A Realistic View of the 2025 Red Sox: Part II

[Randy Red Sox]

On 5/4/2025 at 7:48 AM, notin said:

Will the trade market in early May have better options than Abraham Toro?

Right now the best options via trade appear to be Rowdy Tellez, Josh Bell, and LaMonte Wade Jr.  

The Sox might have to tough out the Toro/Gonzalez plan until mid/late July.  
 

Which begs the painfully obvious question - why is Cora averse to putting Devers back in the field?  It’s kind of the obvious solution here…

it seems like it and why wouldn't Devers want to be a FT player??

[Bellhorn04]

22 hours ago, Hitch said:

I feel really sorry for Casas - looks like a bad one, and he was already scuffling. I recall him making comments on betting on himself, and knowing his value when extension talks were thrown around early last year. Man, did he miss out there if there was anything near a Rafaela/Campbell offer in the making. The Red Sox dodged a bullet by not extending him. The kid has some terrible luck.

Seconded.  Hopefully he makes it back and still has a big league career.  Might have to be with another team.

[notin]

44 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

it seems like it and why wouldn't Devbers want to be a FT player??

I suppose it is possible that Devers was asked and expressed no interest in moving to 1b.  So Cora decided to publicly take the blame.  That’s one thing. 
 

But if Cora himself is making this call, it’s beyond highly questionable…

[vegasbob]

2 hours ago, notin said:

Will the trade market in early May have better options than Abraham Toro?

Right now the best options via trade appear to be Rowdy Tellez, Josh Bell, and LaMonte Wade Jr.  

The Sox might have to tough out the Toro/Gonzalez plan until mid/late July.  
 

Which begs the painfully obvious question - why is Cora averse to putting Devers back in the field?  It’s kind of the obvious solution here…

I think there has always been some level of friction between Cora and the FO incumbents, especially Bloom .

Cora may have "promised" Devers he would not have to take a new position and get off his perch sitting on the Gatorade cooler high on the bench.    

My personal opinion of Raffy as a player and teammate matters for nothing , but let's say, I don't need his autograph .

[notin]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Seconded.  Hopefully he makes it back and still has a big league career.  Might have to be with another team.

Why with another team?  Besides Boston right now, what team is scrambling for DH/1b types?

[notin]

4 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

I think there has always been some level of friction between Cora and the FO incumbents, especially Bloom .

Cora may have "promised" Devers he would not have to take a new position and get off his perch sitting on the Gatorade cooler high on the bench.    

My personal opinion of Raffy as a player and teammate matters for nothing , but let's say, I don't need his autograph .

I don’t know either of Cora or Devers.  But if we go by the track records of questionable behavior, Cora far and away is the leader…

[Bellhorn04]

29 minutes ago, notin said:

Why with another team?  Besides Boston right now, what team is scrambling for DH/1b types?

Odd question.  You do know he's out for the season?  My post was mainly just wishing him well.  And I'm suggesting the Red Sox may have to make other plans for 2026 and beyond because of his injuries and other issues.

[moonslav59]

12 hours ago, notin said:

Which begs the painfully obvious question - why is Cora averse to putting Devers back in the field?  It’s kind of the obvious solution here…

Seems obvious.

I'd be okay with calling up Mayer and moving another infielder to 1b, despite none looking like a good fit at first.

I'd also call up Anthony.

(BTW< Mayer and Anthony went 5-10, tonight.)

[moonslav59]

I'm not sold on Campbell b eing the best choice at 1B, but let's roll with it...

