Red Sox (Fitts) vs Twins (Woods Richardson): 7/28/25, 7:40pm

[iortiz]

12 hours ago, illinoisredsox said:

Follow-on to my earlier posts about using Hicks after the delay.

Whitlock apparently was sick and unavailable.

Prior to the tarp going on the field, Hicks was announced and entered into the line-up card.  Lou Merloni said on the radio side that there is no exception to the 3 batter rule in that situation, so Cora was forced to use Hicks for at least 3 batters.

But with Whitlock and Chapman unavailable, the Sox only had 6 arms in the pen.  They ran through Murphy, Alcala, Bernardino and Weissert, leaving Hicks and Wilson (who pitched Saturday and Sunday and may not have been available either).  They were screwed no matter what they did unless they used Weissert for a second inning or a starter.

Considering these facts Cora should have left Fitts at least one more inning. Alcala is not MLB caliber arm at all and Hicks is a box of chocolates. 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, iortiz said:

Considering these facts Cora should have left Fitts at least one more inning. Alcala is not MLB caliber arm at all and Hicks is a box of chocolates. 

Fitts was pulled because the top of the order was coming up (11.25 ERA third time through) and Keirsey had already hit a HR off Fitts the previous AB. 

[mvp 78]

26 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Trouble reading? I said 2027-or 2028. Its going to take some patience and understanding of rational strategy, of which you clearly have none. Cheer up though: you seem to have company in that regard.

Now it's OR 2028? Oh brother...

I thought it was going to be rough thinking '25 was the last punt year. 

[mvp 78]

19 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

No, I want to trade for guys to replace Toro and Yoshida.  You pitch 3 SP in the playoffs (soo Boohler and Fitts lose their spots).

And every team has these holes.

I think right now, due in large part because Cole aint coming back, we are just as likely to come out of a hilariously weak AL.

I think a team with Duran, Abreu, Roman Anthony, Bregman, Nav and Crochet may be enough to come out of a hilariously weak AL.  And I think wed be quite the dog against most NL favorites, but anything can happen in a 7 game series when you pitch crochet 3x

A small upgrade above Toro shouldn't be cost prohibitive. 

[drewski6]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Now it's OR 2028? Oh brother...

I thought it was going to be rough thinking '25 was the last punt year. 

2022,2023,2024 were the punt years.

[drewski6]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Now it's OR 2028? Oh brother...

I thought it was going to be rough thinking '25 was the last punt year. 

We're going to punt.

But sir, its 2nd and 5 at midfield. 

We're punting first down on our next 2 possessions also

[mvp 78]

24 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

2022,2023,2024 were the punt years.

I assumed that there'd be an adjustment with the big three the first year after being called up and that they'd be better in '26. It also was a weird lineup going into '25 as it seems like some of the parts (namely OF/DH) didn't quite work. There better be a more thoughtful plan for next season. I think there's still the potential for them to half ass this deadline the way they did the previous few seasons rather than go all out. Selling on Devers for assets that won't help much this season confirmed some of my skepticism. 

[mvp 78]

27 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

We're going to punt.

But sir, its 2nd and 5 at midfield. 

We're punting first down on our next 2 possessions also

We saw this team collapse in '22, '23 and '24. We'll have to see what happens this year. Maybe having a strong voice like Breggie helps prevent it. 

[drewski6]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I assumed that there'd be an adjustment with the big three the first year after being called up and that they'd be better in '26. It also was a weird lineup going into '25 as it seems like some of the parts (namely OF/DH) didn't quite work. There better be a more thoughtful plan for next season. I think there's still the potential for them to half ass this deadline the way they did the previous few seasons rather than go all out. Selling on Devers for assets that won't help much this season confirmed some of my skepticism. 

But like I was saying , you have to look around you too.  Right now, it all feels wide open.  There are no teams where you are like oh crap.  Last year, it was always going to be yankees vs dodgers regardless of whether or not we had to play a player or 2 out of position (I dont worry about such things) or whether we upgraded our #6,7 pitcher (again, whatever)

Teams are built top down.  Now if the big 3 prospects are your "top" you have an issue, usually. But the AL is sure as can be wide open.  ANd I do think whomever comes out of it will be an underdog.  But Im not seeing someone unbeatable in NL.  And confidence matters, having beat the supposed unbeatables (LAD), their armor of intimidation has been weakened

I dont think this Red Sox team is complete or great.  I think whomever wins this year will be incomplete and not great. Every year is different.  Last year it felt like you had to be really good to win. This year it doesnt.  

We have one really good pitcher in Crochet, as well as a very good OF and Bregman. That may be enough this year.  Besides, LAD and NYY are going to add three more all-stars after this season. 

[drewski6]

This Red sox team, with no additions, can get hot and take it down.  Sure, we're one like like 13 teams who can say that but still.

And mr punt is wrong about getting in but not having a chance to win it all.  Thats basketball. The WS before last was two wc teams , it happens all the time.  Better to be hot than good.  Couple of hot batters and Crochet and you got a shot.  At risk of being redundant, its not like its going to be hard getting through AL.

[FredLynn]

57 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Now it's OR 2028? Oh brother...

