Red Sox Roundup, Oct 19: Anderson's AFL Performance, Martinez's 2004 ALCS, King Pursuit

[Talk Sox]

Here is some of the latest Red Sox analysis and history from around the internet. The roundup covers Red Sox prospects Franklin Primera, Jack Winnay, Blake Wehunt, and Franklin Arias, Antonio Anderson's Arizona Fall League performance, Pedro Martinez's 2004 ALCS antics, and potential free agency targets Michael King and Adrian Morejon.

• 3 prospects on the radar, 2 on the cusp and 1 big question (MLB.com). Notes the Red Sox's 2026 farm system developments, highlighting Franklin Primera's strong performance (.367/.499/.581, 13 HRs, 53 RBIs), Jack Winnay's power and on-base skills (.405 OBP), and Blake Wehunt's potential as a starter, while raising the question of when Franklin Arias (.323/.400/.557, 25 HRs) will get a shot in Boston.
• Red Sox infield prospect Anderson setting a definite 'Tone' in the desert (MLB.com). Notes that Red Sox infield prospect Antonio Anderson is performing exceptionally in the Arizona Fall League, highlighted by a .333/.517/.667 slash line and a 115.2 mph home run, while showing improved plate discipline and a focus on bat speed.
• Pedro Martinez Has Hilarious Shot He Throws at Yankees Fans When They Talk Smack (NESN). Recalls Pedro Martinez's 2004 ALCS performance, noting he allowed three earned runs in his first start, four in his second, and two in a one-inning relief appearance, while highlighting his humorous take on the Yankees' 3-0 series deficit collapse.
• Padres Problem Could Lead to Perfect Outcome for Red Sox (NESN). Argues the Red Sox should target Michael King in free agency if the Padres fail to retain him, noting his strong postseason performance and the Padres' uncertain ability to keep him, while also suggesting reliever Adrian Morejon could be a cheaper alternative.

[JoeBrady]

King's K9 rate has declined 4 straight years.  That's pretty rare.  I'll pass.

[mvp 78]

Why spend money on King when they need to spend their money on the other side of the ball? 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Why spend money on King when they need to spend their money on the other side of the ball? 

No King's thread!

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

No King's thread!

We had a king on here at one time, but he was usurped by moon. 

[mvp 78]

Wait, King has a 28M player option? No way should the Sox pay him more than that. That's crazy. 

[drewski6]

20 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Wait, King has a 28M player option? No way should the Sox pay him more than that. That's crazy. 

Unless we get Pena and get the all RI team.  Baldelli to coach!

[drewski6]

Paul Konerko! Chris Ianetta!

[moonslav59]

On 10/19/2026 at 10:47 AM, mvp 78 said:

Why spend money on King when they need to spend their money on the other side of the ball? 

We may not spend an added cent on pitching, beyond minor league pitching signings. For the first time in forever, I'm not against that idea.

[mvp 78]

30 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We may not spend an added cent on pitching, beyond minor league pitching signings. For the first time in forever, I'm not against that idea.

I wouldn't mind if they spent towards the pen TBH. Slaten is permanently on the IL. I don't think Guerrero can be counted on for sure. Chapman is out of here soon. There isn't much MiLB reliever depth. 

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't mind if they spent towards the pen TBH. Slaten is permanently on the IL. I don't think Guerrero can be counted on for sure. Chapman is out of here soon. There isn't much MiLB reliever depth. 

Our pen has outperformed expectations for the last couple years. The Jansen & Martin decline in Brez's first season kept it from being all three Brez years. 

I'm not saying that is reason to trust we keep the magic going, but with the limited budget I think Brez will be handed, it all needs to go to one elite bat- or the "best bat we can get for the money."

Assuming we keep Houck, Crawford and Oviedo as SP'ers (hard to do if everyone is healthy,) he are the pen arms in consideration:

Chapman & Whitlock

Miller

Weissert & Slaten

Guerrero & Moran (no options)

7 is not enough. We'd need Houck, Crawford or Oviedo to join in.

Othese without inspiration...

Rivera, Kelly, Samaniego, Gamboa, Olds & Mullins

Burgos, Paez, Wehunt, Holobetz, Ziehl (AAA SP> pen?)

Bastardo, Song, Rogers, Carlson, Adams

 

[mvp 78]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Our pen has outperformed expectations for the last couple years.

Once it got to the playoffs, the pen fizzled out. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

18 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Once it got to the playoffs, the pen fizzled out. 

Two years in a row. We love Whitlock in the regular season, but Austin Wells beat him in two wild card games and Geno Suarez beat him in USA's final inning of the WBC.

[moonslav59]

32 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Once it got to the playoffs, the pen fizzled out. 

Too many pen games. Too many injuries in September.

I think we need to start letting Suarez go 6 IP. It's weird how he went 6-8 IP 3 times in April, then zero in May, July and August. (Just 6 out of his last 22 starts- only 2 at 7 IP and none over 7.)

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Too many pen games. Too many injuries in September.

I think we need to start letting Suarez go 6 IP. It's weird how he went 6-8 IP 3 times in April, then zero in May, July and August. (Just 6 out of his last 22 starts- only 2 at 7 IP and none over 7.)

Suarez is who he is. I don't think throwing more innings at him will fix anything. It could make it worse in the end.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Suarez is who he is. I don't think throwing more innings at him will fix anything. It could make it worse in the end.

Maybe, but how would we know?

While his 5th and 6th innings numbers are bad, he has a .387 OPSA in the 7th inning (SSS of 19 PAs)

Career:

.615 in 7th (59 IP)

.676 in 8th (21 IP)