Free Agents the Red Sox Should Reunite with...and Some They Shouldn’t

Jansen, at $6-8M/1. Martin would be okay, but I worry about his emotional issues, last year. No to the others.

If the Sox prefer a better outfielder than Refsnyder to platoon with Abreu, Duvall isn’t the worst choice.  He’s a better fielder than Grichuk.  I think Laureano makes the most sense of the three, but he’s likely to command more money than Duvall.  Although he’s hardly a bank breaker…

26 minutes ago, notin said:

If the Sox prefer a better outfielder than Refsnyder to platoon with Abreu, Duvall isn’t the worst choice.  He’s a better fielder than Grichuk.  I think Laureano makes the most sense of the three, but he’s likely to command more money than Duvall.  Although he’s hardly a bank breaker…

Not many players hit LHPs better than Ref. I'm fine with platooning Ref w Yoshida at DH, instead of OF w Abreu (Ref in LF v L, move Duran to CF and Rafaela in RF and shift everybody leftwards v RHPs.)

I think Yoshida is a better all around hitter, so the OF platoon might make more sense. The problem is, we can't use 2 of the 13 everyday roster slots for DH only players. While the DH on the bench can be the 4th or 5th OF'er, adding Grichuk makes that near useless.

If we add Grichuk, we probably trade Ref.

15 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Jansen will sign for more and I don't think the current clubhouse wants him back. 

Agreed on both, but I'd prefer him as our closer than Chapman/Hendriks/Slaten.

I might go $8-9M/1, but he'll probably get $12M.

27 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Jansen will sign for more and I don't think the current clubhouse wants him back. 

Jansen beat feet before the season had ended last year, so bye, bye Felicia,

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Not many players hit LHPs better than Ref. I'm fine with platooning Ref w Yoshida at DH, instead of OF w Abreu (Ref in LF v L, move Duran to CF and Rafaela in RF and shift everybody leftwards v RHPs.)

I think Yoshida is a better all around hitter, so the OF platoon might make more sense. The problem is, we can't use 2 of the 13 everyday roster slots for DH only players. While the DH on the bench can be the 4th or 5th OF'er, adding Grichuk makes that near useless.

If we add Grichuk, we probably trade Ref.

I don’t see why they can’t.

Having an actual 4th outfielder means Rafaela’s versatility is utilized.  If Story comes out, Grichuk/Duvall moves to LF, Duran to CF, Rafaela to SS.   Probably better than putting Hamilton or Romy at SS.

A fourth OF means likely Romy gets optioned to Worcester.  Right now, his role is probably platooning with Yoshida at DH anyway, since he does hit LHP fairly  well.

The current Sox bench is probably Narvaez (catcher), Hamilton and Romy (utility infielders) and Refsnyder (knows where the OF is).  They really don’t have a fourth OF.  I don’t see the benefit of carrying two utility infielders and a very weak/borderline questionable OF on the bench.  Better off having a catcher, an infielder, an actual outfielder, and whatever you want to call Refsnyder.

Especially on a team managed by Alex Cora.  Better off starting Duvall or Grichuk on Duran’s or Rafaela’s days off than Refsnyder…

 

44 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Are these guys really that much of a step up from Refsnyder? 

At hitting LHP? Probably not.

At defending RF at Fenway Park? Most definitely…

I’m not as urgent on the closer role as many out here. Hendriks was a very solid closer before his injury.  He hasn’t pitched in awhile, but he’s not trying to comeback from anything a few dozen pitchers haven’t come back from.

But another bullpen arm is always good.  The days of needing just 3 shutdown relievers are long gone.  And the Sox will probably go through 20 relief pitchers over the course of a season. There are still a few intriguing arms available, even beyond Tanner Scott, whom I’ve heard nothing about all off-season, beyond his hefty contract demand ($80mill over 4 years).

The bullpen nowadays pitches 500-700 IP per season.  Sox relievers threw 613 IP last year.  Not all innnings are critical, but having more arms capable of high leverage innings makes it easier on everyone.

