Boston Red Sox Looking For An Upgrade Over Jarren Duran

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I've heard some talk on Ryan and Lopez.

Google Pablo Lopez available and it lists the Braves, Dodgers and others. On the "Twins Digest" they suggest he is "more available" than Ryan, and for obviou$ rea$on$.

The Joe Ryan available google nets more nuances links- more speculative than hard facts. Their owner even hinted that he's not available, but I have to think they'd say yes to the right offer. Waiting for the deadline might be their thought. One article suggested Arias and Witherspoon. It also mention using players from this group: Romero "blocked" and a 1-2 pitchers from Phillips, Eyanson, Monegro & Clarke, but I think it takes more than 3 from that group. I'm not even sure Arias, Witherspoon and Phillips/Monegro/Eyanson is enough.

Arias is the perfect guy for a team like the Twins, who realize they don't have the infield of a true contender, especially since they dumped Correa.

If the Twins instead had the exact same roster as the Red Sox, they'd also realize they need a club's #1 prospect to rebuild, since Boston doesn't have the infield of a true contender, either (currently, with only one MLB regular -- Trevor Story).

The point is, the Joe Ryan talk is meaningless if the Sox don't resign or replace Bregman, and find a healthy first baseman and second baseman who can hold down big league jobs and contribute. 

We're not just a #2 starting pitcher away from deep October baseball. But we are about 3 months away before Boras lets his clients sign, so prepare for futile arguments with clueless posters like me for the next quarter year.

[Larry Cook]

8 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I've heard some talk on Ryan and Lopez.

Google Pablo Lopez available and it lists the Braves, Dodgers and others. On the "Twins Digest" they suggest he is "more available" than Ryan, and for obviou$ rea$on$.

The Joe Ryan available google nets more nuances links- more speculative than hard facts. Their owner even hinted that he's not available, but I have to think they'd say yes to the right offer. Waiting for the deadline might be their thought. One article suggested Arias and Witherspoon. It also mention using players from this group: Romero "blocked" and a 1-2 pitchers from Phillips, Eyanson, Monegro & Clarke, but I think it takes more than 3 from that group. I'm not even sure Arias, Witherspoon and Phillips/Monegro/Eyanson is enough.

The national media is continuing to pound the skubal trade stories. They continue to list us as 1 of 4 teams with a chance to get skubal 

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

The national media is continuing to pound the skubal trade stories. They continue to list us as 1 of 4 teams with a chance to get skubal 

I'm pulling for the other 3 teams.

[Larry Cook]

Are either of the twins starting pitchers an upgrade over Duran? 

[moonslav59]

18 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Are either of the twins starting pitchers an upgrade over Duran? 

This is the equation:

Anthony > Duran in LF

Ryan or Lopez > Crawford or Dobbins in the rotation.

Ryan or Lopez >>>>> Duran

[notin]

11 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Are either of the twins starting pitchers an upgrade over Duran? 

Yes.  Duran is a terrible SP…

[Larry Cook]

13 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

This is the equation:

Anthony > Duran in LF

Ryan or Lopez > Crawford or Dobbins in the rotation.

Ryan or Lopez >>>>> Duran

If bres-slow decides to pass on acquiring Ryan, who else could possibly be worth acquiring for the number 2 spot in the rotation? 

[drewski6]

On 11/15/2025 at 5:42 PM, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Arias is the perfect guy for a team like the Twins, who realize they don't have the infield of a true contender, especially since they dumped Correa.

If the Twins instead had the exact same roster as the Red Sox, they'd also realize they need a club's #1 prospect to rebuild, since Boston doesn't have the infield of a true contender, either (currently, with only one MLB regular -- Trevor Story).

The point is, the Joe Ryan talk is meaningless if the Sox don't resign or replace Bregman, and find a healthy first baseman and second baseman who can hold down big league jobs and contribute. 

We're not just a #2 starting pitcher away from deep October baseball. But we are about 3 months away before Boras lets his clients sign, so prepare for futile arguments with clueless posters like me for the next quarter year.

Trading someone named Arias to the Twins feels weird.  Wonder if he'd change his name like when we picked up a former Twin named David Arias.

[Hugh2]

On 11/14/2025 at 1:04 PM, notin said:

Jordan Lawlor is another option...

I remember in the 2021 draft Lawlar being a top prospect and there was even a debate Mayer vs. Lawlar.  Both guys seem to be in similiar situations career wise.  Right on the cusp. 

[moonslav59]

20 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

If bres-slow decides to pass on acquiring Ryan, who else could possibly be worth acquiring for the number 2 spot in the rotation? 

Lodolo, maybe Bubic or higher paid guys like Lopez, Wacha, Lugo or Keller, who is more like a good #3.

