A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Fair enough.  Did you mean today (notably RA at WBC)?

KC is playing CF today. He's not at DH. 

In general, ST doesn't really matter except for reps. In the regular season, if they are both in the starting lineup, I don't think KC would be at DH and Masa would be in LF. KC is a better OFer and I don't think they'd be DHing him if the injury bug got that far. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

KC is playing CF today. He's not at DH. 

In general, ST doesn't really matter except for reps. In the regular season, if they are both in the starting lineup, I don't think KC would be at DH and Masa would be in LF. KC is a better OFer and I don't think they'd be DHing him if the injury bug got that far. 

TY for clarification.  I honestly think it depends on too many variables for me to project out.  I dont think it would take too many injuries to see this. Could wind up with an Abreu/Campbell platoon in right.

[notin]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

KC is playing CF today. He's not at DH. 

In general, ST doesn't really matter except for reps. In the regular season, if they are both in the starting lineup, I don't think KC would be at DH and Masa would be in LF. KC is a better OFer and I don't think they'd be DHing him if the injury bug got that far. 

It’s not like ST are tryouts.  Barring injury, 23 of the 26 spots are already locked up.  Maybe 24, but I’m not so confident they keep Yoshida.

And I only leave the last two because I don’t know who gets those final bullpen spots.  But Cora and Breslow probably already know that as well…

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

TY for clarification.  I honestly think it depends on too many variables for me to project out.  I dont think it would take too many injuries to see this. Could wind up with an Abreu/Campbell platoon in right.

If Campbell is absolutely mashing, we could see a platoon. Otherwise, I bet they try to get Abreu to hit vs LHP for better or worse. 

[notin]

Just now, drewski6 said:

TY for clarification.  I honestly think it depends on too many variables for me to project out.  I dont think it would take too many injuries to see this. Could wind up with an Abreu/Campbell platoon in right.

Not likely.  I doubt they want Campbell playing 25-33% of the time and he’s not exactly an established masher of LHP.  Might as well minimize the damage and keep the defense out there…

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, notin said:

It’s not like ST are tryouts.  Barring injury, 23 of the 26 spots are already locked up.  Maybe 24, but I’m not so confident they keep Yoshida.

And I only leave the last two because I don’t know who gets those final bullpen spots.  But Cora and Breslow probably already know that as well…

Wait, Masa also is going to the WBC. Is he playing LF for Japan? Maybe that's why he's out in LF today as well. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

If Campbell is absolutely mashing, we could see a platoon. Otherwise, I bet they try to get Abreu to hit vs LHP for better or worse. 

I would agree with you except that I said this last year haha.

[drewski6]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

Wait, Masa also is going to the WBC. Is he playing LF for Japan? Maybe that's why he's out in LF today as well. 

If ST games barely count , the NU game especially doesnt count*

*Says the Bentley grad whose dad and cousins went to BU

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Wait, Masa also is going to the WBC. Is he playing LF for Japan? Maybe that's why he's out in LF today as well. 

At least the WBC has some players from their home countries.  Watch the Olympics?  The entire Italian sled (bobsled, luge, skeleton) team had German last names!  I bet if not for joining that Olympic team, none of them ever went to Italy before despite it being right next door…

[notin]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

If ST games barely count , the NU game especially doesnt count*

*Says the Bentley grad whose dad and cousins went to BU

You graduated from a luxury automobile?

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

You graduated from a luxury automobile?

Are you really not familiar with the university? Do you not watch Celtics games.  I doubt Im the only regular poster here with a Bentley degree.  Its 15mins west of Cambridge, probs 25 mins west of Boston proper.

[notin]

20 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Are you really not familiar with the university? Do you not watch Celtics games.  I doubt Im the only regular poster here with a Bentley degree.  Its 15mins west of Cambridge, probs 25 mins west of Boston proper.

I’m familiar with it.  I just like the car better…

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Because versatility is good and they want to keep that as an option.  How much OF Masa will get , like most things, right now is a giant TBD.  Penciling in depth charts and wanting to plan for all these outcomes is a fan thing.  Teams are trying to be versatile and deep to cover a bunch of "ifs" NOT have a roadmap for how they will handle every "if"

Its all fluid.

I'll go with this.  Against a tough lefty, at Fenway where LF matters less, they could go with a Masa, Raffy, Romy, Con, Narvaez, Story, Durbin, IKF type lineup.  8 righties, rest some regulars, and have good lefties on the bench one the starter leaves.

