this team is doing, besides that they are apparently doing nothing...

[mvp 78]

They only drafted 4 players in 2020. While none look like much, and maybe only Yorke has some promise, it's not exactly unheard of to miss on 4 picks. The 2021 draft still has a few players beyond Mayer, notably Rodriguez-Cruz that might prove useful. The 2022 raft might look better if Romero ever actually lasts a full season.

 

It's not exactly starting over, but we really don't know what Breslow has in store for this team. Not sure how he plans to fix the pitching if he only brings in Giolito and eventually Fulmer. I mean, the guy hasn't even DFAd Joe Jacques yet!

 

ERC is still young, but he's not holding velo and missed a lot of last season. SoxProspects have been very bearish on him recently. At one point, he was about 10 points higher in their rankings.

[notin]

ERC is still young, but he's not holding velo and missed a lot of last season. SoxProspects have been very bearish on him recently. At one point, he was about 10 points higher in their rankings.

 

And some guys will just take time. Kutter Crawford was not a name that got a lot of press while he was coming up through the farm, But he has certainly become a useful pitcher. There may be others like him that just don't develop according to the anticipated schedule, but still do well.. .

[moonslav59]

And it's kind of important to evaluate exactly why the other teams are spending more compared to us now.

 

I guess.

 

I'm not sure we should just expect JH to do what others are doing, even if they are being reckless.

 

That's not to say, I don't think he should spend more.

 

The thing is, we could sign Monty and Duvall or Clevinger and probably still be below last year's payroll. To me, that is going too far, and is unacceptable to me, for what that is worth.

 

I don't expect JH to spend like the Mets or LAD or even have a spurt like TEX just did, but we can and should compete by staying near the Tax line, every year. We should not be 14th in spending. I agree.

 

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There are lots of possibilities. The fact that several of us all have legitimate complaints about him that don't necessarily overlap speaks volumes that it was not a single thing. But the overarching question is - what is the direction ownership expects from this team? Are they trying to compete, like they repeatedly have said? Are they just looking forward to better (re: cheaper) days? Do they care at all? Do they only want positive press?

 

Good post. And I bet if you surveyed 100 casual Red Sox fans, the most typical reply would be: "Because they suck!"

 

But if you asked 100 more serious fans, those who not only watch or listen to most games and can recite most Sox line-ups, but don't post on or read daily forums, the consensus just may be: "Because he traded Mookie!"

[notin]

Good post. And I bet if you surveyed 100 casual Red Sox fans, the most typical reply would be: "Because they suck!"

 

But if you asked 100 more serious fans, those who not only watch or listen to most games and can recite most Sox line-ups, but don't post on or read daily forums, the consensus just may be: "Because he traded Mookie!"

 

The Mookie trade was the one thing he was clearly not fired for, given that he was around for four seasons after the deal and because he was painted into a corner where it was the only realistic option.

 

Now returning Graterol in the original Mookie deal - that is a definite point against...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Mookie trade was the one thing he was clearly not fired for, given that he was around for four seasons after the deal and because he was painted into a corner where it was the only realistic option.

 

Now returning Graterol in the original Mookie deal - that is a definite point against...

 

We know that -- but like a certain group of radical lawfakers, it seems inevitable that history will not look favorably on the most infamous misdeed that occurred while Bloom was in charge.

[moonslav59]

And some guys will just take time. Kutter Crawford was not a name that got a lot of press while he was coming up through the farm, But he has certainly become a useful pitcher. There may be others like him that just don't develop according to the anticipated schedule, but still do well.. .

 

Indeed.

 

It's somewhat interesting that some of our current pitchers on the MLB club were not as highly rated as some that never made it or are not with the Sox, anymore.

 

Highest soxprospects.com rankings in last 8-9 seasons:

 

1. Groome

2. DHern, Mata (is out of options in '23)

3. Espinoza, Owens

4. Song

5. Walter, Kopech

6. Drohan, Shawaryn, Beeks, B Johnson

7. Seabold, Ranaudo

8. TWard, Feltman, Scherff, Raudes

9. A Ramirez, Lakins

 

On the Red Sox big club:

3. Bello

4. Whitlock

5. Houck

9. Winckowski

16. Crawford

[mvp 78]

The Mookie trade was the one thing he was clearly not fired for, given that he was around for four seasons after the deal and because he was painted into a corner where it was the only realistic option.

 

Now returning Graterol in the original Mookie deal - that is a definite point against...

 

Firing Bloom because he didn't want a setup guy in the Mookie trade....

[mvp 78]

We know that -- but like a certain group of radical lawfakers, it seems inevitable that history will not look favorably on the most infamous misdeed that occurred while Bloom was in charge.

 

Promoting Dermody.

[mvp 78]

Indeed.

 

It's somewhat interesting that some of our current pitchers on the MLB club were not as highly rated as some that never made it or are not with the Sox, anymore.

