5GoldGlovesOF,75

There are many things that go on -- in the clubhouse, on airplanes, buses, in hotels on the road -- that the public never hears about. Many have to do with lifestyle choices, and that includes food, drink or other stuff that may be part of a training regimen or just something to get a guy through another night. But public perception is crucial, and when a ballclub chokes like the '11 Red Sox, and players "disrespect" their manager, then fingers will be pointed -- horizontally and vertically. Tito's father-son relationship with Lester may or may not have been scarred, but no one really complained when changes were made; except when damage-control made sure to kick Tito on his way out the door. Bet that's something that doesn't happen in every city, according to the likes of AJ -- voted the most hated MLB player by his peers (for, like Canseco, telling it like it is?). What most fans expect out of their players is that they just bust their asses when on the field (like we think we would, if we could). Constant hustle is why we loved Mookie or why Verdugo and Munoz would be cheered the loudest if we were there. It's why it's so vital to have young guys in the lineup trying to make a name -- and a buck; being accountable to spectators is also what's missing the most for the veterans. Do you think Devers may be a bit more focused and selective if fans were in the stands booing every time he hacked and missed at a pitch in his eyes? The scores don't matter, no one's in the park, so the guy's just playing home run derby in nightly "BP" sessions...

I was ok with letting Lester go because his body language to me looked like he could use a change of scenery (but it may have just been his frustration of getting lowballed for admitting he'd take a discount), and he partook in chicken and beer... however, I was not ok with giving more money to Price to make up for it. I didn't like Price mouthing off about Papi's HR trots after serving up gopher balls or that his ERA always soared in the postseason. Red Sox history will always show that Price did indeed pitch three great games in one October title, but also that Jon Lester won twice as many postseason games and twice as many rings. And then he won again in Chicago.

I'm close -- maybe not liking -- but definitely rooting just as much (Seinfeld laundry theory). But as much as I cheered for Armas, Hendu, Burks, Everett, Damon, Crisp, Ellsbury and JBJ, none were as good as Freddie Lynn...

We're living it this summer, but it's not Rafie's fault, nor would it be Mookie's, whether he was making $27 million -- which the Red Sox agreed to pay him -- or horrors, $30.4 million (his average annual salary when the LA extension kicks in). Just looking at this century, the only superstar fan favorite Boston really let walk was Pedro ((for Manny and Nomar, most would agree, it was time to go). Martinez, many suspected, was on or soon-to-be-on the downside of other-wordly; at the time I wished the Sox gave him one more year like the Mets did, but history shows that was an overpay. Fans love stars, but everyone prefers a winning team. I've seen blogs arguing that position-by-position, the '75 Sox had better players than the '18 Sox, but to me there's no doubt that the latter is the best club in franchise history... as defined by total wins in the regular, and strength of comp in the postseason ('04 will always be the greatest, but that adjective has different criteria). I loathe last place, am realistic about ever winning a ring, and all I can ask for is an annual contender -- and how entitled is that. But before this century, the Red Sox were always pretty good: since 1967, 25 winning teams in 30 years, only one in last place. Since '04, there have been four titles and four doormats (including this one) for the bottomsy-turvy Schizophrenic Sox. Wish they would make up our minds! I know economic landscapes change, but I don't think this ownership will ever stop spending big, nor stop giving out $30 million dollar annual salaries -- like they already gave Price, Sale, and reportedly offered Betts. And unless the pandemic or collusion drastically changes the market, I totally expect another longterm contract -- for someone not as good as Mookie -- in Boston's near future. When I cite the cost of mediocrity, I don't mean total suckitude like '20... just a team missing the playoffs like '19 and becoming even more irrelevant in a region where sports talk radio doesn't even discuss them when they're winning 119 games.

Maybe, maybe not. But just look at how many wins Tampa and LA have had... in this century's most-days-in-first-place, non-crapshoot seasons.

Say Bloom achieves his goal of "sustained" title contention by hitting on low budget pick-ups like Arauz, Munoz and Arroyo, who all develop into above-average regulars (and by spitting on the proverb "you get what you pay for"). Will he then trade them for prospects whenever one nears big money status? Are Red Sox fans ok with recycled rosters every couple years, as long as the transitions don't disrupt the standings too much? If so, enjoy Devers while you can, before he turns 27...

