Hugh2

He hasn't given up an earned run his last two starts.

I 100% do not want to see him in September, his secondaries still need a ton of work. They've made improvements this year but if he's going to reach his ceiling as a starter he needs more development. His fastball is elite, and can get guys out right now at the MLB level, but if they bring him up now he's a reliever that's it.

The trade would probably be viewed a lot differently if Jeter Downs panned out.

Giolito has been lights out his last 5 starts. I told ya'll he had upside.

Honestly, I think a Toro/Gonzalez platoon gives you just as good if not better production at 1B than Hoskins. Maybe not, but BTV accepts the trade. A slight overpay for us. But I think Pitt and Boston would do it, not sure about Philly. Honestly IDK maybe they would. Seems like they'd be giving up on Abel and trading a top guy out just to get Duran.

Hector Ramos hit a ball with an exit velo of 107.7 yesterday. Ramos is 17. I'm trying to do some research on the hardest hit ball ever by a kid under 18 years old. I'm sure this is not a record but so far I can't find anyone 17 and under who has ever hit a ball that hard. He might be the next big thing, keep your eyes open.

Baseball America also just recenlty updated their top 100. 1. Roman Anthony 8. Marcelo Mayer 49. Payton Tolle 57. Franklin Arias 74. Brandon Clarke 88. Jhostynxon Garcia. 6 guys in the top 100 after recently graduating Campbell ain't too shabby. You'd have to believe Valera is close as well and Perales could be in there if he was healthy And in case you were wondering. 35. Kyle Teel 53. Braden Montgomery

Well that's just the thing I was getting at earlier. If they have a 4 player deal and a 5 player deal they value the same....why not go with the 4 player? At a certain point just adding more pieces to a deal is also creating a 40 man crunch for a team 1-3 years down the road. I think you need to up the anti by quality of player....not number of players. I think to keep it realistic, 4-1 should be our max for player deals.

BTV calculates Arias/Tolle/Campbell/Abreu as a slight underpay but it accepts it as a fair trade for Skenes. But ultimately it would come down to competitors bids and how Pitt likes those guys. If Pitt really likes those prospects that's a strong offer, if they're not so high on a few of those guys then they're going to take someone else's offer. From a value stand point, it's certainly not a crazy proposal.

As I said to Moon, and I could be wrong but I can't remember a time I've seen it, I'm not sure how realistic a 6 for 1 deal is.

My only issue with this is you have 6 players going back for 1, not sure I should throw rocks after putting out a bunch of 4 for 1s. But we have seen that before. But at some point you can't just add QTY, even if they're all really good prospects. Every teams has some guys in there system and they're just creating either a current or future 40 man roster crunch by taking on QTY. This is why I think the deal would get done with big names. I'm thinking they need MLB ready level talent at the top, Maybe Bello to give them a pitcher + Roman Anthony, the Perales/Arias to sweeten the pot.

If Trevor Story can put together a few good months as he's looked good in flashes recently he'd be the type of candidate I could like to see get it. It also means a lot to the team to have him get going.

BTV accepts the deals Juan Valera/Wilyer Abreu/Payton Tolle/Roman Anthony for Skenes Jarren Duran/Brayan Bello/Marcelo Mayer/Justin Slaten Luis Perales/Roman Anthony/Kristian Campbell. I know it's BTV, but that's the level of talent we would likely have to consider to get the talks moving.

Wait, hold on a second.....how does Rafaela get comeback player of the year?

I can see all three of these guys being available at 33, but what the heck do I know? players never go where they're mocked the further down a board you go. One name I like at 33 is Jack Bauer. 18, left handed, throws 100 MPH........and his name is Jack Bauer.

When I went into the military I had to take a test called the DLAB which measures your ability to learn a new language; most adults fail it. the older you get, the harder it becomes. Learning a new language isn’t for everyone when you get to adulthood. Honesty, I don’t blame people for not having the patience too. Honestly given the current climate in this country I probably wouldn’t want to either if I was in their shoes; if I was, I’d make my money and be out. ive traveled many places, and what i have found is the vast majority of the worlds countries are very multi lingual. We are the exception here in America, at least when it comes to the developed world. i personally don’t understand why people think it’s a big deal. Dudes weren’t born here, they’re working here. Maybe if they plan on trying to stay learning the language would make more sense but some of these guys move back home in the offseason and when their careers are over, this is a job for them.

