A Realistic View at the 2027 Red Sox Part I

[moonslav59]

Although I was for signing Sato, mostly to DH, I didn't see this coming. 

Now, trading Duran, Yoshida plus guys like Casas, Romy & Gasper (not all of them) kinda has to happen.

[moonslav59]

44 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

We have to do it because 'they' will do it.  If your market-equivalent competitors do a better job of developing players, they will beat you.

Indeed. The Dodgers don't just buy the best.

[moonslav59]

How's this?

Yoshida (-16.7 BTV)  KC (-21.2 BTV) Godbout (+9.5 BTV) $8M

for

1 yr/Cristian Javier (13.7 BTV) & 2 yrs/Josh Hader (-10.7 BTV)

________________________________________

Duran (+0.9 BTV) 

for

1 yr/ S. Dominguez  (-7.3 BTV) + $8M

________________________________________

Sign Sato at $17.5M x 4 yrs

________________________________________

1. L Bauers DH

2. R Mead 2B

3. L Sato 3B

4. R Contreras 1B

5. L Anthony LF

6. L Abreu RF

7. S Rutschman C

8. R Story SS

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Durbin, Wong, Romy or Sogard and White or Jones

SP: Crochet, Tolle, Suarez, Bennett, Bello, Javier, Oviedo

RP: Chapman, Whitlock, Hader, Miller, Houck, Crawford, Slaten, Weissert

 

[JoeBrady]

8 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Bench: Durbin, Wong, Romy or Sogard and White or Jones

Not interested in benching my 4.4 bWAR for someone I'm not sure can play 3rd.  IMHO, Sato should've been the target over Bauers.  Similar bat, can back up 3B and is 3+ years younger.

[moonslav59]

23 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

Not interested in benching my 4.4 bWAR for someone I'm not sure can play 3rd.  IMHO, Sato should've been the target over Bauers.  Similar bat, can back up 3B and is 3+ years younger.

The opportunity is there to DH Sato and keep Durbin at 3B. Having Durbin as an option to play 2B has value, too. Maybe Sato plays LF or even 2B.

With Bauers, we should probably end all talk of Sato or anyone else viewed mostly as a DH.

We didn't even wait until Yoshida's deal ran out. We doubled up on him for 2027 and extended him by another 3 years at nearly the same cost.

[UtahSox]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

The opportunity is there to DH Sato and keep Durbin at 3B. Having Durbin as an option to play 2B has value, too. Maybe Sato plays LF or even 2B.

With Bauers, we should probably end all talk of Sato or anyone else viewed mostly as a DH.

We didn't even wait until Yoshida's deal ran out. We doubled up on him for 2027 and extended him by another 3 years at nearly the same cost.

How well do we think Durbin would be able to play shortstop? Just curious for roster flexibility.

[moonslav59]

17 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

How well do we think Durbin would be able to play shortstop? Just curious for roster flexibility.

I would never even entertain the thought.

It was like when we moved Rafaela to SS and 2B. 

Keep the Gold Gloves at their GG positions. Besides, we don't have anyone else to play 3B.

I'm here begging for an elite bat at SS and the SS depth of Story or Arias is better than our 3B depth of Sogard or Monasterio.

If we had added Soto not Bauers, playing him at 3B was only one option. (We could then trade Durbin or have him play 2B or be one of MLBs best utility players.)

Moving Sato to the OF no longer looks like a choice, unless we deal one, as Bauers will DH not Anthony.

Having Mead DH no longer looks like an option, either, so that hurts any flex plans with Sato (or Durbin), too.

I'm not going to mention signing Sato anymore. It's not happening unless we trade some key players. It's not like Brez never does that, but it's too complicated to suggest we do it.

I think we are done with major bat additions for the winter. Brez & Co will view Mead & AR as additions from the 2026 team. They will also, once again, rely on "more from Anthony," like they tried to this year. It's not a dumb plan, especially for a team looking to avoid paying too much CB Tax.

We have lots of players with varying degrees of high upside production or even just repeat 2025 or 2026. With guys like Casas, Houck, Crawford & Oviedo, it's more like 2023 & 2024, but since none are post-prime, it's not beyond reason to have some hope they bounce back.

