Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Bo knows both.

I've followed Bichette's career since he was a New Hampshire Fisher Cat, and his elite hand-eye coordination gives him the unique confidence to carry dual approaches to his at bats: with his first two swings, he absolutely tries to crush the ball... but if he misses and has two strikes, he definitely adjusts and does whatever he can to make contact -- a lot of his two-strike hits go to right field; that's not selling out, but the sign of a good hitter. 

Bichette's hitting plan isn't that much different than Bregman's, except the latter's age and nagging injuries limit the damage he once did. Both are examples to younger batters in a line-up; Bo is still in his 20s and thus more dangerous...

If you have two strikes and the pitch is on the outer half, gotta go oppo there.  Good stuff.  Maybe a disproportionate of his hits oppo are with 2 strikes because if less than 2 strikes, he takes a pitcher's pitch on the outer black and waits for something he can drive.

Good stuff with this comment.

Very few guys can pull and outer pick and still drive it (because you are "hooking the baseball' which causes the ball to hang in the air), so you have to be really really strong to still hit that hard or even hit a HR to pull side on an oppo pitch.  Thats something only the strongest guys in the league can do.  Im finding myself getting talked into Bo these last couple days.

I agree with MVP that hed be a 1 for 1 replacement for Bregman.

[Nick]

So the Sox acquired another outfield/infielder who bats from left side? And dumped the remaining left handed reliever?

Is it our goal to acquire tons of fringe players with speed? Don't we already have Eaton and Sogard?

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Hitch said:

But again, I think I'm right in saying, with each new collective bargain, there is a reset on the tax implications for teams. So Year 3 is going to be a rest no matter what we spend this year (Year 2). And with Yoshida and Story coming off the books in two years, we should be able to reset or manage it after that, too. 

Which all adds up to them needing ti spend big this winter. Fingers crossed. 

Good point. I still think JH likes a big short deal, anyway.

[Kimmi]

9 hours ago, Hitch said:

But again, I think I'm right in saying, with each new collective bargain, there is a reset on the tax implications for teams. So Year 3 is going to be a rest no matter what we spend this year (Year 2). And with Yoshida and Story coming off the books in two years, we should be able to reset or manage it after that, too. 

Which all adds up to them needing ti spend big this winter. Fingers crossed. 

I agree that the Red Sox could and should spend big this winter.  What I don't want to see happen is signing a player to a monster contract.  I'd rather see shorter, Bregman-type contracts.  Yes, that will likely take us out of the market for some of the top free agents.  I'm okay with that.

Breslow needs to get creative.  That's why we pay him the big bucks.

[Kimmi]

5 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Good point. I still think JH likes a big short deal, anyway.

I knew there was a reason why I like JH.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Kimmi said:

I knew there was a reason why I like JH.

There are some short deal options out there, or trades.

To me, we need 3 high quality players: SP2, 1B and 3B/2B. I'm not sure we can get high quality at all 3 slots, unless we do more trading than free agents.

Is Merrill Kelly high enough quality to be our #2 SP'er? He might sign for 2-3 years. He just turned 37.

Are 33 year olds Hoskins or Josh Bell big enough upgrades at 1B? I'm not sure any other decent ones can be signed for 1-3 years.

Polanco is 32 and may look to put up big numbers and opt out of a deal, if we give him a high AAV deal.

I keep mentioning 34 year old E Suarez for this very reason: he may take a 2-3 year deal.

I doubt we win with Kelly, Hoskins and ESuarez or Polanco, but it's not a horrible winter. How about this for no large and longs:

Trade Duran plus for KMarte. His contract is kinda long but not too large for his profile. Add Matz and Ref.

Sign Suarez for 1B, Polanco to DH and Kelly to pitch!

[Kimmi]

6 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

There are some short deal options out there, or trades.

To me, we need 3 high quality players: SP2, 1B and 3B/2B. I'm not sure we can get high quality at all 3 slots, unless we do more trading than free agents.

