A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[mvp 78]

Although Grissom did not do too well on D at SS with ATL, last year, they may view him as better than DHam, Romy and Reyes at SS.

 

Man, the SS position has been such a mess since last Spring!

 

Long term, Hamilton means nothing to the org. Just keep throwing him out there until something better comes along.

 

Long term, Grissom is your best option at 2b. Put him there and leave him there so that he can learn the position.

 

Stop yanking everyone around!

[Old Red]

Reportedly they were trying to unload Story, so I don't think that was any part of the plan...

 

Rumors were they were trying to unload many. Martin, Jansen, Story, NOShida we’re all rumored.

[moonslav59]

Long term, Hamilton means nothing to the org. Just keep throwing him out there until something better comes along.

 

Long term, Grissom is your best option at 2b. Put him there and leave him there so that he can learn the position.

 

Stop yanking everyone around!

 

I'm all for that.

 

On Rafaela, I'm okay with him playing some SS, because we want to get Abreu some playing time, anyway. We wont be sitting Duran or O'Neill, unless it's a Cora rest day.

[Old Red]

Long term, Hamilton means nothing to the org. Just keep throwing him out there until something better comes along.

 

Long term, Grissom is your best option at 2b. Put him there and leave him there so that he can learn the position.

 

Stop yanking everyone around!

 

Agree, and they have to keep yanking people around, and playing some who should be down in Worcester, because they did not have a reliable backup middle IF.

[Nick]

Long term, Hamilton means nothing to the org. Just keep throwing him out there until something better comes along.

 

Long term, Grissom is your best option at 2b. Put him there and leave him there so that he can learn the position.

 

Stop yanking everyone around!

 

Well said.....

 

Assuming Roman Anthony is ahead of Mayer, then why not let Rafaela play some shortstop?

 

Our team won't be 'set' until the three amigos arrive in Fenway.

[Bellhorn04]

Agree, and they have to keep yanking people around, and playing some who should be down in Worcester, because they did not have a reliable backup middle IF.

 

They're cutting corners.

[moonslav59]

Well said.....

 

Assuming Roman Anthony is ahead of Mayer, then why not let Rafaela play some shortstop?

 

Our team won't be 'set' until the three amigos arrive in Fenway.

 

I'm not sure any of them make it, this season, and it might not be about starting their clocks, either.

 

My guess is the longer term plan is Duran/Abreu in LF, Rafaela/Anthony in CF and Anthony/Abreu in RF. There should be plenty of PAs for all 4. (I'm assuming Ref gets traded and O'Neill, too.)

 

I'm fine with using Rafaela at SS, at least until Grissom returns (to 2B, I hope,) and maybe Rafaela ends up playing SS most of the season, so we can get a longer look at Abreu.

 

This season could/should be used as a testing year:

 

Can Casas improve his D at 1B, or do we consider moving Devers to 1B/DH, next season? (Casas/Devers share 1B/DH and might not need any Cora rest days.)

 

Can Grissom show he belongs at FT 2B?

 

Can McGuire beat out Wong as our expected back-up to an up and coming Teel? (If yes, we should extend him. If no, maybe we trade him this summer, winter or next summer.)

 

Can we find a decent back-up SS? Pretend our life depends on it, because it has, now, for 2 years.

 

I've given up asking about Devers on D at 3B. I'm convinced we need to plan on moving him, at some point (not now.)

 

Can Abreu and Rafaela show enough "stuff" to warrant a FT slot in 2025?

 

Can Duran continue to improve on his defense, while showing his 2023 offense was no fluke?

 

Can Yoshida improve on 2023, even if just to increase his trade value. (We will certainly have to pay part of his contract, unless he hits .850+, this year, and maybe even some, if he does.)

 

Can our rotation last teh whole season and allow us to pencil in 2-3 SP'ers into our 2025 rotation. (Pivetta will likely not be extended or brought back, and I doubt all 4 of the other SP'ers prove they deserve a slot. If they do, and we get Gio back, I'd still like to see us add an ace.)

 

Can the pen sort through the season and leave us with a few arms we can count on? (Jansen & martin will likely bolt.) Maybe Slaten, Wink, Weissert, Bernardino and some(s) yet to be determined?