Beyond Scott, Kyle Finnegan, Andrew Kittredge, Chris Martin, John Brebbia, Kendall Graveman, Matt Moore, Lou Trivino, Ryne Stanek, Joe Kelly, and a few others could represent upgrades in the bullpen…

Sox Best OPS vs LHPs since 2022 (that are still on the roster)

.910 Refsnyder (363 PAs)

.879 Romy (130 PAs)

.772 Casas (183) Don't trade Casas to help "balance" the L-R issue.

.746 Devers (574)

.743 Story (155)

.694 Wong (278) Has reverse splits by 25 points

.669 Yoshida (252) Hits LHPs better than Duran, Rafaela and way better than Abreu. Maybe a DH platoon is not the best idea, unless we sign Grichuk.

.650 Duran (321)

.610 Rafaela (179) Has reverse splits by 74 points

These two should never start a game vs a LHP, unless they start showing better results:

.539 DHam and .514 Abreu

I seriously doubt we get anyone better vs LHPs than Refsnyder. Only 12 batter in all of MLB have a higher OPS vs LHPs and more PAs than Ref. ONLY Twelve!

Let that sink in.

Grichuk is actually #11 at .941, so technically he'd be an upgrade over Ref and is a better defender but with Anthony close to the Bigs and Campbell able to play the OF, I'm not sure it's spending all that wisely.

I don't like Rafaela at SS. I like this better:

LF: Duran v R, Ref v L

CF: Rafaela v R, Duran v L

RF: Abreu v R, Rafaela v L

If Anthony wins a FT job, swap him for the Rafaela roles and make Rafaela the 4th OF and back up or platoon 2Bman w DHam, or even FT, if DHam, Grissom and Romy fizzle out, and we don't want to hand the job to Campbell (or Story, if Mayer gets the call, first.)

Other notable LH'er killers above Ref and Grichuk are ...

1.002 Wm Contreras

.974 O'Neill

.971 Y Diaz

.948 Soler

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Why do they need a RHB in RF aside from Rafaela? Just throw Refsnyder in LF IMO.

Exactly. We played Ref in LF and Duran in CF  vs LHPs, many times in 2024. We used O'Neill in RF and Rafaela at SS in many of those games, but a flip is easy enough.

We also have Anthony and Campbell beating down the door, at any minute.

I get a one year deal not being such a biggie, but let's spend what we have left on a closer or someone that is a major upgrade over what we have, now.

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Why do they need a RHB in RF aside from Rafaela? Just throw Refsnyder in LF IMO.

So… last year’s lineup vs LHP but without O’Neill’s 1.200 OPS? Not sure why Rafaela’s .610 OPS vs LHP is considered part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Also, Cora won’t re-arrange the OF vs LHP just to get Ref out of RF.  Just like he didn’t last year. 

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Exactly. We played Ref in LF and Duran in CF  vs LHPs, many times in 2024. We used O'Neill in RF and Rafaela at SS in many of those games, but a flip is easy enough.

We also have Anthony and Campbell beating down the door, at any minute.

I get a one year deal not being such a biggie, but let's spend what we have left on a closer or someone that is a major upgrade over what we have, now.

I would bet the Sox think they’ve already spent on a closer.

To me, if it comes down to keeping Romy Gonzalez or one of the RHH corner OFs, what does Romy bring? 
 

I’d rather see a better 4th OF than another utility infielder.  Especially if there is an injury in the OF.

None of this blocks Anthony.  They’ll find a way to get him involved…

58 minutes ago, notin said:

I would bet the Sox think they’ve already spent on a closer.

To me, if it comes down to keeping Romy Gonzalez or one of the RHH corner OFs, what does Romy bring? 
 

I’d rather see a better 4th OF than another utility infielder.  Especially if there is an injury in the OF.

None of this blocks Anthony.  They’ll find a way to get him involved…

I agree.  I doubt we are even talking to Scott's agent. To me, Chapman (LHP) and Hendriks/Slaten (RHPs) would make ideal set-up men, and turnour pen from a minus to a plus with just a Scott signing.

Since we are dead set against playing Devers at 1B, Romy is the only other guy who can play there, unless you want your catcher playing 1B (Wong.)