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m familiar with it.  I just like the car better…

We all remember their most recent national championship: 2014 Division III Ultimate Frisbee.

12th largest school in Boston metro. Arthur T Demoulas is an alumni. 

[JoeBrady]

39 minutes ago, notin said:

Not likely.  I doubt they want Campbell playing 25-33% of the time and he’s not exactly an established masher of LHP.  Might as well minimize the damage and keep the defense out there…

Barring an injury, I'd start KC in AAA.  Make him force is way in.  Get his confidence sky-high.

[JoeBrady]

37 minutes ago, notin said:

You graduated from a luxury automobile?

Nothing wrong with graduating with a degree in auto mechanics with a minor in Bentleys.  Move to Hollywood and you'll make a fortune.

[drewski6]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

We all remember their most recent national championship: 2014 Division III Ultimate Frisbee.

12th largest school in Boston metro. Arthur T Demoulas is an alumni. 

They have a long established history with the Celtics.  Its all over the floor, but I imagine thats a TV imposed graphic and not an actual floor decal.  Celtics use to practice at our gym, doubt they still do.

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

They have a long established history with the Celtics.  Its all over the floor, but I imagine thats a TV imposed graphic and not an actual floor decal.  Celtics use to practice at our gym, doubt they still do.

https://www.bentley.edu/news/bentley-university-launches-partnership-boston-celtics

It's now a paid partnership. C's practice at the Auerbach Center now. 

[Larry Cook]

On 2/14/2026 at 11:23 AM, notin said:

Only because he is right-handed and Cora has a preference for alternating bats.  
 

The World Series champion Dodgers primarily used Teoscar Hernandez (25 HRs .738 OPS) as their cleanup hitter last year.  Is that any better than Story (25 HRs .741 OPS)?

Impossible to answer without more detailed data, 

but the question is moot unless story plays for the dodgers!! 

[mvp 78]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/in-limbo-a-post-prospect-look-at-kristian-campbell/

 

[moonslav59]

6 hours ago, drewski6 said:

I would agree with you except that I said this last year haha.

But this year, Cora said it.

I think Abreu will get a long look vs LH'd SP'ers. He may be better than Duran vs lefties, now, but it was just one season, where he did better.

If they try to platoon Romy at DH, that really puts a squeeze on the OF, when we face a lefty starter. That is one reason why I see Romy as primarily a platoon at 2B with Mayer.

I don't think Cora wants Duran or Abreu out of the line-up, especially with our offense looking so questionable.

[moonslav59]

I'm really not anti-Masa. I think he's a decent hitter with .800 upside, despite never having a MLB season over .783. I just think our roster look much better, more flexible and L-R balanced with Campbell or Monasterio on the 26.

I'm not sure Yoshida accepts an assignment to AAA, unless he's rehabbing a true injury. I suppose he may agree to a short stint, but he can always refuse it and force a choice to be made by Cora & Brez.

Apparently, we are close to the second tax line, so trading him and saving $3-6M a year might be something they want to do, apart from allowing more flexibility to the 26 and 40 man rosters. I read somewhere, we might trade Sandoval to get under a line, but I think we've already put the SP'er depth chart about as small as we dare.

I would not expect anything back in return, unless it's some other salary dump player, of if we include a prospect like the Hicks trade. (BTV accepts Yoshida & Sandoval +$10M for McCullers and his $17M/1 contract. I know- it's a NO GO.)

[moonslav59]

Listened to the Soxprospects.com podcast and they (Andrew Parker & Ian Cundall) spoke about the Romy injury and not really having a back-up 1Bman on the 26. They have been working out Sogard and IKF there in practice and even Monasterio was seen taking reps there.

If Romy's injury is prolonged, something will need to be done. Casas probably won't be ready. Romy's bat vs lefties will be missed, too, especially with Ref gone.

Looks like Durbin at 3B and Mayer at 2B, but they will start giving them flipped reps, at some point. With Romy out, maybe they platoon Mayer at 3B with Eaton, and then they flip when Romy returns. (This is the podcast discussion.)

Both predict the Sox get back to the playoffs due to the rotation strength and depth. Having Tolle & Early begin the year in AAA is amazing. The rotation health is the key. Bello went from our #2 to our #4. They see Oviedo as the wild card. The "ceiling raiser." He could be in AAA in June or pitching like our #2.

