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It seems like many just wanted Henry to spend more money. Heck I mentioned Miguel Vargas (currently 3.0 bWAR, 19 HRs, .842 OPS) and was told to stop proposing cheap solutions. And then they tell me free agency isn’t just PR. Their lineup of C - Narvaez, 1b -Contreras, 2b - Mayer 3b -Durbin LF- Duran CF - Rafaela RF -Abreu DH - Anthony. Thats better than the lineup the fielded last year (post Devers) and much better than the team of benchwarmers they used in the playoffs. But multiple bad seasons from too many players killed them this year, and one more bat wasn’t going to save this lineup from itself. Two veterans having career worst seasons coupled with a handful of sophomore slumps, another rookie struggling because he was pressed into duty last year, and another who might be a notoriously slow starter. Thats an awful lot for any one hitter to overcome when 6 or 7 other players just aren’t hitting. Bringing in Schwarber and sending out Breslow isn’t going to change this…

Sooooo…. you agree they win without the “necessary” star power. That was my point all along…

How much would it have helped offset the 11 game difference between wins and losses? Sign Schwarber and maybe the Sox are 39-46 or 40-45. Everyone keeps saying “we needed a big bat! We needed a big bat!” We did get one. But something else the Sox needed was for two of best hitters from last year to not do disappearing acts. If Duran and Story were just the .774 and .740 hitters they were a year ago - not a big ask given each’s career - this team would be much, much better. What I blame Breslow for is loading up on sophomore players. Durbin is working out finally. Narvaez is useless offensively but I get keeping him. But Mayer was only called up due to injury, and didn’t exactly dazzle like Anthony did. And I mean any Anthony, not just Roman. So why was Mayer penned in to start? Also Breslow completely neglected the bullpen. Although Tyron Guerrero seems to be bailing him out there somewhat…

Or, you know, Duran not hitting like a pitcher and Story not trying to play injured for two months. Also Yoshida stopping hitting after April. Let’s not forget those factors. Would adding a Schwarber bat fixed any of that?

Not to mention, if you think the Sox are too analytically-driven, Cora is definitely not your guy…

I doubt player psyche gets damaged so readily. But my question to you is - what do the Sox have to gain? Arias isn’t going to push them into the playoffs. All the Sox will do is start his service clock (which may be good or bad, depending on the new CBA) and pribably burn through his option years faster. Oh, and lose him to free agency by age 26. Half the Sox problems were caused by inexperienced players struggling early in their careers. The solution likely isn’t “even more inexperience!!” And no, DD wouldn’t call him up…

Ok, but the point wasn’t that Milwaukee was hitting similar to Boston; the point was Milwaukee disproves the need for STAR POWER. Look at those 7 (really 4) hitters and tell me how many are currently stars? If the Sox added Jake Bauers or Garrett Mitchell, who would think “Finally!! The missing piece!!”? Milwaukee walks more and takes advantage of their speed, unlike Boston…

You think Dombrowski would promote a 20 year old with less than 300 plate appearances above A ball all the way to MLB just because other players were struggling? I think even DD doesn’t use desperation as an excuse to push his best young talent to reach free agency by age 27. Just like how he didn’t call up his own top prospect (Aiden Miller) to take over for the extremely bland Alec Bohm when the Phillies were struggling…

Some of us prefer our teams improve using methods besides flexing financial muscle for multiple reasons. First of all, when it fails, it fails long term and is almost always irreversible. Second, it definitely distracts from the quality of the sport when everything is decided by wallets alone. It should never come down to the biggest need for improvement for any team is to be sold to a different owner…

San Fran has already stated they’re not open to Adames. I think that is odd given his salary jump next year, but then they do seem to have issues attracting free agents lately. If BTV undervalues Rushing, it’s likely based on some site’s projections. Projecting a player’s future performance is beyond an inexact science, but it’s not exactly baseless either. Would you deal Arias for Rushing?

