The "we are 3.5 games back" is the same argument you used in '22 and '23. It's why you said it was foolish to not tear down the '22 team and sell all the expiring contracts. In the long run, the Sox would have been better off if they had done so.
Right now, the Sox are full of mismatched parts. They have too many OFers. They are playing IFers out of position. They are forcing their #2 starter to change his pitch mix and his arsenal is all messed up right now. Bello was a more promising pitcher BEFORE the pitching lab.
Theo needs to step in and tell Breslow what's up. Right now, it's one big mess. Breslow has no clue. Cora isn't managing. Someone has to take charge.
They've been bad at the fundamentals for years and years. They give Cora a pass and blame the players or the farm instruction. Half the team are from other orgs. It's on Cora at some point.
The further they fall under .500, the more reason to just make the switch to Mayer at SS. Unless they really don't see Mayer as the future SS and believe it's Arias.
It's early, but the way this team is playing, there doesn't appear to be much life in this team. Bad coaching. Bad pitching. Bad defense. Poorly put together offense.
This team feels 2012ish: a lot of good players that aren't moving forward together, underachieving pitching staff.
Story moved down in the order. Masa starts over Duran.
Duran started 147 of 162 games last season (91%). After today, he will have only started 8 of 10 games this season (80%).
I would have sat Rafaela and played Duran in CF.
The Verdugo/O'Neill trades and Romy find are also very good deals. The FA misses are whatever to me.
Sale was egregious, but he was able to trade for Crochet.
If I say too much about the Devers trade again I'll get yelled at.
The worry is that the this offseason hasn't looked so hot. If these guys don't pan out, there's a lot of work to do with a farm system that took a HUGE hit.
His glove has been playable at times in BOS. For the most part, his bat has been awful. There is little to no reason to believe he could ever be a #2 hitter.
If Marcelo gets injured, he'd have to be replaced somewhere. That's why they signed IKF. Who cares if it's at SS or 2B? If Marcelo can get you to 110 - 120 G, put him at SS.