Hitch

I agree, I see next to zero likelihood we even look at Tucker never mind bid for him. But it's still too simplistic to say they wouldnt add in the outfield because of our infield. You never know just how other teams see Duran and Abreu. If a couple are willing to way overpay and solve our #2 and infield/potential 3B problem you trade them and make another move for your outfield. I think we'll end up packaging one of them with pitching and trading for our #2. Infield will be an uninspiring move i fear.

DH is only open if Masa and Ref are gone. And even then, if we don't trade one of Abreu/Duran, we will need the DH spot for the outfield jam. Our 1B needs to be playing a lot of games. 2B is almost certainly going to Story/Mayer. 3B will be interesting if Bregman opts out. I can't shake the feeling he isn't however. That injury and late season slump will hurt him. Ideal world is he stays with us for the next two years and we miss out on the bad part of any potential contract coming his way into his latter years. C - would not be a surprise if it's Wong as back up again. Definitely need some bullpen help and a #2 (wouldn't be surprised to see a #3 come in though). We've got stuff to do, but I don't think we'll be getting anywhere near as much as some of the lists I've seen bandied about, including yours. I think we'll see a few trades this summer, however.

It's too simplistic to say that the infield is where the problems are, so we won't sign anyone in the outfield. We would just make trades from our outfield depth to bring in the help needed at infield in that case. The bigger issue is that we have next to no chance of signing Tucker. Regardless, I'd be very surprised if one of Abreu/Duran isn't moved this off season.

In a dream world, we find someone to take Masa off our hands. Trade Casas for something, then sign Alonso to play 1st and Schwarber to play DH. Suddenly our line up looks deadly, especially if Bregman stays. But, that's in a dream world.

Romy needs to be a utility/platoon player not an every dayer at any position.

Campbell is a million miles away from being on the team at the moment. Can't play defence anywhere and offence not anything near what it needs to be to overcome his no defence. If he could be traded for a good return, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But we won't get any return for him, for good reason. Same with Casas. Defence and sound fundamentals has to be some of the big things we look to improve on this off season. I can't take another season of errors and boneheaded nonsense.

Shame we couldn't get that win in the 2nd game - it was there for us. But no complaints otherwise. We needed to get back into the playoffs and did so. That's step 1 complete, we need to build on that now. I don't see Gio coming back, especially if there are any lingering arm worries, so I think a #2 starter is a must. Likely to be through trade I would imagine as I don't see us putting a lot of money out there for the FA's. I think one of Duran and Abreu will go, and if we can send Masa away without eating anything/too much as well that would be a bonus. Infield is the biggest concern. I actually think Bregman might stay for one more year. That injury and tail off at the end may have hurt his value. Even if he does, we need to sort 1B and Mayer at 2nd is a worry with his injury record. If Bregman does go, we have a lot of work to do there. I hope we go for Alonso. I was suggesting him last year with himself, Devers and Casas rotating the 3B/1B/DH spots. I very much want him now. Casas is done for me. If we can get anything for him in a trade do it, but he's not far off release territory with his injury record. I also like Notin's idea of trading Hicks away for Murphy, but see it as unlikely. Much to do, much to build off.

I think it's his work with the offence which speaks most highly. Against a lot of people's wishes, he platooned this team into a contender.

Indeed. He comes in for a lot of criticism on times but he's done a very good job this year

I've never seen anyone get as much wrong as you do. You've made an artform.of it. I firmly believe it is more important to you to be seen to be right than it is the Sox be successful. Unlucky buttercup.

Relieve the pressure in that we have to get one win in this series. We'll still have pressure but it will make things a lot more easy if we can grab an early W. We could easily go 0-3 on this series.

Sure, but no GM gets every decision right, and he's got plenty enough right to carry on. The state of the organisation when he came in - I'd say we're about on track. Next year the time will have run out for any excuse to wash on us not going for the Division at the very least.

Winning the first game of the series tonight would take a lot of pressure off.

I think the chance of Breslow not being here next season, even if we miss the play offs is very small. Rightly so.

Agreed. I have little issue with the trade.

The trade was more for the competitive balance pick and the extra money that comes with it. As with all trades it is a long way away from being judged properly, even if it is annoying we haven't got Priester to count on right now.

I'd happily trade him for pitching if he still has as much value as some seem to think, as I don't see him having a position here. But I don't believe that's possible, so hopefully we can find some use for him. Left field feels possible, but if he could just figure out 2nd base it would certainly help.

I'm not remotely worried about missing the playoffs. We'll be there. I'm desperate for us to get that home series in the wildcard, though. If we had everyone healthy, I'd fancy us to nab the division, but pretty unlikely right now. But no concerns over getting there.

For what it's worth - I am starting to worry he'll even get to the level of a good hitter in the big leagues. Add to that, he has no position - like, can't field well anywhere - and my early excitement and optimism around him is lessening with every passing day.

That just about sums it up. 😤 Just make the playoffs and enjoy it. Then go hard for the whole thing next year.

Like I say, I think it's a good trade for everyone. Even if we get nothing out of the return.

Agree with all this. I think he struggles with communicating with the press. Something I can live with very easily.

But we're all grown up enough to accept that one player is not responsible for wins and losses, right?

I think it's gone now. Which may be no bad thing. He says every time he thinks about it he has a bad outing. No need to think about it anymore. There's no sign off fatigue in arm strength, but he's never gone this deep. Unchartered territory.

I'm looking forward to another 5/6 years of people trying to score points on either side of the Devers trade. 😬 Seems obvious to me it was a good deal for all involved. Even if the Sox get nothing out of the trade player-wise, it has freed up the room for real leaders to stand up (no judgement on Devers) and fill the leadership vacuum and given the youngsters room to not only grow, but feel that this is their team, too, and given much needed wiggle room financially. On the Giants end they've got one of the best power bats alive and he's doing just fine there. They might like the contract less in 5 years, but by that point who gives a s***. Everyone should be fairly happy with it from my viewpoint.