A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

Yanks play tonight. i'm not sure when I start believing the CWS are for real.

Here are the updated AL standings:

62-43 TBR

59-45 NYY -2.5

55-49 CWS

54-50 BOS (-1 from CWS)

53-51 TEX 

54-53 CLE (last WC team and 3 losses more than BOS)

___________________________

-1.0 MIN

-1.5 SEA

-2.0 HOU

-2.5 BAL

-3.5 DET

-5.5 TOR (That BOS series was big for TOR. We might have made them into sellers.)

[moonslav59]

Now that we got a RHB with some power to play 2B, we no longer should consider LHB B Lowe because he plays 2B, and maybe not some other RHB we looked at for other positions.

I'd still like Jeffers at C, but I dont want to pay a bunch for a rental. Langeliers is out for the year. Goodman will cost 2 arms and 4 legs. I doubt the Mets will trade Alvarez.

LF/DH? Mead can help at DH, and Yoshida/Romy are doing okay as a DH platoon. Duran is heating up. Anthony can play LF or DH, if he ever returns.

SS looks like a position that could be upgraded, and some big names are being mentioned (like Lindor, Abrams, Neto, Pena and Adames) but again, the asking price will likely be beyond absurdity.

We may not be adding another bat.

SP'ers and RP'ers are probably first on Brez's list, especially after trading Early and no clear picture on Crochet's return.

[moonslav59]

I've mentioned Lugo as a trade option due to his high contractual costs and the likelihood of a small return needed to get him. Any other ideas like this one?

Berrios? ($19M prorateed then $24M + $24M)

Rental: Gausman ($23M would be prorated) or Robbie Ray ($25M)

[Duran Is The Man]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Now that we got a RHB with some power to play 2B, we no longer should consider LHB B Lowe because he plays 2B, and maybe not some other RHB we looked at for other positions.

I'd still like Jeffers at C, but I dont want to pay a bunch for a rental. Langeliers is out for the year. Goodman will cost 2 arms and 4 legs. I doubt the Mets will trade Alvarez.

LF/DH? Mead can help at DH, and Yoshida/Romy are doing okay as a DH platoon. Duran is heating up. Anthony can play LF or DH, if he ever returns.

SS looks like a position that could be upgraded, and some big names are being mentioned (like Lindor, Abrams, Neto, Pena and Adames) but again, the asking price will likely be beyond absurdity.

We may not be adding another bat.

SP'ers and RP'ers are probably first on Brez's list, especially after trading Early and no clear picture on Crochet's return.

anthony & mayer for Abrams. i'd do it yesterday. 

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

anthony & mayer for Abrams. i'd do it yesterday. 

You’ve given up on Marshmallow, and little Anthony?

[Duran Is The Man]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

You’ve given up on Marshmallow, and little Anthony?

MM? yes. i never did see what everyone else did in him. i was just never impressed. and, obviously, still feel that way.

Anthony, not yet. but i'd trade both for Abrams.

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

MM? yes. i never did see what everyone else did in him. i was just never impressed. and, obviously, still feel that way.

Anthony, not yet. but i'd trade both for Abrams.

I’m with you on MM, but that would be a ballsy trade by bresLOW.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just checked the TV schedule for upcoming Sox games. The July 30th game at the A's will be on Peacock as will the Aug 2nd game against the Dodgers.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Just checked the TV schedule for upcoming Sox games. The July 30th game at the A's will be on Peacock as will the Aug 2nd game against the Dodgers.

I wish these F'ing apps would leave the Sox alone.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Duran Is The Man said:

MM? yes. i never did see what everyone else did in him. i was just never impressed. and, obviously, still feel that way.

Anthony, not yet. but i'd trade both for Abrams.

Who is this "everyone" that was gah-gah over Mayer?

The guy was always hurt. 

Yes, some wondered why he wasn't promoted over KC, but I cant remember a single poster saying they had very high hopes for him after maybe his first year in pro ball- mostly on the IL.

Anthony had very high hopes, and even more so after his half 2025 season. His stock is still pretty high.

Getting Abrams would be great, and it could allow us to trade Arias, at some point, or move Mead to DH, LF or even 1B after Willson is gone.

[JoeBrady]

25 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Just checked the TV schedule for upcoming Sox games. The July 30th game at the A's will be on Peacock as will the Aug 2nd game against the Dodgers.

I suppose that the bright side to that is that we are becoming more popular.

[JoeBrady]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Who is this "everyone" that was gah-gah over Mayer?

I had my questions.  He seemed like a high-floor, medium ceiling type.  I was figuring 18 HRs, .275, maybe 20 HRs, with a GG-level glove at 3rd.  He still kind of looks like that.

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Who is this "everyone" that was gah-gah over Mayer?

The guy was always hurt. 

Yes, some wondered why he wasn't promoted over KC, but I cant remember a single poster saying they had very high hopes for him after maybe his first year in pro ball- mostly on the IL.

