The 1B Predicament

[Thomas Healy]

What do we think Craig is thinking: Move Rafy to 1B and put Yoshida at DH. OR, Move Rafy to 1B and promote one of Anthony/Mayer. If he does the latter, which I think is highly improbable, could that mean someone like Duran would be moved to DH to make room for Anthony in LF? I just don't see how you can fit Anthony in left without trading/changing Duran's position. Can't remember if it was Bres or Cora who said platooning Anthony doesn't make much sense, which it doesn't. I think the team needs to act fast with whatever they do at 1B, because I think it has an effect on Anthony's arrival.

[mvp 78]

I think Breslow wants:

Raffy 1B

Refsnyder/Duran DH

Call up Anthony

I think Cora wants:

Acquisition 1B

Raffy DH

Call up Anthony/Mayer only when there's room

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think Breslow wants:

Raffy 1B

Refsnyder/Duran DH

Call up Anthony

I think Cora wants:

Acquisition 1B

Raffy DH

Call up Anthony/Mayer only when there's room

I agree, and when JH flew to KC is wasn’t just to deal with Raffy, but Cora, and Brez as well.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I agree, and when JH flew to KC is wasn’t just to deal with Raffy, but Cora, and Brez as well.

100%

If I had to guess, Henry sides more with Cora too. Henry looks at Breslow as completely disposable, which is not how you should view a CBO that is completely overhauling your organization. 🫠

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

100%

If I had to guess, Henry sides more with Cora too. Henry looks at Breslow as completely disposable, which is not how you should view a CBO that is completely overhauling your organization. 🫠

I think Cora relented moving Raffy to DH, but wasn’t going to do it again, and move Raffy to 1B. I also don’t think Cora sees Raffy as a good fit there.

[moonslav59]

I guess the Raffy to 1B thread was getting off topic, so we needed a new one.

[notin]

19 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I think Cora relented moving Raffy to DH, but wasn’t going to do it again, and move Raffy to 1B. I also don’t think Cora sees Raffy as a good fit there.

Or, as you are implying, Cora sees Devers as a difficult person to move in this situation…

[notin]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I guess the Raffy to 1B thread was getting off topic, so we needed a new one.

Raffy to 1b is only one possible solution.  There are others, none of contain the words “Abraham” or “Toro,” unless those words are immediately preceded by the letters DFA…

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

24 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I also don’t think Cora sees Raffy as a good fit there.

More like cora is kotowing to the diva.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I guess the Raffy to 1B thread was getting off topic, so we needed a new one.

It's fine. I can't get worked up over multiple threads anymore when people mainly comment in one thread that is 200+ pages. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

More like cora is kotowing to the diva.

I could understand Devers’ point more on this if it was just being done to replace a struggling Casas or something like that, or especially if they just sprung it on him for no reason at all.  But a starting player got injured.  This was hardly foreseeable. Obviously changes have to be made…

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

I could understand Devers’ point more on this if it was just being done to replace a struggling Casas or something like that, or especially if they just sprung it on him for no reason at all.  But a starting player got injured.  This was hardly foreseeable. Obviously changes have to be made…

Unfortunately for the red sox this falls on the diva's deaf ears. 

[notin]

The Sporting News is predicting - PREDICTING - that the Sox will trade for Rhys Hoskins.  While it makes some sense, Milwaukee is basically in the same position as Boston (21-23 4 GB).  They probably have to give up first, which I don’t see likely given they just got their ace back.

I stand by my unexciting prediction of 5’2” Andrew Vaughn, who could probably be had today for very little…

[mvp 78]

57 minutes ago, notin said:

The Sporting News is predicting - PREDICTING - that the Sox will trade for Rhys Hoskins.  While it makes some sense, Milwaukee is basically in the same position as Boston (21-23 4 GB).  They probably have to give up first, which I don’t see likely given they just got their ace back.

I stand by my unexciting prediction of 5’2” Andrew Vaughn, who could probably be had today for very little…

He gets shorter every time you post! 

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He gets shorter every time you post! 

Not my fault.

A couple centuries ago, his great, great, great, great, great grandfather spit in the face of the village witch.  She cursed his family by claiming any time someone posted their heights in an online forum, the Vaughns would all shrink by an inch.

Naturally, Ol’ Grampa Vaughn laughed, what with online forums being centuries away.  But who’s laughing now?

[Nick]

White describing current state of affair at Fenway, more and more talking heads, writers and former players are using the phrase "no sense of urgency".

Cora simply says we have to 'execute better'. He's the highest paid manager and that's all he has?

No freakin' sh*t, Einstein. 

Injured starting pitchers will return soon. Not sure what to do with the bullpen.

But there has to be a better option with position players. 

