Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[vegasbob]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The Red Sox need a #2 starter, but they also need offense.  The offense looked like crap without Anthony in the lineup.  And we're talking about trading Duran and/or Abreu, and possibly losing Bregman as well.  Somebody needs to figure out where the offense comes from.

Bregman's option decision period begins after the WS, so any discussion before that is not definitive.  I would ask Bregman to make that decision very early so that the changes his staying OR going can be fairly assessed.

I do think his leg (s) were shot certainly in September but essentially  the whole period after his 7 week IL stint., so we may not have seen his real  output  in age 32 season .   We saw clearly he couldn't run and  I suspect he lost some range at 3rd. 

Alex, just make a decision after the WS and let's get going with building a roster that can win the ALE. 

[Duran Is The Man]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

The Red Sox need a #2 starter, but they also need offense.  The offense looked like crap without Anthony in the lineup.  And we're talking about trading Duran and/or Abreu, and possibly losing Bregman as well.  Somebody needs to figure out where the offense comes from.

no doubt. this was the least explosive offense i've seen in a long time. it's a wonder they won as many games as they did. and then take away Bregman and Duran and you really have an anemic offense

[Old Red]

17 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

no doubt. this was the least explosive offense i've seen in a long time. it's a wonder they won as many games as they did. and then take away Bregman and Duran and you really have an anemic offense

Let’s not get so over dramatic here. If Bregman leaves they’ll get another 3B, and no not Romy. If Duran leaves someone will replace him. You guys make it sound like these guys can’t, and won’t be replaced. They won as many games as they did, because the AL was so weak, and flawed.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

Romy needs to be a utility/platoon player not and every dayer at any position. 

That would be ideal.

I'm sure he thinks he deserves a shot at more than being a platoon player, and this year's numbers support the idea that maybe he has earned a shot at playing more- perhaps FT.

2021-2023: .600 OPS in 239 PAs

2024: .723 OPS in 216 PAs(.879 v L/.498 v R)

2025: .826 OPS in 341 PAs (.978 v L/.718 v R)

2021-2024 combined: .802 v L/ .532 v R

He'd probably get a chance to play FT on other teams, but I doubt we pencil him in for that in 2026. .718 is not great and might be an outlier. Maybe he can platoon 1B with Lowe or Casas, although Casas had done well vs LHPs to start his career (.814 v L and .796 v R) More likely he can platoon at 2B or DH.

 

 

[moonslav59]

Too bad the Yanks didn't start Gil in game 3.

TOR 10

NYY 1

[Duran Is The Man]

29 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Let’s not get so over dramatic here. If Bregman leaves they’ll get another 3B, and no not Romy. If Duran leaves someone will replace him. You guys make it sound like these guys can’t, and won’t be replaced. They won as many games as they did, because the AL was so weak, and flawed.

you completely missed the point, as usual.

[Duran Is The Man]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Too bad the Yanks didn't start Gil in game 3.

TOR 10

NYY 1

i hope the jays beat them 20-1 tomorrow.

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

you completely missed the point, as usual.

We already have an OF'er who can take Duran's place, and he'll be better on D. I'd love to trade Yoshida, so Duran can DH, but that is likely just a dream.

I admit it seems counterintuitive to know we need to improve our offense and then advocate trading Duran- a top 3 offensive player on the team. I'd be okay trading Abreu or even Rafaela, instead, but IMO, and OF'er not named Anthony should be traded. We'd still have Jh Garcia & Campbell (both RHBs) in reserve.

We have a much bigger needs than 4th and 5th OF strength.

I'm not for trading Duran, if we don't add Alonso, Schwarber or maybe Suarez or K Marte- maybe two, if Bregman bolts.

[Larry Cook]

On 10/3/2025 at 2:43 PM, notin said:

The Sox could move 3 outfielders and still field a lineup.  Trade away Duran, Abreu and Password? You can still start Campbell, Rafaela and Anthony…

Campbell in left 

rafeala in center 

Anthony in right. 
 

Resign refsynder???    Keep password at Worcester???

[moonslav59]

17 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Campbell in left 

rafeala in center 

Anthony in right. 
 

Resign refsynder???    Keep password at Worcester???

They could trade 4 and sign Tucker.

[mvp 78]

20 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Just like Bregman?

I didn’t think that about Breggie.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

I didn’t think that about Breggie.

My biggest hope for the 2026 season is that Breggy opts out.

[moonslav59]

45 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

My biggest hope for the 2026 season is that Breggy opts out.

So you assume JH will spend the money and Brez will spend it wisely.

