Article: Roman Anthony Is Going to Force Some Difficult Red Sox Roster Decisions

[mvp 78]

15 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

If you say so.  Sounds like a gross exaggeration to make a point about how much you believe in him.

I've watched both Duran and Abreu play.  Abreu gets the YIPS when he runs back toward the fence in right field and when he has to run hard at the right field side fence.  I've watched him catch balls side saddle to avoid contact with the wall while guys like Rafaela are fearless.  I simply am not impressed with Abreu's defense, his defensive numbers or the way his average skills are portrayed.  He has a strong arm, he slides for balls in front of him well but when he reaches up for balls over his head to his left he loses sight of the ball because he brings the glove directly through his line of sight.  For me, those are things I have observed about players for many years.

If my comment does not agree with the organization hype, I am ok with it.  If scouts are not picking up on his shortcomings, then I'd go get some new scouts.

You can say that your eye test shows he gets the yips, but last year he had 3 Outs Above Average going In on the ball and 3 Outs Above Average going Back on the ball. He's 4 OAA so far this year (Duran is -2 and having a very rough season missing several very easy plays in LF). Abreu's success rate is 3% greater than expected while Duran's success rate is 1% less than expected. Abreu has missed no catches with a catch probability of 90% or greater, but Duran has missed 5 so far this year. 

[mvp 78]

Sit Duran's ass this weekend.

 

[TedYazPapiMookie]

4 hours ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

Not if he's chasing rings and a contender offers him the right contract.

Who other than LAD and PHI would you consider a contender with higher likelihood of winning than Boston in a year or two?  NYY?  DET? CHC? HOU? NYM?

We know some owners spend crazy stupid money but teams like NYM and SD or even the NYY don't produce rings.  You want a ring?  You go to LAD, SF, TEX, HOU.  ONLY LAD does over the top spending of the group of franchises that win so if LAD offers Bregman more I could see him leaving.  Otherwise, I think you are right he wants to win and $40Million is plenty to live on so Boston works if the owners stay committed.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

6 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Who other than LAD and PHI would you consider a contender with higher likelihood of winning than Boston in a year or two?  NYY?  DET? CHC? HOU? NYM?

All of those teams have a higher likelihood at this point. The sox have to show that they can actually finish above .500 and make the playoffs before anyone can consider them a legitimate contender.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

You can say that your eye test shows he gets the yips, but last year he had 3 Outs Above Average going In on the ball and 3 Outs Above Average going Back on the ball. He's 4 OAA so far this year (Duran is -2 and having a very rough season missing several very easy plays in LF). Abreu's success rate is 3% greater than expected while Duran's success rate is 1% less than expected. Abreu has missed no catches with a catch probability of 90% or greater, but Duran has missed 5 so far this year. 

1st - Duran is in LF and he's not good there.  I agree with you but he's a CF and a better defender that Abreu is in right field.  If they leave him in LF, he either needs to learn how to play it or he's going to hurt the defensive team metrics even more.

2nd - Duran is the only game in town with respect to being a lead off man so he's irreplaceable right now and Abreu is just a platoon hitter with a big arm.  This is on Cora once again mispositioning the skills of his team.  Due to arm strength, Rafaela should be in RF and Duran in CF and Anthony in LF with Abreu who played all three positions plenty in the minors should be the 4th outfielder if he's not traded which he needs to be to get pitching.

Cora put Duran in left field.  That should be enough explanation as to why it's a wrong choice but clearly there is a huge difference between CF and the confined LF area where Cora put his fastest guy.  Duran made 5 of 6 errors in LF despite player CF more in 2024.  In 2025, he's made 4 of 5 in LF in half a season or less.  Seriously, you can't see this as a problem with LF for an excellent CF?  

If you are saying Duran isn't suited for LF, I agree.  Cora should have used his brain and realized you have two speedsters in Fenway so why would ONE go in LF rather than the power hitter with limited speed?  You are right, it makes no sense.