1. L Duran CF

2. R Campbell 1B

3. L Devers DH

4. R BRegman 3B

5. L Abreu RF (Refsnyder v L)

6. L Anthony LF

7. R Story 2B

8. L Mayer SS

9. R Narvaez/Wong C

Bench: R Rafaela, R Romy, Ref/Abreu, Wong/Narv

(Toro & DHam to AAA)

[Nick]

 Roman Anthony had three and Marcelo Mayer had two in Triple-A Worcester‘s 7-3 loss to Toledo. The 20-year-old Anthony has a .305/.419/.514/.933 line with five homers, five doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, 22 runs, 22 walks and 26 strikeouts in 29 games (129 plate appearances). The 22-year-old Mayer has a .268/.323/.491/.814 line with seven homers, four doubles, 34 RBIs, 18 runs, nine walks and 26 strikeouts in 28 games (124 plate appearances).

 

Let's waste their production in AAA while the major league team flounders.

Does Brez ever think that he is wasting away $242M in payroll? What if Bregman opts out after a great year? He's a freakin' idiot. 

It's always wait till the next year with this bunch.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

12 minutes ago, Nick said:

 Roman Anthony had three and Marcelo Mayer had two in Triple-A Worcester‘s 7-3 loss to Toledo. The 20-year-old Anthony has a .305/.419/.514/.933 line with five homers, five doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, 22 runs, 22 walks and 26 strikeouts in 29 games (129 plate appearances). The 22-year-old Mayer has a .268/.323/.491/.814 line with seven homers, four doubles, 34 RBIs, 18 runs, nine walks and 26 strikeouts in 28 games (124 plate appearances).

 

Let's waste their production in AAA while the major league team flounders.

Does Brez ever think that he is wasting away $242M in payroll? What if Bregman opts out after a great year? He's a freakin' idiot. 

It's always wait till the next year with this bunch.

What -- you don't think we can win it all with a 1B platoon of a seven-year part-timer just recalled from the minors and a guy cut last season by the worst team in MLB history?

[Nick]

We keep talking about failure with our pen guys.

The team should be on full throttle offensively. Eliminate as much of black holes as possible in the lineup.

On what planet, are we not better with Anthony playing in the outfield instead of Rafaela? You have a trump card and we refuse to use it. 

"Oh, he's still got lot to learn, bs, bs, bs"....Maybe Rafaela needs to learn the strike zone. Ever think about that Brez?

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Is there reason to be concerned with crochet's drop in velocity?

Red Sox ace’s eventful day included first-pitch HR, liner to nose and velocity drop - masslive.com

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

We keep talking about failure with our pen guys.

The team should be on full throttle offensively. Eliminate as much of black holes as possible in the lineup.

On what planet, are we not better with Anthony playing in the outfield instead of Rafaela? You have a trump card and we refuse to use it. 

"Oh, he's still got lot to learn, bs, bs, bs"....Maybe Rafaela needs to learn the strike zone. Ever think about that Brez?

Rafaela plays an excellent CF though.

I think the most logical move is to trade Abreu - hopefully getting back something really worthwhile - which opens up RF for Anthony. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Rafaela plays an excellent CF though.

I think the most logical move is to trade Abreu - hopefully getting back something really worthwhile - which opens up RF for Anthony. 

I typed it the morning after Casas went down. Abreu was always the most expendable, as far as getting back something of value, but a lot posters disagreed that any club would give up a legitimate arm for him. 

But Abreu for a starting first baseman? Position player trade, with possibility of expanding the deal for maybe a pitching prospect Baily's ballers may have their eyes on...

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Mookie Betts, Chris Sale Make Red Sox Admission That Will Leave Fans Longing For 2018

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

13 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not sold on Campbell b eing the best choice at 1B, but let's roll with it...

1. L Duran CF

2. R Campbell 1B

3. L Devers DH

4. R BRegman 3B

5. L Abreu RF (Refsnyder v L)

6. L Anthony LF

7. R Story 2B

8. L Mayer SS

9. R Narvaez/Wong C

Bench: R Rafaela, R Romy, Ref/Abreu, Wong/Narv

(Toro & DHam to AAA)

On paper that's an impressive line-up and is much better than the Sox current line-up.

One caution; I don't trust paper anymore.

[Nick]

13 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not sold on Campbell b eing the best choice at 1B, but let's roll with it...

