The 2026 Red Sox Foundation & One Possible Plan

[Bellhorn04]

Kirby Yates got 13 million.  I think for Chapman you're looking at 16-17 million or more given the season he's having and assuming it continues.

[Hitch]

31 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Kirby Yates got 13 million.  I think for Chapman you're looking at 16-17 million or more given the season he's having and assuming it continues.

It's at least 1 for 15m with the buyout. A 2nd year added on as well for a player of his age is not bad from his point of view. It could definitely take a bit more, though.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

1) Absolutely prove himself over Mayer for me. Campbell hasn't shown he can even play the position yet. In fact I'd argue that he's shown he can't really play the position and you'd use him there only in emergency.

2) I've been impressed with Lowe so far. I've always quite liked him from afar, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I'd be keeping him if he plays like I hope he does. I'm so fed up of the 1B hole. I'd platoon him with Campbell there, if Lowe continues to struggle with lefties.

3) Why does my plan have little regard for defence? I'm more than happy with Duran as a back up for Rafaela in CF when he needs some time off, and playing in left when Anthony does. Spotting Rafaela in right every now and then for Abreu works for me, too.

Campbell was as good after 4 games as Lowe has been.  Campbell on the bench is a waste.  Play him or trade him.

As for pitching”little regard for defense”, as written your plan involves rotating 4 outfielders through the DH role, and right now that includes Rafaela and Abreu, neither of whom are easily replaced in the field.  This ignores another big problem, which is that DH is a position, and not a place to rest starters.  Especially since Cora’s rest program is not solely about keeping players from playing defense 

[Duran Is The Man]

On 8/21/2025 at 5:14 PM, moonslav59 said:

When Quebecers uses to ask us Maniacs "How I get to Old Orchard Beach?", we would answer, "You can't get thay-ya from Hee-yah!"

we went to OOB in 2021. there wasn't a french-canadian in sight. it was glorious.

[Bellhorn04]

5 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

we went to OOB in 2021. there wasn't a french-canadian in sight. it was glorious.

From what I've read there aren't many going there this year either. 

[moonslav59]

Hitch, I racked my brain, last winter, trying to find some team, someway, somehow to trade Yoshida, even while eating $10-13M a year or by taking back some big contract- some salary dump types and some just high salaried good players. 

The closest I think I got was something like Yoshida, Casas and a pitcher for Luis Castillo plus dumps like Haniger and or Garver. Another was Yoshida and ____ for Arenado and or Contreras.

I think we may need to eat $14-16M a year of his $18M, so it hardly seems worth it, unless we need the roster slot. Yoshida does have options, if Brez would dare to park him in AAA as insurance at DH. I know, DH depth seems like a waste of a roster spot, but that highlights why he has so little value to other teams, too.

On Casas, I think the guy is a career .800+ batter, and he's cheap, so I don't trade him. His trade value is not worth his potential value, and I don't trust Lowe to hold the 1B job. Lowe also is MLB's worst batter vs LHPs, so he'll be platooning with Romy, anyway. (Campbell could play 1B v L and maybe DH or play OF v R, if we trade an OF'er or two.)

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think trading Campbell makes a lot of sense. Jh Garcia might be ahead of him for the RHB OF slot. Lowe & Romy are ahead at 1B, and we even tried Jh Garcia at 1B w Woo, the other day. 2B has Mayer and Romy ahead of Campbell, and as long as DHam is on the roster, Cora may have him ahead of Campbell there, too. (They did call him up over KC, just recently, so Brez seems to feel the same as Cora on 2B choices.) Before long, Arias may face Story to 2B (or Mayer.)

In short, I think we trade Duran, Campbell, DHam or Grissom, maybe Yoshida (not Casas) and some of our pitching (Fitts, Criswell, Harrison, Hicks, or even prospects not named Tolle and maybe Valera) for a solid #2 pitcher and maybe a 2Bman and or solid RP'er.

This would lessen the amount we need to spend on a FA SP'er, and it would allow us to bring back Bregman and Chapman plus a decent RP'er or 2Bman- maybe.

 

[moonslav59]

46 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

we went to OOB in 2021. there wasn't a french-canadian in sight. it was glorious.

Back in the 70's and 80's OOB was a Quebecer magnet.

Yes, I have not noticed many there in the last couple decades.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Campbell was as good after 4 games as Lowe has been.  Campbell on the bench is a waste.  Play him or trade him.

