How Should Breslow/Cora Fit Anthony Onto the Boston Red Sox?

[mvp 78]

Adding a poll to see how everyone would realistically get Anthony onto the active roster.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

39 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Adding a poll to see how everyone would realistically get Anthony onto the active roster.

Add Abreu to a trade package to acquire at least a #2 starter. This opens RF for Anthony.

[Old Red]

I don’t see anyone getting benched in the OF, so outside of an injury i don’t see Anthony coming up today, or tomorrow.

[moonslav59]

Going by OF importance order....

1. Keep the Abreu-Refsnyder platoon in RF.

2. Keep Duran playing (LF or CF). Maybe rest him a few more times than the norm vs LHPs, but that's not enough to get Anthony playing at or near FT.

3. Rafaela's defense in CF.

If Anthony does not DH (Devers at 1B), the best option is to have Anthony  replace Rafaela (Duran to CF.)

Rafaela could play half the games vs LHPs in CF (as Duran sits.) He could also play back-up SS and 2B, but his playing time would be severely reduced, unless we decide to play him at middle IF, a lot.

I would not trade Duran or Abreu. I doubt we trade Refsnyder to get Rafaela a little more playing time.

[Hugh2]

I don’t know what they’re going to do.  It would be easier if Raffy would move to 1B, but if history is any precedent Anthony has to come up soon.

if you look at the history of top ranked prospects (1-5) performing in AAA Anthony is already approaching the top half of the list of guys who have been held in AAA the longest.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

42 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Going by OF importance order....

1. Keep the Abreu-Refsnyder platoon in RF.

2. Keep Duran playing (LF or CF). Maybe rest him a few more times than the norm vs LHPs, but that's not enough to get Anthony playing at or near FT.

3. Rafaela's defense in CF.

If Anthony does not DH (Devers at 1B), the best option is to have Anthony  replace Rafaela (Duran to CF.)

Rafaela could play half the games vs LHPs in CF (as Duran sits.) He could also play back-up SS and 2B, but his playing time would be severely reduced, unless we decide to play him at middle IF, a lot.

I would not trade Duran or Abreu. I doubt we trade Refsnyder to get Rafaela a little more playing time.

 

If you're happy with the Sox starting staff, then fine, let's not trade Abreu.

Otoh, I think this starting staff needs help.

[jdc69]

Rafaela and Yoshida for SP

[moonslav59]

22 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

If you're happy with the Sox starting staff, then fine, let's not trade Abreu.

Otoh, I think this starting staff needs help.

Abreu is the only guy we can trade?

What makes you think I'm happy with the staff?

I doubt we get a top pitcher via trade in mid May, but sure, let's try.

If I had to trade an OF'er, it would be Rafaela, then Duran, then Abreu.

I'm not against trading a top prospect and a few second tier ones for another ace, but not a rental.

[notin]

Outside of because everyone wants to see this kid play,  why would the Sox promote him?

Abreu, Rafaela and Duran rank 4, 4, and 6 on this team in bWAR.  These guys really are not creating the problem the Sox need to make this move.

Meanwhile, the team is getting nothing out of 1b and the last prospect they inserted into the lineup is also struggling.  Oh and the starters keep getting hurt and the bullpen has been overworked and exposed.  How is the solution “GET ANOTHER OUTFIELDER!”?

 

[notin]

36 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I don’t know what they’re going to do.  It would be easier if Raffy would move to 1B, but if history is any precedent Anthony has to come up soon.

if you look at the history of top ranked prospects (1-5) performing in AAA Anthony is already approaching the top half of the list of guys who have been held in AAA the longest.  

So he’s not even in the top half yet?  Why exactly is this so urgent?

[Old Red]

27 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I don’t know what they’re going to do.  It would be easier if Raffy would move to 1B, but if history is any precedent Anthony has to come up soon.

if you look at the history of top ranked prospects (1-5) performing in AAA Anthony is already approaching the top half of the list of guys who have been held in AAA the longest.  