FYI.... Duran has 2 errors in CF since 2021 in 550 total chances!!!!  That's not data that can be interpreted as Duran sucking on defense when he plays his normal position.  He has 10 in LF in just 292 total chances.  That is Devers-like bad in LF and JBJ-like good in CF.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

18 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

All of those teams have a higher likelihood at this point. The sox have to show that they can actually finish above .500 and make the playoffs before anyone can consider them a legitimate contender.

Fair enough.  I make my assumptions on the future based on actual talent.  I think Boston has a few gaps left to fix but are close if they get the 6 youngsters enough time to develop (Anthony, Campbell, Mayer, Narvaez, Rafaela and Casas) and with Bregman, Devers and Duran they have the hitting to compete.

They need pitching and a manager.  Without that, the talent level won't be great enough to compete seriously for anything other than a WC spot.

[Kimmi]

On 6/10/2025 at 11:07 AM, mvp 78 said:

Is this "LOL Baseball random" and like the Padres of a few years ago, the Sox will make a big run at the end of the year? 

I don't know if the Sox will make a big run at the end of the year, but 1-run games randomness is a big factor.

[Kimmi]

I don't have a good answer on how to make room for Anthony, but personally, I am against trading any of Duran, Rafaela, or Abreu.  I understand it may be necessary for a couple of reasons, but I'm against it.

What are our options if one of the remaining outfielders has a significant injury?

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

I don't know if the Sox will make a big run at the end of the year, but 1-run games randomness is a big factor.

It’s a factor, but hard to turn around the w/l at this point.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

57 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Fair enough.  I make my assumptions on the future based on actual talent.  I think Boston has a few gaps left to fix but are close if they get the 6 youngsters enough time to develop (Anthony, Campbell, Mayer, Narvaez, Rafaela and Casas) and with Bregman, Devers and Duran they have the hitting to compete.

They need pitching and a manager.  Without that, the talent level won't be great enough to compete seriously for anything other than a WC spot.

All those other teams mentioned are much further along in that process.

[moonslav59]

10 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

You are alone on the island believing that Abreu is a weaker defender than Duran. There is not a scout in baseball that thinks this. 

True dat.

I don't mind Duran in CF and Anthony in LF. Abreu-Ref in RF is one of the best platoons in MLB. Rafaela as the back-up OF'er makes for the best 5 deep OF in MLB, IMO.

If we end up trading Abreu, we could see a Rafaela-Ref platoon in RF, but maybe we keep Rafaela in CF and use Anthony in RF v RHPs and LF v LHPs. Maybe that's too much musical chairs.

We could have a logjam in the IF, once Bregman comes back. Unless KC (not Bregamn) plays 1B, we'll have...

3B Bregman FT

SS Mayer or Story

2B Story or KC

1B Toro/Romy platoon

Another option would be to trade Duran and...

LF: Anthony (Refsnyder)

CF: Campbell (Rafaela)

RF: Abreu-Refsnyder (Anthony)

3B Bregman (Mayer)

SS Mayer (Story)

2B Story (Campbell)

1B Toro-Romy

 

[TedYazPapiMookie]

2 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

What the hell are you talking about?

Did anyone say they never heard of Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain?

Did anyone say you had a huge experience gap?

Did anyone call any battle cry Unpoetic?

I do agree you shouldn't comment when you have no idea what the comment is about.

 

Very Cora-like to retract your stupid comment and pretend it never happened.

My comment clearly documents your faux pau and yours confirms it. HAHAHA

Nice try.  Way to own it!!!

[moonslav59]

The options for various roster constructions are near limitless, due to the flexibility of so many players.

Top 14 w DHam to AAA:

CF, 2B, SS, RF Rafaela

LF, CF Duran

LF, RF Anthony & Refsnyder

RF, LF Abreu (CF)

2B, CF Campbell

SS, 2B Story

SS, 3B Mayer

3B, 2B Bregman

1B, SS, 2B Romy (AAA: DHam 2B)

1B, 3B Toro

C Narvaez & Wong (1B)

DH Devers (1B? & emergency 3B)

With 14, Toro or Romy goes to AAA, or we trade a vet/demote a kid.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

5 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Very Cora-like to retract your stupid comment and pretend it never happened.

My comment clearly documents your faux pau and yours confirms it. HAHAHA

Nice try.  Way to own it!!!

