A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[Duran Is The Man]

31 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We don't need five to six $10M players: we need two $30M guys.

tell that to the f***sticks running this team.

[FredLynn]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

The thing is, Fred, Bregman doesn't do it for me.

They've molded many fans into thinking running the same team back is some sort of accomplishment. (Not you.)

Last opening day, we had Bregman.

We also had Devers, Gio, Refsnyder and high hopes for Houck, Duran, Abreu and others  and moderate hopes for Anthony, Mayer, Campbell, Casas, Hendriks and so many others.

 

Of course Bregman alone doesn’t do it! We needed to get BETTER, not march in place. I told you guys we weren’t signing anyone significant. We won’t get Bichette or any of the top Japanese players either. This is the team! Watch and weep!

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Of course Bregman alone doesn’t do it! We needed to get BETTER, not march in place. I told you guys we weren’t signing anyone significant. We won’t get Bichette or any of the top Japanese players either. This is the team! Watch and weep!

I had no expectations going in- just hopes.

Spending $21M on Gray for 1 year tipped their hand. Same ole-same ole. (That's exactly what we paid Buehler and for the same one and done length.)

[FredLynn]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I had no expectations going in- just hopes.

Spending $21M on Gray for 1 year tipped their hand. Same ole-same ole. (That's exactly what we paid Buehler and for the same one and done length.)

I expected them to behave the same way they have historically. CHEAP. I remember what they did with Lester. They made a totally insulting offer and he split. Henry is trying to to run the Flops like the Rays. Screw him.

[moonslav59]

Word is that AZ wants Mayer for Marte. Not sure what else.

The money might be an issue for JH, so maybe Mayer, Hicks and_____? (DHam/Crawford/Mullins)

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I expected them to behave the same way they have historically. CHEAP. I remember what they did with Lester. They made a totally insulting offer and he split. Henry is trying to to run the Flops like the Rays. Screw him.

Last winter got me wondering if we were cycling back towards spending more.

The Devers dump put that idea on hold.

Now, we see a $21M/1 deal for Gray replace the $21M/1 deal for Buehler.

We see Oviedo replace the $38M/2 Gio.

We see a rookie replacing Bregman.

We hear talk or a Casas resurrection and 300 more PAs from Anthony as our rallying center points. It is a joke- I agree.

Of course there is still time to make some significant adds, but why should we expect it?

I'm not sure why we should even hope for it, despite within about a year watching JH sign Devers to the largest and longest deal in team history by about 25-30% and Bregman to the larges AAV deal by about 30% over the Devers deal. Both are gone- POOF!

 

[FredLynn]

50 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Last winter got me wondering if we were cycling back towards spending more.

The Devers dump put that idea on hold.

Now, we see a $21M/1 deal for Gray replace the $21M/1 deal for Buehler.

We see Oviedo replace the $38M/2 Gio.

We see a rookie replacing Bregman.

We hear talk or a Casas resurrection and 300 more PAs from Anthony as our rallying center points. It is a joke- I agree.

Of course there is still time to make some significant adds, but why should we expect it?

I'm not sure why we should even hope for it, despite within about a year watching JH sign Devers to the largest and longest deal in team history by about 25-30% and Bregman to the larges AAV deal by about 30% over the Devers deal. Both are gone- POOF!

 

We aren't getting anything but mediocre players like Gray. Henry is too cheap to fork over the money for top players. He is unsuccessfully trying to turn the Flops into the Rays. The fans deserve better: 

"“Following Kyle Schwarber’s return to the Phillies on Tuesday, Alonso’s deal meant that both of the best power bats available via free agency landed with other clubs — and in the case of Alonso, in the AL East,” Healey wrote. “The Red Sox’ offer to Alonso was for fewer years and significantly less money, sources said.”"

 

[moonslav59]

These guys have to know their offers are woefully short, yet they keep letting the press know they are "interested" in so and so. Do they really think that please fans to know we are "trying?"

It's not trying.

It's deception and hocus pocus shams.

You can't say you were serious about signing Soto and then say we can't afford to outbid the O's for Alonso at a small fraction of the reported offer for Juan.

We'll be outbid for the runner ups, too, and this point, I'm about ready to think what difference does it make. Signing Bregman gets us close to where we were before- barely squeaking into the playoffs and an early exit.

