Pre Deadline REALITY CHECK

[southpaw777]

It’s more of a personal reality check I’m having today. I’m sure everyone is aware of this teams situation before this weekends very important trade deadline. So am I and this was what I’ve been thinking about.

What I’m referring to is the Sox injury situation for some pretty important players and how to handle this weekend. We have a bunch of holes to fill.

Crochet hasn’t thrown yet and even after a 6-8 week timetable, he will need full game rehab starts. That’s brings him into October even if he starts the program next weekend.

Anthony hasn’t taken one swing yet. The last I heard was it’ll probably be a few more weeks until that happens, then another few to fully rehab. So he’s likely done for the season since they will not take any chances with him.

Tolle/Bennett Ip limits. Bennett will be treated with caution seeing this is his first full year back from TJS. Tolle has a bit longer leash, but still has one. 
Sandoval is looking better back from a long vacation., I wonder how much is in the tank after two years off. I like what I see from him though.

We just got rid of an important starter, Early,  who will be returning soon for a now injured Curtis Mead who broke his wrist. He has the better news of the injured players on the IL because it should be a 6-8 week return in time for the playoffs if all goes well. But it’s a wrist so there probably won’t be a lot of power right off, so there’s that.

Story had an 8-12 week timetable which puts him at the end of September on the later side or end of August at the earliest. As of this postI doubt he’s much of a factor this year. 
 

So those are the major injuries we have going on right now. Do we sell the farm to keep up with the other teams? Can we get away with plugging in Arias and finding another starter and a bullpen arm? Maybe use some prospects for a couple starts? Eyanson?
I understand I was caught up in selling the farm for a ring, but we have a bunch of real holes to fill. Reality set in.

we would still have the black holes at catcher 2b and LF to fill…that’s still a lot of holes to fill. There’s a bunch of guys on the market that are requiring a hefty price. As always your system could take a major hit. And that’s ok if done right.

all I’m saying is that if we sell the farm, we better get guys with years of control in case we don’t win it all this year so it wasn't all for nothing. Ill send as much good mojo Breslows way this weekend…

[moonslav59]

 Nice post.

I think the possible return of Anthony makes LF a slot we don't touch. Jones & Yoshida as the 4th/5th OF'er is a bit scary.

To me, we will probably get a Catcher or SS (not both) and a pitcher.

If we fill all 3 slots, 2 might be rentals.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

 Nice post.

I think the possible return of Anthony makes LF a slot we don't touch. Jones & Yoshida as the 4th/5th OF'er is a bit scary.

To me, we will probably get a Catcher or SS (not both) and a pitcher.

If we fill all 3 slots, 2 might be rentals.

You want to wait for little a to show up, and make a contribution? If you can get a OF now go, and do it. They are not got stop the games until little a returns.🙈

[Old Red]

2 hours ago, southpaw777 said:

It’s more of a personal reality check I’m having today. I’m sure everyone is aware of this teams situation before this weekends very important trade deadline. So am I and this was what I’ve been thinking about.

What I’m referring to is the Sox injury situation for some pretty important players and how to handle this weekend. We have a bunch of holes to fill.

Crochet hasn’t thrown yet and even after a 6-8 week timetable, he will need full game rehab starts. That’s brings him into October even if he starts the program next weekend.

Anthony hasn’t taken one swing yet. The last I heard was it’ll probably be a few more weeks until that happens, then another few to fully rehab. So he’s likely done for the season since they will not take any chances with him.

Tolle/Bennett Ip limits. Bennett will be treated with caution seeing this is his first full year back from TJS. Tolle has a bit longer leash, but still has one. 
Sandoval is looking better back from a long vacation., I wonder how much is in the tank after two years off. I like what I see from him though.

We just got rid of an important starter, Early,  who will be returning soon for a now injured Curtis Mead who broke his wrist. He has the better news of the injured players on the IL because it should be a 6-8 week return in time for the playoffs if all goes well. But it’s a wrist so there probably won’t be a lot of power right off, so there’s that.