 

Will Cora be back?

 

[moonslav59]

They're cutting corners.

 

These guys are not even filling all our FT slots adequately, so wondering why they skimp on the subs should be easily explained, but not justified. I mean Andrus won't cost hardly any more than DHam or Romy.

 

Brez seems to be falling into the same trap as Bloom, so it makes me wonder, if this goes over the GMs head.

[a700hitter]

Breslow is clearly over his head.

[jad]

Rumors were they were trying to unload many. Martin, Jansen, Story, NOShida we’re all rumored.

 

Ha ha! Get rid of them? And acquire what?

[moonslav59]

Ha ha! Get rid of them? And acquire what?

 

We can get something for O'Neill, if he stays healthy to trade day.

 

Martin and Jansen might get some value back with a few good games under their belt, coming up.

 

Yoshida would involve paying nearly all his contract, now, and we'd still get peanuts. If we wait, in hopes he starts hitting, like last May & june, maybe we can save half his contract.

 

Story won't be traded while injured. (That might mean never.)

 

[illinoisredsox]

Breslow is clearly over his head.

 

There’s a reason 10 guys either didn’t get the job or wouldn’t even interview. The problem is above whoever is in the Bloom/Breslow seat.

[jad]

We can get something for O'Neill, if he stays healthy to trade day.

 

Martin and Jansen might get some value back with a few good games under their belt, coming up.

 

Yoshida would involve paying nearly all his contract, now, and we'd still get peanuts. If we wait, in hopes he starts hitting, like last May & june, maybe we can save half his contract.

 

Story won't be traded while injured. (That might mean never.)

 

 

So basically, get rid of some of the most productive players on the team for an undefined 'something'? I'll pass.

[Nick]

I'm not sure any of them make it, this season, and it might not be about starting their clocks, either.

 

My guess is the longer term plan is Duran/Abreu in LF, Rafaela/Anthony in CF and Anthony/Abreu in RF. There should be plenty of PAs for all 4. (I'm assuming Ref gets traded and O'Neill, too.)

 

I'm fine with using Rafaela at SS, at least until Grissom returns (to 2B, I hope,) and maybe Rafaela ends up playing SS most of the season, so we can get a longer look at Abreu.

 

This season could/should be used as a testing year:

 

Can Casas improve his D at 1B, or do we consider moving Devers to 1B/DH, next season? (Casas/Devers share 1B/DH and might not need any Cora rest days.)

 

Can Grissom show he belongs at FT 2B?

 

Can McGuire beat out Wong as our expected back-up to an up and coming Teel? (If yes, we should extend him. If no, maybe we trade him this summer, winter or next summer.)

 

Can we find a decent back-up SS? Pretend our life depends on it, because it has, now, for 2 years.

 

I've given up asking about Devers on D at 3B. I'm convinced we need to plan on moving him, at some point (not now.)

 

Can Abreu and Rafaela show enough "stuff" to warrant a FT slot in 2025?

 

Can Duran continue to improve on his defense, while showing his 2023 offense was no fluke?

 

Can Yoshida improve on 2023, even if just to increase his trade value. (We will certainly have to pay part of his contract, unless he hits .850+, this year, and maybe even some, if he does.)

 

Can our rotation last teh whole season and allow us to pencil in 2-3 SP'ers into our 2025 rotation. (Pivetta will likely not be extended or brought back, and I doubt all 4 of the other SP'ers prove they deserve a slot. If they do, and we get Gio back, I'd still like to see us add an ace.)

 

Can the pen sort through the season and leave us with a few arms we can count on? (Jansen & martin will likely bolt.) Maybe Slaten, Wink, Weissert, Bernardino and some(s) yet to be determined?

 

Will Cora be back?

 

 

I don't think we need jerk around Grissom in the infield. He should play 2B and get used to playing 2B. Play as many position players at positions they are destined to play. Rafaela has to play short because no one else is a permanent fixture at SS at this point. Trevor is hurt and Mayer is in AA.

[moonslav59]

So basically, get rid of some of the most productive players on the team for an undefined 'something'? I'll pass.

 

He's got one year left. Do you see JH extending him? (I'd be okay with a 1-2 year extension, at a reasonable cost.)