I'm not for spending big money on a SP. but maybe Merrill Kelly, Nick Martinez, Eflin or someone like that can be had for le$$ and still leave money for a big bat. If we traded Duran and others for K Marte, sign Kelly to 2 years and also sign Alonso, I'd be happy.

[mvp 78]

17 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I remember in the 2021 draft Lawlar being a top prospect and there was even a debate Mayer vs. Lawlar.  Both guys seem to be in similiar situations career wise.  Right on the cusp. 

Both have had injury issues. Lawlar's bat has been his carrying tool so far and I don't know if he's going to be a SS going forward. DBags are going to try Lawlar out in CF this offseason. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Trading someone named Arias to the Twins feels weird.  Wonder if he'd change his name like when we picked up a former Twin named David Arias.

At this point I'd rather they just hang onto to Little Puppy and see how their Number One everyday prospect progresses in 2026. I just don't think -- even if Breslow trades for a #2 starter -- that the Sox will spend what it takes to sign enough free agents to make them a legitimate contender next year.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can see Boston pushing pitching and young homegrown regulars instead as their Great Pumpkins for next Halloween.

If Arias becomes an above-average shortstop like Soxprospects says he can be, then Boston will need him when the true window opens as Brez continues to build around pitching. Story's last season as a Red Sox will be '27, and who knows where or if Mayer will be playing by then: 2B, 3B, IL???

Plus, one of the talking heads on MLB Channel last night said the Twins might just keep Ryan and Lopez anyway and go for it in the weak AL Central.

 

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

If Arias becomes an above-average shortstop like Soxprospects says he can be, then Boston will need him when the true window opens as Brez continues to build around pitching.

That's his ceiling, not the actual expectation for him. 

He hit 709 at GRE and 685 at POR last season. For a guy whose hit tool is the biggest tool, he has a long way to go. 

They have his ETA as mid '27, but Witherspoon's ETA as early '28. Somehow, I think Witherspoon gets to BOS first. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Both have had injury issues. Lawlar's bat has been his carrying tool so far and I don't know if he's going to be a SS going forward. DBags are going to try Lawlar out in CF this offseason. 

If they’re moving Lawlor to CF, that speaks about not only their OF depth, but the weaknesses of their INF prospects.

They didn’t call Lawlor up to replace Suarez after dealing the latter and instead went with Blaze Alexander at 3b, despite Blaze not hitting since ST 2024. 
 

Much like Boston, their INF is in disarray.  Perdomo is a lock at SS.  They have the mercurial Marte at 2b on days he decides to play.  But Pavin Smith and Nobody Knows at the corners?

[Duran Is The Man]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

If they’re moving Lawlor to CF, that speaks about not only their OF depth, but the weaknesses of their INF prospects.

They didn’t call Lawlor up to replace Suarez after dealing the latter and instead went with Blaze Alexander at 3b, despite Blaze not hitting since ST 2024. 
 

Much like Boston, their INF is in disarray.  Perdomo is a lock at SS.  They have the mercurial Marte at 2b on days he decides to play.  But Pavin Smith and Nobody Knows at the corners?

i don't know plays third. and we all know who is on first.

[drewski6]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

If they’re moving Lawlor to CF, that speaks about not only their OF depth, but the weaknesses of their INF prospects.

They didn’t call Lawlor up to replace Suarez after dealing the latter and instead went with Blaze Alexander at 3b, despite Blaze not hitting since ST 2024. 
 

Much like Boston, their INF is in disarray.  Perdomo is a lock at SS.  They have the mercurial Marte at 2b on days he decides to play.  But Pavin Smith and Nobody Knows at the corners?

I have a hard time believing that if you ahve Moreno, Carroll and Marte, you can get away with some holes.   But, they didnt last year.  Can we get all 3, cuz that would be amazing.

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

If they’re moving Lawlor to CF, that speaks about not only their OF depth, but the weaknesses of their INF prospects.

They didn’t call Lawlor up to replace Suarez after dealing the latter and instead went with Blaze Alexander at 3b, despite Blaze not hitting since ST 2024. 

Much like Boston, their INF is in disarray.  Perdomo is a lock at SS.  They have the mercurial Marte at 2b on days he decides to play.  But Pavin Smith and Nobody Knows at the corners?

I've only checked in on Lawlar from time to time because of the Anthony connection so can't speak on the rest of the DBag stuff. From what I read, fans really don't like his defense and are generally happy about the idea of him moving to OF. In the end, seems like It makes the Mayer/Lawlar pick lean towards Mayer for now simply because of the SS defense. 

[notin]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I've only checked in on Lawlar from time to time because of the Anthony connection so can't speak on the rest of the DBag stuff. From what I read, fans really don't like his defense and are generally happy about the idea of him moving to OF. In the end, seems like It makes the Mayer/Lawlar pick lean towards Mayer for now simply because of the SS defense. 