I've not given up on Grissom, but I kinda like a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B, while the other is the IF utility guy for that game, better than Grissom-DHam.

I know you want DHam starting the year at AAA, but I think his speed, 2B defense and ability to hold his own vs RHPs makes him worthy of a slot on the 26.

As for a better 4th OF''er. I like Anthony getting a long look in 2025. If he fails, go OF hunting at the deadline.

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I've not given up on Grissom, but I kinda like a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B, while the other is the IF utility guy for that game, better than Grissom-DHam.

A hunch there will no longer be a platoon at second base in Boston: one MLB exec said Kristian Campbell is the best prospect he's ever seen. 

Which bench-warmer stays on the roster: Grissom, Hamilton, or Romy? Maybe the latter, as a back-up at first base for Raffy (if a big trade is made).

9 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

A hunch there will no longer be a platoon at second base in Boston: one MLB exec said Kristian Campbell is the best prospect he's ever seen. 

Which bench-warmer stays on the roster: Grissom, Hamilton, or Romy? Maybe the latter, as a back-up at first base for Raffy (if a big trade is made).

I think JH will hold off adding Campbell, as well as Anthony and Mayer, until they add a year of service time. (I think that will be early May.) He saves money, this way- nuff said.

In this light, we should start the season with DHam and Grissom or Romy as a 2B platoon. Who knows: maybe one does great and increases his trade value or allows us to play Campbell somewhere else.

To me, Anthony and Campbell seem ML Ready enough to start on opening day. They are not sure bet, instant stars, so we keep a significant back-up(s) around, for a while, but everyone has options, so that is easy.

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I think JH will hold off adding Campbell, as well as Anthony and Mayer, until they add a year of service time. (I think that will be early May.) He saves money, this way- nuff said.

In this light, we should start the season with DHam and Grissom or Romy as a 2B platoon. Who knows: maybe one does great and increases his trade value or allows us to play Campbell somewhere else.

To me, Anthony and Campbell seem ML Ready enough to start on opening day. They are not sure bet, instant stars, so we keep a significant back-up(s) around, for a while, but everyone has options, so that is easy.

Your last paragraph may also be the key reason they open in Boston. Roman and KC may not be instant stars, but are almost certain big leaguers -- and both will make minimum wage... which could be tens of dollars less than the trio listed from last year!

Just now, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Your last paragraph may also be the key reason they open in Boston. Roman and KC may not be instant stars, but are almost certain big leaguers -- and both will make minimum wage... which could be tens of dollars less than the trio listed from last year!

I don't think JH is planning on selling the team in the next 5-6 years, so he will want the extra year of control at a lower cost.

He will not spend anymore if we just play DHam, Romy or Grissom to play 1B for 5-6 weeks to start the season. If the choice is Grichuk va starting Anthony opening day, JH might still save more by giving Anthony an extra year 5 years from now, or at least it will be close. He would have to pay to replace Anthony a year earlier.

I'd love to see RA and KC starting on opening day. Anthony seems to hit LHPs, well, and Campbell is a RHB.

1. L Duran LF

2. R Campbell 2B

3. L Casas 1B

4. L Devers 3B

5. L Anthony (CF v RHP and RF v LHPs)

6. L Abreu RF v RHPs/ R Story SS v LHPs

7. L Yoshida v RHPs DH/ Refsnyder DH v LHPs

8. R Story SS v RHPs/ R Rafaela CF v LHPs

9. R Wong-Narvaez C

That looks pretty awesome, to me.

57 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree.  I doubt we are even talking to Scott's agent. To me, Chapman (LHP) and Hendriks/Slaten (RHPs) would make ideal set-up men, and turnour pen from a minus to a plus with just a Scott signing.

Since we are dead set against playing Devers at 1B, Romy is the only other guy who can play there, unless you want your catcher playing 1B (Wong.)

I've not given up on Grissom, but I kinda like a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B, while the other is the IF utility guy for that game, better than Grissom-DHam.

I know you want DHam starting the year at AAA, but I think his speed, 2B defense and ability to hold his own vs RHPs makes him worthy of a slot on the 26.

