A Realistic View at the 2027 Red Sox Part I

[notin]

16 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think its genuine to chalk it up to a meaningless 2 game sample.  In September we couldnt hit, at all. Going into that series, I knew we werent going to hit.  Joe Brady started up the now lets not put too much on 2 games BEFORE THE SERIES!  He was setting up his excuses for an expected loss before the loss even came.

That series could have been 20 games, and we would have averaged 1.3 runs per.  

If 8 spots are filled, and we want to be serious about getting further, then we need to clear some spots.

Because you cant expect everythign to break right so you need to have some excess.  And we dont.  25th in runs.

I do agree that AR and Mead add, and should be factored in.  I disagree that building a team is about filling 9 spots.  

8 spots are definitely filled.  But Breslow has already shown himself to be somewhat of a tinkerer.  As I hinted before, other trades are actually likely, beside Duran.  I can’t even guess who the top candidates are, but it wouldn’t surprise (nor delight) me if Mead or Abreu or Rafaela got moved.  Other than Story not being traded and Yoshida being DFA’d, I am not confident about anyone else definitely returning..

[moonslav59]

29 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Yeah, I like this post.  My only disagreement would be that I dont think SS offense is a thing.  I dont even really believe that a SS is a thing.  Mookie Betts, Monasterio, Varsho goes from Catcher to CF, Cedanne goes from 2b to CF.

I see most players as slashes.  Get 10 good hitters and put the big guys at the corners and the little guys up the middle. Generally, the smaller guys are better defensively, so you have a good defensive spine this way.

But to be honest, you kind of covered this because you acknowledged that you arent looking exclusively at SS for offense and thats all Im saying.  Dont marry guys to positions because its limiting.  Keep your options open.

We disagree on the positional aspect, but to me the SS position holds a special value.

That being said, I'm fine with us adding Abrams, because he is an elite bat, and the rest of our defense is good enough to more than make up for poor SS defense.

The other way I look at it is that Story is not longer good on SS defense. Sogard and Monasterio were no good, either. The "step down" at SS defense would not be all that major.

Now, the difference between Arias and Abrams on defense is significant, but the Abrams bat fixed our biggest need in one fell swoop, and having him allows us to support some weaker bat/great glove players like Durbin and Rafaela in the line-up.

I agree with your point about having Arias/Story at SS means we need to upgrade Durbin or Rafaela's bat and slot.

I would not be thrilled with an Abrams-Mead keystone combo, but man they should hit well, and maybe we can squeeze Mead to DH, if Sogard, Romy or Siegler step up.

[moonslav59]

40 minutes ago, notin said:

8 spots are definitely filled.  But Breslow has already shown himself to be somewhat of a tinkerer.  As I hinted before, other trades are actually likely, beside Duran.  I can’t even guess who the top candidates are, but it wouldn’t surprise (nor delight) me if Mead or Abreu or Rafaela got moved.  Other than Story not being traded and Yoshida being DFA’d, I am not confident about anyone else definitely returning..

I'd say Contreras, but his antics might have rubbed someone the wrong way.

To me, the least likely non pitchers to be moved...

1. Durbin: they love his low cost, many years of control and great defense. He's still young enough to improve on a somewhat decent offense to start with, especially 2nd half 2026.

2. AR: I think we extend him. You don't give up that much to trade a couple months later.

3. Rafaela: CF defense is a big plus in Fenway, and his offense has improved every year.

4. Abreu: RF defense is a big plus in Fenway, and his offense has been top 3-4 on the team for 3 years. He's cheaper than Ceddanne.

I might have said Anthony, but there seemed to be some real frustration with him, this season. I think we keep Mead & Contreras.

Top trade candidates:

1. Duran

2. Yoshida

3. Sogard: only because I think teams really like him, and would start for some.

Arias, but only for a controlled SS.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Both in 25 and 26 the lineup wasnt deep enough to sustain a couple of injuries and/or drop offs.  If you want to fancy yourself primed and ready to compete for the whole shabang, your lineup has to be primed to overcome a couple injuries/drop-offs.

