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

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

The whole idea of extending him now would be to get a discount.  He lacks leverage right now.  He's injured.  He's playing well, but coming off of two weak-ish seasons.  If (and I seriously doubt they will) BB shuts down for a year, and they don't grant any service time, then he becomes a FA in 2029.  At age 31.

The RS still have to offer fair money, but I'd bet he'd be inclined to take the safe route.

Right now, I don't see extending him as a plus, unless it is at a decent discount and just 1-2 years. 3 years would have to be at a deep discount, and I doubt he'd do it. Most players believe in themselves. If they didn't, they wouldnt have gotten this far.

I don't think he'd take what I'd suggest we offer, so to me, any extension would not be a plus.

I'm still not convinced this was a good trade, except it should probably help for 2 playoff cycles. Key word "should."

I'm not convinced Narvaez is as bad as he looked this year. I might take the known 2025 Narvaez vs the unknown Rutschman, but of course that is not the choice. Now, add Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar to the "choice" and that extended future plus the Narvaez portion makes me think the trade is almost certainly bad for the 2028>>> future, probably good/better for 2026 and maybe better for 2027, too. 

Extending Rut might change the 2028 equation, but as of now that's totally unknown, because we cannot be sure Rut can hit well again. He showed some earlier this season, so we can hope all we want, but should we expect it?

[JoeBrady]

48 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

We gave up what for an injured guy coming off two weak seasons??? Damn. You guys weren't talking about him like this when they traded for him. You only talk about him like this when it comes to JH's money? 🤔

I consider it MY money.  The more efficiently we handle our payroll, the more talent we can buy with our payroll.  I like AR, and said he might be the best all-around catcher in BB, before the trade.

But now I am explaining reasons why AR might want to extend, rather than gamble down the road.

[JoeBrady]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't think he'd take what I'd suggest we offer, so to me, any extension would not be a plus.

because we cannot be sure Rut can hit well again.

Of course we don't know what he'd accept.  But I've had these discussions in my own life.  No one knows what a counterparty will accept.  Maybe we offer $80M/4, and he says not close, but willing to counter.  Or he says he wants $200M/8 and we part company.  My philosophy is that you might always be closer than you think.

IRT hitting, I am usually much more concerned about age than reversions.  When a player has a 115 career OPS+, and has a current year 115 OPS+, I tend to think he is a 115 OPS+ hitter.  FWIW, I see AR as a Realmuto close.  I don't expect we'd lose on a 4-year age 30-33 contract, though it might take a 5th year.

[Hitch]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

I believe there are many other options for your entertainment now than back then. If you get out of the habit of going to games or watching on tv, you'll get into the habit of doing something else. It won't affect diehards, but most fans aren't diehards. 

There are, and baseball is thriving, nonetheless. There's also the fact that people will be starved of baseball and desperate to have it back if there is a long stoppage, and there's also no lack of things you want to not think about other than just baseball for 3 hours going on in the world right now. I think you're greatly underestimating the level of disdain each party has for the other over the cap proposal. Maybe I've greatly overestimating it. We'll see. I hope you're right. 

[moonslav59]

53 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Of course we don't know what he'd accept.  But I've had these discussions in my own life.  No one knows what a counterparty will accept.  Maybe we offer $80M/4, and he says not close, but willing to counter.  Or he says he wants $200M/8 and we part company.  My philosophy is that you might always be closer than you think.

IRT hitting, I am usually much more concerned about age than reversions.  When a player has a 115 career OPS+, and has a current year 115 OPS+, I tend to think he is a 115 OPS+ hitter.  FWIW, I see AR as a Realmuto close.  I don't expect we'd lose on a 4-year age 30-33 contract, though it might take a 5th year.

This where we seem to differ. My suggested off might be $56M/3 with a $2M buyout option making it $58M/3 or $42M/2 with a $2M buyout option year, making it $44M/2.

He will certainly say no.

