The 2026 Red Sox Foundation & One Possible Plan

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, harmony said:

Bryan Woo may have been the Seattle starter least likely to be traded last offseason.

Rumor was that the Mariners declined an offer of Triston Casas for Woo or Bryce Miller.

The Red Sox reportedly declined an offer of Luis Castillo for Casas and that the Mariners declined a counteroffer of Casas and Masataka Yoshida for Castillo.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/details-on-mariners-red-sox-trade-talks.html

Yes, but one never knows, if we could have offered someone else with Casas to get Woo. (Too bad you guys didn't demand DHam and ICampbell... LOL!

[moonslav59]

If you guys want offense and screw the defense, then let Breggie walk, trade Rafaela and others for Marte, then sign Suarez for 3B and Alonso for 1B.

1. Anthony LF

2. Marte 2B

3. Suarez 3B

4. Alonso 1B

5. Story SS

6. Duran CF

7. Abreu RF

8. Casas/Romy DH

9. Narvaez C

[Hugh2]

Lucas Giolito reached 140.1 innings which means the Sox can no longer exercise their club option, it now becomes a $19 million mutual option, which will not be picked up so we can put him into the Q.O. category.  I think the Sox have to go out and make another big more on a pitcher this offseason. 

1. Crochet

2. FA/Trade

3. Bello

4. Patrick Sandoval

5. Tanner Houck/Cutter Crawford/Peyton Tolle/Kyle Harrison/Hunter Dobbins/Connelly Early/Richard Fitts

 

That depth looks really good with another ace at the top.  Cleaner bill of health on the offensive side and this team could take another step forward next year. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Lucas Giolito reached 140.1 innings which means the Sox can no longer exercise their club option, it now becomes a $19 million mutual option, which will not be picked up so we can put him into the Q.O. category.  I think the Sox have to go out and make another big more on a pitcher this offseason. 

1. Crochet

2. FA/Trade

3. Bello

4. Patrick Sandoval

5. Tanner Houck/Cutter Crawford/Peyton Tolle/Kyle Harrison/Hunter Dobbins/Connelly Early/Richard Fitts

 

That depth looks really good with another ace at the top.  Cleaner bill of health on the offensive side and this team could take another step forward next year. 

Houck is out until 2027- his last arb year. Still- pretty awesome depth, when you consider we lost Priester and Buehler and likely Gio. Also, Whitlock and Wink are permanent pen arms, now.

Add Perales to the list. (Mullins will probably start 2026 in the WOO pen.)

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Houck is out until 2027- his last arb year. Still- pretty awesome depth, when you consider we lost Priester and Buehler and likely Gio. Also, Whitlock and Wink are permanent pen arms, now.

Only scary part is how much of the depth is injured.

[drewski6]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

If you guys want offense and screw the defense, then let Breggie walk, trade Rafaela and others for Marte, then sign Suarez for 3B and Alonso for 1B.

1. Anthony LF

2. Marte 2B

3. Suarez 3B

4. Alonso 1B

5. Story SS

6. Duran CF

7. Abreu RF

8. Casas/Romy DH

9. Narvaez C

Thats not bad defensively.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

Thats not bad defensively.

3B would be, and Duran in CF is questionable and a big step down from CR. (Maybe Anthony in CF and Duran in LF would be better.)

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Lucas Giolito reached 140.1 innings which means the Sox can no longer exercise their club option, it now becomes a $19 million mutual option, which will not be picked up so we can put him into the Q.O. category.  I think the Sox have to go out and make another big more on a pitcher this offseason. 

1. Crochet

2. FA/Trade

3. Bello

4. Patrick Sandoval

5. Tanner Houck/Cutter Crawford/Peyton Tolle/Kyle Harrison/Hunter Dobbins/Connelly Early/Richard Fitts

 

That depth looks really good with another ace at the top.  Cleaner bill of health on the offensive side and this team could take another step forward next year. 

Gio for open slot #2.  Hes pitched well, and hes pitched well here.  He has a 3.5 ERA on the season, and looks to be maintaining and holding up deep.  This is also not the first time , he's had an ERA short of 4.  Because hes done it here, I think I make him a priority. Hes going to be 32 though.

