moonslav59

IMO, Devers will be the primary DH, and he may DH 140-150 games. Both he and Yoshida suck on D, but we have Bregman at 3B and plenty of 2B options to make Devers at 3B only when Bregman sits. I'm not sure Yoshida gets much playing time. Maybe 20-25 games at DH and an unknown amount in LF. The Abreu illness might allow him to play more, to start the year, but, if everyone is healthy, it could come down to Yoshida in LF and Duran in CF vs Duran in LF and Rafaela in CF. Rafaela's bat might be the determining factor. (WE could see Rafaela in RF vs LHPs, which would allow Yoshida to play more, but I see that happening as a way to get Refsnyder in the line-up vs lefties- not Yoshida.

When did Devers refuse to DH? Why isn't it the media's job tom correctly present the truth and not "imply the worst case scenario," that just happens to be the best click bait, as always. We are going to have to agree to disagree, here. Although I have never lined in the D.R., I did live in Mexico for 4 years, and understand there are cultural differences and nuances to translation- not to mention expressions that are near impossible to translate. I know what I heard in Spanish, and it sounded like a guy that felt he was a third baseman and "whatever happens from here, I don't know." The media grabbed the click bait tidbit and ran with it. Those who read the translation provided within the lense of their own understandings and culture steered themselves to the worst or the worst understandings. I see very little "blame" on the team, except that maybe they could have talked to Devers right after they knew they were signing Bregman. I don't think Devers said anything wrong, and there was no need to clarify anything. He felt he was the 3rdbaseman, but knew whatever happens, happens. So now the media reports he is "walking back his refusal to DH.," which is total BS. I'm not sure why you feel the media did nothing wrong, but we are all free to have our own opinions. Devers never refused to DH. Find me those words or even a clear implying of those sentiments.

100%. It was all media generated hype and misdirection. I think it was intentional, but but I never count out ignorance of context and nuance.

They hyped a comment and missed the nuance of cultural translation. CBS headline, today, "Devers Walks Back Refusal to DH." Is that factual, correct or a statement that truly captures the Devers position? I honestly feel like Devers never held the belief that he was not going to do what the team believed was best. We often misidentify the context or actual feelings behind a translation, or how some cultures speak with a lot of bravado or sound absolutist or unwavering. The last line of that first day's statement was largely ignored, "I made it clear, kind of what my desires were and whatever happens from here, I don’t know."

Yes, I think it is a factor when making the choice when to add him to the big club. Of course, an extension signed, soon would change that factor and likely hasten the call-up, if anything. Again, I want Anthony on the opening day roster, especially if Abreu is out. I'm not sure he will be.

Best case? I do think Casas and Story may be the keys, but we have a lot of other players and prospects that can take up the slack, and then some.

Fitts had a good line in today's game: 4.1 IP 1 Hit 0 ER 0 BB 4 K

While there may end up being no (newer) injuries that are severe and long lasting, it looks like we may start the season with several players on the 10 or 15 Day IL, of sitting on the bench due to injury. We could add Murphy, Penrod and Perales to the 60 Day, joining Sandoval. This would allow us to add players to the 40. These injuries were all known before winter started. Opening day ILs: 15 Day IL: Giolito, Crawford and Bello. My guess is Abreu is on the 10 Day IL. Questionable IL or sitting out a few days: Yoshida and maybe Devers.

Even in a bigger package, I doubt he's the guy who clinches any deal. His trade value is too low, right now to think trading him is a good idea. Now, maybe some GM really likes him and offer something nice. If that happens, I'm all ears. I'm happy with our 2B depth charts sans Grissom, We also have some very exciting middle infielders ready to join the conversation in a year or two (Romero, Arias, Cespedes and eventually maybe Riemer, Ramos and Soto)

I could be wrong, but I know of no posters who feels Anthony is "not ready to start the year in Boston." I think some look at the team control issue and feel we may wait it out for that. Some think keeping as many options on the 40 already is worth waiting, and despite the 3 pitchers to the 60 Day option, we might not choose to do them all on or right before opening day. That being said, I seriously doubt we add Thompson, Eaton and Newcomb/Ottavino/ Adams/Fulmer, instead of one of our top 3 prospects. With Yoshi and Abreu looking out on opening day, Anthony might be the first of the big 3 added to the 40 and 26. I would not be upset at Thompson being given a look, but it's not about Anthony not being "ready."

