moonslav59

We also can use Contreras, so I'm fine cutting Gasper. If we end up needing a catcher, we can add Thaiss to the 40.

Oviedo, Crawford or Sandoval will be the 5th starter. The other two might be in the pen. That's assuming the top 8 SP'ers are all healthy on opening day- which is unlikely. Assuming all healthy. We have to sure 4 RP'ers. 2 from Oviedo, Crawford and Sandoval Moran & Watson (AAA: Kelly & Samaniego) This keeps all options on the table, until we find out more about Moran and Watson. If we add someone like Wilson, I may start Crawford in AAA, if he's not sharp, or put Sandoval on the IL, so we can keep all options alive, for a while. Now, if Moran sucks in ST'ing, I'm fine with a DFA. I trust Cora & Brez to know if he looks promising or not.

Yes, so put off having to decide now. Keep Moran and one more option.

Agreed, but many teams probably have the same "if" scenario.

I was being sarcastic, but I do think $6M is a lot for a "small market team" to spend on a non starter.

I agree, but keeping Duran until or after ST'ing gives us one more pitching option. DFA'ing him lessons the choices.

I've always felt Moran might amount to something, but I've been wrong on those types of feeling enough to be able to let it go. He had that one nice season with MN back in '22. (1.78 FIP and 1.06 WHIP.) Lots of RP'ers have moments like that (40 IP) He's going to get a look in ST'ing, IMO. He won't be cut before that. IMO, Cheng is the first DFA guy. Gasper might be next, as Seigler can catch.

While $6M sounds like a lot, just don't call JH a high-spender.

With the addition of Durbin, fangraphs now has the Sox projected as 7th best in 2026 fWAR: 57.3 LAD 48.1 TOR 47.5 NYY 47.4 NYM 47.2 ATL 46.8 SEA 46.2 BOS 46.1 PHI 45.4 BAL 44.8 DET By position: 1st SP (Oviedo with the 5th most IP, then Sandoval & Crawford) 2nd LF (Anthony then Duran) 5th RP 7th RF (Abreu w some Anthony) 7th CF (Ceddanne) 12th 1B (Willson) 15th DH (Mostly Duran, then Masa, Anthony, Willson & Casas) 17th 2B (Mostly Durbin & Romy) 24th 3B (Mostly mayer but Durbin not far away) 25th SS (but don't bring up asking Cora to make a change) 26th Catcher (Narvaez at 1.9 Tied for 17th most)

RH'd DH and to save money. He also plays corner OF and there was talk we were seeking a RHB OF'er.

They are running low on white marble supplies.

It does depend on who they wanted, but this guys has some power and should gain more as he ages. At age 24, he was at a 650 PA HR rate of about 30. He had some serious mixed defensive metrics: Last 2 seasons: DRS +11 and +13 dWAR: 2.1 and 2.2 but OAA: -6 and -8 This was one guy I don't recall any of us mentioning in suggested trade talks.

Word is that DD is looking to offload Castellanos and his $20M/1 deal remaining. He's a RHB in serious decline, whereas Masa may still have a good year left in him. Castellanos last 3 years OPS+: 111>108>87. He turns 34 in a few weeks. (29 HRs>22>17) I doubt DD trades $20M/1 for $18M/2 (Masa,) but would you? If DD insiested on $9M or $18M paid in 2027, would that change your mind?

Or a statue of the future Sox all star, currently the Sox prospect we didn't trade for Neto?

Agreed, so basically our 7 & 8 guys in the pen are uncertainties at best and DFA material at worst. Maybe the plan is to use SP'er, but we will likely be adding a pen arm or two to the roster- maybe some on minor league deals. Could Justin Wilson return?

