Red Sox Pre-Offseason Mega Thread

[Old Red]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Then you should talk to the other teams that were pulling their starters in the 5th innings too. 🤷‍♂️

The fact the Red Sox put in as you say a beleaguered Miller in two nights in a row in a one run game tells the whole story of the FLAWED process they were using, and certainly wasn’t a feel for the game, or I hope it wasn’t for a feel for the game. As I said before I don’t give a s*** what the other teams do, or were doing.

 

 

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'm certainly not comfortable with him at 2b. If he's the everyday DH, fine. Need to move on from Masa though. Roman would need a permanent location in the OF, so you'd have a second trade to make too. 

Our defense is real good, so I think we can get by with a bad defensive 2Bman, but I do agree, Mead would be better at DH. One issue is that we have about 6 DHs or platoon DH players on the 40.

Anthony (ASSuming Duran in LF) Yoshida

Gasper- Romy

Sogard-Jones

(Maybe we add Brannon before Rule 5.)

If we simply have to play Story, I could see Arias at SS, Story at 2B and Mead at DH. (Trade Duran and White- keep Jones.)

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Our defense is real good, so I think we can get by with a bad defensive 2Bman, but I do agree, Mead would be better at DH. One issue is that we have about 6 DHs or platoon DH players on the 40.

Anthony (ASSuming Duran in LF) Yoshida

Gasper- Romy

Sogard-Jones

(Maybe we add Brannon before Rule 5.)

If we simply have to play Story, I could see Arias at SS, Story at 2B and Mead at DH. (Trade Duran and White- keep Jones.)

Arias will NOT be the SS if Story is still there.

[Hugh2]

40 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Arias will NOT be the SS if Story is still there.

At the end of the day it's what Bres thinks so that is certainly a possibility.  But I don't think Trevor Story has done much of anything in his time year to deserve the "SS is his until he's gone mentality" He originally came here to play 2nd, it's his last year and he'll be 34.  

By no means is it a slam dunk, but the Sox aren't keeping Arias down for Story.  I think there's a very real possibilty of Story being on this team and not being the starting short stop. 

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

At the end of the day it's what Bres thinks so that is certainly a possibility.  But I don't think Trevor Story has done much of anything in his time year to deserve the "SS is his until he's gone mentality" He originally came here to play 2nd, it's his last year and he'll be 34.  

By no means is it a slam dunk, but the Sox aren't keeping Arias down for Story.  I think there's a very real possibilty of Story being on this team and not being the starting short stop. 

I expect to start with Story and end with Arias, assuming no external moves there.  Whether or not there is room for both by the end of the year, depends on how they do, how others do, and what moves we make in season.

[Hugh2]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I expect to start with Story and end with Arias, assuming no external moves there.  Whether or not there is room for both by the end of the year, depends on how they do, how others do, and what moves we make in season.

I'd love to see Yoshida moved and Story get some reps at DH/back up IF.  He might actually excel in that role, and perhaps less time in the field will keep him healthy enough to get the bat going. 

If Arias is ready, I want the possibilty of him getting the Sox a PPI pick. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

I'd love to see Yoshida moved and Story get some reps at DH/back up IF.  He might actually excel in that role, and perhaps less time in the field will keep him healthy enough to get the bat going. 

If Arias is ready, I want the possibilty of him getting the Sox a PPI pick. 

Ive got some prospect fatigue from KC, Mayer, Anthony.  Id move ARias in the right deal for an established elite, or close to it, player.  IF that is unavailable, I would support allowing him to try to win a spot, but Im not letting his presence stop me from adding to an offense that ranked among the worst in the league this last postseason, the whole year before that, and the postseason before that.

Arias is not a big guy but he barrels and attacks pitches early in the count.  Which I like.  Too many fastballs we let go by.  I dont think hes going to fix us, but upside he could be a high average, 30 double, good defensive guy, and thats definitely an asset.

[notin]

10 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I expect to start with Story and end with Arias, assuming no external moves there.  Whether or not there is room for both by the end of the year, depends on how they do, how others do, and what moves we make in season.