Is Merrill Kelly high enough quality to be our #2 SP'er? He might sign for 2-3 years. He just turned 37.

Are 33 year olds Hoskins or Josh Bell big enough upgrades at 1B? I'm not sure any other decent ones can be signed for 1-3 years.

Polanco is 32 and may look to put up big numbers and opt out of a deal, if we give him a high AAV deal.

I keep mentioning 34 year old E Suarez for this very reason: he may take a 2-3 year deal.

I doubt we win with Kelly, Hoskins and ESuarez or Polanco, but it's not a horrible winter. How about this for no large and longs:

Trade Duran plus for KMarte. His contract is kinda long but not too large for his profile. Add Matz and Ref.

Sign Suarez for 1B, Polanco to DH and Kelly to pitch!

Personally, if we acquire a #2 SP and one of 1B, 2B, 3B, I'd be good with going with an internal option at the other infield positions.  That send, I do think the Red Sox should be willing to go over the luxury tax limit this offseason if the right moves present themselves. 

I would take a flier on Kelly for 1 or 2 years, maybe 3.  I'm not sure he's the strong #2 that I'd like, but he's at least a strong #3.  And he's been relatively durable.

I'm still not happy about the idea of trading Duran, or any of our outfielders, for that matter.  But if it must be done, I'll survive.

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

Personally, if we acquire a #2 SP and one of 1B, 2B, 3B, I'd be good with going with an internal option at the other infield positions.  That send, I do think the Red Sox should be willing to go over the luxury tax limit this offseason if the right moves present themselves. 

I would take a flier on Kelly for 1 or 2 years, maybe 3.  I'm not sure he's the strong #2 that I'd like, but he's at least a strong #3.  And he's been relatively durable.

I'm still not happy about the idea of trading Duran, or any of our outfielders, for that matter.  But if it must be done, I'll survive.

I think we'd be okay with the plan I laid out minus Polanco.

Mayer and Romy at 3B

Masa and Ref at DH.

[Nick]

Red Sox’ short postseason has Alex Cora wanting more: ‘Playing three games is not good enough’

And he wants the fans to do what?

 

[moonslav59]

He wants the fan to cheer louder?

Buy more hotdogs?

Demand JH spend more?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Red Sox’ short postseason has Alex Cora wanting more: ‘Playing three games is not good enough’

And he wants the fans to do what?

 

Wave Eaton home.

[Larry Cook]

16 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I think a lot of this is just depth moves.  We are going to see guys added this offseason that will be dfa'd before the season even begins. 

I did not realize the catcher we picked up from the university of Florida is friends with Anthony!  

[Randy Red Sox]

On 11/19/2025 at 12:58 PM, moonslav59 said:

I think we'd be okay with the plan I laid out minus Polanco.

Mayer and Romy at 3B

Masa and Ref at DH.

Masa and Ref at DH doesn't get it done at all.  Tother they might total 25 HR'S. I could easily see it happening though.

[Larry Cook]

On 11/19/2025 at 3:49 PM, Kimmi said:

 

I'm still not happy about the idea of trading Duran, or any of our outfielders, for that matter.  But if it must be done, I'll survive.

I agree! We do not need to trade any of our outfielders! 
however is bres-slow can get huge value in return, I could live with it 

[harmony]

5 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

Masa and Ref at DH doesn't get it done at all.  Tother they might total 25 HR'S. I could easily see it happening though.

A Locked On Cubs podcaster proposed that the Cubs sign Rob Refsnyder to a one-year, $5 million contract:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUgAU6WUCxk&t=1137s

... at 13:40.

 

[Randy Red Sox]

On 11/18/2025 at 11:39 AM, Hitch said:

Yeah we'd have to get the power from the other acquisition. Alonso and Bo wouldn't be too shabby, but lacking in power a little. 

you'll be happy to know then that we likely aren't  getting either

[notin]

12 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

Masa and Ref at DH doesn't get it done at all.  Tother they might total 25 HR'S. I could easily see it happening though.

