Should Boston Pilfer A Division Rival to Replace Alex Bregman in Free Agency?

[mvp 78]

38 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

You can't learn to hit lefties if you sit vs. lefties.  If you platoon him you're putting his development on hold. 

That's a bad ideal. 

Not if it's hitting vs LHP @ 30% vs 15%. I don't think it's a material impact to development. 

[Hugh2]

48 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Where did I come close to saying I'm giving up on him?

36 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agreed it's not ideal.

There are other factors involved, like...

1. His health and ability to play over 145 games (maybe even 100+) If we are going to sit him in 20 games, why not 20 out of the 40-45 times we'll face a lefty?

2. Assume he sits 25 out of the 45 games we face a lefty. He'd still break his record for most games played in a season, but it would be "ruining" his development, according to you. He'd still face 20 LH'd starters and countless LH'd RP'ers and probably get more PAs vs LHPs than ever before, if he makes it a full season healthy.

3. We have a guy named Romy, who kills lefties. I think Cora wants Masa as the FT DH, and if we bring Bregman back or sign another FT 3B and or 1Bman, then Romy has 0-1 slots to platoon at. I'm just suggesting he platoon some with Mayer. Romy should start 100% of games ve LHPs and even bat top 6. We need to put the best team on the field, and if slows Mayer's growth in batting vs LHPs by a smidgeon, so be it. he likely needs the rest, anyway.

er?

1. It's not like these guys sit around and do nothing on days they don't play.  They have training programs.  Not playing some games isn't the time off that I think people think it is.  Unless you're literally F**** from injury and can't move, you're being active and training your body ifyou're a pro athlete.  If hes not....shame on him. 

2/3 there's a very stark difference between rotating ROmney around as a platoon guy and sitting Mayer, perhaps against some lefties and then strictly platooning him.  Definitions mean something to me, a utility guy who might take some at bats away from Mayer vs. LHP on days off iS NOT the same as him being a platoon player.  I'm not against that, I'm against a Platoon at SS. 

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

1. It's not like these guys sit around and do nothing on days they don't play.  They have training programs.  Not playing some games isn't the time off that I think people think it is.  Unless you're literally F**** from injury and can't move, you're being active and training your body ifyou're a pro athlete.  If hes not....shame on him. 

2/3 there's a very stark difference between rotating ROmney around as a platoon guy and sitting Mayer, perhaps against some lefties and then strictly platooning him.  Definitions mean something to me, a utility guy who might take some at bats away from Mayer vs. LHP on days off iS NOT the same as him being a platoon player.  I'm not against that, I'm against a Platoon at SS. 

I totally get everything you are saying, but playing Mayer 140 games, by far the most in his career is not going to stunt his development. He will still get more PAs vs LHPs than in any season of his life.

Yes, and on days off, he can bat in the cage vs LHPs 75% of the time.

[mvp 78]

17 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I'm against a Platoon at SS. 

You must hate baseball in the year 2025 then. 

[drewski6]

34 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

You must hate baseball in the year 2025 then. 

If the rosters were 30 deep, every team would carry 6 platoons.  I dont get why people are so against it.

[Hitch]

On 11/5/2025 at 3:34 PM, Hugh2 said:

I don't think that's a 100% fair accurate assessment of the Sox player development philosophy. 

I think there's a very real difference between how you handle a guy long term vs. calling him up and exposing him to the big leagues for the first time. 

There's a very stark difference between calling a kid up to the big leagues when he's still developing at the end of the year and platooning him for a month or two vs. platooning him all year round. The only way Mayer will ever learn to hit LHP will be hitting LHP. I feel pretty confident about stating that they're not going to go into the 2026 with plans for him to be both on the big league club and to be a platoon player.  

I'm not saying they won't sit him vs. some lefties and let Romney get his at bats, but they're not going to cut his development short by depriving him of that opportunity.  He was ranked 15th/12th by BA/MLB last year (and got into the top 10 at various times).  Correct me if I'm wrong, but has a team ever taken a player of that caliber and potential and with only 125 at bats under their belt said "nahhhh lets platoon you now". 

