Red Sox (Gray) vs Orioles (Bassitt): 09/05/26, 7:05 PM

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

You are our seer of seers.  😃

No one is wrong more often than Fred.  I mean, we have 8 billion people in the world, and I don't know a single person wrong more often then Fred.  Granted, I haven't met all 8B,but I think it's a reasonable assumption.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

I wonder what glowing remarks Fred would post if he was an O's fan?

Fred prefers losing to winning, so he'd be fine.

[JoeBrady]

33 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

can someone tell me why Gray hasn't been offered a 2 or 3 yr extension?

Why in the world would Gray accept an extension now, instead of waiting another 4 weeks for free agency?

[moonslav59]

34 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

can someone tell me why Gray hasn't been offered a 2 or 3 yr extension?  

Pending lockout?

[moonslav59]

Just now, JoeBrady said:

Why in the world would Gray accept an extension now, instead of waiting another 4 weeks for free agency?

Also, he turns 37 and a lockout is pending.

That being said, I'd extend him a year with a second year team option with a meaningful buyout.

[JoeBrady]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Also, he turns 37 and a lockout is pending.

That being said, I'd extend him a year with a second year team option with a meaningful buyout.

You don't have a number for next year, so I can comment on that.  But the number would have to be pretty high in order for him to accept a one-year guarantee.  I can't believe that someone won't offer him 2+.

But good side is that all of the people that didn't want us to sign him, or that considered him a #3, will now blame Breslow if he doesn't extend him for ace money.

[NHNative]

Who is this Fred. I am confused...or I need another cup of bean juice.

[Maxbialystock]

8 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

No one is wrong more often than Fred.  I mean, we have 8 billion people in the world, and I don't know a single person wrong more often then Fred.  Granted, I haven't met all 8B,but I think it's a reasonable assumption.

Fred exemplifies the wrong in all of us.  

[Duran Is The Man]

10 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

can someone tell me why Gray hasn't been offered a 2 or 3 yr extension?  Guy has been amazing but I guess JH would rather roll the dice on another rehabbing SP on a 2 yr deal even if if he can't pitch at all in year 1.  Oh wait-we haven't done that at least 4 or 5 times in the past 5 years.

i've been arguing for extending him for months now, but yeah....they'll sign some rehabbing has-been/never-was on some ridiculous pillow contract in hopes he might regain something instead of spending real money for a quality pitcher. it's this idiotic mindset that has tanked this franchise since DD was fired.

[notin]

14 hours ago, Bagwell Anderson said:

At least I got Lary right 

Points

[notin]

9 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

Why in the world would Gray accept an extension now, instead of waiting another 4 weeks for free agency?

Don’t the Sox have a team option?  If so, why not start there?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

16 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

i've been arguing for extending him for months now, but yeah....they'll sign some rehabbing has-been/never-was on some ridiculous pillow contract in hopes he might regain something instead of spending real money for a quality pitcher. it's this idiotic mindset that has tanked this franchise since DD was fired.

... but only if the injury will force him to miss around a year-and-a-half while they pay him to work out.

[Maxbialystock]

9 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

yeah because you are never one to criticize

When I get into a game and/or season, I definitely can go ape.  So guilty as charged.  

I cannot remember a Sox season with more highs and lows than this one--nor one more difficult to characterize.  The defense has been better than usual and definitely helped the pitching staff, which, despite that 16-1 loss and some others, has the 4th best ERA in MLB.  Pitching is the primary engine for this season and the result of Breslow's constant search for and acquisition of arms.  The singular exception was of course Chris Sale who in his last season with the Sox, 2023, was just recovering from Tommy John in 2020 and subsequent issues.  Breslow was so convinced that he was through he even paid Sale's first season salary with the Braves, which is the same season when Sale won the Cy Young in the NL.

Unlike all winning Sox teams of the past, this one doesn't hit all that well.  Or didn't--the team OPS's for April, May, and June were .666, .736, and .689 and their won-loss record on June 30 was 37-47.  In July and August the Sox OPS's were .765 and .791 and on August 31 the Sox were 75-63.  

The improvement was, I think, thanks to some stalwarts and some weird spit--like Gaspar replacing irreplaceable Contreras at 1b and outhitting and outfielding him.  Like Story and Anthony coming back from eons on the IL and having September OPS's of .941 and .842.  The two highest WAR's on this team unsurprisingly belong to two gold gloves, Abreu and Rafaela, who are also ranked 1 and 2 on the Sox in total bases.  Or how about Breslow dumping superstud Bregman--who got that $175M contract with the Cubs--and going with bargain basement Durbin?  Bregman's WAR is 4.7 and Durbin's is 3.5.  Journeyman White just replaced the irreplaceable Rafaela in CF, where White has fielded adequately while chalking up an OPS of .867.  