As for pitching”little regard for defense”, as written your plan involves rotating 4 outfielders through the DH role, and right now that includes Rafaela and Abreu, neither of whom are easily replaced in the field.  This ignores another big problem, which is that DH is a position, and not a place to rest starters.  Especially since Cora’s rest program is not solely about keeping players from playing defense 

I think Cora is flexible enough to see the DH role as a way to rest players while keeping their bats in the line-up. He could still give everyone 3-5 full days off, instead of 6-10, like now.

The problem is that he feels like as long as Yoshida is on the 26, he HAS TO PLAY HIM FT. Brez needs to rid Cora from having that option. If it comes to a DFA, then so be it. Maybe he can trade Yoshida, Lowe and DHam for Arenado. STL would still save money. Throw in Mullins, if need be.

I don't see playing Rafaela or Abreu at DH, especially Rafaela. Just give him the full day off. I'd rotate Duran, Anthony and maybe Garcia at DH, but now by adding Garcia we are at 6 OF'ers, so one will be traded. One has to be traded. If it's Duran, we could see this (assuming no Yoshida option):

LF: Anthony v R (when not at DH)/ Garcia v L (when not at DH) Campbell????

CF: Rafaela FT (Garcia when rest is needed, most likely v R, as Garcia spells Abreu & Anthony v L's)

RF: Abreu v R/ Anthony v L (when not at DH) Garcia v L

DH: Rotate Anthony, Garcia and rarely Abreu. (If we move Abreo to FT, then he DHs more often) Campbell???

 

 

[Duran Is The Man]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Back in the 70's and 80's OOB was a Quebecer magnet.

Yes, I have not noticed many there in the last couple decades.

it was during COVID when we went and from what i remember, Canadians were pretty much not allowed to leave the country. and to make this baseball related, after our stay at OOB, we went to Fenway to watch the Sox beat the Yankees.

[notin]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I think Cora is flexible enough to see the DH role as a way to rest players while keeping their bats in the line-up. He could still give everyone 3-5 full days off, instead of 6-10, like now.

The problem is that he feels like as long as Yoshida is on the 26, he HAS TO PLAY HIM FT. Brez needs to rid Cora from having that option. If it comes to a DFA, then so be it. Maybe he can trade Yoshida, Lowe and DHam for Arenado. STL would still save money. Throw in Mullins, if need be.

I don't see playing Rafaela or Abreu at DH, especially Rafaela. Just give him the full day off. I'd rotate Duran, Anthony and maybe Garcia at DH, but now by adding Garcia we are at 6 OF'ers, so one will be traded. One has to be traded. If it's Duran, we could see this (assuming no Yoshida option):

LF: Anthony v R (when not at DH)/ Garcia v L (when not at DH) Campbell????

CF: Rafaela FT (Garcia when rest is needed, most likely v R, as Garcia spells Abreu & Anthony v L's)

RF: Abreu v R/ Anthony v L (when not at DH) Garcia v L

DH: Rotate Anthony, Garcia and rarely Abreu. (If we move Abreo to FT, then he DHs more often) Campbell???

 

 

So the problem Cora HAS to play Yoshida and not Cora WANTS to play Yoshida?

Could you kindly post thr email in which Cora disclosed this to you?

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

So the problem Cora HAS to play Yoshida and not Cora WANTS to play Yoshida?

Could you kindly post thr email in which Cora disclosed this to you?

I guess it could be Brez telling Cora he has to play Yoshida, but I think Cora calls the shots on who plays from the 26. Brez sets the 26 with Cora input, IMO.

Cora seems to have full faith in Yoshida, despite his shortcomings, this year. I think he cut him a lot of slack, assuming he was adjusting after missing so much time with the injury, that apparently was not supposed to affect his hitting.

Yoshida has played almost FT since his return. 28 games (26 started.) in 37 games. He's batting .234 with just 2 HRs and 8 XBHs in 103 PAs. He has a .643 OPS. That sucks for a DH.

With Ref on the IL, now, and Romy needed as a platoon for 1B or 2B, and Rafaela being used at 2B, it looks like Yoshida will DH vs L & R. There is no OF to DH rotation in the works, IMO.

BTW, Cora specifically asked me not to give you his new email account information, as the last time you stalked him relentlessly.

🤪

 

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

So the problem Cora HAS to play Yoshida and not Cora WANTS to play Yoshida?

Could you kindly post thr email in which Cora disclosed this to you?

Do you think Yoshida has played too much?

