Is this 2026 Red Sox team…CONTENDERS or PRETENDERS?

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, southpaw777 said:

 

I meant our original starting 5. Early will be back.(I just saw He’s throwing from 75 feet right now) that’s good. . Suarez within a couple weeks. 
I doubt we see Crochet for a while.
if they go for it I still want a starter like we did with Jake Peavy, to eat some innngs to get through sept. Help with Tolle and Bennett IP limits…Peralta? I also would like a bat with some power behind it. 1-2 punch with Contreras.

The wild thing is that only Gray and Suarez remain from the original starting 5, and one could argue Houck, Sandoval, Crawford or Oviedo might have been, if healthy.

[norbit]

6 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Assume the same health- no Crochet or Anthony.

Do you trade Arias, Eyanson, Witherspoon & Gonzales for Yordan Alvarez?

If we add Godbout and Early for Pena, too?

BTW, word down here is that HOU is on the phone as buyers, right now, but that could change.

I would definitely make the Alvarez trade and Im a pretty big Arias guy, But he's the best hitter in baseball and it's not close.

[JoeBrady]

39 minutes ago, norbit said:

I would definitely make the Alvarez trade and Im a pretty big Arias guy, But he's the best hitter in baseball and it's not close.

I was looking at his BR page, and it is lit up with bold numbers.  Leads MLB in hits, HRs, RBIs, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, rOBA, Rbat+, and TB.  He's certainly worth a considerable package.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I was looking at his BR page, and it is lit up with bold numbers.  Leads MLB in hits, HRs, RBIs, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, rOBA, Rbat+, and TB.  He's certainly worth a considerable package.

He's amazing.

[sk7326]

On 7/17/2026 at 1:57 PM, notin said:

Anthony forgot how to drive the ball?

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/roman-anthony-701350?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb
 

 

in 2026 - hell yeah, the data does back that up 

[sk7326]

On 7/17/2026 at 2:03 PM, mvp 78 said:

Once we get into this offseason, it's far easier to make a decision on removing Story from the roster when there is less than one year remaining on the contract. Mayer also isn't the standard of health and hasn't been playing a great SS this year IMO. 

If Arias continues hitting in AAA, he may get a callup in September. I don't think anything in AAA or MLB is really in his way, just his development timeline. 

Bottom line, guys his age doing what he doing at that level - those are the guys you bet on.

[southpaw777]

These guys are starting to win me over…I said if they sweep this TB team I would be in the buy column or at least another step towards it,,,

[vegasbob]

FWIW, Breslow may be buying but it will be small stuff . He shouldn't want to break up any key pieces of this group.

[notin]

2 hours ago, sk7326 said:

in 2026 - hell yeah, the data does back that up 

Not really…

[notin]

39 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

FWIW, Breslow may be buying but it will be small stuff . He shouldn't want to break up any key pieces of this group.

Hopefully.  Just get a LF/DH and an RP. 
 

That’s all…

[Maxbialystock]

On 7/9/2026 at 1:04 PM, southpaw777 said:

PRETENDERS

Currently there are 4 injured starters with no real time table on returns.
they have no clue who’s starting this weekend because Breslow traded away all our starting pitching depth. 
Tolle is over 80ip already and has never gone past 120ip.

our best hitter is going away for four games. 

We are in the easiest part of the schedule and the best team we played, the Yankees, had all their offense injured.

we need another big bat…so doesa LOT of teams.

we need bullpen help…so does a LOT of teams.

we obviously need some starting depth down the stretch.

we would have to empty the farm to be a real contender. 

when are all the starters coming back?

when are our young soft azz players going to start playing again?

We have a great starter and closer to trade. We also have some other pieces we could trade for a higher price.

Whitlock

Abreu

Contreras

 

i like these guys in Boston but if Breslow is overwhelmed, then you take the deal and you have all offseason until February to figure out 2027(?)…If done correctly, We could acquire the right players to either trade for the players we need this offseason, or keep and be legit contenders in 2027…or whenever we play again. 

Failed subject-verb agreement.

