Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[Old Red]

39 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Trevor Story said he opted in because the Sox are about to become a rocketship. But right now, his 2025 Opening Day double play partner is one of those boosters that just fall off into oblivion after the launch.

Kristian Campbell. Has there ever been a Red Sox who in one year went from being Minor League Player of the Year to MLB starting line-up to completely dismissed as a viable option for the next big league roster?

At least publicly, no one in the org or media or fan forums is counting on Campbell to contribute in the majors in 2026. Presumably, the front office has learned its lesson... while the media and fanbase are more suspicious of PR personnel crying "star." 

Just as surprising as these revoltin' developments, would it really astonish if KC suddenly broke out and became Barry Bonds again sometime next summer?

 

Prospect, or SUSpect?

[mvp 78]

 

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

 

Right call on Gio?

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Right call on Gio?

Maybe Brezzz believes he'd accept the option and doesn't think he's worth 22M? Maybe he's worried about Gio's health? Not many guys have taken the QO.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe Brezzz believes he'd accept the option and doesn't think he's worth 22M? Maybe he's worried about Gio's health? Not many guys have taken the QO.

Ending the season not being able to pitch in the postseason made this an easy decision to me, and a right decision IMO.

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Ending the season not being able to pitch in the postseason made this an easy decision to me, and a right decision IMO.

I think Brezzz knows what the budget is and if he adds Gio at 22M, there isn't much room to add a #2. Gio isn't better than Bello and may not be much better than some of the other younger, cheaper options as well. 

I could find something better to do with 22M anyway.

[Duran Is The Man]

52 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think Brezzz knows what the budget is and if he adds Gio at 22M, there isn't much room to add a #2. Gio isn't better than Bello and may not be much better than some of the other younger, cheaper options as well. 

I could find something better to do with 22M anyway.

The way his season ended, I’m thinking his arm is toast. Good riddance. 

[moonslav59]

8 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

wow you already have Sandoval as the #3 o4 SP next year. just WOW !!!

On paper, yes, and assuming everyone is healthy. Not because I see him as a #3, but because his history places him there.

1. Crochet

2. Bello

3. Sandoval

4. Crawford/Dobbins

5. Dobbins/Crawford/Harrison

[Hugh2]

2 hours ago, Old Red said:

Prospect, or SUSpect?

What I found encouraging about KC is finding out that he lost a lot of weight in 2024.  Not that it's a good thing, but it at least makes sense and gives a good reason for his drop off.  The bat speed just disappeared and he lost the ability to impact the baseball. 

NOW.  This doesn't gurantee success and a comeback, but I'd feel a little bit better about him rebounding and lighting the world on fire like he did the whole system in 2024 if he can pack on some muscle in the offseason. 

Get the man in the weight room, get him on a high calorie diet. 

[Hugh2]

8 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

wow you already have Sandoval as the #3 o4 SP next year. just WOW !!!

Well......who the heck else are you going to put there?

You have Crochet, Bello, and then who else?

I like a lot the guys they have as starting pitchers but none I'd definitively call a #3 right now.  

[drewski6]

14 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I can't see getting full value from any of our 4 OF'ers by DH'ing them, or worse yet, playing the best defensive CF'er at 2B or SS. Each one would have much more value playing OF for another team. 

That is a foundation for a trade about to happen. Lot's of teams are drooling over our OF'ers.

Im not sure he wouldnt be a gold glove infielder immediately. Like Betts. 

im open to Mayer at third, Cedanne at SS, Story at 2b, Suarez at 1b, Scwharber at DH

Trade prospects for pitching or sign Michael King like Notin suggested.

[Randy Red Sox]

5 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Well......who the heck else are you going to put there?

You have Crochet, Bello, and then who else?

I like a lot the guys they have as starting pitchers but none I'd definitively call a #3 right now.  

Someone not here yet goes to #2 and Bello slides to #3. Given the results of several of the recent rehabbing SP I will believe it when I see Sandoval on the bump on a full time basis.

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Trevor Story said he opted in because the Sox are about to become a rocketship. But right now, his 2025 Opening Day double play partner is one of those boosters that just fall off into oblivion after the launch.

