A Realistic View at the 2026 Red Sox Part II

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Seigler has done very well at 2B, too.

I hope Story's return doesn't mess with our recent middle infield success. The 2B+SS production over the last month or so has been maybe the best month in a very long time for the keystone combo.

OPS last 28 Days

.785 Monasterio

.756 Seigler

.671 Sogard

Since June 26th:

.856 Monasterio

.704 Sogard & .699 Seagler

Fans love Seigler, but we have to expect an infielder to be demoted when Story returns. Unless Jones or White gets DFAed.

Mona's going nowhere, not even the bench.

Tracy has years of experience managing Sogard, so maybe more confidence in him? 

[Hugh2]

On 8/15/2026 at 6:44 PM, notin said:

If you hit .400 with 50 HRs, you’re likely playing semi-pro ball somewhere because no one in MLB history has ever had a season like that, with the closest one coming in 1921 when Babe Ruth batted .378 with 59 HRs.

If your point is elite hitters should never field, you wouldn’t let Willie Mays play the field?

If teams played elite hitters at DH regardless of their defene then elite players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Bobby Witt Jr would be playing DH.  That just feels bonkers to me to take those guys out of the field

[notin]

6 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

If teams played elite hitters at DH regardless of their defene then elite players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Bobby Witt Jr would be playing DH.  That just feels bonkers to me to take those guys out of the field

And maybe players could be assigned defensively based on how bad they’re hitting.  Duran could be our SS this year!

[mvp 78]

21 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Fans love Seigler, but we have to expect an infielder to be demoted when Story returns. Unless Jones or White gets DFAed.

Mona's going nowhere, not even the bench.

Tracy has years of experience managing Sogard, so maybe more confidence in him? 

Seigler has a better OPS vs RHP. I'd go a strict platoon at 2b with Monasterio and Seigler. Demoting Sogard doesn't seem like a big deal to me. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

That's always the problem with sticking with someone for too long, no one wants to sell high. 

That be like me suggesting we trade Payton Tolle this offseason.  I'd probably be crucified, but if he's laying eggs in two years everyone will be moaning about why he wasn't traded sooner. 

It's sad, I really like Duran.  I hope he turns it around 

I meant stuck with him in the one slot for too long, but you are right.

To those who bashed Brez for not getting bold last deadline- EVERYONE wanted Tolle.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Seigler has a better OPS vs RHP. I'd go a strict platoon at 2b with Monasterio and Seigler. Demoting Sogard doesn't seem like a big deal to me. 

I agree, assuming Story plays SS FT.

I like Sogard, but I like a Monasterio/Seigler platoon better.

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

If teams played elite hitters at DH regardless of their defene then elite players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Bobby Witt Jr would be playing DH.  That just feels bonkers to me to take those guys out of the field

I didnt mean elite defenders at CF and SS.  Right now, the most impactful player in the AL is a DH.  And I heard a lot of "just a DH".  I maintain that generally speaking, the bat is significantly more important.  Obviously elite defensive SS,CF are an exception.

[notin]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Seigler has a better OPS vs RHP. I'd go a strict platoon at 2b with Monasterio and Seigler. Demoting Sogard doesn't seem like a big deal to me. 

Keeoing Monasterio in the lineup full time doesn’t seem like a big deal to me just yet.  And I doubt they view him as the weak side of a platoon.
 

Sogard makes more sense with his better versatility, better speed, better glove and superior bunting skills.

 

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

Keeoing Monasterio in the lineup full time doesn’t seem like a big deal to me just yet.  And I doubt they view him as the weak side of a platoon.
 

Sogard makes more sense with his better versatility, better speed, better glove and superior bunting skills.

 

With Sogard, it's less about his skillset and more about his negative aura. The massive run the Sox went on was while Sogard was away from the team. He just looks like a create a player from MVP05. It probably rubs people the wrong way. 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

With Sogard, it's less about his skillset and more about his negative aura. The massive run the Sox went on was while Sogard was away from the team. He just looks like a create a player from MVP05. It probably rubs people the wrong way. 

Is MVP05 your great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather?

I might be a few greats short but I don’t want to trace your ancestry all the way back to pre-evolution monkeys and to a time where your family tree was where they lived…

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree, assuming Story plays SS FT.

I like Sogard, but I like a Monasterio/Seigler platoon better.

A Monasterio-Seigler would bench Monasterio too often.  He’s been their best middle infielder at the plate for a good stretch now.  I don’t like him at SS, but I hope his bat stays in the lineup a little longer…

[drewski6]

33 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

With Sogard, it's less about his skillset and more about his negative aura. The massive run the Sox went on was while Sogard was away from the team. He just looks like a create a player from MVP05. It probably rubs people the wrong way. 