They see the trade deadline as a chance to make an Impact on the offensive side. So many players have a chance to "elevate their value," that they can have enough trade chips to get what we need.

They think Sogard takes Romy's slot, but maybe Monasterio wins the job. They likened Sogard to Brock Holt.

Tidbits...

Glowing report on Eyanson as "sticking out" and hitting 95-97 in camp.

Crochet is adding a pitch- a splitter. Was working out at Vandy over the winter.

Durbin has not reached a year of service, yet, so he has 6 years of control. (He missed by 8 days in 2025.)

They think TJ Sikkema is a big unknown and could be the NRI guy that could advance. (He broke Anthony's bat twice.)

Christian Foutch is getting a lot of buzz- throwing very hard. He is starting out in the pen, so no need for transitioning, later. (Never started in college.)

Brady Tygart has battled health issues, but is healthy now. Hitting 96. Could see him reach potential, this year. Good shape and spin rates.

Holobetz has a great fastball but his secondaries were weak, last year. He throws strikes. He's working on changing his change up grip and needs to improve his slider.

Brandon Neely has not made his pro debut yet, but is up to 95 and might be used as a bulk pen guy. "Look out for him."

Cason will still be used as a pitchers and position player, this year, but coming off the surgery, he'll hold off on pitching for a while.

They think Gonzales is more like 6-6 or 6-7 than his listed 6-4 height. He's "massive" but can still "move well."

They spoke about Bloom & Brez both being underwhelming at the trade deadline. They attribute it to GM "inexperience" and not something from upper management or organizational issues.

They think that Brez thought he had the Joe Ryan deal done, and then had to scramble when it didn't go down. They think that shows Brez was willing to be bold, but fell short. (Sound familiar?)

They like what Bloom did with STL, where he was given the power to completely rebuild. The Cards have 6 picks in the top 86, and they credited Bloom for the Anthony pick, so to watch the comp between Bloom & Brez could be interesting.

[UtahSox]

Yoshida is so freakin limited…. Awful in LF. Keachell got a triple  on a ball I think Duran could’ve caught. How is he so slow?

[notin]

27 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Yoshida is so freakin limited…. Awful in LF. Keachell got a triple  on a ball I think Duran could’ve caught. How is he so slow?

He’s only 75 centimeters tall…

[notin]

21 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm really not anti-Masa. I think he's a decent hitter with .800 upside, despite never having a MLB season over .783. I just think our roster look much better, more flexible and L-R balanced with Campbell or Monasterio on the 26.

 

You’re not anti Yoshida?  Really?

You’ve tried pawning him off with a multitude of prospects hundreds of times.  And to keep a utility infielder?

 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

Yoshida is so freakin limited…. Awful in LF. Keachell got a triple  on a ball I think Duran could’ve caught. How is he so slow?

Duran is no sure bet to catch anything.

[moonslav59]

37 minutes ago, notin said:

You’re not anti Yoshida?  Really?

You’ve tried pawning him off with a multitude of prospects hundreds of times.  And to keep a utility infielder?

I think Duran is one of our best players, but I've suggested more trades of him than anyone.

My suggested trades of Duran are mostly based on my belief that Yoshida might have a similar OPS as him at DH this year, and the drop off at DH would be less than the gain where we add someone.

I am higher on Casas than most and see him as a DH. I think Casas is a better hitter than Masa.

The main reason I've wanted to trade Masa is not a dislike of his hitting, but more about the DH logjam and his pay level killing our budget.

Wanting to trade someone is not disliking them.

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

Yoshida is so freakin limited…. Awful in LF. Keachell got a triple  on a ball I think Duran could’ve caught. How is he so slow?

i'd trade Mayer straight up for Keaschall. right now.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Duran Is The Man said:

i'd trade Mayer straight up for Keaschall. right now.

Definitely not.  Unless you have much greater concerns about Mayer’s durability, not that Keaschall has established himself as immune to injury.

Mayer has similar offensive numbers in the minors but also is a capable defensive MLB-caliber shortstop, giving him a much higher floor.  Keaschall is a bat-first infielder whose minor league numbers are lower than Kristian Campbell’s were before making the Sox.  

The problem with bat-first prospects is if they don’t hit, you don’t have anything else.

I’d keep Mayer and the higher floor here. With Mayer, his defense is a better reason to keep him in the lineup to learn to hit MLB pitching.  Keaschall doesn’t give you that…