 

When we get near the deadline, we will look to trade him, and anyone else with value, who is not part of the 2025 or beyond plan.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we need jerk around Grissom in the infield. He should play 2B and get used to playing 2B. Play as many position players at positions they are destined to play. Rafaela has to play short because no one else is a permanent fixture at SS at this point. Trevor is hurt and Mayer is in AA.

 

Agreed, and since we want to play Abreu more to find out what he can do and Duran and O'Neill need to play, Rafaela at SS seems like a very reasonable plan.

 

It's not the long term plan.

[notin]

Long term, Hamilton means nothing to the org. Just keep throwing him out there until something better comes along.

 

Long term, Grissom is your best option at 2b. Put him there and leave him there so that he can learn the position.

 

Stop yanking everyone around!

 

 

They should could that. But will they?

 

I have several doubts…

[moonslav59]

They should could that. But will they?

 

I have several doubts…

 

Remember, we are prohibited from stating anything we know is extremely unlikely from happening.

 

You still just don't get it!

[Randy Red Sox]

There’s a reason 10 guys either didn’t get the job or wouldn’t even interview. The problem is above whoever is in the Bloom/Breslow seat.

 

totally agree

[mvp 78]

Well said.....

 

Assuming Roman Anthony is ahead of Mayer, then why not let Rafaela play some shortstop?

 

Our team won't be 'set' until the three amigos arrive in Fenway.

 

And they have to extend second tier prospects because they let a HOF guy walk out the door.

[mvp 78]

Well said.....

 

Assuming Roman Anthony is ahead of Mayer, then why not let Rafaela play some shortstop?

 

Our team won't be 'set' until the three amigos arrive in Fenway.

 

I’m fine with Rafaela at SS for the year. Abreu/Duran/O’Neilll/Refsnyder/Yoshida is enough for OF.

[illinoisredsox]

I have no problem with Rafaela playing short. I have no problem with him playing center. I have a problem jerking him back and forth. He’s trying to figure things out offensively; it’s not fair to him to have to play two very important positions on a game by game basis.

[moonslav59]

I have no problem with Rafaela playing short. I have no problem with him playing center. I have a problem jerking him back and forth. He’s trying to figure things out offensively; it’s not fair to him to have to play two very important positions on a game by game basis.

 

It has actually been his "norm."

[Hugh2]

I have no problem with Rafaela playing short. I have no problem with him playing center. I have a problem jerking him back and forth. He’s trying to figure things out offensively; it’s not fair to him to have to play two very important positions on a game by game basis.

 

But that's just the thing, they're not really jerking him around. He was a short stop as a kid, and even after they moved him to the outfield he's played at least one game a week in the infield throughout his entire time in the minors. If he plays two more of those at SS and two less in the OF that's not really any different than what they're doing noq.

[notin]

I’m fine with Rafaela at SS for the year. Abreu/Duran/O’Neilll/Refsnyder/Yoshida is enough for OF.

 

I think their best lineup and defensive arrangement is probably Rafaela at SS and O’Neill-Duran-Abreu in the outfield. They probably need Refsnyder back so they have a 4th outfielder…

[mvp 78]

It has actually been his "norm."

 

It's his norm, but the game is faster at the MLB level. For this year, just leave him at one position IMO.

[mvp 78]

I think their best lineup and defensive arrangement is probably Rafaela at SS and O’Neill-Duran-Abreu in the outfield. They probably need Refsnyder back so they have a 4th outfielder…

 

Right, they can't move Rafaela to SS until Refsnyder is back.

[Hugh2]

It's his norm, but the game is faster at the MLB level. For this year, just leave him at one position IMO.

 

Actually, isn't it faster at the MILB level?

[moonslav59]

It's his norm, but the game is faster at the MLB level. For this year, just leave him at one position IMO.

 

Defense is not that much different, and we've wanted to get Avreu playing time, all spring. With Duran and O'Neill being two of our best O guys, playing Rafaela at SS some games, seems like a logical choice- as is keeping him at one position: CF.

[mvp 78]

Actually, isn't it faster at the MILB level?

 

The speed of the game (batted ball, quickness of players, decision making time), not the length of the game.