Story had an 8-12 week timetable which puts him at the end of September on the later side or end of August at the earliest. As of this postI doubt he’s much of a factor this year. 
 

So those are the major injuries we have going on right now. Do we sell the farm to keep up with the other teams? Can we get away with plugging in Arias and finding another starter and a bullpen arm? Maybe use some prospects for a couple starts? Eyanson?
I understand I was caught up in selling the farm for a ring, but we have a bunch of real holes to fill. Reality set in.

we would still have the black holes at catcher 2b and LF to fill…that’s still a lot of holes to fill. There’s a bunch of guys on the market that are requiring a hefty price. As always your system could take a major hit. And that’s ok if done right.

all I’m saying is that if we sell the farm, we better get guys with years of control in case we don’t win it all this year so it wasn't all for nothing. Ill send as much good mojo Breslows way this weekend…

There may never be an easier time than this year where the league is so weak, and wide open if that changes anything, but as I always say you owe it to to those players in the dugout to go for it more than not.

[JoeBrady]

I'm not expecting much.

• Duran/Jones is just good enough, though I wouldn't object to adding Adell.
• I'm not crazy about switching catchers and disrupting a high-performing staff.
• I prefer Arias over paying big for a long-term SS.
• We have 8 RPs going good.
• Rotation innings could be a problem.

[southpaw777]

12 hours ago, Old Red said:

There may never be an easier time than this year where the league is so weak, and wide open if that changes anything, but as I always say you owe it to to those players in the dugout to go for it more than not.

 I agree. I just would like to see more than just rentals if we’re trading top prospects. 

[southpaw777]

9 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I'm not expecting much.

• Duran/Jones is just good enough, though I wouldn't object to adding Adell.
• I'm not crazy about switching catchers and disrupting a high-performing staff.
• I prefer Arias over paying big for a long-term SS.
• We have 8 RPs going good.
• Rotation innings could be a problem.

I’m not big on a catcher either. To me that’s an offseason or early season move. I don’t want to disrupt any of the starters. We can add offense elsewhere.

a good starter is the biggest need right now and then a bat with some power. I agree if it’s SS it should be short term because of Arias, unless of course Arias is involved in a trade. 
I’ll take another bullpen arm if they can. Nothing expensive…Never hurts 

[jad]

Wong is hitting almost .270; Duran is locked in at .190.  Why is catcher the problem?

[mvp 78]

Trade Duran for prospects. Then. Now. Forever. 

[Old Red]

2 hours ago, southpaw777 said:

 I agree. I just would like to see more than just rentals if we’re trading top prospects. 

Agree 100%.

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Trade Duran for prospects. Then. Now. Forever. 

Too late for much in return?

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

Too late for much in return?

Craig will still hold out for too much unless Henry is finally over it. He should be! 

The time to trade him was after '24. The next best time was last offseason. You're just cutting your losses now. The looks on the guys in the dugout last night after his blowup was just disheartening. You can't keep him around if you want to go on a run. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Duran would have been out if he tried to score on his own pop-up.

Unless he was the outfielder throwing the ball to the plate.

[Hugh2]

Is there anyone who still thinks we should sell?

[mvp 78]

Just now, Hugh2 said:

Is there anyone who still thinks we should sell?

Sell Duran? Yes!

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sell Duran? Yes!

Isn't every trade deadline buyer always selling a guy too?

I want to know who thinks the 2026 Boston Red Sox should still be deadline sellers.  Because they seem to be in a position where you should buy and try to win some playoff games.....perferably 13 of them.

[notin]

The Notin Plan.  Guaranteed effectiveness of 100% at being labeled “somewhat of a plan.”

C - Ignore it.  The pitchers are the strength and are used to Narvaez and Wong.

2b - Already acquired Mead, which met with unfortunate early results.  Hold the fort with Seigler, possibly IKF if he can return..  Or Mayer, who also is apparently not dead.