Pretty much.  Especially by “end with” you mean “take over due to some mid-May injury”…

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Pretty much.  Especially by “end with” you mean “take over due to some mid-May injury”…

Story often gets off to real bad starts, so maybe he gets benched by mid May.

[Hugh2]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Ive got some prospect fatigue from KC, Mayer, Anthony.  Id move ARias in the right deal for an established elite, or close to it, player.  IF that is unavailable, I would support allowing him to try to win a spot, but Im not letting his presence stop me from adding to an offense that ranked among the worst in the league this last postseason, the whole year before that, and the postseason before that.

Arias is not a big guy but he barrels and attacks pitches early in the count.  Which I like.  Too many fastballs we let go by.  I dont think hes going to fix us, but upside he could be a high average, 30 double, good defensive guy, and thats definitely an asset.

I get that, but how else are you going to get players? ever single ball player on earth starts off as a prospect and more and more teams are going to have to rely on younger players as less and less premium players get to free agency. 

There's also been Tolle/Abreu/Rafaela/Bennett that were very recently prospects and have all turned out great.  I also wouldn't close the book on "the big 3" just yet, especially Anthony.  Most MLB players don't hit the ground playing at an all start level.  Anthony is only 22 years old.  One thing to consider with Arias is even if you take away his offense he's a capable defender at SS, he's going to be a very good defensive short stop.  Before his bat broke out he was still considered a top prospect with just his defense being the carrying tool.  

It's easy to look at his stat line and forget that his original calling card was premium defense up the middle. 

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that, but how else are you going to get players? ever single ball player on earth starts off as a prospect and more and more teams are going to have to rely on younger players as less and less premium players get to free agency. 

There's also been Tolle/Abreu/Rafaela/Bennett that were very recently prospects and have all turned out great.  I also wouldn't close the book on "the big 3" just yet, especially Anthony.  Most MLB players don't hit the ground playing at an all start level.  Anthony is only 22 years old.  One thing to consider with Arias is even if you take away his offense he's a capable defender at SS, he's going to be a very good defensive short stop.  Before his bat broke out he was still considered a top prospect with just his defense being the carrying tool.  

It's easy to look at his stat line and forget that his original calling card was premium defense up the middle. 

I agree.

(I do not think Mayer will turn out good, but he's the only top prospect we've had in the last 4-5 years than I have pretty much given up hope on.)

Okay, in 2023, soxprospects.com had Bleis 3rd (summer '24 he was 4th, somehow) but several lower ranked players look better now.

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree.

(I do not think Mayer will turn out good, but he's the only top prospect we've had in the last 4-5 years than I have pretty much given up hope on.)

Okay, in 2023, soxprospects.com had Bleis 3rd (summer '24 he was 4th, somehow) but several lower ranked players look better now.

They have a tendency to overrate toolsy DSL bats (Jimenez, Bleis, A. Flores, Cespedes, Soto). Those guys end up seeing their stock go on a rollercoaster rather than just slowly building up over time. Compare that to Justin Gonzalez who they didn't even put in the top 10 until he was already mashing in Salem. Yeah, that's probably how long you should wait!  

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

At the end of the day it's what Bres thinks so that is certainly a possibility.  But I don't think Trevor Story has done much of anything in his time year to deserve the "SS is his until he's gone mentality" He originally came here to play 2nd, it's his last year and he'll be 34.  

By no means is it a slam dunk, but the Sox aren't keeping Arias down for Story.  I think there's a very real possibilty of Story being on this team and not being the starting short stop. 

I agree on Story not having done much to deserve the SS job just, because he’s still got 1 year left on his contract. He originally came as a stopgap 2B, because Bogey was still there.

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that, but how else are you going to get players? ever single ball player on earth starts off as a prospect and more and more teams are going to have to rely on younger players as less and less premium players get to free agency. 

There's also been Tolle/Abreu/Rafaela/Bennett that were very recently prospects and have all turned out great.  I also wouldn't close the book on "the big 3" just yet, especially Anthony.  Most MLB players don't hit the ground playing at an all start level.  Anthony is only 22 years old.  One thing to consider with Arias is even if you take away his offense he's a capable defender at SS, he's going to be a very good defensive short stop.  Before his bat broke out he was still considered a top prospect with just his defense being the carrying tool.  

