5GoldGlovesOF,75

Admittedly, you have pointed out the one offseason in the history of the franchise that the Red Sox signed a bunch of decent players with one or tool quality assets each that collaborated to produce a world title. That glass was more than half full if we acknowledge that all of those guys named were past All-Stars or received MVP votes before '13... except Koji, whose peripherals show he was still very good (sub 1 WHIP). This Sox 2021 team has only added complementary pieces: Renfroe, Andriese and Hernandez -- three more part-timers to a last-place club who recently told fans to forget about seeing much of our rehabbing staff ace this summer... since there will be no logical reason to expedite his comeback.

... between now and the last significant addition to the MLB roster (though I like Verdugo, we all know that was a subtraction)? Was it Eovaldi, summer of '18... though he and Steve Pearce were intended as supplementary pieces at the time of their acquisitions? How about: JD Martinez, nearly three years ago?

And to think we were only an ox away...

Third-most similar batter is Wladimir Balentien!

Nicky is a power-speed package; projected for 2 triples and 2 stolen bases in '21! https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delmoni01.shtml

Nicky Delmonico, come on up!

This is why most players are only getting one-year deals; owners know there might not be a next season (not to mention a variant, mutated 2021). It also further explains why the Sox FO "may not be all-in".

We should all be leery of the Red Sox rotation as is, but I don't see how anyone can favor the Yankees to finally win a pennant based on their pitching "upgrades", either. An MLB article today says NY improved their rotation, but all I see is a "favorite" who replaced their #s 2, 3 and 4 starters with injured guys and hopefuls. Nothing guaranteed, there, either. Requesting board assistance: I've lost all features and editing privileges, and even submitting replies is a three-button excursion. Can anyone tech savvy help?

He's another that took time to develop, and with different teams than the one who first traded for him. It reinforces the difficulty of the sport, and why very few are instant stars the moment they debut... and why trading prospects for "sure things" provides more immediate hope (and fun) for rabid fanbases and impatient franchises. I doubt there are many Cardinals fans bemoaning the addition of Arenado or the loss of the minor leaguers it took to get him.

I was also thinking Andrew Miller, but he was a #6 overall pick who kept getting traded (four teams) before getting Cy Young votes and making All-Star teams... as a set-up man?

MLB.com with today's article on every team's "regret" trades One MLB player each team would like back WWW.MLB.COM Every team has regrets. The Red Sox probably wish they didn’t want Larry Andersen so bad they were willing to trade Jeff Bagwell for him; the Cubs will hear the name “Ernie Broglio” in their ears forever; and hey, didn’t Babe Ruth used to play for the Red Sox? There’s ... ... gets the wheels turning. A lot of talent is exchanged in deals, but seldom does one team really fleece another by nabbing a future Hall of Famer -- especially if he's still only a prospect. Tatis Jr. was a steal, but other than that... Arozarena had a great month, but will he sustain success? Gleybar Torres tailed off a bit, but even if he rebounds, do any Cubs' fans regret their title? In the past 30+ years, Smoltz and Bagwell are two traded prospects who made it to Cooperstown. Are there more? Or do teams, fan addicts, and trade simulator sites vastly overrate players who haven't even made it to the majors?

Not basing this on any facts, just wondering if a guy who signed here a year ago and got traded after playing half a season (30 games in '20) would maybe not want to risk repeating that experience. I know money talks, but if there's an equal offer, how many veteran employees of any industry would prefer to keep transferring job locations?

I distinctly remember when Pedroia struggled to start his first year, Remy saying the Red Sox should replace him with back-up Alex Cora. Instead, Cora mentored and Dustin became Rookie of the Year. Pedroia -- a second-round draft pick (65th overall) -- may be as good as any reason for Bloom not to sign Trevor Bauer and lose next summer's 39th pick.

I've got a wood stove ablazing in my basement, but it freezes over whenever I approach it for Red Sox news.

Maybe he doesn't want to live in New York.

February is here, so it's hard to believe that that many free agents are home sitting on offers, waiting for bidding to increase. Then again, with so many major leaguers still available, the Red Sox could easily add another starter, reliever, second sacker and/or centerfielder. The costs would appear minimal vs. the depth still needed for max improvement... because, although the roster is better, we all know -- barring many, many what-ifs -- it's probably not good enough yet for us to watch a winner, much less a contender.

I wouldn't take Price back for any two talksox posters, not even for siblings or relatives still learning to type (wait, they'd probably have more value on the trade simulator as prospective writers). Maybe I'd discuss taking Price back if LA threw in Betts and paid half of Mookie's remaining contract.

Schwarber, Joc Pederson, Rosario... all signed one-year contracts for around $7-10M each. The only full-time outfielder the Red Sox inked is Renfroe for $3M (they also had interest in shedding Benintendi's $6M). Before this putting-it-offseason, who would've thought JBJ would get more total money and more years than any of them?

But I bet there is interest...

We know Cora doesn't want to, but may have to if this is roster Bloom gives him. Hopefully, someone steps up, breaks out or arrives from Wooster before too long...

Yup, Sox fans who truly feel this is a playoff contender better hope the MLB expands the tournament again this year (which probably will happen).

I just don't see that big a difference between Renfroe and Benintendi to trade one to open a spot for the other. If we're overlooking 2020's SSS and HR's .156 in 122 at bats, then there's even less regard for AB's .103 in 39 at bats. I also think if both improve and reach full potential that Beni contributes more ways to help a club. Rather than give up on Beni and replace him with a more expensive Rosario, the Sox may just think it more cost effective to sign a cheap CFer and back-up LHH first baseman and platoon away at left, center, second and first.

Red Sox have interest in both Mitch Moreland and Travis Shaw. Former earned a ring (and crushed one of the most underrated home runs in Sox history); latter "plays" multiple positions. Which guy interests you more? Which one is more interesting to Bloom?

Since many closers have up-and-down limited shelf lives, very few are ever worth longterm contracts. Starting pitchers, preferably under-30, who have proven their durability after at least a few stable seasons of workload IP, may be better investments.

Maybe he just likes the plan of promoting Duran and Downs at the MLB minimum more.