CONFIRMED: Red Sox Acquiring Adley Rutschman In Stunning AL East Blockbuster

[Old Red]

14 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Of course you should have your opinion.  I just wanted to find his name to congratulate him.  After hundreds of posts castigating our prospects, calling them suspects, and giving clever little nicknames, I figured he'd be delighted that we traded some of them.

Assuming, of course, that he didn't suddenly change his mind for no reason.

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.😀

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I've been maybe the loudest poster on adding a catcher, but that's a lot of good prospects going to BAL.

I thought so as well, but Red was right, until he changed his mind, again.

Eyanson was literally just drafted.  He was drafted #87, threw 68.1 innings, and now RS fans have him on a pedestal.  I think he has some talent, but his AA stats have a 4.3 BB9.  I thought Witherspoon was a nice pick, but again, a 4.1 BB9 in A+.  The shelf life on prospect rankings are like months between being loved and being ignored.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, SoxPhan said:

We just paid more for a 28yo catcher with injuries than LAD paid for 2 time defending Cy Young.

No.  The FV rankings of the LA prospects were higher.  And Rutschman should have a good bit higher WAR in his 1.3 years than Skubal will have in his 0.3 years.  Two playoff runs v one playoff run.  Plus a draft pick if we do not re-sign him.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, UtahSox said:

go touch grass or go for a walk or something this deal makes a ton of sense. Prospects haven’t done sh** yet. 

I appreciate seeing someone who maintains their opinion.  I might disagree with you, but at least you have an opinion that is not based on what the RS do.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, JoeBrady said:

No.  The FV rankings of the LA prospects were higher.  And Rutschman should have a good bit higher WAR in his 1.3 years than Skubal will have in his 0.3 years.  Two playoff runs v one playoff run.  Plus a draft pick if we do not re-sign him.

First Rut Man has to get back on the field, and stay there, which has been no sure thing the last two years. Second Skubal most likely will resign with the Dodgers, so all your calculations speculations will all most likely be way off.🙈

[JoeBrady]

 FredLynn said:

Having done some reading about Rutschman I think he will work out well. He’s a switch hitter with a low K rate and is regarded as an elite defensive catcher. If he can stay healthy he’ll be a major upgrade over Narvaez. 
Still, giving up Eyanson is tough to swallow 

I was all prepared to be snarky, but you surprised me and I appreciate your honest opinion.

IRT to Eyanson, assuming we weren't moving Arias, then Eyanson had to be the opening bid.

[Behindenemylines]

Losing Eyanson is the one that hurts! It clicked right away and he is dominating in AA. The others I am not as concerned about losing. Narvarz is lost at the plate and provides no offense. Witherspoon is struggling at High A and his stuff is not missing bats. Azocar is a young OF that is going to be blocked in Boston. LF - Anthony with long term contract, CF - Ceddanne with long term contract. RF - Abreau with two gold gloves and a power source. Then there is Gonzales ranking ahead of him with a power bat that profiles well in Fenway. If healthy Rutchman fills two needs: solid D behind the plate that knows the AL East hitters very well and a much-needed power bat to extend the lineup. I think after the Dodgers series Breslow is pushing all of the chips in because the AL is so weak that there is a path for the Sox to go far in October.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, SoxPhan said:

You and Bres are on an island on this.

Assuming that Rutschman returns quickly, I am also on board with this trade.

[SoxPhan]

Yeah, that was a little hyperbole, but the I'd say they were close. Skubals was a little more top heavy, ours a little deeper. IF we get a good playoff run and at least 100 games of All-Star calibre catcher next year, with some DH games in there as well(IF there's no lock out), I can consider this trade a win. That is a long ways away. Today, I think it is lopsided. But lots can happen, Time will tell. 

[harmony]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

BTV has this as:

Red Sox receive: $22.1M value
Orioles receive: $79.8M value

On the Marcelo Mayer trade, Baseball Trade Values determines:

Red Sox receive $9.4 million in value

The Giants receive $27.9 million in value

https://baseballtradevalues.com/trades/220476

BTV needed to update (and downgrade) Mayer's trade value.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

56 minutes ago, SoxPhan said:

It's a very solid lineup if Rut is playing to his standards, and we don't lose any starters to injury/fatigue. I still think we could have gotten more for less, but is what it is now. Hope to eat my words. Let's go boys. 

Except for rentals when does a team get more for less during the summer TDL?

[Behindenemylines]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

Miller will help us this year. Mayer would not have. 

Agree. Miller is another power arm for the pen to help shorten the game. High 90s type of arm from the left side.  I rooted hard for Marcelo because it is always great when the Sox can draft and turn prospects into productive major leaguers, but four years in a row, injuries have caused him to miss a lot of games. He can't improve if he can't stay on the field. The front office sees Arias as the future SS and Mayer became expandable for something that can help the Sox in 2026. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I'm good with trading for an All-Star catcher and a decent lefty reliever. 

The Red Sox gave up no one of major big league value to the 2026 championship season.

As for the "dumbest" trade of the last 30 years, I read all the posts and didn't see one naming the absolute worst that most Sox fans have apparently tried to forget... but that I can never forgive:

MOOKIE for anyone!!!!