If you are not going to use Mayer and Anthony, freakin' trade them and get something in value that will help the team. This team. This year. 

I am so over Cora. I hope Brez finds HIS own guy. 

Rarely do players consistently outperform their norm. If Devers has a good year. I seriously consider trading him. 

Exhibit 1 - Duran. It sure would have open up a space for Anthony.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Rarely do players consistently outperform their norm. If Devers has a good year. I seriously consider trading him. 

What "norms" are you talking about. Many of our players are so young, they have yet to establish a norm, but certainly Abreu is doing better. Ceddanne has a better OPS and is K'ing way less. Hell, Narvaez is doing better or the same as his "norm" in. Duran got way better than his, but don't give Cora any credit. Houck had a career year in '24. Does that count< or just his awful 2025 season, so far?

While it's true many players are doing worse than their career stats or recent years, but it's only mid May.

[moonslav59]

14 hours ago, Thomas Healy said:

What do we think Craig is thinking: Move Rafy to 1B and put Yoshida at DH. OR, Move Rafy to 1B and promote one of Anthony/Mayer. If he does the latter, which I think is highly improbable, could that mean someone like Duran would be moved to DH to make room for Anthony in LF? I just don't see how you can fit Anthony in left without trading/changing Duran's position. Can't remember if it was Bres or Cora who said platooning Anthony doesn't make much sense, which it doesn't. I think the team needs to act fast with whatever they do at 1B, because I think it has an effect on Anthony's arrival.

Anthony in LF, Duran/Rafaela platoon in CF with maybe Duran DH'ing some, if Devers plays 1B.

Is playing CF really a position change for Duran? He's played 90 more games in CF than LF, over his career and looked pretty good there, last year.

Rafaela is a way better defender in CF, but his bat has never looked as good as Duran's did from '23-'24.

Duran at DH is an option, assuming Cora gets Devers to play 1B.

To me, the opening at 1B created a situation where we can shuffle the deck a little and get a kid onto the 26 man roster as a FT or very near FT player. Just do it.

[jdc69]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

White describing current state of affair at Fenway, more and more talking heads, writers and former players are using the phrase "no sense of urgency".

Cora simply says we have to 'execute better'. He's the highest paid manager and that's all he has?

No freakin' sh*t, Einstein. 

Injured starting pitchers will return soon. Not sure what to do with the bullpen.

But there has to be a better option with position players. 

If you are not going to use Mayer and Anthony, freakin' trade them and get something in value that will help the team. This team. This year. 

I am so over Cora. I hope Brez finds HIS own guy. 

Rarely do players consistently outperform their norm. If Devers has a good year. I seriously consider trading him. 

Exhibit 1 - Duran. It sure would have open up a space for Anthony.

We have practically the same record we had last year at this time even with all these new acquisitions. For one, I think we didn't put enough effort into getting a better bullpen, but more than that it's Cora and his "players coach" mentality. You cannot tell me players wouldn't rather be winning, so with that in mind, it must come from the manager.

[notin]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Anthony in LF, Duran/Rafaela platoon in CF with maybe Duran DH'ing some, if Devers plays 1B.

Is playing CF really a position change for Duran? He's played 90 more games in CF than LF, over his career and looked pretty good there, last year.

Rafaela is a way better defender in CF, but his bat has never looked as good as Duran's did from '23-'24.

Duran at DH is an option, assuming Cora gets Devers to play 1B.

To me, the opening at 1B created a situation where we can shuffle the deck a little and get a kid onto the 26 man roster as a FT or very near FT player. Just do it.

I’m not convinced either Breslow or Cora cares much about the disposition of Yoshida.  It’s possible I care more about it then either of them…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Cora simply says we have to 'execute better'. He's the highest paid manager and that's all he has?

No freakin' sh*t, Einstein. 

Injured starting pitchers will return soon. Not sure what to do with the bullpen.

As for the bullpen, have to agree with Cora; need better execution.

But forget about lethal injections or firing squads.

Lock them in a movie cinema and force them to watch the big screen projecting continuous loops of Red Sox batters trying to move the ghost runner in extra innings.

If that doesn't do it, force each reliever to stand in the batter's box without helmets, elbow pads and shin guards, and face all the other guys from the pen.

In the very least, they'll all hop around with broken toes from dirtball sweepers and won't be able to escape getting swallowed by ground crew tarps the next time there's a rain delay.

[dgalehouse]

More than anyone, John Henry is responsible for the current state of the Red Sox. Sometime in 2019 he decided that he was spending too much of his money on the team and he wanted to change direction and go with something more " sustainable ".  Firing Dombrowski and bringing in  Bloom will have a special place in the annals of dumb moves. It has resulted in several mediocre  seasons and a largely disgruntled fan base.  This off season , he evidently realized that and at least somewhat changed course again. I see this team as finally getting back on track to the good times. And I have faith that Craig Breslow knows what it takes and has the ability to succeed, the shaky start to this season notwithstanding.

