moonslav59

I'd like to avoid losing good prospects for rentals, but that is often the case at deadlines. Getting longer term players usually costs was more at the deadline than during winter months. Look at Brez's winter trades, and it kinds makes me wanna scream, "Don't overpay- wait for next winter!" but we have a nice looking team with a chance to advance, so what will we do? Thinking in terms on 2027 and beyond and our 2026 needs, I think with Early being traded, Gray probably becoming a FA and Tolle & Bennett on limited IP plans, trading for a SP has to be a top priority. In terms of prioritizing everyday positional needs with 2027 and beyond as a major factor, here is how I might rank our priorities in reverse order (most set positions listed first.) 1. CF: Rafaela is set for CF for many years. (Azocar is 19 and could be a top prospect soon.) 2. RF: Abreu is set for 3 more arbs. (Azocar could replace Abreu.) 3. 3B: Durbin has impressed me enough to think we are set here for 4+ years. 4. 1B: May have some scary depth issues, but Romy and Mead are not bad, and the flickering hopes of a Casas return remain. Contreras is old, but he has another season plus a team option, so 1B is not a top priority, yet. (Gonzales offers some future distant hopes.) That's 4 slots I see as all set, for now. In baseball anything can change on a dime. The next positions are more volatile, skeptical and difficult to project, but I'll take a stab at it: 5. LF: I'm still a believer in Anthony and have to think he offer more long term hopes than other position players in these next slots. I've all but written off Duran- okay- I have already, Yoshida and Jones are the current starters. They would make LF near the top priority, if I was looking at just 2026. This screams of a rental trade, here, and then roll the dice on Anthony. Gonzales and Azocar are long away pieces that could help, but not now and not in 2027. 6. 2B: I debated making this #5 as Mead looks like he could be the next Durbin but with power. Having Seigler, Monasterio, Romy, Mayer and maybe even Story in the mix for 2027 and beyond moves 2B ahead of those listed next. (Arias could push every SS in the system to a 2B outlook for many years to come.... or not.) 7. DH: While some may place this at #8 or 9, I see the DH position as one where some other positional players can DH often or sparely and give it a boost. Yoshida has another year, and Romy has been a top 20 batter vs LHPs since 2024. They make a decent platoon. Depending on the LF situation, Anthony could be used here. If Casas every gets straightened out, I always saw him as a DH. It might help with hsi fragility, although he seems to get hurt when he sneezes, so maybe it won't help. Maybe Brannon, Cespedes or Gonzales can help here before too long and longer. #7 is pretty close to #8 and #9. 8. SS: Arias kinda makes this slot one massive wild card. I hate to put too much hope on a guy who just got to AAA to become a force in 2027. It's speculative enough to pencil him in as a sure bet for 2028 and beyond. That's why I put SS at #8. Story should play 2B, be traded or maybe even DH, if his bat returns. Mayer is a coin toss, and could play 2B and 3B, too, if he earns it. He'd have to be really good to beat out Durbin and Mead. Beating Arias & Story seems his best shot. TBH, I don't have a ton of faith in any of these guys for 2026 and 2027. Monasterio, IKF and Cheng could be okay for 2026, but I could see a trade for a rental or longer term SS, now. C: I know some disagree, here, but Wong is too up and down on offense, although his defense has improved. Marvaez looked like a keeper, last year, but has looked totally clueless at bat, all year long. He's barely even had a decent 5 game stretch. We have some decent looking offensive catchers in the system, but many may end up at 1B or DH and maybe Jo Garcia is the closest to the bigs, right now. Yup, catcher is a big need now and going forward. If we do trade for a longer term player, Catcher might be the best slot to look. Expensive, too. (SS is second to me.) Sorry for rambling.

You often leave me in stitches. You outdid yourself on this one. 😂

Hard to tell. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think he bounces back strong.

