Red Sox 2025 Trade Deadline Thread

[moonslav59]

21 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

I think bres-slow had a decent trade deadline 

We kept the team culture together and added a couple fringe pieces 

we are set up perfectly to score 2 great starters and a couple strong relievers this offseason 

So adding a good LHB at 1B and demoting Toro would have hurt the team's morale by more than a better bat would have helped?

Adding someone better than Matz or May would have hurt morale, if no 26 man was included?

[Larry Cook]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

So adding a good LHB at 1B and demoting Toro would have hurt the team's morale by more than a better bat would have helped?

Adding someone better than Matz or May would have hurt morale, if no 26 man was included?

We will never be able to answer that question,

but this team is tight now and the locker room culture is important to bres-slow!!!  &nbsp
 

[dgalehouse]

  No problem with the deadline .Sox have a good thing going. Plenty of winning momentum. Why mess around with a good thing ?

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

We will never be able to answer that question,

but this team is tight now and the locker room culture is important to bres-slow!!!  &nbsp
 

I don't disagree, but I'm not sure that was a major factor in not replacing Toro on the 26.

His spreadsheet told him all offers were negative.

[Larry Cook]

23 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't disagree, but I'm not sure that was a major factor in not replacing Toro on the 26.

His spreadsheet told him all offers were negative.

But maybe a lack of better options had something to do with it!!! 

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

But maybe a lack of better options had something to do with it!!! 

Yes, his spreadsheet said all offers were net negatives.

[Bellhorn04]

16 hours ago, Duran Is The Man said:

it was more like a $214M salary dump as they took on Jordan Hicks and his $36M salary dump.

Yes, you're right.

[Bellhorn04]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

You gotta see some merit in this idea:

We can only play 3 OF'ers at a time, and unless Rafaela plays 2B or someone DHs, one of our 4 OF'er sits, every game and offers zero value, except as a PH.

The theory is this:

Our 4th OF'er gets downgraded from 1 of the 4 to Garcia or Yoshida/Ref. The 3rd OF'er gets "downgraded" from Duran or Abreu to Anthony.

The worst SP'er (Buehler, Fitts, Criswell) gets upgraded to _____ (Ryan? Keller?)

Does the upgrade at pitching outweigh the possible downgrade at OF3 and OF4?

You may disagree with the idea, but I think you have to see merit in the idea. It doesn't always work out as planned, of course. Rafaela at 2B might save our season, if Mayer does not return. I felt the same about Grissom being an large enough upgrade at 2B to offset the risky Sale in our rotation, and we all saw how that one worked out.

I also see merit in the idea that by keeping Duran and Abreu you have more depth and more options.  

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

22 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Story atrocious start is still suppressing his overall stat line.

since June 1st he’s batting .290 with a 130 WRC+ and an .853 ops

and 7th in the AL in RBIs overall.  

his offense is great, just need him to stay healthy.  My only would be if he could only walk a bit more.

 

I hate cherry picked stats, I prefer to look at his entire body of work in a Red Sox uniform.  When he has played his bat is not nearly what we were expecting and certainly has not been "great". 

That word can be only used for a few months this season and a hot month his first sewason here.  Other than these select months he has been horrible offensively and this is his 5th season with the Sox.  His OPS in Boston has been:  .737, .566, ,734,, ,727 and this season he is at .822 but wildly inconsistant.  

 

[Bellhorn04]

6 minutes ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

I hate cherry picked stats, I prefer to look at his entire body of work in a Red Sox uniform.  When he has played his bat is not nearly what we were expecting and certainly has not been "great".  His OPS in Boston has been:  .737, .566, 734, 727 and this season he is at .822 but wildly inconsistant.  

 

He's been derailed by injuries.  

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Just now, Bellhorn04 said:

He's been derailed by injuries.  

 

What are the excuses for the games he did play in?  I"ve provided the numbers, are those "great" numbers in the games he was healthy and played?  

[Bellhorn04]

20 minutes ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

 

What are the excuses for the games he did play in?  I"ve provided the numbers, are those "great" numbers in the games he was healthy and played?  

He only played 69 total games in 2023 and 2024 combined so your numbers have very little context.

