A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[UtahSox]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

They have the money to run similarly to the Dodgers, but they choose to run like a midmarket franchise for some reason. Why? If other private equity owners allow for their teams to spend, why is FSG so concerned with pulling out more cash each year? 

1. Get back to in person scouting

2. Stop forcing every hitter to pull the ball in the air

3. Get a GM underneath Breslow that can communicate for him

4. Get rid of the roadblocks on the MLB squad that will not be here in 2028

5. Hide the box of yellow jerseys and only have them come out on marathon weekend going forward

 

Good organizations lean into their competitive advantages while mitigating their weaknesses. The Red Sox’ revenue advantage is real, but instead of using it to acquire proven talent and consistently improve the product on the field, they’ve leveraged it to maximize return on investment. That says everything about where their priorities truly lie.

This organization operates in asset preservation mode, rather than asset acquisition mode. In my view, that mindset starts at the top with John Henry. It’s a pattern that’s common among many long-tenured boomer business leaders: as wealth and success accumulate, the focus often shifts from aggressively pursuing growth to protecting what has already been built.

The result is an organization that increasingly appears to optimize for financial efficiency rather than competitive dominance. The one thing I disagree with media/ twitter about is the chaotic style the organization has. I think the chaos is in them trying to maintain their true priority internally, and showing alignment with Boston/ Red Sox fans nationwide. Mookie should be in a RS uniform, Boegarts should be in a RS uniform, Devers should be DHing for the RS. This is where the dysfunction shines through. When you can clearly see ownership priorities aren’t in line with ours(fans). 

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Kick the can down the road vs put all your eggs in the basket for 2027. Good luck with 2027, I guess? Crochet is injured. You think Roman isn't a fulltime player. Not sure what this squad would get out of 2027 aside from ending the year with a loss. I'd rather build towards another banner, but that's just me. I like winners. 

Anything short of a winning record, and a postseason appearance is a failure in most fans eyes. Yes we know your either win a WS, or it’s a failure opinion, and that works for you, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work for most Red Sox fans, and most would take to see this team turn things around, and get into the postseason, and take their chances in any year. If you’re not playing to get in, and win then why play at all.

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Good organizations lean into their competitive advantages while mitigating their weaknesses. The Red Sox’ revenue advantage is real, but instead of using it to acquire proven talent and consistently improve the product on the field, they’ve leveraged it to maximize return on investment. That says everything about where their priorities truly lie.

This organization operates in asset preservation mode, rather than asset acquisition mode. In my view, that mindset starts at the top with John Henry. It’s a pattern that’s common among many long-tenured boomer business leaders: as wealth and success accumulate, the focus often shifts from aggressively pursuing growth to protecting what has already been built.

The result is an organization that increasingly appears to optimize for financial efficiency rather than competitive dominance. The one thing I disagree with media/ twitter about is the chaotic style the organization has. I think the chaos is in them trying to maintain their true priority internally, and showing alignment with Boston/ Red Sox fans nationwide. Mookie should be in a RS uniform, Boegarts should be in a RS uniform, Devers should be DHing for the RS. This is where the dysfunction shines through. When you can clearly see ownership priorities aren’t in line with ours(fans). 

Agree that Mookie, Bogey, and Raffy should be in a Red Sox uniform. Time is short for today’s suspects/prospects, because the ones that have signed already most likely won’t sign another contract with the RedSox.

[Hugh2]

Here's how I'd improve the team.  

 

I'd work out trades with the Brewers for multiple players.  

I'd then not make those trades. 

I'd then go to other teams and find out which of our prospects they want that the Brewers didn't want and trade those guys to make the team better. 

[UtahSox]

15 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

They have the money to run similarly to the Dodgers, but they choose to run like a midmarket franchise for some reason. Why? If other private equity owners allow for their teams to spend, why is FSG so concerned with pulling out more cash each year? 

1. Get back to in person scouting

2. Stop forcing every hitter to pull the ball in the air

3. Get a GM underneath Breslow that can communicate for him

4. Get rid of the roadblocks on the MLB squad that will not be here in 2028

5. Hide the box of yellow jerseys and only have them come out on marathon weekend going forward

 

Dodgers have some TERRIBLE contracts right now: but they don’t panic they just keep going.

snell hasn’t produced at all this year 30m

tucker off to slow start 60m

Glasnow 30m

edman 15m in triple A

Tanner Scott been a disaster so much so they went and added Diaz as well. 

 

Point is it’s all about what you focus on. Wins or scary contracts. 

[UtahSox]

2 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Here's how I'd improve the team.  

 

I'd work out trades with the Brewers for multiple players.  

I'd then not make those trades. 

I'd then go to other teams and find out which of our prospects they want that the Brewers didn't want and trade those guys to make the team better. 

Best message ever. Amen full send on this plan. 

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Dodgers have some TERRIBLE contracts right now: but they don’t panic they just keep going.

snell hasn’t produced at all this year 30m

tucker off to slow start 60m

Glasnow 30m

edman 15m in triple A

Tanner Scott been a disaster so much so they went and added Diaz as well. 

 

Point is it’s all about what you focus on. Wins or scary contracts. 

Of course it depends what you mean by a scary contract. I think Masa, and Story contracts are scary to the Red SOX.

[notin]

57 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Dodgers have some TERRIBLE contracts right now: but they don’t panic they just keep going.

snell hasn’t produced at all this year 30m

tucker off to slow start 60m

Glasnow 30m

edman 15m in triple A

Tanner Scott been a disaster so much so they went and added Diaz as well. 

 

Point is it’s all about what you focus on. Wins or scary contracts. 

Diaz has been out since mid-April - $23mill

Mookie Betts  - .606 OPS, $30mill

[mvp 78]

41 minutes ago, notin said:

Diaz has been out since mid-April - $23mill

Mookie Betts  - .606 OPS, $30mill

Mookie's expected stats are much better than his current stats. For someone who was saying "Durbin will get better" when Durbin's expected stats were still garbage, at least be consistent. 

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Mookie's expected stats are much better than his current stats. For someone who was saying "Durbin will get better" when Durbin's expected stats were still garbage, at least be consistent. 

Just pointing out the questionable and underperforming contracts.   
 

No apologies for seeing in Durbin what even expected stats couldn’t see.  Although I was very hard on him earlier in the year, repeatedly calling for his demotion and even posting his stats while excluding his lone home run off OF Weston Wilson…

[Duran Is The Man]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

First time 12 games under "in June." They have been 12 games under in other seasons later on (2020, 2015, 2014, etc.). 

gotcha. 

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, notin said:

Just pointing out the questionable and underperforming contracts.   
 

No apologies for seeing in Durbin what even expected stats couldn’t see.  Although I was very hard on him earlier in the year, repeatedly calling for his demotion and even posting his stats while excluding his lone home run off OF Weston Wilson…

Better that he got a HR off Weston Wilson than Preston Wilson TBF. 

[notin]

34 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Better that he got a HR off Weston Wilson than Preston Wilson TBF. 

Such the optimist…