A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If HOU is looking for a quick rebuild, they may want more immediate value, but that looks like a formidable starting offer.

Pena will be a FA, soon, so maybe they'd want Mayer or Arias.

I know they really like Abreu, but I think he only adds one more year of control to what Yordan has, so maybe that's not a big demand.

I'm sure they'd start with Anthony and Tolle/Early and Mayer/Arias, but I think they'd take less.

I'm thinking more about Paredes and what they may take, now vs their winter demands...

Durbin, Witherspoon and Bennett?

Houston will demand Durbin? They might demand he's not in the package... But your two pitching prospects are a fair offer for Paredes.

And of course the Astros will ask every team for their top 3 overall prospects first for Alvarez. But this isn't Juan Soto at age 25, when the Yankees got him and Trent Grisham for five guys, including two top pitching prospects...

... which is what I'm offering, along with a new monster-sized hitting prospect, for Yordan, who next month will be 29.

But people can forget about Houston getting a haul like Washington did when Soto was 24.

[moonslav59]

14 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Houston will demand Durbin? They might demand he's not in the package... But your two pitching prospects are a fair offer for Paredes.

And of course the Astros will ask every team for their top 3 overall prospects first for Alvarez. But this isn't Juan Soto at age 25, when the Yankees got him and Trent Grisham for five guys, including two top pitching prospects...

... which is what I'm offering, along with a new monster-sized hitting prospect, for Yordan, who next month will be 29.

But people can forget about Houston getting a haul like Washington did when Soto was 24.

No, they won't demand Durbin, but Correa is out for the year, and losing Paredes leaves a hole. (He's a throw in. Sub Romero, if you prefer.)

[drewski6]

27 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

No, they won't demand Durbin, but Correa is out for the year, and losing Paredes leaves a hole. (He's a throw in. Sub Romero, if you prefer.)

If they are firesaling theyll take a bandaid but not pay much in return value for one.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

If they are firesaling theyll take a bandaid but not pay much in return value for one.

The other players were the value.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

I never played on grass, but had a beer sometimes in between games of a hot doubleheader.

But I've been sober all day, and would give up a package of just about any Red Sox for Yordan. He could be one of the few gamechangers in his absolute prime that puts this group back into contention. 

Paredes or another guy like him just won't be enough to save this offense. If you don't want to waste what may be the last Crochet-Chapman year, gotta go big.

For the current and future core, I have to keep Abreu, Anthony and Arias; sorry, the infield is just too unstable going forward -- maybe only Mayer is a key guy going forward.

Otherwise, how would Houston feel about this trio for Alvarez: Eyanson, their choice of Tolle or Early, and Justin Gonzales? They'd get this year's breakout minor league pitcher, another MLB rookie starter, and a future Yordan who just made the Top 100 Prospects list...

I'd say it would definitely get their attention.  But I'd hate to lose Tolle.

I wonder if Houston could add Paredes and we give them Duran, but keep Eyanson 

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

for Yordan, who next month will be 29.

But people can forget about Houston getting a haul like Washington did when Soto was 24.

Unless extending a guy is part of the deal, there is very little difference between being 24 and being 29.  Soto was always healthier than Alvarez, but I am not concerned about either one declining.  FWIW, has anyone ever seen this much red?

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/yordan-alvarez-670541?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

[moonslav59]

I think MLB changed the rules, so if we traded for Yordan, the tax hit would be $26M, since he'll be owed $52M/2 after 2026. That's still a good deal, but unless JH spends more in 2027 and beyond, trading for Yordan would mean not adding another key piece or two.

I'm not against trading for Yordan, but the return will be high and the budget hit is not $19M as his whole contract AAV is.

Getting Yordan and Paredes would be very nice. Paredes has a club option for 2027 at $13.3M.

This would not be a trade for the long term. It would strengthen a 1-2 year window and possibly weaken the long term one. If we could extend one or both, that dynamic changes, as does the budget numbers.

HOU will not want Yoshida or Story, but we could "help" the budget hit by including (forcing upon HOU) KC and or Bello, and of course other high value players/prospects would be needed.

BTV accepets:

Arias, Witherspoon, Phillips & Bennett

for

Alvarez, Paredes & Janek (nice catching prospect)

I seriously doubt HOU accepts this. Sub Tolle or Early for Phillips and maybe still a no.

