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While true, the real problem for Castillo was the DD was not a fan. After Rusney did his showcase for MLB teams, DD (then still with Detroit) reportedly left calling Castillo “a fourth outfielder.” While playing for even a day left Castillo on the payroll counting towards the luxury tax, I think we can both agree DD never let those finances inhibit the way he operated. He simply didn’t like Castillo’s game…

Was there? Rusney had a bad contract and rules at the time allowed the Sox to bury it by removing him from the 40 man roster. But he was far from untalented. His defensive metrics were off the chart among MLB outfielders, especially his DRS, which trends towards being cumulative. He had skills. But not ones DD wanted to pay for…

People like to scream “fix!!” I remember many years ago, Duke was playing UConn(?) in the tournament, and Duke PG Chris Duhon launched a last second shot from 3/4 of the way down the court and drained it. The game went from Duke trailing by 4 to Duke losing by one. But the spread on the game had Duke as a 2 point underdog and that meaningless Hail Mary meant Duke covered the spread. Hundreds of thousands of dollars likely changed hands all of the sudden! So the cry the next day was “FIX!! FIX!!” A fix!! On a 60 foot shot that goes in maybe 0.0001% of the time! If the NCAA was fixing games, they really took a chance on that one…

However, MLB did have their own umpire betting scandal this year…

They didn’t do the Mavericks a favor. The Mavs did something incredibly stupid and deserve the fallout. And we’re talking about Dallas - hardly a marquee NBA franchise. If the NBA did nothing for the Celtics (definitely a marquee franchise) after the misfortunes they had with Len Bias and Reggie Lewis, they’re clearly not in the business of using their lottery system to reinstall some justice as they see fit…

They had the third worst record in the NBA! If the NBA fixed the lottery, why did LeBron end up in Cleveland?

46.7%, so it’s close. But did the Tigers’ broadcast mention the league average is 42.2%?

But not Grissom’s or Hamilton’s…

Actually I thought Houck looked a lot like Koufax tonight. He certainly pitched like a 90 year old man with arthritis…

It might be time for Houck to go to the bullpen. Possibly the Worcester bullpen. Its May 12th, and this year he already has the TWO worst starting performances in franchise history…

That’s great. It also wasn’t what I asked…

So you think he gets non-tendered? Hes not tradable. The market for arbitration eligible first basemen with 350 PA and a -0.3 bWAR over a two year stretch is not as robust as one imagines…

Why is it “far from likely”? Think the Sox non-tender him? Or trade him? He’s not exactly at his most marketable right now and they did try to extend him not too long ago…

To be a little fair to Breslow and Cora, the decision to move Devers to first was due to an injury and not done on a whim. And since Casas is likely due back in Boston at some point in his career, it’s likely just a temporary move…

Agreed. Most likely with Devers sticking at DH…

I wouldn’t trade Rafaela, but I would use him as a super sub and RF platoon to create an opening for Anthony. Cora does not agree with me here, however…

He’s unlucky, but the ball isn’t…

He’s looking like a future star. Play him at one position, even if it’s first base…

Toglia is a terrible fielder. He couldn’t catch COVID if he licked every doorknob in 2020. The 5’5” Vaughn seems like a plausible albeit unexciting target. If the Twins fall off the pace, Ty France might be the best of the stopgap options…

I’m sure the Athletics would love Abreu. Ive suggested deals for Soderstrom involving him. Casas? He’s just not good trade bait. I mean, you tried to pass of his career bWAR of 2.0 in a season and a half worth of games as an accomplishment; it’s not. That’s utility infielder production. I have doubts Oakland moves Kurtz, and other doubts about how useful he’ll really be in 2025 anyway. I could see moving Abreu, but I’d actually rather not. He’s becoming a star player before us. And moving him to get Anthony in the lineup - while acceptable - might also be a step down. The Sox should get a stopgap 1b. No one is trading for Casas right now. Like Casas or not, BTV gives him a surplus value of $0. For comparison, Nick Kurtz has a surplus value of $44.1 million. (And Abreu has a surplus value of $64.5million, suggesting a straight up trade of Abreu for Kurtz is a MASSIVE overpay by Boston). Casas will likely be offered arbitration next year and try again to be the starting 1b in Boston. Kurtz will start in (Sacramento? Vegas?) for minimum wage for his current low budget team. And Boston will explore the rental market for a stopgap 1b to fill out the year Josh Bell? Wilmer Flores? Ty France? Mitch Garver? Andrew Vaughn? Someone unexciting, but an upgrade nonetheless…

I think the plan involves keeping both Anthony and Mater in their current positions, as both are top tier defenders. Mayer will likely be held back until Story has his annual injury. Grissom, on the other hand, has no real defensive home and might get a chance. As Grissom is already on the 40 man roster plus has options, it’s a very easy change to undo with no collateral damage (like no one DFAd to get him on the roster).

Correct. Anthony Rizzo didn’t retire because he couldn’t get offers. He retired because he couldn’t get offers he didn’t find insulting. Rizzo’s OPS is approximately 590 since guy he suffered a concussion in May of 2023…

2.0 bWAR in 251 games isn’t that good. For comparison, Romy Gonzalez has 1.3 bWAR in only 106 games. Plus Casas is arbitration next year. Kurtz will still be making the league minimum…

And bench Campbell?

The Athletics aren’t trading Kurtz. BTV suggests his value is equal to Marcelo Mayer, but the Athletics are unlikely to make that move given the performance of Jacob “Jack Jr.” Wilson so far. That leaves Anthony. Willing to deal Anthony for Kurtz?