These Sox are headed for the playoffs for the 2d straight year and the lion's share of the credit for bringing in almost all of the pitching staff plus Contreras, Durbin, Mead (still on IL), Rutschman, Gasper, Kiner-Falefa, Jones, Monasterio, and White.  All but Mead have contributed.  

When and if Contreras, Rafaela, Crochet, Mead, and/or Houck make it back, Travis--also brought in by Breslow to replace Cora--will have a pretty good team to manage in the postseason.  He will need one because the Yankees have the best pitching in MLB.  

 

 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

10 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

4 hours ago, FredLynn said:

IKF up

Next inning please 

And IKF goes 1-3, plus a walk, a double, and 2 RBIs.  Fred makes up for being wrong by being wrong at the wrong time.

But Joe, doesn't a thousand wrongs make a right?

[vegasbob]

At a time when the Sox looked a little shaky,  Bennett , Suarez and Gray  plus the BP regulars came up with the cure including BtoB shutouts

Oddly. Chapman could have upset the post game spread if not for Anthony's frosting on the cake HR in game#1

Yes. it's the O's who had been hot and now are near frozen. Shows what can happen in a short series like the WC.

OTOH, just before the Os. the Mariners handed it to Boston in Fenway only to follow up by dropping 3 straight to the Athletics

That's beisbol as Bello says

 

[FredLynn]

11 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

No one is wrong more often than Fred.  I mean, we have 8 billion people in the world, and I don't know a single person wrong more often then Fred.  Granted, I haven't met all 8B,but I think it's a reasonable assumption.

How would you know whether I am right or wrong? You have me blocked....allegedly.

I think you are a closet Fred fan.

[FredLynn]

11 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

if stinking means he has at least 1 hit in all 6 games since his return and multiple hits in 4 of the 6 games then yeah I guess he stinks.

"Story stinks" means he still cannot hit the outside pitch. Soon you will see what I mean about my assessment. Players who have a hole in their swing very quickly get exposed.

Yes, Story still stinks.

[moonslav59]

12 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

You don't have a number for next year, so I can comment on that.  But the number would have to be pretty high in order for him to accept a one-year guarantee.  I can't believe that someone won't offer him 2+.

But good side is that all of the people that didn't want us to sign him, or that considered him a #3, will now blame Breslow if he doesn't extend him for ace money.

$30M/1 with $27M option year 2 with $6M buy out. Essentially: $36M/1 or $57M/2.

Maybe...

$27M yr 1, $25M year 2 with $25M option year 3 with $4M buy out. Essentially $56M/2 or $77M/3

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, NHNative said:

Who is this Fred. I am confused...or I need another cup of bean juice.

FredLynn, formerly know as Pumpsie, but that's unimportant.

I don't know you, but I feel strongly that you, and everyone in here, needs more coffee.  In fact, you have inspired me to brew another cup.  Cheers!

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, Maxbialystock said:

When I get into a game and/or season, I definitely can go ape.  So guilty as charged.

TBH, for most of the posters, I don't remember your overall opinion.  That's a good thing.  It means you're making points that I agree/disagree with.  But it is the ones that think every move is wrong that I have an issue with.  That's when it becomes trolling.

[JoeBrady]

3 hours ago, notin said:

Don’t the Sox have a team option?  If so, why not start there?

I believe it is a mutual option, which provides virtually -0- leverage.  I think there is a small chance, particularly if Gray beats the Yankees in the playoffs, that Gray decides he likes it here, and agrees to a small discount.  He looks like a dude that doesn't let money rule his world.  But we still need to put FA-level coin on the table.

As a twist, while it is extremely unlikely he ever gets to the HOF, playing for the RS will be a plus.  Everyone will offer him 2 years.  We can offer him 2 plus a team option will easily-attainable goals to flip that to a guaranteed 3rd year, or even a 4th year.  And if he can win his 20th this year, that's one more chip on the table.

[JoeBrady]

36 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

$27M yr 1, $25M year 2 with $25M option year 3 with $4M buy out. Essentially $56M/2 or $77M/3

I just posted about a 2+1 or even a 2+1+1.  Your numbers look good.  And I don't think we'll have that much competition.  While any team can do anything, Gray won't sign with the NYY, the Phillies and LAD already have enough rotation.  The Mets don't strike me as a team that would go after someone that old.