[moonslav59]

I am nearly certain either DHam or Grissom are not on the 40, next season- maybe both. Sogard and Eaton will likely be non-tendered.

With 9 guys on the 60 Day IL, and no 60 Day IL allowed before opening day, some roster moves will be needed. Sandlin may be the only sure bet Rule 5 guy added, this winter, but word is Tolle may be added, soon, despite not being Rule 5 eligible for a while. Other that might be protected are Mullins, Uberstine & Paez. I doubt we add Hickey, Bleis or Castro.

Houck will be added to the 60 Day IL, soon after opening day, but he will take a 40 man slot up for the full 2026 season. That creates a winter dilema, to some extent, but I really feel like our winter plans should concentrate on quality additions over quantity, so a roster crunch can easily be avoided. One 5 for 1 deal, involving 2-4 forty-man players would go a long way in solving any issues. A second similar trade would allow us to add quality (Bregman, Chapman) and quantity, as in depth at 2B and 1B (Lowe) and the pen. Maybe even a 3rd catcher than can be stashed at Woo but be on the 40. I think Wong will be out of options, after 2025.

Salary dump trades involving Yoshida and or Hicks could also allow us more roster flexibility and improvement. Lowe's contract could become an issue.

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Do you think Yoshida has played too much?

He missed a lot of time, they're obviously hoping that after some reps he gets back to a 115 OPS+ or so.  He sits against lefties.  

If he stays cold another week or two you may see a change.

[Hitch]

3 hours ago, notin said:

Campbell was as good after 4 games as Lowe has been.  Campbell on the bench is a waste.  Play him or trade him.

As for pitching”little regard for defense”, as written your plan involves rotating 4 outfielders through the DH role, and right now that includes Rafaela and Abreu, neither of whom are easily replaced in the field.  This ignores another big problem, which is that DH is a position, and not a place to rest starters.  Especially since Cora’s rest program is not solely about keeping players from playing defense 

I really don't think Campbell has much trade value right now. If we could trade him for pitching I'd do it in a heartbeat. Not happening.

It's the same alignment now. Anthony and Duran are both fine in left. Rafaela is great in centre, and Duran is a more than adequate replacement. In right we will suffer occasionally, but you can still play Anthony there, and can't have a roster full of perfect replacements unfortunately.

Your DH point makes no sense. I'm not saying use it to rest people, I'm saying use it to get all 4 very good outfielders in the game, or Gonzalez/Password when needed against lefties. 

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

He missed a lot of time, they're obviously hoping that after some reps he gets back to a 115 OPS+ or so.  He sits against lefties.  

If he stays cold another week or two you may see a change.

If he does come around vs RHPs, he's still only .795 career on that split. That's better than many Sox players and nobody jumps out as being a clear better choice. It ain't Wong or DHam. Romy might be better, but he's kinda slumping, too and can play 2B v RHPs, although Rafaela allows all the LHB OF'ers to play OF, if he's at 2B.

I guess Eaton is the only other option vs LHPs, so I can see choosing Yoshida nd hoping he can climb near .795, again. If we want to keep all OF'er playing FT, I do think Jh Garcia as an option to oust Yoshida from the line-up as we rotate OF'ers through the DH slot, daily. Anthony, Duran and Abreu, when healthy, all should start every game vs RHPs. Garcia and Rafaela would be the ones squeezing Yoshida from his line-up slot.

[Maxbialystock]

On 8/21/2025 at 2:59 PM, moonslav59 said:

Very possible. 

Finding a way to trade Yoshida would help clear a spot for Casas at DH (maybe with Romy or Ref, although Casas has done okay v LHPs.)

You do know, I hope,. that Casas is injury free on defense.  His first injury was from swinging a bat and his second from running too hard to 1b.  I think he is definitely an injury risk.  

Trading Yoshida means sending along $30M with him.  It might be worth it.  

 

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I guess it could be Brez telling Cora he has to play Yoshida, but I think Cora calls the shots on who plays from the 26. Brez sets the 26 with Cora input, IMO.

Cora seems to have full faith in Yoshida, despite his shortcomings, this year. I think he cut him a lot of slack, assuming he was adjusting after missing so much time with the injury, that apparently was not supposed to affect his hitting.

Yoshida has played almost FT since his return. 28 games (26 started.) in 37 games. He's batting .234 with just 2 HRs and 8 XBHs in 103 PAs. He has a .643 OPS. That sucks for a DH.