Do you think 4 yrs/ 100 gets it done?

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

3B would be, and Duran in CF is questionable and a big step down from CR. (Maybe Anthony in CF and Duran in LF would be better.)

Right, thats why I said not bad in lieu of better like great or good. LOL

[Hugh2]

50 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Gio for open slot #2.  Hes pitched well, and hes pitched well here.  He has a 3.5 ERA on the season, and looks to be maintaining and holding up deep.  This is also not the first time , he's had an ERA short of 4.  Because hes done it here, I think I make him a priority. Hes going to be 32 though.

Do you think 4 yrs/ 100 gets it done?

A multi year contract scares me with Giolito, if they're going to throw $100 million at a pitcher in FA I think they can target someone better than Lucas. 

[notin]

3 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Lucas Giolito reached 140.1 innings which means the Sox can no longer exercise their club option, it now becomes a $19 million mutual option, which will not be picked up so we can put him into the Q.O. category.  I think the Sox have to go out and make another big more on a pitcher this offseason. 

1. Crochet

2. FA/Trade

3. Bello

4. Patrick Sandoval

5. Tanner Houck/Cutter Crawford/Peyton Tolle/Kyle Harrison/Hunter Dobbins/Connelly Early/Richard Fitts

 

That depth looks really good with another ace at the top.  Cleaner bill of health on the offensive side and this team could take another step forward next year. 

Houck is out until 2027.  Dobbins probably until June/July 2026.  Tolle, Early and Harrison all have options.  Fitts does as well but I’m hoping Boston puts him in the bullpen.

And Luis Perales is back and pitching!  But he certainly starts next year in Worcester.

That leaves Kutter Crawford as the fifth starter…

[notin]

I think Giolito opts out. Bregman and Story stay.

C: Narvaez and Wong

1b: Does Lowe get arbitration? Casas is returning.  Definite pros and cons here

2b: It’s going to be Mayer once Bregman opts in.  Romy and Sogard provide depth.

3b: Bregman. Not opting out.

SS: Story

CF: Rafaela

Corner OF: Anthony

Corner OF: Duran or Abreu.  Pros and cons for each.

DH: Yoshida?  I don’t think Brealow is a fan.  If he is DFAd, then who? Casas?

BN:  Romy definitely.  Eaton? Hamilton or Sogard? Campbell’?

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I think Giolito opts out. Bregman and Story stay.

C: Narvaez and Wong

1b: Does Lowe get arbitration? Casas is returning.  Definite pros and cons here

2b: It’s going to be Mayer once Bregman opts in.  Romy and Sogard provide depth.

3b: Bregman. Not opting out.

SS: Story

CF: Rafaela

Corner OF: Anthony

Corner OF: Duran or Abreu.  Pros and cons for each.

DH: Yoshida?  I don’t think Brealow is a fan.  If he is DFAd, then who? Casas?

BN:  Romy definitely.  Eaton? Hamilton or Sogard? Campbell’?

I agree.

If Campbell can play 1B, Casas at DH looks better to me. Romy could play some 1B, 2B and DH vs LHPs and some RHPs, as Mayer, Casas and Lowe are all LHBs and some struggle vs LHPs.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

42 minutes ago, notin said:

DH: Yoshida?  I don’t think Brealow is a fan.  If he is DFAd, then who? Casas?

I think an ineffective offense, especially a lack of home run power, ultimately dooms this club in the postseason (or before it). Just look at the young A's, whose #1-5 batters have nearly twice as many homers as Boston's #1-5.

Fans, media and management will be clamoring for more longball.

The Red Sox will anticipate additional power from the young guys -- those who are fully recovered. But that shouldn't prevent the front office from spending on a sure thing for the heart of the order. 

A starting pitcher will be acquired in a trade for someone deemed most expendable at optimum value. But the free agent bucks this winter will be spent on the most glaring need -- Raffy's replacement, a threat who can consistently reach the seats as much as he did.

[Hugh2]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Houck is out until 2027.  Dobbins probably until June/July 2026.  Tolle, Early and Harrison all have options.  Fitts does as well but I’m hoping Boston puts him in the bullpen.