SS - The Sox are 12-1 in Cheng starts.  Once Monasterio cools down, go back to what was working.  Arias is most definitely an option at some point.

LF - Complete black hole.  Move on JJ Bleday, since he is FA in 3 months and Cincy will listen.  His LHH bat is more likely to be a factor against RHP.  Just sell low on Duran.   Don’t like my Bleday call?  How did you feel when I brought up Mead?

SP - Sandoval is good to have but add another since Bennett is probably on an IP limit and Tolle is likely to tire.  Counting on these two will have ramifications on 2027.  A rental like Brady Singer makes sense. (I liked Seth Lugo, but KC has said they’re only dealing rentals and Lugo is not on that list.)

RP - As this is the last chance to add relief help, it’s another must.  A rental is fine and, hey, KC is apparently trading rentals.  I wouldn’t mind seeing John Schreiber come back.

Bench - Ty France is an excellent RHH target.

Blockbuster?  If the Sox do feel the need for a controllable bat at some position, see what is available for Mayer . The rise of Arias, the bounce back of Durbin, and the acquisition of Mead have left Mayer with a questionable future in Boston.  (Not urgent, however and Mayer might make good trade bait in the off-season as well.)

I think you will all agree, this is most definitely somewhat of a plan…

[mvp 78]

The Notin plan sounds like what I was saying last week SP/RP/LF/DH. I think the MIF market isn't so easy to trade for unless you are getting a glove first guy. Maybe they can upgrade on Cheng, but is it an upgrade on IKF? I agree that C is fine enough.

Trade Duran???

[notin]

53 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Too late for much in return?

Too late for equivalent MLB and upper minors talent. Higher profile and maybe even ranked A-ball players are an option, since their value is limited by their higher attrition rates.  Basically high upside wild card is the goal here…

[notin]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The Notin plan sounds like what I was saying last week SP/RP/LF/DH. I think the MIF market isn't so easy to trade for unless you are getting a glove first guy. Maybe they can upgrade on Cheng, but is it an upgrade on IKF? I agree that C is fine enough.

Trade Duran???

If IKF isn’t the upgrade on Cheng, maybe Arias is…

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Trade Duran for prospects. Then. Now. Forever. 

Won't get much, but yes.  

[notin]

2 hours ago, jad said:

Wong is hitting almost .270; Duran is locked in at .190.  Why is catcher the problem?

Plus Wong and Narvaez influence the pitching staff.  Duran fails to get them run support…

[Bellhorn04]

20 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Isn't every trade deadline buyer always selling a guy too?

I want to know who thinks the 2026 Boston Red Sox should still be deadline sellers.  Because they seem to be in a position where you should buy and try to win some playoff games.....perferably 13 of them.

Duran is different because he is now officially a malcontent liability.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Duran is different because he is now officially a malcontent liability.

Precedent dictates we trade him for Kyle Harrison…

[Old Red]

2 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Duran is different because he is now officially a malcontent liability.

I wonder how he’s perceived in the dugout.🤔

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

If IKF isn’t the upgrade on Cheng, maybe Arias is…

I think the glove is about the same. I think Cheng has seen better pitching. Arias has the much higher ceiling, but could hit a few bumps along the way.

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Won't get much, but yes.  

At some point, the return doesn't matter. My hat is off to the rest of the team for not piling on the dude. If they had left him in Sacramento, he would have deserved it. 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Duran is different because he is now officially a malcontent liability.

Also worth noting, Braiden Ward has maintain a .377 OBP all season in Worcester...   

[notin]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I think the glove is about the same. I think Cheng has seen better pitching. Arias has the much higher ceiling, but could hit a few bumps along the way.

I will take Arias’ growing pains over Story right now…

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I wonder how he’s perceived in the dugout.🤔

He's a nice and personable guy, but he just has no self control. He's just a dude that has never grown up. At this point, he never will.