Keep calling people derogatory names on an anonymous faceless forum.

It's sure to prove your baseball acumen.

[mvp 78]

3 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Keep calling people derogatory names on an anonymous faceless forum.

It's sure to prove your baseball acumen.

He said "faux pau." 

[drewski6]

21 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

It’s a factor, but hard to turn around the w/l at this point.

The Red sox are a coin-flip to make the postseason this year per Vegas (right now).  

To quote John Goodman "nothing is F'd, dude"

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

He said "faux pau." 

faux pau = mark gasol ??

[drewski6]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The options for various roster constructions are near limitless, due to the flexibility of so many players.

Top 14 w DHam to AAA:

CF, 2B, SS, RF Rafaela

LF, CF Duran

LF, RF Anthony & Refsnyder

RF, LF Abreu (CF)

2B, CF Campbell

SS, 2B Story

SS, 3B Mayer

3B, 2B Bregman

1B, SS, 2B Romy (AAA: DHam 2B)

1B, 3B Toro

C Narvaez & Wong (1B)

DH Devers (1B? & emergency 3B)

With 14, Toro or Romy goes to AAA, or we trade a vet/demote a kid.

CF, 2B, SS, RF, LF, 3B, 1B Rafaela

LF, CF, RF, 1B Duran

LF, RF, 1B Anthony & Refsnyder

RF, LF, CF, 1B Abreu (CF)

2B, CF, SS, 3B, 1b Campbell

SS, 2B, 1B Story

SS, 3B, 2B, 1B Mayer

3B, 2B, 1B, LF (emergency SS) Bregman

1B, SS, 2B Romy (AAA: DHam 2B)

1B, 3B Toro

C Narvaez & Wong (1B, emergency 2B)

DH Devers (1B? & emergency 3B)

Even more versatile than you present it.

[moonslav59]

Even with DHam in AAA, we'll still have 14 players, assuming all healthy.

Two are Toro and Romy, but as of now, they are doing a really good job at 1B, combined. I guess we could just demote one of them, but then we run into issues with finding near FT playing for the 3 kids and all the vets, but someone will probably be on the IL, slumping so badly that a benching/demotion could occur or be traded (Story? Abreu or Duran?)

I can't see trading Refsnyder, as long as Abreu is our RF'er vs RHPs.

I can't see us trading a top 3 prospect.

I doubt we trade Rafaela and his tremendous CF defense and ability to play so many positions, well enough.

Devers is here forevers. Bregman is not being traded.

Trading Wong does not open a slot for Romy/Toro of give more playing time to others on the list of 14.

Toro sucks vs LHPs and Romy kinda sucks vs RHPs, so we need both or find a 1Bman that bats .800 vs L & R.

[Larry Cook]

I would love to see Anthony claim left field for the next decade or so! 
abreau is the best Fenway defensive outfielder in the system. But he is only a platoon player with a very streaky bat!! 
rafeala is magnificent defender. I think he already has 10 defensive runs saved this year! 
but he is a free swinger that needs more time to develop hitting! 
 

Duran is the only outfielder we have with decent trade value now!!  No lead off hitter creates more chaos when on base than Duran. Teams will value him on the trade market!!!

[drewski6]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Even with DHam in AAA, we'll still have 14 players, assuming all healthy.

Two are Toro and Romy, but as of now, they are doing a really good job at 1B, combined. I guess we could just demote one of them, but then we run into issues with finding near FT playing for the 3 kids and all the vets, but someone will probably be on the IL, slumping so badly that a benching/demotion could occur or be traded (Story? Abreu or Duran?)

I can't see trading Refsnyder, as long as Abreu is our RF'er vs RHPs.

I can't see us trading a top 3 prospect.

I doubt we trade Rafaela and his tremendous CF defense and ability to play so many positions, well enough.

Devers is here forevers. Bregman is not being traded.

Trading Wong does not open a slot for Romy/Toro of give more playing time to others on the list of 14.

Toro sucks vs LHPs and Romy kinda sucks vs RHPs, so we need both or find a 1Bman that bats .800 vs L & R.

