moonslav59

Obviously not through this struggle. Often times, like with Crochet, you see an IL stint coming.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I respect him.

I understood your thoughtful post and am very close to thinking Bello should be demoted to work it out.

In this context, DD has put the Phillies in a worse position than the 2019-2020 Red Sox roster/budget aspect.

In a way, this roster and maybe the season depends on a major Duran positive regression.

To not sign a DH only guy to play 2B?

The thing about that roster is that it highlighted the total lack of any depth on the 40, and although the farm produced better than expected (as some called it "decimated,) the idea that building up a foundational depth needed to be done first was not a bad strategy. That did not mean the budget had to be severely limited for 5 years, but clearly adding 2-3 stars would not have been enough. To me, one major factor that messed up the Sox was how the team did pretty well in 2021, and taht reinforced JH's idea that we could win without major investments. It took a couple last place finishes to get him to budge a tiny bit on upping the investments.

I was responding to a poster who suggested who might replace Bello.

Durbin has more PAs than Duran. IKF & Monestario point well taken.

So, one guy says several guys say he's not highly regarded. Maybe he's not. Let's see if he gets hired and if it's a higher-level job.

Me2, and I did at the time, too.

Easy peasy for some, I guess, but for others not so much.

Narvaez has dropped a bit, too. Newcomer everyday players have done worse than 2025, too: Durbin, IKF and Monasterio. (Contreras is doing very well.)

Sox top prospects: (soxprospects,com) 1. Tolle is in the MLB rotation and doing okay. 3. Early is in the MLB rotation and doing more than okay. 2. Arias is lighting up the minors in awesome ways. 4. Witherspoon does not have great numbers but is working on a mix of pitches. 5. Valera was off to a great start before hitting the IL. 6. Eyanson is doing well enough to jump up in the mid season rankings, if this continues. 7. Phillips has not distinguished himself, but he's okay. 8. Justin Gonzales is over .900 and may end up in AA. 10. Bennett starts tonight and was off to a great beginning of the AAA season. 11. Godbout is heating up and is now at .828. 12. Romero is not making a case for a promotion to the 40. 13. Uberstine got a brief MLB look-see but is now on the IL. 14. Holobetz is off to a great start in AA. 15. Azocar is at .869 and looking to move up. He's just 19. 9. Soto, 17. Ramos & 18. Rivas have yet to play. 16. Castro should drop from the top 20 this summer. 19. Samaniego has been on the big club and done okay. 20. Wehunt has done fine in AA. 21. Bastardo & 22. Paez were returned to the Sox.

Despite the abrupt exit, outside perspectives generally hold that Varitek has a high-value, experienced coaching future, particularly for his ability to prepare catchers and pitchers. Google search I'm not doubting your statement, but what are your sources?

Uberstine in on the IL, too. Crawford & Sandoval may never come back. I think it will be Gray coming off the IL first, but until then pen games or Rivera/Anderson.

Line-up: 1. Duran LF 2. Contreras 1B 3. Anthony DH 4. Abreu RF 5. Story SS 6. Mayer 2B 7. Rafaela CF 8. Narvaez C 9. Durbin 3B

I'd rather have our roster and budget outlook than the Phillies. Sooner or later, the Philly ownership will realize their spending has put them into a corner. Some of these "stars" are signed until their late 30's. We'll be seeing the Nick Castellanos situation repeat itself to varying degrees on 1 or 2 of these "stars." You want Nola the star? (95 ERA+ since 2023) Brez would be roasted for that contract. Wheeler has been great but has 25 GS since opening day 2025. Turner is a helluva player who I'd love to have, but his OPS+ has declined from 120 w WSH to 116 w PHI and he has a lotta years left after this age 33 season. Is Realmuto a star you'd want? Harper and Schwarber look worth the money, and I'd like to have Wheeler, too, but...

...and somehow bringing this up is saying we are okay with where we are in teh standings.

I'd prefer Contreras, Suarez & Durbin over Bregman & Alonso. Gray and Oviedo are still largely TBD, but I doubt Dobbins & Fitts would be doing much better. (Harrison has started out okay.)

The thing about Duran is that he's had a history of ups and downs (granted small sample sizes inn MLB from '21-'22,) changing stance and batting approaches, dealing with defensive inconsistencies, and then he had 1 and half really good seasons (2023-2024) followed by a nice 2025 season but a clear drop off. 128 OPS+ '23-'24 (.832) 11.2 bWAR in 262 games (.04 per game) 117 OPS+ 2025 (.774) 4.7 bWAR in 157 games (.03 per game) Repeating 2025 or just coming close would be fine, but I'm not sure it should have been projected as such.

Good, then you agree or disagree to disagree, which is two negatives. Got it. 🤪

Who signed the 1.3 bWAR 1Bman (second on team in bWAR) and 0.7 SPer (tied for best bWAR pitcher on the team?) Hint: The same guy who "insulted" Bregman with an overpay offer and the same guy who didn't come close to signing Alonso, Schwarber and Cease.

The Phillies have the same record as we do and a GM who had a ton of money locked up in aging stars. How is DD wanting Cora proof that Brez in the problem?

I believe the wording was something like "a mutual departure," but the word was the upper brass had soured on Tito.