Article: A Red Sox Fans’ Guide to the 2024 Postseason

[Old Red]

31 minutes ago, dgalehouse said:

   In the post season the thinking is usually " all hands on deck".  I understand that, but I do think it leads to some over managing.  And I am seeing quite a bit of that so far.  

The Yankees only had 1 pitcher left in the BP last night.

[Maxbialystock]

Horrible call by the RF ump in today's Phillies-Mets game.  He called the batter safe even though the ball was caught cleanly and then dropped when the RFer transferred the ball to his throwing hand/arm.  The Phillies--whom I'm rooting against--challenged the call and the MLB replay guys agreed.  

 

[dgalehouse]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

The Yankees only had 1 pitcher left in the BP last night.

Yes. That is a good example of it. 

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

The Yankees only had 1 pitcher left in the BP last night.

I missed that.  Fascinating.  Thanks.  

[Old Red]

Watching the Dodgers-SD series, and SD has a strong BP. The Red Sox paled in comparison, and that’s with, Jansen, and Martin.

[Bellhorn04]

The Padres did an amazing job bolstering their pitching this year.

[Hugh2]

43 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The Padres did an amazing job bolstering their pitching this year.

 A lot of that were guys already on their roster coming into their own, getting healthy and having better seasons.  They did however make some key moves as you elude to.  I just said in another post, that I think the Sox have some good talent that should produce better results than last year that if you ADD a few high end pitchers that they could really transform the roster. 

Adrian Morejon, who had a career ERA of 5.28 this year had a career year, has been on the Padres since 2019

Robert Suarez, who has been on the Padres since 2022 had a much stronger 24 campaign than his 23 season. 

Yu Darvish played less this year, but he came back strong at the end of the season and in the playoffs when it counted and his stats look better than 23. 

And others.

But they added Michael King, Dylan Cease, and then Tanner Scott at the deadline.  So yes, I'd call that amazing. 

I think the Sox could be in a similiar situation if they get a strong showing from their pitching staff from the likes of guys like Giolito, Fulmer, Hendriks, Whitlock, Bello, Slaten and Guerrero.  I'm not saying they all come back strong or improve their performance, but if a few of them do AND the Sox went out and signed a guy like Tanner Scott and Corbin Burnes.  They could have similar magic in 2025. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

16 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

But they added Michael King, Dylan Cease, and then Tanner Scott at the deadline.  So yes, I'd call that amazing. 

I think the Sox could be in a similiar situation if they get a strong showing from their pitching staff from the likes of guys like Giolito, Fulmer, Hendriks, Whitlock, Bello, Slaten and Guerrero.  I'm not saying they all come back strong or improve their performance, but if a few of them do AND the Sox went out and signed a guy like Tanner Scott and Corbin Burnes.  They could have similar magic in 2025. 

The similarities are that both Boston and San Diego needed pitching help, but the Padres got King and Cease -- each now a top-of-the-rotation starter -- only because they traded a generational talent in Juan Soto. 

It should be noted, though, that the Pads traded a ton to get Soto in the first place, with a package that included big-time prospects Mackenzie Gore, CJ Abrams and James Wood. 

It seems like the only major changes in Boston will begin when Breslow is finally ready to deal some big-  time prospects of his own...

[Hugh2]

1 minute ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

The similarities are that both Boston and San Diego needed pitching help, but the Padres got King and Cease -- each now a top-of-the-rotation starter -- only because they traded a generational talent in Juan Soto. 

It should be noted, though, that the Pads traded a ton to get Soto in the first place, with a package that included big-time prospects Mackenzie Gore, CJ Abrams and James Wood. 

It seems like the only major changes in Boston will begin when Breslow is finally ready to deal some big-  time prospects of his own...

But you don't need to deal big time prospects.  I said exactly what you said, the Padres went out and got proven MLB talent and I think the Sox should do the same thing.  Buy Fried and Scott and you're set for next year with all your young cost controlled talent still on the roster.  You buy those guys and you're still sitting 30 million under the tax, which is still in this teams budget. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

11 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

But you don't need to deal big time prospects.  I said exactly what you said, the Padres went out and got proven MLB talent and I think the Sox should do the same thing.  Buy Fried and Scott and you're set for next year with all your young cost controlled talent still on the roster.  You buy those guys and you're still sitting 30 million under the tax, which is still in this teams budget. 