And Luis Perales is back and pitching!  But he certainly starts next year in Worcester.

That leaves Kutter Crawford as the fifth starter…

I had forgotten about Houcks timeline, Perales will certainly be on an innings limit next year, so even if he smashes his way to the bigs I'm not counting on him at the end of next year. 

 

Still you put another top guy with Crochet then I don't care who the 5th starter is.  Still lots of other guys too, some we have forogtten about. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I think an ineffective offense, especially a lack of home run power, ultimately dooms this club in the postseason (or before it). Just look at the young A's, whose #1-5 batters have nearly twice as many homers as Boston's #1-5.

Fans, media and management will be clamoring for more longball.

The Red Sox will anticipate additional power from the young guys -- those who are fully recovered. But that shouldn't prevent the front office from spending on a sure thing for the heart of the order. 

A starting pitcher will be acquired in a trade for someone deemed most expendable at optimum value. But the free agent bucks this winter will be spent on the most glaring need -- Raffy's replacement, a threat who can consistently reach the seats as much as he did.

The Sox might view Casas and Lowe as power bats.

Devers’ average home runs per 162 games is 33.  Casas’ is 29.  Lowe’s is 21.

Lowe and Casas have the advantage over, say, Pete Alonso in that they are both already here.

And at some point, Campbell might be in the 1b/DH mix.  Many fans might have given up on him, but I can promise you the Sox have not.  (Although they still might trade him.)

[notin]

33 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I had forgotten about Houcks timeline, Perales will certainly be on an innings limit next year, so even if he smashes his way to the bigs I'm not counting on him at the end of next year. 

 

Still you put another top guy with Crochet then I don't care who the 5th starter is.  Still lots of other guys too, some we have forogtten about. 

I think they move an outfielder to a contender for some tradable pieces to mix and match with their farm to get another SP.  Most teams dealing from the top of their rotation are not going to take on players close to or in arb years.  Duran makes sense for the Dodgers or Phillies.  Abreu makes sense for the Guardians, Royals and Reds.  And possibly the Cubs depending on how the Kyle Tucker situation plays out.

Now what SP are going to be available is another matter…

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree.

If Campbell can play 1B, Casas at DH looks better to me. Romy could play some 1B, 2B and DH vs LHPs and some RHPs, as Mayer, Casas and Lowe are all LHBs and some struggle vs LHPs.

Since Romy can play anywhere except P, C and CF, he will work his way into the lineup vs LHP.  Especially if platoon-happy Cora is filling out the cards, since Alex views letting a LHH face a LHP as sinful, even if said hitter has actually hit lefties pretty well..

[notin]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

A multi year contract scares me with Giolito, if they're going to throw $100 million at a pitcher in FA I think they can target someone better than Lucas. 

Can the Sox find a pitcher better than Giolito who is willing to sign for only 4 years?

[drewski6]

26 minutes ago, notin said:

The Sox might view Casas and Lowe as power bats.

Devers’ average home runs per 162 games is 33.  Casas’ is 29.  Lowe’s is 21.

Lowe and Casas have the advantage over, say, Pete Alonso in that they are both already here.

And at some point, Campbell might be in the 1b/DH mix.  Many fans might have given up on him, but I can promise you the Sox have not.  (Although they still might trade him.)

Too much optimism counting on both Lowe/Casas to be healthy / productive. I guess 2 out of 3 if you include Yoshida.

I think they gotta go fetch a more established power bat.  Casas is a walking injury waiting to happen.  Dude doesnt even know how to run.

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Can the Sox find a pitcher better than Giolito who is willing to sign for only 4 years?

I dont think so.

[drewski6]

And I think if one things so, they are underrating Gio.  We see Gio when he slumps, when Ryan slumps - we notice it less because we arent watching those games as closely.

 

[drewski6]

Assuming Breg doesn opt out, I see it , you have 3 spots up for grabs. Mayer does not get 2b gift-wrapped.  You need to get a legit , middle of the order bat for one of those positions.  There arent many MI who fit that bill, but Marte is one.  So if you get him, Mayer goes to minors (or more likely is sent in the trade), and it takes the stress off needing to find a masher who can play 1b or dh.