 

I don't know what to tell you, Cora has specifically said he believes in platooning rookies to start with. Mayer didn't have much of a season last year so you have to believe that he will be platooned this coming season. I don't think he will be long term, but if that was to be the plan - trade him now.

 

Cora - 

“I don’t know, maybe (the rookies will play) Friday, maybe Saturday, maybe Sunday,” Cora said, as seen on NESN. “Let’s wait until we see the lefty, and then when you seen the lineup you guys can ask me.

“The lefties here are real lefties,” Cora said. “There’s stuff here. Especially the guys in the bullpen. I truly believe that if you’ve got stuff, you’re going to be here, you’re not going to be in Triple-A or Double-A. So what they see here is different.

“I think the gap is big. It’s very big. When you play a team six times a week and you’re constantly moving guys up and down, the good ones are here. It gets to a point down there — I’m not saying it’s what they did, I think they’re very talented and they’ve earned the right to be in the big leagues — but there’s a big gap."

“We can’t play 13 position players. We cannot,” “I get it, people get frustrated, but I get frustrated, too. I get the same question over and over again, but I’ve been doing it like this since 2018. Rafael Devers platooned in 2018, and right now he’s one of the best hitters in the big leagues.”

[Hitch]

On 11/5/2025 at 4:54 PM, mvp 78 said:

The ceiling is still there. He just missed some development time and has things to work on. Not every prospect is going to crush it as quick as Roman did. 

I think we can be honest about where his is today and what the expectations should be for this coming year. To me, let him have a full year in the bigs succeeding against RHB in largely a platoon role and try to get to October healthy. He may not get a full load of at bats against LHP, but if he was treated like Abreu, he's still see LHP like 15% of the time (most likely resting against really tough LHP). When Duran played everyday in '24, he faced LHP about 30% of the time. Is 50% of the at bats destroying his development? I don't really think so if it's his first year. 

I agree. I'm not saying trade him, only that if the long term plan was platoon only, then send him now when his reputation is stellar. I don't believe that is the long term plan, though. 

[mvp 78]

37 minutes ago, Hitch said:

I agree. I'm not saying trade him, only that if the long term plan was platoon only, then send him now when his reputation is stellar. I don't believe that is the long term plan, though. 

Right now, the rep is INJURY RISK.

[Hitch]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Right now, the rep is INJURY RISK.

Even so, a lot of teams will be very high on him.

[Hugh2]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

You must hate baseball in the year 2025 then. 

I'm not sure how this makes any sense.  Does one have to be in love with every single position, slot in the lineup, and player to not hate baseball?

I think most people would prefer an everyday player over a platoon player.  It feels teams typically platoon when a better option isn't available.  It's reasonable in some cases, you can't have an all star at every position and sometimes a platoon can work out great, but you can't over use it because you ONLY GET 13 position players. 

I don't think it's hateful, or unreasonable to state that someone would prefer continuity at a position such as short stop and not have it be a rotation of players. 

[Hugh2]

You'll see....YOU'LL ALL SEE. And then you'll be sorry.

(stomps feet and walks away)

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

I'm not sure how this makes any sense.  Does one have to be in love with every single position, slot in the lineup, and player to not hate baseball?

I think most people would prefer an everyday player over a platoon player.  It feels teams typically platoon when a better option isn't available.  It's reasonable in some cases, you can't have an all star at every position and sometimes a platoon can work out great, but you can't over use it because you ONLY GET 13 position players. 

I don't think it's hateful, or unreasonable to state that someone would prefer continuity at a position such as short stop and not have it be a rotation of players. 

The DHam’s, and Romy’s to some are like folk hero’s on here. I’ve stated more than once on here that I don’t like platoons at all. The biggest reason the Red Sox have had so many platoons  especially in the IF the past few years is, because of injuries at SS, and 1B, and the Red Sox haven’t been able to find a FT 2B. I would stick Mayer at SS, and let him play every day, and let’s see if he’s as good as some have been raving about since he was drafted, and see if he’s a real prospect, or more like a suspect. Of course he’s got to stay healthy too.