 

Highest soxprospects.com rankings in last 8-9 seasons:

 

1. Groome

2. DHern, Mata (is out of options in '23)

3. Espinoza, Owens

4. Song

5. Walter, Kopech

6. Drohan, Shawaryn, Beeks, B Johnson

7. Seabold, Ranaudo

8. TWard, Feltman, Scherff, Raudes

9. A Ramirez, Lakins

 

On the Red Sox big club:

3. Bello

4. Whitlock

5. Houck

9. Winckowski

16. Crawford

 

Crawford had back to back seasons of 5 ERA at AAA. Winckowski was seen as a bullpen arm most likely which pushed his ranking down. Any bullpen arm would likely not be a top 10 prospect going forward. Winck made it that high because of the sad state of the system.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I'm confident I'm coming into this season in the worst shape of my life. But at least I'm realistic to admit this may be as good as it gets.

[mvp 78]

I'm confident I'm coming into this season in the worst shape of my life. But at least I'm realistic to admit this may be as good as it gets.

 

Your posting is midseason form though.

[moonslav59]

Crawford had back to back seasons of 5 ERA at AAA. Winckowski was seen as a bullpen arm most likely which pushed his ranking down. Any bullpen arm would likely not be a top 10 prospect going forward. Winck made it that high because of the sad state of the system.

 

Indeed.

 

We've had 6 pitchers ranked 1-2-3 in the last 9 years. Only Bello is pitching at the ML level. (Mata might be, this year.)

 

We've had 15 pitchers ranked 4-8th:

Whitlock & Houck are on our big club team.

Kopech and Beeks are the only others to do anything significant.

 

Wink & Crawford were ranked 9th or lower and have done better than most of our 1-8 ranked pitching prospects.

 

My point was meant to highlight the possibility that maybe a pitcher in our system, right now, not named Wikelman or Perales, might end up outshining the others, or maybe Wikelman or Perales outshine those previously ranked higher than they are, now.

 

or not.

[mvp 78]

I think a guy ranked lower will probably outshine Perales and Wikelman, but that's more to be said about those two than the guys behind them. One, it's just a numbers game. Two, Perales and Wikelman have significant issues and the implicit injury risk to all pitchers.

 

Is there a guy in the system better than Bello? IDK. I can't project one right now. Bello to me is a 2 at best. Our system has guys that are 3's at best, but you never know who gets stronger and pops out of nowhere.

[mvp 78]

https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1758147555576217687

 

Visual evidence of the most important ST story: blonde Jarren Duran.

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello are facing hitters in live batting practice this morning in Fort Myers

[notin]

https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1758147555576217687

 

Visual evidence of the most important ST story: blonde Jarren Duran.

 

Think it makes him more tradable?

[mvp 78]

Think it makes him more tradable?

 

Maybe if he was trading wives.

[mvp 78]

@IanMBrowne

Bello again went to the School of Pedro this winter, and the result? A much-improved slider.

“I was able to work out with him three or four times. When I got there, my slider wasn't in the best shape. So he gave me a few tips. And that same day, I was able to get a good grip on it. I was trying it consistently and then in the next few days, I was gaining more confidence with it. So yeah, it was a very good time that I spent with him and with Pedro and helping me to get my slider back sharp.”

[notin]

@IanMBrowne

Bello again went to the School of Pedro this winter, and the result? A much-improved slider.

“I was able to work out with him three or four times. When I got there, my slider wasn't in the best shape. So he gave me a few tips. And that same day, I was able to get a good grip on it. I was trying it consistently and then in the next few days, I was gaining more confidence with it. So yeah, it was a very good time that I spent with him and with Pedro and helping me to get my slider back sharp.”

 

Ace!! Book it...

[moonslav59]

@IanMBrowne

Bello again went to the School of Pedro this winter, and the result? A much-improved slider.

“I was able to work out with him three or four times. When I got there, my slider wasn't in the best shape. So he gave me a few tips. And that same day, I was able to get a good grip on it. I was trying it consistently and then in the next few days, I was gaining more confidence with it. So yeah, it was a very good time that I spent with him and with Pedro and helping me to get my slider back sharp.”

 

Crawford went to the school of Chris Martin's Ranch, this winter.

[mvp 78]

Ace!! Book it...

 

Pedro wouldn't teach him the circle change though.

[mvp 78]

@SmittyOnMLB

Alex Cora: Red Sox' Vaughn Grissom (Chris Sale trade) has Xander Bogaerts’ body type

 

Sounds familiar?

 

@SmittyOnMLB

Red Sox’s Adalberto Mondesí is ‘Xander-esque’ in size, strength, Alex Cora says

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@SmittyOnMLB

Alex Cora: Red Sox' Vaughn Grissom (Chris Sale trade) has Xander Bogaerts’ body type

 

Sounds familiar?

 

@SmittyOnMLB

Red Sox’s Adalberto Mondesí is ‘Xander-esque’ in size, strength, Alex Cora says

 

Zorro has Xander's pronunciation.