The 2026 Red Sox Foundation & One Possible Plan

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Baseball vagabond. Possibly a bad clubhouse guy.

Once at an Arizona Fall League game, I sat on metal benches with a few big league prospects. I asked why a certain player was recently traded, and a reply came quickly:

(all the names are still alive, so will use generic descriptions) "30-homer guy was traded for boning manager's wife," said fast guy, who had a cup of coffee.

[mvp 78]

44 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Once at an Arizona Fall League game, I sat on metal benches with a few big league prospects. I asked why a certain player was recently traded, and a reply came quickly:

(all the names are still alive, so will use generic descriptions) "30-homer guy was traded for boning manager's wife," said fast guy, who had a cup of coffee.

Some managers would be into it. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

37 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Some managers would be into it. 

Never met the manager of Studio 54. Disco sucks.

[harmony]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Baseball vagabond. Possibly a bad clubhouse guy.

Eugenio Suarez is known for his Good Vibes Only mantra:

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/1/12/23540167/eugenio-suarez-good-vibes-player-and-person-40-in-40-2023

https://www.mlb.com/news/jerry-dipoto-on-trade-to-bring-back-eugenio-suarez

[moonslav59]

Could the Sox trade Duran and Abreu- maybe for pitching and 2B/3B, then sign Tucker?

LF- Anthony

CF- Rafaela

RF- Tucker

4th- Jh Garcia

Emergency- Yoshida, Romy, Eaton

[drewski6]

50 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Could the Sox trade Duran and Abreu- maybe for pitching and 2B/3B, then sign Tucker?

LF- Anthony

CF- Rafaela

RF- Tucker

4th- Jh Garcia

Emergency- Yoshida, Romy, Eaton

your competing against the dodgers, and will have to cross 400m, maybe 500m

And kyle tuckers defense has nosedived.

Devers is not overpaid.

[Duran Is The Man]

22 hours ago, drewski6 said:

your competing against the dodgers, and will have to cross 400m, maybe 500m

And kyle tuckers defense has nosedived.

Devers is not overpaid.

what he said. the Dodgers will outbid everybody on any of the top free agents. Henry and Sox fans will have to settle for leftovers.

[moonslav59]

22 hours ago, drewski6 said:

your competing against the dodgers, and will have to cross 400m, maybe 500m

And kyle tuckers defense has nosedived.

Devers is not overpaid.

I agree that Devers is not overpaid, but he's also not underpaid. We should be able to get an equal bat who can play a position for $30M x 7 to 8 years, though. Right?

[drewski6]

On 10/4/2025 at 3:47 PM, moonslav59 said:

I agree that Devers is not overpaid, but he's also not underpaid. We should be able to get an equal bat who can play a position for $30M x 7 to 8 years, though. Right?

No

[mvp 78]

22 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

No

Devers was a top 20 hitter over the past 4 seasons. FA's in that range: Schwarber, Alonso, Tucker. How much do the Sox want to pay to replace that production?

"But we already extended his replacement (Anthony)." - Brezzz

[moonslav59]

44 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Devers was a top 20 hitter over the past 4 seasons. FA's in that range: Schwarber, Alonso, Tucker. How much do the Sox want to pay to replace that production?

"But we already extended his replacement (Anthony)." - Brezzz

Anthony ($16M AAV) + Hicks ($12M AAV) is almost what the Devers tax hit was, but Hicks is done in 2 years.

We still have the Bregman money (32M)... ooops... Crochet's extension +$24.5M + Campbell's extension ($6.5M)

But hey, what about Buehler's $21M + Gio's $19M? That's $40M, right?

Ummmm, right?

Hello, hello! Are you there, JH?

"Just nod, if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home?"

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Hello, hello! Are you there, JH?

"Just nod, if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home?"

"Went over the CBT in '25. Need to reset in '26." - Vlad Dracul

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

"Went over the CBT in '25. Need to reset in '26." - Vlad Dracul

He can spend close to $40-45M and reset. 