I'm not discounting this possibility, but if this is true, it does not bode well for Red Sox fans because it means that ownership is suddenly abstaining from the market for superstars. Mookie never established the market for length and risk -- nor did the Dodgers -- MLB owners did that on their own, bidding against themselves for the likes of ARod, Miggie, Stanton, Harper, Machado, Trout, Cole etc. ad infinitum. There's been talk on the forum lately that the Sox won't or shouldn't spend big again on free agents until Boston is back in contention and targets one or two pieces that can boost the club to the next level. What then? If the going rates for stars in their prime are 10-year contracts, will the Sox balk instead and allow rivals to nab all the best talent? This is where the adage comes in the form of a question... we know all big market franchises can afford to stay competitive if they so chose, but can Boston afford the price of mediocrity?

I haven't seen you pitch, but Houck was pretty good... he could get a win in his debut (if the bull-cough- bullpen comes through). Perfect hit by JBJ; too bad Vaz is such a load, because anyone running on contact with two outs should be able to score on a ball down the line that reaches the wall.

Houck is incredible. Fish tried to rally, but Houck smash.

The offseason market will be fascinating, driven by the continued possibility of no fans and therefore little accountability to fans because of the virus. Bloom and other GMs looking to rebuild may have the opportunity to take their time and not cave to PR pressures (like pulling the trigger on a blockbuster; X and Vaz to Cleveland for Lindor and Plesac = moderate overpay). Grabbing a couple of veterans like those you cited could turn out to be the best approach. And because few teams may have any money to spend -- after lost 2020 revenues -- Bloom could very well be the guy to set the market, striking early and often. Otherwise, there may be a lot of disappointed free agents...

It's doubtful he gets 4, but he needs 4, because it's 50-50 the Red Sox will get much in contributions from Sale, Rodriguez, even Eovaldi. Regarding ERod, nobody -- not even medical experts -- really know when, how or if longterm Covid patients will heal... It's also too bad about Song, because he was the prospect closest to the majors a year ago, but who knows how the military obligations will delay or destroy his future chances. We all know adding one free agent starting pitcher won't do much for 2021 -- but the front office knows it may be able to get away with it if there are no ticket sales or fans again. I still expect another pitcher will come via trade in a deal that hurts; that means giving up a player or players of value.

"Established" to me is somebody already taking a regular turn in a starting rotation, but not as an opener (so that would rule out Boston's current dirty dozen... how could the bar be lower). Neither Pivetta or Seabold are there yet. Matthew Boyd is, but he's been brutal for the past year. He had a good first half of 2019 and was a strikeout machine, but has fallen off a rocky ledge (banned c-word) since -- leading the AL in losses, hits and home runs allowed. I would still take a chance on Boyd, but not for Beni. He was a 4.5 WAR guy, a 20-20 HR-SB man, 90 RBIs... and is still young enough to do it again. I'd swap Chavis for Boyd; I don't know if the Tigers would, but I think they already missed optimizing his value when they demanded the moon at the '19 deadline.

In addition to... we can't count on either of those guys yet. The Sox need several established MLB starting pitchers asap. Pivetta and Seabold are hopefuls, as in we hope one of them can step into the rotation in the next year or two. But I'm not against the Moreland trade, and would much rather see Bloom swing another couple where we get more potential young starters rather than potential young relievers.

Well, if we give Bloom a pass for all the "pitchers" he added this year -- just this once -- then we should consider his history in Tampa, constantly trading for and trading away relievers. There's no big free agent signings of the recent Chapman or Kimbrel contracts.

I have to agree with Jax that it would be dire to spend on relievers. I'd rather see three or four new established starting pitchers added, preferably guys in their 20s. They can even all be back-of-the-rotation types, as long as they're durable and can eat innings (hopefully quality starts by pitching into the 6th freaking frame). Such a plan will instantly improve the entire existing bullpen by providing reasonable rest and more defined roles. Bloom will have the opportunity to make it happen with a few mid-budget signings and change-of-scenery trades. Unless, of course, his plan is to keep stockpiling relief arms for revolving opener fun.

