Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[drewski6]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe Alonso should be a DH?

Alonso: 10 errors, -9 DRS, -9 OAA, 26th in FRV

BOS all: 10 errors, -9 DRS, -6 OAA, 24th in FRV

This is kind of what Im talking about.  I think in all sports, you can be out in front of an inefficient market.  It usually dries up. For example, in hockey nobody use to ever want any players under 6'1, and talented players could be had for cheap. But the league corrected.  Obvs you still get points for size in NHL, but its not like you can just go get very good players under 6' for a song anymore.

In baseball, I think the market is factoring in previous manager decisions, too much. It should count for something, because the fact that Alonso's previous manager played him at 1b gives him a lot of 1b experience. Thats obvs worth more than 0, but its not worth a ton.  Alonso is a cusp defensive player, meaning on the cusp of being so bad, he can only DH. Ditto with Schwarber, ditto with Rooker, ditto with Alvarez, ditto with Devers, ditto with Casas, ditto with Ortiz. But there really isnt a huge dropoff going from Alonso to Schwarber or even say David Ortiz at 1b (lets say a 32 yr david ortiz with a time machine).  But guys like Ortiz, schwarber , I feel get undervalued on the market because their previous manager had them DH, and so they are seen as a DH and this decreases their market value (in my opinion too much) because they get labeled a DH but really they are not terribly worse defensively than say Alonso.  

And I hunt market inefficies.  We saw it with JD Martinez, he was still capable of hitting .300 and 20+ HRs but nobody wanted him because he was labeled a DH.  ANd any DH who hits 2-4 in your lineup is not "just a DH", they are a huge part of your offense.  So, I understand we already have a few cusp defensive players, and want to use our DH for overflow. BUt the thinking is too old school for me.  IN 20206, pitchers are winning , so you need dudes who can capitalize on mistakes.  You really need dudes who can put it over the wall if they are looking fastball and get one. Even a low one.  Im sure more of you are watching these playoffs.  Pitchers arent even throwing low fastballs to certain hitters because HRs will change the game. We need some of that and we need some of it badly. IF the dudes who give you this are affordable when they are DH, we should prob go that route.  Heck Id get multiple and live with one in the field.  Like trade for Brent Rooker and sign Schwarber and figure it out.  

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

On 10/7/2025 at 8:46 AM, mvp 78 said:

I don't remember that at all because most people weren't all that sold on Grissom's defense or power potential. 

From Over The Monster after the trade. I clearly remember the media saying they didn't think they would get a player like Grissom in the deal.  

For now, though, I’ll say this: this looks like an absolute steal by Craig Breslow. Grissom is not an uber prospect, but he was ranked as high as #77 on the Baseball America list at one point, he fills a glaring positional hole on the Red Sox, and he could be a future .300 hitter with with good plate discipline if things break right.

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2023/12/30/24020064/red-sox-trade-chris-sale-to-atlanta-braves-for-vaughn-grissom-breslow-analysis

Most posters here were against the trade. However on Page 4 several defended it, One posted "Anyone who doesn’t like this trade is simply cynical"  Another (Yankees fan) said we got "good value".

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

19 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont hate the logic and think there is a universe in which, I agree.  I would certainly care more about ideal defensive alignment if we werent starting from such a hole from a power perspective.  If we already had one true middle of the order masher.  But considering we are talking about our #2/3 , unquestioned best hitter on the team, and we dont really have a great offense around the guy we are getting (alonso vs schwarber) , I think that if you can save some dough with shcwarber thats my pref because hes giving you 20-25% more with the bat which is a lot.

An A+ hitting DH is just way more valuable than a B+ hitting player who plays defense unless the latter is a plus defensive SS or CF. And I know Im in the minority on this, but I strongly believe it.

Im not even really against getting schwarber and Hoskins.

I'd be thrilled to get Schwarber or Alonso, and from what I'm now reading about Alonso's defense, the two look pretty even, now. I'd look at cost, years and age (Schwarber is about 2 years older.)

I'd rather get one of these two than Hoskins and G Torres.

[moonslav59]

I could see a Duran-Campbell or Duran-Romy DH position being very productive.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

38 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I could see a Duran-Campbell or Duran-Romy DH position being very productive.

Even if, I can't see a guy with Duran's energy ever being satisfied sitting on the bench in any game just to get four at bats. And as long as he can still run, some team will play Duran in the outfield.

Jarren is smack-dab in his prime and never misses a game -- he's got that ultimate availability, which is a big WAR factor.

I know he's a fan favorite in Boston, but if the org decides he's not going to be one of the best three defenders in the pasture, he's gotta go.