[Old Red]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

These guys have to know their offers are woefully short, yet they keep letting the press know they are "interested" in so and so. Do they really think that please fans to know we are "trying?"

It's not trying.

It's deception and hocus pocus shams.

You can't say you were serious about signing Soto and then say we can't afford to outbid the O's for Alonso at a small fraction of the reported offer for Juan.

We'll be outbid for the runner ups, too, and this point, I'm about ready to think what difference does it make. Signing Bregman gets us close to where we were before- barely squeaking into the playoffs and an early exit.

According to reports the Red Sox were short on years, and significant less money for Alonso, and the last I knew they did not meet face to face. I guess the zoom meeting told enough.

[Randy Red Sox]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Word is that AZ wants Mayer for Marte. Not sure what else.

The money might be an issue for JH, so maybe Mayer, Hicks and_____? (DHam/Crawford/Mullins)

no way I make this deal. Keep Mayer. 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

no way I make this deal. Keep Mayer. 

Why? So when he and Anthony are primed, we pass on getting help, again?

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

300 more PAs from Anthony as our rallying center points. It is a joke

You're being ridiculous.  It is fine to anticipate that any given player might get injured.  But you sometimes sound like you're waiting for a meteor to hit Fenway.  Most, but not all, of our players should be healthy.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not sure why we should even hope for it

He's going to spend between the 1st and 2nd tax levels.  You may or may not like the players that Breslow signs, but the spending levels are pretty likely.  I'd make a serious wager we go over the first level.

[Randy Red Sox]

49 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Why? So when he and Anthony are primed, we pass on getting help, again?

no because he is going to be a stud and will be much cheaper than a 32 yr old Marte. This will allow JH to spend more $ on his other holdings.

[FredLynn]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

He's going to spend between the 1st and 2nd tax levels.  You may or may not like the players that Breslow signs, but the spending levels are pretty likely.  I'd make a serious wager we go over the first level.

He’s missed out on the top two FA hitters already. He might spend to just over the first threshold-or not. Regardless we won’t be better than last year, maybe making the playoffs with another early exit. This was a good year to go “full throttle”. But Henry decided to pocket the money he saved by getting rid of Devers instead of improving the team.

Disgusting franchise.

[UtahSox]

3 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

no way I make this deal. Keep Mayer. 

Why? What on gods green earth makes you think Mayer will sniff the level of Marte? 

[Randy Red Sox]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

Why? What on gods green earth makes you think Mayer will sniff the level of Marte? 

it's not apples and oranges. First off Marte is 32 on the downslope of his prime years. Second he is owed a lot of money and I believe has 4 yrs left on that deal. You gotta think JH is telling Breslow to make sure AZ eats a lot of that $$. Finally given that Mayer was actually ranked #1 in his draft class I feel that if he can just stay healthy he can turn out as good as Marte and finally he is COST CONTROLLED for several years and you know JH knows that.

The last word on this is that I don't see Marte being enough to put us over the top right now in any event. But if we can get him for giving up an OF and aSP not named Bello, Early, Tolle or Crochet then yeah let's do it. But Mayer stays.

[Randy Red Sox]

2 hours ago, FredLynn said:

He’s missed out on the top two FA hitters already. He might spend to just over the first threshold-or not. Regardless we won’t be better than last year, maybe making the playoffs with another early exit. This was a good year to go “full throttle”. But Henry decided to pocket the money he saved by getting rid of Devers instead of improving the team.

Disgusting franchise.

Great franchise--disgusting owner.

[FredLynn]

5 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

Great franchise--disgusting owner.

Fair enough. Heres another tidbit worthy of a good belly laugh: Rosenfeld claims the Flops are “in on” Freddy Peralta.

We aren’t getting Freddy Preslta or anyone like him. Besides, who needs Peralta when we have Grsy!

LOLOLOLOL

[Hitch]

9 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Word is that AZ wants Mayer for Marte. Not sure what else.

The money might be an issue for JH, so maybe Mayer, Hicks and_____? (DHam/Crawford/Mullins)

[Hugh2]

10 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Of course Bregman alone doesn’t do it! We needed to get BETTER, not march in place. I told you guys we weren’t signing anyone significant. We won’t get Bichette or any of the top Japanese players either. This is the team! Watch and weep!