Red Sox Nation can hardly wait for the next new crop of openers and bulk guys that Bloom finds.

I lived it, even talked to Lee about it a couple times in Boston back then. When I said winning, I meant when he was allowed to help the Sox win the pennant -- which he was no longer permitted to do after publicly mocking Zim. The old guys in the press were also tired of his act (except Gammons, who was in his prime and not yet old).

This may be a bigger factor than fans here consider -- and I'm not referring to talent or diminishing abilities that come with age. In dumping Price, Boston management didn't just shed payroll, but also got rid of a public relations headache. Bauer's extroverted personality also might come with antics that would be unacceptable on a rebuilding team trying to win back its fan base. Remember, Bill "Spaceman" Lee was only tolerated in the much-more liberal Beantown of the 1970s as long as he and the team were winning...

I don't see it that way, but I'm not blaming 98% on Bloom, either. If Dombro was still around, and ownership chose to pay the tax and stay competitive this year, there's no reason the Sox couldn't have acquired Ryu, Roark, Anderson, Walker, Ray and Stripling -- the six new starting pitchers Toronto added this season. Instead, Boston the Franchise abstained... but it was Chaim Bloom -- not Dombrowski -- who picked up guys like Godley, Mazza, Brice, Osich, Springs, Valdez, Stock, Kickham, Triggs, Covey, Leyer and the mortal Matt Hall. It's hard to imagine Dombro combing the bargain bins in the first place... which is probably why he was fired and Bloom hired. Maybe 2020 will be best remembered for Bloom getting Martin Perez, the ace who leads the club with three wins. Perez is certainly better than Andrew Cashner, Dombro's last starting pitcher added to the Sox a year ago. But most of Dave's starting mound recruits in Boston were worthy of the price at the time: Eovaldi, Pomeranz, Sale, Price (as most fans would agree). He was never in the position where he "wasn't allowed" to improve the Sox, as many feel Bloom has been in since his arrival. But now that the reset is reset, the pleasure -- and pressure -- will be all Bloom's...

It has gotten so ridiculously horrid -- half the games this month alone allowing 8 or more runs -- that I have to wonder how much longer true Red Sox diehards will tolerate this new (cruel and unusual) franchise philosophy of "taking the pain"... As much as ownership appears to be behind Bloom and his strategies, I would be shocked if some major splashes are not made in the offseason. And I don't consider the expectations of the Nation as elitist or spoiled, either; not when the Red Sox charge elite prices for tickets, parking, concessions and swag.

I agree, if by unsung you mean "dirtdogs" -- the solid players who seem to get more out of their abilities than expected (according to pro and amateur pundits), and who always at least look like they care as much as the fans do. When you're making millions of dollars to play a game at a level that millions of fans can only wish they could, then you'd better hustle. Of all the team sports, baseball is unique: the sum deeds of isolated individuals. Mookie didn't pitch, but he was the best player on the best team in the AL East for three straight years (based on WAR)... and all five full seasons of his career in Boston. It doesn't take Bloom to tell us -- like he did after the trade -- that the Red Sox wouldn't have been as good without him.

Seriously, I'd be happy with a good field, weak bat type -- someone a rebuilding pitching staff can count on to consistently nail down sure outs, especially DPs. For all the utility types listed, it's surprising there's not one elite glove in the group. Where's that Korean second baseman that someone here showed videos of last winter?

They better not be, not for a second baseman, unless he's Altuve. There are no second sacker available worth swapping a top prospect for -- and even if, such a deal should only be consummated to help boost a contender, like the Ian Kinsler trade. Boston should just sign a place-holder, someone like Yolmer Sanchez, a Gold Glover with speed.

Not quite this team. Here's a fun hy-pathetical game: if Dombro was ordered to trade Betts to get rid of Price, who would he have accepted from LA in return? I'd say -- in the very best interests of attempting to field a major league club in 2020 -- Dave would've started with Kenta Maeda (who the Dodgers were obviously ok with moving) instead of Downs and/or Wong. But that would also mean he'd take Joc Pederson or AJ Pollock instead of insisting on Verdugo.

Let's just hope Devers is pretty good but not too great, or we might not be able to sign him.