A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[Hugh2]

5 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

When a DH is an elite hitter, and we have 0 elite hitters, I do not see that DH as only a DH. I see them as the anchor to our lineup/offense.

Is Teoscar Hernandez an elite hitter?

[drewski6]

When you say I would never trade Duran for Paredes but I would do Duran for Paredes AND a reliever, to me you are not fixing the offense.  You are again, taking from the offense, to get a RP (and a more clean roster). But its more for run prevention.

If its like Duran or Abreu for a solid defensive infielder who is an okay hitter, to me this isnt fixing the problem of not enough offense.  Again we are taking from theoffense to add to the run prevention.

Is it ever going to be enough?  When last year concluded, in my opinion, our run prevention exceeded our run creation.  And weve improved our run prevention soooo many times since then to the point where I dont think we have enough spots for all our MLB ready pitchers.  I think thats a bigger logjam than having 3 corner outfielders (Duran, Abreu, Anthony).

So these trades that improve defensive aignment (run prevention) or trade an offensive player for a less valuable offensive player and a bullpen piece arent doing it for me.  At least on their own.  I would need another trade on top of that, if for example we traded duran for a slick fielding infielder.  Again, its more subtract from the offense and Im ringing the "theres not enough offense as it is" bell. SO I would need another trade to get some real offense.

So you wanna trade Duran for defensive infielder, I think we need to go get a real elite bat but thats hard to do. Im waiting for us to circle back on Seager. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

Is Teoscar Hernandez an elite hitter?

no but hes a dangerous one, lol

Thats a fair point but I think he would hit here better than most our team.

[Hugh2]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

no but hes a dangerous one, lol

Thats a fair point but I think he would hit here better than most our team.

I think we can do better than a .738 OPS

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, Hitch said:

As a back up to the back up to the back up, what was Duran like as a 2nd baseman back in the day? Is there any data about whether he was even decent at 2nd?

From SoxProspects: At second base, showed soft hands and fluid actions, though athleticism was somewhat wasted.

[Hitch]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

So you wanna trade Duran for defensive infielder, I think we need to go get a real elite bat but thats hard to do. Im waiting for us to circle back on Seager. 

Were we ever there to circle back? I think the chance of us trading for a 32 year old on $32.5m a year for the next 6 seasons is zero.

[Hitch]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

From SoxProspects: At second base, showed soft hands and fluid actions, though athleticism was somewhat wasted.

Hmm...I mean it's hardly ideal, but keeps Rafaela in CF, allows Masa, and Casas eventually, to share the DH. Unlocks the roster somewhat. 

It would be last resort stuff, but the more the off season goes on the more we're edging towards this sort of thing. And I preach patience through the off season, normally. 

That said we'd still be very left handed. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

I think we can do better than a .738 OPS

Its dead now.  It was my idea for a bad contract swap and I thought Teoscar would have a resurgence at Fenway. Hes a guy weve had mutual interest in the past.

The trade was HIcks for Hernandez.  Im not interested in giving up value for Teoscar.  Instead we attached a prospect to Hicks to save money, which I dont hate.  But I thought I had a good idea of what to do with HIcks. I thought the dodgers would rather gamble on a hicks resurgence (BP almost cost them WS last year) and we would be more willing to gamble on Teoscar resurgence (mutual interest in past, good swing for fenway). Plus the ole "both guys could use a change of scenary"

But its dead. HIcks is gone and Im not like shopping for Teoscar lol, a bad defensive outfidler 33 yrs old making money coming off a bad season at the plate. The point was salvaging value for Hicks and is dead now.

[mvp 78]

23-25

Duran 419 G, 45 HR, 199 RBI, 243 R, 810 OPS

Paredes 398 G, 70 HR, 231 RBI, 188 R, 793 OPS

[UtahSox]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Not impressed.  Go get a real DH and maybe.