Kristian Campbell. Has there ever been a Red Sox who in one year went from being Minor League Player of the Year to MLB starting line-up to completely dismissed as a viable option for the next big league roster?

At least publicly, no one in the org or media or fan forums is counting on Campbell to contribute in the majors in 2026. Presumably, the front office has learned its lesson... while the media and fanbase are more suspicious of PR personnel crying "star." 

Just as surprising as these revoltin' developments, would it really astonish if KC suddenly broke out and became Barry Bonds again sometime next summer?

 

If hes going to break-out, its not going to be prevented by starting him in Worcester.  I wouldnt be surprised if he broke out, but Im not going to let him stop me from pursuing external improvements.

Also, having him (with positional versatility) in AAA is good depth.  If you clear spots for your prospects, you go through your depth, and then you are one injury away from starting players non-playoff teams have waived.

I want Campbell in AAA to start , and a lot of the reason is because I like the depth he provides there.  How many position players got hurt last year?  Depth options you can park in minors are valuable.

[Hugh2]

9 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

Someone not here yet goes to #2 and Bello slides to #3. Given the results of several of the recent rehabbing SP I will believe it when I see Sandoval on the bump on a full time basis.

Yes, so as of right now.......your #3 starter may be Patrick Sandoval. 

[mvp 78]

King's 4 seamer was one of the worst pitches in all of baseball last season (800 SLG against, not OPS, just SLG). I'd be very hesitant to bring him in with that QO attached. He also had a few injury issues last year including a shoulder injury that kept him out for 2+ months. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Yes, so as of right now.......your #3 starter may be Patrick Sandoval. 

I don't know about you, but I have yet to see or hear a single mention by anyone in the org of Sandoval being counted on for the '26 rotation or even a spot on the pitching staff. 

Maybe he's a wait-and-see if-and-when-he's-ready guy. We do know that most pitchers take at least a half year to a year of actual competing before they pitch again like they once did...

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Yes, so as of right now.......your #3 starter may be Patrick Sandoval. 

Even so, I wouldn't position him 3rd.

Crochet

Bello

Dobbins

Sandoval

Crawford

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I don't know about you, but I have yet to see or hear a single mention by anyone in the org of Sandoval being counted on for the '26 rotation or even a spot on the pitching staff. 

Maybe he's a wait-and-see if-and-when-he's-ready guy. We do know that most pitchers take at least a half year to a year of actual competing before they pitch again like they once did...

I think they'll start the season with him in the org. They try to add a #2. They will hold onto him early on, but unload him if he's a disaster. 

[moonslav59]

37 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Im not sure he wouldnt be a gold glove infielder immediately. Like Betts. 

im open to Mayer at third, Cedanne at SS, Story at 2b, Suarez at 1b, Scwharber at DH

Trade prospects for pitching or sign Michael King like Notin suggested.

I hesitate to remove a GG player from a critical position like CF. I think Anthony would be okay in the OF, but I'd prefer trying Duran (the worst defensive OF'er of the 4) at 1B than move Rafaela.

I'd also prefer to trade Rafaela than play him in the infield. His value to another team in CF has to have more trade vale than him at SS or 2B for us. (I'd choose 2B, if I had to.)

Also, I do not think Rafaela is a salary drain, but trading him does free up $6.25M on the tax line. (Duran $7.7 and Campbell $7.5M, while Abreu is still pre-arb!)

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Even so, I wouldn't position him 3rd.

Crochet

Bello

Dobbins

Sandoval

Crawford

The last 3 are pretty close. I slot Sandoval 3rd, because he has a couple years of pitching well. Crawford has one and Dobbins 1/3 of one.

Sandoval had an ERA+ of 132 from '21-'22 in 41 GS.

3.17 ERA and 3.44 FIP

His 2023 season was iffy, but still a 109 ERA+ (4.11 ERA/4.18 FIP) 4.07 FUIP '23-24.

I think the 29 year old has some upside.