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, Old Red said:

The DHam’s, and Romy’s to some are like folk hero’s on here. I’ve stated more than once on here that I don’t like platoons at all. The biggest reason the Red Sox have had so many platoons  especially in the IF the past few years is, because of injuries at SS, and 1B, and the Red Sox haven’t been able to find a FT 2B. I would stick Mayer at SS, and let him play every day, and let’s see if he’s as good as some have been raving about since he was drafted, and see if he’s a real prospect, or more like a suspect. Of course he’s got to stay healthy too.

Romy vs LHP

978 OPS '25

879 OPS '24

He's no folk hero. He just hits LHP and the Sox have a lot of prominent LHBs (Abreu, Duran, Mayer, Anthony, Masa, Casas).

[Old Red]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Romy vs LHP

978 OPS '25

879 OPS '24

He's no folk hero. He just hits LHP and the Sox have a lot of prominent LHBs (Abreu, Duran, Mayer, Anthony, Masa, Casas).

I know all about his numbers, but he hasn’t played as much as he has is, because of those numbers, but because of injuries.

[JoeBrady]

On 11/5/2025 at 11:21 AM, Hugh2 said:

*sigh*

Everyone once in a while I feel so strongly about something I'd be willing to bet on it.  Anyone want to wager Mayer platooning in 2026?

The Red Sox have a very strict plan for how they develop guys, yes they make exceptions like.....there's a few months left in the season and we are in a pennant race.  A perfect example of this is Tolle, who they moved to the bullpen for the end of the year/playoff run.  But he's probably going to move back to the rotation and start the year in AAA to finish his development. 

Anyone who has listened to what guys like their director of player development talk about what they plan on doing with Mayer, or even Cora explicityly stating he's going to be a full time player it's BLATANTLY obvious they're going to play him full time. 

THey're not looking at the splits on BA like you guys, assuming zero growth, and making the types of moves you make in September/October in the spring of next year.  I'll wager on that. 

It completely depends on circumstances.  If we re-sign Bregman, then we'll have Romy/Mayer splitting some time, which means less lefties for Mayer.

But if we sign Bichette or Kim, then Mayer starts at 3rd and plays every game.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Old Red said:

I know all about his numbers, but he hasn’t played as much as he has is, because of those numbers, but because of injuries.

No. His amount of play vs RHPs was because of injury. His amount vs LHPs was earned.

He started playing more once Campbell was demoted. That was not an injury. Yes, he was able to DH due to Masa's injury and play 1B due to the Casas injury, but he'd have played 2B vs every LHPs once Campbell was demoted.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

It completely depends on circumstances.  If we re-sign Bregman, then we'll have Romy/Mayer splitting some time, which means less lefties for Mayer.

But if we sign Bichette or Kim, then Mayer starts at 3rd and plays every game.

Romy could share a platoon with Masa at DH, Lowe or some other LHP at 1B or 2B/3B, especially if DHam (gasp) is involved in playing a lot.

[Old Red]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

No. His amount of play vs RHPs was because of injury. His amount vs LHPs was earned.

He started playing more once Campbell was demoted. That was not an injury. Yes, he was able to DH due to Masa's injury and play 1B due to the Casas injury, but he'd have played 2B vs every LHPs once Campbell was demoted.

And like I said in the previous post before this one, and because the Red Sox haven’t been able to come up with a somewhat FT player at 2B, which is why they used 11 different 2B in 2024, which he was one of them. I’m not downplaying his contribution, but why it got there in the first place, and why it still gets more playtime.

[moonslav59]

16 minutes ago, Old Red said:

And like I said in the previous post before this one, and because the Red Sox haven’t been able to come up with a somewhat FT player at 2B, which is why they used 11 different 2B in 2024, which he was one of them. I’m not downplaying his contribution, but why it got there in the first place, and why it still gets more playtime.

So, you agree it wasn't an injury that got Romy his PAs vs LHPs?

I do agree he got almost all his PAs vs RH's SP'ers due to injuries.

I've also been highlighting how our 2B position has been broken for about a decade.

