The 1B Predicament

[moonslav59]

18 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Why? How is it different than any other player? 

Casas has a number. The team has a number. A third party determines which number they like better. Where's the rub? 

He'll be cheaper than more proven 1Bmen, and has as much or more upside than many other 1Bmen that may be on the market, next year: FA and via trade.

[notin]

18 hours ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

That remains to be seen. He looks overmatched.

Overmatched or not, he won’t learn to hit MLB pitching in AAA.  For a guy who likes to ignore points and cling to painfully obvious conclusions, not sure why you think he will…

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 hours ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

What's to say that devers won't refuse to bat 4th?

No way. Devers is the ultimate team player. He'll do anything to help the team.

I know the above is total BS, but it doesn't matter because Cora would never ask him to change his place in the lineup.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

So negative.

He's batted 4th a lot, over the years, including nearly 3 X the amount as the second slot in 2024.

 

Except this is the 2025 version. The pissed off and unhappy Devers.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

7 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Except this is the 2025 version. The pissed off and unhappy Devers.

Cora: "Would you mind batting 4th?"

Devers: "Doesn't the best hitter bat 2nd? I'm the best hitter. I will bat 2nd."

Cora: "Just thought I'd ask."

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Cora: "Would you mind batting 4th?"

Devers: "Doesn't the best hitter bat 2nd? I'm the best hitter. I will bat 2nd."

Cora: "Just thought I'd ask."

956 OPS since 4/2. Why move him if it's working where it is? 

[mvp 78]

Well whaddaya know?

 

[moonslav59]

KC was my pick to play 1B. It looks like Mayer time is nearing.

[Old Red]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

KC was my pick to play 1B. It looks like Mayer time is nearing.

Might as well KC didn’t have an established position anyway, but working out doesn’t mean a change is imminent either.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Might as well KC didn’t have an established position anyway.

That was a major part of my choice. 

Finding a way to get Mayer or Anthony into a FT slot was about as important.

The other aspect was about looking at the other choices and determining which was the least disruptive, risky or in other words, the lesser of all evils.

Devers at 1B might be an improvement over Casas, but likely not over any other choice, and it opens the DH slot, which is not really where we want to play Mayer (Story, Campbell or Bregman) or Anthony (Duran, Abreu or Rafaela.)

Bregman is too good at 3B to move him and then replace him with iffy 3Bmen like mayer or Campbell.

Story at 1B looks so wrong on many levels.

Mayer? Same.

Refsnyder makes some sense, but there is a reason he has never played there, and he'd just be a platoon anyway, so it would not solve the problem for 65% of our games.

Duran or Abreu? LOL.

[Old Red]

24 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

That was a major part of my choice. 

Finding a way to get Mayer or Anthony into a FT slot was about as important.

The other aspect was about looking at the other choices and determining which was the least disruptive, risky or in other words, the lesser of all evils.

Devers at 1B might be an improvement over Casas, but likely not over any other choice, and it opens the DH slot, which is not really where we want to play Mayer (Story, Campbell or Bregman) or Anthony (Duran, Abreu or Rafaela.)

Bregman is too good at 3B to move him and then replace him with iffy 3Bmen like mayer or Campbell.

Story at 1B looks so wrong on many levels.

Mayer? Same.

Refsnyder makes some sense, but there is a reason he has never played there, and he'd just be a platoon anyway, so it would not solve the problem for 65% of our games.

Duran or Abreu? LOL.

Like I said earlier just, because KC is working out at 1B doesn’t mean anything is imminent. My question all along to is why the Red Sox hasn’t had a reliable actual 1B in the system not only for now, but the past 3-4 years as well. Flintstone Schwarber, Franchy Strange Glove, Arroyo, and the ones they have tried now shouldn’t have to be the answers. It like throwing things against the wall to see what sticks.The Red Sox used 11 different 2B last year, so the same thing there.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

2 hours ago, notin said:

Overmatched or not, he won’t learn to hit MLB pitching in AAA.  For a guy who likes to ignore points and cling to painfully obvious conclusions, not sure why you think he will…

Like I said, sometimes they need to be sent down to find their swing and regain their confidence.