There is a little bit of an issue needing to keep Moran & Watson on the 26, but there is always the phantom IL stint to buy some time. Without using any SP'ers in the pen, it has very little depth, and the depth it has is concerning. We only have 8 pitchers considered RP'ers only. The sure 4: Chapman, Whitlock, Slaten & Weissert (if healthy) The 2 that can't be optioned to the minors: Moran & Watson The last 2: Kelly and Samaniego (both could begin the season in AAA.) We are heavily dependent on using SP'ers in the pen. Cora might have an idea on who fits best and may begin ST'ing with one or two in the pen, or he may decide during ST'ing who his starting 5 will be and work from there on who begins the season in the pen and AAA. The starters: The sure 4: Crochet, Suarez, Gray & Bello (if healthy) Houck on 60 Day IL. The 5th slot contenders: Oviedo, Crawford & Sandoval. My guess is the other two begin in the pen as long RP'ers. (Kelly & Samaniego begin at AAA.) Tolle and Early might get the SP first call over one of those pen arms.

Good point, and we have the infield depth covered three times over.

You never seem to ever find out.

That's how I see it, and I'm not sure I'm all in for a radical realignment, at this point. It looks good on paper, but the game is played on the field and in the minds of the players.

Good points. I wasn't aware of the elbow surgery. (Another example of how Cora & others know more than I do.) Perhaps Durbin starts at 2B and Mayer at 3B. I'm a fan of productive platoons, but I don't want to see this, assuming Romy is healthy: v R Mayer at 3B and Durbin at 2B v L Durbin at 3B and Romy at 2B Keep Durbin at one slot seems better, unless we feel Mayer is the better 3Bman and Durbin would be better at 2B.

Well said. Story's defense is not even close to the horrendous level Devers as at 3B. I'm okay with Story at SS, at least for one more year- see how he looks. When we had Bogey, we really didn't have many other SS options until we signed Story. Now, Cora has oddles of options on defense, including a couple GG winners, although Rodgers is not on the 40, yet. I doubt he uses any at SS, unless Story is resting or hurt. IMO, I think he likes to show his loyalty to his players by keeping them at positions they know and like. That is not necessarily a bad thing, unless the defense sucks or there is clearly a better choice, but even then, how valuable is it having the respect of your players? It's not an easy call to make.

While I did put my statement in quotations, I did not say anyone said it. I put it in quotations to emphasize the point about what position Mayer is likely most "ready to play." This was in response to this... I don’t think Cora thinks Mayer is ready, or proven enough at this point to be the FT shortstop. Maybe Cora is not ready to make him FT anything, yet. I get that. I've actually suggested he might be platooned with Romy at 2B. To me, SS is Mayer's natural and most played position. That alone is not enough to move Story to 2B. If he's not better than Story, then of course don't make the move. I happen to think Story's defense has slipped enough to think about moving him. BTW, all I said is good luck "trying to talk to Cora about it," as part of my long-standing position on Cora that we have often debated. I didn't even say I was 100% for the idea. It seems funny how you criticize Cora and others often, but when I do, and it's not about something you agree with you say things like... "You guys are always..." Like you are not? BTW, I have never even pretended to try and talk Cora into anything. I go out of my way to say he knows way more than me, and even if I disagree with him, I may not call him wrong. This is something you have never understood. But, it goes totally against the notion that I am trying to convince Cora to change his mind. I give my opinion, and sometimes it's not Cora's. I still think he is a great manager.

I think they asked for 2 from Mayer, Tolle & Early.

Agreed, and he probably won't hit .550 like DHam. Rodgers is great non 40 man depth, too. I like how Brez worked these last 2 days, despite not getting a big bat I hoped for. Who knows? Maybe Durbin outhits Paredes, Shaw and Hoerner. He could even outhit Breggie. Bregman's OPS from age 27-30: ,795 Durbin's OPS at age 25: .721 It's not that far-fetched. Maybe by 2027 or 2028 is more likely.

I hope you are right. Maybe I'm tainted by all Mayer's injuries and struggles vs LHPs through the minors. Maybe not. KMarte is a great hitter and decent defensive 2Bman. He's getting older, yes. He costs a lot, yes. The return package will be great, yes. I'd like our 3 year window with him. I'd like our 4-5 year window maybe more with Mayer & Early. The other deal, I'd do in a heartbeat.