Right now he's playing like the guy they thought they were getting and the shortstop we need.  I'm happy about that.  But to each their own.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

31 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

He only played 69 total games in 2023 and 2024 combined so your numbers have very little context.

Right now he's playing like the guy they thought they were getting and the shortstop we need.  I'm happy about that.  But to each their own.

If Story didn't have huge power numbers in Colorado, and the Sox didn't pay him elite money, expectations in Boston would obviously be more sober.

Finally healthy this year, he has more home runs than any shortstop in the league.

But for an above-average shortstop, Story's swing-and-miss at the plate is still below average for a SS:

AL: Story 18 HR, 126 K; Volpe 17, 104; Witt 16, 93; Neto 15, 102; Seager 15, 71.

NL: Lindor 20 HR, 94 K, De La Cruz 19, 117; Adames 17, 120; Swanson 16, 125

 

 

[Hugh2]

1 hour ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

I hate cherry picked stats, I prefer to look at his entire body of work in a Red Sox uniform.  When he has played his bat is not nearly what we were expecting and certainly has not been "great". 

That word can be only used for a few months this season and a hot month his first sewason here.  Other than these select months he has been horrible offensively and this is his 5th season with the Sox.  His OPS in Boston has been:  .737, .566, ,734,, ,727 and this season he is at .822 but wildly inconsistant.  

 

I get that, but I think we have to consider other factors and put that all in to context.  He was either playing hurt, or never had enough time to get going throughout his tenure here in Boston.  If you want to look at the larger sample size then I COULD counter with saying what he has done the past two months is more in line with his career norm than the previous two years.  This includes his defense which has been solid. 

[Hugh2]

2 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

If Story didn't have huge power numbers in Colorado, and the Sox didn't pay him elite money, expectations in Boston would obviously be more sober.

Finally healthy this year, he has more home runs than any shortstop in the league.

But for an above-average shortstop, Story's swing-and-miss at the plate is still below average for a SS:

AL: Story 18 HR, 126 K; Volpe 17, 104; Witt 16, 93; Neto 15, 102; Seager 15, 71.

NL: Lindor 20 HR, 94 K, De La Cruz 19, 117; Adames 17, 120; Swanson 16, 125

 

 

I remember at the time all who were against Story were convinced he was a downgrade over Bogaerts.  At the time of the signing Story had the same exact away OPS away from Coors field as Bogaerts did. 

No one is trying to say Story is Aaron Judge, just that he's a good player who is finally healthy. 

[Hugh2]

Add.  After June 1st Story's K% is 25% which is fine.  

[Maxbialystock]

14 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

So adding a good LHB at 1B and demoting Toro would have hurt the team's morale by more than a better bat would have helped?

Adding someone better than Matz or May would have hurt morale, if no 26 man was included?

While I believe morale is good, I don't think that's why a new 1b was not sought.  Campbell has been practicin' and practicin' at Worcester, his hitting is getting better, he has an 8 year contract with the Sox, and the Sox are knee deep in good hitting/fielding outfielders.  

As far as I'm concerned, Breslow "fixed" the Sox hitting by signing Bregman, who is also a good third  baseman.  Of course, as we are seeing with the Giants, one guy can't really fix a lineup.  So the improvements in Story and Rafaela have been humoungously useful.  The addition  of Anthony has been even more so.  2024 Duran seems to be sneaking back onto the stage.  Abreu is still a good against righties.    Gonzalez at 2b/1b solid, mostly against lefties.  

Losing Devers as the DH was a big loss even though, in the end, a necessary one.  He was almost as good a DH as JDM in his prime when he lit up the 2018 Sox lineup.  But all the other Sox hitters this year have been so good he really hasn't been missed that much even though he was better than Yoshida/Ref.  

 

[Maxbialystock]

30 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

 

 

 

 

 

[dannycater]

2 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

You know, I love stats, I really do.  But sometimes those trees keep you from seeing the forest, which is that this year Story has been invaluable, especially because his hitting has come around, but also because he is finally healthy.   He is 2d among MLB SS's in double plays, has a solid fielding percentage of 98%, and always seems to play smart baseball.    And guess who leads the Sox in rbi's with 68?    Those 126 K's are a small price to pay for what Story has meant to this team in 2025.  