We can trade for one major slot fill. We could try to dump some salary, like Yoshida and Hicks, but would be lucky to save $10M AAV on both combined. Trading Duran saves $8M AAV, Campbell $7.5 or Rafaela $6.25M.

If we could save some on Yoshida/Hicks and trade Duran & Campbell, we'd be nearing $65-70M.

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

He can spend close to $40-45M and reset. 

We can trade for one major slot fill. We could try to dump some salary, like Yoshida and Hicks, but would be lucky to save $10M AAV on both combined. Trading Duran saves $8M AAV, Campbell $7.5 or Rafaela $6.25M.

If we could save some on Yoshida/Hicks and trade Duran & Campbell, we'd be nearing $65-70M.

Based on what the "models" probably say about Rafaela's contract, there is no way he gets traded by Breslow. He is probably a favored contract because of the defensive value. 

[moonslav59]

19 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Based on what the "models" probably say about Rafaela's contract, there is no way he gets traded by Breslow. He is probably a favored contract because of the defensive value. 

I don't want us to trade Rafaela, and I agree the contract looks good for the team.

Campbell's is in doubt, but I still think most GMs, who can afford him, would take him and his deal for something useful going to us.

Duran's $8M + 2 arbs is a big plus to almost all but a handful of teams.

Maybe find a big spending team and offer a Duran+ Yoshida or Duran + Hicks package. Just do better than the Betts + half Price deal's return.

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe find a big spending team and offer a Duran+ Yoshida or Duran + Hicks package. Just do better than the Betts + half Price deal's return.

Duran plus eating Hicks is not getting a 2 WAR OFer, a backup C and a lottery ticket AA SS. Not enough meat on the bone due to adding Hicks. 

[notin]

55 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't want us to trade Rafaela, and I agree the contract looks good for the team.

Campbell's is in doubt, but I still think most GMs, who can afford him, would take him and his deal for something useful going to us.

Duran's $8M + 2 arbs is a big plus to almost all but a handful of teams.

Maybe find a big spending team and offer a Duran+ Yoshida or Duran + Hicks package. Just do better than the Betts + half Price deal's return.

When has short-selling a star by dumping a bad contract with him ever worked out?  I mean besides for the other team?
 

The Sox aren’t getting Tucker and Hicks’ paltry (by comparison) two year deal isn’t an obstacle.  Tucker’s price tag is.  If you think Devers is paid appropriately for being a top 20 hitter in MLB, bear in mind Tucker is a top 10 hitter.

Last 4 years

wOBA - Devers 15th, Tucker 10th

wRC - Devers 18th, Tucker 8th

Hiscsalary will not be covered by Devers plus Hicks…

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

When has short-selling a star by dumping a bad contract with him ever worked out?  I mean besides for the other team?
 

The Sox aren’t getting Tucker and Hicks’ paltry (by comparison) two year deal isn’t an obstacle.  Tucker’s price tag is.  If you think Devers is paid appropriately for being a top 20 hitter in MLB, bear in mind Tucker is a top 10 hitter.

Last 4 years

wOBA - Devers 15th, Tucker 10th

wRC - Devers 18th, Tucker 8th

Hiscsalary will not be covered by Devers plus Hicks…

I do think shedding the Hicks contract might allow us to get Alonso over Naylor or Hoskins. I'm not saying Alonso will cost $24M less (plus Duran's money) than these two, but the savings might be enough to keep us under the tax line.

Sign Alonso, Torres and trade Duran, Hicks and others for a solid SP'er and we can still reset the tax line.

[notin]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I do think shedding the Hicks contract might allow us to get Alonso over Naylor or Hoskins. I'm not saying Alonso will cost $24M less (plus Duran's money) than these two, but the savings might be enough to keep us under the tax line.

Sign Alonso, Torres and trade Duran, Hicks and others for a solid SP'er and we can still reset the tax line.