I thought it was going to be rough thinking '25 was the last punt year. 

Let me clarify: if we do the right things we should be competitive in 2027 or 2028. That’s a totally reasonable expectation.

If management continues to screw up we will never be competitive.

Just lose!

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

But like I was saying , you have to look around you too.  Right now, it all feels wide open.  There are no teams where you are like oh crap.  Last year, it was always going to be yankees vs dodgers regardless of whether or not we had to play a player or 2 out of position (I dont worry about such things) or whether we upgraded our #6,7 pitcher (again, whatever)

Teams are built top down.  Now if the big 3 prospects are your "top" you have an issue, usually. But the AL is sure as can be wide open.  ANd I do think whomever comes out of it will be an underdog.  But Im not seeing someone unbeatable in NL.  And confidence matters, having beat the supposed unbeatables (LAD), their armor of intimidation has been weakened

I dont think this Red Sox team is complete or great.  I think whomever wins this year will be incomplete and not great. Every year is different.  Last year it felt like you had to be really good to win. This year it doesnt.  

We have one really good pitcher in Crochet, as well as a very good OF and Bregman. That may be enough this year.  Besides, LAD and NYY are going to add three more all-stars after this season. 

I agree and have said as much elsewhere. The Sox could be mediocre down the stretch and still back into the playoffs because of the Yankees (no Judge?), Mariners (bad peripherals, sorry moon) and Rays (lots of away games because of FL rainy season schedule) just not playing all that well. 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, FredLynn said:

Let me clarify: if we do the right things we should be competitive in 2027 or 2028. That’s a totally reasonable expectation.

Uf management continues to screw up we will never be competitive.

Just lose!

To me, IF they miss the playoffs this season, they better make the playoffs in '26 or Breslow should be canned. There are 6 teams that get in from the AL. No excuse to miss anymore, except mismanagement. 

[FredLynn]

1 hour ago, illinoisredsox said:

So what’s the worst that happens, the young players get a little taste of postseason baseball now even if it doesn’t result in winnng it all?

No, the worst things that could happen are: we squeak into the playoffs because we won too many games, adversely affecting our draft position and thereby reducing our chances of being competitive in future years. Then we get bounced in the first round. Sound good to you?

[FredLynn]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

To me, IF they miss the playoffs this season, they better make the playoffs in '26 or Breslow should be canned. There are 6 teams that get in from the AL. No excuse to miss anymore, except mismanagement. 

 

I agree. Breslow AND Cora should both be canned. They haven’t done a good enough job.

[drewski6]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I agree and have said as much elsewhere. The Sox could be mediocre down the stretch and still back into the playoffs because of the Yankees (no Judge?), Mariners (bad peripherals, sorry moon) and Rays (lots of away games because of FL rainy season schedule) just not playing all that well. 

Did you mean Harmony?

[drewski6]

9 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

No, the worst things that could happen are: we squeak into the playoffs because we won too many games, adversely affecting our draft position and thereby reducing our chances of being competitive in future years. Then we get bounced in the first round. Sound good to you?

Baseball drafting is about bonus pools. But with a better slot comes more pool money.  But theres also IFA and minors where drafted assets go up and down in value.

Baseball is just not a chase the draft sport like basketball or football.

The worst thing about getting bounced in the first round would be that we would have missed an opportunity to turn Chapman into prospects who fit your 2027 2028  (2028, but only if we tank this year) timeline.

Keeps getting worse.

[drewski6]

9 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I agree. Breslow AND Cora should both be canned. They haven’t done a good enough job.

Yeah, probs.  The Crochet move was kind of obvious for me to give too much credit.  ANd Bregman was a panic last minute , gotta do something.....

I wouldnt cry over either.

[FredLynn]

8 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Baseball drafting is about bonus pools. But with a better slot comes more pool money.  But theres also IFA and minors where drafted assets go up and down in value.

Baseball is just not a chase the draft sport like basketball or football.

The worst thing about getting bounced in the first round would be that we would have missed an opportunity to turn Chapman into prospects who fit your 2027 2028  (2028, but only if we tank this year) timeline.

Keeps getting worse.

 

2027-2028. Chapman is a valuable trade asset. It would be a mistake to waste him being used for that purpose.

And again-every single GM would rather have pick #15 than pick #30. So would every Flops fan, though we can debate how to get to 15. Cheer up. If history tells us anything about this team we won’t need to intentionally tank this summer. Seems to happen every year all by itself. I don’t expect this year to be any different based on the lack of talent on the roster.

[Bellhorn04]

53 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I agree and have said as much elsewhere. The Sox could be mediocre down the stretch and still back into the playoffs because of the Yankees (no Judge?), Mariners (bad peripherals, sorry moon) and Rays (lots of away games because of FL rainy season schedule) just not playing all that well. 

There are no really powerful teams in the AL.

[jad]

Punting for a draft position in MLB is about the worst possible decision and an insult to fans.  The reason RS aren't as good as NY, LAD, Toronto, Phillies, Astros and a couple of other teams is that they do not spend enough on players.  They could, of course; but they don't.  Losing more games is not going to fix the payroll.