A Realistic Look at the 2026 Red Sox: Part I

[JoeBrady]

30 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Congrats, youve made an excellent point about why plan A is not to make Cedanne an end to end full time second baseman

Thank you.  I'm just addressing Ceddanne as a plan for 2B, along with the Duran chatter.  Duran played RF last year, but it's not a real thing.

[moonslav59]

It's not a good thing to have your top wRC+ projected player be #38 (Anthony at 122,) but what may be worse is that your second guy is #80 (Contreras at 115.)

114 Abreu is at #90, so he barely gives us 3 in the top 90 (38, 80, 90)

110 Yoshida at #114 gives us 4 in the top 120, which is the norm.

107 Duran is at #150, which give us exactly the norm of 5 in 150.

We need help on O. The Yanks just brought Bellinger back.

[moonslav59]

Anthony has our top projected OPS at .801. (#36 in MLB)

[moonslav59]

BTV rejected Crawford & DHam for Paredes! LOL!

(Major overpay, when I took DHam out.)

Other trades accepted:

Bello for Paredes and B King

Bello & Sandlin for Paredes, Sousa & Janek

Bello, Hicks & $6M for Paredes & Abreu

Campbell & Sandlin for Paredes

 

[Duran Is The Man]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

It's not a good thing to have your top wRC+ projected player be #38 (Anthony at 122,) but what may be worse is that your second guy is #80 (Contreras at 115.)

114 Abreu is at #90, so he barely gives us 3 in the top 90 (38, 80, 90)

110 Yoshida at #114 gives us 4 in the top 120, which is the norm.

107 Duran is at #150, which give us exactly the norm of 5 in 150.

We need help on O. The Yanks just brought Bellinger back.

they've got Alonso at 130 and Bregman at 121. 

[Larry Cook]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

BTV rejected Crawford & DHam for Paredes! LOL!

(Major overpay, when I took DHam out.)

Other trades accepted:

Bello for Paredes and B King

Bello & Sandlin for Paredes, Sousa & Janek

Bello, Hicks & $6M for Paredes & Abreu

Campbell & Sandlin for Paredes

 

Paredes has negative 3 drs in 2025 I think. We have been moving the defensive dumpster fires out of town. 
 

is he really a fit for us? 

[moonslav59]

25 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Paredes has negative 3 drs in 2025 I think. We have been moving the defensive dumpster fires out of town. is he really a fit for us? 

I seems better on D than the metrics show, but I don't think they can be that wrong.

[Larry Cook]

Peralta to the Mets for sproat and Williams. Wow!!! 

[JoeBrady]

58 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Peralta to the Mets for sproat and Williams. Wow!!! 

IMHO, a slight overpay by the NYM, but they were desperate for a #1 SP.  They have some talent in the rotation, but it would be difficult to call any of them even a #2.

[moonslav59]

24 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

IMHO, a slight overpay by the NYM, but they were desperate for a #1 SP.  They have some talent in the rotation, but it would be difficult to call any of them even a #2.

One year of Peralta, but maybe they extend him.

[Hugh2]

I think there's a 50% chance the infielder we trade for is going to be a guy we aren't even talking about in here and one that few think of or even know about. 

I saw someone on the Soxprospects forum throw out the name Masyn Winn.  I'm not saying he's the guy, or even sharing my opinion on him one way or the other.  But I'm increasingly thinking that's the kind of move we see. 

It's going to be someone young, highly talented, who the Sox identify as someone who is ready to take off.  And if they do they will look like geniuses, and if said player does not.....egg on their face. 

Jeremy Pena is another name I've seen thrown out there. 

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Jeremy Pena is another name I've seen thrown out there. 

There's just no way. Pena is the best player the Astros have left. I don't think they are giving up on that roster yet. 

He also would cost a lot and doesn't really check some of the boxes that the Sox really like (exit velo, hard hit, chase rate). Good defender, pulls the ball, but would take a lot in a trade. 