Failed to bide your time before committing to the wrong prognosis.

Sox now 7 games back of the Rays, who have the best W-L record in the AL--and one game on Seattle for the 3d wild card slot.

It's the players who deserve the credit. but to me Breslow has earned some kudos for bringing in so many good arms plus Contreras and Durbin, to say nothing of replacing Cora (I'm a big fan) with Chad Tracy.  I thought our best returning pitcher was Crochet, who's out with no predicted time of return.  I thought Anthony was our best returning bat and he too is missing what could be 3/4 of the season. Defense looked lousy tonight but has been good this season.  

[JoeBrady]

49 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

FWIW, Breslow may be buying but it will be small stuff . He shouldn't want to break up any key pieces of this group.

I'm always troubled by these positions.  When you play as well as we've been playing, I'd tell the players to not even change their socks, let alone change players.  But my head says we need some adjustments.  I just don't want to break up a good thing.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Abreu looks like he did winning the World for Venezuela this weekend. Plant that front foot and lean back.

And who knew that Rafaela the All-Star, who made another diving catch, leads the AL in doubles.

But even though both won Gold Gloves in '25, NESN ran a promotional ad during today's game spotlighting Anthony, Crochet and Story.

Really? Just gimme Seigler screaming "Let's f***ing GO!"

The good players actually steering the Red Sox rocket must laugh when they see that commercial.

[JoeBrady]

15 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Just gimme Seigler screaming "Let's f***ing GO!"

That's what I like about Contreras.  If the talent level is close enough, I'd prefer a player who looks like he is ready to brawl.

[moonslav59]

Speaking of data, maybe science is being poo-poo'd and analytics and nerds are bad words, these days, but maybe- just maybe- it can work.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, southpaw777 said:

These guys are starting to win me over…I said if they sweep this TB team I would be in the buy column or at least another step towards it,,,

I'm on the buy side, now but not "all in" or even close.

Get a bat and an arm that can take some serious innings, when our kids hit their limits.

Nothing outlandishly costly, in terms of top prospects like Eyanson or Arias.

Witherspoon or Phillips, okay. Gonzales or Godbout, okay. Holobetz and below? Fine.

I might go as high as Early, since he may not help much this year, but only for something very special.

[UtahSox]

THATS a perfect fit. 

[Old Red]

On 7/17/2026 at 4:39 PM, Old Red said:

You guys all crack me up with all this sell talk. You going to tell the Managers, coaches, and Players in a Red Sox uniform that some of the loser fans especially those who live far away from Boston that they don’t think you’re good enough, or worth it, so we’re just going to sell instead of improving the team. You going to tell all the season ticket holders, and the rest of the fanbase that pay top dollar to pack Fenway the same thing that some fans think the team isn’t good enough, or worth it to try improve the team, so we’re going to sell instead. LOSER ATTITUDE all the way around. If you’re not going to play to win then DON’T play at all. I not only say Buy, but NO ONE is untouchable.🤔

I’ll say again.🤭🙈

[notin]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

I’ll say again.🤭🙈

Way to tell people they have no right to an opinion!  
 

Geez, it’s almost as bad as the enthusiasm!

[southpaw777]

10 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm on the buy side, now but not "all in" or even close.

Get a bat and an arm that can take some serious innings, when our kids hit their limits.

Nothing outlandishly costly, in terms of top prospects like Eyanson or Arias.

Witherspoon or Phillips, okay. Gonzales or Godbout, okay. Holobetz and below? Fine.

I might go as high as Early, since he may not help much this year, but only for something very special.

I agree, a bat and a starter. We don’t need Skubal. Early is throwing at 75ft so it looks like sometime in August for him could be realistic. Maybe Peralta or that type? Not sure who will be available for some more Hr power.  I just don’t want a guy who either hits bombs or Ks. May be a vet who’s been there before.

[notin]

9 hours ago, UtahSox said:

THATS a perfect fit. 

Langeliers is an excellent fit.

BTV gives Langeliers (with 2.4 yrs of control) a surplus value of $44.2 mill.

BTV gives Franklin Arias a surplus value of $69 million.

