A Realistic View at the 2027 Red Sox Part I

[Old Red]

5 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm hoping Brez & Co. realize we are at a point where we need to focus heavily on adding 1-3 top quality or near top players vs 3-5 pretty good players.

To me, getting one of these guys might be enough:

de la Cruz, Abrams, Suzuki or maybe Sato

Getting one of the above plus one from this group we be awesome (or two from this group:)

(Sato) Lowe, Chisholm, Arozarena, Otto Lopez, Gray, Nick Martinez, Peralta or Morejon

If we go for 3, maybe 2 from the second buch plus on of these, or one from above plus two of these:

Jeffers DH/C, King, Rogers, Pivetta, Happ, Bauers, Mahle, Bednar, Taira, Springer

(Arraez, G Torres. Holmes, Mize, Griffin, France, Varsho, Robert, Stephenson/ C Kelly, R Iglesias

Ideally, we trade Arias, Duran and others for de la Cruz and sign Suzuki and maybe someone like Pivetta. (Dump Yoshida)

1. L Antony DH

2. R Mead 2B

3. S de la Cruz SS

4. R Contreras 1B

5. R Suzuki LF

6. L Abreu RF

7. S Rutschman C

8. R Durbin 3B

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Story, Wong, Sogard, White/Jones or Gasper/Romy

You’re always coming up with these wild trades that the other team would never do. I’m all for getting de la Cruz, but let’s start with including liitle A, and Arias, and go from there.🤔

[jad]

On 10/30/2026 at 11:52 PM, Randy Red Sox said:

sorry i am sure there is good info here but it is too long to comprehend.  In any event providing a lockout doesn't affect FA I expect to hear constant reports that the Sox are interested in this guy, that guy, and some other guy but simply another Durbin type or 2 and call it an offseason. Given the last several offseaons and a low market team winning this WS why would any Sox fan expect any different?

 

I truly expect JH to be on the side of the low market teams in negotiations this offseason. No more new shiny toys for RSN.

Yup.  JH again (to quote Dorothy Parker) looking for rhinestones in the rough.

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Old Red said:

You’re always coming up with these wild trades that the other team would never do. I’m all for getting de la Cruz, but let’s start with including liitle A, and Arias, and go from there.🤔

If you think little pinky A is so bad, why would Cincy want him over Justin Gonzales, Valera and Delzine instead with Arias?

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If you think little pinky A is so bad, why would Cincy want him over Justin Gonzales, Valera and Delzine instead with Arias?

What did Cincy say last year when bresLOW was just offering suspects? Answer that, and you’ve answered your own question.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

What did Cincy say last year when bresLOW was just offering suspects? Answer that, and you’ve answered your own question.

Again, you make no sense, at all. BTW, it was also Brez who said "no" to Cincy's ask for a player Brez did not want to part with.

Also, Cincy did indicate they wanted good MLB players more than prospects, but Little Pinky A is not good, in your opinion, so your whole point is a house of  cards.

I suggested Arias, who is apparently MLB ready, but maybe not who Cincy wants most and Duran, who they may like or not want even if we paid his $11M. I have no idea who they want, not do you. I make suggestions not predictions, and you still can't for the life of you understand the difference,

Why not go tell your really insightful friends what you think a suggestion and prediction is, and watch them stifle their laughter?

Of course Cincy might laugh at my offers. I fully understand that. I will say that when I make suggestions on BTV, they are almost all weighted as an overpay by BOS. Sometimes, the trade is not even accepted and always because I offered more value from BOS than the other team.

I do think an offer of Arias, Duran (+$4M) Gonzales and Valera would get Cincy's attention. They may demand Delzine, too or walk away.

Maybe they value Pinky A like you do and wouldn't want his contract.

They may demand Arias, Abreu and Bennett and nothing less. Cincy is known for asking for the sky and not trading their best players.