Its Romy who would be the odd man out. Anybody except for Abreu, Devers, Cedanne, Nav can play 1B against lefties. You can live with Duran playing 1B 30% of the time, ditto Bregman, ditto literally anybody except the ones I have listed. 

[moonslav59]

41 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Its Romy who would be the odd man out. Anybody except for Abreu, Devers, Cedanne, Nav can play 1B against lefties. You can live with Duran playing 1B 30% of the time, ditto Bregman, ditto literally anybody except the ones I have listed. 

Romy is like the new Refsnyder. Yes, others can try to play 1B, but will they hit .950 v LHPs, like Romy is now? (he hit .879 v L in 2024.)

It can't be Toro, at least at this moment.

I totally understand Anthony > Romy or Mayer>Romy and probably KC>Romy for the remainder of 2025, but even if we assume DHama and Romy go to AAA, we still have a hug playing time issue. It makes more sense to me, to keep Romy and Toro going at 1B and trading a vet to allow FT or near FT to everyone who deserves it and to keep the great platoons we have alive. I guess we can just say "Trade Story," but we still have an OF overload.

Do we bench Duran v L and Rafaela vs R to give Anthony near FT action? (I'm not benching Abreu v R or Ref v L.) That sits our 2nd or 3rd best OPS guy (Rafaela for 70% of the games.) Do we force Anthony to 1B (DH, if Devers plays 1B?) I don't like these ideas, even for half a season.

In the IF, if we trade Story, there is FT duty for Mayer & Campbell. Campbell to 1B allows us to keep Story, but is that worth it? (I say No.)

It's like we have to trade Story AND one from Duran, Abreu or Rafaela. We keep hearing "Duran" or "Abreu," but not so much "Rafaela," who has built up his value to the Sox, but also his trade value. Including Rafaela the actual Story trade could greatly reduce the amount of money needed to include in the deal, but the return would almost certainly be a prospect- not a young pitcher we need.

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Romy is like the new Refsnyder. Yes, others can try to play 1B, but will they hit .950 v LHPs, like Romy is now? (he hit .879 v L in 2024.)

It can't be Toro, at least at this moment.

I totally understand Anthony > Romy or Mayer>Romy and probably KC>Romy for the remainder of 2025, but even if we assume DHama and Romy go to AAA, we still have a hug playing time issue. It makes more sense to me, to keep Romy and Toro going at 1B and trading a vet to allow FT or near FT to everyone who deserves it and to keep the great platoons we have alive. I guess we can just say "Trade Story," but we still have an OF overload.

Do we bench Duran v L and Rafaela vs R to give Anthony near FT action? (I'm not benching Abreu v R or Ref v L.) That sits our 2nd or 3rd best OPS guy (Rafaela for 70% of the games.) Do we force Anthony to 1B (DH, if Devers plays 1B?) I don't like these ideas, even for half a season.

In the IF, if we trade Story, there is FT duty for Mayer & Campbell. Campbell to 1B allows us to keep Story, but is that worth it? (I say No.)

It's like we have to trade Story AND one from Duran, Abreu or Rafaela. We keep hearing "Duran" or "Abreu," but not so much "Rafaela," who has built up his value to the Sox, but also his trade value. Including Rafaela the actual Story trade could greatly reduce the amount of money needed to include in the deal, but the return would almost certainly be a prospect- not a young pitcher we need.

If Buehler has figured it out, theres less urgency. Im not sold Toro will continue to hit like this.  So wait and see there.  Didnt realize Romy was so good vs l. Really dont understand why people are against platoons when you can do things like turn toro/romy into a .900 ops guy on the cheap, lol.

Is 5 bench players really so far out there that it shan't be considered these days? If I was a manager, Id have a backup C and 4 platoons,  Keep some starters in the pen or use the farm to expand the pen due to having one less guy there. Options are on the season so if you send one guy up and down all year, its 1 option. Feels exploitable to me (in a good way).

If we are to make a move, I lean towards its cuz we NEED a starter not because of a logjam.  I really dont believe that any player needs to play every day. Im okay with a rotation of 5 outfielders. Especially if Toro cools off and Anthony or Duran play 1B.  It really doesnt bother me.

