Fan_since_Boggs

If not for the misplay by the CF in game one, the Phillies would have won both games. The Phillies are tough. It was a little troubling to see the Red Sox offense struggle so much against playoff caliber pitching, the kind of pitching the Red Sox will see in the playoffs. They need to figure out ways to score runs against that kind of pitching, something they couldn't do in this series. When the Red Sox and Yankees meet up, the Yankees should be 4.5 out. Pomeranz survived, but he actually pitched like crap -- base runners every inning, walks every inning. When you pitch like that, you will give up more than 2 runs most of the time.

Good question. They may force Pomeranz to stay in there no matter what and just take the loss. Good news on Rodriguez: https://nesn.com/2018/07/eduardo-rodriguez-injury-alex-cora-gives-positive-update-on-pitchers-ankle/ The Sale thing doesn't seem very serious.

A positive update on Rodriquez. I'm not sure if he makes it back to the majors in August, but it would be a surprise, I would think, if he doesn't return in September: https://nesn.com/2018/07/eduardo-rodriguez-injury-alex-cora-gives-positive-update-on-pitchers-ankle/

The Orioles acquired a quality SP prospect in the deal, L.Ortiz. I guess that means the Red Sox would have needed to include T.Houck. I would rather have Kinsler and keep Houck in the system. I'm not sure about the Dozier deal. I don't know the prospects--they don't seem to be very good.

Could the Red Sox have acquired Dozier or Schoop (rather than Kinsler) or did they cost some high end prospects?

Dombrowski has already said that the Red Sox will go back to 12 pitchers. Thus, when Devers returns, Brasier OR Velazquez could be sent down OR, alternatively, the Red Sox might release/put on DL Pomeranz. Yep, C.Vazquez returns in September. For me, the interesting question concerns the playoff roster. If everyone is healthy, who doesn't make the playoff roster? Holt and Pearce are locked in for two of the bench spots, but who will get the other two and who will start at catcher? One of the following 4 players won't be on the playoff roster: C.Vasquez -- S.Leon -- B.Swihart --E.Nunez.

I wanted the Red Sox to give Betts the day off. It looks like he needs it and he should be fully rested against the Yankees. The only thing I don't like: I would play Holt in RF and keep Martinez as DH.

I thought the Pirates were entering a rebuilding phase this year with the trades of Cole and McCuthen. They now trade for a closer and acquire Archer. They are only 3.5 out of the second wild card, but there are two teams in front of them. I guess they aren't rebuilding after all. The Cole trade might work out for the Pirates--they got a starting 3b out of it and Musgrove has been decent. Musgrove and Moran have more years of team control than Cole. Archer went for less than I expected but I'm not that high on A.Meadows.

The Red Sox are probably done. Do they even need a relief pitcher? They have Brandon Workman, an effective relief pitcher, sitting around in AAA. I don't believe the Red Sox are hunting for a rental relief pitcher, but they are probably open to trading for a relief pitcher who is controllable and can compete for the closer's role next season (I'm assuming the Red Sox aren't going to resign Kimbrel).

I was thinking that too. But the Nats have definitely underperformed. If I'm Rizzo, I'm adding someone at the deadline (sends a message to your clubhouse), firing Dave Martinez, and hiring Joe Girardi. Maybe that would light a fire.... Joe Girardi is a proven successful manager. Martinez has been a failure thus far.

I believe the Red Sox are under the highest luxury tax penalty; otherwise, why get the Angels to cover Kinsler's contract? No one really knows except for the organization but the tea leaves suggest they are under it.

I agree. Also, along with playing SS and 2b, Holt will be used to give some rest to the outfielders. Betts looks like he could use a day off. I would like to see the Red Sox give Betts a day off tonight, get him rested for the Yankees series. The Red Sox will probably lose tonight anyway with dog s*** starting the game.

So Kinsler replaces Lin. When Devers returns (sometime in August), the Red Sox go to a 12 man pitching staff (as Dombrowski already stated). In that scenario, either Brasier or Velazquez is sent down. Alternatively, the dark horse move: Pomeranz is released or put on DL. When Vazquez returns in September: expanded rosters. If Rodriquez returns in August, he replaces one of the the three: Brasier, Velazquez, Pomeranz.