Well when we traded for Downs he entered his 5th season in pro ball and was 22 when he debuted in the system (technically 4 seasons because of the covid year) Tibbs is also just 22 now, but this is his first season in pro ball. He doesn't have the same prospect ranking right now the Downs had at the time, but if he reaches his ceiling he's going to be a first division starter. I don't disagree the hype was more with Downs, but at the time the Sox kind of needed Downs to develop given that they were not going to resign Bogaerts where the Sox outfield now is loaded. I often wonder how things may have played out differently if Downs hit. He certainly would have made Bloom look a lot more competent. Tibbs could also be a candidate for 1B one day if he hits. Bello is just way too far away for me, he's like a lottery ticket. I'd be happy if he develops into a good bullpen arm but he's so young and you just never know with pitchers. If he takes a step forward he could be a guy. If both these guys hit, the trade looks good, but the odds of both seem low to me.

No, Xander Bogaerts

MAYER is going to be good, I'm still most excited about Anthony, who has some of the loudest tools I've ever seen and he's performed at every level at such a young age. If Storys' rebound is real, then when Bregman comes back the ceiling of the lineup goes up and takes pressure of these kids and guys like Campbell. When is Bregman coming back? I keep hearing soon.

Sometimes really really good players take a while to get going as well. Bogaerts first full season in the majors .660 OPS, never mind the slow month Pedroia had, it took a full year of exposure. It wasn't until his 4th year that he was a guy who you can bat towards the top of your lineup. How long will it take these guys to become who they are? Campbell could turn it around next week, next month, or next year, or never. Mayer could look good for a week then get figured out and how long will it take him to adjust? a week or never? This is what you get with youngsters, a big ass bag of uncertainty. I just hope people are ready for this. A lot of growing pains with this team. I've been one of the biggest prospect advocates and homers for a youth movement but as Lou Merloni always says "you need some adults in the room" I can see why they got rid of Devers when you look at it from that angle. Having one of the adults in the room being the highest paid guy who refuses to do anything for the team outside of some kind of negotiation is the worst kind of example to set for the youngsters. However, his absence still leaves the team without that veteran presence. The only guys to fill the void are Bregman, Story, and maybe a guy like Duran now. It's really hard to listen to a guy and look up to him when he sucks, which is why I think it's been a very big deal that Trevor Story has looked better recently. It's not just the production that adds value, but being the type of guy that youngsters can look up to is a big deal.

Wait......the Red Sox had a human element under Bloom???

Roman AnthonyMarcelo MayerLuis PeralesJuan ValeraFranklin AriasPayton TolleBrandon ClarkeJhostynxon GarciaRichard FittsHunter DobbinsMikey RomeroMiguel BleisJustin GonzalesConrad CasonDavid SandlinDorian SotoYoeilin CespedesConnelly EarlyJedixson PaezNelly Taylor I'm sorry, I know you have all eagerly been awaiting my rankings, as they are supreme and more accurate than anyone on earth. BTW, I give everyone an 80 grade in the top 10

So it looks like Devers will play other positions, maybe that's all the Sox needed to do. Was ask nicely.

I'm not trying to defend Breslow but I suppose I am a little bit with this point. But I can understand the position he was in. What if he didn't land Bregman or anyone else? then he has to keep Devers at 3B. It's almost like, you don't EVER put in your two week notice until you have a new job lined up, it's not so much dishonest as that's the way things are. I don't know how common of a conversation it would be to say "Hey, we are actively looking to replace you at 3B because we think your defense sucks there but hey, if we can't find someone you're going to stay there" THat would have been the honest route.......and I don't think that would fly over to well with people as well, including Devers.

Exactly, and one bad situation doesn't release someone from having to do their job. If I messed up a situation with an employee, and try to rectify a situation that doesn't mean I don't come back and put them on a job if I think it's the best fit for the company. Devers might not have liked how the whole Bregman showdown went in the offseason, but asking him to try 1B after Casas went down was a very natural thing to do.