A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

I would do that.  I don't think Houston would, but I don't think it is far off either.

I might add DHam or Mullins, if that tips the balance...maybe Sandlin.

[notin]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

It literally makes zero sense at all.  People just see that he hit a ton of home runs last year and that's it.  It's like a horse race wearing his blinders that can't see anything else but that HR. 

HR are nice, and very important, but you have to see the forest for the trees as well.  

When not homering last year, Suarez hit .158/.245…

[Kimmi]

21 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Duran should DH over Masa v RHPs. The other 3 OF'er should play FT, so there is not much room for Duran in the OF, unless an injury occurs. 

Rafaela has reverse splits, so he is not a prime platoon partner with Duran or Abreu.

 

Could Duran realistically play 2nd base?  That would solve some problems.

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Kimmi said:

Could Duran realistically play 2nd base?  That would solve some problems.

At what level? HS level? Sure? FCL level? Probably not. He could make Yoeillin Cespedes look like a gold glover. 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

At what level? HS level? Sure? FCL level? Probably not. He could make Yoeillin Cespedes look like a gold glover. 

He did play in college and a few games in the minors, but I'd give it a big NO!

[Hugh2]

15 minutes ago, notin said:

When not homering last year, Suarez hit .158/.245…

It's not like his .228/.298 when you add them in is too enticing. 

He literally does nothing else, he does the one thing everyone loves that comes with other good things 99% of the time.  This is the exception. 

I'm not even sure why we are all talking about this.  I think it's painstakingly obvious the Sox are done adding payroll. 

Suarez has the one skill teams vastly overpay for, I wouldn't be completely shocked if he gets 55/2 or 60/2 or something like that.  Which is 30+12 minus draft picks for the Sox.  That ain't happening. 

[Kimmi]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

At what level? HS level? Sure? FCL level? Probably not. He could make Yoeillin Cespedes look like a gold glover. 

He would need to take reps there, for sure.  I know it's been a while, but it's not like he hasn't played the position before.  He's athletic enough.

That said, I know that we need strong infield defense.  I'm just curious as to why this has not been a consideration.

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

It's not like his .228/.298 when you add them in is too enticing. 

He literally does nothing else, he does the one thing everyone loves that comes with other good things 99% of the time.  This is the exception. 

I'm not even sure why we are all talking about this.  I think it's painstakingly obvious the Sox are done adding payroll. 

Suarez has the one skill teams vastly overpay for, I wouldn't be completely shocked if he gets 55/2 or 60/2 or something like that.  Which is 30+12 minus draft picks for the Sox.  That ain't happening. 

The .313 OBP from 2023 to 2025 is very concerning, as i was .334 before 2023.

I'm okay with Ks, if a guy can produce, but I'm not sure all the extra base hits make up for the low OBP. I'm big on OBP, although it seems to be losing steam. That being said, Suarez would not have the worst OBP on the team. That's not a prop.

Story .308, Rafaela .295, Narvaez .306 & Toro .289 all were worse than ES's 3 year number. Abreu .317 & Campbell .319 were close.

I'd much rather have Paredes, but trading Duran or Bello to get him kinda cancels out that gain over Suarez.

I'm not going to project what the spending budget is, and if we trade some salary, maybe ES can fit.

Wo else, besides Paredes gives us some power we need? If we can keep Duran and add Paredes power, I'd be pretty happy.

[notin]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

He did play in college and a few games in the minors, but I'd give it a big NO!

They did move him off second for a reason.  Not sure what that reason was or if it ever made sense…

[notin]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The .313 OBP from 2023 to 2025 is very concerning, as i was .334 before 2023.

I'm okay with Ks, if a guy can produce, but I'm not sure all the extra base hits make up for the low OBP. I'm big on OBP, although it seems to be losing steam. That being said, Suarez would not have the worst OBP on the team. That's not a prop.

Story .308, Rafaela .295, Narvaez .306 & Toro .289 all were worse than ES's 3 year number. Abreu .317 & Campbell .319 were close.

I'd much rather have Paredes, but trading Duran or Bello to get him kinda cancels out that gain over Suarez.

I'm not going to project what the spending budget is, and if we trade some salary, maybe ES can fit.

Wo else, besides Paredes gives us some power we need? If we can keep Duran and add Paredes power, I'd be pretty happy.

