5GoldGlovesOF,75

And yet, my wife always takes offense whenever she hears someone reference a female as a chick.

I also thought about that... unless -- it turns out there was a prearranged "firing"/"place-holder"/"rehiring"/"everybody-gets-their-old-jobs-back" pact behind the scenes. Doubtful, but not impossible...

Plus, the cardinals around my house are red... but those are just the competitive males (some even try to outpeck their own reflections in the window). Of course, you risk the wrath of the orangey-grey girl birds if you say the boys are more striking.

I could be wrong, but my impression of Bloom is a guy always looking forward: no sentimental re-signings for nostalgia's sake, no Steve Pearce World Series bonus contracts, no bringing back Brock Holt, no more Moreland, no Cora or Tek at the helm, seeya later Bradley Junior. I'll bet Bloom sold his childhood baseball cards and comic book collections when he was a teenager so he could upgrade with the new iphone, and the only MLB pics he doesn't delete are of pre-arb players... He may not be ruthless, but he's definitely mookless.

It may be considered idiotic for the Braves to deal young starting pitchers for a guy who may become such a liability at third that he needs a position change. Then again, a team as loaded with talent as Atlanta just had to hire Pablo Sandoval for the hot corner while contending for a ring... Boston should never give up a young, middle-of-the-order slugger for just prospects, though; the return would have to be proven MLB quality with superstar potential... equivalent to this: Most Extra Base Hits in a Season, Age 22, 1871-2020 1. 96 Joe DiMaggio 1937 2. 90 Rafael Devers 2019

I don't know if Barnes' stock will ever be higher, unless he signs a multi-year team-friendly deal somewhere; he still throws in the high-90s and can spin a curve in the strike zone. Does anyone believe he'll develop into a more reliable option in back-to-back days or in the final inning of a game? He's already 30...

Most amazing stat of 2020: Houck only pitched three games and still tied for the top WAR on the entire staff with Eovaldi and Perez; only three position players had higher value for the sprint season -- Bradley, Verdugo and Bogaerts. When it comes to position players, I think just about anyone is fair game in trade talks this winter -- except X and Devers, who they'll try to fix (especially on D), depending on new management/coaching staff. He's still young, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox give it one more year before deciding position changes are in order -- Rafie at first, Rafie at DH, Rafie at Atlanta for pitching prospects -- which could include radical moves like sliding Bogie over and signing a star free agent shortstop... or freeing the Rockies of Arenado's contract (as long as they threw in a good arm). Nolan had a JD 2020... I'd hate to see Verdugo go, but you can be sure Bloom will listen to any offer that includes a controllable stud pitcher. That's why Vazquez may be dealt, as well. I also wouldn't be surprised if Beni, Dalbec and/or Chavis are flipped for mere perceived upgrades. Same with Barnes and Braiser. JBJ, thanks for the memories.

Both of these statements have been corroborated -- directly and indirectly -- by many quotes from former and current Astros employees. Fans or others not involved that still blame Cora are simply uniformed or choose to ignore the evidence. For all we know, the Red Sox organization had an understanding with Manfred that was in the best interests of the MLB and Boston franchise PR to discipline Cora for 2020... and intended from the beginning to rehire him. However, Bloom never voiced the love for Cora that ownership did, and the only recent clue about AC came from GM O'Halloran a week ago; when asked if the Sox may bring back Cora, he said, "That's not even on our radar."

I don't think the Red Sox bring Cora back... not in 2021. As much as ownership loves Cora, Bloom does not (why should he), and the franchise is committed to the current Chief Baseball Officer. Bloom will get to bring in his own guy, someone trusted to help oversee a rebuild. Cora is not that guy -- he is a world champion manager, who knows how to prod a first place team to greater heights. The controversy and pressure to bring back Cora may happen in a few years, when/if the Sox are finally back as legit contenders...and just missing that leader who can give them the extra push to the top.

The Red Sox need a closer who won't get cottonmouth when he tries to spit. On a tanking note, that was pretty sly of Ron running Springs back out there in the 11th last night... was that a record, blowing two saves in the same extra innings?

In the recent CC interview, Mookie explains how the Red Sox had an understanding with him that after he turned down their offer they'd try to trade him. It doesn't sound acrimonious at all, and basically confirms a mutual parting (for those who suspect Mookie was planning not to re-sign in Boston, no matter what).

Duvall actually made an out. Apparently doesn't love the smell of napalm in the evening...

Ozuna just missed the Moonya; hit an asteroid and bounced back into the Atlantasphere...

Acuna already hit one to the Moonya. It's so ironic; Tom Caron was just telling us how Mazza has dominated Atlanta... in 4 2/3 innings! Geez, Tom, that's only four outs away from being one quality start...