Knowing what I know now, that Romy (who i like) is mashing lefties, I say, go 5 bench players and trade prospects for pitching. Or start giving farm SPs some auditions now if they are on teh 40 man. Early? Sandlin? Im a believer that fresh arms who batters havent seen have an advantage.

[moonslav59]

6 hours ago, drewski6 said:

If Buehler has figured it out, theres less urgency. Im not sold Toro will continue to hit like this.  So wait and see there.  Didnt realize Romy was so good vs l. Really dont understand why people are against platoons when you can do things like turn toro/romy into a .900 ops guy on the cheap, lol.

Is 5 bench players really so far out there that it shan't be considered these days? If I was a manager, Id have a backup C and 4 platoons,  Keep some starters in the pen or use the farm to expand the pen due to having one less guy there. Options are on the season so if you send one guy up and down all year, its 1 option. Feels exploitable to me (in a good way).

If we are to make a move, I lean towards its cuz we NEED a starter not because of a logjam.  I really dont believe that any player needs to play every day. Im okay with a rotation of 5 outfielders. Especially if Toro cools off and Anthony or Duran play 1B.  It really doesnt bother me.

Knowing what I know now, that Romy (who i like) is mashing lefties, I say, go 5 bench players and trade prospects for pitching. Or start giving farm SPs some auditions now if they are on teh 40 man. Early? Sandlin? Im a believer that fresh arms who batters havent seen have an advantage.

Assume Abreu starts v every R (70%) and Ref vs every L (30%,) that leaves 3 OF'ers, Duran, Anthony and Rafaela to split time. Playing every day may not be needed but 67% is not really enough.

I guess you could sit Duran v every L, so that's 70% play time. Rafaela plays vs every L and then 10-15% of R's, as Anthony plays 85-90% of all games.

I don't see Anthony or Duran playing 1B.

I'm not sure torid Toro continues, either.

[drewski6]

14 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Assume Abreu starts v every R (70%) and Ref vs every L (30%,) that leaves 3 OF'ers, Duran, Anthony and Rafaela to split time. Playing every day may not be needed but 67% is not really enough.

I guess you could sit Duran v every L, so that's 70% play time. Rafaela plays vs every L and then 10-15% of R's, as Anthony plays 85-90% of all games.

I don't see Anthony or Duran playing 1B.

I'm not sure torid Toro continues, either.

I don't see Anthony or Duran playing 1B - maybe not but I think its rigid thinking (not on your part, the team's). If you were willing to experiment Devers at 1b, why not experiment with Duran? Because his speed would be wasted. Okay, so lets go get a lesser player and put him there because Duran is too valuable to play 1B. So where does Duran go? The bench?

We had to bench you because you are too valuable to waste at 1b!

Wouldnt be the first time.  The Red sox traded Laroche for  kacey kotchman because laroche was too good to not play everyday so they swapped him straight up for a less talented player.  Youre too good to only play 60% of the time so we're gonna swap you for someone worse.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, drewski6 said:

I don't see Anthony or Duran playing 1B - maybe not but I think its rigid thinking (not on your part, the team's). If you were willing to experiment Devers at 1b, why not experiment with Duran? Because his speed would be wasted. Okay, so lets go get a lesser player and put him there because Duran is too valuable to play 1B. So where does Duran go? The bench?

Duran is traded for a pitcher. I'd prefer Devers at 1B than Duran or Anthony, of even Campbell, but not during this season. Perhaps I am too closed minded on 1B for Duran.

We had to bench you because you are too valuable to waste at 1b!

I'd trade him not bench him, of play him at 1B before benching.

Wouldnt be the first time.  The Red sox traded Laroche for  kacey kotchman because laroche was too good to not play everyday so they swapped him straight up for a less talented player.  Youre too good to only play 60% of the time so we're gonna swap you for someone worse.

See answers inserted in your response.

I would not call up a top 3 prospect to play 50-60% of the time. They need to play 85%+.

I would not play a valuable vet 50-60%, when his value for another team playing 85% is higher and thus a trade must be made.