A DH has to hit more than 25 HRs?  
 

Someone call Cooperstown and have them remove Edgar Martínez..

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

28 minutes ago, notin said:

A DH has to hit more than 25 HRs?  
 

Someone call Cooperstown and have them remove Edgar Martínez..

I was going to say Harold Baines, who had more than 25 HRs once in his 22-year career... you know, the guy with only 38.8 WAR, compared to Dwight Evans' 67.2 WAR.

But got to hand to Harold -- bb-ref did... on his Similarity Scores list, the first five batters are all in Cooperstown: Perez, Kaline, Parker, B.Williams, Dawson (Evans is 8th).

On Dewey's list, the first five are Luis Gonzalez, Tori Hunter, Chili Davis, B.Williams and Bobby Abreu... then Perez, Parker, Beltran, Darrell Evans and Kaline.

So Baines has maybe a slight edge on Dwight in offense. Then again, Evans was also the best rightfielder in the American League during his era -- and still no plaque?

[notin]

On 11/18/2025 at 1:39 PM, Hitch said:

Yeah we'd have to get the power from the other acquisition. Alonso and Bo wouldn't be too shabby, but lacking in power a little. 

Huh?

So the Sox could add two RHH who combine for 60 to 65 home runs per year with OPS’s in the neighborhood of .850, and your response is that would be “lacking in power “?!?!

 Dont take this wrong way, but this post strikes me as bring written by guy who, in a different part of history, would have said “Michaelangelo?  This Fresno, it’s ok.  I like it.  But I’m not overwhelmed.  I want something more eye-popping.  It needs to be bigger ! Better! More spectacular! And it needs to be ready by noon tomorrow.”

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I was going to say Harold Baines, who had more than 25 HRs once in his 22-year career... you know, the guy with only 38.8 WAR, compared to Dwight Evans' 67.2 WAR.

But got to hand to Harold -- bb-ref did... on his Similarity Scores list, the first five batters are all in Cooperstown: Perez, Kaline, Parker, B.Williams, Dawson (Evans is 8th).

On Dewey's list, the first five are Luis Gonzalez, Tori Hunter, Chili Davis, B.Williams and Bobby Abreu... then Perez, Parker, Beltran, Darrell Evans and Kaline.

So Baines has maybe a slight edge on Dwight in offense. Then again, Evans was also the best rightfielder in the American League during his era -- and still no plaque?

nothing against Baines, but i always thought his election was a joke. 

[drewski6]

44 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

nothing against Baines, but i always thought his election was a joke. 

Raines over Baines.  But this isnt really a case for keeping Baines outta the hall because Raines is in as well (I think).  But still, Raines over Baines!

[drewski6]

Just now, drewski6 said:

Raines over Baines.  But this isnt really a case for keeping Baines outta the hall because Raines is in as well (I think).  But still, Raines over Baines!

I always liked Tim Raines

[notin]

2 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I was going to say Harold Baines, who had more than 25 HRs once in his 22-year career... you know, the guy with only 38.8 WAR, compared to Dwight Evans' 67.2 WAR.

But got to hand to Harold -- bb-ref did... on his Similarity Scores list, the first five batters are all in Cooperstown: Perez, Kaline, Parker, B.Williams, Dawson (Evans is 8th).

On Dewey's list, the first five are Luis Gonzalez, Tori Hunter, Chili Davis, B.Williams and Bobby Abreu... then Perez, Parker, Beltran, Darrell Evans and Kaline.

So Baines has maybe a slight edge on Dwight in offense. Then again, Evans was also the best rightfielder in the American League during his era -- and still no plaque?

Baines isn’t a Hall of Famer, but as DHs go he was pretty good.  And while a HOF DH would be great, a Yoshida/Romy or Yoshida/Ref platoon isn’t a weak spot…

[Randy Red Sox]

3 hours ago, notin said:

A DH has to hit more than 25 HRs?  
 

