moonslav59

Ref is a slipper not a shoe.

Is Polanco better at 3B than Mayer? I agree he probably is better than Romy at 3B.

Reports were that we wanted him, but I have my doubts. It makes sense that SFG wanted to cut some cost. My guess is we'd have gotten worse players in return, if we did not take Hicks.

Ryan is not financially expensive. KMarte's AAV is $19,4M. Question: do the Sox have KMarte's $19.4 AAV counted going forward, or did they change the rules to make it adjusted to remaining AAV on his deal?

Gray is 36 years old. He has very nice 3 year numbers but dipped in 2025. 96 ERA+ (50th in ERA- at 105, out of 70 pitchers w 150+ IP) His 3.39 FIP was still pretty nice. (12th) In 2026, only 18 pitchers had more IP (180) 70 pitchers had 150+ IP and Gray placed: 7th in xFIP at 3.07 7th in K-BB% at 21.6% He's owed $35M in '26 and $30M in '27 with a $5M buyout, so essentially: $40M/1 or $65M/2

I hope STL took Hicks to balance the money a little, but maybe some cash is involved. Can't wait to hear the return package. Does this mean no Ryan?

Wow, this is actually one guy I mentioned as a possible trade target! I know: blind squirrel on a broken clock.

So.... He didn't ask? He asked but declined all offers in hopes he would not be selected?

Agree. I like Early's chances more.

I'm not for acquiring Kim to be our next 2Bman.

The only think M Kelly has going for him is a likely 1-2 year deal with no trade capital expended. 2023-2025 (450+ IP- 40 qualified pitchers) fWAR: 5. S Gray 12.8 (trade?) 7. Valdez 12.1 8. Cease 11.7 10. Lopez 9.6 (trade?) 14. Gallen 9.0 15. Peralta 8.9 17. Ryan 8.6 (trade?) 18. Bibee 8.2 (trade?) 19. Castillo 8.2 (trade?) 21. Burnes 8.0 22. Keller 7.9 (trade?) 26. Bassitt 7.4 27. Singer 7.3 (trade) 28. Ober 6.6 (trade) Bello is 31st (5.4) ___________ ERA- 74 Burns 81 Peralta & Valdez 88 Gray, Lopez 89 Bibee 91 Castillo 92 Ryan Bello 93 95 Bassitt 98 Keller & Gore 100 Ober 101 Singer (YUCK!) _____________ xFIP 3.64 Ryan 4.04 Singer _______________ K-BB% 2. Ryan 23.5 29. Singer 13.9 ______________ M Kelly might be their father, but Ryan is Singer's Daddy!

Not bad. I wonder why get RHB N Marte, when we have RHBs Garcia & Campbell for LF. I might try to give Garcia or Campbell and keep LHB Abreu. I'm not sure AZ gives up KMarte for the two you suggested.

You honestly don't remember?

I like Alonso, Schwarber and K Marte about the same. Getting two would be mind-blowing (and near impossible.) Alonso's "ability" to play 1B is not all that big of a plus. He might be as bad as Casas on D, so that aspect is not really a plus, especially if Casas returns to form. One would need to DH, anyway, as Schwarber will likely do, if we added him. The RHB is a big plus, but KMarte is a switch hitter and would check that box, too. I don't see Bregman or Bichette as the big RHBs we need, so Schwarber plus one of them does not really check of the big RHB box on our winter wish list. I get that. Schwarber's age (will be 33) is also a bigger concern over KMarte (32) and Alonso (31) but he might take 4 years over the 5 KMarte has or 5+ Alonso might get. I'm not sure the age issue goes away, if KS takes 4 years. To me, we really need one of these 3. Getting Alonso plus KMarte would be amazing, especially if we can also add a solid #2 SP'er.