As for a better 4th OF''er. I like Anthony getting a long look in 2025. If he fails, go OF hunting at the deadline.

Romy didn’t come to Boston with much 1b experience at all, probably about the same amount as Refsnyder has.  Refsnyder is a former infielder, coming up as a 2b in the Yankee system.  Not sure if he moved around due to weak fielding or just to get on the field more or both.  But as an emergency option at 1b, he could handle it.

The Sox have been linked to Grichuk already this offseason, for what thats worth.  But it’s more likely they keep Romy around, possibly even letting him DH vs LHP.

I do think Bregman will be the Sox 2b this year, against my wishes.  But if he isn’t, they probably start the year there with either Grissom or Campbell.  I think Grissom has the slight edge by already being on the 40 man roster and finishing fairly strongly last season. But if he cannot handle the role, he still has an option left and Campbell has made enough noise to get the chance.

Hamilton, if he isn’t traded, is probably limited to a bench role and his speed will come in handy as a pinch runner for ghosts…

1 minute ago, notin said:

Romy didn’t come to Boston with much 1b experience at all, probably about the same amount as Refsnyder has.  Refsnyder is a former infielder, coming up as a 2b in the Yankee system.  Not sure if he moved around due to weak fielding or just to get on the field more or both.  But as an emergency option at 1b, he could handle it.

The Sox have been linked to Grichuk already this offseason, for what thats worth.  But it’s more likely they keep Romy around, possibly even letting him DH vs LHP.

I do think Bregman will be the Sox 2b this year, against my wishes.  But if he isn’t, they probably start the year there with either Grissom or Campbell.  I think Grissom has the slight edge by already being on the 40 man roster and finishing fairly strongly last season. But if he cannot handle the role, he still has an option left and Campbell has made enough noise to get the chance.

Hamilton, if he isn’t traded, is probably limited to a bench role and his speed will come in handy as a pinch runner for ghosts…

Romy has 93 innings at 1B in MLB and 142 in the minors (+ 9 gms in college.)

Ref has 227 at 1B in MLB, but you wonder why we never let him play at 1B, despite it getting pretty bad, last season. He has 99 in the minors. I think the last time he played 1B in MLB was 2020 (2 GS and 4 gms total.) He played 175 innings at 1B for the Yanks in 2016.

I don't have the faith in Grissom you do, especially vs RHPs and on defense.

12 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I don't think JH is planning on selling the team in the next 5-6 years, so he will want the extra year of control at a lower cost.

He will not spend anymore if we just play DHam, Romy or Grissom to play 1B for 5-6 weeks to start the season. If the choice is Grichuk va starting Anthony opening day, JH might still save more by giving Anthony an extra year 5 years from now, or at least it will be close. He would have to pay to replace Anthony a year earlier.

I'd love to see RA and KC starting on opening day. Anthony seems to hit LHPs, well, and Campbell is a RHB.

1. L Duran LF

2. R Campbell 2B

3. L Casas 1B

4. L Devers 3B

5. L Anthony (CF v RHP and RF v LHPs)

6. L Abreu RF v RHPs/ R Story SS v LHPs

7. L Yoshida v RHPs DH/ Refsnyder DH v LHPs

8. R Story SS v RHPs/ R Rafaela CF v LHPs

9. R Wong-Narvaez C

That looks pretty awesome, to me.

Agree on the line-up, if they all just deliver at competent levels (not necessarily superstar expectations).

We may like Campbell at clean-up to protect Devers, and maybe Casas can wear out pitchers with obstinate selectivity so they make more mistakes when they get to Raffy (thinking Soto-Judge last year)... 

I'd also bat Yoshida in front of Abreu, since Masa makes more consistent contact to keep the line moving.

As for that "extra year" of service time -- I've said this before -- I wonder how many players nowadays are even still on the same team that originally promoted them to the majors, five years later? An even better point: how much more money are we even talking about -- if a player is that good, on a MAJOR MARKET CLUB THAT CAN AFFORD HIM, wouldn't he 1. be well worth the extra year's salary, or hopefully 2. be already extended as a keeper, well beyond that pivotal year?