[harmony]

7 hours ago, drewski6 said:

Does somebody have a #6 starter that just fell out of their rotation and they are looking to cut like D May?  Cuz then maybe if we offer a promising prospect for that pitcher and we tell the rival GM's exec assistant we are willing to give up actual talent for someone they were going to cut anyway.....Then maybe we can get put through to thir GM. ANd can evolve the convo/bait and switch from there.

Other than that, nobody is taking Breslows calls.  Gotta incentivize them jsut to pick up the phone.

Right-hander Bryce Miller forced his way into Seattle's six-man rotation with his 2026 debut Wednesday, surrendering two runs and eight hits over 5,1 innings in Houston.

Would the Mariners make available veteran right-hander Luis Castillo, who has been ineffective this season despite a win Thursday over the Astros? Castillo, who has an annual salary of $24.15 million through 2027, might be headed to the Seattle bullpen.

Like most clubs, the Mariners need starting pitching depth. Next up might be left-hander Kade Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Anderson has a 0,60 ERA, 47 strikeouts and five walks in 30 innings over six starts with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double A Texas League. Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller combined for only two Triple A starts before making MLB debuts.

OK ... never mind.🙂

[Duran Is The Man]

56 minutes ago, harmony said:

Right-hander Bryce Miller forced his way into Seattle's six-man rotation with his 2026 debut Wednesday, surrendering two runs and eight hits over 5,1 innings in Houston.

Would the Mariners make available veteran right-hander Luis Castillo, who has been ineffective this season despite a win Thursday over the Astros? Castillo, who has an annual salary of $24.15 million through 2027, might be headed to the Seattle bullpen.

Like most clubs, the Mariners need starting pitching depth. Next up might be left-hander Kade Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Anderson has a 0,60 ERA, 47 strikeouts and five walks in 30 innings over six starts with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double A Texas League. Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller combined for only two Triple A starts before making MLB debuts.

OK ... never mind.🙂

last week, Kade Anderson's dad came down to my seat and introduced himself to me. nice guy. and his kid is one helluva pitcher. with his promising future and the emergence of Emerson Hancock, Castillo (and his salary) has certainly become expendable.

[cp176]

No one is happy for sure.  They really just can’t hit.  Outside of Abreu, every non pitcher could be traded and I wouldn’t blink.  Our current pitching staff keeps me at least wanting to watch just a little bit.  

[mvp 78]

Add Yordan and this team is a .500 team. Whoopdeedoooooooooooooo...

[Old Red]

18-25. 8-14 at home. 28th in HR. 28th in Runs scored. 29th in total bases. 26 out of 43 games the Red Sox the Red Sox have scored 3 runs, or less. As Uncle Jed would say describing the Red Sox PITIFUL just plain PITIFUL.. I could care less how close the Red Sox are to a wildcard spot. 7 games under 500 might as well be 100. This team is just as lifeless and listless under Tracy as they were with Cora.🤭🙈🤮

[drewski6]

11 hours ago, harmony said:

Right-hander Bryce Miller forced his way into Seattle's six-man rotation with his 2026 debut Wednesday, surrendering two runs and eight hits over 5,1 innings in Houston.

Would the Mariners make available veteran right-hander Luis Castillo, who has been ineffective this season despite a win Thursday over the Astros? Castillo, who has an annual salary of $24.15 million through 2027, might be headed to the Seattle bullpen.

Like most clubs, the Mariners need starting pitching depth. Next up might be left-hander Kade Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Anderson has a 0,60 ERA, 47 strikeouts and five walks in 30 innings over six starts with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double A Texas League. Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller combined for only two Triple A starts before making MLB debuts.

OK ... never mind.🙂

Id give you Breslow for Castillo

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Add Yordan and this team is a .500 team. Whoopdeedoooooooooooooo...

Okay, but what if we got Yordan and Jordan (Walker)? Then we can find a time machine, and go get Alex Gordon....

[notin]

15 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

Unless extending a guy is part of the deal, there is very little difference between being 24 and being 29.  Soto was always healthier than Alvarez, but I am not concerned about either one declining.  FWIW, has anyone ever seen this much red?

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/yordan-alvarez-670541?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

Does this count?