1. L Duran CF

2. R Campbell 1B

3. L Devers DH

4. R BRegman 3B

5. L Abreu RF (Refsnyder v L)

6. L Anthony LF

7. R Story 2B

8. L Mayer SS

9. R Narvaez/Wong C

Bench: R Rafaela, R Romy, Ref/Abreu, Wong/Narv

(Toro & DHam to AAA)

Cambell is 6-3, very mobile, can scoop it, throw it. Maybe this is the time to put everyone at a position that we can go forward with.

It appears we have found our catcher for long term. I think Narvaez will continue to improve, especially behind the plate.

Throw in Anthony and Mayer and that's the line up we should go with. Give me someone like Campbell over Casas who struggles in long stretches.

[Nick]

per Moon....I like to think outside of the box

  You keep Wong, Rafaela, Refsnyder, Romy

1. L Duran CF.......team control 4 yrs

2. R Campbell 1B......team control 6 years

3. L Devers DH......team control 9 years

4. R BRegman 3B....team control 1 year

5. L Abreu RF (Refsnyder v L).....team control 5 years

6. L Anthony LF......team control 6+ years

7. R Story 2B.....team control 3 years

8. L Mayer SS.....team control 6+ years

9. R Narvaez/Wong C.....team control 7 years

Bench: R Rafaela, R Romy, Ref/Abreu, Wong/Narv

[Nick]

Important games coming up. Home for 3 vs Rangers, then off to Royals and Tigers for 3 each.

22-13 Tigers (1)

19-16 Royals (T5)

18-18 Red Sox (8)

17-18 Rangers (9)

 

[Nick]

Per OvertheMonster

"There’s plenty to muse about on Sunday’s slate of games, so I’ll keep the prelude = short by just saying: if the Red Sox keep losing late leads and struggle to score runs in the late innings, it will be increasingly difficult to justify both Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer staying in Triple-A. Let’s get into it!"

"Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer went a combined 5-for-10, by the way, for those who have either or both of them already pencilled into a starting position following an extended Trevor Story slump."

[vegasbob]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Important games coming up. Home for 3 vs Rangers, then off to Royals and Tigers for 3 each.

22-13 Tigers (1)

19-16 Royals (T5)

18-18 Red Sox (8)

17-18 Rangers (9)

 

The team will probably start hitting effectively again after  the Rangers series, leaving the unfriendly confines of pitcher's park, Fenway 

[vegasbob]

Just some observations on the offense , which IMO is as responsible for losses as the BP  throwers.

The something like 0-13 comebacks  when trailing after 6;    the overall K rate at about 33% ;  low RISP rates : carrying Casas  ( before injury) and Rafaela, Wong/Narvaez/Sabol for 36 games ; Devers slow start,  and Story's recent slump are not  helping the cause.     

This team is not an offensive juggernaut .  Absent Bregman , it would be seriously unproductive.

[Nick]

1 hour ago, vegasbob said:

Just some observations on the offense , which IMO is as responsible for losses as the BP  throwers.

The something like 0-13 comebacks  when trailing after 6;    the overall K rate at about 33% ;  low RISP rates : carrying Casas  ( before injury) and Rafaela, Wong/Narvaez/Sabol for 36 games ; Devers slow start,  and Story's recent slump are not  helping the cause.     

This team is not an offensive juggernaut .  Absent Bregman , it would be seriously unproductive.

You've done more analysis than Cora and Brez. "Well, we want our young guys to keep learning in a league that they dominate"

 

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Nick said:

Cambell is 6-3, very mobile, can scoop it, throw it. Maybe this is the time to put everyone at a position that we can go forward with.

It appears we have found our catcher for long term. I think Narvaez will continue to improve, especially behind the plate.

Throw in Anthony and Mayer and that's the line up we should go with. Give me someone like Campbell over Casas who struggles in long stretches.

The Casas replacement choice is forced, and it could be reversed or altered, next year, especially if Bregman bolts.

