A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[JoeBrady]

11 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

So basically we give up Connolly Early a MLB ready #3 starter for Mead and then 5 days later Nationals trade a LHB (which we need badly) for a couple top 20 prospects. Make this sh** make sense

Just me looking at the minutiae:

• Garcia is no longer a capable 2B.  If the NYY move Jazz to 3B to accommodate Garcia, it'll be interesting.
• Garcia has only 1.3 years left, while 4.3 years left.
• The RS likely have an opinion on Early that suggests some issues.  I had recommended trading him last year since his production out-paced his previous profile..

[JoeBrady]

5 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I was under the impression the Sox were looking for a RH bat at the time they traded for Mead. 

It's impossible to know what makes sense without knowing their game plan. 

• They might be satisfied with Seigler.
• They might be planning on a RH LF/DH, moving Romy back to 2B.
• They might not believe in Garcia.  Before this year, Garcia had a .709 OPS with very little variance.  Maybe he's broken out, maybe not.
• His production has flatted out over his last 17 games.
• Maybe his .414 OPS at the Fens concerns them.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

This line-up can tolerate a whiffer like Neto or Goodman if they're regular HR threats. Can't shake the feeling now that if Neto's coming, it's bye-bye Arias. 

The mystery to me is why they're playing Arias at 2B in Woo -- is it to showcase his versatility to suitors? It can't be because the Sox may need to evenutally call him up, and can't possibly move Monasterio off shortstop... can it?

But if the Angels are trading their SS for Arias, then why showcase him at 2B?

There's also a good chance Brez can't take that plunge and just ends up swapping future Rule Vs for Geno Suarez and Gleybar Torres... and you know what? Even those moves won't be so bad, because they're at least MLB reinforcements.

Just don't add an arm, Craig. BATS....

 

[JoeBrady]

9 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Just don't add an arm, Craig. BATS....

The fun part about fans' adamancy in general is that half of us a bat, half want a pitcher, some want a 2B, some a SS, and some a LF.  And some want a lefty and some want a righty.  I'm will to wait to see what happens and how it works out.