[notin]

So two trades I’ve seen posted on the clickbait sites:

Mayer to MN for RHP Joe Ryan

Duran and Yoshida to SD for RHRP Jeremiah Estrada and C Ethan Salas

 

Not wild about either.  Love Estrada.  Salas is like 19 and has had back trouble.  And I’m am not as crazy about Ryan as many on here…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

So two trades I’ve seen posted on the clickbait sites:

Mayer to MN for RHP Joe Ryan

Duran and Yoshida to SD for RHRP Jeremiah Estrada and C Ethan Salas

 

Not wild about either.  Love Estrada.  Salas is like 19 and has had back trouble.  And I’m am not as crazy about Ryan as many on here…

Me, neither. At least not at the prices still being discussed after his second half.

Though I did covet Ryan in his first full season after the Rays gave him up for 40-year old DH Nelson Cruz.

If only Yoshida was about 10 years older...

[notin]

2 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Me, neither. At least not at the prices still being discussed after his second half.

Though I did covet Ryan in his first full season after the Rays gave him up for 40-year old DH Nelson Cruz.

If only Yoshida was about 10 years older...

I hate the idea of including Yoshida in a Duran deal as an enticement to offload him.  Duran is worth more than a relief pitcher (granted an elite one) and a teenage catcher with a history of back issues. If Yoshida can’t be traded, he can be optioned…

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, notin said:

So two trades I’ve seen posted on the clickbait sites:

Mayer to MN for RHP Joe Ryan

Duran and Yoshida to SD for RHRP Jeremiah Estrada and C Ethan Salas

 

Not wild about either.  Love Estrada.  Salas is like 19 and has had back trouble.  And I’m am not as crazy about Ryan as many on here…

I'm fine with the Ryan trade because of Mayer's ongoing health issues. 

I don't really like the Duran trade because I'm also leery of Salas's future. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd be thrilled to get Schwarber or Alonso, and from what I'm now reading about Alonso's defense, the two look pretty even, now. I'd look at cost, years and age (Schwarber is about 2 years older.)

I'd rather get one of these two than Hoskins and G Torres.

Oh Alonso is not winning any Gold Gloves. He actually alreadyfields like he is wearing the statue as a mitt.

As I said before, my theory is Alonso likely comes down to Bregman. Option or not, I am theorizing bringing Bregman back is Plan A.  If the Sox do bring him back, I could see Rhys Hoskins at 1b and Casas at DH.

Alonso is probably Plan B or lower.  But if he is the target eventually, I would expect 2b/3b to be filled more cheaply.  Like say, Luis Rengifo.

So which plan is preferable - Bregman-Hoskins or Alonso-Rengifo?  I’m not really sure which one will be cheaper, but for the sake of discussion, let’s call them equal…

[notin]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'm fine with the Ryan trade because of Mayer's ongoing health issues. 

I don't really like the Duran trade because I'm also leery of Salas's future. 

The big issue with trading Mayer is the Sox are already down a couple of INF.  Has Mayer ever had surgery before?

[drewski6]

10 minutes ago, notin said:

I hate the idea of including Yoshida in a Duran deal as an enticement to offload him.  Duran is worth more than a relief pitcher (granted an elite one) and a teenage catcher with a history of back issues. If Yoshida can’t be traded, he can be optioned…

If you are trading Duran for pitching, Yoshida is more likely to bat clean up than he is to be optioned or traded

[notin]

8 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

If you are trading Duran for pitching, Yoshida is more likely to bat clean up than he is to be optioned or traded

Possible.

 

If they add another 1b/DH bat, something has to give.  If Casas is healthy and New Guy is playing 1b, optioning Yoshida and keeping the depth is an option.  I don’t see the value in paying Yoshida $30mill to play elsewhere just to keep Vaughn Grissom on the 40 man roster…

[mvp 78]

26 minutes ago, notin said:

The big issue with trading Mayer is the Sox are already down a couple of INF.  Has Mayer ever had surgery before?

Nothing noted in his SP profile.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Nothing noted in his SP profile.

So much for HIPPA…

[notin]

33 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'm fine with the Ryan trade because of Mayer's ongoing health issues. 

I don't really like the Duran trade because I'm also leery of Salas's future. 

Both trades do work out on BTV.  Which tells me the author(s) of those webpages do use BTV…

[Old Red]

32 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'm fine with the Ryan trade because of Mayer's ongoing health issues. 

I don't really like the Duran trade because I'm also leery of Salas's future. 

