5GoldGlovesOF,75

... of course -- just don't tell me we're "all-in, absolutely!" Sam Kennedy.

This might be the summer where the Red Sox finally face a harsh reality in Boston -- when loading up on stopgaps actually widens the gap between them and true contenders... and the only thing it really stops is enthusiasm for the team, crowds in the stands and NESN on the tube.

A hodgepodge of somethingless.

I'm actually not going to press Bloom for making a big deal right now, because how much will it really matter? Duvall might have been hot enough to have an entire great year and lead us to the playoffs, but unless we want to overpay -- with prospect capital -- no one's going to swap someone similar and weaken their own club right now. And seriously, beyond Devers -- who seems to be trying to win the pennant by himself every game now -- which current Red Sox player is actually in his prime? The 2023 line-up and pitching staff is built with two types: past-their-primetimers and not-ready-for-primetimers. There's no bridge that can bear that weight for a whole season, no matter which direction either group is marching.

I wouldn't trade either Mayer or Casas for just about anyone... except maybe a bonafide #1 ace starter like Alcantara. But Brian Reynolds -- the below-average outfielder we saw last week in Fenway drop a flyball using two hands? Duvall may go down in lore as a Red Sox legend, because we only saw him on a hot streak. But would replacing Duvall -- whose injury may ruin his season or career, no matter when they say he'll be back -- really make the difference in building a sustained contender? Don't forget, even though Bloom didn't resign Rich Hill, he still assembled the oldest pitching staff in the AL this season. Old starters will inevitably break down, which will limit innings with rehabbers and lead to the inevitable bullpen burnout. Btw, Boston also boasts the second-oldest batting line-up, right behind the Stankees. The Rays have the youngest in the majors. When Tampa acquire players, they usually target pre-prime timers. Never mind Arozarena, who cost a top-20 draft pick, but think Boston couldn't use Harold Ramirez or Isaac Paredes or Jose Siri right now?

They're not hiding, they're already used to the cold.

Only -- as the rules clearly state -- if they're part of a well-regulated militia. Except grizzlies... whose bear arms shall not be infringed.

That happens a lot in ice fishing, too. But not many guys drinking cold beer outside in the winter seem to care.

Dalbec called up because he represents the system's closest thing to MLB righty power bat. So far this month, Dalbec has 10 Ks in 28 at bats -- in the minors.

Maybe. Meanwhile, Boston's front office and ownership recruited and interviewed him to be manager before the 2017 postseason ended, the Red Sox players loved playing for him so much that they set a franchise record for wins, and won a World Series his first year. Then, after his suspension from the MLB, many of the same Red Sox players implored the front office to rehire him, and he guided them back to the ALCS. If only they had all consulted the single writer of one book first.

How about any other profession, period? And I'm not buying golf, hockey or soccer -- where the athlete generally stops the ball or puck and aims it in the direction he wants. What kind of a batting average would a guy have if they allowed him to toss the ball up and hit it, like a coach smacking fungoes or grounder practice? I'm told that it's hard to hit a golf ball, even though it just sits there, and nobody on the other team is trying to stop it, and everyone has to be totally silent. Meanwhile, I'm just trying to survive in the batter's box, hoping not to get beaned from a pitcher firing 90 mph at my head, while his teammates and fans get to scream at me, "“Hey batterbatterbatter! Swing batter! He-can't-hit, he-can't-hit, he-can't-hit, SUH-WING batter!”

Cool calm chap.

Crab.

Clam! Carp! Char!

Didn't you pay attention? Calm eyes and intangibles mean everything. FOX even tried to assign the Jeter Cam to his house after he retired, but he got a retraining order (they trained it, instead, on Judge).

Have to chaim in here, since I was just having a discussion about why a favorite like Toronto isn't the world-beater many expected... so far. To be a champion, the shortstop position just can't be erratic. A good shortstop doesn't always have to hit, but he needs to be consistent on D.

I have also never seen nor heard anyone making any of these pre-Boston claims about Cora beyond excerpts from this one book. What I have seen and heard plenty of times is how Red Sox ballplayers, anyway, like playing for him.

Geez, why let facts and the humanitarian efforts of a guy ruin a good smear campaign by one writer with an obvious grudge?

They'd say when Taylor beamed down as a member of a Star Trek landing party, he'd always wear a red shirt... translation: expendable.

The offense is doing what it should vs. bad pitching, but will balance out overall. Duvall probably won't finish the season batting .483, but neither will Kike at .115. The big problem is that defense usually doesn't have slumps or hot streaks; it is what it is. The next four straight series vs. first place teams have the potential to expose the players, the manager and especially the CBO who assembled this roster. Those 16 games also offer the Red Sox a chance to show they can hang with the big boys. Tampa has crushed everyone but played no one: three last-place teams (at least 96 losses each last year). The Angels look improved. The Brewers have lights-out pitching. The Twins have pitching and defense... their odd offseason strategy has paid off so far; acquiring Gold Glover Michael Taylor to roam centerfield so they could DH -- and preserve -- the gifted but fragile body of Byron Buxton. Taylor, a legitimate centerfielder, cost Minnesota $4.5 million...

Paxton is making strides. The other day he reportedly took one off the rubber, and Cora said, "We know where he's at" (his back foot landed over the hole at the front of the mound). After regular rest, the plan is for Paxton to ramp back up, when the Sox will have him climb the ramp on one of those artificial indoor mounds. No more baby steps... but manly strides.

At the end of last June we "knew" what a bear the July schedule would be. And that the Sox would need reinforcements in the month before the deadline (they got none). This season's early schedule is also ominous: after Detroit, Boston plays 16 straight vs. FIRST PLACE teams: Tampa, LA, Minny, Milwaukee. The Red Sox defense is LAST in the American League in defensive runs saved at -10. At least we have reinforcements coming in Whitlock and Bello... hope they can pitch to no contact.

He only forgot how many outs there were 17 times. Or was that 75? It was something with a seven in it...

So THAT'S the plan to add more pitching. Keep acquiring shortstops or rightfield types with cannon arms, and just convert them... They're stretching out Dalbec right now. First, he has to play corner OF to build up his stamina long-tossing...

I messed up -- 21 and 27 are today's pitchers' earned run averages. But both clubs play crappily on defense... so when all is dead and flung, the final score may be closer to 41-39... ... which I also notice adds up to about half a season of games. If 41-39 is the Sox' record by the summer trade deadline, does Bloom get another chance at not holding a firesale?