A Realistic View at the 2027 Red Sox Part I

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I think the Reds would have wanted one of those guys PLUS Arias and they also wanted an overpay for Elly too.  They likley were being offered over pays and it still wasn't enough to get them to budge.  Something like Abreu/Arias+ or of equal value is likely what they wanted. 

Cool, but per reports, Arias wasn't in the negotiations. 

[Hugh2]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Cool, but per reports, Arias wasn't in the negotiations. 

Negotiations that never came to any fruition.  Did the Reds not want Arias or like him? or did the Sox make an offer and the Reds countered with "We want Tolle and Abreu" and Brez said "goodluck" and that was that. 

Reality is a deal never happened, and if there was enought interest on both sides to make a deal we have no ideal what that final deal may have looked like.  OR DO WE???? we have an offseason coming up

[Old Red]

From what I just read the Red Sox were unwilling to part with Arias, or subtract from the Major League roster. It was all lower level prospects, so nothing that enticed the Reds.

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, Old Red said:

From what I just read the Red Sox were unwilling to part with Arias, or subtract from the Major League roster. It was all lower level prospects, so nothing that enticed the Reds.

I think it is quite possible that the Sox didn't want to part with Arias and the Reds wanted a MLB package.  That doesn't mean they didn't like Arias either. 

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I think it is quite possible that the Sox didn't want to part with Arias and the Reds wanted a MLB package.  That doesn't mean they didn't like Arias either. 

I get that Arias is the latest shiny bauble just like Mayer was at one time, and KC shined for awhile too,so as always time will tell how he pans out in Boston, or elsewhere.

 

 

[Hugh2]

25 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I get that Arias is the latest shiny bauble just like Mayer was at one time, and KC shined for awhile too,so as always time will tell how he pans out in Boston, or elsewhere.

 

 

I do not know what his future holds, but he's certianly one of our top trading chips.  If we want to trade for a premium player there's a very short list of guys other teams are going to demand and he's on it. 

Or....maybe he's the starting SS in 2027?

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I do not know what his future holds, but he's certianly one of our top trading chips.  If we want to trade for a premium player there's a very short list of guys other teams are going to demand and he's on it. 

Or....maybe he's the starting SS in 2027?

If not traded, he'll start at some point in '27 for sure. Just need to wait for that Story IL stint. 

[Old Red]

9 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If not traded, he'll start at some point in '27 for sure. Just need to wait for that Story IL stint. 

Or a release along the way.

[drewski6]

13 hours ago, notin said:

Minimal research seems to counter that.  
 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/report-red-sox-made-offer-for-elly-de-la-cruz.html

Other sources seem more confident Arias was the centerpiece of the offer.  Cincy just said no, reportedly wanting young, cheap, controllable MLB players. 
 

MLBTR also seems to hint Arias was also offered for Neto and Otto Lopez.  
 

I don’t think Boston is being as stingy with Arias as you think…

My point is not that they are being stingy with prospects - my position is about Elly, and his player type (toolsy, freak athlete, elite speed, 6'6, built, strong).

I thought I saw an article that said that we recoiled when Arias was brought up, but I could have misread and also the article could have been wrong.  But I see no point in arguing over that.

I would "overpay" for Elly. Hes a superstar.

[drewski6]

13 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

All I can add reading this discussion while watching two LCS games is that two Hall of Famers in action tonight are named Betts and Ramirez. And maybe Bobby Dalbec is watching them on TV somewhere.

Noted.  I just have fatigue from how we start about adding power, then change course, and wind up losing slug and another disappointing season.  It happened a few years running.

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, notin said:

Why?

Last year when they had them, Story was injured and Arias was in AA (or recently bumped to AAA). Neither of those things are true right now.  

It would be easier to ride out Story (who isn’t that bad) and just plop in Arias after Trevor maims himself.

 

Depending on what they do with Mead and Durbin, the Sox could add a bat at 2b, 3b or DH.. 
 