Tough call on Mayer, because of those health issues, but if Bregman leaves Story is the only one left on the IF, and I’d like to see him slide over to 2B.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

So much for HIPPA…

And I was just doing a mandated online PHI course. Next one is on active sh00ters. 👀

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Ya, I'm not into trading Duran for little return other than somebody agreeing to take Yoshida off our hands.

He may be overrated as an outfielder and leadoff man (his .332 OBP was 67th, which means about 2+ batters on every team reached base at a higher rate). But an everyday player who gives you 40 doubles, 10 triples, 20 HRs and 30 Steals is so above average -- and probably something Abreu will never do.

At age 29, there's no reason Duran can't match his counting stats from the past two years for at least another couple seasons (lookit what Ramon Laureano just did at age 30). 

Duran is so valuable he was listed as a candidate in the board's MVP poll, which excluded Trevor Story. So the only way I'm dealing him is if the return is an above-average starting pitcher; the #2 this club needs.

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Both trades do work out on BTV.  Which tells me the author(s) of those webpages do use BTV…

The trades weren't outlandish. I just didn't like them. 

[notin]

28 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The trades weren't outlandish. I just didn't like them. 

I was surprised they worked out on BTV  as well as they did.  Usually doesn’t happen with Newsweek clickbait..

[notin]

38 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Tough call on Mayer, because of those health issues, but if Bregman leaves Story is the only one left on the IF, and I’d like to see him slide over to 2B.

Sure, move Story to 2b.  And then when the new 3b gets hurt, Story will be complaining thru his English-to-English translator that he can’t be expected to play EVERYWHERE and next thing you now, we’ve traded him to San Diego…

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, notin said:

So two trades I’ve seen posted on the clickbait sites:

Mayer to MN for RHP Joe Ryan

Duran and Yoshida to SD for RHRP Jeremiah Estrada and C Ethan Salas

 

Not wild about either.  Love Estrada.  Salas is like 19 and has had back trouble.  And I’m am not as crazy about Ryan as many on here…

i just don't get some people's obsession with Salas. he stuggled mightily in A ball and even more so in AA before going down with injuries. this guy is as overhyped as Grissom. pass.

[notin]

4 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

i just don't get some people's obsession with Salas. he stuggled mightily in A ball and even more so in AA before going down with injuries. this guy is as overhyped as Grissom. pass.

With Salas, it was the age as well as the performance. 
But frankly, I can’t get excited about A-ball teenagers.  Grissom was at least in MLB at age 21…
 

That trade would never happen because the Padres are not taking on $26mill in AAV and only sending back Estrada’s middle reliever money…

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

Sure, move Story to 2b.  And then when the new 3b gets hurt, Story will be complaining thru his English-to-English translator that he can’t be expected to play EVERYWHERE and next thing you now, we’ve traded him to San Diego…

Hoskins 1b

Romy 2b

Mayer SS

Romero 3b

Alonso DH

[Hitch]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe Alonso should be a DH?

Alonso: 10 errors, -9 DRS, -9 OAA, 26th in FRV

BOS all: 10 errors, -9 DRS, -6 OAA, 24th in FRV

Oh that's sobering. I didn't realise it was that bad.

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Possible.

 

If they add another 1b/DH bat, something has to give.  If Casas is healthy and New Guy is playing 1b, optioning Yoshida and keeping the depth is an option.  I don’t see the value in paying Yoshida $30mill to play elsewhere just to keep Vaughn Grissom on the 40 man roster…

Agreed.  Certainly not trying to eat a large portion of the contract just to get like 8m in relief.  At that point, you know hes going to clear waivers, so might as well just use him as a yo-yo.  

[notin]

54 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Hoskins 1b

Romy 2b

Mayer SS

Romero 3b

Alonso DH

What a tempting infield, he said sarcastically…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Sure, move Story to 2b.  And then when the new 3b gets hurt, Story will be complaining thru his English-to-English translator that he can’t be expected to play EVERYWHERE and next thing you now, we’ve traded him to San Diego…

I started to laugh, then realized I can't watch Mobland because I can't understand the dialect.

[mvp 78]

31 minutes ago, notin said:

What a tempting infield, he said sarcastically…

Romero has a lot of HR potential. His ceiling could be interesting. He's not ready for 2026 though. If they signed Hoskins and Alonso to punt for 1B/DH, I'd be fine with punting on 2b again. I think Romy/Hamilton is fine enough. They probably would continue to give Campbell a few games there. 

Alonso DH

Hoskins 1B

Romy/Hamilton 2B

Story SS

Mayer 3B

We've had worse IFs.