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/roman-anthony-701350?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Okay, but what if we got Yordan and Jordan (Walker)? Then we can find a time machine, and go get Alex Gordon....

Of all the pulls you're going with it's Alex Gordon? 

I'd take Paul Konerko at 1B with his pull rate. He'd be a HOFer. Also, give me Nelson Cruz for DH. 

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

Does this count?

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/roman-anthony-701350?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

Mickey Gasper

 

[drewski6]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

Of all the pulls you're going with it's Alex Gordon? 

I'd take Paul Konerko at 1B with his pull rate. He'd be a HOFer. Also, give me Nelson Cruz for DH. 

Only Gordon, cuz I want Yordan, Jordan, and Gordon.  

Paul Konerko grew up next town over for me, but as a Yankee fan. But Ill take an all rhode island team.

Baldelli in his prime (so 22 yrs old, lol), Konerko, Jeremy Pena, Dan Wheeler, Chris Ianetta, Michael King.  Prob need a couple more starters. But with Baldelli in CF, Pena at SS, Konerko at 1b, and Ianetta behind the dish...The position player mix stats coming together.

I might even be forgetting some chaps.

[Bellhorn04]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Of all the pulls you're going with it's Alex Gordon? 

I'd take Paul Konerko at 1B with his pull rate. He'd be a HOFer. Also, give me Nelson Cruz for DH. 

You missed the rhyme scheme, man.

[notin]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

You missed the rhyme scheme, man.

He needed that Swiss guy named Bjordan Flordan…

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Only Gordon, cuz I want Yordan, Jordan, and Gordon.  

 

Im just trying to write (another) RS rap song.  My first one was pretty well received in the UGHH scene.

Crushing it, like David Ortiz
Make the ladies scream: give me more, please

[notin]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Mickey Gasper

 

Hes like a mustachioed Babe Ruth…

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

You missed the rhyme scheme, man.

Thank You!

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

Hes like a mustachioed Babe Ruth…

Stop, if you keep it up, you are going to make me like these bums again

[notin]

Just now, drewski6 said:

Stop, if you keep it up, you are going to make me like these bums again

I dare you to buy a Mickey Gasper jersey.  Probably cheaper, and my understanding is if you buy two, they come with Mickey Gasper.  
 

But then you have to feed him…

[notin]

7 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Only Gordon, cuz I want Yordan, Jordan, and Gordon.  

Paul Konerko grew up next town over for me, but as a Yankee fan. But Ill take an all rhode island team.

Baldelli in his prime (so 22 yrs old, lol), Konerko, Jeremy Pena, Dan Wheeler, Chris Ianetta, Michael King.  Prob need a couple more starters. But with Baldelli in CF, Pena at SS, Konerko at 1b, and Ianetta behind the dish...The position player mix stats coming together.

I might even be forgetting some chaps.

Stop.  You can injure Baldelli merely by typing his name.  I bet his wrist is in a cast already.

Also you failed for not including Woonsocket natives Nap Lajoie and Gabby Harnett.  They might need the only Hall of Famers from the Ocean State…

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Only Gordon, cuz I want Yordan, Jordan, and Gordon.  

Paul Konerko grew up next town over for me, but as a Yankee fan. But Ill take an all rhode island team.

Baldelli in his prime (so 22 yrs old, lol), Konerko, Jeremy Pena, Dan Wheeler, Chris Ianetta, Michael King.  Prob need a couple more starters. But with Baldelli in CF, Pena at SS, Konerko at 1b, and Ianetta behind the dish...The position player mix stats coming together.

I might even be forgetting some chaps.

Nap Lajoie

Davey Lopes

Hugh Duffy HOF

Gabby Hartnett HOF

Ken Ryan former Sox

Rick Lancellotti former Sox, once the all time MiLB HR king

"Sullivan" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sulli01.shtml

[moonslav59]

BTV has Durbin worth 23! That's more than Paredes at 19!

[Duran Is The Man]

36 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Id give you Breslow for Castillo

Castillo has been sucking ass this year. no wonder they want to unload him and his contract. but compared to Bresloverpay, he's having a helluva year.

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

You missed the rhyme scheme, man.

His name is pronounced "JordAHn" though. It doesn't rhyme with the others, man.