[Randy Red Sox]

On 11/4/2025 at 6:58 AM, Hitch said:

 

i'd be shocked if JH approved any of Alonso, Bregman, or Bichette.  think someone coming off any injury or a down year on a 1 yr deal with an option on a 2nd year

[Hitch]

16 hours ago, Old Red said:

The DHam’s, and Romy’s to some are like folk hero’s on here. I’ve stated more than once on here that I don’t like platoons at all. The biggest reason the Red Sox have had so many platoons  especially in the IF the past few years is, because of injuries at SS, and 1B, and the Red Sox haven’t been able to find a FT 2B. I would stick Mayer at SS, and let him play every day, and let’s see if he’s as good as some have been raving about since he was drafted, and see if he’s a real prospect, or more like a suspect. Of course he’s got to stay healthy too.

It's not about folk hero's or what we'd do. It's what our manager does and has done for his whole time as a manager. He loves platoons. It's not down to injuries, it's quite literally his philosophy. 

[Hitch]

5 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i'd be shocked if JH approved any of Alonso, Bregman, or Bichette.  think someone coming off any injury or a down year on a 1 yr deal with an option on a 2nd year

I'm actually more confident after not giving Gio the QO that we are now going to get out and grab two significant free agent signings for the infield and trade for a lower cost No2 (Ryan) and sadly not go after Skubal.

[mvp 78]

6 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i'd be shocked if JH approved any of Alonso, Bregman, or Bichette.  think someone coming off any injury or a down year on a 1 yr deal with an option on a 2nd year

That's why I keep talking about Hoskins, not because he's the best player available but because he fits the org's targeted profile. 

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, Hitch said:

I'm actually more confident after not giving Gio the QO that we are now going to get out and grab two significant free agent signings for the infield and trade for a lower cost No2 (Ryan) and sadly not go after Skubal.

It makes me more confident that they won't get a guy attached to a QO, but will re-sign Breggie and trade for a starter. 

[Old Red]

40 minutes ago, Hitch said:

It's not about folk hero's or what we'd do. It's what our manager does and has done for his whole time as a manager. He loves platoons. It's not down to injuries, it's quite literally his philosophy. 

Did he love Franchy at 1B, or Arroyo in RF in Fenway, or did he just not have any other option? Casas at 1B, or a Toro/Romy combo. Injuries, or not another option? Having 11 different 2B in 2024 was quite a platoon. How’d that work out?

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Did he love Franchy at 1B, or Arroyo in RF in Fenway, or did he just not have any other option? Casas at 1B, or a Toro/Romy combo. Injuries, or not another option? Having 11 different 2B in 2024 was quite a platoon. How’d that work out?

He was very excited to start Kiké at SS in '23! 

There's a difference between platooning guys and churning through a bad roster. He likes platooning guys and showcasing a player's strength. I don't think he seeks out churning through DFA'able players like he had to in '23-'24. 

[Hugh2]

50 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It makes me more confident that they won't get a guy attached to a QO, but will re-sign Breggie and trade for a starter. 

This is what I'm thinking now, and if they don't. But if they can't resign Bregman I wonder if they go after Pete Alonso.  That would certainly make for an intersting infield. 

3B Story

SS Mayer

2nd a platoon of Hamilton/Romy

1B Casas or Alonso

 

Infield looks a lot better with Bregman in it. 

[moonslav59]

7 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i'd be shocked if JH approved any of Alonso, Bregman, or Bichette.  think someone coming off any injury or a down year on a 1 yr deal with an option on a 2nd year

Yes, most likely the next Bregman 2025 type deal: one year with options or opt outs and maybe a high AAV.

[Old Red]

30 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He was very excited to start Kiké at SS in '23! 

There's a difference between platooning guys and churning through a bad roster. He likes platooning guys and showcasing a player's strength. I don't think he seeks out churning through DFA'able players like he had to in '23-'24. 

How could I forget about Kike at SS? Story, and Casas missed so much times the past few years, and that’s why the Red Sox went through so many different players at those positions, and not, because Cora likes to platoon. 2B is a different kind of situation where no one has been able to play halfway decent to stay there, and not, because Cora likes to platoon. That’s my point.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

This is what I'm thinking now, and if they don't. But if they can't resign Bregman I wonder if they go after Pete Alonso.  That would certainly make for an intersting infield. 

3B Story

SS Mayer

2nd a platoon of Hamilton/Romy

1B Casas or Alonso

 

Infield looks a lot better with Bregman in it. 

I can’t see Story going to 3B. 2B definitely if Cora will make the move.