Bregman signs with the Cubs

[Nick]

On 9/12/2026 at 5:18 PM, jad said:

I don't really care about teams, only about the players.  That's why, with the constant turnover of the roster, I don't really give a cr*p about the RS, at least, not like I used to when I could name most of the players on the team.

I only care about the team. If it's only about the players then I don't have to be a Sox fan.

[NHNative]

5 minutes ago, Nick said:

I only care about the team. If it's only about the players then I don't have to be a Sox fan.

I am a life long Red Sox fan and I care about the team and the players are a part of the team...its all one.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

How do you know he isn't speaking to someone? This idea that a person who suffers depression and attempted to kill himself should just stop getting down on himself and show us some measurable change is idiocy I thought we'd left in the last decade. Obviously not.

His job isn't to entertain you, It's to play well and earn a career for himself and his family. Entertainment is a byproduct. But your idea that his job is to entertain you, and don't you dare complain, shows very neatly that players are seen as commodities, robots there for our benefit and nothing else. Not human beings with real struggles and flaws. 

Sounds like he was right when he said I should never have mentioned it. Certainly nothing has been learned for some.

I guess fans are just the commodity that owe Jarren Duran a living no matter if he can get a hit or not? 

Playing well is what he can do to entertain us. I truly don't care too much about the rest of it. However, when he keeps bringing everything upon himself (f slurs, going after fans, going after podcasters, his social media drama) he has shown no growth. He's 30. A large part of the reason that he hasn't been traded is that he's a toxic asset. Other teams don't want him because of what he brings to the table. I wish it wasn't the case. He's my son's favorite player. It's less about "mental health" and more about his behavior on the field. At this point, you can't write that stuff off anymore. Depression isn't a hall pass to get away with whatever you want.

[mvp 78]

52 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I agree with MVP that end of day, his job is to entertain.  We are the clients.  I agree with you, however, that we should have compassion and understanding for his mental health journey.  But the challenge is where to draw the line.  Because every person who acts like a fool has a reason why.  There are always reasons why.  

I dont love "figure it out" as it does sound cold to me.  But there is a point where his mental health struggles are hurting the team more than his talents are helping.  But Ill keep rooting for him.  But I may boo if he drops a ball.  But Id prob feel bad about it later.

Why feel bad about booing? His job is to catch the ball. If one of us fails to do our job correctly, we're open for criticism. There's a difference between booing and intentionally going after Duran in public because of his struggles. If we all went to a game together, I'm sure we'd all cheer for everyone on the team (excluding one or two posters of course). 

The only game I've ever been to where fans were really going after an opposing player was the day Brett Myers pitched after beating up his wife. A little different than yelling at Duran TBH! 

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/news/brett-myers-arrested-for-hitting-his-wife/277918/

[Hitch]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

I guess fans are just the commodity that owe Jarren Duran a living no matter if he can get a hit or not? 

Playing well is what he can do to entertain us. I truly don't care too much about the rest of it. However, when he keeps bringing everything upon himself (f slurs, going after fans, going after podcasters, his social media drama) he has shown no growth. He's 30. A large part of the reason that he hasn't been traded is that he's a toxic asset. Other teams don't want him because of what he brings to the table. I wish it wasn't the case. He's my son's favorite player. It's less about "mental health" and more about his behavior on the field. At this point, you can't write that stuff off anymore. Depression isn't a hall pass to get away with whatever you want.

Just stop. You have zero idea what his growth has been. He's tried to kill himself and yet is still here, playing in a notoriously big market with all the pressures that brings. Hate on him all you want, but stop talking about mental health. You sound obnoxiously under-informed at best. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, drewski6 said:

So if hes the most capable SS defender (by a margin), this is a reason why he is too low at #15 on importance (for 2026 championship chase).  Im also considering that. Im also considering his playoff experience, that hes swung the bat well since returning, and that he was one of our best hitters in last years playoffs.  

Tolle, Gray, Cedanne, Contreras, Abreu, Story

He sucks at SS defense, and I'm big on that.

He's better than Monasterio, but he's not #15 right now. (I'd rather have Arias now, but he's not being promoted.)

 

1. Tolle

2. Gray

3. Ceddanne

4. Contreras

5. Abreu

6. Suarez

7. Anthony (could move up)

8. Durbin

9.Chapman

10. Whitlock

11. Bennett (maybe #14 for playoffs)

12. AR

13. Sogard

14. Miller

15. I could see putting Story or Duran, but I'd put Story, because he's the SS.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

9 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

1. Tolle

2. Gray

3. Ceddanne

4. Contreras

5. Abreu

6. Suarez

7. Anthony (could move up)

If Ramone hits more to left field, like he did with his game-winner yesterday, he sure could...

