oldtimer

I have been a fan since 1947 and have watched the Sox go through a variety of scenarios. In this period, Breslow acknowledged the team needs and indicated that the front office would be aggressive in fulfilling those needs. I look at the results to date and have seen misses in all of our stated need areas. We are through the Winter meetings with nothing accomplished. It appears to be more of the same and it seems to be directed by Henry.

I am disappointed with the lack of results achieved by Breslow for what ever reason. There have been endless discussion and rumors but the results are minimal. We needed a #2 starter and at least one power bat and someone solid to play 2nd base. As far as I can see none of those needs have been fulfilled. I agree that 2026 should have been a peak year for the Sox but opportunitites have been missed. The fault probably lies with Henry.

Just back after a 2 week Caribbean frolic. During that time, the important Winter Meetings were underway and are concluding today. So far, I haven't seen anything substantial happening to address our much discussed needs. Those are 1) adding a #2 SP, 2) adding a big bat and , 3) shoring up 2nd base. We also are hanging on the 3rd base question. All the endless banter and rumors haven't yielded a single definitive answer to any of these needs. The fans want results not rumors. Bring it home Breslow, Give us something to be happy about.

I believe a lot of Sox fans have been disappointed over the last few years in that nothing significant was done to help the team until last year. I'm hoping that more significant moves are coming. A #2 starter, Bregman and another big bat. If we need to trade an outfielder or Casas or package Yoshida to improve the team, then I'm all for it but wonder if much will happen. I'll be on a cruise for the next two weeks. Things should be happening while I am away.

I agree that Duran has trade value and is likely to be package with propects to land a #2 starter, a big need. Both Mayer and Casas have a high injury risk factor although Mayer is probably going to start at 3rd or 2nd. If we want to lower the risk with a FA power back and part ways with Casas, we'd be selling low. It's a tough decision for the Sox. Yoshida may have more value to another team than for us. Packaging him with a prospect or eating part of his contract would open the DH slot, where we could pick up a FA power bat. The Winter meetings are coming soon so we will get a reading on the front office aggressivness.

Very reasonable positions to take. While I know Bregman has opted out, I don't know what the Sox will do. He still is an option to return but I'm guessing the front office has made the decision ot either compete for his services or look elsewhere. At 31, he still is a viable option.

The WS will be completed tonight, one way or another. That will clear the way for the Bregman and possible Story free agencies. How they go will have a major impact on our needs and required actions. Our outfield is deep and probably set, with either Duran or Abreu to be traded. Our first need is depth at starting pitching with quality needs there. We could need major help in the infield with Romy being a possible starter but big helth worries with Casas and Mayer. Campbell doesn't instill confidence as his defense was poor and I have trouble buying the weight loss excuse. If both Bregman and Story leave, we need two quality infielders with big bats to stay even. In addition, we would be smart to replace Yoshida who lacks power and is one dimensional. So management needs to quickly determine the situation with Bregman and Story so they can exploit the offseason and return a product to the field at least comparable to 2025.

It's easy to find examples on any team that draw into question my findings, just as it is also easy to find examples that support my observations. Kiki Hernandez is a more aggressive hitter while Mookie Betts almost never swings at the first pitch, for instance. But the general discussion surrounding the Yankees and Red Sox this year was about how they were so patient about their approach to hitting. I for one believe that the approach is ingrained in the team's culture and supported by the coaching staff. It may also be expressed in the talent they look for and add to the team.

An observation about how teams are coached and how they perform in the playoffs; Some teams are coached to grind out at bats and by doing so to accumulate pitches against the opponents starting pitches. The idea is to get to the bull pen early and wear down the opponents pitching staff. I'd say the Dodgers generally fall into that category as did the Yankees and the Red Sox. Other teams seem to take a more aggressive approach where they are encouraged to swing at any count where they see a pitch they can handle. I'd say this approach generally fits what the Blue Jays and Seattle follow. Maybe it suits their team makeup better or it is a more effective approach in general. Of course it helps to have better quality players on the roster and also having clean defense is important, but in the selection of approach to the game, the coaching staff should also be looking at what is working best.

