A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

What a great problem to have so many starting pitchers you don’t know what to do with them all, but as we’ve seen the last few years with all the bad injury Ju Ju you may have a need for them all when it’s all said and done.

We had "great depth" last year, so much so, we felt the need to trade Priester (and Newcomb.)

Then, we ended up trading for May and relying on rookies to start big games for us down the stretch.

That being said, I'd prefer a move toward more quality not quantity.

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I don’t think the great Sandoval that gets so much ink on here is locked in to anything at all.

All those millions just to DFA prior to the regular season? 

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

All those millions just to DFA prior to the regular season? 

As I’ve said before an $18M waste, and definitely not a lock for a starting spot.

[mvp 78]

Just now, Old Red said:

As I’ve said before an $18M waste, and definitely not a lock for a starting spot.

We've seen the Sox force these guys into the rotation before and we'll see it again. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do. 

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We had "great depth" last year, so much so, we felt the need to trade Priester (and Newcomb.)

Then, we ended up trading for May and relying on rookies to start big games for us down the stretch.

That being said, I'd prefer a move toward more quality not quantity.

Buhler was not quality that some liked so much on here?🤫

[Hugh2]

19 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I don’t think the great Sandoval that gets so much ink on here is locked in to anything at all.

Maybe, maybe not. 

But like I said before these pitching lab nerds like what they like.  They don't look at what a guy did in ERA last year or the year before.  They look at his velo, his extension, his spin rate etc etc etc. they look at the delivery and the arsenal and they think they can tinker and change. 

It's not about what you or I think it's about what the Sox think.  They were literally willing to pay him for one full year to be injured to see what he can do in 2026.  They obviously see something in Sandoval that they like and that's why I'm slotting him into the rotation.  Not because it's my choice but because that's the way I see things in terms of how I think the Sox think and operate. 

Now, he may show up to spring training and lay a bunch of eggs and their perception of him may change.  But right now, a back end spot of the rotation is his to lose. 

[Hugh2]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Was Dobbins the 2025 version of Criswell?

I think we might see Crawford in the pen, if he's not traded. To me, he seems the most likely to be moved. They might have seen something in Harrison that they want played out, but maybe they realized he is not "fixable" as he never really got a shot in 2025 with us, despite the label "ML ready." We handed the ball to Tolle & Early, and even gave Criswell a start over Harrison. Maybe he's the one we trade. 

If I were a betting man, I might take the over on 1,5 SP'ers being traded before opening day.

I was thinking the same thing about Crawford being on the chopping block, but he might just be one of the best options for that swing man/long relief role that they love so much. 

[Hitch]

Just now, Hugh2 said:

I was thinking the same thing about Crawford being on the chopping block, but he might just be one of the best options for that swing man/long relief role that they love so much. 

Also, really hard to judge Crawford's value right now after a lost year. Teams would likely be trying to get him on the cheap. 

[mvp 78]

11 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Buhler was not quality that some liked so much on here?🤫

10 great innings in the playoffs!!!

[Hugh2]

Just now, Hitch said:

Also, really hard to judge Crawford's value right now after a lost year. Teams would likely be trying to get him on the cheap. 

I think the swing man role for Crawford does make the most sense. 

I don't think this is highly probable, but I wouldn't be 100% surprised if someone like Bello was moved for an upgrade in the rotation. 

[Hitch]

13 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I think the swing man role for Crawford does make the most sense. 

I don't think this is highly probable, but I wouldn't be 100% surprised if someone like Bello was moved for an upgrade in the rotation. 

I agree. I've been thinking this since Gray.

I feel like either we move Bello for an upgrade to the rotation, or some of our 5-10 pitchers are getting moved for infield help. 

[Hitch]

Further to this discussion - 

 

 

[mvp 78]

Sandlin and Perales to the pen. One of the other guys gets injured. Crawford is a bulk innings guy. 10 starters. 

[Hugh2]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandlin and Perales to the pen. One of the other guys gets injured. Crawford is a bulk innings guy. 10 starters. 

I don't think there's any chance they move Perales to the pen.  He's starting in WOO, not may we see him in the pen mid to late year? much more likley. 

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I don't think there's any chance they move Perales to the pen.  He's starting in WOO, not may we see him in the pen mid to late year? much more likley. 

It could be his last option year. Why waste time with him. Need to see what he's got and get him to the bigs. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

It could be his last option year. Why waste time with him. Need to see what he's got and get him to the bigs. 

Also why I think Breslow would trade Perales, but maybe isn't getting the GM's to bite. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

As I’ve said before an $18M waste, and definitely not a lock for a starting spot.

Name one person who said he's a "lock."

I'm probably his biggest supporter and I said I think, if healthy, he has the inside track on the 4 slot, assuming he looks okay in ST'ing.