It's easy to look at his stat line and forget that his original calling card was premium defense up the middle. 

Yes like Cotillo said the other day about the old adage that most players are more Suspects than prospects. Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before. The so called Core of the team right now should be Casas, RAF Man, Mayer, KC, Teel, and little A.. How’s that turned out? Yes little A is only 22, and has only had so many AB, but if he’s everything the hype, and expectations say he is he could have hit  the ground running like Rice, and Lynne did whom has less AB between them than little A did when they started their first year.

[notin]

58 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Story often gets off to real bad starts, so maybe he gets benched by mid May.

So his season-ending injury will be a hemorrhoid?

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, Old Red said:

like Rice, and Lynne did whom has less AB between them than little A did when they started their first year.

Huh? Where'd you pull this stat from? 

Rice MiLB: '71 60 G, '72 130 G, '73 129 G, '74 117 G

Rice alone had more PA's (1604) than Roman did before debuting. 

 

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Huh? Where'd you pull this stat from? 

Rice MiLB: '71 60 G, '72 130 G, '73 129 G, '74 117 G

Rice alone had more PA's (1604) than Roman did before debuting. 

 

Talking about MLB AB, and I didn’t say debuting I said be fore their first Full year in the majors.

[Hugh2]

23 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Yes like Cotillo said the other day about the old adage that most players are more Suspects than prospects. Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before. The so called Core of the team right now should be Casas, RAF Man, Mayer, Teel, and little A.. How’s that turned out? Yes little A is only 22, and has only had so many AB, but if he’s everything the hype, and expectations say he is he could have hit  the ground running like Rice, and Lynne did whom has less AB between them than little A did when they started their first year.

If you have to go all the way back to reference guys who played decades ago I don't think you're making the point that most players should "hit the ground running" most do not. 

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

If you have to go all the way back to reference guys who played decades ago I don't think you're making the point that most players should "hit the ground running" most do not. 

Who else had as much HYPE, and EXPECTATIONS?🤔

[Nick]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Our defense is real good, so I think we can get by with a bad defensive 2Bman, but I do agree, Mead would be better at DH. One issue is that we have about 6 DHs or platoon DH players on the 40.

Anthony (ASSuming Duran in LF) Yoshida

Gasper- Romy

Sogard-Jones

(Maybe we add Brannon before Rule 5.)

If we simply have to play Story, I could see Arias at SS, Story at 2B and Mead at DH. (Trade Duran and White- keep Jones.)

I'm sorry but why in the hell does everyone here thinks we have a DH in a 22 year old that received a 8 year deal? He is freaking our left fielder. 

Breslow needs to get his head out of his behind and move beyond this stupid notion that he's going to be a part time DH for us.

This really pisses me off. Clean out the roster full of mediocrity. It's like he sees comfort in having multiple reiteration of middle of the pact lineups. Ugh!

 

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that, but how else are you going to get players? ever single ball player on earth starts off as a prospect and more and more teams are going to have to rely on younger players as less and less premium players get to free agency. 

There's also been Tolle/Abreu/Rafaela/Bennett that were very recently prospects and have all turned out great.  I also wouldn't close the book on "the big 3" just yet, especially Anthony.  Most MLB players don't hit the ground playing at an all start level.  Anthony is only 22 years old.  One thing to consider with Arias is even if you take away his offense he's a capable defender at SS, he's going to be a very good defensive short stop.  Before his bat broke out he was still considered a top prospect with just his defense being the carrying tool.  

It's easy to look at his stat line and forget that his original calling card was premium defense up the middle. 

Minor league players have options. Prospects have options.  I take advantage of options, and I count on injuries.  I dont try to make room for prospects , unless they are superstars at AAA.  I also make sure they are cross-trained to multiple positoins, so they can cover multiple spots.  And I dont rely on them to fix an offense that has been full blown bad since we traded Devers.

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Talking about MLB AB, and I didn’t say debuting I said be fore their first Full year in the majors.