Maybe Abrams, Lopez or Neto are more realistic targets, but it's just the start of the offseason, and I have my sights set high- likely way too high. I'm fine with that, and I realize my sights are too high for JH, Brez & Co. I'm okay with my faults and am aware of them.

I'm not sure why optimistic people bug you so much.

[moonslav59]

Here is my prediction- not my suggestion or even players I like all that much.

We trade Yoshida and Duran and keep Story and Arias.

We trade for Otto Lopez (SS/2B) and sign Nick Martinez & Stephenson. A couple arm projects for the pen- nothing eye-opening. That's it. We keep Casas and KC on the 40 and roll the dice with Houck, Crawford and Oviedo as the 6-7-8 starters/long relief guys.

1. L Anthony LF

2. R Lopez SS/2B

3. L Abreu RF (R Mead v L)

4. R Contreras 1B

5. R Mead 2B/DH (L Abreu v L)

6. S Rutschman C

7. S Gasper DH (vR) and R Story SS/2B/DH v L

8. R Durbin 3B

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Stephenson, Gasper or Story, Sogard, White or Jones (the other is traded, as both have no options.)

Arias begins the season in AAA and not on the 40.

Siegler, Monasterio, Wong & maybe Crawford are in AAA.

[Nick]

28 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Here is my prediction- not my suggestion or even players I like all that much.

We trade Yoshida and Duran and keep Story and Arias.

We trade for Otto Lopez (SS/2B) and sign Nick Martinez & Stephenson. A couple arm projects for the pen- nothing eye-opening. That's it. We keep Casas and KC on the 40 and roll the dice with Houck, Crawford and Oviedo as the 6-7-8 starters/long relief guys.

1. L Anthony LF

2. R Lopez SS/2B

3. L Abreu RF (R Mead v L)

4. R Contreras 1B

5. R Mead 2B/DH (L Abreu v L)

6. S Rutschman C

7. S Gasper DH (vR) and R Story SS/2B/DH v L

8. R Durbin 3B

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Stephenson, Gasper or Story, Sogard, White or Jones (the other is traded, as both have no options.)

Arias begins the season in AAA and not on the 40.

Siegler, Monasterio, Wong & maybe Crawford are in AAA.

I'm not counting on a big name to be added. Crochet will simply 'replace' Sonny Gray and go from there.

Since Meade got hurt, he will be our 'new' addition to the lineup. 

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, Nick said:

I'm not counting on a big name to be added. Crochet will simply 'replace' Sonny Gray and go from there.

Since Meade got hurt, he will be our 'new' addition to the lineup. 

I do think Brez & Co view the summer additions of Mead, AR & Miller as nearly enough to cover any winter needs we have. I hope they don't, but I think they do.

The question is: how much more do they think we need, and of course the follow up is, how much is Brez allowed to pay for those needs?

We may just sign Arozarena or G Torres and think that's enough.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

I'm not counting on a big name to be added. Crochet will simply 'replace' Sonny Gray and go from there.

Since Meade got hurt, he will be our 'new' addition to the lineup. 

And Rutschman.

Im hoping for either a 2b or DH add, but I’d be shocked if it was an All Star caliber player.  Brandon Lowe might be the ceiling (or possibly above the ceiling).  Luis Arraez might be more realistic.  Ditto Ty France or Josh Bell.   Extremely doubtful on Seiya Suzuki, who has in the past expressed a desire to not be a DH.  Don’t think Breslow wants that battle again…

[notin]

56 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I do think Brez & Co view the summer additions of Mead, AR & Miller as nearly enough to cover any winter needs we have. I hope they don't, but I think they do.

The question is: how much more do they think we need, and of course the follow up is, how much is Brez allowed to pay for those needs?

We may just sign Arozarena or G Torres and think that's enough.