The Red Sox already made things not only easier, but better by moving Raffy to DH. I’ve been consistently against Raffy moving to 1B from the beginning, and I believe Cora has too. Brez it seems most likely wants Raffy at 1B, but to make things easier doesn’t mean it will be better. I don’t think Raffy would be a good fit at 1B anyway. I know Mayer, and Anthony are burning a hole in everyone’s pocket they just have to get up to Boston, but at the moment it looks like Brez will have to find another way especially after JH rose to the occasion, and at least soothed Raffy’s feelings. Brez, and Cora’s feelings may be a different story.

[notin]

I could see Mayer, but Anthony just isnt the solution right now.   
 

Now if the Sox were to trade, say, Abreu for a first baseman, then Anthony is an option.  The best match I see is with the Sacra-Vegas Athletics, who have Nick Kurtz at first and Brent Rooker at DH, leaving catcher-turned-first baseman Tyler Soderstrom miscast as their left fielder.  Maybe an Abreu/Soderstrom deal helps the Sox in multiple ways…

[notin]

30 minutes ago, Old Red said:

The Red Sox already made things not only easier, but better by moving Raffy to DH. I’ve been consistently against Raffy moving to 1B from the beginning, and I believe Cora has too. Brez it seems most likely wants Raffy at 1B, but to make things easier doesn’t mean it will be better. I don’t think Raffy would be a good fit at 1B anyway. I know Mayer, and Anthony are burning a hole in everyone’s pocket they just have to get up to Boston, but at the moment it looks like Brez will have to find another way especially after JH rose to the occasion, and at least soothed Raffy’s feelings. Brez, and Cora’s feelings may be a different story.

You were against Devers moving anywhere…

[moonslav59]

39 minutes ago, notin said:

Outside of because everyone wants to see this kid play,  why would the Sox promote him?

Abreu, Rafaela and Duran rank 4, 4, and 6 on this team in bWAR.  These guys really are not creating the problem the Sox need to make this move.

Meanwhile, the team is getting nothing out of 1b and the last prospect they inserted into the lineup is also struggling.  Oh and the starters keep getting hurt and the bullpen has been overworked and exposed.  How is the solution “GET ANOTHER OUTFIELDER!”?

 

40 minutes ago, notin said:

Outside of because everyone wants to see this kid play,  why would the Sox promote him?

Abreu, Rafaela and Duran rank 4, 4, and 6 on this team in bWAR.  These guys really are not creating the problem the Sox need to make this move.

Meanwhile, the team is getting nothing out of 1b and the last prospect they inserted into the lineup is also struggling.  Oh and the starters keep getting hurt and the bullpen has been overworked and exposed.  How is the solution “GET ANOTHER OUTFIELDER!”?

 

I think the idea is to trade an OF'er for a pitcher.

[Hugh2]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

I could see Mayer, but Anthony just isnt the solution right now.   
 

Now if the Sox were to trade, say, Abreu for a first baseman, then Anthony is an option.  The best match I see is with the Sacra-Vegas Athletics, who have Nick Kurtz at first and Brent Rooker at DH, leaving catcher-turned-first baseman Tyler Soderstrom miscast as their left fielder.  Maybe an Abreu/Soderstrom deal helps the Sox in multiple ways…

Anthony is the #1 prospect in all of baseball with well over 250 at bats in AAA.

people in his stratosphere are typically never on the “when he’s a good option” plan but rather break their way into the majors one way or another. 
 

I get that it’s probably going to be a few more weeks at the very least to see what shakes up, and the MLB roster may open up a spot for Mayer first but there’s zero reason to keep Anthony down.  He has very little to learn at that level and should be in the bigs

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

You were against Devers moving anywhere…

Quite a few people have been for years.

The weird thing is, we finally don't have the two worst corner infielders in MLB playing, Story is healthy, Rafaela is back in CF, and we found a great defensive catcher, yet we still suck on D and are second in unearned runs allowed.