If all these guys look about the same in ST'ing and are healthy, I would guess only Crochet, Gray and Bello are "locks." Here is my pecking order:

4. Sandoval

5. Crawford or Oviedo

7. Harrison

8. Dobbins or Early/Tolle

 

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Also why I think Breslow would trade Perales, but maybe isn't getting the GM's to bite. 

I think he keeps Perales as depth and trades 1-2 SP'ers who have trade value- like Crawford, Harrison or if the right return Early or Tolle. I'm not sure Dobbins or Perales have enough trade value to be worth trading, now.

I don't see us trading Bello, but Brez likes to shock the fans.

[Hugh2]

37 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It could be his last option year. Why waste time with him. Need to see what he's got and get him to the bigs. 

That's a subjective opinion, I'm fairly certain the Boston Red Sox are going to give him a long look in the rotation down in WOO this year.  He's very highly regarded. 

He very well could end up in the bullpen, but his path to get there for the time being is most certianly likely the rotation for now. 

[Hugh2]

37 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Also why I think Breslow would trade Perales, but maybe isn't getting the GM's to bite. 

Wait....have their been any rumors of the Sox shopping Perales?

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I think he keeps Perales as depth and trades 1-2 SP'ers who have trade value- like Crawford, Harrison or if the right return Early or Tolle. I'm not sure Dobbins or Perales have enough trade value to be worth trading, now.

I don't see us trading Bello, but Brez likes to shock the fans.

I could see Bello going. He's hit his ceiling here. We've seen flashes, but he just doesn't put it together. He's worth his contract, but Breslow wants someone he can trust in the postseason. 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

That's a subjective opinion, I'm fairly certain the Boston Red Sox are going to give him a long look in the rotation down in WOO this year.  He's very highly regarded. 

He very well could end up in the bullpen, but his path to get there for the time being is most certianly likely the rotation for now. 

No, just let him start all year in AAA and then have no idea what he can do for you next season when he's forced onto the 26 man roster. Makes sense. 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

Wait....have their been any rumors of the Sox shopping Perales?

Does there need to be. All the prospects are on the table TBH. Were we hearing about Travieso? 

[Hugh2]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Does there need to be. All the prospects are on the table TBH. Were we hearing about Travieso? 

I think we all know some Prospects are more tradable than others.  Teams obviously have a prefernce to keep certain guys because they believe in their talent or they need the depth there. 

I'd say that Perales is held in a much higher regard than Travieso, now I don't think that means Perales won't be traded at all.  But I certainly do NOT think the Sox are actively shopping him and I see no reason to believe they are. 

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

No, just let him start all year in AAA and then have no idea what he can do for you next season when he's forced onto the 26 man roster. Makes sense. 

Don't shoot the messagnger, this is how the Sox are playing it.  You seem to have an affinity to trade or move Perales into the pen.  That's ok, opinions are like a$$$$$ we all got one including me.  

Personally I think, and I believe the Sox think this way too that there is more value in taking the chance to see what he can do in the rotation.  Is there risk there? absolutley, but if teams didn't take that risk Crochet might be pitching 1 inning at a time in Chicago still. 

 

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The Sox must really like Oviedo's upside. To me, the deal looked a bit lop-sided before we added Travieso. Sameniego might be someone they like, too, as we kinda shorted ourselves of LH'd RP'ers, this fall.

Criswell was DFA'd and likely will be traded for a non 40 man roster prospect.

I think they have a handshake agreement with Criswell that he'll remain in the picture, maybe not add back to 40 man right away, but we know Houck at least is heading to 60 day IL

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

if teams didn't take that risk Crochet might be pitching 1 inning at a time in Chicago still. 

These two situations couldn't be more dissimilar. 

[drewski6]

23 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I could see Bello going. He's hit his ceiling here. We've seen flashes, but he just doesn't put it together. He's worth his contract, but Breslow wants someone he can trust in the postseason. 

This may be boomer on my part, but I have a hard time believing that a sinker ball pitcher has a ceiling of a #4 pitcher, but he does seem to lack put-away secondaries.  Also, as a sinkerballer, I wonder how much our defense hurts him, but I guess its easy to look at his FIP vs ERA 

[drewski6]

25 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

No, just let him start all year in AAA and then have no idea what he can do for you next season when he's forced onto the 26 man roster. Makes sense. 

If the plan is for him to start in 2027, Im not sure that having him pitch out of the pen in MLB for 2026 or having him start in AAA in 2026 - Im honestly not sure which of the two will have a stronger correlation to how he would do as a 2027 MLB starter.

Another words: If he kills it in AAA as a starter in 2026 vs killing it in MLB as a reliever in 2026 - Im honestly not sure which will be a better sign for how he would do as a 2027 starter.  

[Hugh2]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

These two situations couldn't be more dissimilar. 

You seem to be really against Perales in the rotation.  If a guy has TOTR potential why wouldn’t you at least start him there this year? 
 

there doesn’t really seem to be anyone anywhere that has a problem with him continuing to start, for the moment at least