[Hugh2]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

There's just no way. Pena is the best player the Astros have left. I don't think they are giving up on that roster yet. 

He also would cost a lot and doesn't really check some of the boxes that the Sox really like (exit velo, hard hit, chase rate). Good defender, pulls the ball, but would take a lot in a trade. 

I agree

[drewski6]

12 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Paredes has negative 3 drs in 2025 I think. We have been moving the defensive dumpster fires out of town. 
 

is he really a fit for us? 

did you miss the part where we have no hitters projected to be in teh top 35, and he is projected to be in the top 35 of baseball?

[drewski6]

43 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

There's just no way. Pena is the best player the Astros have left. I don't think they are giving up on that roster yet. 

He also would cost a lot and doesn't really check some of the boxes that the Sox really like (exit velo, hard hit, chase rate). Good defender, pulls the ball, but would take a lot in a trade. 

RI's adopted son and Classical High School (Providence, RI) grad Jeremy Pena?

You eat those words!

The only RI'er we bash round here is Paul Konerko

Pena, Rocco Baldelli, and Mikey King are off limits! 

[drewski6]

for a young 5 WAR prospect you make room if the prospect cost is affordable, but I think in this case it wont be. It would be like Tolle and Mayer, and Im honestly not sure even then.  Trading him would represent a hard reset and even if you are hard resetting hes too young and too good.

[drewski6]

Paredes simply makes too much sense

1. Hed be our best hitter
2. Hes not studly defensively, but hes versatile which allows us to move him around
3. He doesnt seem too expensive $$ wise or prospect wise

I know some dream about someone younger or a better defender, but at this point, we need the cheap hitting

[moonslav59]

I really don't see a better and clearly available target than Paredes. If he's a little below average on 3B defense, maybe Contreras at 1B and Mayer/Romy at 2B can make the overall infield defense a little better than 2025.

If the OF stay healthy, and we don't need to use Rafaela at 2B, the OF should improve (LF Anthony/ CF Rafaela/ RF Abreu FT.)

It's going to be hard to improve on the 2015 DH slot, since Devers was there for 300+ PAs, but with Duran, Masa and Romy there, we should be okay.

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Paredes simply makes too much sense

1. Hed be our best hitter
2. Hes not studly defensively, but hes versatile which allows us to move him around
3. He doesnt seem too expensive $$ wise or prospect wise

I know some dream about someone younger or a better defender, but at this point, we need the cheap hitting

We simply have to make this happen.

The good thing is, that the desperation factor applies to HOU as much as us. We both have logjams that need clearing up. We both have high needs at the same area the other has the logjam.

No brainer, here.

[drewski6]

14 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I really don't see a better and clearly available target than Paredes. If he's a little below average on 3B defense, maybe Contreras at 1B and Mayer/Romy at 2B can make the overall infield defense a little better than 2025.

If the OF stay healthy, and we don't need to use Rafaela at 2B, the OF should improve (LF Anthony/ CF Rafaela/ RF Abreu FT.)

It's going to be hard to improve on the 2015 DH slot, since Devers was there for 300+ PAs, but with Duran, Masa and Romy there, we should be okay.

I think its cute that youve decided that Duran is the DH and operate on a basis that accepts that as fact.

[drewski6]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We simply have to make this happen.

The good thing is, that the desperation factor applies to HOU as much as us. We both have logjams that need clearing up. We both have high needs at the same area the other has the logjam.

No brainer, here.

It feels like it, but Im not so sure they are super desperate.  But I agree, this needs to happen.

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I think its cute that youve decided that Duran is the DH and operate on a basis that accepts that as fact.

OF defense....

Anthony> Duran

Rafaela > Duran

Abreu> Duran

It's not a fact, and with Cora, nobody knows. I state it as my opinion.

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

OF defense....

Anthony> Duran

Rafaela > Duran

Abreu> Duran

It's not a fact, and with Cora, nobody knows. I state it as my opinion.

Duran is fine for the backup CFer when Rafaela needs a day off. 