With Ref on the IL, now, and Romy needed as a platoon for 1B or 2B, and Rafaela being used at 2B, it looks like Yoshida will DH vs L & R. There is no OF to DH rotation in the works, IMO.

BTW, Cora specifically asked me not to give you his new email account information, as the last time you stalked him relentlessly.

🤪

 

Assuming Garcia is a viable Sox outfielder--and that's a big assumption--Anthony can DH against lefty starters with an outfield of Duran, Rafaela, and Garcia.  Against righty starters, Garcia sits and Yoshida can DH.  

I don't have full confidence in Yoshida, but I do have full confidence in Cora.  

[Maxbialystock]

32 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

He missed a lot of time, they're obviously hoping that after some reps he gets back to a 115 OPS+ or so.  He sits against lefties.  

If he stays cold another week or two you may see a change.

That makes sense!

[Bellhorn04]

11 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

That makes sense!

Most things that Cora and the team do make sense to me.  Sometimes you just have to think about them or poke into the numbers a bit.

[Maxbialystock]

23 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If he does come around vs RHPs, he's still only .795 career on that split. That's better than many Sox players and nobody jumps out as being a clear better choice. It ain't Wong or DHam. Romy might be better, but he's kinda slumping, too and can play 2B v RHPs, although Rafaela allows all the LHB OF'ers to play OF, if he's at 2B.

I guess Eaton is the only other option vs LHPs, so I can see choosing Yoshida nd hoping he can climb near .795, again. If we want to keep all OF'er playing FT, I do think Jh Garcia as an option to oust Yoshida from the line-up as we rotate OF'ers through the DH slot, daily. Anthony, Duran and Abreu, when healthy, all should start every game vs RHPs. Garcia and Rafaela would be the ones squeezing Yoshida from his line-up slot.

Abreu and Ref are both due back this week.  So among Abreu, Ref, Anthony, Duran, and Rafaela, Cora always has both a good outfield and Ref as DH lefties and Anthony as DH against Righties.  Against lefties the OF is Anthony, Rafaela, and Abreu.  Duran and his .570 OPS drops out.  I see no use for Eaton or Yoshida--or for Rafaela to play 2b.  However, I trust Cora and he may see things differently.  

 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

He missed a lot of time, they're obviously hoping that after some reps he gets back to a 115 OPS+ or so.  He sits against lefties.  

If he stays cold another week or two you may see a change.

It's still a mystery why he wasn't DHing at Woo for a long time. Then, maybe he doesn't need this rahab/adjustment time on the big club.

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Abreu and Ref are both due back this week.  So among Abreu, Ref, Anthony, Duran, and Rafaela, Cora always has both a good outfield and Ref as DH lefties and Anthony as DH against Righties.  Against lefties the OF is Anthony, Rafaela, and Abreu.  Duran and his .570 OPS drops out.  I see no use for Eaton or Yoshida--or for Rafaela to play 2b.  However, I trust Cora and he may see things differently.  

 

I bet we still see Yoshida DH vs RHPs, even after ABreu & Ref return. Ref only bats vs LHPs, so he has no place in the DH v RHP discussion.

I doubt Cora begins platooning Duran, as he has the most PAs vs lefties on the team. Cora let that happen.

It will be:

DH: Yoshida v R/ Ref v L

C: Narvaez and Wong (w Bello)

1B: Lowe v R/Romy v L

2B: Rafaela FT (Maybe DHam v some RHPs)

SS: Story FT

3B: Bregman FT

LF: Anthony FT (Garcia when he needs a rest, only)

CF: Duran FT (Maybe Garcia vs some LHPs)

RF: Abreu v R/Garcia v L (if he's not demoted when Abreu & Ref return)

I'd prefer Duran DH v R and Ref v L, with a rest given at DH to other OF'ers , here and there.

Id go with Anthony in LF, Rafaela/Garcia in CF and Abreu/Garcia in RF. Rafaela could play 2B, if garcia shows he can hit, otherwise go with DHam at 2B v R and Rafaela only v L.

 

 

[moonslav59]

53 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

You do know, I hope,. that Casas is injury free on defense.  His first injury was from swinging a bat and his second from running too hard to 1b.  I think he is definitely an injury risk.  

Trading Yoshida means sending along $30M with him.  It might be worth it.  

 

Anything to lessen the injury risk for Casas is good. 