Seriously, the way Anthony effortlessly served that curve into left shows that it really doesn't take much effort -- for him, and his hand-eye. And extra base power will still be there, like his oppo HR in Baltimore right after returning to the line-up.

Going up there with an oppo mindset can open up the whole field for him, when pitchers start coming inside again and make mistakes.

Then the Roman Empire can become the force many predicted -- at exactly the right time.

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

If Ramone hits more to left field, like he did with his game-winner yesterday, he sure could...

Seriously, the way Anthony effortlessly served that curve into left shows that it really doesn't take much effort -- for him, and his hand-eye. And extra base power will still be there, like his oppo HR in Baltimore right after returning to the line-up.

Going up there with an oppo mindset can open up the whole field for him, when pitchers start coming inside again and make mistakes.

Then the Roman Empire can become the force many predicted -- at exactly the right time.

Roman really has an all fields approach (close to league average pull/center/oppo). Wilyer is great at going oppo. Rafaela also has a heavy oppo approach, which isn't typically great for a RHB at Fenway, but he has a good line drive approach and it can work with that large OF.  

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

41 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Roman really has an all fields approach (close to league average pull/center/oppo). Wilyer is great at going oppo. Rafaela also has a heavy oppo approach, which isn't typically great for a RHB at Fenway, but he has a good line drive approach and it can work with that large OF.  

Where Anthony gets into trouble is pulling ground balls to the right side of the infield.

Other than a swing and miss, it's exactly what pitchers want him to do to minimize contact. 

At least he hits grounders harder than Yoshida, so they're not automatic outs.

[Deja Doh]

Bregman took quite the shot to his face yesterday.  Facial fracture.

[moonslav59]

Can't help but think of Tony C.

I wish Bregman a full recovery.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/11/2026 at 1:41 PM, drewski6 said:

I know Moon thinks that we'll look to cut this so we can spend that 10m elsewhere, but I dont think budgets are as set in stone as this implies. 

I don't disagree, but the budget will start off as a bucket from which can draw from.  The more full the bucket is, the more we can budget for additions.  I'm an agnostic on Duran at this point, but $9M is a serious consideration.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/11/2026 at 2:05 PM, mvp 78 said:

No Jahmai Jones vs LHP at DH? 

Ideally, for 2027, I'd go for full-on flexibility and DH JJ/Gaspar/White for minimum wage, and move on from Duran and Yoshida.  It makes the team very slightly worse, but gives Breslow some serious allowance to spend for an SP (Gray) and good RP.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/12/2026 at 6:03 PM, notin said:

Then you’ll never be happy because Breslow and all of his predecessors have been building teams, not collecting big name players…

I've lived a long time with some of the biggest names being on the RS, but with -0- WSC.  And I'd also question the relativity of a 'big name'.  Are Alonso & Bregman big names (10 combined bWAR), but Contreras & Durbin not (9.1 bWAR)?

[JoeBrady]

On 9/14/2026 at 9:37 AM, drewski6 said:

I like you

You're a funny guy Sully, I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/14/2026 at 12:22 PM, moonslav59 said:

My list was about 2027 and beyond. I had Arias on the list.

Yes, right now Story is about #15, counting 6-7 pitchers.

Not sure if anyone else brought it up, but I believe you missed Mead.  I'm not looking past 2026, but it is phenomenal that we know almost every key player on the 2027 team.

[JoeBrady]

On 9/14/2026 at 2:01 PM, Hitch said:

How do you know he isn't speaking to someone? This idea that a person who suffers depression and attempted to kill himself should just stop getting down on himself and show us some measurable change is idiocy I thought we'd left in the last decade. Obviously not.

His job isn't to entertain you, It's to play well and earn a career for himself and his family. Entertainment is a byproduct. But your idea that his job is to entertain you, and don't you dare complain, shows very neatly that players are seen as commodities, robots there for our benefit and nothing else. Not human beings with real struggles and flaws. 

Sounds like he was right when he said I should never have mentioned it. Certainly nothing has been learned for some.

I do like the occasional serious deep-dive.  So off the top of my head:

• Depression cannot be stopped.  You can medicate, and take care of your health, and it helps.  But I think it always resides in there someplace.  My old pinochle partner was a great guy, but the more his meds helped, the more he felt like he didn't need them.
• An athlete's job is not to entertain in the way a comedian of musician entertains.  Get on base, steal, catch the ball.  Wins are the by-product of that, and that will entertain me.
• I'm more on the commodity/robot side of the equation, since my strength is in accounting software, but I'd like to think I can make everyone else's job easier by shaving away 10% of the side of work.
• I like that he talks about it.  At my next annual physical, I'm going to ask my PCP about my lingering ADD and check to see if I need TRT.