My issue is that we have too many of these types and not enough "sure bet" types. I realize no MLB player or prospects is fully a "sure bet," as even the very best of the best get hurt or have off years. Judge got hurt. KMarte declined significantly. Another player talked about last winter was the .667 in 2026 hitting Hoerner. Nobody can be counted on at 100%. Don't be surprised if Schwarber or Alonso get hurt or drop off next season. Is a guy like Harper a sure bet elite bat? I realize my calls for an elite bat can be or look murky. Now that we have Bauers, I don't see it happening. IMO, the only slot left is SS and Brez, JH & Co look to Arias as the SS of the future and a guy who costs peanuts, which helps balance out the higher paid players.

[moonslav59]

These are all the everyday players who could get playing time.

Rutschman & Wong (maybe Riley Adams, Nate Baez or Jo Garcia and AA GRod & Ro Hernandez)

Contreras, Bauers, Casas, Romy, Gasper (Brannon)

Mead, Seigler (Rodgers, Mason White & Cespedes)

Durbin, Sogard, Monasterio (Romero & Winnay)

Story/Arias (Liendo & Godbout)

Anthony, Duran, Yoshida, Jones (Gutierrez)

Rafaela, White (Ward & Jackson)

Abreu, Campbell (Gonzales)

 

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure how much the pending work stoppage will affect winter trades, but I think we will eventually see a flurry of minor to slightly moderate trades made by Brez, but no more major signings of trades, unless you think trading Duran is "major."

Brez has a history of making a lot of moves, and some will be players from the 40 for non Rule 5 prospects, and that will likely continue. We have some bottlenecks. We have some players other teams may wish to take a flyer on. We have some contracts I'm sure JH would like to save some money on by shedding them. It won't be all of them, but with Bauers, I think Duran is a goner and Yoshida maight be too.

[oldtimer]

4 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The opportunity is there to DH Sato and keep Durbin at 3B. Having Durbin as an option to play 2B has value, too. Maybe Sato plays LF or even 2B.

With Bauers, we should probably end all talk of Sato or anyone else viewed mostly as a DH.

We didn't even wait until Yoshida's deal ran out. We doubled up on him for 2027 and extended him by another 3 years at nearly the same cost.

Does the Bauers acquisition mean that Casas is now on the way out?

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, oldtimer said:

Does the Bauers acquisition mean that Casas is now on the way out?

It very well could, but if we trade Duran & Yoshida, he can stick around.

Guys like Gasper and Romy might be on the block, too, but our catcher depth is so short, we may keep him around.

We don't really have a roster crunch, so maybe we keep almost all of them.

[moonslav59]

I'm seeing projections of Bauers batting 4th, but with that .389 OBP, I'm wondering if 1 or 2 is s better slot for him. I doubt Tracy goes lefty-lefty- one-two, so maybe they split up Anthony and Bauers. With Anthony's lack of power, I can see why moving Bauers down makes some sense. Maybe....

1. L Anthony LF

2. R Mead 2B

3. L Bauers DH

4. R Contreras 1B

5. L Abreu RF

6. S Rutschman C

7. R Durbin 3B

8. R Story/Arias SS

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Wong, Sogard, Yoshida & Duran

My guess is we trade Duran and or Yoshida and add Gasper, Romy or Jones/White.

Here are the leaders in PAs for the Sox- first half of 2026:

400 Abreu, 376 Duran, 368 Rafaela, Contreras 364, Durbin 317

228 Mayer, 201 Yoshida, 176 Story, 174 Narvaez

That's top 9. Others....

169 Monasterio, 134 Wong, 132 IKF, 130 Roman, 119 Gasper

2nd Half:

281 Abreu, 269 Durbin, 236 Sogard, 232 Duran, 208 Rafaela

178 Monasterio, 171 Contreras

126 AR, 112 Anthony (#9) and 106 Gasper, 104 Wong

96 Yoshida, 90 Story, 88 Seigler, 76 Jones, 60 White, 51 IKF

Of course we will have injuries, but that line-up above looks way better than these other two groupings.

[NHNative]

19 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm seeing projections of Bauers batting 4th, but with that .389 OBP, I'm wondering if 1 or 2 is s better slot for him. I doubt Tracy goes lefty-lefty- one-two, so maybe they split up Anthony and Bauers. With Anthony's lack of power, I can see why moving Bauers down makes some sense. Maybe....