 

Yes, it would be easier to just roll forward the third-fourth place team and not try to get further.  Why limit yourself when you have defensive versatility, and there are already so few impact players up for grabs.  If someone can add some slug, we can fit them into any position.

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I would "overpay" for Elly. Hes a superstar.

Me too.

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Me too.

And he only turns 25 in January. 

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Noted.  I just have fatigue from how we start about adding power, then change course, and wind up losing slug and another disappointing season.  It happened a few years running.

The top of the lineup just wasn't good enough, especially without Roman. If Jarren isn't going to bounce back, they need to move on. They need move guys that are legit threats at the top of the order. Aside from Roman and Contreras, nobody else really is a 1-4 guy IMO. Wilyer should be hitting 5th or 6th. Same with Adley. Maybe Mead could slide in there, but I'm not counting on it.  

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Yes, it would be easier to just roll forward the third-fourth place team and not try to get further.  Why limit yourself when you have defensive versatility, and there are already so few impact players up for grabs.  If someone can add some slug, we can fit them into any position.

Now that they playoffs have expanded, the standards have lowered. 🥸

[drewski6]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The top of the lineup just wasn't good enough, especially without Roman. If Jarren isn't going to bounce back, they need to move on. They need move guys that are legit threats at the top of the order. Aside from Roman and Contreras, nobody else really is a 1-4 guy IMO. Wilyer should be hitting 5th or 6th. Same with Adley. Maybe Mead could slide in there, but I'm not counting on it.  

Exactly. The offense is full of guys who are fine hitting sixth through 9.  They have like 2 guys who should be hitting in a top 4, and one will most likely get hurt, and its all a recipe for getting in with a modest record, and losing 9-0,9-2 all over again.

[drewski6]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Now that they playoffs have expanded, the standards have lowered. 🥸

They tell me that all that matters is getting in, and once in that its all a crap shoot.  So striving to be the 11th best is reaching for the stars already, and I am an ingrate for wanting more.

They also tell me : arf, arf, arf

[drewski6]

We have two potential impact bats, one has failed to make it through the season twice running, and has some issues with his swing even when healthy, and the other will be 35 next year.  I just dont want to look at the roster and deduce, well - theres nowhere to add someone, except maybe a modest journeyman DH and a backup Catcher.

The 26th-28th most potent offense probably is closer to needing a full makeover than it is needing modest moves around the edges.

But dont worry , our offense can be good.  All we need to do, is take the jerseys that our guys wear and replace the players inside of them with all new ones.  Cuz the team is a failure.  Unless you enjoy 0 playoff series wins in 5 years in a row.

[NHNative]

5 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

We have two potential impact bats, one has failed to make it through the season twice running, and has some issues with his swing even when healthy, and the other will be 35 next year.  I just dont want to look at the roster and deduce, well - theres nowhere to add someone, except maybe a modest journeyman DH and a backup Catcher.

The 26th-28th most potent offense probably is closer to needing a full makeover than it is needing modest moves around the edges.

But dont worry , our offense can be good.  All we need to do, is take the jerseys that our guys wear and replace the players inside of them with all new ones.  Cuz the team is a failure.  Unless you enjoy 0 playoff series wins in 5 years in a row.

But but but--the streak. Who dunnit?

[Old Red]

3 minutes ago, NHNative said:

But but but--the streak. Who dunnit?

Lots of P&P players played a big roll.

[mvp 78]

14 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Exactly. The offense is full of guys who are fine hitting sixth through 9.  They have like 2 guys who should be hitting in a top 4, and one will most likely get hurt, and its all a recipe for getting in with a modest record, and losing 9-0,9-2 all over again.

If they had 5 #2 hitters, maybe it'd be one thing, but this team has a lot of guys that just aren't good enough to begin with. I know Adley has been a top of the order hitter, but the production just isn't there. He should be hitting 6th. 

[Old Red]

16 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

They tell me that all that matters is getting in, and once in that its all a crap shoot.  So striving to be the 11th best is reaching for the stars already, and I am an ingrate for wanting more.

