Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[Hitch]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

One step further: it's more about the non financail penalties for going over. The tax on going over a few million, like last year was minimal. Now, going over by $19M, next season at year 2 rates is significant, but I still think the other penalties (reduction of bonus pool money) are worse, even to miser John.

Agreed.

The one interesting wrinkle this year is that I'm almost certain that the tax penalties for repeat offenders are squashed and started again at the start of every new agreed bargain. Which means we can go over in the coming season and not worry about the harsher repeat penalty in the next one as it will restarted anyway.

[moonslav59]

32 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Not sure if he leads in number of specific proposals, but Alex Mays may lead in terms of suggesting a Duran trade.

Like feeling more strongly about it being him?

I think a few of us have said he should be the one for a long time.

[mvp 78]

34 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Not sure if he leads in number of specific proposals, but Alex Mays may lead in terms of suggesting a Duran trade.

He's right to do so!

[drewski6]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He's right to do so!

I was answering a question, I have no issue with him suggesting it.  I wasnt as on board with a Duran trade last year, but Im open to it now.  I still feel like its not as high on my personal list.  For example, Im not sure I wouldnt trade Cedanne instead. Understand the d gives a high floor and patrolling CF helps, but Im not sure that contributes more to winning than say an average defensive CF who hits better.

But Alex has every right to suggest it.  And he usually makes good points.

[Nick]

My expectations for this winter is not very high. I keep hearing in my head why we weren't able to sign anyone we wanted....Bres is killing me inside my head. It's on a loop....."it just didn't work out for us....you know both sides have to agree....etc, etc, etc."

[moonslav59]

19 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I was answering a question, I have no issue with him suggesting it.  I wasnt as on board with a Duran trade last year, but Im open to it now.  I still feel like its not as high on my personal list.  For example, Im not sure I wouldnt trade Cedanne instead. Understand the d gives a high floor and patrolling CF helps, but Im not sure that contributes more to winning than say an average defensive CF who hits better.

But Alex has every right to suggest it.  And he usually makes good points.

It made a lot of sense to trade him after 2025, too, but of course we weren't 100% sure about Anthony. Some of us suggested trading him, last winter. Many did before he had the nice 2023-2024 seasons.

[drewski6]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It made a lot of sense to trade him after 2025, too, but of course we weren't 100% sure about Anthony. Some of us suggested trading him, last winter. Many did before he had the nice 2023-2024 seasons.

There was a point when I wanted to trade him, but by last year I had flipped and was against it.  Right now, Im not particularly for it or against it.

[mvp 78]

46 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I was answering a question, I have no issue with him suggesting it.  I wasnt as on board with a Duran trade last year, but Im open to it now.  I still feel like its not as high on my personal list.  For example, Im not sure I wouldnt trade Cedanne instead. Understand the d gives a high floor and patrolling CF helps, but Im not sure that contributes more to winning than say an average defensive CF who hits better.

But Alex has every right to suggest it.  And he usually makes good points.

The FO looks at it as "what helps the team win in '26 vs what helps the team win down the road?" Duran helps more in the short term, but Rafaela's long term contribution exceeds Duran's? It also may come down to what other teams offer for players. We heard rumblings of the Marlins wanting Rafaela before, but maybe they weren't offering enough? 

I'm open to trading anyone and don't really have an order for who needs to go first. It really depends on what you can get out of the deals. I could see either of the three OFers dealt.

[mvp 78]

40 minutes ago, Nick said:

My expectations for this winter is not very high. I keep hearing in my head why we weren't able to sign anyone we wanted....Bres is killing me inside my head. It's on a loop....."it just didn't work out for us....you know both sides have to agree....etc, etc, etc."

And a lot of people are saying "this is the offseason where they have to go for it. No excuses!" Does anyone truly believe they'll get 2 BIG bats and a #2? What's the likelihood? 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

The FO looks at it as "what helps the team win in '26 vs what helps the team win down the road?" Duran helps more in the short term, but Rafaela's long term contribution exceeds Duran's? It also may come down to what other teams offer for players. We heard rumblings of the Marlins wanting Rafaela before, but maybe they weren't offering enough? 

I'm open to trading anyone and don't really have an order for who needs to go first. It really depends on what you can get out of the deals. I could see either of the three OFers dealt.

For sure, return package and trade value matters a lot, and Im not sold BTV is always accurate (but I dont mind when people use it as a resource)

[drewski6]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

And a lot of people are saying "this is the offseason where they have to go for it. No excuses!" Does anyone truly believe they'll get 2 BIG bats and a #2? What's the likelihood? 

Depends what you mean by "BIG" but I did note that you said "get" and not "sign"

If we are including trading, which I feel like you are allowing me to because you said "get" and if "BIG" can be one OPS north of .850 and another one north of .800 (projected) that plus a #2 (if we can include a high end #3) - I would say 40%

If you mean 2 elite bats and a top 20 pitcher, 15%

[Old Red]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

And a lot of people are saying "this is the offseason where they have to go for it. No excuses!" Does anyone truly believe they'll get 2 BIG bats and a #2? What's the likelihood? 

A lot of people on here are saying the Red Sox need 2 big bats, and a #2, but does the zRed Sox see it the same way? That’s what matters most, and will determine how things shake out. I keep saying I believe the Red Sox will fill in from within as much as possible, and anything more than that I’m in I’ll believe it when I see it mode.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

And a lot of people are saying "this is the offseason where they have to go for it. No excuses!" Does anyone truly believe they'll get 2 BIG bats and a #2? What's the likelihood? 