[Larry Cook]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

So you assume JH will spend the money and Brez will spend it wisely.

I think bres-slow has proven to be a solid talent evaluator! Yes he did take a gamble on some signings, but most were really good signings. 

[moonslav59]

Just now, Larry Cook said:

I think bres-slow has proven to be a solid talent evaluator! Yes he did take a gamble on some signings, but most were really good signings. 

I was just jabbing Splendid.

I'm a big Brez fan. I'm not sure JH will spend as much as we need. I got hopeful after the Bregman signing, and he also went from $10M/1 to $21M/1 on a SP'er, but then he dumped the Devers contract, so I'm back to wanting proof he's turned a new leaf.

If he doesn't realize this is the window open wide, he's blind.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

53 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

So you assume JH will spend the money and Brez will spend it wisely.

I'm not assuming anything. Paying Breg another 40 mil or maybe 80 mil is nothing short of ridiculous. Maybe obscene is a better word.

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I'm not assuming anything. Paying Breg another 40 mil or maybe 80 mil is nothing short of ridiculous. Maybe obscene is a better word.

1. It's not really $40M.

2. If we don't spend his money, we get worse.

3. I think his leadership was a big reason we made the playoffs.

4. Almost all major FA signings are gross overpays

5. I do think we can spend the money in a better way.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

17 hours ago, notin said:

Mayer has a total of 136 plate appearances. He really shouldn’t be able to prove or disprove anything at that point…

 

Fair enough, it could go either way.  Which is why I question people plugging him in and thinking we are set at the position.  He also has an injury history which also makes me question this.  

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Actually I would like Bregman to return despite his age and injury history.   He is at least a proven bat and John Henry has shown that he won't necessarily spend the savings on comparable or better talent.  

[Hugh2]

I think the best case scenario is Bregman opts in.  I’d rather not pay him three years from now on, but he should still very very good for a few more years.

Abreu, Duran, Rafaela, and Anthony are all good outfielders and I still haven’t given up on Cambell being a premium player either.  It’s not a factor of losing offense if you trade one of those guys because you can’t play them all at once anyways, you gotta trade someone and fill in a hole elsewhere.

Abreu or Duran should be part of a package that is either going to upgrade 2nd/SS OR bring in a #2 starter. 
I think a premium bullpen arm and a catcher #2 should be explored as well.

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

I think the best case scenario is Bregman opts in.  I’d rather not pay him three years from now on, but he should still very very good for a few more years.

Abreu, Duran, Rafaela, and Anthony are all good outfielders and I still haven’t given up on Cambell being a premium player either.  It’s not a factor of losing offense if you trade one of those guys because you can’t play them all at once anyways, you gotta trade someone and fill in a hole elsewhere.

Abreu or Duran should be part of a package that is either going to upgrade 2nd/SS OR bring in a #2 starter. 
I think a premium bullpen arm and a catcher #2 should be explored as well.

I agree if Bregman opts in then fine, but I wouldn’t offer him anymore money , or years. If Duran, or Abreu is traded hopefully they are traded for a younger pitcher like Crochet. I don’t see them spending on a big FA pitching contract, and I haven’t for the last three years. If Bregman goes they’ll get another 3B, and Mayer/Story will be the SS/2B combo IMO.

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

I think the best case scenario is Bregman opts in.  I’d rather not pay him three years from now on, but he should still very very good for a few more years.

Abreu, Duran, Rafaela, and Anthony are all good outfielders and I still haven’t given up on Cambell being a premium player either.  It’s not a factor of losing offense if you trade one of those guys because you can’t play them all at once anyways, you gotta trade someone and fill in a hole elsewhere.

Abreu or Duran should be part of a package that is either going to upgrade 2nd/SS OR bring in a #2 starter. 
I think a premium bullpen arm and a catcher #2 should be explored as well.

You can't play them all at once, but there's this thing called injuries, which just happened to knock out both Anthony and Abreu for the stretch run in case ya didn't notice!

It amazes me how optimistic we can be about the future with the evidence of the very recent past sitting in front of us,

I'm laying it on a bit thick there, of course.

But the more I think about it, the more I think trading Duran is a terrible idea, because he's been so durable the last 2 years.  Durable is a hugely important quality in a player.

[Hugh2]

36 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I agree if Bregman opts in then fine, but I wouldn’t offer him anymore money , or years. If Duran, or Abreu is traded hopefully they are traded for a younger pitcher like Crochet. I don’t see them spending on a big FA pitching contract, and I haven’t for the last three years. If Bregman goes they’ll get another 3B, and Mayer/Story will be the SS/2B combo IMO.