I would be over the moon about Brent Rooker as our DH. He would fit so well into this lineup and into Fenway. Hits right hand pitching for power. Hits left hand pitching for average doesn’t strike out nearly as much. He makes us a much better team. Even if you have to give up W Abreu + young pitching to get him. 
Outfield: JD16, CR3, RA19, BR, MY

Infield: still need a guy. But I think it moves you off of Isaac Paredes, and allows you to wait till May or June to figure out 2nd base. Give Campbell, another chance, see if Marcelo Meyer can hit left-handed pitching, make a decision as summer turns. 

[vegasbob]

Get through ST and the first month or two and see what performance comes from the existing roater . The season won't be won or lost .  Injuries, which occur every year, may arise that either puts Masa in the lineup or set for DFA.   

Rengifo is no answer  except as a 4th utility player.  

[notin]

24 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Is Teoscar Hernandez an elite hitter?

Hes not a DH, although he should be…

[notin]

31 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

When a DH is an elite hitter, and we have 0 elite hitters, I do not see that DH as only a DH. I see them as the anchor to our lineup/offense.

How many DHs are elite hitters?

[Hitch]

10 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

I would be over the moon about Brent Rooker as our DH. He would fit so well into this lineup and into Fenway. Hits right hand pitching for power. Hits left hand pitching for average doesn’t strike out nearly as much. He makes us a much better team. Even if you have to give up W Abreu + young pitching to get him. 
Outfield: JD16, CR3, RA19, BR, MY

Infield: still need a guy. But I think it moves you off of Isaac Paredes, and allows you to wait till May or June to figure out 2nd base. Give Campbell, another chance, see if Marcelo Meyer can hit left-handed pitching, make a decision as summer turns. 

The Atheltics would want a crazy package for him. And we'd still be stuck with a DH sitting there on $18m a year.

It's just not realistic. 

[UtahSox]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

I'd say Shaw is 3rd on my list behind Paredes and Baty.  This is assuming that he will be more expensive.  I like his overall resume, but his EV and bat speed are questionable.  I'd do it just for fit purposes, but not keen on it.

Not mine…. And I’ll even put my max offer trades out there to be criticized. Unlike beta Breslow, I know you have to give something up to get really good players back.

1. K Marte for Abreu/ Duran +Bello +Harrison +Romero

2. N Hoerner for Bello + Crawford/ Harrison/ Romero 

3. (New) B Rooker for Abreu + Bello/ Harrison/ Crawford/ Witherspoon

4. Shaw + ___ for Rafaela/ Abreu/ Duran

5. Sign Andujar have me depressed for a couple weeks. Then move on.

6. E Tovar for Abreu + Bennett + Harrison

7. Isaac Paredes + ____  for Abreu

8. Go into the season with this exact roster.

i’ve never once looked at the BTV stuff you guys do. I always find it interesting, but when I throw out a trade, I shoot from the good ole hip.

[drewski6]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

How many DHs are elite hitters?

It depends on if Springer and/or Ohtani count. I dunno 3-5?

I love Brent Rooker for this team and I think hes a pure DH but I dont see him as only a DH because his bat fits so well that it think it brings us up from 3rd place to competitor.

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Im more interested in improving the offense than making the roster more "clean"/"everybody has a position"

Logjams are depth.

I'd prefer we fix the roster issue AND improve the offense. Improving the D, too would be even nice.

That being said, I like Paredes better on O than Duran and Abreu, but it's very close.

Getting Paredes and keeping all 4 OF'ers would be the best end result for the offense, other than KMarte- who is not being traded.

I'd love Bello as our #4, but if that who HOU demands, I'd do it. (Maybe get Sousa back.)

[UtahSox]

12 minutes ago, Hitch said:

The Atheltics would want a crazy package for him. And we'd still be stuck with a DH sitting there on $18m a year.

It's just not realistic. 

That was my first reaction too but…… 

assuming my trade package above:

Rooker could probably play left field OK, and then you’re just where you were last year with the four outfielders, and without a really solid second base, you could move Rafaela to second base quite a bit, putting Duran in center, and let Masa DH a bit. Plus, injuries have been fast to hit this team.

I think the A’s would make the move. It gets them younger, they have a they have an amazing young core, better defensively, give them a left-handed bat. And they are really not playing for the postseason this year but in the next couple of years. 

