Nick

I just wanted to point out that I don't believe there are as many destinations as many think for Xander based on his defensive metrics. Just because a team loses a shortstop doesn't guaranty that Xander replaces him. Many teams will think it's wiser to spend say $150M/6 on another position/pitcher. That's what I want the Sox to do.

No one has suggested ONE SINGLE DESTINATION for Xander when he opts out. Will it be the Yankees or will Red Sox bid against themselves? For all your opt outers, can you name some possible destinations?

Corey Seager of Dodgers becomes a FA after this year. He's making $13.75M this year and has the same agent, Boras. Maybe we should go after him. Can we get him for $20M? Carlos Correra of Astros also becomes a FA after this year. He's making $11.7M this year. Tim Anderson of White Sox is signed through 2024 (including 2 options) on a team friendly contract. His AAV is $4.167M. Why would they want Xander? They have enough offense. Oakland A's would not be interested in shortstop making $20M that's looking for a big pay day. Willy Adames of Brewers is making $950K with 3 more years of team control. His ops is .905 in 323 at bats. Brandon Crawford of Giants has two year deal at $32M for 2022/2023. Dansby Swanson of Braves will become a free agent at the end of 2022, his last arbitration year. He's making $6M this year. Would Braves be interested in Xander? Gregorius of Phillies really stuck it to them garnering a two year $28M deal which will expire after 2022. Would Phillies look for higher priced FA in Xander? Is Kyle Farmer of Reds playing out of position? He has three more years of team control. Soooo, who is going to give Xander $150M/6 years? Will the Sox bid against itself like we've done in the past? How much is as Bora says being the "face of Red Sox" worth? I think Boras is unofficially negotiating with Red Sox

Schwarber was acquired at a time when we needed his bat. It would've also helped if he could learn to play 1B. Unfortunately he was injured when he was signed. Then Dalbec goes on an offensive tear. I don't understand why we're blaming Schwarber. He's asked to play a new position for him. If it was that easy then JD should have been working out at 1B. Two outs and a runner on. Yeah I get it we should have been out of the inning. Brasier failed to shut down the offense. Schwarber's defense did not clear the bases. It took two more batters to do that.

We all know what the issues are for current Sox team. The team is pretty well set with exception of COVID guys. Our bullpen appears to have stabilized. Get ready for the playoff chase as the season winds down. What we do this offseason will let us know what to expect from Bloom.

There is no real reason to assume defense just stays the same, just like you don't with hitting and pitching... That's very true also.....

This...

He is very lackadaisical with his glove on simple fly balls....that was my takeaway early on. Then he started to throw guys out left and right....he's no Evans.

Thanks... We can't pussyfoot around with the Orioles. We need to go 6-0. They are getting pounded, home and away.

Sox 15 (8 home, 7 away) Home 3 Yankees 3 Orioles 2 Mets Away 3 Orioles 3 Nationals Jays 17 (9 home 8 away) Home 1 Rays 3 Twins 3 Yankes 3 Orioles Away 3 Rays 4 Twins Yankees 17 (9 home 8 away) Home 3 Guardians 3 Rays 3 Rangers Away 3 Jays 3 Sox 2 Orioles Yankees probably need 2 more wins versus hapless Orioles to get ahead of Sox. They have the tougher schedule after that. Yankees have 9 games versus Sox, Rays and Jays. Jays have 4 games vs Rays and 3 games vs Yankees. Sox have 3 games vs Yankees.

“We’ve been struggling defensively the whole season,” Cora said. “We had some good stretches when we play good defense. When we do that, most of the time it seems like we win games. That’s the bottom line. At this level, you have to be good defensively.” We'll see how Bloom address this....

That's concerning when our shortstop has limited range....

Can someone post the best/widely accepted team defensive metric for the AL teams? How bad are we? I think we lead the league in errors but there's more to defense than errors, right?

I fixed it....brain fart...