[NHNative]

Keep White and Tolle is throwing strikes

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I just posted about a 2+1 or even a 2+1+1.  Your numbers look good.  And I don't think we'll have that much competition.  While any team can do anything, Gray won't sign with the NYY, the Phillies and LAD already have enough rotation.  The Mets don't strike me as a team that would go after someone that old.

Who has "enough rotation" already?

Once could argue the Sox have as much or better than anyone else. When the Dodgers extend Skubal, that gives them the best and maybe deepest if you go to 6 or 7. I like out 7-8-9 as much as anybody else's, but I admit I'm not expert on other team's rosters. Plus, how to value pitchers currently on the IL is not an exact science. Hell, valuing healthy ones is complex, enough. Options also add a wrinkle, and Gray's option is a perfect example. Does he count as a Sox 2027 starter?

2027 Outlook (Let me know if I missed anyone on other teams)

BOS: Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Tolle, Bennett

Bello, Houck, Crawford, Oviedo______

LAD: Yamamoto, Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell, Wrobleski

Sasaki, Stone, Lauer, Sheehan_______

NYY: Schlitter, Fried, Cole, Rodon, Warren

Weathers, Schmidt, Elmer Rod, Gil____

PHI: Wheeler, Sanchez, Nola, Luzardo, Painter

Rangel, ______, _______, ______

That Dodger rotation looks better, and with Skubal, it's a lock. The Phillies top 4 looks great, but they lack depth. The Yankee rotation is about as injury prone as ours and the Dodgers.

If we lose Gray, we'll need an add to keep pace.

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

TBH, for most of the posters, I don't remember your overall opinion.  That's a good thing.  It means you're making points that I agree/disagree with.  But it is the ones that think every move is wrong that I have an issue with.  That's when it becomes trolling.

I don't troll.  But I can over-react.

My goodness gracious I cannot remember a catcher picking off a baserunner at 2b who had not really drifted that far away.  Huge, huge play by Rutschman  because that was a leadoff double in a close game.  

 

[Maxbialystock]

46 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Who has "enough rotation" already?

Once could argue the Sox have as much or better than anyone else. When the Dodgers extend Skubal, that gives them the best and maybe deepest if you go to 6 or 7. I like out 7-8-9 as much as anybody else's, but I admit I'm not expert on other team's rosters. Plus, how to value pitchers currently on the IL is not an exact science. Hell, valuing healthy ones is complex, enough. Options also add a wrinkle, and Gray's option is a perfect example. Does he count as a Sox 2027 starter?

2027 Outlook (Let me know if I missed anyone on other teams)

BOS: Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Tolle, Bennett

Bello, Houck, Crawford, Oviedo______

LAD: Yamamoto, Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell, Wrobleski

Sasaki, Stone, Lauer, Sheehan_______

NYY: Schlitter, Fried, Cole, Rodon, Warren

Weathers, Schmidt, Elmer Rod, Gil____

PHI: Wheeler, Sanchez, Nola, Luzardo, Painter

Rangel, ______, _______, ______

That Dodger rotation looks better, and with Skubal, it's a lock. The Phillies top 4 looks great, but they lack depth. The Yankee rotation is about as injury prone as ours and the Dodgers.

If we lose Gray, we'll need an add to keep pace.

Well reasoned, well stated.  I would add that you kind of need to start a season with 8 viable starters.  

[moonslav59]

Tolle has proven to be the real deal.

If he can limit the HRs per IP, he could be a top 10 pitcher in MLB. (He's pretty close, now.)

He's top 20 in fWAR with less IP than everyone above him, except Skubal.

He was 15th in FIP and 16th in ERA before today.

[Maxbialystock]

One more time--a huge play by Rutschman picking off a leadoff double by the Orioles.  Catchers don't pick off runners at 2b very often.  I don't remember the last time I saw it.

 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

I don't troll.  But I can over-react.

My goodness gracious I cannot remember a catcher picking off a baserunner at 2b who had not really drifted that far away.  Huge, huge play by Rutschman  because that was a leadoff double in a close game.  

 

Max, you are no troll.

You sometimes say things in the heat of emotions, but more often you talk others down off the irrational ledge.

[Maxbialystock]

Rafaela on 10 day IL and Abreu not playing today.  Anthony is a good steady rightfielder, but nowhere near Abreu.  

Speaking of Anthony, this is his second straight game in which he looked at 3 strikes in one at bat for a K.  

Just looked at 2 more strikes and then grounded out to--wait for it--the freaking catcher on a 5 foot grounder.