[Hugh2]

36 minutes ago, Old Red said:

The Red Sox already made things not only easier, but better by moving Raffy to DH. I’ve been consistently against Raffy moving to 1B from the beginning, and I believe Cora has too. Brez it seems most likely wants Raffy at 1B, but to make things easier doesn’t mean it will be better. I don’t think Raffy would be a good fit at 1B anyway. I know Mayer, and Anthony are burning a hole in everyone’s pocket they just have to get up to Boston, but at the moment it looks like Brez will have to find another way especially after JH rose to the occasion, and at least soothed Raffy’s feelings. Brez, and Cora’s feelings may be a different story.

I disagree, I think Raffy could make an excellent 1b if he wanted to.  I’m not going to castrate him for not wanting to move like others but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.  The team would be better with Toro and/or Romney out and Anthony in.  And the path of least resistance could have been Raffy to 1B where most thought he would end up before last year. 

[Hugh2]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Quite a few people have been for years.

The weird thing is, we finally don't have the two worst corner infielders in MLB playing, Story is healthy, Rafaela is back in CF, and we found a great defensive catcher, yet we still suck on D and are second in unearned runs allowed.

Story isn’t good on D at all this year.  He does not look as good at SS as he has in the past.

[Old Red]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

You were against Devers moving anywhere…

NNN+N you are 100% wrong. I said more than once it didn’t bother me that Raffy kept playing 3B, but I also I didn’t believe the Red Sox would move him this soon even when you suggested Chapman. This was mostly Brez.

[notin]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I think the idea is to trade an OF'er for a pitcher.

Much harder to find a team looking to acquire an MLB outfielder while dealing an MLB pitcher.  Maybe KC?

[moonslav59]

39 minutes ago, Old Red said:

 I don’t think Raffy would be a good fit at 1B anyway. I know Mayer, and Anthony are burning a hole in everyone’s pocket they just have to get up to Boston, but at the moment it looks like Brez will have to find another way especially after JH rose to the occasion, and at least soothed Raffy’s feelings. Brez, and Cora’s feelings may be a different story.

Moving Devers to 1B might make it easier to find a slot for Anthony, but moving Campbell to 1B would open a slot for Mayer. 

I'd rather we move Campbell, at this point, but I still think there is a chance Devers could be okay or even better at 1B. (I would rather see him try 1B than Yoshida in LF, again.)

I know you just love my big shuffle options presented, but...

CF Duran

LF Anthony

2B: Story

SS: Mayer

1B: Campbell

DH: Devers

We could play bot prospects, without moving Devers off DH.

[notin]

3 minutes ago, Old Red said:

NNN+N you are 100% wrong. I said more than once it didn’t bother me that Raffy kept playing 3B, but I also I didn’t believe the Red Sox would move him this soon even when you suggested Chapman. This was mostly Brez.

Oh I never said they WOULD move him for Chapman, but I said they SHOULD.  And they clearly agreed a couple years later.  Of course your position was always “they signed Devers to play third base” as if it was written into the contract…

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I disagree, I think Raffy could make an excellent 1b if he wanted to.  I’m not going to castrate him for not wanting to move like others but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.  The team would be better with Toro and/or Romney out and Anthony in.  And the path of least resistance could have been Raffy to 1B where most thought he would end up before last year. 

His issue at 3B was mostly errant throws (to 1B and 2B.)

He was actually pretty quick with the reflexes and glove.

It's hard to know how well any non 1Bman will learn the footwork and stretch plays a 1BMan needs to know. Scooping bad throws should not be a major issue, if you've been catching scorching line drives hit your way for 10 years plus.

It's hard to know, but I think if he wanted to play 1B, he could be okay in a few short months, maybe average after a few months, and possibly on the plus side in about a year, but maybe not. Maybe he'd never reach even average.

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I disagree, I think Raffy could make an excellent 1b if he wanted to.  I’m not going to castrate him for not wanting to move like others but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.  The team would be better with Toro and/or Romney out and Anthony in.  And the path of least resistance could have been Raffy to 1B where most thought he would end up before last year. 