It’s not a match, but I don’t see the Athletics doing this deal without Arias.   And acquiring de Vries last year will most definitely NOT have them looking at other prospects instead…

[UtahSox]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Langeliers is an excellent fit.

BTV gives Langeliers (with 2.4 yrs of control) a surplus value of $44.2 mill.

BTV gives Franklin Arias a surplus value of $69 million.

It’s not a match, but I don’t see the Athletics doing this deal without Arias.   And acquiring de Vries last year will most definitely NOT have them looking at other prospects instead…

I actually think this lines up better than most people think, the A’s need pitching, they already have Devries who is higher rated than Arias. But I think they realize they need pitching to win in the desert. So I think a MLB riser like Early would be the headliner, then add in 1 other really talented arm coming up. Like an Early/ Witherspoon. 

[JoeBrady]

23 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

I actually think this lines up better than most people think, the A’s need pitching, they already have Devries who is higher rated than Arias. But I think they realize they need pitching to win in the desert. So I think a MLB riser like Early would be the headliner, then add in 1 other really talented arm coming up. Like an Early/ Witherspoon. 

I would do that, on paper.  Upsetting the team chemistry is always a concern to me, but the value is solid, and I think it is something that the As might agree to.

[Larry Cook]

I think the Sox said Suarez will be returning soon! 
 

Houck is throwing off the mound. Maybe he returns in September, most likely 2027. 
 

crochet is doing rotator cuff exercises and not allowed to throw!  Very hard to see him returning this year! 
 

early has inflammation of the UCL and is not throwing yet! It does not sound like any damage was found!!! No real update provided on him 
 

crawford is going on 2 years on the injured list.  Not throwing yet so no idea when he can return 

[notin]

28 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

I actually think this lines up better than most people think, the A’s need pitching, they already have Devries who is higher rated than Arias. But I think they realize they need pitching to win in the desert. So I think a MLB riser like Early would be the headliner, then add in 1 other really talented arm coming up. Like an Early/ Witherspoon. 

De Vries will have no impact on wanting Arias.  Just like already having (and extending) Jacob Wilson didn’t temper their interest in Dr Vries.

They can trade Arias for even better pitching, and therefore not limit themselves to options within the Boston system.  A good matchup on BTV is Mayer ($29.7mill) and Witherspoon ($11.8mill) plus some lesser prospect.  Sure I prefer the latter, but I assume it takes Arias 

Would you deal Arias for Langeliers?

 

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

I actually think this lines up better than most people think, the A’s need pitching, they already have Devries who is higher rated than Arias. But I think they realize they need pitching to win in the desert. So I think a MLB riser like Early would be the headliner, then add in 1 other really talented arm coming up. Like an Early/ Witherspoon. 

Our strength is pitching, so this type of deal makes sense.

The A's must realize they can never win without vastly improving their staff.

Win-win.

[notin]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Our strength is pitching, so this type of deal makes sense.

The A's must realize they can never win without vastly improving their staff.

Win-win.

Again, they can trade Arias (or DeVries) for pitching.  Having De Vries doesn’t change this. 

I’d rather do Mayer/Witherspoon plus.   But the A’s have almost 2 1/2 years to get a better offer…

[notin]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Our strength is pitching, so this type of deal makes sense.

The A's must realize they can never win without vastly improving their staff.

Win-win.

Early ($31.2mill) and Witherspoon ($11.8mill) is actually a perfect match on BTV.

Id just be shocked if the Athletics settled for it…

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Again, they can trade Arias (or DeVries) for pitching.  Having De Vries doesn’t change this. 

I’d rather do Mayer/Witherspoon plus.   But the A’s have almost 2 1/2 years to get a better offer…

I'd rather we trade Mayer, too. I think Early has more trade value to a team like the A's and maybe every team's GM.

[moonslav59]

Just now, notin said:

Early ($31.2mill) and Witherspoon ($11.8mill) is actually a perfect match on BTV.

Id just be shocked if the Athletics settled for it…

I doubt they'd do it, even if we added Gonzales or Phillips.