Anything more and I'll view him as likely underwater.

I do share the optimism that he could be the best overall Catcher in MLB, but he hasn't been for 2+ years, so I need to see it to pay for it. Of course, if he shows it, his extension demand goes way up.... even beyond your offer, so I see why you'd offer that.

I would not.

[a700hitter]

3 hours ago, Hitch said:

I wish I had your positivity. I firmly believe if you offered the owners no baseball for a year right now in exchange for the cap, they'd snatch your hand off. 

The brand will always recover, It's baseball, it's not going anywhere, even if it would suffer a hit.

They might have to bring back steroids to recover from a year long strike.

[Hitch]

1 minute ago, a700hitter said:

They might have to bring back steroids to recover from a year long strike.

Did they ever go away? 🤐

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, a700hitter said:

They might have to bring back steroids to recover from a year long strike.

Move the mound back 6'. 

[Hugh2]

This is pure conjecture on my part, but I find it very very hard to believe we lose a year of baseball.  Playing a partial season does seem much more likely however. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Move the mound back 6'. 

Maybe 6".

[Hitch]

22 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

This is pure conjecture on my part, but I find it very very hard to believe we lose a year of baseball.  Playing a partial season does seem much more likely however. 

Pure conjecture on all our parts tbf. I'm just going off the reporting of all the big journos like Passan and Rosenthal - they're all expecting a long lock out. As well as the visceral reactions so far from both sides on the cap prospect. 

It's going to be a long winter. Luckily we'll have a WS ring to keep us warm.

[moonslav59]

23 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

This is pure conjecture on my part, but I find it very very hard to believe we lose a year of baseball.  Playing a partial season does seem much more likely however. 

I agree. They won't kill this cash cow.

I think owners have enough bones to throw to the players to agree to make many changes they want.

I've said this before: most players are on the lower spectrum of player salary due to the min wage rule and the years of arbs. Off the players a higher min wage and less arb years, and the majority of players will not care about salary caps, limits or guidelines.

Divide and conquer is often the best strategy for ownership in any contract negotiation.

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe 6".

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Pure conjecture on all our parts tbf. I'm just going off the reporting of all the big journos like Passan and Rosenthal - they're all expecting a long lock out. As well as the visceral reactions so far from both sides on the cap prospect. 

It's going to be a long winter. Luckily we'll have a WS ring to keep us warm.

Passan doesn't believe they'll lose a whole season though. He has said they'll get it wrapped up early on and may only miss a few games. 

[Hitch]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Passan doesn't believe they'll lose a whole season though. He has said they'll get it wrapped up early on and may only miss a few games. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Threads that many in MLB are bracing for the possibility that the lockout could cancel the entire 2027 campaign, stating, "There are owners that believe there won't be a single game next season."

He's been saying this a lot. He said the number is growing in a TV interview the other day. He has also said that if there's no movement by mid Feb he's going to be concerned about the season.

Considering this has been building since the last one in a way others haven't, I'm concerned now.

[vjcsmoke]

On 7/28/2026 at 6:31 PM, Steve Drumwright said:

The start of Curtis Mead's career with the Boston Red Sox lasted two plate appearances. Now the question is: How do the Red Sox replace the infielder?

Mead, acquired Saturday in a trade with the Washington Nationals, was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday by the Red Sox with an injured left wrist. Mead told Boston media the wrist is fractured and he will fly to Boston to meet with a hand specialist, who will determine if he needs season-ending surgery. He was hit by a pitch in Monday's game against the A's. Infielder Nick Sogard will be called up from Triple-A Worcester. Due to Boston being in West Sacramento, Sogard is not expected to join the team until Wednesday.

Mead was hit by a 95 mph four-seamer from A's right-hander Jack Perkins leading off the top of the fourth inning. He remained in the game until being replaced defensively to begin the bottom of the fifth inning.