"Had less AB's between them than Little A did when they started their first year." I still have no idea what you are trying to say. It's still probably wrong though. 🫣

[mvp 78]

16 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Who else had as much HYPE, and EXPECTATIONS?🤔

Xander, Betts, Raffy, Beni...

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, Nick said:

I'm sorry but why in the hell does everyone here thinks we have a DH in a 22 year old that received a 8 year deal? He is freaking our left fielder. 

Breslow needs to get his head out of his behind and move beyond this stupid notion that he's going to be a part time DH for us.

This really pisses me off. Clean out the roster full of mediocrity. It's like he sees comfort in multiple reiteration middle of the pact lineups. Ugh!

 

People have just assumed that Breslow will be unable/unwilling to move Duran because he wasn't able to last offseason. He should 100% move him for pennies on the dollar. 

[Old Red]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

"Had less AB's between them than Little A did when they started their first year." I still have no idea what you are trying to say. It's still probably wrong though. 🫣

Rice, and Lynne had 125 MLB AB between them when they started their first full MLB season.

[drewski6]

41 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Yes like Cotillo said the other day about the old adage that most players are more Suspects than prospects. Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before. The so called Core of the team right now should be Casas, RAF Man, Mayer, KC, Teel, and little A.. How’s that turned out? Yes little A is only 22, and has only had so many AB, but if he’s everything the hype, and expectations say he is he could have hit  the ground running like Rice, and Lynne did whom has less AB between them than little A did when they started their first year.

Right the Bloom era was all about, just you wait for my prospects.  The way some GMs and fans talk about prospects - they sound like gollum/smeagol talking about the ring.  My preciousssss, as they look at em with awe.  Kind of like my friend Joey oggling his mediocre fantasy team on the pooper.....Wow, look at all this depth !! And its a below average team.

My preciousssss , my precioussssss

Meanwhile, the major league team hasnt won a playoff series in the last 5 years, and we're busy eye-humping the next round of suspects coming up. My preciousssss

When you are the red sox, you should never have a whole half decade devoted to a group coming up.  Its too much.  You work em in, 1-2 at a time, and you surround them with prime , established players.

[Old Red]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Xander, Betts, Raffy, Beni...

None had the hype, and expectations that little A did. I witnessed that hype, and expectations when he was just in Portland, and it just kept increasing as he went to WOO, and then Boston.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Rice, and Lynne had 125 MLB AB between them when they started their first full MLB season.

David Ortiz only had 49! Manny had 53! Dewey had 57! Mario Mendoza had 0! 

Maybe they shouldn't have called up Roman until August or September? 🤔

I think you've found the most useless stat of all time. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

People have just assumed that Breslow will be unable/unwilling to move Duran because he wasn't able to last offseason. He should 100% move him for pennies on the dollar. 

Not me.  I think Anythony has to work on his approach at the plate, his launch angle, and staying healthy.  I think adding developing his fielding on top may be too much.  I also know that his injuries have not come from playing the field, but I think its pretty common sense that he has a significantly higher risk of getting hurt in the field.

Finally, I dont think there is much of a difference between him in LF or him at DH. With the only exception of him being in LF allows us to put a great hitter at DH.  But whether Mead plays 2b and Roman plays DH or Roman plays LF and Mead plays DH.....Or mead plays 2b and Roman plays LF and someone else plays DH....Depends on who else we got to play LF when RA is at DH or who else we got to play 2b when Mead is at DH or who else we got to play DH when they are both in the field.

Im just trying to get better hitters in the lineup.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Right the Bloom era was all about, just you wait for my prospects.  The way some GMs and fans talk about prospects - they sound like gollum/smeagol talking about the ring.  My preciousssss, as they look at em with awe.  Kind of like my friend Joey oggling his mediocre fantasy team on the pooper.....Wow, look at all this depth !! And its a below average team.

My preciousssss , my precioussssss

Meanwhile, the major league team hasnt won a playoff series in the last 5 years, and we're busy eye-humping the next round of suspects coming up. My preciousssss

When you are the red sox, you should never have a whole half decade devoted to a group coming up.  Its too much.  You work em in, 1-2 at a time, and you surround them with prime , established players.

Well said, and agree 100%.   Arias is the next shiny precious bauble.