Anthony had very high hopes, and even more so after his half 2025 season. His stock is still pretty high.

Getting Abrams would be great, and it could allow us to trade Arias, at some point, or move Mead to DH, LF or even 1B after Willson is gone.

Marshmallow was dubbed the next Golden Boy the day he was drafted.

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I had my questions.  He seemed like a high-floor, medium ceiling type.  I was figuring 18 HRs, .275, maybe 20 HRs, with a GG-level glove at 3rd.  He still kind of looks like that.

He still looks like 18-20 HR guy? For his career? Even then he’s got to stay on the field first.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

He still looks like 18-20 HR guy? For his career? Even then he’s got to stay on the field first.

The one thing that stands out about Mayer is his injury history. Hard to evaluate a player's talent when he isn't playing.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

14 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I had my questions.  He seemed like a high-floor, medium ceiling type.  I was figuring 18 HRs, .275, maybe 20 HRs, with a GG-level glove at 3rd.  He still kind of looks like that.

Fortunately, the Sox already have a GG level glove at 3rd.

[JoeBrady]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Getting Abrams would be great, and it could allow us to trade Arias,

I don't see the end game for that strategy.  It depends on about another week of numbers, but we might be finished.  Just imvho:

• I don't expect a change at catcher, since we don't want to screw up the pitching.
• The only question mark I see in the BP is Gamboa.  But how much resources would you want to invest in upgrading your #8?
• Maybe a RH LF, but contrary to popular opinion, Duran is playing better, and Jones has done okay (SSS).
• There is talk about adding another SP, but that only works if you have a slot open.  We have 5-6 SPs, and I wouldn't sit any one of them.
• At SS, I think our intention is to go with Mead, Durbin, and Arias for the next 4-5-6 years.  I see no reason to change that approach.  I don't think Monasterio is hurting us at SS, and we will have Story and IKF back at some point if Monasterio stumbles.

[JoeBrady]

12 minutes ago, Old Red said:

He still looks like 18-20 HR guy? For his career? Even then he’s got to stay on the field first.

Right now, he's like a 12-13 HR guy.  Guys generally get bigger and stronger.  And his minor league numbers suggest he will hit with moderate+ power.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I don't see the end game for that strategy.  It depends on about another week of numbers, but we might be finished.  Just imvho:

• I don't expect a change at catcher, since we don't want to screw up the pitching.
• The only question mark I see in the BP is Gamboa.  But how much resources would you want to invest in upgrading your #8?
• Maybe a RH LF, but contrary to popular opinion, Duran is playing better, and Jones has done okay (SSS).
• There is talk about adding another SP, but that only works if you have a slot open.  We have 5-6 SPs, and I wouldn't sit any one of them.
• At SS, I think our intention is to go with Mead, Durbin, and Arias for the next 4-5-6 years.  I see no reason to change that approach.  I don't think Monasterio is hurting us at SS, and we will have Story and IKF back at some point if Monasterio stumbles.

I would definitely go after another starter. Preferably a RH.

[moonslav59]

I like the idea of Abrams or Neto but not at absurdly gross overpays.

A deal like the Mead one seems just about right.

I read somewhere we may see more 1 for 1 MLB for MLB players in a time like this- with so many teams still in it but with great needs.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I would definitely go after another starter. Preferably a RH.

I'm pretty sure Tolle and Bennett are going to be handled carefully as the season progresses.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Just now, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I'm pretty sure Tolle and Bennett are going to be handled carefully as the season progresses.

As the cliche says, you can never have enough pitching. Especially when 2 of your starters are rookies.

[Larry Cook]

5 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

IMO, Slaten and Weissert (plus Moran and TG) are better than many teams have.

I also think Whitlock might be the best #2 RP'er in MLB over the past 1.5 seasons.

That being said, I'm not against adding a solid closer type.

Uberstine is intriguing. Was injured and came back and looked rough. But lately, his pitches have movement again and I think he is figuring it out. I always thought he could be a major league reliever 

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Uberstine is intriguing. Was injured and came back and looked rough. But lately, his pitches have movement again and I think he is figuring it out. I always thought he could be a major league reliever 

We can't look at Uberstine as a solution to any 2026 problem.

He's got some hope, but we can't plan on a hope.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Duran, who has taken a lot of criticism offensively, is 2nd on the Sox in RBI with 54, which is 12 behind Contreras. He's managed doing that with only 74 hits. I guess you'd have to file this under 'timely hitting.'

[moonslav59]

Gotta chuckle at the guy who says all that matters is the W-L record but still calls the GM

bres-LOW

[Old Red]

6 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Gotta chuckle at the guy who says all that matters is the W-L record but still calls the GM

bres-LOW

My first name is Craig

My last name ends in LOW

They talk behind my back

Everywhere I go.😭😂