Initial X-rays did not show a break, according to interim manager Chad Tracy, but more testing Tuesday led the Red Sox to make the decision to sideline their new acquisition. Mead was picked up in a one-for-one trade for left-handed starter Connelly Early. Mead has a season slash line of .253/.353/.498 with 17 homers and 48 RBIs, hoping to provide a bit of extra power from the Red Sox's infield.

 

View full rumor

 

Mead deal was an overpay. As soon as the trade happens, he gets instantly injured. We lost a 24 year old left handed potential top 3 rotation pitcher for a dude that doesn't help us this year and only last year batted sub .700 OPS. If he comes back and doesn't bounce back to .800 OPS+ form we traded a young pitching star for a lemon.

On 8/3/2026 at 4:10 PM, SoxPhan said:

What in the actual f***. This is deal insane. f*** you Breslow. I'm so sour right now. 

Massive overpay by Breslow again. The medicals for Rutschman are also concerning.

On 8/3/2026 at 4:17 PM, moonslav59 said:

I'm trying real hard and taking a deep breath. This seems like a massive overpay, despite knowing that you have to give to get.

One year and 2 months, assuming Rut comes back from the IL quickly for Eyanson and Narvaez seemed steep but maybe okay. Adding Azocar & Witherspoon seems like overkill.

Maybe after sleeping on it, I'll come around to a middle ground, but right now I'm not liking this.

Don't worry you won't be the only one cursing Breslow's name if this deal turns sour. He mortgaged the Red Sox future and our top prospects for an injured catcher. We can only hope Rutschman returns to form, otherwise this will be another Huge L for Breslow.

To me this trade STINKS of desperation. It feels like the move of a man who was informed he would be FIRED if he didn't make the playoffs this year. Breslow overpaid for Rutschman as well as the left handed reliever Miller. He has expended the top Red Sox prospects in the farm system to save his own hide. I hope he still gets fired. He does not seem like the right man for the job.

[SoxDiehard]

Overpaid for Miller?  Marcel never matured to what he was billed to be.  Are there a lot of factors why? Yes. Let’s see what he does with SF.  But Miller is legit and fills a gap with a lefty reliever.  

[SoxDiehard]

Just curious.  Did you think firing Alex Cora was the right move? 

[Hugh2]

47 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Pure conjecture on all our parts tbf. I'm just going off the reporting of all the big journos like Passan and Rosenthal - they're all expecting a long lock out. As well as the visceral reactions so far from both sides on the cap prospect. 

It's going to be a long winter. Luckily we'll have a WS ring to keep us warm.

I don't disagree, and I think a long lock out is a very real possibility.  But to me a long lockout could also be 1/2 the season......and not a full season.  Which would still be awful. 

[Hitch]

4 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I don't disagree, and I think a long lock out is a very real possibility.  But to me a long lockout could also be 1/2 the season......and not a full season.  Which would still be awful. 

Totally agree. 

[Hitch]

9 minutes ago, SoxDiehard said:

Just curious.  Did you think firing Alex Cora was the right move? 

100%

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, vjcsmoke said:

Mead deal was an overpay. As soon as the trade happens, he gets instantly injured. We lost a 24 year old left handed potential top 3 rotation pitcher for a dude that doesn't help us this year and only last year batted sub .700 OPS. If he comes back and doesn't bounce back to .800 OPS+ form we traded a young pitching star for a lemon.

Massive overpay by Breslow again. The medicals for Rutschman are also concerning.

Don't worry you won't be the only one cursing Breslow's name if this deal turns sour. He mortgaged the Red Sox future and our top prospects for an injured catcher. We can only hope Rutschman returns to form, otherwise this will be another Huge L for Breslow.

To me this trade STINKS of desperation. It feels like the move of a man who was informed he would be FIRED if he didn't make the playoffs this year. Breslow overpaid for Rutschman as well as the left handed reliever Miller. He has expended the top Red Sox prospects in the farm system to save his own hide. I hope he still gets fired. He does not seem like the right man for the job.