Alonso rests 100% on Bregman.  And not just his option - there is certainly a chance they re-sign him.  If Bregman returns - no Alonso. Thsts where Hopkins enters the picture.

Of course, losing out on Bregman doesn’t guarantee interest in Alonso…

[Hitch]

7 hours ago, notin said:

Alonso rests 100% on Bregman.  And not just his option - there is certainly a chance they re-sign him.  If Bregman returns - no Alonso. Thsts where Hopkins enters the picture.

Of course, losing out on Bregman doesn’t guarantee interest in Alonso…

I'd love us to get Alonso but last year was the time to gamble on him. This past year likely puts him out of our range in both dollars and years, even if Bregman doesn't come back.

  

[Hitch]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

 

Maybe find a big spending team and offer a Duran+ Yoshida or Duran + Hicks package. Just do better than the Betts + half Price deal's return.

Who? Who would want a light hitting, overpaid DH? Just to get Duran? Who's the fit, because I can;t think of anyone. 

We send Duran with Masa or Hicks, we get next to nothing back. The only reason you do something like the Masa deal (if you could pull it off) is if you're getting Schwarber through the door. That mitigates the nothing you'll be getting back in the deal. 

Otherwise it's a salary dump to lose Duran. No thanks. 

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Hitch said:

Who? Who would want a light hitting, overpaid DH? Just to get Duran? Who's the fit, because I can;t think of anyone. 

We send Duran with Masa or Hicks, we get next to nothing back. The only reason you do something like the Masa deal (if you could pull it off) is if you're getting Schwarber through the door. That mitigates the nothing you'll be getting back in the deal. 

Otherwise it's a salary dump to lose Duran. No thanks. 

Of course the idea is predicated on allowing us to get the big bat we need by spending the money needed to get him.

[drewski6]

16 hours ago, notin said:

When has short-selling a star by dumping a bad contract with him ever worked out?  I mean besides for the other team?
 

The Sox aren’t getting Tucker and Hicks’ paltry (by comparison) two year deal isn’t an obstacle.  Tucker’s price tag is.  If you think Devers is paid appropriately for being a top 20 hitter in MLB, bear in mind Tucker is a top 10 hitter.

Last 4 years

wOBA - Devers 15th, Tucker 10th

wRC - Devers 18th, Tucker 8th

Hiscsalary will not be covered by Devers plus Hicks…

short selling Adrian Gonzalez, allowing Boston to clear out a lot of room in 2012.  When you looked at 2013, can argue it worked out

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Of course the idea is predicated on allowing us to get the big bat we need by spending the money needed to get him.

I honestly dont hate it, but I do agree with Hitchs reservations.  I dont think the trade value is 0 (Duran, with Masa drag).  May have to eat a bit of Masa contract, but I think you can get to the point where hes dragging him down from say 50s BTV units to high 30s.

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I honestly dont hate it, but I do agree with Hitchs reservations.  I dont think the trade value is 0 (Duran, with Masa drag).  May have to eat a bit of Masa contract, but I think you can get to the point where hes dragging him down from say 50s BTV units to high 30s.

It's a longshot idea, but I don't do it, unless it affords us the ability to win a bidding war for a big bat- a bat much bigger than Duran's or Masa's.

More likely, we just trade Duran ("saving" $2 to 8M) plus prospects for someone like Joe Ryan (est $6M arb) and just sit tight with Masa and Hicks in hopes they step it up a little. Add the $2M to the estimated $43M we have to spend this winter and we get to $45M. Maybe we make a second trade involving Campbell ($7.5M AAV) of find a way to exchange contracts like Hicks plus ____ for Sean Murphy, or make a deal for an inexpensive Yandy Diaz. These types of deal fill one or two of our big needs while focusing the budget money on fewer and fewer need areas- like just one or two major FA splurges- like Alonso or Schwarner or E Bregman/Suarez/Hoskins + Torres/Polanco.

