Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[drewski6]

4 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Its crossed my mind.  The Red Sox , as currently constructed - could still change, are built on the strategy of never giving up a run.  If executed, its a strategy that will surely work, despite the fact that we'll be in for some 17 inning 1-0 victories.  

However, in order for the strategy to have a chance, its incredibly important that our #8 pitcher is a true ace and we have 6 top closers.

Personally, I think it would have been easier to just get a couple bats and maybe we still will, but Ill get sucked in if they are winning.  Always do.

Ive GOT to a better job of making sure Im caught up on news before I enter the convo , haha.

Like the time I came off a work call and told MVP that Im still confident we'll get Alonso (Alonso had signed with Orioles 15 mins prior)

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Yeah, but my feeling is we aren't sending one of the outfielders anywhere, so it'll be Raf, Duran, Anthony and Abreu rotating around the DH, which means Casas won't even be replacing Masa, but one of them - something I don't see happening.

the roster is still very much a an odd conception right now. I must say though, in a vacuum I do like this kid. 

I don’t think there will be this constant rotation through the DH spot like everyone thinks even as the team is constructed today.

[drewski6]

15 minutes ago, Hitch said:

I like the control, almost 3 WAR s a rookie, but man, we are going to be lacking in the power department unless Mayer taps into something this year.

Something = diet and exercise.

[drewski6]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Yuuuuup... 

If Casas comes back healthy and replaces Masa in June? 

If Abreu's HR totals continue to head closer to 30? 

Aside from Contreras, really not much power from the right side. I don't see Romy continuing to hit RHP very well. 

Hard to see him even getting the chance, now.

[Hitch]

3 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I don’t think there will be this constant rotation through the DH spot like everyone thinks even as the team is constructed today.

What do you think will happen instead?

[Hitch]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

Something = diet and exercise.

And learning to hit better in general. 

[drewski6]

Just now, Hitch said:

And learning to hit better in general. 

I honestly dont think thats his biggest problem.  He seems confident at the plate and in the field.  I honestly think the two things he needs more than anything is a high protein diet and a commitment to a conditioning program that focuses on strength

[Old Red]

Just now, Hitch said:

What do you think will happen instead?

I’ve already said that I don’t care one way, or the other. Things tend to work themselves out, and I’ll just wait till the opening day lineup to see.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Hard to see him even getting the chance, now.

Romy can platoon IF/OF. There will be injuries. 

[Hugh2]

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Romy can platoon IF/OF. There will be injuries. 

I think he might platoon and get a lot of at bats when Mayer sits vs. LHP. 

 

BTW....Where is Moon.  I owe him an apology on this one. 

[moonslav59]

10 hours ago, FredLynn said:

It’s in this link:

 

https://twinstrivia.com/2025/04/05/mlb-teams-revenue-versus-payroll/

Take today's spotrac budget $259/5 and divide by $574 and it 45%, which is about 18th.

[FredLynn]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Take today's spotrac budget $259/5 and divide by $574 and it 45%, which is about 18th.

Still below average. 

[Hitch]

42 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I’ve already said that I don’t care one way, or the other. Things tend to work themselves out, and I’ll just wait till the opening day lineup to see.

I didn't ask whether you cared or not. I was just asking what you thought was likely if not having our 4 starting outfielders rotating. If you don't care, don't reply. 

[Hitch]

15 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I think he might platoon and get a lot of at bats when Mayer sits vs. LHP. 

 

BTW....Where is Moon.  I owe him an apology on this one. 

Yeah, 100% that's what's happening I think.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Does NOT hit the ball hard, will pull it though.

Compare some of those numbers to Shaw.  Kind of interesting.

[moonslav59]

Finding a way to trade Masa should be Brez's focus, now. Of course, we could just DFA him, but see if we can get a few $M in budget relief, if possible. That would really free up the 26 and 40 man roster for this:

26 (40 in minors) 60 Day IL: Houck & 15 Day IL: Casas/Sandoval

SP: Crochat, Suarez, Gray, Bello, Oviedo/Crawford (Tolle/Early/Uberstine/Bennet)

RP: Chapman, Whitlock, Slaten, Weissert, Crawford/Oviedo, Watson, Moran, Kelly (Samaniego)

C: Narvaez, Wong (Gasper)

1B: Contreras

2B: Mayer, Romy

3B: Durbin, I K-F (Eaton)

SS: Story, Sogard (Cheng)

LF: Anthony (Campbell)

CF: Rafaela

RF: Abreu

DH: Duran

[Hitch]

 

[moonslav59]

14 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Still below average. 

You act like that's a huge deal. Half the team are below average.

Sure, I wish if was high. It could be higher. It should be higher.

JH is NOT cheap, however. He just isn't.

(BTW, if our revenues went up we are likely neat 19th.)

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Compare some of those numbers to Shaw.  Kind of interesting.

Shaw doesn't have the hitting approach, but has a higher ceiling if he can get there. Was going to cost A LOT more to obtain. 

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

I think he'll be taking 3rd. Mayer to 2nd in platoon with Romy.

I'm going to say 2nd.  That was his primary position in the minors

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

I think that value for Harrison is too low TBH. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, JoeBrady said:

I'm going to say 2nd.  That was his primary position in the minors

I only saw him the 3 games they played against the Sox. Have no clue where they'll play him. Cora will figure it out soon enough. 

[JoeBrady]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think that value for Harrison is too low TBH. 

I think both guys are too low.  People forget how dominant Hamilton was in 2024.  2.6 bWAR in 294 ABs is really good.  He's going to be a fine UIF IMO.  And Harrison becomes Priester, and all the critics will have a heyday.

[FredLynn]

15 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

You act like that's a huge deal. Half the team are below average.

Sure, I wish if was high. It could be higher. It should be higher.

JH is NOT cheap, however. He just isn't.

(BTW, if our revenues went up we are likely neat 19th.)

"Cheap" IMO is having the resources to spend much more on quality players to fulfill his so-called desire to win but not spending them. Dishonest? I could live with that term instead of cheap.

[FredLynn]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Per Speier: 

Multiple industry sources identified Brewers IF Caleb Durbin as Sox target

Caleb Durbin. Now our season is surely saved.

OPS+: 101

[moonslav59]

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think that value for Harrison is too low TBH. 

I thought so, too, and probably MIL, too. I don't see DHam or Drohan looking  like prizes.

I'm surprised Brez got the comp pick, too.

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I think both guys are too low.  People forget how dominant Hamilton was in 2024.  2.6 bWAR in 294 ABs is really good.  He's going to be a fine UIF IMO.  And Harrison becomes Priester, and all the critics will have a heyday.

The problem with Hamilton as a UTIL is that he's only good at 2b. They tried him in the OF and it wasn't good. He never looks great at SS when he's over there. 

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

"Cheap" IMO is having the resources to spend much more on quality players to fulfill his so-called desire to win but not spending them. Dishonest? I could live with that term instead of cheap.

"Dishonest?"

I'd say "frugal" or "scrimping." maybe.

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I thought so, too, and probably MIL, too. I don't see DHam or Drohan looking  like prizes.

I'm surprised Brez got the comp pick, too.

I didn't hear about the comp pick. Crazy. 

[FredLynn]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

"Dishonest?"

I'd say "frugal" or "scrimping." maybe.

Saying that you are committed to winning but remaining below average in percentage of revenue spent on salaries is IMO dishonest. If you say you are going to do something then do not do everything in your power to make it happen, barring disaster, thats dishonest. You know-like the "full throttle" comment from last year.