I have advocated signing both Fried and Scott, so I'm not disagreeing with your proposal, at all -- just that ownership will even consider outbidding 29 other clubs for either of them.

Henry has beat me down about expectations, so my realistic hope for any significant upgrades this offseason is for a blockbuster trade.

[Hugh2]

5 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I have advocated signing both Fried and Scott, so I'm not disagreeing with your proposal, at all -- just that ownership will even consider outbidding 29 other clubs for either of them.

Henry has beat me down about expectations, so my realistic hope for any significant upgrades this offseason is for a blockbuster trade.

I understand. A blockbuster trade would certainly make this team much better in 2025, but I think it also shortens their window.  In another couple years players like Casas/Duran/Houck will be in their expensive arby years. And then in one more your only two starters are Crawford and Bello. 

If you buy, and don't blow up that farm, I believe that window of competition is much longer.  

I don't want to blow my load for a couple years.   If they go out and trade all their chips for a Crochet, then they have to go out and probably buy a few position players and you lose Crochet in only a few years and have to pay him anyways. 

Now is the time to buy, I think Sox fans should demand it from the FO

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

I understand. A blockbuster trade would certainly make this team much better in 2025, but I think it also shortens their window.  In another couple years players like Casas/Duran/Houck will be in their expensive arby years. And then in one more your only two starters are Crawford and Bello. 

If you buy, and don't blow up that farm, I believe that window of competition is much longer.  

I don't want to blow my load for a couple years.   If they go out and trade all their chips for a Crochet, then they have to go out and probably buy a few position players and you lose Crochet in only a few years and have to pay him anyways. 

Now is the time to buy, I think Sox fans should demand it from the FO

Hey, we've been demanding our butts off, but all we get from Henry and Kennedy is a scolding. 🙂

[notin]

52 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I have advocated signing both Fried and Scott, so I'm not disagreeing with your proposal, at all -- just that ownership will even consider outbidding 29 other clubs for either of them.

Henry has beat me down about expectations, so my realistic hope for any significant upgrades this offseason is for a blockbuster trade.

I’m all on board with Tanner Scott, who I think should be the Sox top priority.  Very hesitant on Fried or Burnes.

 

The latter two will likely want 7-9 years, pitch effectively for maybe 2 or 3, and then spend the remainder of their contracts dragging down the payroll disallowing the Sox from replacing their production.  
 

Last year I wanted Sean Manaea, who turned out to be a great signing for the Mets on a one year deal.  Manaea will likely now want a long term deal as well.  Probably not loooking at 6-8 years, but he might get five.

If the Sox want the 2025 Manaea - someone who can pitch effectively and not morph into an albatross for 3-4 (or more!) years, my first thought is Nick Martinez, who had a terrific second half for Cincinnati.   Martinez would first have to opt out of his last year (at $12mill), but won’t be pushing the bidding into the 6-7 year range.  Hard to see a team going beyond three…

[moonslav59]

I think we have a very solid 3 year window, and it may be longer, depending on how well our prospects do, and who we have or get to replace Houck and Whitlock, after 3 years. The good thing is, Yoshida's deal end in 3 years, too.

I get the point about shortening the window, if we trade a top prospect or two, but I prefer we strengthen the 3-4 year window over lengthening it to 5-6 years. (It may still end up at 5-6 years, if we keep the right prospects and extend the right young players.)

I've talked a lot about bottlenecks in the OF, middle infield and LHBs, but there is a way to play all the best, young players and prospects, if we trade other players- like Abreu or Rafaela and Grissom and or DHam.

2026-2027>

C: Teel & Wong

1B/DH: Devers & Casas (EValdez

2B: Mayer, Grissom (Campbell/Cespeded '27>)

SS: Story, Romy  (Mayer, Romero or Arias '27>)

3B: Campbell, Meidroth

LF: Duran (Ref & Jh Garcia '26>)

CF: Rafaela or Anthony

RF: Anthony or Abreu

Of course, we don't get the return in trade that a top prospect gets us, by trading Abreu or Rafaela plus DHam.

[Bellhorn04]

Anyone think the Dodgers will go with another bullpen game tonight?

I don't see why they wouldn't, frankly. 

[dgalehouse]

4 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Anyone think the Dodgers will go with another bullpen game tonight?

I don't see why they wouldn't, frankly. 