Mayer and casas have established an injury history that suggests unreliability. Yoshida needs to be moved and Campbell has not proven he can either hit or field at the ML level. If Bregman is truly gone, then we have additional needs to be filled. Can we look at prospects for one of the infield positions? Is there a prospect pitcher to help? We need to trade an outfield asset to land a quality starting pitcher. That is looking like Duran or Abreu. We definitely need a power bat to fill an infield position (1st or 3rd) We could use a power bat at DH We need an improvement at BU catcher I'm satisfied with Romy and Sogard for utility

Right now, the Sox have two dependable infield players. Bregman and Story. Mayer could be but has a poor injury history. Casas has the same problem. Beyond them, possibly Rafaela could make the move to the infield in a similar way that Betts has. We have a surplus of outfield talent, even if Duran is traded, so moving Rafaela to the infield should be con sidered. I would target a FA for 1st base, even though Casas is there and has almost no trade value. I would favor an infield of Bregman,, Story, Rafaela and FA. We have secondary players who can fill in for injury and rest intervals.

After watching the Skankies go down in flame with their plethora of long ball hitter, while the Blue Jays scored a lot more runs, you have to call into question what constitutes a big bat. Some like Judge are obviously real offensive juggernauts, but so many swung from their heels and made infrequent contact. Far less noted players on the Blue Jays did a much better job of making contact for a hit and did so in critical situations.. Roman Anthony strikes me as a guy who will develop power but also make contact or get walked. Yoshida is more of a lower power guy but one who geneerally can make contact. Story picked it up this year but others like Duran, Rafaela and Abreu seem to overswing and be prone to striking out. So for 2026 it's anyones guess on , Duran is a likely trade candidate and Rafaela is loved by Cora but not a good hitter or big bat. Let's hope Brez is in the market for a couple of real big bats.

Until the Bregman situation is clarified, it's difficult to know what resources will be available to land a big FA bat. On the other hand, the pitching situation is clearly another area to be concerned about. We had 22 pitchers on the roster with 6 more on the IL. Clearly we need another starter to fill the #2 role. What also concerns me is that Crochet pitched a lot of innings in 2025 and Champman is old. Both had exceptional years and without that excellence, where would the Sox have been? I would doubt both can repeat their stellar performance in 2026. Trying to identify our pitchers for n 2026 but find it difficcult.

As you say, it's too early to make definitive statements but I appreciate the level of thinking shown. A lot will hinge on Bregtman's decision. If he leaves, we may need two big bats along with Anthony. Making room for them at 1st, DH and/or 3rd suggests moving our current players who fill those slots. I will be looking at possible trade candidates or free agents who might fill our needs. I agree, Henry is not like to be extravagant. Suggesstions should take reality into account. Yes, we also need a Backup catcher improvement, SP depth, and pen depth but so do many other teams. Brez will face a competitive market

I had my say on the outfield although the same general comments apply. We need team balance, more pop and reasonable OBP. Rafaela has the flexability to play some infield positions so that should be taken into account when considering trades, Our current infield plays include Bregman, Campbell, Casas, Eaton, Gonzalez, Grissom, Hamilton, Lowe, Mayer, Sogard and Story. Our number ! prospect is Franklin Arias who projects as a good defensive shortstop and has surprised with his improved hitting. He might make the jump in 2026. Our infield situation is weak, with only Story a no-brainer. Hit well, good defender although got wild with his throws late but was dependable this season. Bregman's situation remains volatile. He had a great start but appeared to wear down. Good defender, reported good in the clubhouse but is he worth $40 mil? If he gets a better offer we should let him go in my opinion. No matching long terms. Mayer looks to be developing into a valuable ML player whether at 3rd, SS or 2nd. The big question is cann he stay healthy. Casas has the hit tool, assuming he gets back to the promise he showed but ditto with the can he stay healthy? Grissom appears to be gone since he wasn't used this passed year. Romy Gonzalez appears to be capable enough to keep for 2nd base or utility. Hamilton and Eaton didn't add much offense but has some utility due to versatility and speed. Sogard was another player Cora seemed to like, both versatile and a swith hitter but certainly not a power hitter and difference maker. I see our current situation as needing significant overhaul. Especially if Bregman leaves there will be resources to pick up a power hiitter. I would go for Alonzo (or equiv) at 1st base and part ways with the oft hurt Casas. He may have reasonable trade value. Mayer could play 3rd and fill-in at short should Story get injured. We have a big investment in Campbell and he has 2nd base potential and flexability for 1st or outfield. Sogard would be my final active roster guy with Eaton stashed on the 40 man. Somany choices and if Bregman stays a greatly different set of possibilities. I;d love to see a power hitting DH but don't see a way there with Yoshida in place.

