mvp 78

And yes, Bloom said that was false on that bad, terrible, no good podcast I listened too. However, how does a story like that get out? Isn't that a problem?

And what was with all the talk about ownership pushing for Max at the deadline? Wouldn't that put them over the lux tax? I don't understand.

10?

Uh, I think you misread their schedule. Not only have they already played 4 series, their opening day game this year was vs Houston.

Ohtani for Bogaerts/Verdugo/Pivetta Extend Ohtani at 8/320

Oakland rotation has thrown the most innings in the league, 4th best in FIP and fWAR. They are solid. I don't see them falling back. Caveat: I don't like their bullpen.

Bloom should want a Dombrowski career. He's had a terrific GM career. Also, his new team is in first place.

This. Coasting while the teams around you were adding is not a great idea IMO. And no, "Sale is coming back" is not an acquisition. We started the season with a "less than" rotation because we'd only need half a season out of Perez or Richards

Shoulda been this year too.

This is good content.

The "mess" has yet to be fixed. I see the plan, but the results aren't there yet.

The true cliff was the 2021 trading deadline, apparently.

Place bets now!

I posted the same in the clutch thread.

Arroyo/Plawecki Not sure who else was undervalued and then produced. For relievers, it's almost always a throw s*** at the wall and see what sticks.

I need a refresher on the bold.

I feel like there are always a few missteps with ownership. There's been just some weird s*** that didn't feel right. 1. Dumping the entire 04 team. At least re-signing Pedro would have been good PR. 2. After tanking in 2011, JH called into WEEI to complain about the CC contract that had his signature on it. He "didn't like the deal" but still signed it and then is ripping him in public? 3. Kicking Tito on his way out the door by throwing out the pills and Hazel Mae stories. 4. Signing Panda and Hanley, which still doesn't feel like a Ben move. 5. f***ing around with homegrown Lester because he was over 30, but signing Price an offseason or two later. 6. All the leaks while trying to sign Mookie to spin public favor against the player. I'd have much more confidence if ownership was just a silent partner and let Bloom do his thing.

2018 was the GREATEST Red Sox team. The following year, there was a swoon. Ownership decided they couldn't pay for their greatest homegrown everyday player in a few generations. They disbanded the entire OF that they had hyped up in 2018. The team they gave us was mediocre and bereft of personality. Their ace went out on injury. Xander is great, but he's just boring. He's the lunch pail SS who shows up and is an upper tier SS. JD mashes, but is generally as exciting as watching paint dry. Devers is fun as all hell to me, but I'm not sure how well he has connected with a lot of fans. Cora was great in 2018, but was embroiled in the Astros cheating scandal. It's a product that just doesn't have IT right now. Pedro/Manny/Papi/Pedroia/Mookie aren't walking through that door. This team just feels second rate, like a cheaper version of what it once was. Maybe this can be fixed in the next few years with a youth movement of Casas/Duran/Houck/Whitlock/Yorke/Downs/Meyer/Jimenez/Bello/Song, but it's far from a guarantee. At least Casas talks the talk when hating on the Yanks. People have started to hype him due to the Olympics. Maybe that's the spark for next season? IDK.

If ownership gave Bloom the green light, we'd be a different team (we saw that when the pedal was to the floor with DD). Ownership just decided it was ok to take a step back for the short term. I think they though "be competitive in 2021" meant 86-88 wins and outside of the playoffs. They are probably looking at this season as playing with house money. If we didn't start off so hot, there'd be less frustration.

I agree.

If your starter only goes 5, it really adds more stress to the bullpen. We are seeing that they are wearing down this year due to the weird reduced season last year and starters that can't go long. Pitching injuries have been crazy this year. Feels like they have been worse coming off 2020, but it could be recency bias.

The A's have solid pitching. I don't think we can catch them if we don't really turn things around quick. It's going to be a three way race between the Jays/Yanks/Sox for that final play in game spot.

No, the entire grouping of moves made from 10/19 - 8/21 is why we are where we are.

:(

I will always support Bloom. However, I have disagreed with his offseason acquisitions over and over regardless of the team's standing. I disagree with the trade deadline, but understand his hands were tied based on the luxury tax imposed on him by ownership. It is possible to support the GM, but still be critical of them.