The Mets need lots of things but figure to be unloading contracts and not acquiring any this month. There are contending teams that could use him. St. Louis leaps to mind, ironically. Pittsburgh and San Diego as well…

I didn’t even name a DH and only said FA looks like an awful place to shop for one. Doubtful either Duran or Yoshida are on this team next year. Duran might not be on it next month. Rushing is preferable over Quero and might even be available and has reportedly been on Breslow’s radar before. But writing off Quero based on 170 PA at age 23 is beyond premature, especially since he has hit well at every previous level, and might be about the ceiling for a Chapman trade. If Early wasn’t injured, I would certainly consider him straight up for Rushing (assuming Smith comes back) and think that’s a fair deal on its own. BTV values Rushing roughly equal to Mayer, which does make some sense for LA given their weaker middle infield prospects and I’m willing to bet the rest of MLB hasn’t given up on Mayer just yet. I’d do that one, too, but LA likely holds on to Rushing until the off-season. Tolle plus for Rushing is madness. Another possible improvement might be Yokohama Bay Stars’ Shugo Maki, the 28yo 2b with a .854 OPS in NPB who is eligible for posting. No idea if he wants to try MLB. He should be a step up over Siegler/Romy…

Are we sure Breslow isn’t listening to other people? Maybe his biggest flaw is he can’t discern good advice from bad advice..,

What about Semien, who is still owed some $46mill after this season? Or Lindor, who is going to Cooperstown, but is also already 32 and owed some $34 mill annually until 2032? And they still have $40mill commited next year to mediocrities like Sean Manaea and Kodai Sengai. Cohen might have the money but this is the worst use of a nine digit budget since Mars Needs Moms…

I’ve been complaining about trading Priester for about a year now for the exact reasons you stated; he was just dealt for no reason and the Sox had very little behind him. Harrison netted us a starting infielder and another player who looks like a useful bench guy. Not enough? Fair, but a different point. As for Dobbins, Fitts, Perales, etc. I think the Sox did fine in those trades. And Breslow did add Bennett, who has been better than any pitcher Breslow dealt away this off-season except Harrison…

This Sox season is an exception to the norm. How many other teams in MLB history have a run differential of 7 but are 11 games under .500? And is Milwaukee the exception? Three of six highest scoring teams are Pitt, Milwaukee and Minnesota. Four of the bottom six include the Mets, Padres, Giants and Blue Jays. How many sole exceptions are necessary to prove there is no magic formula?

And that the Sox don’t have any 8 figure deals that go beyond 2027…

Despite that I really wanted Soto, the Mets are the epitome of why I think the hired mercenary approach can be truly horrific. But in the bright side, Juan Soto got all that money and still gets an extra month of vacation…

But as unpopular as Ben was, Dombrowski wanted to keep him and was apparently shocked Ben quit. And he did fill the role after Ben left...

Ben was the only one that quit on his own…

C - Hopefully someone the Sox don’t have yet. Ive always felt Narvaez’ ceiling was defense-only starter/elite BUC. My oft-mentioned Dalton Rushing target is unlikely, although he is blocked for the next several years. I find myself wondering if Edgar Quero (CWS) is available. If he is on the table for Chapman, hopefully Breslow pounces. 1b - Contreras trade is possible but unlikely. I doubt Breslow wants some sort of full blown rebuild when adding a bat or two might be enough. 2b - Story? I prefer him here. Some pundits are tossing out Jarren Duran/Jordan Lawler swaps as well. SS- Mayer. Like him or not, they held him for a reason. 3b/LF/CF/RF We know the names. DH - I think unless Yoshida goes all Tony Gwynn for the next 3 months, he’s going to be relegated to the bench or waiver wire. Tjis is the biggest chance to add thump, and it’s not going to de someone acquired in July. And hopefully not some dreg from the free agent “talent” pool this off-season…

Does that mean you will be dormant until October? Or does it mean that if the Sox were having the season the Brewers we’re having, you’d still be dissatisfied?

And we gave the Brewers their starting rotation? A tad melodramatic. They do have one pitcher we sent them starting this year, and he isn’t even their best starter. Priester has 0 IP so far. And that rotation is anchored by some guy that can throw 105 mph. Harrison has been terrific and is a likely All Star, but the Brewers have a good all around pitching staff that includes - and this is shocking for July - a relief pitcher that leads the NL in wins…

The Sox are ok for SP depth. Sandoval is due off the IL soon. Bello isn’t dead yet. Oviedo and Crawford might come back at some point. Harrison is a loss, but Bennett has worked out and it turns out, Durbin might actually be pretty good. Priester was needlessly traded but hasn’t been a factor tjis year for Milwaukee either. One extremely positive sign is so far, we have seen almost no games started by openers. And the few we have seen were not because no starters were available, but rather to get around Bello’s first inning hiccups. Now our bullpen depth on the other hand…

While fans like star power - often for good reason - it’s very possible to have a good offense without it. Who is the star power leading the Brewers’ offense, for example? Please don’t say Yelich and his .727 OPS. Does 22yo Jackson Chourio count? Or their true best hitter this year - Jake Bauers? Can you imagine if Breslow built the offense around a 22yo and a career bench/platoon bat?