1. Early is on the IL, too, so Mead being out is a push.

2. He traded top prospects for Crochet, too. You hate that deal?

3. Anybody care about Dobbins, Fitts, Clarke, Jh Garcia, Travieso & Aita? How about Contreras and Sonny (and Oviedo?)

Certainly, the farm is worse, now, but look at the years of control on most of our filled positions

Catcher: 1.3 Rut, 2.3 Wong and a bunch of catching prospects that Brez added over the past 2 years.

1B: 2.3 Contreras, Casas & Romy (Gonzales & Brannon on farm)

2B: pre-arb Mead, 1.3 Story, prearb Seigler & Sogard (Rivas)

3B: pre-arb Durbin, pre-arb Monasterio (Romero)

SS: pre-arb Arias

LF: 2.3 Duran & White, 3.3 Jones

CF: 6.3 Rafaela

RF: 3,3 Abreu

DH: 1.3 Yoshida, 2.3 Romy

Except for Arias, a top 3-5 national prospect, we don't really look to need one new addition for 2 yrs, and five other slots for 3+ Years,

Our pitching looks even better.

after 2026....

5 yrs: Crochet, Suarez, Bennett, Tolle

4 yrs: Bello, Moran

3 yrs: Slaten, Miller, Weissert, Kelly

2 yrs: Whitlock & Crawford

1 yr: Chapman, Oviedo, T Guerrero & Houck

Sure, I'd like a better farm, but we might not need many players for 1-3 years.

 

[Old Red]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

This where we seem to differ. My suggested off might be $56M/3 with a $2M buyout option making it $58M/3 or $42M/2 with a $2M buyout option year, making it $44M/2.

He will certainly say no.

Anything more and I'll view him as likely underwater.

I do share the optimism that he could be the best overall Catcher in MLB, but he hasn't been for 2+ years, so I need to see it to pay for it. Of course, if he shows it, his extension demand goes way up.... even beyond your offer, so I see why you'd offer that.

I would not.

Agree 100%, but it’s a tough call especially when you gave up so many immature assets to some.

[moonslav59]

47 minutes ago, SoxDiehard said:

Overpaid for Miller?  Marcel never matured to what he was billed to be.  Are there a lot of factors why? Yes. Let’s see what he does with SF.  But Miller is legit and fills a gap with a lefty reliever.  

He still has to greatly improve on his BB/9 rate, which is 80 in 130 IP, and getting worse over the years.

While Mayer never proved he was legit, neither has Miller.

[moonslav59]

29 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Agree 100%, but it’s a tough call especially when you gave up so many immature assets to some.

We should not let the fact that we traded Narvaez, who still has some hopes and was a plus defender at an important position plus 3 top 6 team prospects cloud the judgment on extending Rutschman. We should pay what he's worth- not their speculative value.

[Old Red]

14 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We should not let the fact that we traded Narvaez, who still has some hopes and was a plus defender at an important position plus 3 top 6 team prospects cloud the judgment on extending Rutschman. We should pay what he's worth- not their speculative value.

I agree, but do you think Brez is under anymore pressure to resign the Rut Man, because he gave up so much to get him?🤔

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

I agree, but do you think Brez is under anymore pressure to resign the Rut Man, because he gave up so much to get him?🤔

I don't think he care what some people are saying or writing.

If there is pressure, it's self-imposed, if he really likes Rut more than some here seem to do.

1.3 years is nice, but for all those years we gave up, maybe he feels like it would help to extend him.

He turns 29 in February and will turn 30 before 2028. IMO, I'd offer 1-2 years, maybe with an option and hefty buyout. I'm not offering what Joe suggested.

[SoxDiehard]

Not to change the subject, but I think we are beating this dead horse to death!!!  With regard to THIS season.  Anyone look at Durans stats over the past seven games?  If he keeps anywhere near this going forward, it WILL make a difference.