In both 25 and 26 we were not.  But 26 was prob worse.  And in 25 the injuries came later which is why we had better regular season rankings.  And in 25 , it did feel like we had a shot of winning, even though we had like Masa hitting 4th and Eaton hitting like 7th and Nate Lowe.  

But still, even 2025 wasnt enough to be a championship team.  Now thats okay because I dont think we were trying to have a championship team in 25.  You cant be a championship favorite every year and thats okay.

What lineup injuries were the 26 Brewers overcoming? The 25 Dodgers? The 24 Dodgers? 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Did the Yanks drag w/o Judge?

Win %

With Judge: 621

Without Judge: 547

 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Is your trophy room filled with seventh place medals and trophies? Half the teams are just trying to turn a profit. Really, theres like 15 teams trying. Seventh yayyyyy.

 

Are the Sox typically putting up banners for most runs scored or for something else? 

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

2. AR: I think we extend him. You don't give up that much to trade a couple months later.

McAdam thinks there is almost no chance he is extended. 

[moonslav59]

19 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Win %

With Judge: 621

Without Judge: 547

 

Thanks for confirming my point.

[UtahSox]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Was there a bigger problem area?

What was the main reason we haven't advanced in the playoffs for 2 years?

Can’t score enough runs…. 

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

McAdam thinks there is almost no chance he is extended. 

That convinces me more than he will be.

[moonslav59]

Just now, UtahSox said:

Can’t score enough runs…. 

BINGO!

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd say Contreras, but his antics might have rubbed someone the wrong way.

To me, the least likely non pitchers to be moved...

1. Durbin: they love his low cost, many years of control and great defense. He's still young enough to improve on a somewhat decent offense to start with, especially 2nd half 2026.

2. AR: I think we extend him. You don't give up that much to trade a couple months later.

3. Rafaela: CF defense is a big plus in Fenway, and his offense has improved every year.

4. Abreu: RF defense is a big plus in Fenway, and his offense has been top 3-4 on the team for 3 years. He's cheaper than Ceddanne.

I might have said Anthony, but there seemed to be some real frustration with him, this season. I think we keep Mead & Contreras.

Top trade candidates:

1. Duran

2. Yoshida

3. Sogard: only because I think teams really like him, and would start for some.

Arias, but only for a controlled SS.

Duran is easy to figure to move.

Yoshida is a major DFA candidate.  I never got the impression Breslow wanted him.

Sogard?  Limited return.  Most teams have at least one Nick Sogard clone already.

Abreu is cheap and has not signed an extension.  If the Sox maje a blockbuster, msybe he moves (and Duran stays?).   I withhold judgement until I hear some rumors about the return.

Mead also might be a candidate.  Trading isn’t just about unloading the undesirables…

[drewski6]

41 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Are the Sox typically putting up banners for most runs scored or for something else? 

What banners are you typically putting up?  Dont you have like 3 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a wife.  Thats a lot of birthdays , so I would assume you are hanging happy bday banners most of all.

And dont u dare tell me that you dont celebrate Pedey, Valenteena (really wanted to name a pup after John Valentin but shes a gal, albeit a cute gal),  or Tessies bdays!?!

Thats me guessing at ur dogs names.  Dont confirm/deny.  Well dont confirm/deny if ur dogs names are also ur passwords (which I wouldnt recommend)

[mvp 78]

37 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

That convinces me more than he will be.

Maybe? IDK. Hard to project an extension for a guy with only one year to go, with injury question marks and an uneven career. 

[drewski6]

37 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

BINGO!

Ur dogs name is bingo.  Im guessing peoples pets name now.

[drewski6]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Duran is easy to figure to move.

Yoshida is a major DFA candidate.  I never got the impression Breslow wanted him.

Sogard?  Limited return.  Most teams have at least one Nick Sogard clone already.

Abreu is cheap and has not signed an extension.  If the Sox maje a blockbuster, msybe he moves (and Duran stays?).   I withhold judgement until I hear some rumors about the return.

Mead also might be a candidate.  Trading isn’t just about unloading the undesirables…

u strike me as a lizard guy.  Prob got a lizard name lucky luchino.

