Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[drewski6]

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Hoskins would be very good at Fenway.

do love me a meet the ball in front, pull, loft, attack profile.

[notin]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

aim higher

I had to work Campbell in there simply because he could enter the OF mix…

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

do love me a meet the ball in front, pull, loft, attack profile.

I wasn't interested in Hoskins until I saw that. I think his swing profile would just pop at Fenway. 

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

I had to work Campbell in there simply because he could enter the OF mix…

Switch could to will. He has a MLB contract and won't be spending the whole season in AAA next year. He's also TERRIBLE at 2b. 

[moonslav59]

Campbell is probably best suited for LF or DH, but we have those times three.

He may get traded.

Maybe the roll the dice on Campbell-Casas at 1B and pray one does well enough.

My guess is the roll the dice on Mayer-Romy at 2B and pray for the same thing, but if Breg bolts, maybe the play mayer at 3B.

The better idea might be Mayer at SS and Story at 3B or 2B, depending on Breggie.

[drewski6]

35 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Campbell is probably best suited for LF or DH, but we have those times three.

He may get traded.

Maybe the roll the dice on Campbell-Casas at 1B and pray one does well enough.

My guess is the roll the dice on Mayer-Romy at 2B and pray for the same thing, but if Breg bolts, maybe the play mayer at 3B.

The better idea might be Mayer at SS and Story at 3B or 2B, depending on Breggie.

The best idea is mayer in aaa

[drewski6]

because i wanna be aggressive and i wanna have depth.

[drewski6]

You get a gift from dad and you break it, you gotta earn the next one. Mayer and campbell.  They both start next year in aaa and get a chance either by outplaying someone making mlb money or via injury

you start with your depth penciled in to starter roles and what are you gonna do when you have injuries next year and you will

the options, being able to park dudes in the minors, is valuable.  Its not only pitching where its useful. Position players get hurt too.

[notin]

2 hours ago, drewski6 said:

The best idea is mayer in aaa

Well, the issue there is if Bregman opts out, the Sox infield is Story and…. ? 
 

Second and third base are both question marks at the moment.  And he’s the only in-house candidate that doesn’t wear a utility infielder label…

[notin]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

You get a gift from dad and you break it, you gotta earn the next one. Mayer and campbell.  They both start next year in aaa and get a chance either by outplaying someone making mlb money or via injury

you start with your depth penciled in to starter roles and what are you gonna do when you have injuries next year and you will

the options, being able to park dudes in the minors, is valuable.  It’s not only pitching where it’s useful. Position players get hurt too.

How do they earn it back and what do the Sox do until then?

And what exactly did Mayer do to lose his job?

[Randy Red Sox]

10 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Romy has 3 arbs to go. He had more PAs (198) vs RHPs than LHPs (143) and did okay (.718 OPS.)

I'm not ready to pencil him in as our FT 2B or 1Bman, but he seems like a very good utility player who could be a capable back-up for China Dolls Mayer (if at 2B) & Casas (1B)

Ideally, we bring Bregman back, and then we could go with LHB Schwarber at 1B (or Alonso/Suraez) with Mayer/Romy at 2B.

you think Henry is going to buck up for both Bregman and Schwarber.  Dream on.  Think neither.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

How do they earn it back and what do the Sox do until then?

And what exactly did Mayer do to lose his job?

He filled in for Bregman at 3B then kinda FT'd/ platooned at 2B until he got hurt.

Did he actually win the FT 2B job? Maybe, kinda, yes?

I do like the idea of having enough FT'ers where Mayer and Campbell start the year pencilled in at AAA, but I doubt we have that luxury. KC, probably, but not Mayer.

How do we count on Mayer as a 150+ game 2Bman or SS or 3Bman? Do you suggest we sign a capable back-up for Mayer, who can be as good as he can be? At what cost?

[Randy Red Sox]

2 hours ago, drewski6 said:

The best idea is mayer in aaa

that is not happening. Mayer is just fine if he can stay healthy.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

you think Henry is going to buck up for both Bregman and Schwarber.  Dream on.  Think neither.

So, basically, Bregman replaced the Devers money, and there was never any intent to replace Devers' bat?

[moonslav59]

My idea is that we trade for a pitchers, and with the money not spent there, we sign a big bat- Bregman or not.

[Randy Red Sox]

who said we had a surplus of outfielders??  Abreu, Rafaela, and Duran combined to go 1/26 in the series. More than anything that is what killed us. I'd trade all 3 of them but numbers dictate we can't do that. I'd probably keep with Raefaela or Abreu depending what our splits are on offence. Time to trade Duran for sure.

[Randy Red Sox]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

My idea is that we trade for a pitchers, and with the money not spent there, we sign a big bat- Bregman or not.

Bregman didn't produce much from August 1st on.  Just so-so in the series.

[Randy Red Sox]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

My idea is that we trade for a pitchers, and with the money not spent there, we sign a big bat- Bregman or not.

I agree we need to spend on SP.  We could really use a #2 and move Bello to 3.

[Randy Red Sox]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

So, basically, Bregman replaced the Devers money, and there was never any intent to replace Devers' bat?

