Hitch

I don't believe so, but it was just as I was switching it off, so they may have gone on to mention something.

What was interesting about Bregman's interview on Section 10 was that he said 30 minutes before he signed with the Sox he thought he was heading somewhere else. Which likely explains why they weren't able to approach Devers about moving him off 3rd beforehand. Sounds very much like a last minute thing.

Yeah, I have no condemnation of Breslow for not admitting to it. It fits in the same box as not saying "Yeah, Yoshida isn't getting much game time for us", you just don't do it. But it does reinforce my belief that the journalists were right as he didn't challenge them on it and talked around their questions on the matter. Like I said, we'll see in time. It all comes out in the wash.

That, of course, is hard to gauge. If we're believing Jen McAffrey, McAdam's and Cotillo, and I see no reason not to, they have repeatedly said that we were shopping him. Other teams' journos said they were being shopped Casas on their platforms. Cotillo and McAdams basically called Breslow a liar for saying that he didn't know where the rumours were coming from about Casas being moved and called him out for it a second time a little while back when Bres said they weren't shopping Casas. A week later he was on their podcast defending himself (talking out of both sides of his mouth in that way we've all become so familiar with in the Sox FO), so we're not talking about hacks here that can just say whatever the hell they feel like, and who don't have access. He's cost controlled. He's cheap. He is - according to most - a power machine just waiting to go off. And we were trying to trade him (with several rumours attaching him to Yoshida in a part salary dump!). When something like this, that doesn't add up, happens, I ask myself why? And it leads me to the conclusion along with other evidence that he probably isn't much liked. I might be way off, and he is adored, and Cora loves him. We'll see in time. We're all reading tea leaves here with only partial information. This is what my reading of them has led me towards.

Just a hunch, the way he talks about him. There never seems to be much warmth. There's also been moments where he has seemed outwardly critical. There was the time he pretty much accused him of not playing while healthy - His response to the whole yoga thing - Then you've got stuff like the unnamed pitcher (believed to be Sale I think was the rumour?) - I could be miles off, which is why I said 'I think' but he doesn't seem to be beloved shall we say. And again I ask the question - this is an organisation obsessed with cost effective players, so why have they been so aggressively pushing Casas in trade talks?

For what it's worth, Lou Merloni and Tom Caron also both see it as Duran, Rafaela and Abreu as the main configuration with Raf in CF. They spoke about it on their latest pod. Take from that what you will. We've got people rubbishing some journalists' reputations whose tweets and updates they've shared on here over the months, so I've no idea where people are with what they believe any longer.

Where's the evidence he is an intelligent individual? All I see is a kid that will give his opinion on anything at anytime of the day. In my experience those people tend not to be most intelligent people you bump into on a daily basis. And let's look into his latest opinions. He's either wanting to step up for Devers (I believe this less and less) but couldn't stop himself going further, in which he treated us all (a player who's achieved exactly nothing) to what was best for the club, for Bregman (a player he isn't fit to lace the boots of) and told three highly rated prospects they're not good enough. Or, as I think is more and more likely, he's trying to make sure he doesn't lose his 1B job and is willing to throw anyone and everyone to the wolves to keep it. I don't imagine he's hugely popular with some of his teammates right now. Half this board has been up in arms (probably rightly) about the way the media were trying to bait Devers (and now Casas) into saying things. Well, there's a reason players speak in cliches. Casas either doesn't understand that, or just doesn't give a damn. Regardless this doesn't show him in the best light. It might show him in the correct one, though. And lastly, a lot of reputation has been built off that stretch in 2023, but seeing as this organisation has been more-or-less obsessed with cost controlled players, you have to ask why they have been so active in trying to trade a guy with the future you believe he has? I think it's because he is wholly disliked by Cora in particular, but others, too. And I don't think it's down to intelligence. I think it's down to a stunning lack of self-awareness and arrogance.

No worries, all good. Here's the thing, as I've mentioned a few times, I personally don't think Yoshida is getting many games in the outfield. If he was RHed, maybe. But short of giving people a day off their feet, who's he starting for? Who's he platooning? It would only be Rafaela and I don't see it (regularly). All 3 of Duran. Rafaela and Abreu are capable of winning GGs (another in Abreu's case). That's the best outfield we've had since Mookie, Benny and JBJ. With a potential superstar due to arrive as well. After a couple of years of brutal defence, I think they want this. And look, there's 6 games a week. I'm not saying that every single game is Duran, Rafaela, Abreu/Res, but I'm pretty sure the majority will be until Anthony arrives. And that makes sense to me. If Devers gets bumped as well, I think you'd be lucky to see Yoshida once a week, barring injuries.