It might take MM+ to get KMarte, but that works, too, if we can get a SP2 for Duran (via 3rd team?) Alonso & Bregman seem to check the big "clubhouse guy" box, but I don't have faith in Bregman aging well, and he will probably get a 5 year deal. The Sox and 5 or more year deals don't grow on trees, and most have not worked out well. Also, I think Alonso gets 5 years, so 5 years for Alosno, Bregman and a trade for 32 year old KMarte w 5 years left seems almost impossible. I realize this is just your hope, and I like that infield you constructed (O & D) and the SP'er we could get for MM and maybe others would likely be better than a Duran+ others deal can get us. Given the idea that Brez will have a restricted budget, I disagree on your B- grade for Alonso, Polanco & Ryan. I'd prefer KMarte over Polanco, but I'd still give that 3 player job a B+ or even A-. I think we'd be a top contender with Alonso, Ryan and Polanco. 3B would be a worry. Polanco would be, too. I'd assume no Duran to get Ryan, so the O takes a dip a little there, but the two gains more than make up for that. The D is no better with Alonso & Polanco.

Do you think it's possible he asked what teams would give for Ward and got no offers?

The other one year guy talked about is Peralta. Do you trade Campbell for him? PASSWORD + Crawford? Bubic is another one year guy.

What scares me most about Suarez is his age and recent numbers that are significantly worse than his 2025 age 34 season: OPS+ 128 2018-2020 (prime years) 78 in '21 130 in '22 105 in '23 127 in '24 Okay, the homers got me hooked (lined and sunk) but 34 HRs per 162 since 2021 is kinda what we need. My mention of Suarez, so often is more out of the idea that JH wants Brez to find shorter term deals. I'd much rather have Alonso, Schwarber or K Marte. I think I'd rather have Polanco over Suarez, because he is 2 years younger, but I worry 2025 was a fluke, and he hasn't had over 525 PAs since 2021. I'd also prefer a Mayer-Romy platoon at 2B over 3B, but with the Suarez defense at 3B, that sort of negates that aspect of wanting Suarez over Polanco. To me, two big trades makes the most sense: 1. Ryan or Lodolo 2. Marte If we don't get Marte, then sign Polanco and maybe trade for a 1Bman? Who? or just sign Hoskins/Bell. That would make JH very happier. Maybe trade for BLowe or Donovan not KMarte? My dream: Ryan or Lodolo then.... KMarte & Alonso of Alonso & Polanco/BLowe/Donovan None of these suggestions seem overly expensive or outlandish.

I recall a certain poster who was not so high on Ref a couple years ago- or so.

Yes, I remember well. I just find it hard to believe the Sox were that dumb to either bet he would not be selected or not try and trade him for the best prospect offered. There is ample evidence they were that dumb, so maybe I just need to accept this as further evidence in their dumbdomness.

There is another major reason, too.

As much as I think we have enough trade capital to pull off two big trades (like option A) and still have a deep enough 40 and farm, I do not think Brez & Co. sees it that way. My gut says these guys are not gonna spend big bucks on a top batter or pitcher, so I hope to hell we make two trades. It's not like K Marte makes peanuts, but his AAV is $19.4. That's a lot lower than Bichette or Bregman will be. Marte is 32 and has 5 years left on his contract, so that might be the thing that stops that deal from going down- from the Sox side. If we could get them to take Hicks, I'd add extra value in players. If the deal is Duran, I'm not sure he what AZ wants, and likely MN does not want him, so we'd need a third team involved. BTV says Duran for Lodolo is a big overpay, but I'd probably do it. Again, Duran + Hicks for Lodolo works for BTV but almost certainly not the budget-minded Reds. Polanco is also 32, but may not demand a 5 year deal. He may even go for a 1 year mega AAV deal, so he can get a longer deal after a great 2026 season. That's a big bet on himself. I do agree that guys like Polanco and maybe Suarez are on the Sox radar due to their likelihood of taking shorter deals than Bregman, Alonso & Bichette. Most likely winter outcome? It's hard to know where the budget will be set, but I'll go with... Alcantara, Polanco, D Williams and Hoskins. (Maybe Suarez instead of Hoskins, if JH coughs up more cash. Maybe no DW if we get Suarez.)

Cora sheds a little light... https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25302331-red-soxs-cora-has-no-regrets-about-rafael-devers-trade-team-needed-make-deal

I think we can all agree on this.

I hope not, but I think there is a significant chance we make that deal.