1. L Anthony LF

2. R Mead 2B

3. L Bauers DH

4. R Contreras 1B

5. L Abreu RF

6. S Rutschman C

7. R Durbin 3B

8. R Story/Arias SS

9. R Rafaela CF

Bench: Wong, Sogard, Yoshida & Duran

My guess is we trade Duran and or Yoshida and add Gasper, Romy or Jones/White.

Here are the leaders in PAs for the Sox- first half of 2026:

400 Abreu, 376 Duran, 368 Rafaela, Contreras 364, Durbin 317

228 Mayer, 201 Yoshida, 176 Story, 174 Narvaez

That's top 9. Others....

169 Monasterio, 134 Wong, 132 IKF, 130 Roman, 119 Gasper

2nd Half:

281 Abreu, 269 Durbin, 236 Sogard, 232 Duran, 208 Rafaela

178 Monasterio, 171 Contreras

126 AR, 112 Anthony (#9) and 106 Gasper, 104 Wong

96 Yoshida, 90 Story, 88 Seigler, 76 Jones, 60 White, 51 IKF

Of course we will have injuries, but that line-up above looks way better than these other two groupings.

When I look at these posts, I see a lot of potential. We don't talk much about Mick, but he could have a 'best' season getting it all together along with Rut.

Wanna bet Rut looses weight?

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, NHNative said:

When I look at these posts, I see a lot of potential. We don't talk much about Mick, but he could have a 'best' season getting it all together along with Rut.

Wanna bet Rut looses weight?

Agreed, and I've made a lot of hopeful posts since the end of the season.

I got my hopes up higher than they should have been for an elite bat, and this bauer signing is likely the end of that hope.

I'm not feeling all that high right now, despite a move that should make us better.

I look at 2013 as a season we saw a confluence of good seasons, perhaps against all odds. I'd prefer we not have to rely on hopes to beat the odds, but I do think we are not all that long on odds, and maybe there is a surprise add to come.

[NHNative]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Agreed, and I've made a lot of hopeful posts since the end of the season.

I got my hopes up higher than they should have been for an elite bat, and this bauer signing is likely the end of that hope.

I'm not feeling all that high right now, despite a move that should make us better.

I look at 2013 as a season we saw a confluence of good seasons, perhaps against all odds. I'd prefer we not have to rely on hopes to beat the odds, but I do think we are not all that long on odds, and maybe there is a surprise add to come.

The thing is, we had that mid-season run without some strong players. The guys just showed up and played their hearts out. What has been done, can be done.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, NHNative said:

The thing is, we had that mid-season run without some strong players. The guys just showed up and played their hearts out. What has been done, can be done.

The Rays-Brewers series kinda proves that anything is possible, but we can't plan on miracles.

[NHNative]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The Rays-Brewers series kinda proves that anything is possible, but we can't plan on miracles.

What those guys said was that they stuck together and supported each other...they encouraged each other. That human part makes all the difference.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, NHNative said:

What those guys said was that they stuck together and supported each other...they encouraged each other. That human part makes all the difference.

It helps, but who is to say we have that or will have it next season?

[NHNative]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

It helps, but who is to say we have that or will have it next season?

I have been wondering about that what with comments I have read about Duran and Contreras...I haven't been in the locker room.

Who knows.

LOL

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, NHNative said:

I have been wondering about that what with comments I have read about Duran and Contreras...I haven't been in the locker room.

Who knows.

LOL

Gray had some shiny thoughts to share.

[UtahSox]

Trade:

Orioles get: Durbin, Mead, +top10 prospect.

Dbacks get: Gaspar and Duran

Red Sox get: Gunnar Henderson, Ketel Marte

 

SS/3b:start Henderson at SS, Sogard/ Romy Gonzalez at 3b when Arias takes over at SS move Henderson to 3rd. 
LF: start Anthony if he needs a break or injured you can move Bauers to LF. Anthony/ Bauers Left field DH

1B: WC Starts if he needs a day at DH could switch with Bauers. 

[Tedballgame]

15 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Trade:

Orioles get: Durbin, Mead, +top10 prospect.

Dbacks get: Gaspar and Duran

Red Sox get: Gunnar Henderson, Ketel Marte

 

SS/3b:start Henderson at SS, Sogard/ Romy Gonzalez at 3b when Arias takes over at SS move Henderson to 3rd. 
LF: start Anthony if he needs a break or injured you can move Bauers to LF. Anthony/ Bauers Left field DH

1B: WC Starts if he needs a day at DH could switch with Bauers. 