[Nick]

45 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

What "norms" are you talking about. Many of our players are so young, they have yet to establish a norm, but certainly Abreu is doing better. Ceddanne has a better OPS and is K'ing way less. Hell, Narvaez is doing better or the same as his "norm" in. Duran got way better than his, but don't give Cora any credit. Houck had a career year in '24. Does that count< or just his awful 2025 season, so far?

While it's true many players are doing worse than their career stats or recent years, but it's only mid May.

Toughest thing in life is to know when someone peaks. Rarely do athletes stay at top. The can't miss guys such as Betts. I don't believe Duran was such a player. 

Statistically speaking, chances are better to trade a high prospect for an established major league.

I love having Mayer/Anthony. But we are not going to use them, why keep them locked away in minors.

What's going to change next year? Story will be here. All 3 OF will be here.

[vegasbob]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m not convinced either Breslow or Cora cares much about the disposition of Yoshida.  It’s possible I care more about it then either of them…

Certainly agree with you here .  The contract is just another sunk cost on the good ship Red Sox and not a significant factor.    Yoshida was not a good fielder when he could throw a ball pain free.   He is out of sight, out of mind right now .  

I am a fan of Duran's intensity and effort but agree that his future  upside is more limited than Anthony , so maybe he is a good trade  asset.

Let Devers DH if he can produce there and resolve his future next year.   Get a legit 1Bman now .

Brez needs to identify and figure the price on 2 more relievers by end of June.     I am  hoping Dobbins is Houck's replacement in the rotation .  Houck will miss  time  and then his UCL will pop.    Buehler will have on/off shoulder problems for the rest of the year then be gone

[moonslav59]

38 minutes ago, Nick said:

What's going to change next year? Story will be here. All 3 OF will be here.

Bregman may be gone, and that opens a clear spot for Mayer at 3B, SS (move Story) or 2B (move Campbell.)

Refsnyder may retire, so that allows Rafaela to platoon with Abreu (or Duran) and open up LF for Anthony- not that Ref is blocking Anthony, now: Rafaela & Duran are.

DH might be open, if they convince Devers to play 1B, or 1B could be open to Campbell, which allows Mayer to play middle infield.

A lot can happen, including a trade of Mayer or Anthony, or more likely, an established player like Story, Duran, Rafaela or Abreu.

[Larry Cook]

Isn’t romy eligible to be activated next week? 

[Hugh2]

10 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I think Breslow wants:

Raffy 1B

Refsnyder/Duran DH

Call up Anthony

I think Cora wants:

Acquisition 1B

Raffy DH

Call up Anthony/Mayer only when there's room

What I think he should do is put Raffy at 1B, then have Abreu/Duran/Anthony rotate the DH with LF/RF.  THough I'd keep Duran in left and Abreu and right and alternate Anthony.  

This gets Anthony in the lineup, keeps Duran and Abreu where the already are, and keeps Rafaela in CF where he adds value. 

Although I realistically think they have a better chance of convincing Raffy to move to 1B in the offseason.  Have they tried a really really cool gift basket yet?

[Maxbialystock]

8 hours ago, notin said:

I could understand Devers’ point more on this if it was just being done to replace a struggling Casas or something like that, or especially if they just sprung it on him for no reason at all.  But a starting player got injured.  This was hardly foreseeable. Obviously changes have to be made…

Casas was having a terrible season, WAR -0.8.  His injury was tantamound to a godsend.  Gonzalez's OPS is 200 points higher than Casas' .580 this season and he is due back this weekend.  

Right now I'm convinced the best option for Raffy is to leave him at DH if for no other reason than that he is paid to hit and does so.  Meanwhile, there is no need to acquire a first baseman.  

For example,  if you don't like Gonzalez, Kristian Campbell's defensive WAR at 2b is -0.6, so why not move him to an easier infield position?  This would allow Breslow to bring up Mayer to play SS or 2B.  

The bigger picture right now is that pitching is the team weakness and debating who plays 1b is just silly.  In the American League just 2 teams, NYY and Clevland, have scored more runs than the Sox.  Also in the AL, however, only 3 teams have given up more runs than the Sox.  

[Maxbialystock]

27 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Isn’t romy eligible to be activated next week? 

Sunday, May 18, and Cora is quoted as saying he will be ready to play.  

[Larry Cook]

22 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Sunday, May 18, and Cora is quoted as saying he will be ready to play.  

Thanks, now we can concentrate on pitching and figure out what to do with Duran and story!