I know pretty much everyone disagrees, but I’m with Cora on this one, and Cora knows Raffy better than Anyone. I also agree with Raffy that Brez should learn his job, and get an actual 1B. The fact that the Red Sox are still using the likes of Toro, Romy, and Sogard, after going the the likes of Franchy, Arroyo, and Schwaber in past years is now All on Brez. Most on here thought no doubt, but not Cora, and it looks like it’s his say.

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Moving Devers to 1B might make it easier to find a slot for Anthony, but moving Campbell to 1B would open a slot for Mayer. 

I'd rather we move Campbell, at this point, but I still think there is a chance Devers could be okay or even better at 1B. (I would rather see him try 1B than Yoshida in LF, again.)

I know you just love my big shuffle options presented, but...

CF Duran

LF Anthony

2B: Story

SS: Mayer

1B: Campbell

DH: Devers

We could play bot prospects, without moving Devers off DH.

I don’t see Raf Man moving off CF, and I don’t see moving Story off SS.

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

His issue at 3B was mostly errant throws (to 1B and 2B.)

He was actually pretty quick with the reflexes and glove.

It's hard to know how well any non 1Bman will learn the footwork and stretch plays a 1BMan needs to know. Scooping bad throws should not be a major issue, if you've been catching scorching line drives hit your way for 10 years plus.

It's hard to know, but I think if he wanted to play 1B, he could be okay in a few short months, maybe average after a few months, and possibly on the plus side in about a year, but maybe not. Maybe he'd never reach even average.

You’ve said all this a thousand times. Cora doesn’t agree.🙈🤭

[moonslav59]

17 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Story isn’t good on D at all this year.  He does not look as good at SS as he has in the past.

I've not given up, just yet, on Story's O or D, but I agree, he has not looked good, so far this year.

I know the guy got hurt, but this is radical:

2022-2023: +8 DRS/ +8 OAA in 314 innings at SS

2024: +2 DRS/ +2 OAA at SS in 227 innings

2025: -3 DRS/ -3 OAA at SS in 418 innings

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I don’t see Raf Man moving off CF, and I don’t see moving Story off SS.

I don't either, but they did move Rafaela off CF, when Story got hurt, last year, and now we have another injury and Campbell learning how to play 1B.

(We could call up Mayer to play 2B and keep the inferior defender at SS, like we did with Bogey/Story.)

I'm just giving alternative options, not saying we should or would, just we "could."

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't either, but they did move Rafaela off CF, when Story got hurt, last year, and now we have another injury and Campbell learning how to play 1B.

(We could call up Mayer to play 2B and keep the inferior defender at SS, like we did with Bogey/Story.)

I'm just giving alternative options, not saying we should or would, just we "could."

Whole different ballgame this year compared to last year. If a Story had been hurt this year to you think RAF Man would have been moved to SS, and yes the Red Sox most likely will keep your inferior Story at SS just like they did Bogey. You worry about D at SS, but Campbell wasn’t all that great at 2B, and who knows how good he would be a 1B just like Raffy. If I was going to worry about the D I would worry about all the positions, and not move a bunch of guys around out of position like Campbell moving to 1B. Moving Campbell around to me is just seeing if something by chance will stick.

[notin]

34 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I know pretty much everyone disagrees, but I’m with Cora on this one, and Cora knows Raffy better than Anyone. I also agree with Raffy that Brez should learn his job, and get an actual 1B. The fact that the Red Sox are still using the likes of Toro, Romy, and Sogard, after going the the likes of Franchy, Arroyo, and Schwaber in past years is now All on Brez. Most on here thought no doubt, but not Cora, and it looks like it’s his say.

Well, unlike us, Cora never really gave much of an opinion on Devers at 1b.  He certainly never said Devers COULDN’T handle the position.  It’s possible (and very possible at that) that he simply doesn’t want to ask Devers to change roles again, given that it didn’t go over so well the first time and it wasn’t that long ago.  As you said, he knows Devers better than we do.  Maybe what he knows is that Devers is overly obstinate or overly sensitive…