I have little faith that Henry will spend the Devers $$. Just bringing back Bregman doesn't do that IMO. I agree we need Bregman AND another big bat. That should be in the OF IMO. I am hoping Casas can bounce back.

[moonslav59]

23 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

I agree we need to spend on SP.  We could really use a #2 and move Bello to 3.

I actually said dont spend on pitchers: trade for one.

Spend on a big bat or two (if no Bregman.)

[notin]

26 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

I have little faith that Henry will spend the Devers $$. Just bringing back Bregman doesn't do that IMO. I agree we need Bregman AND another big bat. That should be in the OF IMO. I am hoping Casas can bounce back.

On the bright side, the Sox have lots of trade candidate.  Fans here might be frustrated with Abreu, but 3 WAR minimum wage outfielders with (multiple?) Gold Gloves are hardly a tough sell.  Teams short on corner outfielders with limited budgets (Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington) are easy fits.

Duran is certainly tradable.  The Dodgers and Phillies both make sense.  And a few others.  (Please no “not the Dodgers! They always rip us off!” nonsense.)

Should the Sox keep all of 3 of Early, Tolle, and Harrison?  Chances are slim they all pan out.  What about Crawford, who isnt dead?

Could be an interesting offseason…

Edited October 4, 2025 by notin

[moonslav59]

29 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

I agree we need to spend on SP.  We could really use a #2 and move Bello to 3.

I actually said dont spend on pitchers: trade for one.

Spend on a big bat or two (if no Bregman.)

[notin]

6 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I actually said dont spend on pitchers: trade for one.

Spend on a big bat or two (if no Bregman.)

Theres really only 2 SPs worth spending on that folks on this board don’t hate.  Gallen and Cease.  And Gallen got off to a rough start last year.

I suppose three if you like Ranger Suarez.  Very talented, but seems to get hurt a lot…

[moonslav59]

Going 1 for 9 does not affect trade value, nor should it convince us a player should be traded.

Duran makes $8M in 2026 and then has two more arb years.

Abreu is pre arb and then has 3 arb years.

Rafaela is owed close to $47M/6.

All have very high trade value.

With Anthony, Jh Garcia, Campbell and even Yoshida as OF options, we can afford to (and should) trade an OF'er from the list of 3. We could even trade two.

 

[notin]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Going 1 for 9 does not affect trade value, nor should it convince us a player should be traded.

Duran makes $8M in 2026 and then has two more arb years.

Abreu is pre arb and then has 3 arb years.

Rafaela is owed close to $47M/6.

All have very high trade value.

With Anthony, Jh Garcia, Campbell and even Yoshida as OF options, we can afford to (and should) trade an OF'er from the list of 3. We could even trade two.

 

My prediction - yes, prediction - is the Sox trade both Duran and Abreu.  Campbell takes over LF, Anthony moves to RF, and Garcia goes to Worcester…

 

I cannot predict to which teams Duran or Abreu are traded or for whom.  But I will say the Duran trade will involve Dalton Rushing…

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Theres really only 2 SPs worth spending on that folks on this board don’t hate.  Gallen and Cease.  And Gallen got off to a rough start last year.

I suppose three if you like Ranger Suarez.  Very talented, but seems to get hurt a lot…

His last 17 GS is nothing to get gah-gah over:

4.13 ERA/ 3.98 FIP

Last 11 were better: 3.32/3.95.

I would not sign Cease. Last 16 GS: 4.69/4.09 (about the same as the season: 4.55/3.56)

[Randy Red Sox]

27 minutes ago, notin said:

On the bright side, the Sox have lots of trade candidate.  Fans here might be frustrated with Abreu, but 3 WAR minimum wage outfielders with (multiple?) Gold Gloves are hardly a tough sell.  Teams short on corner outfielders with limited budgets (Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington) are easy fits.

Duran is certainly tradable.  The Dodgers and Phillies both make sense.  And a few others.  (Please no “not the Dodgers! They always rip us off!” nonsense.)

Should the Sox keep all of 3 of Early, Tolle, and Harrison?  Chances are slim they all pan out.  What about Crawford, who isnt dead?

Could be an interesting offseason…

your last sentence has been the order of the day for the last several offseason. i think this team is still a long way away from really contending for a WS. 

[Randy Red Sox]

25 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Going 1 for 9 does not affect trade value, nor should it convince us a player should be traded.

Duran makes $8M in 2026 and then has two more arb years.

Abreu is pre arb and then has 3 arb years.

Rafaela is owed close to $47M/6.

All have very high trade value.

With Anthony, Jh Garcia, Campbell and even Yoshida as OF options, we can afford to (and should) trade an OF'er from the list of 3. We could even trade two.

 

Duran had only a so-so season all year which is hardly a small sample.  He is close to 30 now and 2024 was probably his career season. Trade him now while he still has some value.

[oldtimer]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Going 1 for 9 does not affect trade value, nor should it convince us a player should be traded.

Duran makes $8M in 2026 and then has two more arb years.

Abreu is pre arb and then has 3 arb years.

Rafaela is owed close to $47M/6.

All have very high trade value.