/end of blahblahblahblah/

[notin]

33 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

You're a funny guy Sully, I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last.

He lied.

[notin]

On 9/14/2026 at 1:39 PM, drewski6 said:

I agree with MVP that end of day, his job is to entertain.  We are the clients.  I agree with you, however, that we should have compassion and understanding for his mental health journey.  But the challenge is where to draw the line.  Because every person who acts like a fool has a reason why.  There are always reasons why.  

I dont love "figure it out" as it does sound cold to me.  But there is a point where his mental health struggles are hurting the team more than his talents are helping.  But Ill keep rooting for him.  But I may boo if he drops a ball.  But Id prob feel bad about it later.

Agree it is entertainment.  That’s why they sell tickets and put it on TV.  And yeah, “figure it out” is rarely solid medical advice.  I wouldn’t want the doctor to tell me to “figure it out” if I came to see him about diarrhea.  I don’t expect mental health professionals to do so either…

[drewski6]

57 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I don't disagree, but the budget will start off as a bucket from which can draw from.  The more full the bucket is, the more we can budget for additions.  I'm an agnostic on Duran at this point, but $9M is a serious consideration.

Its not, a 2 WAR player costs about 20m in 2026 free market.  And we really dont have this gigantic shopping lst like we had last year.

If Duranis squeezed or traded, it'll likely because they are worried about him not accepting a fourth OF role , or giving up on his ability to get back to 2025 numbers, or wanting to repuprose his spot on the 26 or 40 man.

I think a spot on a 26man/40man roster is more valuable than 9m in 2026.  That feels weird to say.  9m is the new 4m is all I can say. Inflations a b.

[drewski6]

if we need to cut durans 9m to be able to retain gray, we do it.  But I honestly dont think it works that way. I think the decisions arent married like that, becuase having these "we must stay under this exact number" is mostly a fan forum thing.  Its us seeing who can build the best roster with the same amount of dollars for fun.  In the real world, decisions are usually made case by case.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

I've lived a long time with some of the biggest names being on the RS, but with -0- WSC. 

Manny

Pedro

Ortiz

Schilling

C'mon man. Which WS did they win without a few HOFers, near HOFers, All Stars, etc? 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

Not sure if anyone else brought it up, but I believe you missed Mead.  I'm not looking past 2026, but it is phenomenal that we know almost every key player on the 2027 team.

He's had one half of a good season for his entire career. Not sure what to expect of him going forward. 

[mvp 78]

57 minutes ago, notin said:

Agree it is entertainment.  That’s why they sell tickets and put it on TV.  And yeah, “figure it out” is rarely solid medical advice.  I wouldn’t want the doctor to tell me to “figure it out” if I came to see him about diarrhea.  I don’t expect mental health professionals to do so either…

Duran has really been struggling at the plate. Hope he figures it out soon. 

[mvp 78]

53 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

if we need to cut durans 9m to be able to retain gray, we do it.  But I honestly dont think it works that way. I think the decisions arent married like that, becuase having these "we must stay under this exact number" is mostly a fan forum thing.  Its us seeing who can build the best roster with the same amount of dollars for fun.  In the real world, decisions are usually made case by case.

I'd trade Duran for a AAA pitcher. 

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Manny

Pedro

Ortiz

Schilling

C'mon man. Which WS did they win without a few HOFers, near HOFers, All Stars, etc? 

It feels like we had more stars in the '70s, with less results.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

He's had one half of a good season for his entire career. Not sure what to expect of him going forward. 

But my point is that Mead will be our starting 2B with 4 years of control.  That's what the post was about.

[notin]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Manny

Pedro

Ortiz

Schilling

C'mon man. Which WS did they win without a few HOFers, near HOFers, All Stars, etc? 

There were no All Stars on the 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916 and 1918 World Series champion teams.  Not one 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

There were no All Stars on the 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916 and 1918 World Series champion teams.  Not one 

True, since those years were decades before the All-Star Game was invented (though a lot of ringer teams barnstormed every offseason).

He also said "HOFers and near-HOFers." All those champs you listed had rosters full of guys who were near-HOFers...

... depending on where they sat in the dugout, they were always near Cy Young, Tris Speaker or George Herman Ruth.

[drewski6]

I dont know who needs to hear this, but having stars is good.