A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Brez has seemed to do a lot more wheeling and dealing than Bloom did so it was hard to add a lot of guys to the lucky pile TBH. I considered someone like Slaten, but he's dealt with a lot of injuries and that was really a targeted acquisition. 

Maybe Justin Wilson was a little bit lucky? 

IDK. 

I also don't want to say he's unlucky for bringing some of the schlubs in that he dumped on this fanbase that many of us questioned ahead of time. 

Bloom did a great job of churning the bottom of that 40 man. Brez hasn't done it so much. Maybe a guy like Gamboa or Guerrero makes a difference at some point? Hasn't happened yet though. 

Bloom did a lot of trial by error, and he cycled through many flops to end up with a gem or so-so guy, but when you're dealing with min wage or $<2M players, a lot cannot be expected.

[JoeBrady]

7 hours ago, drewski6 said:

I believe in a cyclical approach that contains a phase where long term is prioritized

For the bottom half, maybe the bottom 20, I'd agree.  But not for the big spenders.  We should be in contention every year, our recent history notwithstanding.  Some slight tweaking is fine, but a bad year for us should be .500.

But in order to do that, even the RS can't afford to throw away too many contracts.

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, notin said:

Hoerner has already signed an extension.  Matt Shaw is prime trade bait since he’s relegated to a UIF for the next few seasons. Not the best use of a first round pick.  The only reason the Cubs are holding is probably related to having no needs.  Going 18-3 in their last 21 games has erased a few weaknesses.

Neto is not getting  traded.  The Angels’ asking price might be something like Tolle plus Early.  I’m out.

McLain has dropped off significantly since his impressive rookie year.  Hes probably attainable, but does he fix anything?

IRT the 'what-ifs', if a player is not traded, then he is not worth discussing.  None of us know what the price was, or even what players might be involved.  Neto's name was thrown around as if he was a realistic possibility.  He wasn't.  I liked Burns, Chandler and Seth Hernandez, but they were all almost certainly off the trading block.

[Old Red]

5 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

And final aging starts at 70, I can say now speaking from experience.  

A good 3 mile walk everyday gets the kinks out.

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Shaw is a much better hitter. I'm not saying I want him as a Red Sox. 

He likely starts in RF for the Cubs when Suzuki moves on.  Pretty sure he is off-limits.

[notin]

2 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

He likely starts in RF for the Cubs when Suzuki moves on.  Pretty sure he is off-limits.

They might extend Suzuki, who is one of, if not the most underrated hitter in MLB. But even if they don’t, they still have Kevin Alcantara and Jonathan Long looking for jobs.  

Long would be a project, as he’s only played corner INF.

Hinestly, I thought they should have traded him after he skipped a game in the middle of a postseason chase in order to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral.  Priorities, dude…

[moonslav59]

Nothing like facing the Rays to bring the team back down to earth, or should I say dirt.