5GoldGlovesOF,75

I'm not defending Romy -- he's not my new binky like he is with the Red Sox -- but who you should expect to want to keep him around just to show how smaht they are, after digging him out of a bin at a flea market when he was cut by the worst team in big league history.

? According to bb-ref, Refsnyder played zero games at first base last year. The "regular" first baseman listed was Dom Smith, with Enmanuel Valdez at second base, Ceddanne Rafaela at shortstop and Tyler O'Neill in leftfield. But don't worry -- Breslow has upgraded by cornering the market on back-up catchers and pitchers with Tommy John Surgery.

How does Pivetta fit in? Since he is still unsigned, most true contenders truly trying to win would probably find a way to work out a multi-year deal to keep another starting pitcher in his prime on the staff. But this is Boston, where he turned down a one-year Qualifying Offer of $21.05 million... which means the lowball Red Sox will now offer him something like $24 mil total for the next three years... just to show they're still interested. Sam will just call it being "incredibly aggressive."

That's two reasons to keep Romy, besides the fact he stole more bases than everyone (even regulars) except speedsters Duran, Hammy and Ceddanne. Cora was a decent second sacker in the bigs, and that's another reason why I see Romy over Grissom-- unless Gris stops throwing like last year, when he looked like he was hailing a cab.

Romy has to make the club, since he's the back-up first baseman (20 g at 1B in '24, more than any non-Casas on this year's 40)... ... that is, unless Cora uses his Gold Glove rightfielder there, like he suggested a few weeks ago. What a powerhouse Breslow has assembled.

Watching the Red Sox sign free agent talent every winter is like sitting in those Fenway Park seats with the poles in your face. I was thinking about buying obstructed view tickets, but I'm not sure it will fit my budget. Instead, I got a bargain on some used sheets that I'll just drape over my TV when it's gametime.

Yes!!!!

Saw him earlier this month in Boston and he didn't look bulked up at all; he looked rather thin. Maybe he's been pounding smoothies ever since. All this fan desperation pinning hopes on health for the current roster kinda assumes most guys who avoid injury will be better players... but health doesn't make anyone more talented. That doesn't mean young players can't or won't improve, but the Red Sox need more talent in the batting order and in the positions around the mound, and they didn't acquire anyone this offseason except a minor league back-up catcher.

Good question. The only one we really care about right now is Crochet, who was a reliever from college until last season, and already had his first TJ.

Spelunkers, I tell ya. Ever try squeezing through a claustrophobic underground tunnel from an old mineshaft? Did it once, barely made it through, ducking low -- my backpack was too wide, had to take it off and carry it. Old miners had to be as short as leprechauns... I think that's where the etymology of calling little kids minors originated.

Yes, but it doesn't have to be so angry. Regarding trading or receiving controllable years of a young pitcher, a smart front office has to factor in one year lost to Tommy John, and at least another half year of rehab before a second half of limited comeback/effectiveness. So for anyone with five years of control, you're really only getting three worth of contributions.

Fewer posters who even bother to react to those in authority who lie for a living to the media. Less is moored to the docks of Boston Harbor.

This doesn't sound like sneaking: "We're aiming for worlds championships. That's the aim, that's the goal, that's why we're here. We're here to win championships. Our fans deserve World Series championships. As many as we can possibly win while we're here. We are not going to waste this opportunity." Sam didn't state, however, which worlds: Earth 1, Bizarro World, Venus, Mars, Uranus, Hisanus, etc.

Fans, as they always do, will take the blame... but still try to fund additional spending. "It's on us," a poster will type, "caps, t-shirts, jerseys -- but not yellow."

Sam's Fan Fest interview a few weeks ago: "We are incredibly pleased where we are... Brez was incredibly aggressive at the winter meetings..." (fact check: incredible means impossible to believe) "Where we sit right now we're very optimistic about this group having the ability to win 90-plus games and win that division and get in the postseason..." He called it a priority at the end of last season, and now he says "this group" has the ability to do it.

Yes, if I'm their GM; I'd always trade a relief arm for a position player projected to be an above-average hitter and MLB regular. Btw, it's a No if I'm Boston's CBO -- because the Red Sox aren't good enough yet to trade a future core player for someone who fills the most volatile year-to-year role in baseball, and who could blow out his arm any pitch now. But Sam says they're going for it this year... and we have to believe he's telling the truth.

IF Sam Kennedy's Colossus was actually trying to win a championship this year, it might be able to pry closer Mason Miller away from Sacramento. Marcelo Mayer for Mason Miller? A's are always mayered in rebuilds, while the Sox are always all in...

Cora, his coaches and Breslow all attend the same whine and cheese party, where they piss and moan to each other but practice pretending everything's ok. Kennedy is Speaker of the Louse. Their incontinence is intercontinental, honoring a gulf that to some now takes the name of three continents.

We say No Foolin, when Sam says Yes Foolin. Red Sox fans' glasses are always half fool.

Breg and Boras are still waiting to see if the Red Sox will offer opt-outs to season-ticket holders for refunds if the front office refuses to upgrade a .500 team to the president's goal of a roster worthy of 90 to 95 wins.

If guys in their 30s like Story, Hendriks and Giolito can stay healthy this year, they're still older than when they were actually good. At least Chapman was a savior the last month (9 saves), and Buehler was good for a week... ... was Justin Wilson ever good? Let's see... (scanning bb-ref's Similar Pitchers through 36) ah, here it is: #3. Craig Breslow.

Hey, Jho... Where you goin with that bat in yo hands I'm goin down to rake my po tential Caught it messin round with another sham

This season will be all about the Big Three, the trio that made MLB's 2024 All-Minor League Prospect Team: Anthony, Campbell and -- that's right -- Jhostynxon Garcia... Yes, The Password: the true reason Breslow and Bailey's dingaling circus won't spend on a bat, not even to replace their team home run leader who defected to a division rival. Garcia will soon homer his way to the big leagues, or ruin his back trying. He's the company answer to who will be the next Manny, the righthanded power bar to Raffy Dever's Big Papi. The swing and hair kinda do resemble Ramirez (or is that just Jho being Manny). Curiously, Soxprospects.com -- a highly-regarded site -- gives JG a "Potential below-average hit tool." Potential used as an adjective means "having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future." Isn't that something good? Professional hitters may develop some bad habits, but don't all amateurs classify as below-average at the pro level until they at least sign their first contracts? We're all possible below-average at anything, but would any baseball scout keep his job if he told his bosses to draft a kid because he had below-average potential?

He's not lying. He wants the Sox to win 90 and the AL East a couple times -- but he doesn't give a timetable. It could be in his lifetime, in the next century, or at least before the planet implodes from weather catastrophes and deadly pandemics because of fossil fools causing climate change and ignoring worldwide health.

At the beginning of the offseason -- when Sam said the Red Sox will exceed the tax -- his quote got cut short. The entire quote was "the Red Sox will exceed the taxi -- get me some Uber -- cuz when it comes to spending big on upgrades, we are outta here!"