Someone call Cooperstown and have them remove Edgar Martínez..

or kyle schwarber who hit over 50 and is available. A DH combo of Yoshida and Ref does nothing to excite me and certainly is not the caliber a WS  contender should be counting on. Having said that I am pretty sure that is what we will be looking at when the season rolls closer.

[Duran Is The Man]

43 minutes ago, notin said:

Baines isn’t a Hall of Famer, but as DHs go he was pretty good.  And while a HOF DH would be great, a Yoshida/Romy or Yoshida/Ref platoon isn’t a weak spot…

and that's why he belongs in the Hall of Pretty Good rather than the Hall of Fame. but he's not alone and certainly a discussion for another day.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Randy Red Sox said:

or kyle schwarber who hit over 50 and is available. A DH combo of Yoshida and Ref does nothing to excite me and certainly is not the caliber a WS  contender should be counting on. Having said that I am pretty sure that is what we will be looking at when the season rolls closer.

The Blue Jays’ starting DH last year had a .565 OPS…

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, notin said:

The Blue Jays’ starting DH last year had a .565 OPS…

It's hard to win when your DH AND 1B positions are devoid of power.

While our 1B+DH's combined for 42 HRs, 15 were from Devers.

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, notin said:

The Blue Jays’ starting DH last year had a .565 OPS…

Santander played 30 games at DH for them and had a .565 OPS

Springer played 82 games for them at DH (highest on team) and had a .959 OPS (highest on team), post-season moments as well,

The Blue Jays had a lot of contributions to their pennant from the DH spot, both in the regular season and postseason. They also had Vlad, Bichette, Varsho, and Kirk

We need firepower and a lot of it, at the very least, we need to replace the production lost by Bregman and Devers.

One of Bregman/Bichette/Marte (trade) AND Schwarber will do that.  Of course, there are other players in the league who can hit as well.

But if we go forward with Yoshida/Romy platoon, 1) Romy is probably our best hitter, so I hope hes playing a position when hes not DH'ing against lefties and 2) We'll need to add at least a few blue chip mashers elsewhere or we will be noodlebat city and sellers at the deadline.

[notin]

4 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

It's hard to win when your DH AND 1B positions are devoid of power.

While our 1B+DH's combined for 42 HRs, 15 were from Devers.

And I think the Sox are going to try to upgrade over Lowe/Toro/Romy at 1b.  I think Alonso is on their radar because 1) he likely won’t command the same money as Bregman or Bichette and 2) I can’t stand him, and the Sox seem to love grabbing names off that list…

[notin]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Santander played 30 games at DH for them and had a .565 OPS

Springer played 82 games for them at DH (highest on team) and had a .959 OPS (highest on team), post-season moments as well,

The Blue Jays had a lot of contributions to their pennant from the DH spot, both in the regular season and postseason. They also had Vlad, Bichette, Varsho, and Kirk

We need firepower and a lot of it, at the very least, we need to replace the production lost by Bregman and Devers.

One of Bregman/Bichette/Marte (trade) AND Schwarber will do that.  Of course, there are other players in the league who can hit as well.

But if we go forward with Yoshida/Romy platoon, 1) Romy is probably our best hitter, so I hope hes playing a position when hes not DH'ing against lefties and 2) We'll need to add at least a few blue chip mashers elsewhere or we will be noodlebat city and sellers at the deadline.

Romy is not the Sox best hitter.  He looks deceivingly good because he does excel vs LHP, and he was given a disproportionate number of plate appearances against them.

Springer DHd for Toronto due to some injury issues keeping him out of the field.  Coupled with the flop that wa Santander, a move to DH was convenient. But the Jays didn’t give Santander $40mill so he could be benched in favor hof career minor leaguer Nate Lukes.

That noodlebat team won 89 games and had a better record after trading their best masher than they did before.  I expect a new 1b, be it Alonso, Hoskins, Bell, Yandy Diaz, etc.  And if it is anyone other than Alonso, I expect Bregman to return.  And I hope the Sox avoid Eugenio Suarez at all costs…