They also tell me : arf, arf, arf

Except for 2021 2020-2024 were lean years, so having a winning record, and making the postseason the last two years have looked pretty good, but know it’s not good enough, so I agree with that.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

26 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Noted.  I just have fatigue from how we start about adding power, then change course, and wind up losing slug and another disappointing season.  It happened a few years running.

I'm on your side, but if I'm adding two bats, instead of two all-or-nothing slugger/swingers, I'd rather have an elite contact man in front of an elite home run hitter.

The Red Sox are below average in bases on balls but I don't want guys looking for walks. Put it in play!

Kevin Cash knows what he's doing, but it's curious he feels he can afford to bench Simpson -- the AL SB leader and one of two .300 hitters in the league (.318 vs RH, .285 vs. LH)... I'd bat him in front of Junior and take my chances.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, notin said:

Why?

Last year when they had them, Story was injured and Arias was in AA (or recently bumped to AAA). Neither of those things are true right now.  

It would be easier to ride out Story (who isn’t that bad) and just plop in Arias after Trevor maims himself.

Depending on what they do with Mead and Durbin, the Sox could add a bat at 2b, 3b or DH.. 

You may not agree with my position, but I have explained it several times.

1. IMO, we need to greatly upgrade one position on offense, this winter. Maybe since you disagree, you don't follow my next point.

2. The SS position will be projected as our worst OPS slot on the team. That should be beyond debate.

3. It is common practice to try and upgrade your worst slot.

Now, I get the fact that SS will probably not be the worst fWAR slot on the team (by ranking) due to plus defense from Arias, and maybe LF/DH or 3B might be better slots to look at, but in terms of offense, revisiting talks with teams with much better offensive SSs makes sense.

[mvp 78]

Jarren '24 (i.e. find a replacement)

Mead first half '26 (can't count on it)

Roman 

Contreras

Wilyer

Adley

Rafaela

Story

Durbin

[JimEd]

15 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

We have two potential impact bats, one has failed to make it through the season twice running, and has some issues with his swing even when healthy, and the other will be 35 next year.  I just dont want to look at the roster and deduce, well - theres nowhere to add someone, except maybe a modest journeyman DH and a backup Catcher.

The 26th-28th most potent offense probably is closer to needing a full makeover than it is needing modest moves around the edges.

But dont worry , our offense can be good.  All we need to do, is take the jerseys that our guys wear and replace the players inside of them with all new ones.  Cuz the team is a failure.  Unless you enjoy 0 playoff series wins in 5 years in a row.

and Brez burned all of our trade captial building this disaster.

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The top of the lineup just wasn't good enough, especially without Roman. If Jarren isn't going to bounce back, they need to move on. They need move guys that are legit threats at the top of the order. Aside from Roman and Contreras, nobody else really is a 1-4 guy IMO. Wilyer should be hitting 5th or 6th. Same with Adley. Maybe Mead could slide in there, but I'm not counting on it.  

Take out the "if" on Duran. He's toast.

[Old Red]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If they had 5 #2 hitters, maybe it'd be one thing, but this team has a lot of guys that just aren't good enough to begin with. I know Adley has been a top of the order hitter, but the production just isn't there. He should be hitting 6th. 

Raffy, and Bregman were a good 2-3 while it lasted, but now 2-3 just isn’t good enough now.

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Now that they playoffs have expanded, the standards have lowered. 🥸

While true, we'd have still made the playoffs under the previous format.

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, JimEd said:

and Brez burned all of our trade captial building this disaster.

He traded Tolle, Roman, Rafaela, Arias and Gonzales? When?

The team is way better than it was at the end of 2023. While I agree that trading so many top prospects better yield results, this team is set up for a 3-5 year run, if we can add 1-2 major pieces.

I'm sure you're against trading Arias and others for a stud SS, but that might be all this team needs.

Some of the prospects we traded away have done well, over the short term, but the jury is still out. The funny part about this is that it's mostly not the top prospects we traded that have done well out of the gate, it's the Drohans, Harrisons and Meidroths. When those guys were traded, nobody blinked an eye.