moonslav59

While all 100% true, one does not usually associate a collapse with a team that finished the season winning 8 in a row to force a playoff game. They also won 12 of their last 14. It was the Yanks who lost to CLE 9-2 on the final game of the season to force the tie. not the Sox, and although they won 6 in a row before that, they went 9-4 in their last 14, as the Sox went 12-2. It was all about that Bucky-freakin-Dent game, otherwise, we'd be calling it a Yankee collapse. I'm not sure one game should swing a season to a label of "collapse," but I can see how your points can lead someone to think that.

Please tell me how any GM does better with a budget under $20M and several gaping holes on the field as well? I'm sorry, but I think it is 100% silly to blame Bloom for not building a winner in 2020, or even close. Could he have done better than a .400 team? Okay, maybe, but in a 60 game season, 4 or 6 more wins would have brought us near the middle of the pack in Sox history rather than the 12th worst winning % ever. Yes, I expected he'd be better at dumpster diving, but he had just taken over a team in the midst of a tear down, COVID and a massive budget cut. Then, Sale and ERod miss the whole season. No Porcello or a replacement. Nate missed 25% of his starts. Was it also Bloom's fault JD hit .680, Beni .442 and Devers .793? It's nothing short of silly. Honestly. You guys would blame the GM for not winning, if he was handed a little league team on opening day.

It's hard for me to be critical on this, as it would be hindsight. I thought we should have been sellers, last year and buyers, this year. I guess, in hindsight I'm at .500. The haul we could have gotten by a massive 2022 firesale would have blown away what we'd have gotten for JT, Duvall and Paxton.

Still can never understand why rooting for your team to win while trying to stay optimistic bothers you so much. If a fan can't get excited, when the team is winning, because deep down "they should have known we really suck," then what the freaking f***? Go on gloating all through the winter. You were right all along. We suck. Throw it in our faces. It seems to bring you more joy that had we won, and you know, if we were on pace for 88-90 wins, you would not be here. You'd be convincing yourself you don't watch the game anymore, because "it's watered down," yet now that we are losing, again, the game is exciting enough for you to start watching more. What a bizarre way to be a fan, and this from someone who attempts to speak for "the majority" of Sox Nation. I hope to hell most Sox fans aren't like you.

Sorry, but you'd be bitching, if this team had Betts and Bogey and were on pace for 90-95 losses, because of the putrid players around them forced by the budget constraints those two would have placed on the GM.

Maybe they did better than we think, but Bloom just couldn't pull the trigger on the guys they said were good, like Eflin. They also seemed to just miss the timing on guys like Springs & Martin Perez. Looks like a possible major swing and miss on Yoshi- "the guy they wanted," since he was in diapers.

A hornets nest.

It is possible our two best pitchers in the system just aren't great.t That being said, I like them both. Wikelman has a .599 OPS Against, but is not yet at the AAA level at age His 168 Ks in 111 IP shows he can get batters to swing and miss, but 70 BB/111 has been what has held him back. SP's has this to say: Had a breakout 2021 season with a strong showing in the FCL and in Low-A, jumping from the back end of the SoxProspects rankings into the top 15 by season's end. Participated in the Fall Performance Program in 2021. Name was misspelled "Wilkelman" on official rosters and the like until April 2022 due a misunderstanding caused by its pronunciation. Potential high-quality, multi-inning relief arm. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. Potential for three above-average-to-better pitches, but still a long way to go to get there and must significantly improve command and control to reach his ceiling. Still unclear whether his future home is as a starter or in the bullpen. Needs to throw more strikes and be more efficient with his pitches to last deeper into games. Does not have the typical size you look for in a starter. Has simplified his delivery over the course of his career, which should make it easier for him to keep his arm in sync with the rest of his body. If command does not improve, that, along with his size and delivery, could push him to a short relief bullpen role, but with his stuff he could thrive in such a role. Perales has had injury issues, which worries me, and his .703 OPS Against is not a WOW. The fact that he is not at AA, yet, makes those numbers very unimpressive. 115Ks in 90 IP is nice, but like Wikelman the 50BBs in 90 is concerning. SP's says this: Was not a highly-touted amateur prospect out of Venezuela. Began to show much higher promise after signing, particularly in the Tricky League in the summer of 2019. Emerged quickly as a prospect to follow. Was limited to one game due to injuries in 2021. Organization heavily monitored his workload in 2022, limiting him to no more than three innings per start. Still broke out and rose quickly into the SoxProspects top 20 by the end of the season. Potential back-end starter. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. Wide variance arm with a high ceiling and low floor. Size, delivery, and inconsistent command and control profile might push him into the bullpen. Has shown among the best raw stuff of any arm in the system and was identified by scouts as the top pitching prospect in the Florida Complex League in 2022. Will flash two plus pitches, with three at least above-average. All have shown bat-missing ability. Next step in his development is finding consistency with his delivery and showing he can handle a full season's workload.

You know more about Bleis?

Probably the best. Before tonight's game, his OPS Against was .575. Stunning!

Raising false hopes, again. I still would not count on anything from him. We need to plan our staff as if he won't pitch a single inning. If he does, it can be gravy.

I still have faith he can return to form. Remember, he did have hip surgery, last September.

None are for me- for the right return. I will say, Anthony then Teel are my current faves.

No mention of Anthony? He could easily be our best prospect. I mentioned Morton as a possible second signee, if we go large and long on one of the younger top guys, like Yamamoto. BTW, Morton is no Kluber or Richards and might get 3 x what they got ($30M/1.) I can't see us signing Yamamoto and then Nola or Gray. I have long said sign one and trade for one as the best option, so I'm with you on that idea.

He's putting up Uehara type numbers.

Man, Story goes 3 for 4 and only gets up to .540. Hope he can do much better in '24.

Is there any top 5 prospect not untouchable to you? Anthony Teel Mayer Bleis Cespedes

Is there any top 5 prospect no untouchable to you? Anthony Teel Mayer Bleis Cespedes

If I had a nickel for every ti e someone said, “if I had a penny (or nickel,)” I’d have a shitload of nickels.

Nobody is saying otherwise.

About as much as you are a Cora hater.

AZ League Sox Roster includes: Red Sox (Glendale): Brainer Bonaci, SS/2B (No. 11); Nathan Hickey, C (No. 15); Bryan Mata, RHP (No. 23); Felix Cepeda, RHP; Wyatt Olds, RHP; Zach Penrod, LHP; Corey Rosier, OF; Christopher Troye, RHP Mata might be the most recognizable name as a former top pitching prospect who has been limited by Tommy John surgery and shoulder issues in recent years. He was back up to 97-98 mph in two recent outings for Triple-A Worcester, so the Sox will hope the velo keeps coming with Glendale. Bonaci is coming off his best Minor League offensive season, having hit .297 at High-A and Double-A, while setting a career high with 11 homers, and Hickey provides some pop too as a bat-first catcher. -MLB.com

Indeed, we may end up with less wins than 2022, despite not having to play as many games vs ALE teams. I still think playing an easier schedule usually helps, but obviously not always. What a difference one season makes in one aspect but hardly any when comparing overall records between 2022 and 2023: 2022 26-50 vs AL East 2023 22-24 2022 vs all others 52-34 2023 53-53 Maybe they schedule was easier, but the team was worse.

Name one person who fits this profile.

I was clearly talking about 2020 only. No need to twist it into something I never said or believe in. Bloom deserves blame and credit for 2021, 2022 and 2023 and the foundation and farm he is passing along. Blaming Bloom for the 2020 rotation is absurd.