Not a fan of either option, but both are certainly plausible…

[moonslav59]

Predictions:

1. We trade Duran for a non 40 man roster player/prospect(s)

2. We trade or sign a LF/DH (Anthony in LF or DH) or 2Bman (Mead to DH.)

3. We begin the season with Story at SS and Arias in AAA (not on the 40.)

4. We keep Yoshida and maybe trade him once we see if Gasper is healthy and not a fluke.

5. We replace Gray with Crochet and add fringe pitchers, including some MiLB hopefuls.

6. We trust Abreu to bat 3rd or 5th.

7. We add a second catcher and keep Wong in AAA.

8. We trade Burgos and Moran- perhaps Kelly, Rivera or Samaniego

9. We trade White or Jones (even if we trade Duran)

10. We keep Casas and KC on the team. 

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

And Rutschman.

Im hoping for either a 2b or DH add, but I’d be shocked if it was an All Star caliber player.  Brandon Lowe might be the ceiling (or possibly above the ceiling).  Luis Arraez might be more realistic.  Ditto Ty France or Josh Bell.   Extremely doubtful on Seiya Suzuki, who has in the past expressed a desire to not be a DH.  Don’t think Breslow wants that battle again…

Could we sign Sato to DH and just go with Anthony in LF and Mead at 2B?

(Trade Duran and Yoshida.)

[moonslav59]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

Could we sign Sato to DH and just go with Anthony in LF and Mead at 2B?

(Trade Duran and Yoshida.)

Maybe that's the top end possibility.

 

[notin]

6 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Could we sign Sato to DH and just go with Anthony in LF and Mead at 2B?

(Trade Duran and Yoshida.)

Do you think this free agent market is the one to bring back big spending?   Sato is too unknown and too popular

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, notin said:

Do you think this free agent market is the one to bring back big spending?   Sato is too unknown and too popular

After seeing what Murakami got, I'm not sure what the final Sato contract will be. 

I think Suzuki gets more- maybe others, too.

My thoughts on this year's winter spending is basically don't spread it out.

If it's $30M, spend it on one guy or $25M on 1 and $5M on a role player. No $10M x 3.

If it's $40M, spend $30-35M on one or $28M + $12M.

If it's just $25M, spend it all on one guy and sign a mess of MiLB deals.

Maybe Sato goes for $25M. If not, maybe we move down the line to BLowe or Arozarena types.

 

[mvp 78]

19 hours ago, Nick said:

I'm not counting on a big name to be added. Crochet will simply 'replace' Sonny Gray and go from there.

Since Meade got hurt, he will be our 'new' addition to the lineup. 

I think that's how the FO is looking at it too. Yay. 

[mvp 78]

17 hours ago, notin said:

Not a fan of either option, but both are certainly plausible…

Torres doesn't pull the ball or have good EV's. Doesn't seem like a real option TBH.

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Torres doesn't pull the ball or have good EV's. Doesn't seem like a real option TBH.

If you want power, yes. 

RHBs going oppo love Fenway for BA.

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If you want power, yes. 

RHBs going oppo love Fenway for BA.

It's not the profile that Craig has been going for: bad glove 2b who can't pull the ball. 

Last 3 seasons:

-8 DRS, -17 OAA

[moonslav59]

45 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It's not the profile that Craig has been going for: bad glove 2b who can't pull the ball. 

Last 3 seasons:

-8 DRS, -17 OAA

Yes, he's not what Brez wants. I agree.

[moonslav59]

I think they bite the 2B defensive bullet and go with Mead as the FT 2Bman- at least with that as the idea to start the season.

Despite some decent 2B options out there, we have other slots in greater need of an upgrade.

There may be less good players at other positions, but there should be enough for us to fill 1 or 2 needs.

I'd love to see us get a top SS, but that's like a 1-2% shot. My only reason for hope was word we talked to teams last summer about their SS.

The DH slot looks so obvious, but I think Brez likes our DH options and platoon options there.

CF, RF and 1B are not upgrade options, and I think they like Durbin at 3B. Since Anthony is an option at DH, it seems like LF/DH is maybe the one slot they pursue.

Suzuki is not in JH's sight.

Sato would be the shiny object.

Arozarena might be the best we can hope for.

Happ or Ward? Not needle movers.