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I believe Vazquez's pitch framing is superior to Leon's. If I'm not mistaken, Vazquez is also better at throwing out runners? Vazquez is the better defensive catcher. Also, Vazquez is signed for 3 years. He will be here longer than Leon.

Vazquez doesn't return until September. So there is no roster crunch until the playoffs (I'm assuming Pedroia does not return at all). I was open to the idea of moving Nunez a few weeks back, but I have heard that he is a huge locker room presence, a leader on the team. I don't see the Red Sox screwing around with clubhouse chemistry at this point of the season. Moreover, they need someone to platoon with Devers at 3b, a guy who can't hit lefties. Nunez isn't the ideal platoon partner, but he gets the job due to the intangibles.

The problem may solve itself--someone may get hurt. But if not, one of the three probably won't make the playoff roster: Leon, Vazquez, Swihart. Vazquez can do anything Leon can do. There is really no need to keep both players on the playoff roster if the Red Sox are sold on Swihart's defense. the Red Sox pitching would be fine with or without Leon behind the plate. It is my understanding that Vazquez is the better defensive catcher.

Pedroia isn't on the 60 day DL. Though, they may put him on it sooner rather than later.

Vazquez doesn't return until September when the rosters expand. Thus, there is no roster crunch until the playoffs. Assuming everyone is healthy, someone doesn't make the playoff roster. My prediction: Vazquez or Leon will be kept off. If the Red Sox have enough confidence in Swihart as a catcher, you don't need both players (Vazquez and Leon) on the playoff roster, neither guy can hit.

They will never trade Holt--he is too valuable as a utility player and he is having a good year. With Kinsler added to the mix, Holt will return to that utility role--he will probably play some OF, keeping Martinez at DH, while seeing some playing time at 2b and SS. I would expect a Devers/Nunez platoon at 3b, with Devers siting against lefties. They aren't trading Nunez--he is one of the leaders on the team and an important voice in the clubhouse. They might move Nunez in the offseason, but they aren't going to trade him now.

I'm happy with Kinsler but you can't trade away Ty Buttrey. I had big plans for Buttrey--600 saves, a Cy Young award, a HOF speech. NO! I'm thinking the Red Sox have not gone past the highest luxury tax limit. If they were already past it, why get the Angels to throw in money?

This is starting to piss me off. Where are all the small market teams with worse records and bigger international budgets? They should be signing these guys, not the Yankees. And now it sounds like the Yankees are going to sign another really good international prospect due to recent trades for international slot money. The Red Sox don't seem to be overly active on the international front, unless I missed some news on this.

Most of our disagreements centered around C.Frazier. I think we disagreed about Sheffield too, but I've actually changed my mind on him and really like him as a prospect.

The thing that bothers me about trading for Osuna is that the story might get excessive media attention and become a distraction. It might not be a good idea to introduce that sort of thing in the middle of the season. It would be much wiser to trade for Osuna in the offseason when you have months to deal with the story before the regular season begins. Osuna definitely has a female issue, but is he a good teammate? If he is a good teammate and will reach out for professional help, I like the idea of acquiring him in the offseason. If the Red Sox have already gone over the highest luxury tax threshold, what do people think about acquiring I.Kinsler or S.Castro for 2b? Unfortunately, Castro is under contract for 11 million in 2019. Jeter would probably trade him for almost nothing just to get rid of the contract, but I would hate to pay Castro 11 million next year. I would be more willing to do it if the Marlins would take back Nunez, who will likely be under contract for 4 million next year. I'm not sure -- I was thinking about the Chapman trade to the Yankees, they basically got him for free due to a domestic violence incident.

Yes, I would make an offer. M.Chavis for R.Osuna. Two losers. If Osuna ends up in jail, who cares, you traded away a PED guy, someone you don't want on your team (or in your farm system) anyway. For next year, I wouldn't waste a 40 man roster spot on Chavis--might as well trade him. If Osuna can get his life straightened out (professional help) he could be a big upside acquisition. He has the talent to be a great reliever. In contrast, without PEDs, Chavis probably isn't a major league caliber player.

I'm not even sure why Moreland wasn't in the lineup against the righty starter..... As far as pinch hitting goes, he should have used Moreland for Pearce (rather than Bradley). He also may have been too quick to pull Brian Johnson. Johnson had around 80 pitches at that point?