I'm just talking various strategies and theories we can use to free up a few more bucks so we can pay for higher quality players.

[drewski6]

34 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It's a longshot idea, but I don't do it, unless it affords us the ability to win a bidding war for a big bat- a bat much bigger than Duran's or Masa's.

More likely, we just trade Duran ("saving" $2 to 8M) plus prospects for someone like Joe Ryan (est $6M arb) and just sit tight with Masa and Hicks in hopes they step it up a little. Add the $2M to the estimated $43M we have to spend this winter and we get to $45M. Maybe we make a second trade involving Campbell ($7.5M AAV) of find a way to exchange contracts like Hicks plus ____ for Sean Murphy, or make a deal for an inexpensive Yandy Diaz. These types of deal fill one or two of our big needs while focusing the budget money on fewer and fewer need areas- like just one or two major FA splurges- like Alonso or Schwarner or E Bregman/Suarez/Hoskins + Torres/Polanco.

I'm just talking various strategies and theories we can use to free up a few more bucks so we can pay for higher quality players.

I know its fashionable to take a shot at our owners, and theyve been cheap - but I dont fully trust the consensus that its  ownership pulling the strings even if it feels obvious.  Maybe mandate a trade of Betts and when Bloom first came in. But I think a lot of what youve seen in recent years is as much Bloom as it is ownership.  And I think its Breslow learning on the job, which also includes gaining confidence and even gaining trust from owners (at the risk of contradicting myself).

I think Bloom wanted to go through the farm cuz hes a tampa product and i think that breslow , well its hard for a first year guy to come in and make all these splashes.  Breslow has told you himself that his offseasons and his deadlines, he wasnt able to pull off a lot of the stuff he tried.

I dont think theres a hard stop at 45m.

[drewski6]

campbell at aaa is excellent depth. Im not looking to find him a spot on the MLB or to clear the money.  I think you use your options and they are valuable. So you are not one injury away from starting DHam.

[drewski6]

In an ideal world, you start Campbell and Mayer in AAA for one reason.  Because you can.

But payrolls and balance are a thing, so finite resources may push one into a role.  But your best depth is found by sending down your people unless they have proven they are already very good major leaguers.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, drewski6 said:

I know its fashionable to take a shot at our owners, and theyve been cheap - but I dont fully trust the consensus that its  ownership pulling the strings even if it feels obvious.  Maybe mandate a trade of Betts and when Bloom first came in. But I think a lot of what youve seen in recent years is as much Bloom as it is ownership.  And I think its Breslow learning on the job, which also includes gaining confidence and even gaining trust from owners (at the risk of contradicting myself).

I think Bloom wanted to go through the farm cuz hes a tampa product and i think that breslow , well its hard for a first year guy to come in and make all these splashes.  Breslow has told you himself that his offseasons and his deadlines, he wasnt able to pull off a lot of the stuff he tried.

I dont think theres a hard stop at 45m.

I do think JH would allow us to go over the tax line, but I think he'd prefer we don't.

I think Bloom would have spent more, if allowed to.

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I do think JH would allow us to go over the tax line, but I think he'd prefer we don't.

I think Bloom would have spent more, if allowed to.

Based on what? Bloom was honest. Unlike Breslow.  Bloom told us that we were moving in the right direction every year. I think he was very happy doing everything he did and thought everything was working out great.  After he got sacked he promised us that he put a future in place that would eventually win championships. He would give himself A++.  Not because of doing what he could with finite resources but because thats just who he was.  He was just too patient.  To a fault.  He wanted to play the looooooooong game, but you gotta operate with more urgency than that and that was his flaw.

For example, Bloom told us at a deadline that he did nothing because the team only had a 25% chance of making the playoffs so why would he trade prospects. That how he operated.  You just wait until 2027, hed say in 2024 , already 4 years into a rebuild. He thought he had a longer leash than he did. He thought he had more time than he did.