Happens all the time.

[moonslav59]

47 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Like I said earlier just, because KC is working out at 1B doesn’t mean anything is imminent. My question all along to is why the Red Sox hasn’t had a reliable actual 1B in the system not only for now, but the past 3-4 years as well. Flintstone Schwarber, Franchy Strange Glove, Arroyo, and the ones they have tried now shouldn’t have to be the answers. It like throwing things against the wall to see what sticks.The Red Sox used 11 different 2B last year, so the same thing there.

I think they hoped Casas would just mash his way to offsetting the terrible D at 1B, but despite him being fragile as all hell, they continued to neglect 1B depth or preparing anyone to be depth at 1B. 

We shouldn't be doing this on the fly, unlessthree 1Bmen get hurt at the same time.

[harmony]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Why? How is it different than any other player? 

Casas has a number. The team has a number. A third party determines which number they like better. Where's the rub? 

Front offices (and players) generally avoid contested arbitration hearings.

Triston Casas may be a polarizing figure in terms of value, increasing the chances of a contested hearing. To borrow a New York Times description, his idiosyncratic persona* may add to the uncertainty.

Depending on an agreed-on 2026 salary, his trade value may increase if the Red Sox and Casas settle, providing a trade partner some certainty.

* https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5798196/2024/09/27/triston-casas-red-sox-most-interesting/

 

[Hugh2]

Campbell taking grounders at 1b.  

[TedYazPapiMookie]

If you watched today's game you got to see why Devers can't be the 1B.  The play where Campbell caught a routine ground ball to his left and the 1B took one too many steps to his right to get back to 1B but then decided to try and messed up the pitcher who was supposed to cover the base.  That confusion represents what it's like to use a non 1B at 1B.  The whole situation is ridiculous.  

Cora stated boldly that Devers can retire his gloves and he was correct in saying that.

Breslow just minutes before that in an interview said Devers would move to 1B.

Cora has the owners in his corner and Breslow needs to listen to Cora.  Words I NEVER thought I would say.

Breslow needs to make another excellent trade for a young high ceiling 1B who will replace Casas as the long term solution by giving them the injured Casas and a significant pre-arb player like Abreu who is a platoon player that could be used full time by other teams without as much depth as the Red Sox.

Also, the goofy stat cast defensive numbers need to be banned from baseball for their inaccuracy.

The highest fielding percentage in the infield is Campbell.  The faulty DRS number for Campbell is -6 and he has made 3 errors in 136 chances.  Bregman has 5 errors in 129 total chances, Story has 5 in 162 total chances and Hamilton has 2 errors in just 74 total chances.  Fielding percentages in 2025 includes Campbell at .978, Gonzalez at .977, Hamilton at .973, Story .969 and Bregman at .961.  Since historically Story is the best SS with Campbell the second best, it makes sense to leave Campbell at 2B and Story at SS with Campbell next up at SS should something happen to Story.  Mayer has played bad defense in the minors but has improved in 2024 at hitting so why not move Mayer to 1B since he's a power hitter, 6'3", lacks defensive skills at SS compared to Story and Campbell and no place to play until Story's contract is up at the end of the 2028 season if the team option makes sense in 2028. 

The log jam goes away except for Casas if Mayer trains to be the 1B of the future for the Red Sox.  Mayer is said to be athletic so he might become an outstanding 1B faster than other internal alternatives.  Also, there is lots of depth at SS in the farm system so why not promote Mayer at 1B as soon as they can get him ready?  That way you can have Anthony be the full time right fielder, Rafaela the full time CF and Duran the full-time left fielder and Mayer at 1B, Campbell at 2B, Story at SS and Bregman at 3B.  Abreu becomes the 4th outfielder/late inning pinch hitter since he's by far the weakest defender of the outfielders listed above and he's significantly worse facing left handed pitchers..