Bichette, Alonso, Bregman, Schwarber are all guys that could make this team better.

im not so certain on the Japanese guys.  Okamoto maybe but Murakami scares the crap out of me.

[Old Red]

3 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

it's not apples and oranges. First off Marte is 32 on the downslope of his prime years. Second he is owed a lot of money and I believe has 4 yrs left on that deal. You gotta think JH is telling Breslow to make sure AZ eats a lot of that $$. Finally given that Mayer was actually ranked #1 in his draft class I feel that if he can just stay healthy he can turn out as good as Marte and finally he is COST CONTROLLED for several years and you know JH knows that.

The last word on this is that I don't see Marte being enough to put us over the top right now in any event. But if we can get him for giving up an OF and aSP not named Bello, Early, Tolle or Crochet then yeah let's do it. But Mayer stays.

Rankings in a draft class doesn’t always translate to success once you get to the Big Leagues. You know more Suspect than Prospect. Mayer was also past over by three other teams. Not being able to stay on the field is not a good look either.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Lou Merloni must read my posts. Here's what he said last night: "I like defense and I want contact. Sign Bregman and Okamoto."

... well, maybe not all my posts. I just can't see the Dread Sox signing two big money free agents. More like:

1. Bregman and a trade for a first baseman.

Or...

2. Okamoto and a trade for a second baseman.

Fans can only hope one of those lines will align with a lineup that lines up with the company line from malign ownership that sells seats at Fenway Park behind giant metal support poles that obstruct the line of sight from the spectator experience.

[Hugh2]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

Rankings in a draft class doesn’t always translate to success once you get to the Big Leagues. You know more Suspect than Prospect. Mayer was also past over by three other teams. Not being able to stay on the field is not a good look either.

I mean, "passed over by three teams" is an interesting way to describe a guy who was the #4 pick overall" By that logic every guy who isn't drafted #1 is "passed over"

1052 players played in 2025, 8 of them were former #1 overall picks.  So 99.2395437% of all MLB players are "passed over" 

Only the White Sox are going to get a non passed over player next year.

 

ADD: I know what you meant red, I'm just having a little fun with numbers while I sip my morning coffee. 

[moonslav59]

12 hours ago, Old Red said:

According to reports the Red Sox were short on years, and significant less money for Alonso, and the last I knew they did not meet face to face. I guess the zoom meeting told enough.

Not surprising

[moonslav59]

12 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

You're being ridiculous.  It is fine to anticipate that any given player might get injured.  But you sometimes sound like you're waiting for a meteor to hit Fenway.  Most, but not all, of our players should be healthy.

Hardly even close to ridiculous. 
im expecting normal injuries, progressions and regressions and this team looks way worse than last year, and we are two big bats away from being the same or better.

its ridiculous to not see that.

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Hardly even close to ridiculous. 
im expecting normal injuries, progressions and regressions and this team looks way worse than last year, and we are two big bats away from being the same or better.

its ridiculous to not see that.

Two big bats? If they bring back Bregman, it's the same roster. 

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I mean, "passed over by three teams" is an interesting way to describe a guy who was the #4

Is "interesting" a euphemism for "ridiculous"?  And he was actually ranked #1.  Pitt passed on him to save money for later signings.  Detroit passed because they wanted to build an uber-rotation.  I forget the other guy.

[Hugh2]

22 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Is "interesting" a euphemism for "ridiculous"?  And he was actually ranked #1.  Pitt passed on him to save money for later signings.  Detroit passed because they wanted to build an uber-rotation.  I forget the other guy.

This is a great point, and honestly if Pipeline is saying Mayer was the #1 prospect in the draft and Al Leiter is the #2 prospect in the draft.....who's to say Texas didn't legit see Leiter as the #1 or #2 player in the draft and that's why they took him #2?

[notin]

15 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Of course Bregman alone doesn’t do it! We needed to get BETTER, not march in place. I told you guys we weren’t signing anyone significant. We won’t get Bichette or any of the top Japanese players either. This is the team! Watch and weep!

We hear this every off-season once transactions close on December 11th…