[moonslav59]

24 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I thought so as well, but Red was right, until he changed his mind, again.

Eyanson was literally just drafted.  He was drafted #87, threw 68.1 innings, and now RS fans have him on a pedestal.  I think he has some talent, but his AA stats have a 4.3 BB9.  I thought Witherspoon was a nice pick, but again, a 4.1 BB9 in A+.  The shelf life on prospect rankings are like months between being loved and being ignored.

I fully expected to overpay for top talent.

I didn't expect us to the one trading for top talent- maybe the top of the day, and when comparing 1.3 years of Rut vs 0.3 years of Skubal, this trade might be for the top player of the deadline. Top 2-3 without question.

My initial reaction was why the need to add Witherspoon and Azocar to an already hefty package. Maybe I'm too high on Eyanson. I know I could be.

The team got better through two possible playoff cycles. Much better. That value could be immeasurable. It could also be an injury or two away from a long term disaster if the return package turns out top rate.

I'm already feeling better about the trade. This looks like a damn good team. Of all the posters on this site, I might have been the most vocal one on upgrading Catcher over other slots, and I got what I wanted. It kinda seems hypocritical to not like this trade and not just based on just that. Within the context of my defending the Sale, Harrison and Priester trades, why am I so afraid Eyanson or others do well? If they do, so be it. It doesn't mean the trade had no merit or was or will be bad for us.

We just need Rutschman to do well, especially in games that matter, and we have him for two playoff cycles, assuming we make the next two. The switch hitter aspect is also nice. I kinda wish he did better vs RHPs than LHPs, but he's close enough on both. He's actually better v RHPs this year, so maybe he's evening it u as he ages.

I think I'm beginning to flip from my initial gut feeling. My worry about his health is still legit, but other trade options all had downsides, too, and Rut is no rental.

[SoxPhan]

7 minutes ago, harmony said:

On the Marcelo Mayer trade, Baseball Trade Values determines:

Red Sox receive $9.4 million in value

The Giants receive $27.9 million in value

https://baseballtradevalues.com/trades/220476

BTV needed to update (and downgrade) Mayer's trade value.

🤣

I wonder if Miami knows they could have gotten Erik Miller for Otto Lopez?

[SoxPhan]

24 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Except for rentals when does a team get more for less during the summer TDL?

I'm saying based on what other guys were going for, there was more for less to be had. S***, we could have gotten Hicks, Garcia, and Mize without giving up a top 5 guy. We gave up 3 for Adley, and we're hoping he gets healthy. It's a huge gamble. 

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, harmony said:

On the Marcelo Mayer trade, Baseball Trade Values determines:

Red Sox receive $9.4 million in value

The Giants receive $27.9 million in value

https://baseballtradevalues.com/trades/220476

BTV needed to update (and downgrade) Mayer's trade value.

I agree that BTV had Mayer overvalued, and it's sometimes interesting to take away the money aspect of their numbers and just compare projected production value and years.

They gave Eyanson a 31 value with no money deducted. Mayer was given a 28 value over 5.3 years and only a $4.1 projected salary. If the guy was going to give $32M value, why would he only make $4M in arbs?

So, just values and years:

33 Mayer 5.3 yrs (6 per year)

31 Eyanson 6 yrs (5 per year)

24 Azocar 6 yrs (4 per year)

20 Narvaez 4.3 yrs (likely over-rated, too at 4.5/yr)

12 Witherspoon 6 yrs (2/yr)

2 Uberstine 5.3 yrs (.4/yr)

________________

35 Rutschman 1.3 years (26 per yr)

9 E Miller 3.3 yrs (2.5/yr)

5 Gutierrez 6 yrs (1/yr)

1 Ely White 0.3 yrs (3/yr)

[FredLynn]

21 minutes ago, harmony said:

On the Marcelo Mayer trade, Baseball Trade Values determines:

Red Sox receive $9.4 million in value

The Giants receive $27.9 million in value

https://baseballtradevalues.com/trades/220476

BTV needed to update (and downgrade) Mayer's trade value.

So you’re saying we made a couple of good moves. If AR helps us get to the WS I will agree with you. Mayer was pretty useless. We got a decent RP for him. I’m going to withhold judgement until I see how our new acquisitions do. Then I’ll decide if it was enough. 

[SoxPhan]

6 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree that BTV had Mayer overvalued, and it's sometimes interesting to take away the money aspect of their numbers and just compare projected production value and years.

They gave Eyanson a 31 value with no money deducted. Mayer was given a 28 value over 5.3 years and only a $4.1 projected salary. If the guy was going to give $32M value, why would he only make $4M in arbs?