With Anthony, Jh Garcia, Campbell and even Yoshida as OF options, we can afford to (and should) trade an OF'er from the list of 3. We could even trade two.

 

The Sox could use better balance in the outfield, more pop and better contact hitter to go along with the strong defensive presence. Our current outfield options include Abreu, Anthony, Duran, Garcia, Rafaela, Refsnyder and Yoshida. In addition, Campbell and Eaton are possibilities.

Of those Anthony is a no brainer as he is good defensively, has an excellent OBP and will no doubt develop more long ball power. After him,, I see Abreu as a plus defender with power but who needs to work on his contact rate. Less swinging for the fences. He is a keeper from my perspective.

With those two, we need some right handed balance. Rafaela (spitter) is a GG class centerfielder and has great versatility but has serious shortcomings offensively. I don't see offensive improvement and he has a lot of ABs by now, so improvement may elude him. I see him in more of a utility role going forward. Injuries occur and he would be a nice resource to have available. Garcia (Password) is another potentially good defensive outfielder, He has raw power, which could be a source of pop going forward. He is also raw and I was disappointed when he didn't see more development this year. I would like to get him into our lineup in 2026.

Duran has speed but is the lesser defender (still acceptable) of our outfielders. He is an extrabase machine but is also streaky. He has trade value and I would see if we could make a positive move there. Refsnyder is nearing the end of his career and I would move him in one way or another. 

Yoshida is not a defensive asset but is a quality contact hitter who lacks speed and pop, yet we owe him too much to trade hiim without paying much of his salary. Hard to deal with him except as a DH or pinch hitter. I would  prefer a DH who has pop.

Of  the possible backup outfielders on the team, I could see Campbell because of his versatility. He is owed enough that a positive trade may be difficult. Eaton is good enough defensively but not the  hitter we need. Our infield needs more work  so I would like to populate the 2026  outfield from the players we have on the roster and trade to help us with either infield or pitching help.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, oldtimer said:

The Sox could use better balance in the outfield, more pop and better contact hitter to go along with the strong defensive presence. Our current outfield options include Abreu, Anthony, Duran, Garcia, Rafaela, Refsnyder and Yoshida. In addition, Campbell and Eaton are possibilities.

Of those Anthony is a no brainer as he is good defensively, has an excellent OBP and will no doubt develop more long ball power. After him,, I see Abreu as a plus defender with power but who needs to work on his contact rate. Less swinging for the fences. He is a keeper from my perspective.

With those two, we need some right handed balance. Rafaela (spitter) is a GG class centerfielder and has great versatility but has serious shortcomings offensively. I don't see offensive improvement and he has a lot of ABs by now, so improvement may elude him. I see him in more of a utility role going forward. Injuries occur and he would be a nice resource to have available. Garcia (Password) is another potentially good defensive outfielder, He has raw power, which could be a source of pop going forward. He is also raw and I was disappointed when he didn't see more development this year. I would like to get him into our lineup in 2026.

Duran has speed but is the lesser defender (still acceptable) of our outfielders. He is an extrabase machine but is also streaky. He has trade value and I would see if we could make a positive move there. Refsnyder is nearing the end of his career and I would move him in one way or another. 

Yoshida is not a defensive asset but is a quality contact hitter who lacks speed and pop, yet we owe him too much to trade hiim without paying much of his salary. Hard to deal with him except as a DH or pinch hitter. I would  prefer a DH who has pop.

Of  the possible backup outfielders on the team, I could see Campbell because of his versatility. He is owed enough that a positive trade may be difficult. Eaton is good enough defensively but not the  hitter we need. Our infield needs more work  so I would like to populate the 2026  outfield from the players we have on the roster and trade to help us with either infield or pitching help.

Abreu is about in the middle on teh team for K rate (24%) and he walks more than others (10%) I would like to see a better OBP than .317, but I think I'd keep him over Duran and Rafaela.

I think we'll trade Duran and one from Campbell or Rafaela.

I think we trade DHam or DFA Grissom. Both will not be on our 40, next season.

I think we add a young pitcher or two to a couple packages to sweeten the returns and tip the balance more towards O over pitching with out depth and farm. (My guess is we trade Sandlin, Mullins or Paez- all Rule 5s plus a surprise- like Crawford, Fitts, Dobbins, Harrison or Tolle/Clarke/Valera.

Maybe Duran, Clarke & Sandlin for K Marte, then Campbell, Crawford & Tolle for Joe Ryan.

We sign Merrill Kelly and E Suarez to shorter term deals.

1. # Marte 2B

2. L Anthony LF

3. R Suarez 1B

4. L Abreu RF

5. R Story 3B

6. L Yoshida DH

7. L Mayer SS

8. R Rafaela CF

9. R Narvaez C

Bench: Wong, Romy, Jh Garcia, Casas/DHam/Eaton

SP: Crochet, Ryan, M Kelly, Bello, Sandoval, Dobbins,  Early, Harrison, Fitts, Perales

RP: Crawford, Whitlock, Slaten, Weissert, Winckowski, Criswell, Bernardino, Hicks/Kelly/Murphy/Moran/Guerrero