mvp 78

He's had some really good moments because of his great athleticism, but he really should be a CFer. Aside from the brief moments we've seen from Story, we have really mediocre to horrible SS play over the past decade or so. I think that's why we overstate some of the plays that Rafaela has made. He makes some plays that an average SS would make and Red Sox Twitter (and elsewhere) erupts at how amazing it is and anyone who disagrees "doesn't know ball." If he stuck at SS, he could be an average to above average SS. However, they tried him out in CF and immediately he showed instincts that led them to believe he could eventually be GG caliber. If he plays a single game at SS in 2025, it's a waste.

7.36 ERA, 4.81 FIP A little bit of bad luck involved. I can't believe Andrew Bailey screwed up this guy after the trade deadline though! Wow!

We have cheap prospects that can keep the offensive side of the payroll down for the foreseeable future. Use your spending clout on pitching FA and prospect surplus to acquire other arms. That's what I'd do. No way am I trading Anthony unless a young controllable TOTR arm can be had. Even then, the rest of the package would just be Sandlin and Fitts or whatever.

I would say that he's been very good or closer to what we expected him to be going into this year. 3.42 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 5.9 IP/GS

Would you rather be the GM that traded away Brandon Crawford or Aaron Judge?

Bello’s longest career start. He had never pitched over 7.0 before.

Best start of the year so far for Bello considering how he’s limited his pitch count.

Bello still dealing. Where has this guy been?

Even Masa’s outs look good right now.

Sox are wasting his career year.

Rafaela loves swinging at pitches 3ft outside the zone.

Missed opportunity at the bottom of the 1st. Bello stays out of trouble after. So good so far.

Good first inning. Bello seems to only struggle once a runner gets on.

No Devers. DHam hitting 2nd. Uh, Ok? Why not move Masa up in the order?

I guess every player that has signed an extension doesn’t have an agent?

Marcelo Mayer: “I fully expect to have a very normal offseason… You can be sure I’m going to work hard this offseason to come back stronger than ever next season.”

Alex Cobb - IL Lorenzen - IL Rogers - 7.11 ERA (expensive trade) Flaherty, Kikuchi and Eflin have been good, but I have no idea if the Sox were willing to give up the prospects that were given up in those deals. They let a lot of Rule 5 guys go and got a high ceiling guy back in Priester. Priester was shelled the first time out, but seems to have pitched better as of late as he's adjusting to the Sox pitching philosophy.

It's that the value will keep trending further downward, not that his value is down now and can only go up from here. He is still considered a solid prospect, another team would take him in a second.

It's not a bidding war if you sign the extension before Mookie becomes a FA. Also, there are payroll restrictions on all ballclubs. The reason LA has an advantage in FA has more to do with the entertainment business, weather and closer proximity to the Asian market.

Aside from 04, the other 3 WS teams all had top 7 defenses. I can't imagine another year where the Sox win a WS with a bottom ranked defense. It just doesn't seem very likely.

2004 Sox starters were 2nd in fWAR. The starters were 2nd in FIP. Overall, the Sox pitchers were 4th in fWAR. That team had great pitching. To say that the '04 team won with hitting is foolish.

It's just been unfun to watch.

Bello last 5: Date Tm Opp Rslt Inngs Dec DR IP H R ER BB SO HR HBP ERA FIP Jul 26 BOS NYY W,9-7 GS-5 5 5.0 5 3 3 2 4 1 0 5.27 4.58 Aug 6 BOS @ KCR W,6-5 GS-5 5 4.2 5 3 3 3 6 1 0 5.16 4.60 Aug 12 BOS TEX W,5-4 GS-6 5 6.0 4 1 1 3 5 0 1 4.97 4.55 Aug 17 BOS @ BAL W,5-1 GS-6 W(11-5) 4 6.0 2 1 1 3 6 1 0 4.80 4.56 Aug 23 BOS ARI L,2-12 GS-6 L(11-6) 5 5.1 7 5 5 4 2 0 0 4.95 4.56 After two good starts vs TEX and BAL, he had a bit of a stinker against ARI. We'll see if he can turn it around.

Well worth it IMO. If he's giving you 4+ bWAR, can field multiple positions, plus the star factor, he's worth the cost.