[mvp 78]

Just now, drewski6 said:

What banners are you typically putting up?  Dont you have like 3 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a wife.  Thats a lot of birthdays , so I would assume you are hanging happy bday banners most of all.

And dont u dare tell me that you dont celebrate Pedey, Valenteena (really wanted to name a pup after John Valentin but shes a gal, albeit a cute gal),  or Tessies bdays!?!

Thats me guessing at ur dogs names.  Dont confirm/deny.  Well dont confirm/deny if ur dogs names are also ur passwords (which I wouldnt recommend)

You think the pets are getting birthday banners or something? Don't give them any ideas because they can be very demanding. 

None of the pets are named after Red Sox players anymore. My computer password is the same as my luggage FWIW. 

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe? IDK. Hard to project an extension for a guy with only one year to go, with injury question marks and an uneven career. 

i mean, thats kind of harsh.  Hes a better catcher to have than 90%.  The issue will be the big name adding to the contract demands despite being murky to project for reasons you mention.

But its not like hes borderline worth having.  Hes merely borderline worth having at the inflated contract he is going to get....But that last part is important to mention I feel.

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

i mean, thats kind of harsh.  Hes a better catcher to have than 90%.  The issue will be the big name adding to the contract demands despite being murky to project for reasons you mention.

But its not like hes borderline worth having.  Hes merely borderline worth having at the inflated contract he is going to get....But that last part is important to mention I feel.

Is it easy to project the extension $$$ then? Does he NOT have an injury history? What would you give up to get Adley to be the '22-'23 Adley again? 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

You think the pets are getting birthday banners or something? Don't give them any ideas because they can be very demanding. 

None of the pets are named after Red Sox players anymore. My computer password is the same as my luggage FWIW. 

Im sorry to hear that Damon Buford the Bullfrog must have croaked (pun intended)

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Is it easy to project the extension $$$ then? Does he NOT have an injury history? What would you give up to get Adley to be the '22-'23 Adley again? 

What would I give up personally to get Adley to be teh 22-23 Adley again?  Are we talking pre or post extension.  Because if we signed him to a 4 yr extension and THEN I could magically give something up to make him prime Adley again....Im giving up more in that hypoethetical vs if its before his exetnsion....Because then him reverting back to his best version doesnt add a ton of inherent value to the red sox because it gets factored into his salary demands.

If you stumble upon a genie and you want to use a wish on a red sox player, do the guy they just extended not the guy they are due to extend, ya know?

[drewski6]

But to answer your question...I dunno 2 hundred bucks?

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Im sorry to hear that Damon Buford the Bullfrog must have croaked (pun intended)

If a frog gets in the house, it's because the cats brought it in from the pool deck. Then there is a mad scramble to rescue the frog before certain death. 

[drewski6]

Maybe $400 if he signs his extension first. 

[mvp 78]

I'd "consider" naming a pet after a Red Sox player again. 

[drewski6]

Just now, mvp 78 said:

If a frog gets in the house, it's because the cats brought it in from the pool deck. Then there is a mad scramble to rescue the frog before certain death. 

yeah, my cat use to love bringing in a live mouse/bird/rabbit and then playing team up with dad to corner it....Im like we arent working as a team here to catch and release this thing while it dies a slow death, damnit kitty....

So im trying to hold her back with one arm and shoo the bird towards the window with the other and the thing is just so dumb flying into walls and falling to the ground for kitty to pounce.

I usually have to end up putting her in the bathroom with the door shut while I try to rescure the bird or rabbit.  Mice Im like just kill it quick kitty.

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'd "consider" naming a pet after a Red Sox player again. 

my good friend has a dog named mo.

[drewski6]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If a frog gets in the house, it's because the cats brought it in from the pool deck. Then there is a mad scramble to rescue the frog before certain death. 

Took you this long to tell me you have a pool?  Any Sun Cruisers and/or Twisted Teas?

[drewski6]

s*** I gotta get on a work call , ugh

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

Ur dogs name is bingo.  Im guessing peoples pets name now.

I never named my dogs. They came with one already.

If it was BINGO, I'd have changed the name.