mvp 78

It will be more hit than miss, unfortunately in the short term!

'21 6.1 '22 6.9 '23 5.6 '24 5.7 Hard to really say his bb/9 is "down" when only 2 of his previous 11 seasons were ever above 5 bb/9. Last year he was bottom 1st percentile in the league in bb%. It's really, really bad!

I'm not saying that I like Hendriks as closer. I'm just stating what I believe the Sox will do from late March - mid May or so. I also don't want Chapman's 6 bb/9 anywhere near the closer's role.

Hendriks starts off with it, but Slaten probably takes over at some point early on. I think they'll be fine after that happens.

This bullpen may start off on a cold streak but there are a bunch of other names to fill in at various points to supplement it: Fitts/Priester, Newcomb, Fulmer, Kelly, Mills, Burdi, Criswell, Sandlin, Dobbins, Penrod. I'm not against calling up Robertson either.

It was all down hill AFTER 2015 where hit 75 OPS+, -8 DRS and -0.5 bWAR/-1.2 fWAR. That was the best we got out of him. 🐼

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-positional-power-rankings-second-base/ 9th in the FanGraphs Power Rankings for 2b! Campbell 1.6 fWAR Bregman 1.1 fWAR Boston’s second base situation has been an inscrutable mystery all spring. Right now, Kristian Campbell appears to be the favorite for playing time. On one hand, Campell has absolutely earned an opportunity, having unlocked an extra grade or two of power and torn up three levels of the minor leagues in 2024; he was the no. 7 prospect in all of baseball in our recent offseason Top 100. This is the kind of player you make room for, although he might not make the Opening Day roster. On the other hand, the Red Sox shelled out for the top third baseman on the free agent market (Alex Bregman) despite having an even better third baseman (Rafael Devers) under contract through the Rapture. No matter; had Bregman been drafted by any team other than the Astros, that’s probably where he would’ve been playing all along. And it’s where I’d play him now if I were in charge. As if Alex Cora needed more options at second, he also has utilityman David Hamilton. The 27-year-old out of the University of Texas had kind a fringy 2024 at the plate (.248/.303/.395), but he can play both middle infield positions, and he stole 33 bases in 37 attempts over just 98 games. So I guess I’ll say this: I can’t tell you who will end up as Boston’s nominal starting second baseman, but I’m confident this will be a position of strength no matter who ends up there.

The guy he's battling: '23 54 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR '24 63 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR Great pop time, terrible framer and in his 30's with an MiLB option.

No, just the TJS nonsense, which is the majority of the problem he's had.

Story was injured before he got here.

Another start for Campbell at 2b.

Mayer has 0 AB's in AAA. Mayer ended last season injured (and the year before). He has a lot of catching up to do. I also think Mayer is a better 3b than 2b option. Unless moving Story to 2b?

Newcomb over Criswell? Fine. Newcomb over Fitts or Priester doesn't make sense at the moment.

Had more career PA's with BOS than any other team. Career 0.2 bWAR just sounds wrong.

Not sure Hamilton needed any time there. We already know what he can do (and it's good for 2b). I'm just saying they can't complain he's behind after sending him out to LF.

He has been good, but is not on the 40 man. My guess is they give Priester/Fitts the 4th/5th spots for now and give Newcomb more time to show what he's got in AAA.

Are they getting rid of him? I think he's supposed to be in line for their backup spot instead of Stubbs.

Then they shouldn't have thrown him out in LF for a few weeks this spring. 🫠

I'd pass on Sogard. He had a HUGE Spring Training last season too. 24 1045 OPS (did not carry over to AAA in March and April!) 25 830 OPS

It would not get rid of his opt outs, but maybe it makes it more likely he sticks around?

Trayce Thompson has already signed a MiLB deal. YOU wanted to add him to the 40 man and send him to AAA.

If it has earned him a starting spot in the OF, great. I need to see an offensive bump in the regular season before I become a believer.

I don't believe Sabol is even 3rd catcher material. From what I remember at the time of his signing, he's more suited for a 1B/LF role. I hope Zavala sticks around.

The illustrious Jose Adames of the 2024 WooSox!