A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[Hugh2]

11 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Its not really a headache to have an athletically limited, weak overall player (dragged down by lack of defense) who has utility (Yoshida isnt useless he works counts, controls the zone, makes contact) on your bench.  The headache is a) bench players usually provide acceptable coverage at a position/usually mutliple positions which Yoshida probably doesnt at present (I still think he should learn how to play an adequate first base to increase his utility as a bench player) and b) Yoshida is overpaid for htis role

BUT....depite not being an ideal bench player for those 2 reasons (not a lot of positional backup cuz Yoshida is almost a backup DH AND makes more than youd want from a bench player)....Despite not being an ideal bench player for those 2 reasons, Yoshida does provide hitting depth. Any injury to an OF, he becomes a DH and probably a close to average one vs one that cant hit at all....AND hes solid as a pinch hitter.  Imagine DHAM is up with the bases loaded in the 7th?  Yoshida coming in , knowing hes going to give you a legit at-bat.  DHAM is an automatic out and he may get some starts.  Ditto Mayer vs lefties.  If in the 8th , they bring in a lefty against Mayer in a close game, you have a second counter move with Yoshida (if  Romy already in the game)

It's certainly not the top of my worries, but Yoshida has very little value as a guy who is not playing everyday. 

You want your bench guys to have some combination of E.G. ability to play multiple positions well and to run fast, a back up catcher, and maybe a platoon bat.  What can Yoshida do? he has a decent hit tool but he's a lefty, he doesn't run, he can't field, he has little pop.  He's very limited in the bench role. 

Again, at this point I'd live with him there to keep someone like Duran on this team and keep the lineup intact.  Might pay dividends if an outfielder goes down and he moves into the DH position full time but Yoshida as a bench player is certainly less than ideal. 

[moonslav59]

We might use Eaton, Sogard or even Wong vs a PH'er vs a LHP over Yoshida.

Who knows, maybe we add a decent 2Bman and Brez keeps DHam out of Cora's reach by starting him off in AAA. (DHam has one option left.)

Then, we'd look at who we have to PH for Mayer, Yoshida, Duran and/or Abreu. (We are going to miss Ref, despite having Romy around.)

[Hugh2]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

 

And other options too.  But I agree with you. Getting Isaac P while keeping Duran AND Abreu is a good thing, not a bad thing.  Yoshida will have value as a pinch hitter, plus there will be injuries and rest days.

At this point in the offseason "other options" are pretty thin. 

No free agents left, teams are fairly settled, and the Sox are certainly not going to add more payroll. 

If they are swinging a trade, their #1 priority should be to fix the infield. 

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

It's certainly not the top of my worries, but Yoshida has very little value as a guy who is not playing everyday. 

You want your bench guys to have some combination of E.G. ability to play multiple positions well and to run fast, a back up catcher, and maybe a platoon bat.  What can Yoshida do? he has a decent hit tool but he's a lefty, he doesn't run, he can't field, he has little pop.  He's very limited in the bench role. 

Again, at this point I'd live with him there to keep someone like Duran on this team and keep the lineup intact.  Might pay dividends if an outfielder goes down and he moves into the DH position full time but Yoshida as a bench player is certainly less than ideal. 

Just when I had bs'd myself into thinking he works off the bench.... :/

[moonslav59]

Just now, drewski6 said:

From your mouth to Breslows ears.

Name one player in AAA not already on the 40 that belongs on the 40. They all can wait, until a demand arrives. I am 99% sure we add two outside players. They may be guys DFA'd by other teams, low level FA signings or minor trade additions, but I still think Brez is not as dumb as some seem to think he is.

He knows this team is a lot better with a decent 3B/2Bman added, and maybe a decent RP'er. They have also spoke of adding a catcher, and I'm not sure Thaiss was who they had in mind.

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We might use Eaton, Sogard or even Wong vs a PH'er vs a LHP over Yoshida.

Who knows, maybe we add a decent 2Bman and Brez keeps DHam out of Cora's reach by starting him off in AAA. (DHam has one option left.)

Then, we'd look at who we have to PH for Mayer, Yoshida, Duran and/or Abreu. (We are going to miss Ref, despite having Romy around.)

I agree on Ref.  I think if we knew we were going to lose Bregman we would have gotten Ref.

[moonslav59]

Just now, drewski6 said:

Just when I had bs'd myself into thinking he works off the bench.... :/

If we trade an OF'er, Masa will be in the mix as the 4th OF'er. His bench value would increase.

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Name one player in AAA not already on the 40 that belongs on the 40. They all can wait, until a demand arrives. I am 99% sure we add two outside players. They may be guys DFA'd by other teams, low level FA signings or minor trade additions, but I still think Brez is not as dumb as some seem to think he is.

He knows this team is a lot better with a decent 3B/2Bman added, and maybe a decent RP'er. They have also spoke of adding a catcher, and I'm not sure Thaiss was who they had in mind.

It would have to be 3 players, right, because we have 38 on our 40 man now, so I double agree with you that its no rush to DFA Yoshida.

[moonslav59]

Just now, drewski6 said:

I agree on Ref.  I think if we knew we were going to lose Bregman we would have gotten Ref.

It doesn't make sense having K Campbell try to fill a short side platoon/PH role. He needs to play nearly everyday- somewhere.

Eaton? LOL.

Romy will be needed at 2B, DH and maybe 3B platoon. He can't do 3 at once, and he cant platoon for Duran/Abreu.

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

If we trade an OF'er, Masa will be in the mix as the 4th OF'er. His bench value would increase.