 

15 minutes ago, UtahSox said:

Trade:

Orioles get: Durbin, Mead, +top10 prospect.

Dbacks get: Gaspar and Duran

Red Sox get: Gunnar Henderson, Ketel Marte

 

SS/3b:start Henderson at SS, Sogard/ Romy Gonzalez at 3b when Arias takes over at SS move Henderson to 3rd. 
LF: start Anthony if he needs a break or injured you can move Bauers to LF. Anthony/ Bauers Left field DH

1B: WC Starts if he needs a day at DH could switch with Bauers. 

That trade might go through on fantasy island. Baltimore is not going to give Gunnar Henderson away.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, NHNative said:

I have been wondering about that what with comments I have read about Duran and Contreras...I haven't been in the locker room.

Who knows.

LOL

Gray had some shiny thoughts to share.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Tedballgame said:

 

That trade might go through on fantasy island. Baltimore is not going to give Gunnar Henderson away.

BAL would say no, if we offered them both trade packages combined. Durbin is the only player with real value and he's kinda one dimensional.

[UtahSox]

2 hours ago, Tedballgame said:

 

That trade might go through on fantasy island. Baltimore is not going to give Gunnar Henderson away.

Gotcha ironically on BTV it wouldn’t allow me to add a prospect to package for value. 😂

[southpaw777]

On 11/8/2026 at 10:51 AM, Old Red said:

The Red Sox chose Con Man over Alonso? Let’s dig into that a little bit. The Red Sox offered Alonso a contract first, and when he turned them down the Red Sox went to a CHEAPER option, and picked up the Con Man, so I guess we agree the Red Sox choose the Con Man, because he was a cheaper option. As for the possibility of Alonso being an upgrade over the Con Man the stats speak for themselves career wise, and other wise, and they’re not taking to the Con Man.🤭👋

I would have taken Alonso over Contreras every time. We don’t have that guy who pitchers are extra extra careful with. WC is a nice player, but strikes fear in no pitcher like Alonso’s bat does. The OPS may be a little better but he’s younger, the ball leaves the park much more with PA, And he’s never been hurt. Plays 162. Ya gotta pay for that kind of talent.
completely dumb ass idea to lowball him. But that’s the Sox now. Mostly 2nd tier talent, or at least second tier pay. Very good, not great players.

[southpaw777]

On 11/9/2026 at 9:44 AM, mvp 78 said:

Dubon has a track record of staying healthy and is a much better swiss army knife than IKF. He's Brock Holt-ish. 

True. We could just non tender a number of redundant guys like Jones and white. We don’t have to sign them. 

[southpaw777]

6 hours ago, UtahSox said:

Trade:

Orioles get: Durbin, Mead, +top10 prospect.

Dbacks get: Gaspar and Duran

Red Sox get: Gunnar Henderson, Ketel Marte

 

SS/3b:start Henderson at SS, Sogard/ Romy Gonzalez at 3b when Arias takes over at SS move Henderson to 3rd. 
LF: start Anthony if he needs a break or injured you can move Bauers to LF. Anthony/ Bauers Left field DH

1B: WC Starts if he needs a day at DH could switch with Bauers. 

No way The Os, after just fleecing the Sox for Adley, would even consider this without a top prospect in there somewhere. Gonzales, Arias, or Primera will be the headliner if Henderson is involved.

[Randy Red Sox]

11 hours ago, UtahSox said:

Trade:

Orioles get: Durbin, Mead, +top10 prospect.

Dbacks get: Gaspar and Duran

Red Sox get: Gunnar Henderson, Ketel Marte

 

SS/3b:start Henderson at SS, Sogard/ Romy Gonzalez at 3b when Arias takes over at SS move Henderson to 3rd. 
LF: start Anthony if he needs a break or injured you can move Bauers to LF. Anthony/ Bauers Left field DH

1B: WC Starts if he needs a day at DH could switch with Bauers. 

with all due respect you need to get more sleep

[Randy Red Sox]

15 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

It helps, but who is to say we have that or will have it next season?

Hey i found the pitcher coming off rehab the Sox could get cheap on a 1 year deal-Kris Bubic.  Perfect replacement for Sonny Gray.