[mvp 78]

18 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

but trading him does free up $6.25M on the tax line

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The last 3 are pretty close. I slot Sandoval 3rd, because he has a couple years of pitching well. Crawford has one and Dobbins 1/3 of one.

Sandoval had an ERA+ of 132 from '21-'22 in 41 GS.

3.17 ERA and 3.44 FIP

His 2023 season was iffy, but still a 109 ERA+ (4.11 ERA/4.18 FIP) 4.07 FUIP '23-24.

I think the 29 year old has some upside.

Sandoval's years of pitching well were a long time ago as you said AND pre-injury. '26 should be a rollercoaster ride for him coming back from TJS. His upside to me is 4th starter. No way does he have 2 fWAR next season/pitch better than Gio's '25. 

[Hugh2]

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandoval's years of pitching well were a long time ago as you said AND pre-injury. '26 should be a rollercoaster ride for him coming back from TJS. His upside to me is 4th starter. No way does he have 2 fWAR next season/pitch better than Gio's '25. 

Does anybody actually think the Sox have a 3rd starter right now? I mean everyone else has an ERA north of 4.00 or less than 20 innings.  Yeah, I have high hopes for Early and Dobbins but are you slotting them in at #3? Crawford?

It think it's kind of a mute point how we slot them after Crochet/Bello and I'm sure a starter will be added between now and then.  Personally I don't think Sandoval is that good, but the Sox obviously see something in him.  I'm open to them proving me wrong. 

[Hugh2]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I don't know about you, but I have yet to see or hear a single mention by anyone in the org of Sandoval being counted on for the '26 rotation or even a spot on the pitching staff. 

Maybe he's a wait-and-see if-and-when-he's-ready guy. We do know that most pitchers take at least a half year to a year of actual competing before they pitch again like they once did...

So then our pitching rotation next year is

Crochet

Bello

Everyone else in some order. 

[mvp 78]

22 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Does anybody actually think the Sox have a 3rd starter right now? I mean everyone else has an ERA north of 4.00 or less than 20 innings.  Yeah, I have high hopes for Early and Dobbins but are you slotting them in at #3? Crawford?

It think it's kind of a mute point how we slot them after Crochet/Bello and I'm sure a starter will be added between now and then.  Personally I don't think Sandoval is that good, but the Sox obviously see something in him.  I'm open to them proving me wrong. 

If they don't sign anyone, the rotation is trash unless the young guys take massive leaps. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandoval's years of pitching well were a long time ago as you said AND pre-injury. '26 should be a rollercoaster ride for him coming back from TJS. His upside to me is 4th starter. No way does he have 2 fWAR next season/pitch better than Gio's '25. 

I agree. I would not project a 2 WAR for Crawford or Dobbins, either.

I also did say if all are healthy.

Having more time off, due to not pitching at he end of May may or may not help Sandoval. (Wow, 3 "mays" in 4 words.) He never even got 1 IP in rehab. That is scary.

Maybe it's more about my lack of confidence in Crawford and Dobbins, who by the way, are also recovering from injuries.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

Does anybody actually think the Sox have a 3rd starter right now?

I am 100% advocating we add a solid #2 SP'er and normally would be asking for a #3, too, but our lack of two big bats has pushed that ask down a couple notches.

1. Crochet

2. _____ (Ryan, Lodolo, Lopez)

3. Bello

4. Sandoval/Dobbins/Crawford

5. Sandoval/Dobbins/Crawford/Harrison (Early/Tolle, later on)

[mvp 78]

If the Sox can only spend about 45M this offseason:

(Per the FanGraphs tracker)

Okamoto 3/48 16M

Hoskins 1/8 8M

Woodruff 3/55 22M

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Even so, I wouldn't position him 3rd.

Crochet

Bello

Dobbins

Sandoval

Crawford

Crochet
Bello
Early
Sandoval
Crawford/Dobbins (ST battle)

[drewski6]

29 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If the Sox can only spend about 45M this offseason:

(Per the FanGraphs tracker)

Okamoto 3/48 16M

Hoskins 1/8 8M

Woodruff 3/55 22M

Keeping all 4 OF'ers?