There are very few players in the league I am willing to trade Duran OR Abreu for, and Isaac Paredes is not one of them. Neither is Nico Hoerner.

Marte is.

[drewski6]

And Im still saying no to Abreu for Paredes + backup Catcher + lefty reliever.

[drewski6]

Id do Abreu for Marte all day

[drewski6]

And we can stop pretending like the astros have no place to put isaac paredes. Thats only stuff that people want to be true.  Christian Walker is washed up and first base is right there for Isaac, unfortunately.  Which is why they are like we'll only trade him for a player we want (Abreu) we dont consider him excess and arent going to jsut give him to you.

And if you are like "but you have no where to put him" they'll say "well, we'll trade you Christian Walker" and we'll say no thanks and they'll say exactly.  Paredes is their first baseman right now. Everyday.  Christian Walker is their Yoshida not in Isaacs way.

Maybe a trade involving Casas makes sense for IP?  If Casas is expected to return by mid-may.

[moonslav59]

33 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

It would have to be 3 players, right, because we have 38 on our 40 man now, so I double agree with you that its no rush to DFA Yoshida.

Once we add an infielder, I'd even DFA or trade DHam, Sogard or Eaton before Yoshida, but we are short on everyday players on the 40.

My guess is Moran or Watson go before opening day, as both need to be on the 26. Uberstine, Drohan & Kelly are on the bubble, too, but they have options.

[mvp 78]

2 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Is he that conceited that he thinks he won't make a very good team worse?

Wilson hasn't been that valuable since he floated away from Tom Hanks.

He'll be 39 this season. I think it's just more important for him to be at home, so a team is going to have to make it worth his while. He was a 1 fWAR guy last season, but was only paid 2.25M. 

[moonslav59]

33 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Id do Abreu for Marte all day

It would take Abreu + Toole or Early + ____ (Arias? Bennett? Valera?) Maybe more.

[mvp 78]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Yeah, I know...It's Yoshida. 

Parking a DH on the bench? Fun. 

[moonslav59]

31 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

And we can stop pretending like the astros have no place to put isaac paredes. Thats only stuff that people want to be true.  Christian Walker is washed up and first base is right there for Isaac, unfortunately.  Which is why they are like we'll only trade him for a player we want (Abreu) we dont consider him excess and arent going to jsut give him to you.
 

Yesterday, the GM said, they plan on playing IP everyday, "for now."

He actually added "for now."

[mvp 78]

59 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Its not really a headache to have an athletically limited, weak overall player (dragged down by lack of defense) who has utility (Yoshida isnt useless he works counts, controls the zone, makes contact) on your bench.  

Doesn't run well. Doesn't have power. Can't field a position. Doesn't hit LHP well. Useless as a bench role. 

[mvp 78]

41 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If we trade an OF'er, Masa will be in the mix as the 4th OF'er. His bench value would increase.

Oh boy. Are you threatening Masa with that? He doesn't want to play OF. 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Oh boy. Are you threatening Masa with that? He doesn't want to play OF. 

The whole excuse for him staying on rehab half the summer was to build up his arm for throwing. He apparently went along with the idea/ruse.

[JoeBrady]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Yesterday, the GM said, they plan on playing IP everyday, "for now."

He actually added "for now."

Everyone probably assumes Paredes is on the block.  I'd make a non-insignificant wager he is on the bench on OD.  They tried Altuve in LF and didn't like the results.  I believe that Altuve had one start in LF in Aug/Sept, and 49 starts at 2B in that time frame.  Barring injuries, Pena and Correa are automatic starters at SS & 3B.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He'll be 39 this season. I think it's just more important for him to be at home, so a team is going to have to make it worth his while. He was a 1 fWAR guy last season, but was only paid 2.25M. 

That's interesting... how much does fangraphs say 1 WAR is worth nowadays? I know there's some formula somewhere.

[Old Red]

9 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Parking a DH on the bench? Fun. 

I don’t see Masa being on the team as just a backup DH, or ANY kind of backup OF. I don’t see Masa getting DFA, or anything like that either for $36M.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The whole excuse for him staying on rehab half the summer was to build up his arm for throwing. He apparently went along with the idea/ruse.

Did he have a choice?

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Everyone probably assumes Paredes is on the block.  I'd make a non-insignificant wager he is on the bench on OD.  They tried Altuve in LF and didn't like the results.  I believe that Altuve had one start in LF in Aug/Sept, and 49 starts at 2B in that time frame.  Barring injuries, Pena and Correa are automatic starters at SS & 3B.

Paredes can play 1B, and they could bench $20M Walker, instead.

If Yordon is on the IL, IP can DH.

[moonslav59]

Just now, Old Red said:

Did he have a choice?

Apparently, I believe the answer is yes.

IFA players have to agree to extended rehab assignment's or can demand a DFA. I'm sure MVP will correct me, if I'm wrong.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I don’t see Masa being on the team as just a backup DH, or ANY kind of backup OF. I don’t see Masa getting DFA, or anything like that either for $36M.

That leaves FT DH.

Where do the 4 OF'er play? (Don't say Rafaela at 2B, pelase!)

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

That leaves FT DH.

Where do the 4 OF'er play? (Don't say Rafaela at 2B, pelase!)

Brez has had last Oct to work on this. Nothing would surprise me with no trades being made from RAF Man at 2B, or a DHam-Romy platoon, or even KC back at 2B, which none of them are a ideal option.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Brez has had last Oct to work on this. Nothing would surprise me with no trades being made from RAF Man at 2B, or a DHam-Romy platoon, or even KC back at 2B, which none of them are a ideal option.

Thanks for yet another non answer.