Agreed, but I'm not so sure Anthony will be added to the roster for opening day. I don't see Eaton being added.

Ideally, Rafaela plays CF and only CF or is the super utility guy, but last year he played more SS than CF, and now Abreu looks like he may start the year on the IL. I can't see Duran or Ref/Yoshi playing RF, so it's Anthony (which means adding him to the 40 and losing a year's control), Thompson, or just slide Rafaela to RF, until Abreu returns. I feel very strongly about Refsnyder being in the line-up vs LHPs. We are very weak vs lefties, and he is a top 15 batter vs LH'ers. If Devers is the DH, which looks like it's odds on, now, Ref plays LF vs LHPs, Duran lays CF (NOT RF) and somebody play RF. I say Rafaela v L and Abreu v R. Are you for benching Refsnyder just so Rafaela can play FT CF? 2nd Q: If Anthony is not on the roster, and Abreu is on the IL or being benched vs LHPs, who do you play in RF?

MLB.com ranks the Sox staff 7th best (3rd in the AL behind SEA & DET.) https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-best-mlb-pitching-staffs-in-2025

Yes, it's a 10 day IL, now, for everyday players, but 15 days for pitchers. My bad.

Hard to believe almost everything you read, these days.

I'm just not sure early struggles are all a result of lack of confidence. It could be, but it's hard to know.

Assigning "blame" for what he said is not what I'd do, but I can see how others might. It was pretty tame. He never threatened to sit out. I heard his words in Spanish, and I know Spanish. I did not take what he said the way many did. It's they way some cultures talk. "I'm the 3Bman." was not a lie.

If Devers is on the IL, no, but with Devers at DH and Abreu on the IL, this very well could come true. I certainly see Ref in LF vs LHPs, no matter what else happens, as long as DH is filled by Devers. It's not ideal, but with no Abreu, I'd rather go with them than Thompson. Anthony is another case, altogether. I'm fine with him as our starting RF'er day 1, but I'm not sure Brez & Co. agree.

When did I say any of the 3 were not ready? I said I think we may very well decide to keep all 3 off the 40 on opening day. I don't make the choices.

That's what I've been saying for months. When Abreu is healthy, it could be Abreu-Rafaela in a RF platoon, with Rafaela playing CF v RHPs. Duran plays CF v LHPs, and Resnyder plays LF vs lefties.

I may be one of the few who is okay with DHam's defense at 2B, and with his speed, he's fine on offense vs RHPs, only. I'm not sold on Romy's improvement being for real, but he's so-so on defense and has shown he can hit lefties, really well- something we need. I wish we had better, but starting the season with a DHam-Romy 2B platoon should be okay. In 2024, these two had these splits: .729 DHam v R (+3 OAA on D at 2B) .879 Romy v L (-3 OAA on D at 2B)

Yup, and a few people, especially the media ran with it. One even suggested we trade him.

They are not on the 40, but they can be added and called up as quickly as anyone on the 40 and at AAA. I agree that Campbell and Mayer are "not likely" going to make the 40 (and 26) on opening day. I doubt Anthony does, even if Abreu is on the 10 day I, but I still see all 3 as ML ready depth, where management would not hesitate to add and activate them, if they felt they were a much better option than Grissom or Thompson, if those two were needed in a near FT capacity. As long as DHam-Romy are healthy, Grissom will not be needed near FT. (Nor will Campbell & Mayer, unless Story gets hurt.) Anthony can be kept down, while we play Ref & Yoshida in LF as a platoon, if needed.

I like the depth trio of Fitts, Priester & Criswell. We'll soon find out, if my opinion was a good one, or not. So far, none of the 3 starters out to start the season look lost for 60 days or more. Some might be just for 10-20 days.

He has not pitched much, at the big level, so maybe this is not really a known weakness. I nice first start or two might be all he needs.