This has one been one brutal stretch all right. It's almost like the baseball Gods are sending signals to the Sox FO that a fire sale is the way to go.
Have to disagree with the principle. Nobody had more media pissed off against him than Ted Williams, and I think there have been a few other Red Sox stars the media didn't like.
Not that Duran is anywhere near a star at this point.
I read what he said, I didn't see anything about "optics benefit". He said he could see Verdugo was going to beat him to the ball. He did say he would take one or two steps next time, but I don't think he meant he would do it just for show. Let's try to be a little fair here.
The 28 runs were, not surprisingly, the most ever given up by a Red Sox team.
At least we didn't get to the all time MLB record of 30.
The Jays were actually on pace for 45 runs after the 5th inning.
Look, Xander signed a 6 year contract with an opt out after Year 3. He's a big boy, he knew the opt out could make him a lot more money. He didn't put that in the contract out of the kindness of his heart. It has worked out well for him.
No need to break out the crying towels.
Still speculation. He made acquisitions that helped the team-Pivetta, Whitlock, Kike, Renfroe etc. (not to mention Cora). Is the suggestion that he didn't actually want these guys to succeed?
I think that's rubbish.