I agree on Narvaez, and we have no other immediate in system options, except Grandal as his back-up and 1B with or over Wong (C & 1B) and Romy (1B.)

Lets the kids roll. Maybe all will not do well, and we can't expect K Campbell x 3.

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Nick said:

per Moon....I like to think outside of the box

  You keep Wong, Rafaela, Refsnyder, Romy

1. L Duran CF.......team control 4 yrs

2. R Campbell 1B......team control 6 years

3. L Devers DH......team control 9 years

4. R BRegman 3B....team control 1 year

5. L Abreu RF (Refsnyder v L).....team control 5 years

6. L Anthony LF......team control 6+ years

7. R Story 2B.....team control 3 years

8. L Mayer SS.....team control 6+ years

9. R Narvaez/Wong C.....team control 7 years

Bench: R Rafaela, R Romy, Ref/Abreu, Wong/Narv

Only Devers, Bregman and Story are expensive, although some arbs will start getting costly, soon.

Bregman may bolt, and Story has 2 more years, after this one.

This should (more) allow spending on pitching.

[Larry Cook]

Let me see if I have this right??

1.) little depth at catcher, Wong gets off to slow start and breaks finger. hello sabol??? Ouch!!!

2.) little depth at 1st base, Casas blows patella tendon. Hello Toto???? Ouch!!!!!

3.) little depth at closer, Red Sox lead the league in blown saves????? Ouch!!!!!!

4.) two of the best prospects in baseball sitting in Worcester who collectively have 40 plus RBI’s and we rank 28th in MLB in clutch hitting in Boston?????  

[Kimmi]

On 5/3/2025 at 12:30 PM, Hitch said:

I feel really sorry for Casas - looks like a bad one, and he was already scuffling. I recall him making comments on betting on himself, and knowing his value when extension talks were thrown around early last year. Man, did he miss out there if there was anything near a Rafaela/Campbell offer in the making. The Red Sox dodged a bullet by not extending him. The kid has some terrible luck.

Campbell should be nowhere near 1B (or CF for that matter).  Leave the kid play his position. 1B is going to be an interesting one to see what they do. My feeling is they will ride Romy for a while with it. Might well be the opening Grissom has been waiting for, however.

I feel really sorry for him too.  He's had a rough couple of years, and on top of that, it appears that he might be somewhat alienated from his teammates.  I was pulling for him.

We have suddenly become a heavy right-handed hitting lineup.  I guess I could come up with some reasons why they won't give Devers some reps at 1B, but I can also come up with several reasons why they should.  I don't know what's going on in Devers' mind, but he would be my first choice to replace Casas.

[Kimmi]

On 5/4/2025 at 12:08 PM, notin said:

I suppose it is possible that Devers was asked and expressed no interest in moving to 1b.  So Cora decided to publicly take the blame.  That’s one thing. 
 

But if Cora himself is making this call, it’s beyond highly questionable…

I would think that Devers would jump at the chance to play 1B to get him back on the field defensively.  Perhaps Cora is hesitant to do so because if/when Devers has to return to DHing, Devers would not take so kindly to it.  OTOH, by all accounts, Devers should be able to play a good first base, in which case he could stay there for a long time.

[vegasbob]

The real reason Cora apparently will not start working out Devers at 1B needs to be brought forward and discussed.     There is something going on there that is hurting the team.

One reason could be the fear of a wear down , again, in Dever's shoulders by playing every day .  I'm thinking his Godzilla swings are more of a risk than stretching for one of Story's errant throws.

Surely Devers would not just say, NO , if told  to do so( not inclined to ask pretty please) .  This isn't the NBA.

Trusting that smarter heads will prevail in the FO and dugout, but just explain why a 28 year old, big contract guy cannot take the field and try a new position that he and the team need.   I

Based on Cora's thinking Devers is the new permanent Papi  , although David played a few games at 1B. 8 more years of DH'ing ?    Save me the BS