For me, the Sox need another starting option with Giolito going down. Having control for '25 as well is good enough for me. I don't see Duran as a long term fit on this roster.
If all goes according to plan, they are going to run out of OF spots when Anthony is ready:
LF Abreu/Refsnyder/Masa
CF Rafaela
RF Anthony
Not sure I realized Romy played OF. When I've seen him play IF, he's been pretty good defensively. He can't hit though. If they needed an emergency OF callup from AAA, they should make a 40 man move and add Contreras. Left side of the IF? I think Romy would be ok for a little while, but he'd be hitting 9th.
It's a less than 50% chance that Whitlock can go the whole year in the rotation and that's being generous. Professionally, Houck's max starts in a year is 24 which happened last year.
Winckowski is just a much better pen arm. I don't know why they are even moving him to the rotation.
Seems like a lot for Duran, but like you said these guys are kinda far away. Teams are really valuing proximity.
BTV also accepts a 1 for 1 of Duran for King, but I don't see the Padres pulling the trigger on that.
Will Flemming on WEEI, during Alex Verdugo’s AB, said that Alex is already running into the same issues (i.e. showing up late to meetings, games, etc) on the Yankees as he was on the Red Sox in past years.
Most of the pitchers that have thrown over 5 innings have been very solid. Whitlock has given up runs, but only has a 1.06 WHIP (11K/1BB).
Chris Murphy has been the only guy to really look rough (5.14 ERA, 1.86 WHIP). Jacques and Kelly are most likely to start in AAA. Announcers were pumping up Zeferjahn as a name to remember, but he wound up with the highest ERA and WHIP in Spring Training. Another reminder to turn the sound down and generally ignore the writers.
Guys with over 10 AB's and greater than 900 OPS: O'Neilll, Sogard, Devers, Masa
Guys with over 10 AB's and less than 500 OPS (40 man only): Duran, Casas, Reyes, Hamilton
Spring Training wins and losses are whatever. It's nice to see Tanner Houck have a good Spring Training and pitch well. The bullpen arms seem to be look strong again even with the absence of Martin.