If the team needs more pitching going forward they have Casas, Yoshida and Abreu to trade for improved pitching.  They might not have great value now except for Abreu but teams would be lucky to add Casas and Yoshida as depth.  Abreu clearly would command the most value in the group.  I believe the window for Mayer at SS has passed based on his bad defense and his injuries.  Maybe he can refocus at 1B and see if he can maintain his power hitting status for the power hitting position.  That would be best for the ballclub.  

 

[Nick]

On 5/15/2025 at 4:49 PM, moonslav59 said:

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.

I am frustrated that a team with payroll of !240 M can not fill 1N. The easiest poaitipm in majoors.

[notin]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

KC was my pick to play 1B. It looks like Mayer time is nearing.

Story is 10 for his last 82 with 31 strikeouts.  It might be Mayer Time without moving Campbell…

[Bellhorn04]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

Story is 10 for his last 82 with 31 strikeouts.  It might be Mayer Time without moving Campbell…

Trevor is definitely doing his part to make the picture clearer.

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Trevor is definitely doing his part to make the picture clearer.

Unfortunately that contract still keeps the situation murky.

[Bellhorn04]

3 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Unfortunately that contract still keeps the situation murky.

It's an amazingly awkward roster situation, with the contracts certainly playing into it.

[Old Red]

Just now, Bellhorn04 said:

It's an amazingly awkward roster situation, with the contracts certainly playing into it.

Like I said yesterday the Red Sox are paying $18M to Masa who’s in exile, and $22M to Story Land whom the Red Sox would most likely like to close down.

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

Like I said yesterday the Red Sox are paying $18M to Masa who’s in exile, and $22M to Story Land whom the Red Sox would most likely like to close down.

The Masa thing is total weirdness.

If the Sox keep up this crappy play a little longer I think they bring up Mayer and Story goes to the bench.  They have to do something, even if it's just to appease us fans.

[Nick]

It's time to play our 3 rookies plus Rafaela. Screw Story. He is becoming another Yoshida.

 

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The Masa thing is total weirdness.

If the Sox keep up this crappy play a little longer I think they bring up Mayer and Story goes to the bench.  They have to do something, even if it's just to appease us fans.

Cora usually gives his players a long leash, so Story is still probably safe for the time being.

[Bellhorn04]

Story and Yoshida - great job, Bloom.

Sale for Grissom - great job, Breslow.

 

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

Cora usually gives his players a long leash, so Story is still probably safe for the time being.

I don't think he's very safe, honestly.  The FO has to be pretty unhappy with a 22-24 mark especially with Crochet and Bregman both living up to their contracts.  They're being patient outwardly but I don't think for much longer.

As a bench guy Story will still get to play some because of his D and his ability to hit lefties.

 

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Story and Yoshida - great job, Bloom.

Sale for Grissom - great job, Breslow.

 

Both Story, and Masa have 2 more years left on their contracts too after this one. At least Sale’s contract would have been up after last year, and after Brez paid Atlanta $17M for Sale to win a CY for them.

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I don't think he's very safe, honestly.  The FO has to be pretty unhappy with a 22-24 mark especially with Crochet and Bregman both living up to their contracts.  They're being patient outwardly but I don't think for much longer.

As a bench guy Story will still get to play some because of his D and his ability to hit lefties.

 

I guess it depends on if KC gets moved to 1B, or not too.

[Bellhorn04]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Both Story, and Masa have 2 more years left on their contracts too after this one. At least Sale’s contract would have been up after last year, and after Brez paid Atlanta $17M for Sale to win a CY for them.

Not that it matters at this point, but if Sale hadn't been traded and if he pitched as well for the Sox as he did for the Braves, he'd be with us this year because of the vesting option in his contract.