 

Story is a unique free agent signing in Sox history. Almost disappointing the 1st year limited to 94 games, then 2 lost years with injuries...and now he is EXACTLY what the Sox hoped/needed..A shortstop with range, who can run the bases well, hit for power, produce RBI....and he's a leader. I have ripped him to shreds over the past few years--only because the money invested seemed a complete waste...until it wasn't. Now it's an asset. So that's what I mean by unique. A 4-year delay on what the Sox/fans were hoping to happen.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Now we know the rest of the Story: healthy Trevor is a prime-time shortstop who has been solid if not spectacular in big game moments all season.

His glove never fans on grounders in the clutch, even when hit at him like low and outside sweepers.

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I also see merit in the idea that by keeping Duran and Abreu you have more depth and more options.  

and one of those options is to trade one... LOL

I totally agree with your point, but the issue is this: the only way all 4 of our OF'er can be in the line-up vs RHPs is for Rafaela to play 2B (or SS) or one to DH. The DH choice is fine, by me. The Rafaela to the IF is NOT, unless in emergency short term situations.

As long as we have Yoshida at DH, with maybe Refsnyder or Romy platooning with him, it can't happen enough times to keep all 4 on the field. We easily say, "Cora can find a way," but there really isn't unless he benches Yoshida, If that happens, you might as well trade him and his contract for nothing (fine by me,) but until that happens, we will see wasted talent on the bench.

With Bregman back in 2026, and everyone healthy, one could see how Romy would be squeezed, unless we platoon Mayer. Romy could platoon at 1B with Campbell (a fellow RHB)  Casas or Toro or a 1Bman TBD's, but he might be forced to DH or ride the bench vs LHPs. That CANNOT happen. If refsnyder retires, he'd have a better chance at finding DH time, but I'm hoping Ref returns. We could see ref platoon with Abreu in RF, but that further squeezes the 4 man OF, as it is.

I haven't even talked about the RHB Jh Garcia, yet. He is depth and an "option," too. Campbell could play OF, as well, if we don't use him at 1B.

It is great for Cora to have so much depth, flexibility and "options" to work with, but unless we can get an OF'er to play 1B, we need to find another home for Yoshida or just cut ties with him.

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

I hate cherry picked stats, I prefer to look at his entire body of work in a Red Sox uniform.  When he has played his bat is not nearly what we were expecting and certainly has not been "great". 

That word can be only used for a few months this season and a hot month his first sewason here.  Other than these select months he has been horrible offensively and this is his 5th season with the Sox.  His OPS in Boston has been:  .737, .566, ,734,, ,727 and this season he is at .822 but wildly inconsistant.  

 

He's been hurt, so much, that I think we should cut him some slack for the early games, this season, and not see it as being wildly inconsistent. He needed time to readjust and find a groove.

That being said, he's always been a high K guy with a tendency to be streaky, as well as being "helped" by home field advantages at Coors and now Fenway.

I am not expecting .825 to .875 from him. I'm not sure he will ever have another .800 season, but I do think he can give us .750 to .799 offense, along with plus defense at SS or 2B, going forward. That would be great, to me.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

While I believe morale is good, I don't think that's why a new 1b was not sought.  Campbell has been practicin' and practicin' at Worcester, his hitting is getting better, he has an 8 year contract with the Sox, and the Sox are knee deep in good hitting/fielding outfielders.  

As far as I'm concerned, Breslow "fixed" the Sox hitting by signing Bregman, who is also a good third  baseman.  Of course, as we are seeing with the Giants, one guy can't really fix a lineup.  So the improvements in Story and Rafaela have been humoungously useful.  The addition  of Anthony has been even more so.  2024 Duran seems to be sneaking back onto the stage.  Abreu is still a good against righties.    Gonzalez at 2b/1b solid, mostly against lefties.  

Losing Devers as the DH was a big loss even though, in the end, a necessary one.  He was almost as good a DH as JDM in his prime when he lit up the 2018 Sox lineup.  But all the other Sox hitters this year have been so good he really hasn't been missed that much even though he was better than Yoshida/Ref.  

 

Why not call up Campbell & demote Toro? Would that hurt team morale?