That’s what I’m thinking, if Bregman walks, you sign Kyle Tucker (could does not equate the Sox will) and trade from your outfield depth for a SP2.  Although I’m thinking they could move Story/Mayer to 3B too and pick up a 2nd baseman. 
 
they have options, and there’s more than one way to skin a cat here but they certainly need a good starting pitcher and an up the middle defender.

if Bregman opts in, I’d like to see them move Story to 2nd.  He had a nice comeback year but looked a little tired at the end.  Not surprising sense he hadn’t played a full season in a while but if he can carry that healthy mojo into 2026 I think he can be elite at second.

[Bellhorn04]

2 hours ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

Actually I would like Bregman to return despite his age and injury history.   He is at least a proven bat and John Henry has shown that he won't necessarily spend the savings on comparable or better talent.  

He's a really good player and we are absolutely better off with him than without him.

[Hugh2]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

You can't play them all at once, but there's this thing called injuries, which just happened to knock out both Anthony and Abreu for the stretch run in case ya didn't notice!

It amazes me how optimistic we can be about the future with the evidence of the very recent past sitting in front of us,

I'm laying it on a bit thick there, of course.

But the more I think about it, the more I think trading Duran is a terrible idea, because he's been so durable the last 2 years.  Durable is a hugely important quality in a player.

I understand injuries happen but you’re not plugging Duran and Abreu on the bench almost every single day.  What team takes a healthy, starter caliber player who is, has been, or possible capable of being all star and sits them on the bench?

preparing for injury and building depth is a very important thing, but you’re wasting resources by benching starter caliber players.  Especially when you have holes elsewhere 

[Bellhorn04]

5 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I understand injuries happen but you’re not plugging Duran and Abreu on the bench almost every single day.  What team takes a healthy, starter caliber player who is, has been, or possible capable of being all star and sits them on the bench?

preparing for injury and building depth is a very important thing, but you’re wasting resources by benching starter caliber players.  Especially when you have holes elsewhere 

Abreu is a platoon player.  A platoon of Abreu and Refsnyder was excellent.

Injuries plus platoons mean you do need some depth.

[Hugh2]

14 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Abreu is a platoon player.  A platoon of Abreu and Refsnyder was excellent.

Injuries plus platoons mean you do need some depth.

Wouldn’t an all star caliber player be better than a platoon player anyways? Abreu saw an improvement vs LHP and some teams out there probably view him as an all star caliber starter. 
 

why not package him up with a top prospect or two for an elite #2 starting pitcher type? 
 

your outfield is still Duran/Rafaela/Anthony.   Cambell/Password

[Hugh2]

17 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Abreu is a platoon player.  A platoon of Abreu and Refsnyder was excellent.

Injuries plus platoons mean you do need some depth.

Also, there’s a difference between having depth, and having a guy capable of having 5-7 or 3 WAR seasons as depth.  
 

guys that good start, they don’t ride the bench.  Sure it would be nice to have your 4th best outfielder a 4 win player type but I’d rather trade that guy for a second baseman if Bregman opts out or a starting pitcher to replace Giolito next year.  
 

im not saying it HAS to be Duran, just stating they have depth there that they can trade from.

[Bellhorn04]

13 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Also, there’s a difference between having depth, and having a guy capable of having 5-7 or 3 WAR seasons as depth.  
 

guys that good start, they don’t ride the bench.  Sure it would be nice to have your 4th best outfielder a 4 win player type but I’d rather trade that guy for a second baseman if Bregman opts out or a starting pitcher to replace Giolito next year.  
 

im not saying it HAS to be Duran, just stating they have depth there that they can trade from.

As we saw with Anthony and Abreu going down at the same time, depth disappears in a heartbeat.

You can say the same about trading Priester.

Depth is never ever a bad thing and you're not required to take it way from yourself.

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

As we saw with Anthony and Abreu going down at the same time, depth disappears in a heartbeat.

You can say the same about trading Priester.

Depth is never ever a bad thing and you're not required to take it way from yourself.

You’re missing my point.  What team out there has a guy capable of being a starter and making an all star team riding the bench?  Sure that would be nice but when you have other holes to fill that’s just a massive mismanagement of resources.

injuries happen, to everyone, some years worse than others, but if we follow your extreme logic we should just never trade anyone ever.  The backups can go down to, and the guys behind those guys. 

next year it could be all our relief pitchers going down.  

personally I’d rather trade one of the outfielders for a stud pitcher/infielder and sign Tucker.  With Roman back you got a legit middle order