You cant roll with questionable in-house candidates at 3 positions if we want to keep improving.

[moonslav59]

26 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Too much optimism counting on both Lowe/Casas to be healthy / productive. I guess 2 out of 3 if you include Yoshida.

I think they gotta go fetch a more established power bat.  Casas is a walking injury waiting to happen.  Dude doesnt even know how to run.

I agree, but I do not think it will be at 1B. I think they will roll the dice with Casas. I think they will not offer Lowe the arb. They will use Campbell and Romy as depth. Maybe, they get Jh Garcia or Duran to learn how to play 1B, too.

I think we'll sign Suarez, if Bregman bolts or trade an OF'er and sign Suarez or Schwarber to DH. That's where we get the big bat.

One could argue they have (too much) faith in Mayer at 3B and get the big bat at 1B or DH.

Getting Marte for 2B is an option, but he's not really a 40 HR guy.

[Hugh2]

17 hours ago, notin said:

Can the Sox find a pitcher better than Giolito who is willing to sign for only 4 years?

Giolito has been good this year, but it's not like he's the guy who was a top ten cy young candidate 6-8 years ago in Chicago, I don't know how good hes actually going to be 31-34?

And why should I care about 4 years? I don't think the option should be to chose between this guy at 4 years and that guy at 4 years?  WHy can't it be Giolito at 4 years vs. Valdez at 5 years? or 3 years of Giolito vs. 6 years of Gallen.  Dylan Cease, plus the trade market????? we can do a lot better than Giolito. 

[moonslav59]

A lot of these FA SP'ers have some serious questions arising due to their sharp drop offs in 2025.

I'm not sure any are worth 3 year deals.

I'm for signing a couple big bats and trading for a top 30-45 SP'er.

[drewski6]

48 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

A lot of these FA SP'ers have some serious questions arising due to their sharp drop offs in 2025.

I'm not sure any are worth 3 year deals.

I'm for signing a couple big bats and trading for a top 30-45 SP'er.

Theres logic in this for sure.

[drewski6]

over the last 2-3 months how many all-stars (total appearances not players) have been a) injured over the last 2-3 months and b) ended last year healthy.  Unforeseen injuries to established players.

How many total all-stars appearances do we have on the shelf right now whose injuries were unforeseen?

I think its 0.  I think Houck made it last year, but Houck was hurt when last year ended.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm for signing a couple big bats and trading for a top 30-45 SP'er.

Yes.

I've posted about this so much, people may think I'm homer happy -- which is far from the truth. But if the Red Sox are going to continue to be defined by infrequent contact and constant whiff, the runs have to come from somewhere. 

I'm actually all about making contact, and a little concerned that the Big Three rookie sluggers all had high K-rates (the latest debate at home is my son admires Nick Kurtz and is shocked I would take Jacob Wilson instead in a heartbeat).

But for a team putting its money on the mound, a few longball bats can go a long way in winning more low-scoring games. If you subtract the HRs from Raleigh or Schwarber, their batting averages on hits in the ballpark are .164 and .165 -- and does anyone care?

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Yes.

I've posted about this so much, people may think I'm homer happy -- which is far from the truth. But if the Red Sox are going to continue to be defined by infrequent contact and constant whiff, the runs have to come from somewhere. 

I'm actually all about making contact, and a little concerned that the Big Three rookie sluggers all had high K-rates (the latest debate at home is my son admires Nick Kurtz and is shocked I would take Jacob Wilson instead in a heartbeat).

But for a team putting its money on the mound, a few longball bats can go a long way in winning more low-scoring games. If you subtract the HRs from Raleigh or Schwarber, their batting averages on hits in the ballpark are .164 and .165 -- and does anyone care?

I think we rightfully focused our efforts on building up the pitching staff and pitching depth. We are pretty deep, despite missing 4-6 of our top 10 SP'ers for most or all of 2025. We look deep, next year, despite losing Gio, Buehler, May and Priester- plus Houck out until 2027.

I do agree we need a couple big bats, but I'd still like to see a proven and solid #2 SP'er added, this winter. The starter depth can help fill in some pen slots, assuming we don't lose 6 of out top 12 SP'ers, next year.