Quickly C Vaz...keeper but upgrade is appreciated 1B Dalbec...keeper for now but platooning him maybe a better option 2B Arroy...still needs to see a full season out of him SS Xander...we're paying $20M, not going anywhere unless he opts out in 2022 3B Devers...definite keeper LF Verdugo...keeper but the shine is little off CF Kike....keeper, see if he can continue his good hitting, defense is solid. RF Renfroe...keeper, still needs to refine his non throwing defensive skills DH JD...parting of ways is imminent, he either opts out or he'll be FA in 2023 I give this lineup 80% chance of remaining intact for 2022. Problem with this group is disparity in offense vs defense. That won't be an easy fix. Pitching Department needs upgrading.....Need something like Scherzer, Sale, Eovaldi, E Rod and Pivetta starting rotation. Must improve the group of Barnes, Sawamura, Whitlock, Houck, Taylor and Darwinzon. I like Whitlock throwing 6 innings and not work as a closer. He'll give up 2 or 3 runs in 6 innings. Not sure if he's a shut down closer.

Off top of my head... You're adding $72M to payroll Losing $13.25M Pedey $08.30M E Rod $07.12M Ottavino $06.00M Perez $03.00M Marwin $37.67M $10.00M Richards (you honestly believe we'll get someone back?) I'd say we pay half of his salary and get a run of mill single A player. $47.67M Net increase of $25M before paying arbitration raises.... Not unrealistic I guess...

Cream rises to the top....we'll see how we finish...pretenders or contenders.

When your top six hitters go 0-17 with one walk and 9 K's, what you gonna do?

He won't return on this road trip is what I read in paper.

Corey Seager of Dodgers becomes a FA after this year. He's making $13.75M this year and has the same agent, Boras. Maybe we should go after him. Can we get him for $20M? Carlos Correra of Astros also becomes a FA after this year. He's making $11.7M this year. Tim Anderson of White Sox is signed through 2024 (including 2 options) on a team friendly contract. His AAV is $4.167M. Why would they want Xander? They have enough offense. Oakland A's would not be interested in shortstop making $20M that's looking for a big pay day. Willy Adames of Brewers is making $950K with 3 more years of team control. His ops is .905 in 323 at bats. Brandon Crawford of Giants has two year deal at $32M for 2022/2023. Dansby Swanson of Braves will become a free agent at the end of 2022, his last arbitration year. He's making $6M this year. Would Braves be interested in Xander? Gregorius of Phillies really stuck it to them garnering a two year $28M deal which will expire after 2022. Would Phillies look for higher priced FA in Xander? Is Kyle Farmer of Reds playing out of position? He has three more years of team control. Soooo, who is going to give Xander $150M/6 years? Will the Sox bid against itself like we've done in the past? How much is as Bora says being the "face of Red Sox" worth? I think Boras is unofficially negotiating with Red Sox

AL East shortstops Rays....Franco...#1 MLB prospect, 6 years of team control, no need for Xander and a raise on $20M Jays...Bichette...ops of .805, 4 more years of team control Yankees...Torres....this maybe a possibility, Yankees had a lousy fielding Hall of Fame ss, Torres has 3 more years of team control after 2021 Orioles.....They can't afford Xander...

Perhaps but I rather use the 'raise' on a pitcher and acquire a solid defensive ss.

Market value is what the willing buyer will pay Xander. We can compare players all we want but just because Rendon gets $35M does not mean Xander automatically gets $30M or $25M. I think our urgent needs are to extend Eovaldi and Devers. I doubt we can afford $30M for Devers and $25M for Xander while we still have Chris Sale on the books. I rather spend the money on pitching. It's about choices. There are many talented defensive shortstops out there. We can prioritize defense at the most critical defensive position. I think we have enough offense as it is. I don't want us to trade him. Just not sure if we have enough money to go around.

As usual, I think Sox fans are overvaluing its players. Another year older and his lack of defense being exposed (he's not going to increase his 'range' anytime soon), Xander will leave $80M over 4 yrs on the table, including an option if he's healthy. What contender will give him a big raise? What up and coming team will make him the center piece of the rebuild? Give me some names please. Owners want to bring down the luxury tax limit. Will one of them offer Xander substantial raise? Hell, many of the regulars here want to trade him to improve our defense.

We're at least doing somethings right. We are still in the hunt. It's been an enlightening season. We're getting to see much of our organizational talent.