Lawlor was moving off short regardless, since they extended defensive whiz kid Perdomo.  But I thought 3b or 2b (if they’re move Marte) might be in his future.  It does appear that will not be the case…

[moonslav59]

39 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

At this point I'd rather they just hang onto to Little Puppy and see how their Number One everyday prospect progresses in 2026. I just don't think -- even if Breslow trades for a #2 starter -- that the Sox will spend what it takes to sign enough free agents to make them a legitimate contender next year.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can see Boston pushing pitching and young homegrown regulars instead as their Great Pumpkins for next Halloween.

If Arias becomes an above-average shortstop like Soxprospects says he can be, then Boston will need him when the true window opens as Brez continues to build around pitching. Story's last season as a Red Sox will be '27, and who knows where or if Mayer will be playing by then: 2B, 3B, IL???

Plus, one of the talking heads on MLB Channel last night said the Twins might just keep Ryan and Lopez anyway and go for it in the weak AL Central.

 

If Arias become a legit ML'er, he'll reach that point the year Story's control ends. If he makes it by 2027, Story can play 2B his last year here.

[mvp 78]

12 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If Arias become a legit ML'er, he'll reach that point the year Story's control ends. If he makes it by 2027, Story can play 2B his last year here.

If they aren't moving Story in '26, why move him next year? If anything, you'd move him over for higher caliber Mayer. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

If they aren't moving Story in '26, why move him next year? If anything, you'd move him over for higher caliber Mayer. 

There was a big qualifier on Arias. I also think Arias is a better defensive SS than Mayer and Story, right now, but that is an opinion based on what I read and hear, only.

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

If they aren't moving Story in '26, why move him next year? If anything, you'd move him over for higher caliber Mayer. 

Cora will keep Mayer at 2b or 3b so he can platoon him with Romy.  

Look in your heart.  You know it to be true…

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Cora will keep Mayer at 2b or 3b so he can platoon him with Romy.  

Look in your heart.  You know it to be true…

If Mayer is at 3b and they don't sign a 2b, the platoon ends up being Romy at 2b. His arm isn't good enough to play 3b. Mayer becomes the fulltime 3b with not platoon. 

[notin]

48 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If Mayer is at 3b and they don't sign a 2b, the platoon ends up being Romy at 2b. His arm isn't good enough to play 3b. Mayer becomes the fulltime 3b with not platoon. 

Hopefully they don’t return Hamilton/Romy at 2b and try to upgrade there.

But I have 0 doubts Mayer platoons somewhere.  Cora platoons wherever possible. He was even platooning Casas at 1b last year, and Casas has always hit LHP as well as he hits RHP… 
 

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Hopefully they don’t return Hamilton/Romy at 2b and try to upgrade there.

But I have 0 doubts Mayer platoons somewhere.  Cora platoons wherever possible. He was even platooning Casas at 1b last year, and Casas has always hit LHP as well as he hits RHP… 
 

2b has been the last position they've worried about filling every season. They don't care about it. 

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

2b has been the last position they've worried about filling every season. They don't care about it. 

And you think they will never learn from that?

They could simply fill 3b, which then fills second by default.

And they did trade Chris Sale in an attempt to fill 2b once upon a time.  They could have dumped even more salary by not trying to fill it…

[moonslav59]

24 minutes ago, notin said:

Hopefully they don’t return Hamilton/Romy at 2b and try to upgrade there.

But I have 0 doubts Mayer platoons somewhere.  Cora platoons wherever possible. He was even platooning Casas at 1b last year, and Casas has always hit LHP as well as he hits RHP… 
 

Could we see this?

3B: Mayer vs RHPs/ Sogard or Eaton vs LHPs

2B: DHam or Sogard vs RHPs/ Romy vs LHPs.

I'm not so sure they worry about Romy's arm at 3B, but playing only 12 innings at 3B, last year, when Breggie missed a lot of time is sort of telling.

[moonslav59]

18 minutes ago, notin said:

 

And they did trade Chris Sale in an attempt to fill 2b once upon a time.  

That showed they cared.

I think they had faith in Campbell fixing the problem.

I think they liked Kiki at 2B, but SS and CF was a bigger need.

They kept Bogey at SS, so Story would be the FT 2Bman, so in a sense they paid $25M to "fix" 2B that year.

 

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, notin said:

And you think they will never learn from that?

They could simply fill 3b, which then fills second by default.

And they did trade Chris Sale in an attempt to fill 2b once upon a time.  They could have dumped even more salary by not trying to fill it…

Sale averaged less than 50 IP the previous 3 seasons. Can't get much for that! Have to settle for some measly 2b. 

[moonslav59]

15 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sale averaged less than 50 IP the previous 3 seasons. Can't get much for that! Have to settle for some measly 2b. 

They obviously felt he was more than measly.