Are you confusing me with someone else? If not, I've no idea why you're brining up platoons. I think Res does platoon with Abreu, I've said so in several posts. You've literally replied to me on one of them saying well there goes the elite defence. If Rafaela is the starting CFer then he won't be getting platoons with Abreu. The reason why I'm inclined to believe Cora and Bres on their comments on Rafaela and not Cora's on Yoshida is because they have been trying everything to get Yoshida out of the club all winter. And Duran has backed up the comments on Rafaela saying he's been told the same They're not difficult tea leaves to read.

I'm.sure because between him and Bres they have said on 3 separate occasions Rafaela is their CF. Duran has also said he had no problem moving as Rafaela was a gold glove wanting to happen in CF. Last year doesn't matter. Injuries and revolving doors at several positions meant players (Rafaela in particular) were all over the place. If we get a raft of injjuries again, anything can happen, but otherwise Duran, Raf, Abreu is our starting alignment with Ref, Yoshida (if he's here) and eventually Anthony swapping in.

He's going to play Duran in left, Rafaela in centre, and Abreu in right. Ref will come in with Abreu on some platoons I imagine. And not to mention Anthony is mere weeks/months away. If your worst hitter's awful offence lands you 15 homers, 75 RBI's and 70 runs while giving you GG defence, I think they'll live with that just fine over Yoshida. And of course, they've been trying to get rid of Yoshida for about a year now, unless we are just flat out refusing to believe people like Cortillo, McAdams and The Athletic crew? It's always fascinating to see what people will close their eyes and ears to so long as it backs up what they've already decided.

My post wasn't aimed at conversation around the fuss we're currently seeing, I'm simply curious about what you do next after that trade? I would do the trade, too, and I haven't been able to make up my mind whether I'd make another move for a 1st baseman or move Devers over there and be less a power bat (and possibly have a grumpy Devers).

And force Devers to 1st? Or make other moves?

Yes because he was directly asked (by McAdam's I believe) what this means for his playing time has he has no spot at the moment. The second sentence makes it sound like he isn't even going to get DH at bats (which I think is likely if Devers is moved off 3rd). Regardless, he can't come out and say - yeah we literally have no spot for him and a superstar on the way. The Sox are almost certainly going with the line up I posted above. If they can live with JBJ's bat, they can live with Rafaela's who while not yet at JBJ's level, is certainly capable of GG defence in centre. Short of a cruel injury, I think Yoshida is going to be lucky to play once a week in the outfield (that's if he's even on the roster by the time the season kicks off), and not much more at DH if Devers is off 3rd.

He said it once about Yoshida and it's a comment that seems to only be believed on this board. They've said it about Rafeala several times. I am sure. And pretty confident in my surety. Res may well platoon with Abreu. Yoshida isn't getting much game time. And thats without Anthony coming up. They're clearly looking to make this team a far stronger defensive team.

Casas has obviously gone out to bat for Devers then let his mouth run off with him. I find him a very difficult person to like. Basing it on how many times Cortillo and McAdams have said we've tried to trade him this off season, I'd guess there's a few in the FO that feel the same say.

Barring injury, trade or Rafaela's bat completely falling away the outfield is going to be Duran in left, Raf in centre and Abreu in right. It's the one thing Bres and Cora have been consistent on all winter.

My feeling is he really wants to win and would lose a little money-wise to make that happen. Short of the Dodgers calling (and maybe the Mets), we feel best primed to take multiple stabs at winning a championship over the next 4 or 5 years. (3 specifically for him) Queue up an 81-81 season.

Yeah, a lot up in the air at the moment. Playing time at 1B feels like the obvious compromise and I don't want Raffy on 3rd next year regardless. I think the chance of Bregman opting out is limited, but we'll see. edit to add: Devers was asked about playing 1st yesterday and gave a firm no.

One of the issues is - Devers was vocal about the club needing to invest in better players (rightly so), so he can't really complain when the better players that do come in are also requiring him to move as the worst starting 3rd baseman in baseball.

My main worry is that Devers feels disconnected from the game, only getting at bats. I'd HATE to be a DH and not be involved in every play. I can only imagine how a professional of his age and talent feels at the idea of sitting on his ass for most of every game. I hope that doesn't affect his hitting.

Yeah trade a pitcher or two for the bat you need. I really like Vientos from The Mets - possibly a better fit to play 1st but can still play 3rd to an adequate level with some work - but that feels unattainable.

That does feel very much like Cora trying to distance himself/washing his hands/throwing Bloom under the bus somewhat. He would have been involved in those discussions. I get that he needs distance from it now to sell it, but it's a proper eyeroll moment.

Would you swap Raffy for Castillo and Woo? I'm not for a second saying either team do it, or we should, just spit-balling. Would require other moves to bring in a bat of course. Edit to add: Just want to add I don't think there is any chance Devers will be moved.

Agreed. Good deal on a minor contract with the option for more.