[mvp 78]

47 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Paredes simply makes too much sense

1. Hed be our best hitter
2. Hes not studly defensively, but hes versatile which allows us to move him around
3. He doesnt seem too expensive $$ wise or prospect wise

I know some dream about someone younger or a better defender, but at this point, we need the cheap hitting

Paredes is still 26. How much younger do they want? 

[drewski6]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Paredes is still 26. How much younger do they want? 

He should prob be the guy

[drewski6]

23 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

OF defense....

Anthony> Duran

Rafaela > Duran

Abreu> Duran

It's not a fact, and with Cora, nobody knows. I state it as my opinion.

Outside of maybe the first month, there will be multiple injuries and who plays where will depend on the injuries (as well as slumps, rest days, handedness)

Right now, our defensive alignment is: it depends on who is pitching for htem, who is injured, who is hot, who is not....

If 2 guys get hurt for the beginning of the season but come back mid season, then 2 different guys get hurt, the defensive alignment will shuffle and continue to shuffle

Duran will play some DH, so will alot of other players at various points in the season.  Duran may have more DH at bats than anyone but it wont be a huge amount.  When everyone is healthy (whch will be rare) most likley youll have a DH rotation, that will be Roman at lest as often as Duran and sometimes Cedanne will be infield (but not a ton).  

WE will use many different defensive alignments, and its silly to stress on it right now cuz injuries will change it, and thats why versatility is in and old school mentality of every player has a position and nobody moves around and nobody platoons - theres a reason thats gone "old school"
 

[moonslav59]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Duran is fine for the backup CFer when Rafaela needs a day off. 

Fine. He can back up Anthony, too in LF, and When Abreu sits, move Anthony to RF and have Duran in LF.

I'm still counting Duran as the FT DH (4th OF'er)

If everyone is healthy, they should all get 600+ PAs. Assume 700 PAs per slot:

LF: Anthony 600 & Duran 100

CF: Rafaela 650 & Duran 50

RF: Abreu 650 & Anthony 50

DH: Duran 550 (+150 OF)

Of course, we won't see perfect health, but this is the template I'd use.

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Fine. He can back up Anthony, too in LF, and When Abreu sits, move Anthony to RF and have Duran in LF.

I'm still counting Duran as the FT DH (4th OF'er)

If everyone is healthy, they should all get 600+ PAs. Assume 700 PAs per slot:

LF: Anthony 600 & Duran 100

CF: Rafaela 650 & Duran 50

RF: Abreu 650 & Anthony 50

DH: Duran 550 (+150 OF)

Of course, we won't see perfect health, but this is the template I'd use.

1. You underestimate how much energy RA and even Abreu will regain DH'ing a day.  In some parks, its a tiring jog from the dugout to the corner OF spots. Even once. DOing that 10/night all week and you wont be fresh as a daisy. SOmeone like Roman who is trying to still develop his hitting , you are not helping him succeed by keeping him tired

2. Your template for perfect health is useless. The injuries will come and theyll keep coming

3. Even if there wasnt an injury all year, no way all these players are getting this many at-bats.  

[drewski6]

Anthony will prob DH 200 at-bats
Masa will prob DH 100 at-bats
Casas (if not traded) will prob DH some at-bats
Contreras will
Romy will
There will be times when someone is too banged up to play the field but can DH , it can be anybody
Paredes or Suarez or whoever we get will prob factor in
And DUran will as well, but it wont be like 85% of our DH at bats. I doubt it will even be 50% becaus I think that more than 50% of the season, somebody will be hurt.

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Anthony will prob DH 200 at-bats
Masa will prob DH 100 at-bats
Casas (if not traded) will prob DH some at-bats
Contreras will
Romy will
There will be times when someone is too banged up to play the field but can DH , it can be anybody
Paredes or Suarez or whoever we get will prob factor in
And DUran will as well, but it wont be like 85% of our DH at bats. I doubt it will even be 50% becaus I think that more than 50% of the season, somebody will be hurt.

If Masa is only DHing 100 AB's, DFA him today.