Roman Anthony Is Going to Force Some Difficult Red Sox Roster Decisions

The only scenario that makes sense is Scenario #2.

Abreu is a platoon hitter whereas Duran, Rafaela and Anthony are not.

Abreu is the weakest outfielder defensively of the four players, but he has a great arm.

The 13 man roster only allows for 4 outfielders.  With Abreu you are forced into 5 because he can't left handed pitchers so Refsnyder and Abreu need to be rostered as a couple and the roster has no room for that type of decision.  Also, the bogus GG Abreu got for being the best glove in an incredibly weak group of right fielders in the AL inflates his value to other teams.  I only say that because the MLB channel guys talk about his GG as if it was legit, never mentioning that he finished 2024 with defensive stats lower than both Duran and Rafaela.

Abreu is a sell high scenario and might get us a young quality starting pitcher.  Or he could help us salary dump Yoshida if Abreu is included for free for a prospect.

Scenarios #1 and #3 make no sense.  Abreu due to being a platoon hitter must be the odd man out.

Just now, Old Red said:

You also have what happens when Bregman comes back. More roster decisions.

True.  My 13 rostered hitters would be:

C - Narvaez, 1B - Toro, 2B - Campbell, SS - Mayer, 3B - Bregman, Middle infield reserve - Story, Corner Infield reserve - Gonzalez, Reserve Catcher - Wong, LF - Duran, CF - Rafaela, RF - Anthony, Reserve Outfielder - Abreu for now but I would trade him and use Refsnyder, DH - Devers.

When Casas comes back in 2026 then he takes 1B and Toro is the Corner Infielder Reserve. 

The hitting side of the equation seems pretty much set and the 4 reserves are at a level appropriate for a championship team. 

Breslow now must focus on the pitching.

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

You also have what happens when Bregman comes back. More roster decisions.

There's essentially very little difference between option 1 and option 2. 

I would trade whoever is going to give the team the biggest return.  Flip assets for starting pitching. 

We need another starter, and it would be optimal to pick up someone under control for next year as well.  And you can do that while making room for Anthony/Rafaela/(Abreu or Duran)

55 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

The only scenario that makes sense is Scenario #2.

Abreu is a platoon hitter whereas Duran, Rafaela and Anthony are not.

Abreu is the weakest outfielder defensively of the four players, but he has a great arm.

The 13 man roster only allows for 4 outfielders.  With Abreu you are forced into 5 because he can't left handed pitchers so Refsnyder and Abreu need to be rostered as a couple and the roster has no room for that type of decision.  Also, the bogus GG Abreu got for being the best glove in an incredibly weak group of right fielders in the AL inflates his value to other teams.  I only say that because the MLB channel guys talk about his GG as if it was legit, never mentioning that he finished 2024 with defensive stats lower than both Duran and Rafaela.

Abreu is a sell high scenario and might get us a young quality starting pitcher.  Or he could help us salary dump Yoshida if Abreu is included for free for a prospect.

Scenarios #1 and #3 make no sense.  Abreu due to being a platoon hitter must be the odd man out.

 

I agree with this. I'd be okay with Duran being traded if the return blew us away, but otherwise Abreu makes the most sense for the reasons outlined. It made sense in the off season. It makes even more sense now. 

2 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

True.  My 13 rostered hitters would be:

C - Narvaez, 1B - Toro, 2B - Campbell, SS - Mayer, 3B - Bregman, Middle infield reserve - Story, Corner Infield reserve - Gonzalez, Reserve Catcher - Wong, LF - Duran, CF - Rafaela, RF - Anthony, Reserve Outfielder - Abreu for now but I would trade him and use Refsnyder, DH - Devers.

 

 

What would you do if bregman decides to opt out at the end of the year?

5 hours ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

What would you do if bregman decides to opt out at the end of the year?

If someone is willing to go HIGHER than $40Million for 2 years, I would be very surprised but if someone is willing to go longer at $40Million, I would match it or exceed it to get him back.  The interesting spin on Bregman is his connection to Cora.  If Cora is let go does that mean Bregman will opt out?  I have no idea how tight that link is but it seems pretty tight.

I think there are only two all-star quality 3Bs that are free agents this off-season and Bregman is one of them.  The other is Suarez who might love hitting in Boston but he's a below average fielder.  The offensive production needs to be replaced if Bregman is gone so he seems like the best FA and he's half the annual price.  

I might proactively extend the $40Million 2 more years right now for Bregman and ask him to drop the opt out for the $80Million extra dollars.  This team is coming into its own and Bregman is a key piece.

9 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I agree with this. I'd prefer to keep Abreu, but if they can only get a good deal out of moving him then do that. Duran and Abreu are similar enough that it's more important to get Anthony in the lineup and figure it out from there if you really believe in Rafaela as the everyday CFer. 

There are two VERY big differences between Abreu and Duran

1 - Duran is the best leadoff hitter since Mookie and Abreu doesn't have leadoff man skills.

2 - Duran hits for a higher average, has more speed on the bases and is a superior defender despite the GG that should have an asterisk next to it for going against such weak competition.

I seriously don't understand why everyone is high on a platoon hitter who is the weakest of the big four defenders, who isn't particularly fast but swings for the fences all the time and causes the team to eat up another roster spot for his platoon mate.