Un- . Brez will trade for a starting pitcher and sign Alonso. No other free agent signings, no Bregman, no Bichette, no Cease, not even King or Kelly.

Cora will challenge his returning roster to step it up with more responsible roles. A few youngsters will improve incrementally, some will flop. None will turn into Rice or Lynn or Fisk or Nomar next year. But wait until '27, when Early becomes Bill Lee, and Tolle is Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky.

[mvp 78]

22 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Depends what you mean by "BIG" but I did note that you said "get" and not "sign"

If we are including trading, which I feel like you are allowing me to because you said "get" and if "BIG" can be one OPS north of .850 and another one north of .800 (projected) that plus a #2 (if we can include a high end #3) - I would say 40%

If you mean 2 elite bats and a top 20 pitcher, 15%

I think their intention is Bregman plus another bat. The question is how large with the other bat. If they grab Breggie, it's not going to be Alonso. I think that's where they talk about using Duran in a trade for a 1B. Maybe even include Casas in the Duran trade to sweeten the package. 

[drewski6]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The FO looks at it as "what helps the team win in '26 vs what helps the team win down the road?" Duran helps more in the short term, but Rafaela's long term contribution exceeds Duran's? It also may come down to what other teams offer for players. We heard rumblings of the Marlins wanting Rafaela before, but maybe they weren't offering enough? 

I'm open to trading anyone and don't really have an order for who needs to go first. It really depends on what you can get out of the deals. I could see either of the three OFers dealt.

Trade all 3 for carroll and Marte.

[mvp 78]

14 minutes ago, Old Red said:

A lot of people on here are saying the Red Sox need 2 big bats, and a #2, but does the zRed Sox see it the same way? That’s what matters most, and will determine how things shake out. I keep saying I believe the Red Sox will fill in from within as much as possible, and anything more than that I’m in I’ll believe it when I see it mode.

The 2 big bats and a #2 came directly from Breslow! I posted his quotes and people got made at me for wasting their time with something so obvious. 🙃

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think their intention is Bregman plus another bat. The question is how large with the other bat. If they grab Breggie, it's not going to be Alonso. I think that's where they talk about using Duran in a trade for a 1B. Maybe even include Casas in the Duran trade to sweeten the package. 

I dont think they are getting Bregman. I think Alonso is most likely.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

I think their intention is Bregman plus another bat. The question is how large with the other bat. If they grab Breggie, it's not going to be Alonso. I think that's where they talk about using Duran in a trade for a 1B. Maybe even include Casas in the Duran trade to sweeten the package. 

I don’t think Casas will sweeten anything. Coming off two years of injuries with the last one being a bad one I don’t think there would be much interest. The Red Sox tried to unload Casas last year with NO takers, and would be even harder this year.

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The 2 big bats and a #2 came directly from Breslow! I posted his quotes and people got made at me for wasting their time with something so obvious. 🙃

Of course Brez didn’t spell out what he means by big. 

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Of course Brez didn’t spell out what he means by big. 

“We didn’t slug nearly as much as I think we can or we will and will pursue opportunities to improve that,” Breslow said on Monday, per Smith. “Free agency is one of them, trades are another."

[mvp 78]

Some people don't like SLG on here, but it's the terminology he used. 💪

[Old Red]

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

“We didn’t slug nearly as much as I think we can or we will and will pursue opportunities to improve that,” Breslow said on Monday, per Smith. “Free agency is one of them, trades are another."

I would hate to extend Bregman any more years than he had on the table, but who knows. I’m sticking to the I’ll believe it when I see it stance, but I would like to see a Gomer, or two.

[moonslav59]

I would bet a lot against the idea we add two big bats and a solid # this winter, but to me, it is what we need.

Some thought DD went for overkill in building the 2018 roster, but I'd rather get too much than too little, and I do not think 2 big bats and 1 live arm is "overkill."

I'm not thinking one will be Alonso, KMarte by trade or Schwarber, so me 2 from this group is the minimum for me to get thrilled:

Bregman (3B) or Suarez (3B or 1B)

Bichette (2B) or Polanco (2B)

I'm not even sure we get one from these 4.

I could see Suarez or Polanco plus Hoskins or Bell. Maybe a trade for B Lowe.

 

[moonslav59]

44 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I would hate to extend Bregman any more years than he had on the table, but who knows. I’m sticking to the I’ll believe it when I see it stance, but I would like to see a Gomer, or two.

I hear you, but I'd go 3 at $100M. If I go 4, it drops the AAV out of reach for Breggie to accept- something like $112M/4.

[mvp 78]

 

[Hitch]

 

There's a big part of me that would prefer this to Bregman. But if his D doesn't come good at 2nd....eesh.

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

There's a big part of me that would prefer this to Bregman. But if his D doesn't come good at 2nd....eesh.

Bregman healed so slowly last year, and looked very much "station to station" even when we were in the playoffs.  I would need a doctor to sign off on the medicals.  Bregman looked old.  If Doc says he was healing slow but its in the past now (or will be) than bregman > bo. Im not very interested in bo, the ws with another team doesnt matter much to me.

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

There's a big part of me that would prefer this to Bregman. But if his D doesn't come good at 2nd....eesh.

Maybe just trying to get Breggie to lower his #?

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

Bregman healed so slowly last year, and looked very much "station to station" even when we were in the playoffs.  I would need a doctor to sign off on the medicals.  Bregman looked old.  If Doc says he was healing slow but its in the past now (or will be) than bregman > bo. Im not very interested in bo, the ws with another team doesnt matter much to me.

You trust the crack medical staff this team employs? 

[drewski6]

40 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

 

Who?