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, dannycater said:

Story is a unique free agent signing in Sox history. Almost disappointing the 1st year limited to 94 games, then 2 lost years with injuries...and now he is EXACTLY what the Sox hoped/needed..A shortstop with range, who can run the bases well, hit for power, produce RBI....and he's a leader. I have ripped him to shreds over the past few years--only because the money invested seemed a complete waste...until it wasn't. Now it's an asset. So that's what I mean by unique. A3-year delay on what the Sox/fans were hoping to happen.

Nice reply to a nice post by Max.

It was a 3 year delay. I fixed it for you.

I love great SS defense, and I was thrilled, when we signed him. I knew his Coors numbers skewed his numbers on O, but .750 and GG type D is great for a SS.

[Bellhorn04]

14 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

and one of those options is to trade one... LOL

I totally agree with your point, but the issue is this: the only way all 4 of our OF'er can be in the line-up vs RHPs is for Rafaela to play 2B (or SS) or one to DH. The DH choice is fine, by me. The Rafaela to the IF is NOT, unless in emergency short term situations.

As long as we have Yoshida at DH, with maybe Refsnyder or Romy platooning with him, it can't happen enough times to keep all 4 on the field. We easily say, "Cora can find a way," but there really isn't unless he benches Yoshida, If that happens, you might as well trade him and his contract for nothing (fine by me,) but until that happens, we will see wasted talent on the bench.

With Bregman back in 2026, and everyone healthy, one could see how Romy would be squeezed, unless we platoon Mayer. Romy could platoon at 1B with Campbell (a fellow RHB)  Casas or Toro or a 1Bman TBD's, but he might be forced to DH or ride the bench vs LHPs. That CANNOT happen. If refsnyder retires, he'd have a better chance at finding DH time, but I'm hoping Ref returns. We could see ref platoon with Abreu in RF, but that further squeezes the 4 man OF, as it is.

I haven't even talked about the RHB Jh Garcia, yet. He is depth and an "option," too. Campbell could play OF, as well, if we don't use him at 1B.

It is great for Cora to have so much depth, flexibility and "options" to work with, but unless we can get an OF'er to play 1B, we need to find another home for Yoshida or just cut ties with him.

I agree you can't have everybody on the field at once, but guys get beat up and injured, too, and a little insurance is not a horrible thing, especially after a trade deadline... 

[a700hitter]

19 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

DD was certainly decisive: Theo, too.

DD took a lot of criticism for emptying out (pillaging)the farm system, but looking back after 6 years, he really didn’t sacrifice the future at all.  Most of the guys he parted with were not very good.  At best a few were meh, not foundational pieces.

[vegasbob]

22 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Agree. I am very happy with Brez, despite the Sale and Priester trades and a disappointing deadline day.

I like our team and really like our future outlook. IMO, Brez did nothing to hurt our future at the deadline, so that part is fine.

I think he'll get bold, this winter with signings and a big trade or two.

I think that how the Sox finish the year. including playoffs, if any, will help Breslow and JH determine how to continue building over the winter

 

Keep in mind that heavy contributions from Bregman and Chapman plus Refsnyder are FA's

[Maxbialystock]

4 hours ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

 

What are the excuses for the games he did play in?  I"ve provided the numbers, are those "great" numbers in the games he was healthy and played?  

By your reckoning Sale should not have received the CY Award last year because he either stunk or didn't much much for the previous 5 seasons--2019-2023.  

I have railed against Story as much as anyone, but that doesn't blind me to the fact that this year Story is a key part of this team's success--in the field and at bat.  Think of it as redemption.  Why dwell on past seasons?  

[Maxbialystock]

3 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

I think that how the Sox finish the year. including playoffs, if any, will help Breslow and JH determine how to continue building over the winter

 

Keep in mind that heavy contributions from Bregman and Chapman plus Refsnyder are FA's

Bregman is the keeper.  

[Bellhorn04]

4 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

I think that how the Sox finish the year. including playoffs, if any, will help Breslow and JH determine how to continue building over the winter

 

Keep in mind that heavy contributions from Bregman and Chapman plus Refsnyder are FA's

With the money they have, especially after trading Devers, it would be criminal of them not to at least re-do Bregman 's deal.