So, just values and years:

33 Mayer 5.3 yrs (6 per year)

31 Eyanson 6 yrs (5 per year)

24 Azocar 6 yrs (4 per year)

20 Narvaez 4.3 yrs (likely over-rated, too at 4.5/yr)

12 Witherspoon 6 yrs (2/yr)

2 Uberstine 5.3 yrs (.4/yr)

________________

35 Rutschman 1.3 years (26 per yr)

9 E Miller 3.3 yrs (2.5/yr)

5 Gutierrez 6 yrs (1/yr)

1 Ely White 0.3 yrs (3/yr)

So according BTV, we s*** the bed? lol

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, SoxPhan said:

I'm saying based on what other guy were going for, there was more for less to be had. s***, we could have gotten Hicks, Garcia, and Mize without giving up a top 5 guy. We gave up 3 for Adley, and we're hoping he gets healthy. It's a huge gamble. 

BTV Projected Value per year:

Kind of how good they think each guy is....

33 Mize $11/0.3 (but for 1 playoff cycle?)

26 Rutschman $35M/1.3 years (2 playoffs?)

17 Luis Garcia Jr $22/1.3 yrs

7 Hicks $31M/4.3

 

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Word is Hicks sucks on defense, but the guy has hit well and been healthy. He's also still pre-arb!

He's almost at .800 and on pace for 20+ HRs. Gotta like the .363 OBP.

Hicks has 1 HR in his last 131 ABs.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, SoxPhan said:

So according BTV, we s*** the bed? lol

Yes, but as I pointed out value is relative to a team's playoff chances and recent vs future outlooks and focus.

We got a highly valued player for 2 playoff cycles.

Other teams got Mize and Skubal for one. The Yanks got Garcia for the same time frame as Rut, but Rut is better and represents a huge upgrade over a .550 batting Narvaez. What's the differential on Garcia vs whomever he replaces?

[Old Red]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I fully expected to overpay for top talent.

I didn't expect us to the one trading for top talent- maybe the top of the day, and when comparing 1.3 years of Rut vs 0.3 years of Skubal, this trade might be for the top player of the deadline. Top 2-3 without question.

My initial reaction was why the need to add Witherspoon and Azocar to an already hefty package. Maybe I'm too high on Eyanson. I know I could be.

The team got better through two possible playoff cycles. Much better. That value could be immeasurable. It could also be an injury or two away from a long term disaster if the return package turns out top rate.

I'm already feeling better about the trade. This looks like a damn good team. Of all the posters on this site, I might have been the most vocal one on upgrading Catcher over other slots, and I got what I wanted. It kinda seems hypocritical to not like this trade and not just based on just that. Within the context of my defending the Sale, Harrison and Priester trades, why am I so afraid Eyanson or others do well? If they do, so be it. It doesn't mean the trade had no merit or was or will be bad for us.

We just need Rutschman to do well, especially in games that matter, and we have him for two playoff cycles, assuming we make the next two. The switch hitter aspect is also nice. I kinda wish he did better vs RHPs than LHPs, but he's close enough on both. He's actually better v RHPs this year, so maybe he's evening it u as he ages.

I think I'm beginning to flip from my initial gut feeling. My worry about his health is still legit, but other trade options all had downsides, too, and Rut is no rental.

Health with the Rut Man will be the key these next two years at least, and lack of health the last two years may be a reason Baltimore traded him. Back in 2023 Baltimore won 101 games, and 91 the next year, and the future looked pretty bright with Rut Man at 25, and Gunner 22. The future don’t look so bright for them anymore, so you never know.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Hicks has 1 HR in his last 131 ABs.

Yes and a .376 OBP in 150 PAs while Rut had a .278 OBP in 72 PAs since Hick's 2nd homer ago.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Deja Doh said:

Are we happy about these moves?   I'm not.  

Deeply mixed emotions.  I think Rutschman and Miller cost a big chunk of this organization.  But more important, the Sox should be better tomorrow than they were yesterday, and got that way while keeping Arias, who needs to be promoted ASAP.

 

[notin]

11 minutes ago, SoxPhan said:

So according BTV, we s*** the bed? lol

Do you agree or disagree?

[vegasbob]

I think the real test of this deal is whether Rutschman is capable of playing as of September 1 , and then into the playoffs.   Without a soon to be contribution from him, and if there is a shortened 2027, then this is not so great.

It leaves an exposure to winning into the playoffs primarily in Wong's hands and legs.  Here's hoping he lasts well through August.    Connor is likely to be worn out by end of August if Rut isn't ready.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Health with the Rut Man will be the key these next two years at least, and lack of health the last two years may be a reason Baltimore traded him. Back in 2023 Baltimore won 101 games, and 91 the next year, and the future looked pretty bright with Rut Man at 25, and Gunner 22. The future don’t look so bright for them anymore, so you never know.

No doubt, and with the Sox recent results from players on the IL or "just about to come off it," this is scary as SH*T.

It's a big gamble. It's not a rental, so not really like a usual deadline move, but a big roll of the dice.

It's suspects for a proven vet with suspect health. This is "BOLD" Brez almost everyone wished he was last year.

 

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

In his career: 80 BBs in 130 IP. (Only 97 hits makes up for some, but I dislike watching RP'ers walk about 2 guys every 3 innings.

The walk rates are obscene, but his GB% is outstanding.  Pure guess is that Breslow sees something fixable.

[FredLynn]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Do you agree or disagree?

I agree that Harmony sounds a bit jealous given how his Mariners are doing