Not bad. As long as we don't become the Sons of Doesn't Mata Horn. I invented Verdirtdog today, after watching him slide safely under the swipe tag of the pitcher he beat on his grounder to first this week.

I'm giving Beni a pass, as he was clearly not himself - because he had to shut down due to injury, it's reasonable to suspect that was a major factor in his slump; young pros don't suddenly forget how to do their jobs.

Wish him the best, but don't expect him being a positive factor in 2021. Plan the winter with finding viable replacements, and consider any contribution from ERod as a bonus.

No walks -- throw strikes!

Fa-la-at... as in, face up, and run over by the machine that rolls the infield before every game. Or Kevin Bacon's face, after Delta House ruined the parade at the end of Animal House. When history reflects on this Red Sox season, who's looking better: Beni and JD... or Colin McHugh, who opted out?

Looking at that rotation -- and what the Sox thought would be acceptable -- is why they can't just add another mediocre starter or two this winter: Houck kind of has Masterson (when he came up) stuff and promise, Pivetta has unrefined potential like Kelly did, Perez literally replaced Porcello, and Eovaldi can look as much like an injured All-Star as Buch... So who will be next year's Wade Miley? Will adding a Miley type really round out this rotation -- and will fans be satisfied with that?

They have to make sure this summer doesn't happen again. All these what-ifs are why I think Boston spends big and/or trades for at least two starting pitchers that are more sure things. Otherwise, there's no reason for any astute fans to believe ownership or the front office that the Red Sox plan on contending in '21.

I'm not so sure ownership would agree with you... not IF they're worried about selling tickets for '21 (depending, of course, on what happens this winter in regards to an approved and available vaccine, and whether scientists have convinced the populace it's safe). However, if circumstances give the franchise another free pass on its standing -- and thus, the opportunity to rebuild sensibly and progressively (doormat to also-ran to contender to go-for-it) -- there will be less pressure on Bloom to make an immediate PR splash.

Right -- would ownership want another loose cannon and possible PR nightmare so soon after just getting rid of Price? Then again, if Bauer came in and mouthed off about Cole and the Yanks -- and put his pitches where his mouth was -- that'd be a great way to re-spark the rivalry. Sox fans would love him as long as he beat NY, but the Boston columnists would be ready to pounce the second he dissed the wrong peeps. As for the others mentioned, who would be more of a gamble: a guy whose stock this summer plummeted because of performance, like Robbie Ray, or someone whose wing rested this whole season -- but didn't compete -- like Stroman, who opted out, or Odorizzi, who had a non-throwing arm injury.

Putting this here, because it's the 2021 thread, but this could kick off a '21 pitching thread: Assuming next season is played in its entirety, and the Red Sox plan to begin most games with actual starters and not openers, I can't see Bloom not acquiring at least two established arms before Spring Training. With around 150 starts needed from starters (I'm conceding a dozen bullpen games and spot starts), and zero guaranteed from Sale and ERod, can Boston expect 30 from Perez? If so, what's the over/under for the oft-injured and/or developing trio of Eovaldi, Pivetta and Houck... 60? That still leaves at least another 60 -- or 30 each from a new pair of veterans. Barring trading a core chip like Vazquez, it seems likely Bloom signs Bauer and another guy, like either Stroman or Ordorizzi (whoever looks healthier and ready to resume a workload). Or the Sox may welcome an older, one-time stud as both a reclamation project and mentor, like Kluber or Lester. I'd prefer they add three of the five... and Liam Hendriks as a closer. These are the kind of moves needed to restore relevancy to Red Sox Nation and the AL East.

My Dombro post: I'm still satisfied the Red Sox finished first three straight years, improving each year until they had their best season ever -- which never would have culminated with ultimate success without the Pearce and Eovaldi trades. Argue all you want about subsequent signings after the 2018 World Series, but the facts are Pearce was the WS MVP, while Eovaldi -- statistically, for those who forget -- was Boston's best pitcher through the entire '18 postseason (in the past half century, of all hurlers appearing in 6 games and a minimum of 22 innings in a postseason, only two had a lower ERA, Opponent BA and WHIP – Schilling and Johnson in ’01). As for those who suspect Dombrowski's spendings on others led to the eventual trade of Mookie, I'm not so sure. I always wondered about DD's quote -- "You can't sign'em all" -- and hoped (against all hope, as it turned out), that he wasn't referring to Betts. I sense Dave knew Mookie wouldn't be signing back in Boston, and that's maybe what drove the contracts for others instead. As has been well chronicled, Dombro knows and appreciates talent; remember, Max Scherzer turned down a massive offer in 2014, and yes, Miguel Cabrera got a massive extension. But Miggie is also a first-ballot Hall of Famer... So is/wiil be Mookie. And it's hard to believe someone in the business as long as Dave Dombrowski didn't see and/or plan for this. After all, Betts was the best player on the best team that DD ever GMed...