Plus, he's the worst defensive 1Bman in MLB, so why try so hard to keep him there? We should have started the season with Casas at DH and Devers at 1B, but that's water under the bridge. Casas would probably have still got hurt.

[moonslav59]

48 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Assuming Garcia is a viable Sox outfielder--and that's a big assumption--Anthony can DH against lefty starters with an outfield of Duran, Rafaela, and Garcia.  Against righty starters, Garcia sits and Yoshida can DH.  

I don't have full confidence in Yoshida, but I do have full confidence in Cora.  

Anthony is better on D than Duran, so I'd flip those two. If Rafaela is at 2B, maybe Duran is better in CF than Anthony, but we could also use Jh Garcia in CF v L, which is when DHam sits at 2B, anyway.

[notin]

On 8/24/2025 at 11:14 AM, moonslav59 said:

I think Cora is flexible enough to see the DH role as a way to rest players while keeping their bats in the line-up. He could still give everyone 3-5 full days off,

 

 

I’m willing to wager Cora doesn’t rest players to keep them from playing grueling defense and standing around; he rests players do bench players can play and be ready when needed.  I know it’s the mission of many fans to squeeze 162 games out of every star player, but Cora will not do that; Hes going to keep those 3 non-catcher bench players fresh no matter how hard you try to eliminate the option.

And using the DH role to “rest” players is like using the closer role for tired SP…

[moonslav59]

15 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m willing to wager Cora didnt test players to keep them from playing grueling defense and standing around; he rests players do bench players can play and be ready when needed.  I know it’s the mission of many fans to squeeze 162 games out of every star player, but Cora will not do that; Hes going to keep those 3 non-catcher bench players fresh no matter how hard you try to eliminate the option.

And using the DH role to “rest” players is like using the closer role forvtired SP

Usi ng the bench to stay fresh is the same as resting the so-called FT players. When we have 2 platoons (DH or 1B with Romy and Lowe/Yoshida and RF with Refsnyder and Abreu, we get automatic playing time and rest for those group of players. The other sub is the catcher who rarely figures into the DH or other position roles. That leaves one sub, who is usually a DHam type or a 5th OF'er type. They have not fit into a DH rotation, but that could change, if we dumped Yoshida.

If we started the 2026 season with Jh Garcia and or K Campbell on the 26, I could see Cora straining to get both playing time, and using the DH as a rotation fits the idea, ideally. (I'm assuming we trade Duran or Abreu, but I assumed that, last year, too.)

Campbell could DH some or play LF/CF to "rest" an OF'er. I do not see him as a 2B option, but who knows?

Jh Garcia could platoon with Abreu and also DH some or give other OF'ers a "rest."

If Mayer is in the mix, he'll play 2B, and maybe we don't go with a DHam type, as we have Rafaela as the back-up 2Bman. I don't see the infielders fitting into a DH rotation, but I'd like to keep Bregman and Story's bats in the line-up as much as possible. (Mayer could play 3B or SS w Rafaela at 2B to allow them to DH.)

I'm not saying it will happen, but take away the Yoshida and DHam options from Cora, and what do you see him doing? I think my plan is almost forced upon him to bring about.

[sk7326]

1. Re-sign Bregman.  Ideally, you'd like to trade some term for AAV - but honestly, no reason to skimp.  He is a good player.

2. I'd PROBABLY look at what it took to re-sign May.  I kind of think he has more upside on the right sort of deal than other options in the mid-rotation market.

3. That said, the team has a lot of outfield talent, and if you can get a #2-ish starter, so much the better.  

[Nick]

At the top of the list is

1) extending Bregman

2) trade for Ace #2, Joe Ryan. You can give up in addition to say Duran, current major league pitchers. I wouldn't rule out Kutter Crawford as an example to sweeten the pot. Just get the damn deal done. Thinks of rotation starting with Crochet, Ryan and Bello (for now). This is how you win world series. Have top 2-3 starting pitchers for the playoffs.

3)strengthen the bullpen, bring back Chapman on a two year deal. Give him $36M if you have to win. We should be all in next 6 years.

4)Obtain a suitable 1B. If Casas returns to health great, but I wouldn't quite count on it.

 

this get you the basic group that you can go with.....to compete against good teams.

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, Nick said:

2) trade for Ace #2, Joe Ryan. You can give up in addition to say Duran, current major league pitchers. I wouldn't rule out Kutter Crawford as an example to sweeten the pot. Just get the damn deal done.

That's not enough for Ryan TBH.