A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

Not much mention of Wily Adames much anymore, and for good reason. He's owed $28M year for 5 more years. He turns 31 in SEPT so will begin the next 5 years at ages 31-32-33-34-35. That's not really horrible, but his OPS+ has dropped from 118 in 2024 to 112 in 2025 to 97, so far this season. The 15 HRs are still nice, but his OBP has dipped to .281. His defense is no longer all that great, but he's not bad. He's still an upgrade over Story-Mayer and Monasterio-Cheng. I know Arias is in the wings, but we have an opening at 2B, too. it's been open for over a decade.

We lose the Story contract after 2027 and a $5M buyout, so do we really want to add 4 more years of a larger contract and risk being worse off than we are with Story, now? That's just part of the concern.

Maybe we get them to take the $30M owed Story and also kick in $5M a year from 2028-2031. I'm not sure that's a good deal, before we even start talking about who SF gets for him. If we gave the KC, it would knock $7M off the $23M a year remainder, so maybe $16M x 4 is not that bad.

Anyone like:

Story & KC 

to SFG for

W Adames and $5M for '28, '29, '30 & '31?

It's basically Adames for free in 2027 then $16M a year for 4 more, and we lose KC.

Does SFG say no?

[UtahSox]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Not much mention of Wily Adames much anymore, and for good reason. He's owed $28M year for 5 more years. He turns 31 in SEPT so will begin the next 5 years at ages 31-32-33-34-35. That's not really horrible, but his OPS+ has dropped from 118 in 2024 to 112 in 2025 to 97, so far this season. The 15 HRs are still nice, but his OBP has dipped to .281. His defense is no longer all that great, but he's not bad. He's still an upgrade over Story-Mayer and Monasterio-Cheng. I know Arias is in the wings, but we have an opening at 2B, too. it's been open for over a decade.

We lose the Story contract after 2027 and a $5M buyout, so do we really want to add 4 more years of a larger contract and risk being worse off than we are with Story, now? That's just part of the concern.

Maybe we get them to take the $30M owed Story and also kick in $5M a year from 2028-2031. I'm not sure that's a good deal, before we even start talking about who SF gets for him. If we gave the KC, it would knock $7M off the $23M a year remainder, so maybe $16M x 4 is not that bad.

Anyone like:

Story & KC 

to SFG for

W Adames and $5M for '28, '29, '30 & '31?

It's basically Adames for free in 2027 then $16M a year for 4 more, and we lose KC.

Does SFG say no?

Haven’t looked at his splits in a few weeks, but I thought his bat would play in Boston. SFG Taking Story and KC, I’d do it…. I don’t think there is any chance he falls off the cliff Story has. Literally can’t be THAT bad……

 

plus he rakes post ASB every year…. so yeah I’m in. Definitely the least exciting of names discussed today. 

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Does SFG say no?

I'm back to my Psyche 101 renderings, but I think Posey will want to look good, at least on paper, in his next trade.  Story + KC will just like more l/t payroll.  I have an interest, but those backloaded contracts are a bear to deal with.  SF got two good years for really good money.  Now they have to pay the price by having 5 declining years at very serious money.

Just off the top of my head, if I had to sign him, I'd offer him maybe $110M/5.  That means SF owes me $46M.  I My pure guess is that Posey is going down with the ship on this one.

[moonslav59]

54 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I'm back to my Psyche 101 renderings, but I think Posey will want to look good, at least on paper, in his next trade.  Story + KC will just like more l/t payroll.  I have an interest, but those backloaded contracts are a bear to deal with.  SF got two good years for really good money.  Now they have to pay the price by having 5 declining years at very serious money.

Just off the top of my head, if I had to sign him, I'd offer him maybe $110M/5.  That means SF owes me $46M.  I My pure guess is that Posey is going down with the ship on this one.

KC gets paid way less than Adames, so I'm not sure he's worried about that money.

I do think Posey has to think KC can be good to make this deal. It's not about Story.