As far as Rafaela goes, he's a better hitting version of JBJ based on his minor league performance.  Think back to how many years JBJ hit under .200 through May and then got hot and had enormous streaks just to return to being cold late in the year.  I believe Rafaela will be more consistent, but he needs to prove it.

6 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Nope. If he's under 700, I'm fine with moving on from him if they want to be a serious org. 

His OPS is .695 and it was over .700 a couple of days ago.  Point in time decisions over a guy who is 24 and is constantly improving?  Is that a knee-jerk reaction that doesn't allow a top prospect to develop?  Abreu is a platoon hitter, is that a serious organization move?  Carrying an extra player to make up for the issues with Abreu?  I don't get that logic.  

The WAR numbers above triggered an idea for a trade.  DD is pitching heavy, and Boston is hitting heavy so lets trade Abreu for Abel.  It solves the outfield problem and adds what looks to be an excellent arm.

With recent improvements from guys like Bleis and Refsnyder earning that 4th outfielder spot Boston won't miss Abreu's bat now that they have Anthony's and they won't need to roster an extra guy to make up for Abreu's inability to hit lefties.

For me, Abreu is clearly the weakest of the four prime outfielders yet for some unknown reason he seems to be liked by the media and fans despite his shortcomings.  His ratio of appeal to talent is second to Anthony so he's the perfect guy to trade to maximize value.

4 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

If someone is willing to go HIGHER than $40Million for 2 years, I would be very surprised but if someone is willing to go longer at $40Million, I would match it or exceed it to get him back.  The interesting spin on Bregman is his connection to Cora.  If Cora is let go does that mean Bregman will opt out?  I have no idea how tight that link is but it seems pretty tight.

I think there are only two all-star quality 3Bs that are free agents this off-season and Bregman is one of them.  The other is Suarez who might love hitting in Boston but he's a below average fielder.  The offensive production needs to be replaced if Bregman is gone so he seems like the best FA and he's half the annual price.  

I might proactively extend the $40Million 2 more years right now for Bregman and ask him to drop the opt out for the $80Million extra dollars.  This team is coming into its own and Bregman is a key piece.

 

He may get a longer deal at less annual but more total money.

Plus, at this point in his career, he may be chasing another ring or two.

1 hour ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

He may get a longer deal at less annual but more total money.

Plus, at this point in his career, he may be chasing another ring or two.

I agree but I think if Cora is in Boston, Bregman will be in Boston and Cora will talk Breslow into the necessary extension.

18 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Anyone watching daily/nightly can see that both Duran and Abreu are overrated defensively -- at least by the stats that non-Sox fans or non-Sox media monitor.

Duran improved since he debuted, but it's pretty obvious his hands are still clanky. 

Abreu has less speed, but a far stronger arm. 

Right now Breslow should trade whichever player yields the best return for pitching.

And nobody should stress that Rafaela is etched in stone as a core starter, either. The Password Garcia is already on the 40-man roster, currently has an .840 OPS in Worcester, is a strong defender in the outfield, and hit more minor league home runs last year than any of The Big Three.

 

Duran struggles far more in LF than CF.  That's why when Rafaela came up, I expected him to handle the toughest outfield position, (RIGHT FIELD) because many say the size is bigger than CF and clearly it has some tricky plays that need to be made down the line.  The short (not tall) HR fence also makes it very challenging and dangerous.

We've had two legends in LF over the years, and I think Anthony is a perfect third legend.  Trade Abreu and get some pitching or dump Yoshida's money with Abreu's talent and buy some pitching or a prospect if Yoshida is included.  Refsnyder is an excellent right-handed 4th outfielder.  I just wish they would switch Mayer and Story so when Bregman is back Story becomes the reserve middle infielder and Mayer gets to prove that his defense is not as bad as his minor league numbers suggest.

Abreu's hitting versus lefties and his strong and accurate arm should be worth a lot on the open market and we won't miss his streaky hitting performance each year.  Abreu hits .304 in March/April, .222 in May, .227 in June, .250 in July, .295 in August and .234 in Sept.  It's good that he's injured right now because his June OPS is .561.  

10 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

I agree but I think if Cora is in Boston, Bregman will be in Boston and Cora will talk Breslow into the necessary extension.

Not if he's chasing rings and a contender offers him the right contract.

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

You are alone on the island believing that Abreu is a weaker defender than Duran. There is not a scout in baseball that thinks this. 

If you say so.  Sounds like a gross exaggeration to make a point about how much you believe in him.

I've watched both Duran and Abreu play.  Abreu gets the YIPS when he runs back toward the fence in right field and when he has to run hard at the right field side fence.  I've watched him catch balls side saddle to avoid contact with the wall while guys like Rafaela are fearless.  I simply am not impressed with Abreu's defense, his defensive numbers or the way his average skills are portrayed.  He has a strong arm, he slides for balls in front of him well but when he reaches up for balls over his head to his left he loses sight of the ball because he brings the glove directly through his line of sight.  For me, those are things I have observed about players for many years.

If my comment does not agree with the organization hype, I am ok with it.  If scouts are not picking up on his shortcomings, then I'd go get some new scouts.