Yamamoto is listed as the probable starter. I would think that he would be on a very short leash. All hands on deck. 

[Old Red]

Dodgers-Yankees WS? A another ring for Mookie? How about a ring for Dugy? Meanwhile the Red Sox have been playing golf for a couple oof weeks now.

[Bellhorn04]

I'll take the Mets over the Dodgers, mainly because their rotation is in better shape.  And yes they do have some mojo going.

[notin]

I hate the Yankees and Mets as well as this version of the Dodgers (except Mookie).  Not enjoying this postseason.

My last rooting hope is for the Guardians to snap the longest active title drought in MLB…

[Duran Is The Man]

55 minutes ago, notin said:

I hate the Yankees and Mets as well as this version of the Dodgers (except Mookie).  Not enjoying this postseason.

My last rooting hope is for the Guardians to snap the longest active title drought in MLB…

looks like we're on the same ledge. f*** the yankees, dodgers and mets.

[Bellhorn04]

Having teams to root against isn't always the worst thing.  What last year's WS between Texas and Arizona provoked was mostly indifference.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Having teams to root against isn't always the worst thing.  What last year's WS between Texas and Arizona provoked was mostly indifference.

True, but what do you do when it’s two teams you want to root against?

I find myself is the extremely unfavorable position of rooting FOR the Mets.  The most unwatchable (and sadly, most likely) World Series right now stands to be Yankees vs Dodgers, or as FOX will undoubtedly remind us ad nauseum, Judge vs Ohtani.

And I don’t even want to think about the intensity of the Foxgasms should the rumors ever come true and Ohtani take the mound.  Because we all know if he does, it will be to face Judge.

And for the record, I’m never indifferent when watching two random teams play in the series.  I find myself vacillating between the two a lot, but the more exciting team often wins out in my heart.  Last year, I rooted for Arizona eventually, despite Texas, as a team seeking their first title, is usually something I would root for…

[dgalehouse]

According to USA Today's annual report, the three highest payrolls in MLB are the Mets, Yankees  and Dodgers, in that order. All three are in the Championship Series, the final four , if you will. This should put an end to any debate about the connection between spending and winning.  ( It won't , but it should.)  

[Bellhorn04]

Wow. Closin' ain't easy, as Denny says.

Last night's Yankee-Cleveland thriller came on the 20th anniversary of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS!  

[dgalehouse]

5 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Wow. Closin' ain't easy, as Denny says.

Last night's Yankee-Cleveland thriller came on the 20th anniversary of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS!  

Yes. Clase, who is probably the best closer in the game right now, blew the save by giving up back-to-back homers to Judge and Stanton. Then Weaver, who has done a really nice job since taking over the closer's role for the Yankees, blew it by giving up a two out- two run homer in the bottom of the ninth. And to top it off, the Yankee's former closer, Holmes, lost the game in the tenth by giving up a two out walk off bomb. 

[Bellhorn04]

On 10/6/2024 at 9:33 AM, Bellhorn04 said:

The $325 million man and the $324 million man both stunk yesterday, but their teams bailed them out.

The Dodgers' rotation is in shreds, mostly because of injuries, but also because Yamamoto does not look very good.  I don't see how they can win it with their rotation as it stands.  

Brilliant call on my part.  😁

[moonslav59]

I'm worried JH will take the Dodgers win to mean we don't need great SP'ers, although they did prove you need 17 SP'ers to win a ring in 2024. (They had 10 guys start 6 or more games and 8 start 10+.)

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm worried JH will take the Dodgers win to mean we don't need great SP'ers, although they did prove you need 17 SP'ers to win a ring in 2024. (They had 10 guys start 6 or more games and 8 start 10+.)

Yup, better hope the openers totally backfire tonight, can't find the plate, and fall behind... before the Yanks' bullpen blows another one at the end.

[Bellhorn04]

15 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm worried JH will take the Dodgers win to mean we don't need great SP'ers, although they did prove you need 17 SP'ers to win a ring in 2024. (They had 10 guys start 6 or more games and 8 start 10+.)

I honestly have to give JH credit for a high enough baseball IQ to understand how the Dodgers are succeeding.

And we shouldn't overlook that Yamamoto, Buehler and Flaherty have turned in some good games.

[mvp 78]

Will this be the first bullpen game to close out a World Series if the Dodgers win Game 4?