Its like an undrafted guy in football.  You never completely shake the stigma.  Or like one of those 25 yr old AHL hockey players that score a goal every night but never get called up.  Sorry bro, you were deemed career minor leaguer and you'll need 14 injuries to get a chance that you probably deserve.

But on the other hand, there is a reason why Sogard was so unheralded.  Hes not big or athletic.  But he is solid and if IKF and Meade dont make it back this year, I could be fine with sogard on the postseason 26.  But probably still someone better.

[drewski6]

33 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

With Sogard, it's less about his skillset and more about his negative aura. The massive run the Sox went on was while Sogard was away from the team. He just looks like a create a player from MVP05. It probably rubs people the wrong way. 

Its like an undrafted guy in football.  You never completely shake the stigma.  Or like one of those 25 yr old AHL hockey players that score a goal every night but never get called up.  Sorry bro, you were deemed career minor leaguer and you'll need 14 injuries to get a chance that you probably deserve.

But on the other hand, there is a reason why Sogard was so unheralded.  Hes not big or athletic.  But he is solid and if IKF and Meade dont make it back this year, I could be fine with sogard on the postseason 26.  But probably still someone better.

[drewski6]

Sogard deserves something, but im not sure what that is.  If he opened up a restaurant in providence, i would go out of my way to go there.  

[notin]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

Its like an undrafted guy in football.  You never completely shake the stigma.  Or like one of those 25 yr old AHL hockey players that score a goal every night but never get called up.  Sorry bro, you were deemed career minor leaguer and you'll need 14 injuries to get a chance that you probably deserve.

But on the other hand, there is a reason why Sogard was so unheralded.  Hes not big or athletic.  But he is solid and if IKF and Meade dont make it back this year, I could be fine with sogard on the postseason 26.  But probably still someone better.

If Monasterio plays full time and Story can go 6 weeks with breaking, Sogard does make more sense on the bench.  
 

Now if they need a DH, even for a platoon, that changes things…

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

But on the other hand, there is a reason why Sogard was so unheralded. 

Yeah, we've all see his OPS. His MiLB numbers don't jump off the page either. He's an org guy. When his options are gone, he's gone. 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Sogard deserves something, but im not sure what that is.  If he opened up a restaurant in providence, i would go out of my way to go there.  

Just to make fun of his marinara? 

[drewski6]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Just to make fun of his marinara? 

to patron his business.

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

to patron his business.

Patronize? 

[vegasbob]

Marinara or not the numbers don't change until September (26 to 28) .  You have 4 bench positions plus DH.

Wong has the catcher, 1 IF'er  Monasterio ( Story @ SS yuck!) or Sogard ;  1 OF'er  Duran ( if Anthony plays the field vs DH) ; 1 mixed use ( choose from Siegler, Gasper, )

Sorry White, Jones, Eaton, K Campbell ---No room on the bus this trip.  Then there is Romy Gonzalez. 

 When it goes to 28 , Brez will probably consider 1 pitcher and 1 utility guy from the above But wait, you have IKF and possibly Mead returning in September (or not).   If you don't play them in September for a couple weeks then they are not likely candidates for playoff rosters.

Brez could play hardball and not add a pitcher in September , going with a deeper bench , but that assumes the current BP guys remain effective and not arm weary

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, notin said:

A Monasterio-Seigler would bench Monasterio too often.  He’s been their best middle infielder at the plate for a good stretch now.  I don’t like him at SS, but I hope his bat stays in the lineup a little longer…

My choice ranking:

1. SS Monasterio/ 2B Seigler-Story platoon (Sogard AAA)

2. SS Monasterio/ 2B Story

3. SS Story/ 2B Monasterio (Seigler bench)

2. SS Story/ 2B Monasterio-Seigler platoon

[moonslav59]

People are talking platoons when Story returns. Here are some OPS splits:

v R/ v L 2026 Player (Career splits R/L)

.665/.918 Monasterio (.649/.789) looking good v L

.785/.550 Seigler (.670/.592) looking good v R

.738/.618 Sogard (.659/.727) flipped splits, this year

.540/.566 Story (.769/.916  and .743/.734 in 2025)

Going just by these numbers, it might be best to play...

v R Sogard & Seigler, but Story has some numbers before '26

v L Monasterio & Story/Seigler

[notin]

20 hours ago, drewski6 said:

Its like an undrafted guy in football.  You never completely shake the stigma. 

Does anyone ever think of Kurt Warner or Warren Moon as undrafted players anymore? As opposed to their “stigma” of being Hall of Famers?