moonslav59

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.

Keeping Duran does not improve us against LHPs- he might make us worse. Do you agree that Duran is worth more to a team like the Phillies as an OF'er than to anyone, including us as a DH? Please answer. That is the reason he gets traded, (If he's not traded, it will be because Abreu is, and now he plays OF not DH.)

Where did I say Ryan is not better and doesn't rate to be better in 2026? I said he may not do all that much better than Gio's 2025 numbers and that it would not be a big enough improvement to jump us up a level, unless we also jump up our offense. Ryan was better in 2025 and should be way better in 2026. Nobody has suggested we trade for RYan more than I have.

And even Manny was dealt before his deal finished. (He came closer than others.) $217/7 Price 2016 -lasted 4 seasons (traded) $160M/8 Manny 2001- lasted 7.5 years (traded) $142M/7 Crawford 2011-lasted 2 seasons (traded then 4 w LAD then gone) $140M/6 Story 2022- TBD on lasting $120M/3 Bregman 2025 -opted out $110M/5 JD 2018- LASTED WHOLE TERM $95M/5 Sandoval 2015- lasted 2.5 years (DFA'd) $88M/4 HRam 2015- lasted 3.5 years (DFA'd) $83M/5 Lackey 2010- lasted 4.5 years (traded) $70M/5 JD Drew 2007- LASTED WHOLE TERM (retired) $68M/4 Nate 2019- LASTED WHOLE TERM $40M/4 Renteria 2005- lasted 1 year (traded) Hitch is right: it goes back long before Price and even to Manny, who came before JH & Co. This list is scary enough to see why JH has his doubts about long term deals, and unless we can start having a better record of outcomes with these types of signings, maybe we will continue not seeing too many of them. I hope not! Even if you look at our shorter/high AAV deals, our recent success has not been any better: Breggie worked out fine, despite missing time. Buehler was a $21M bust (highest AAV given to a FA pitcher since Price.) There were Kluber, Richards and others who were not real high AAVs. We did have some successes, like with Beltre.

So, every first player taken in Rule 5 could have been traded?

If we got forward on offense by a major leep, going backwards from horrible at 1B to slightly more horrible is not going to hurt our chances. Schwarber would still DH some and eventually would move there FT, once Masa is gone.

The Crawford-Beckett and others trade helped pave the way for 2013.

If he can hit .676 v LHPs, he'd be FT on more than half the teams in MLB. It's a big if, but he's at the age where many ex-platoon players go FT, and his defense, like Duran's speed is likely enough to add enough value. Hell, we play Rafaela FT and his splits vs RHPs and LHPs are barely better than .676. Abreu is a damn good fielder and has a good arm for Fenway's big RF. His DRS would blow others away, if he had more innings. Same with OAA. The GG was deserved.

Maybe we could have traded him for Penrod.

It's weird how the Devon Williams thread has taken on a life of its own.

to me #2SP (more like a one than a three) and a big bopper are top priorities. a second big bat may be enough to put us over the top.

Fire BREZ!

To replace him will likely take a longer deal, and it won't be cheap, either. When you factor in already needing a big bat to replace Devers, I'm not sure JH will approve of two big deals. That's one reason I have suggested a trade for K Marte, but who knows if it's even possible or what they'd demand.

Usually, it's not a good thing not knowing who your last 3 SP'ers will be. Hopefully we add a Joe Ryan type and need just 2 slots filled. This situation is unique, IMO, because I trust we can find 2 more-than-capable SP'ers from our depth to fill the 4-5 slots. I would not be surprised, at all, if our 4-5-6 starters are among the top 5 in MLB, next year.