[drewski6]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

I'd prefer we fix the roster issue AND improve the offense. Improving the D, too would be even nice.

That being said, I like Paredes better on O than Duran and Abreu, but it's very close.

Getting Paredes and keeping all 4 OF'ers would be the best end result for the offense, other than KMarte- who is not being traded.

I'd love Bello as our #4, but if that who HOU demands, I'd do it. (Maybe get Sousa back.)

Houston is not demanding a pitcher, thats the problem. They are demanding Abreu. So fine

Abreu and Bello and Early for Paredes and Alvarez

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

That was my first reaction, but Rooker could probably play left field OK, and then you’re just where you were last year with the four outfielders, and without a really solid second base, you could move Rafaela to second base quite a bit, putting Duran in center, and let Masa DH a bit. Plus, injuries have been fast to hit this team.

I think the A’s would make the move. It gets them younger, they have a they have an amazing young core, better defensively, give them a left-handed bat. And they are really not playing for the postseason this year but in the next couple of years. 

To be clear the Drewski6 rostermove is W.Abreu for Paredes and prospects (good ones because they really want Abreu so I make them play)

Those prospects we got in the deal (carry a lot of value) + Harrison for Rooker

If that doesnt get it done, I sub in a better pitcher for Harrison (Bello or Early) but I stop at Tolle.

[drewski6]

Astros receive: W abreu 
Red Sox receive: Paredes, Rooker
As receive: prospects (from Astros) and one of Bello/Harrison/Early (obvs I try Harrison first but not sure it gets it done)

[drewski6]

Or masa + money if either want that can be gone in the deal too.

[UtahSox]

Just now, drewski6 said:

Astros receive: W abreu 
Red Sox receive: Paredes, Rooker
As receive: prospects (from Astros) and one of Bello/Harrison/Early (obvs I try Harrison first but not sure it gets it done)

I like it, but I don’t think the A’s take that deal. I think pot needs to be sweetened there.

[notin]

6 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

It depends on if Springer and/or Ohtani count. I dunno 3-5?

I love Brent Rooker for this team and I think hes a pure DH but I dont see him as only a DH because his bat fits so well that it think it brings us up from 3rd place to competitor.

Springer only DHd because of an injury that kept him out of the OF.  Toronto gave lots of money to Santander and his sub-.600 OPS to be the DH.

Ohtani, Alvarez, Rooker.  And I ‘ll include Stanton.  Off the top of my head, elite bats at DH might not be so common.  

Maybe Yandy Diaz?

[drewski6]

38 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Were we ever there to circle back? I think the chance of us trading for a 32 year old on $32.5m a year for the next 6 seasons is zero.

I thought I heard some rumblings. Could have been forum speculation.

[notin]

Just now, UtahSox said:

I like it, but I don’t think the A’s take that deal. I think pot needs to be sweetened there.

I don’t think the Astros have the prospects to make that deal worthwhile…

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, notin said:

Springer only DHd because of an injury that kept him out of the OF.  Toronto gave lots of money to Santander and his sub-.600 OPS to be the DH.

Ohtani, Alvarez, Rooker.  And I ‘ll include Stanton.  Off the top of my head, elite bats at DH might not be so common.  

Maybe Yandy Diaz?

I remain extremely intrigued at adding either Alvarez or Rooker to this team if possible...who were always the 2 I had in mind.  This isnt the first time Ive day dreamed about adding Rooker to this team.

[UtahSox]

1 minute ago, UtahSox said:

As receive: prospects (from Astros) and one of Bello/Harrison/Early (obvs I try Harrison first but not sure it gets it done)

As receive: prospects (from Astros) and Bello + Early you still full send? 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, notin said:

I don’t think the Astros have the prospects to make that deal worthwhile…

Fine, Alvarez it is then

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Houston is not demanding a pitcher, thats the problem. They are demanding Abreu. So fine

Abreu and Bello and Early for Paredes and Alvarez

If it was Bello for Paredes, a third team would be needed- someone with an extra OF'er.

HOU is not trading Yordan.