The Sox could use better balance in the outfield, more pop and better contact hitter to go along with the strong defensive presence. Our current outfield options include Abreu, Anthony, Duran, Garcia, Rafaela, Refsnyder and Yoshida. In addition, Campbell and Eaton are possibilities. Of those Anthony is a no brainer as he is good defensively, has an excellent OBP and will no doubt develop more long ball power. After him,, I see Abreu as a plus defender with power but who needs to work on his contact rate. Less swinging for the fences. He is a keeper from my perspective. With those two, we need some right handed balance. Rafaela (spitter) is a GG class centerfielder and has great versatility but has serious shortcomings offensively. I don't see offensive improvement and he has a lot of ABs by now, so improvement may elude him. I see him in more of a utility role going forward. Injuries occur and he would be a nice resource to have available. Garcia (Password) is another potentially good defensive outfielder, He has raw power, which could be a source of pop going forward. He is also raw and I was disappointed when he didn't see more development this year. I would like to get him into our lineup in 2026. Duran has speed but is the lesser defender (still acceptable) of our outfielders. He is an extrabase machine but is also streaky. He has trade value and I would see if we could make a positive move there. Refsnyder is nearing the end of his career and I would move him in one way or another. Yoshida is not a defensive asset but is a quality contact hitter who lacks speed and pop, yet we owe him too much to trade hiim without paying much of his salary. Hard to deal with him except as a DH or pinch hitter. I would prefer a DH who has pop. Of the possible backup outfielders on the team, I could see Campbell because of his versatility. He is owed enough that a positive trade may be difficult. Eaton is good enough defensively but not the hitter we need. Our infield needs more work so I would like to populate the 2026 outfield from the players we have on the roster and trade to help us with either infield or pitching help.

We faced a young pitcher with top velocity and good movement. The Yankees will have 5 terriffic starters next season. Meanwhile, we have guys taking home run cuts and finding jusr air. Yoshida showed the way by hitting flares. Story hit decently but Duran, Rafaeloa (the spitter) and even Abreu were clueless. Rafaela couldn't even bunt when asked. I mentioned those three specifically, because they are likely to be on the team next season. We should tthink hard about who we retain and who we trade next season, as established players are unlikely to change greatly. More on that on a link reserved for those thoughts. Good season but with the expected ending.

Bad enough that we don't hit well, but the defense let us down in game 2 and now in game 3 Early didn't get support. We are dealing with a case where the Yankees have more talent. Too tall a hill to climb. Can't blame Cora for this one. Tomorrow we can talk about 2026.

Why not wait until this season is over to start the discussion of moves for next season?

Tonight in game two, thme umpire missed quite a few calls both strikes and misses and ffor both sides. I would argue the misses had an effect on the game. And this ump did a fairly good job.

I noticed a different batting style by the two clubs. The Yankees were aggressively going after the first pitch more often than the Sox. The Sox were taking more, perhaps trying to up Rodon's pitch count, but getting behind Rodon is a bad idea. It was a battle and a tight game thoughout. Duran's error (not called an error),Eaton's base running and Rafaela's inability to bunt all hurt the Sox tonight.

The ABS system is an admission that the technology assisted strike zone is more accurate than the umpires calls and will be used as the authority when a challange is made. I believe going to a full reliance on the automated system now would be the best idea, although MLBB is conservative and has not gone there for 2026.

I was ready to look for a new manager if the sox failed to make the pllayoffs again this year. Team performance is a reflection on management in general and the team has had a long period of poor performance. Now the team has made the playoffs under adverse circumstances. I like what Brez has done, for the most part. Some of the decisions made by Cora are head scratchers. The loss of so many 1 run games and his favoratism of some weak players are reasons to doubt him. Still, making the playoffs is a game changer for me.

My thought was to look for a new manager if the Sox missed the playoffs. They are in and did it with virtually no thump in the lineup. Most of their offense is coming from unexpected sources. Hang with Cora. The pitching has turned into a strength and if Duran, Bregman and Story can give us some offense, we could surprise the league.

Whats with Story? He seems to be very error prone of late.