IMO, these players should be benched, traded or demoted: OPS since May 27th/ Season OPS .514/.544 Narvaez .589/.589 Duran These guys should not be handed any FT role: .523/.594 Mayer .540/.547 Story An interesting tidbit: Since Mayer and Story have been on the IL for so long, it doesn't seem like they are the leaders in innings played at 2B and SS: 2B: 342 Mayer, 245 Seigler, 185 IKF, 80 Monasterio, 58 Sogard, 44 Romy, 4 Mead. SS: 340 Story, 230 Monasterio, 179 Mayer, 116 Cheng, 82 IKF, 11 Sogard Mayer is still 7th in PAs, while Story has slipped to 10th. Monasterio is 20 behind Story, and Wong should pass Story in PAs soon (-13.)

I have some bias. I'm a huge Romy fan and want him in every line-up vs LHPs. It made sense for him to platoon with Yoshida at DH, so if we get Springer and bench/trade Duran, I see Springer as the FT DH, Yoshida-Jones in LF and Seigler-Romy at 2B. Romy will no longer DH, unless Springer gets a day off. I'm fine with this idea, but Springer FT probably means Romy plays a little more at 2B. Maybe everything changes when and if IKF, Mead, Story or Mayer ever come back. Hence my call for a SS and or Catcher, but LF/DH seems to be getting all the talk. I do see a great benefit in replacing Duran.

Brannon is 3-4 and Winnay 2 for 3 w 2 BB tonight (by 8th inning.) Hudson White homered, along with Jackson, as GRE is winning in the 8th. Guzman homered (2-3) and Delzine went 4.1 with 2 ZHits, 1 ER, 2BB and 5 Ks.

Arias homered for Woo tonight. AAA has not slowed down after the promotion. He's 2-3 with a BB.

Several on that list are mainly 1B/DH, but there are some players having nice seasons at the plate.

Not making predictions, but if we take 2 of 3 at LAD, would the non believers flip?

Bennett da man!

I didn't mean it as a criticism, but you said the only loss on D was Duran in LF being replaced. BTW, Romy has only played 2B five times, this year. His main role was DH platoon with Yoshida. He has played 2B more recently, as Monasterio plays SS all the time, so your point it correct.

He doesn't think he's wrong, so it's easy. To him, he's resting on being right all the time.

I'd rather not take Scherzer. He's 94 with a 9 point 4 ERA. I'm fine with Springer, and maybe I'm wrong about his asking price, but I like other names better. If we dump Duran, then there is some room for Yoshida in LF. He's not our worst hitter by far and would be an upgrade over Duran in LF. (PLatoon w Jones.)

Romy at 2B is no defensive upgrade.

The idea of Yoshida in LF scares me, but IMO Duran is toast. I hope they can find a taker for him. He may be one of those perfect change of scenery guys. I doubt we get anything of value back. What a shame. So much talent, but the loose screws messed him up, badly.

Most deals happen near the final minutes, but we may see some soon. The sellers should be KCR, ATH, LAA, DET, TOR, COL, NYM, SFG, CIN and probably STL, MIA, WSH & PIT. Maybe SEA & BAL. I think HOU should but won't.

The loss won't cause that. He's locked in.

He would not platoon. He's even .809 v R since 2024, although this season is under .700. What a Springer deal might do is push Yoshida to LF take Duran's place and Romy to platoon with Seigler at 2B. That should help both positions improve their OPS, but not the defense.

Hard to know who the sellers are!

Agreed. I'm guessing they see Anthony as the best chance of fixing one of our high need areas. That doesn't mean that's how he's looking at the need priorities, and we do have some options at SS, 2B, DH, LF and C, too. Let's see.

Fully aware. I thought the "LOL" would convey that.

I heard that. I'm not saying I have hope, but my position is that we are not going to upgrade 3-4 nonpitching positions in the next few days. Who does Brez & Co. think needs an upgrade the most vs who is in the system that can help upgrade certain positions is a factor in the choice.

I've been pretty critical of Duran for a while. I'm totally done with him now. Trade him for a single A prospect for all I care. He's clueless.

And Monasterio. Harrison who? LOL.

I'll still think the Sox are counting on Anthony to bail out the LF/DH issues, but I could be wrong. It's hard to ignore how much LF has hurt the team- all year. DH, most just April & May. Middle infielders will be expensive, so we may go the rental route there. I understand the point about not messing with Catcher, and I'm not sure why we don't play Wong more often, but I still see Catcher as a place we can greatly improve our offense. It seems we all agree on needing a pitcher.