5GoldGlovesOF,75

It was Breslow who encouraged Yamamoto to request second meetings with the New Yorkers, after he assured him that the Red Sox would beat any offer. It was the least Boston could do to help YY make a final decision -- a goodwill display of the utmost respect for our future ace. I just made that whole thing up, but it may be our best hope for getting back into contention in 2024... that is, if this guy really is the goods. Most realists see the free agent consolation prizes as pieces towards stability, but -- barring trades and prospect capital -- are there any real available difference-makers out there? For regulars, no one is even as consistent all-around as Bogaerts (when he hit the market a year ago). Bellinger reduced his K-rate immensely in '23, but isn't he also the position player version of up-and-down Snell on the mound -- too risky to commit to longterm?

They were out when Bloom dealt for O'Neill. (oops, Bloomian slip of the keyboard)

If Yama breaks records, like it looks, Monty will want at least $200M. Whether that's for five, six or seven years is up to some rich owner and desperate GM... The point is, the Red Sox don't have to be that desperate; they're not that close to the World Series.

If Yama signs with the Yankees, the Red Sox should save their money. Snell is too inconsistent and will cost both big bucks and a draft pick; there's got to be a reason the clever Dodgers are out on him. Montgomery can help any contender, but will he be worth $40M AAV to the AL East doormat? The rebuilding Red Sox should instead pivot to Imanaga, Stroman, and trade for a starting pitcher they can control into the years when they're actually good again.

Yamamoto money...

No one had to ask, because we all knew the Sox could. Usually I'm wrong about predictions, but I was never so sure five years ago when I said the Red Sox would soon spend more than they offered Mookie on a less-talented player. That may have been Raffy -- who we all love and who won another Silver Slugger, but overpressed with runners on base and was just brutal on D. At least he was a legit MLB star. But a less-proven player? Offering the richest pitcher contract in baseball history -- which some club will soon do -- to a guy who has never thrown a big league pitch? Would even Chaim make that bet?

Cohen just called and said, not only would he beat that, he'd bet you a million yen (which he already spent once this weekend, on a good steak and rare bottle of wine).

Even fans who still do the wave and sing "so good" know that unless significant changes are made, the Sox will just be in Full Prattle.

I heard the Red Sox even brought back Hirokazu Sawamura for the Yo Yama meeting, to personally present him with the award named after... his name.

"Whew, glad we dodged that trauma," said the Red Sox team doctor... after learning that Mets' new pitcher Yo Yama blew out his elbow from overuse trying to pronate the bigger MLB baseballs.

You just explained why Ohtani chose LA over Toronto.

You guys are all wrong. Hasn't anyone been listening to pro athletes this century? "It's not about the money. R-E-S-P-E-C-T (just a little bit)"

I hope the Sox didn't leak that info for us, so they could emoji shrugged shoulders when he goes to NY

Didn't Dombro also bring in his own thought partner in LaRussa? At the time, it seemed like Tony would be an advisor to Cora, learning the manager business. Still waiting for Breslow... to find his thought partner. Unless The Committee forbids it.

It's not what the Royals are spending, it's who they're spending it on -- players that Sox fans now consider normal acquisition targets for their own mid-market team.

We know good minor leaguers get promoted to different levels each season, so W-L records of A, AA, and AAA clubs can't truly reflect overall talent on revolving rosters. But the way the Sox horde and regard their actual prospects, they make it seem like teams in Worcester, Portland and Greenville should be much better than their 7th, 5th and 9th places from 2023... Some positive team stats when looking at offenses for the International, Eastern and Sally Leagues: Greenville and Portland led in doubles; Portland, Greenville and Worcester were 1-2-3 in triples; Portland and Worcester were second in stolen bases, Greenville fourth. SPEED and Pizza Boxes never go into slumps...

Lackey was only ok for the Red Sox in the same way Price was -- each had one good October that helped win rings. Both were also sent packing before the ends of their overpaid contracts in Bean Counter Town... Overall, Lackey was a disappointment in Boston, because he was terrible in 2011 and missed the entire 2012 season due to injury, triggering an agreed-upon clause for him to play an additional season at league minimum (a drama which the Sox avoided by trading him to the Cardinals, who restructured the wording so he could earn five times that amount in '15). Lackey and Price were never fan favorites in New England, partly because they were sour to the media -- even Eck! -- a bad look for mercenaries who only sign with the club that offers the most money. They were reportedly liked by teammates, though, and contributed to banners... which are worth it to some at any cost. All told, the Sox inked the Lackey-Price tandem for over $300 Million... back in the day when the front office was not at Full Waddle.

Just with the Yanks: Sox basically "let" Ellsbury go, with JBJ waiting to take over at minimum wage. ARod wasn't a free agent, but when his Sox trade was voided by the league, NY pounced. Also, in the not-a-big-leaguer division, Sox-Yanks were the two finalists for Moncada, the superduper overhyped amateur who actually helped Boston win its last ring, after being traded for Sale.

Charlie Brown was a pitcher, too. And he dogged up to sign Snoopy to a lifetime contract to stay with the Peanuts gang, when Disney targeted him as a Pluto upgrade. Maybe the Beagle didn't play shortstop his entire career... but he could still retrieve longballs in the gap, after moving to centerfield (like a bird who also made the bigs in his teens, Robin Yount).

You mean, so far? Uh... won't outbid other clubs for really good pitchers... won't trade top prospects for anyone? Just typing those phrases made the hair I don't have on my neck stand up.

He got the going rate. More importantly, the trade was contingent upon the extension. Red Sox front office forevers take note...

... 2. in the big leagues, 3. for 12 years, 4. five seasons for the Red Sox, 5. won a World Series ring, 6. as a pitcher (see how much of an optimist I am... that there will be a difference in Boston between CBOs... so far)

Someone asked if there really was any difference between Breslow and Bloom. Here's one: both have Yale degrees, but their majors veer in the majors. Chaim's study of the Classics -- according to Yale's program description -- gave him "enormous potential for the pursuit of interdisciplinary interests." Thus, the Red Sox' nickname during his charge as Interest Kings. Craig's study of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry allowed him to "understand life processes in terms of organic and physical chemistry." Study.com notes an example of the latter: "The batteries in our vehicle use the principle of electrochemistry." In Fenway Park, the batteries on our diamond combine principles of intradisciplinary clubhouse chemistry, dugout chemistry and bullpen chemistry... ... so, at least there's hope for a new and improved pitching culture (not quite a new pitch, but maybe some new pitchers can teach old dogs how to throw a sweeper -- or maybe they already throw it, but call it something else).

If the FO starts to feel the heat, and sense Yo Yama is No Yama, they may overpay for someone else and announce a signing before he decides. If Bloom was still in charge, though, they'd be telling the press the Sox had considerable interest in Lugo and Wacha -- even at higher AAVs -- but just got outbid on the years... But as of today, aren't the Red Sox still splashing around with the KC Royals in the kiddie pool?

Have to think there will be some serious Red Sox news coming soon, if only because Winter Weekend is a month away... Brez and the rez can't possibly go there without having made significant additions to the big league roster, lest they get booed right off the stage. And don't be surprised if Chaim is in the audience, disguised in a gorilla mask, asking Craig or Sam (Henry will be a no-show) to explain why they think '24 will be awesome.