Manny Machado!!

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

They did move him off second for a reason.  Not sure what that reason was or if it ever made sense…

Yes, I can't see there being a reason to move him to 2B, despite our enormous need there.

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Manny Machado!!

8 years left on his deal, and he's half way to 34, now. YIKES!

BTV has him at -118, but his value is +180.

BTV accepted Yoshida, Hicks, Sandoval for Machado & $70M

[Larry Cook]

Mets acquiring white Sox Luis Robert! Outfield problem fixed for the Mets 

[Hugh2]

7 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Mets acquiring white Sox Luis Robert! Outfield problem fixed for the Mets 

The Mets still may be looking to add more outfield help, after Soto and Robert in CF/RF Duran would still be a very big upgrade for them in LF

[mvp 78]

12 hours ago, notin said:

They did move him off second for a reason.  Not sure what that reason was or if it ever made sense…

They thought moving him to the OF would better utilize his speed. It just took a long time for that to bear out. 

[notin]

11 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

8 years left on his deal, and he's half way to 34, now. YIKES!

 

Manny Machado is only 17!?!?!?

[notin]

31 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

They thought moving him to the OF would better utilize his speed. It just took a long time for that to bear out. 

Still kind of waiting for it…

[notin]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

The Mets still may be looking to add more outfield help, after Soto and Robert in CF/RF Duran would still be a very big upgrade for them in LF

They do have 22yo rookie Carson Benge, fresh off his .536 OPS in AAA (limited action).

At some point, the Mets might need a free player or two.  Contrary to popular belief, it turns out Steve Cohen in comprised of flesh and blood, and not actually made of cotton fiber paper and metallic ink as many believe…

[moonslav59]

Tristan Gray to Twins.

[Hugh2]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

They do have 22yo rookie Carson Benge, fresh off his .536 OPS in AAA (limited action).

At some point, the Mets might need a free player or two.  Contrary to popular belief, it turns out Steve Cohen in comprised of flesh and blood, and not actually made of cotton fiber paper and metallic ink as many believe…

Maybe, the Mets also recently put out a report that they're going to give Carson Benge every opportunity to earn a starting job in spring training. 

The kind of thing they might say if they're un-interested........also the type of thing they might say if they're actively in negotiations and posturing. 

[Hugh2]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Tristan Gray to Twins.

There's your corresponding move for the Suarez deal. 

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Tristan Gray to Twins.

Makes sense that it wouldn't be a DFA. Even if it's just a DSL guy. 

[mvp 78]

15 minutes ago, notin said:

Still kind of waiting for it…

He could be an amazing defender, just doesn't have the focus. IDK. Something is missing. 

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

Manny Machado is only 17!?!?!?

That would be a cursed timeline.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

That would be a cursed timeline.

Maybe he’s like Merlin?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

28 minutes ago, notin said:

Manny Machado is only 17!?!?!?

Have you ever lived in San Diego? Even visiting for just a week makes hair turn blonde and jelly bellies disappear -- public transportation is roller blading!

[drewski6]

17 hours ago, Kimmi said:

He would need to take reps there, for sure.  I know it's been a while, but it's not like he hasn't played the position before.  He's athletic enough.

That said, I know that we need strong infield defense.  I'm just curious as to why this has not been a consideration.

Id do it.  In 2026, elite Catchers pick up a CF glove and become elite CF's in a year.  Everyone is moving around.

Duran's CF defense + 2b Raf's defense vs Raf's CF defense vs Durans 2b defense

80+80 vs 100+ ? 

Does Duran clear 60 (on a 1-100 scale), eh, honestly probably not.

So I wouldnt do it, becuase Id play Cedanne there instead.

[drewski6]

14 hours ago, notin said:

They did move him off second for a reason.  Not sure what that reason was or if it ever made sense…

probably because they had a 2b who couldnt play OF and this way they could get both bats in the lineup.

[drewski6]

49 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He could be an amazing defender, just doesn't have the focus. IDK. Something is missing. 

doesnt give me hope he'll be serviceable at infield.

[drewski6]

is adderall allowed? If you have a script?  Kinda gray area

Cuz like its medical, but it would help his production. Give Duran some speed (the drug, not the attribute) and hes back to 8 WAR+ lol