The hatred has had an extended lifetime because (a) it was successful and ( it lasted for a full season before anyone got wise to it. The Pedroia watch incident was squashed quickly and everyone moved on. If people found out that there was an organizational push for Apple watches to be used during games and that the Sox had been doing so for years, it would have been a much bigger deal. It's why the video guy (JT Watkins) got a stiffer sentence, because of the duration. Good thing he ended up with a softer landing and that he's out in LA with his buddy JD for a nice reunion this year.
He's already in AA. If he plays out of his mind next season like we've seen from some AA guys, it's not out of the realm of possibility. I think Teel and Anthony are most likely early/mid 2025 guys.
I don't mind bringing Duvall back if he stays in a corner OF spot or fills in at 1b (he played there earlier in his career). He doesn't have a crazy platoon split, but should be a cheap option. If not Duvall, someone similar.
Casas had a prospect pedigree that Abreu doesn't have. Most people could project what Casas would do in 2023. Abreu is still a bit of an unknown for 2024. It's not like he's really torn up the minors. He had a crazy hot stretch at the end of the summer in AAA, but was just ok before then.
Anthony or Abreu?
Abreu didn't have tremendous splits this year or last. I think he's ok enough against LHP where he's not going to kill you. If you have an obvious weakside platoon bat you're trying to squeeze into the lineup then maybe.
Abreu is NOT a 900 OPS guy IMO. I'm not sure he's a consistent 800 OPS guy. He can get on base and he is a good fielder at all 3 OF positions. There's some value there.
Exceed? Not sure. I don't even know if he's a starter. I think he's a 4th OFer long term. I think he can be a productive OFer and I like him a lot. He's just a placeholder in RF until Anthony shows up IMO.
I would protect:
Wikelman
Perales
Gambrell
Drohan
They are all MLB starting pitcher upside guys.
I would consider protecting:
Bonaci
Scott
Bonaci is going to the AFL. It'll be interesting to see which position he focuses on.
Scott is a good player, but I'm not sure they trust him as the 3rd catcher/bench 1B. His defense is just ok and still a work in progress.
Verdugo has maxed out as a 2 fWAR guy. He's good, but if that defense takes a step back, it gets pretty ugly. The 100 wRC+ out of him is a big letdown, but it's probably closer to what our expectations should have been.