5GoldGlovesOF,75

Dombrowski had -- and used -- a lot of resources. Not all moves worked out, but he was decisive and determined. His first target and prize was the best closer on the block -- Kimbrel. But he didn't stop there with the bullpen; people forget just how good Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg were when Dombro traded for them -- each was a 2.4 bWAR (Kimbrel was 1.3), which is great for a relief pitcher. That the Sox got very little contributions from those two and still had a franchise-best season, when even Kimbrel broke down at the end, is a testament to management (including Cora's use of "rovers" in the postseason). Contrast the above with the recent Brian Cashman posts (on the Yankee thread?). Cashman basically did what Dombro tried, stockpiling the best relievers available over and over; remember, NY had "the greatest bullpen of all time" the past few years... but with no rings.

Or the first day, if you're Big Panda...

I was in the camp all last winter that Mookie would never re-sign in Boston once traded. I knew he was gone once he hit LA, with its warmer climes and laid-back coverage... I just didn't think he'd sign almost immediately.

Yes and no. Bloom seems like the kinda guy needed for the future, Dombro was the perfect guy for the past... and every new day is a present (and Gyrobat just wants his leg to heal so he can keep swinging).

Go Red Sox -- go home! We're waving you in...

No, I was referring to next year.

1. yes, 2. yes, 2c and 2d. yes (if Toronto can get six new starters in one year, then Bloom can), 3 and 4. yup, 5-7 -- yes, but all should be defensively sound. As for possible call-ups, I'll be disgusted if they don't bring up a guy like Duran -- their best outfield prospect -- because he's "not ready", while balls keep bouncing off Peraza. Just tell us "we don't want to start his arbitration clock too early".

But -- if you paid me to play baseball... then it'd just be my job.

Well, I'm not sure the Red Sox new budget can afford all of these needs at once: four MLB starting pitchers, another four MLB relievers, another four contact hitters who can run first to third without getting thrown out every game, and a few more power hitters to drive them in. A phrase often associated with good teams is "pitching and defense" not "pitching and all-or-nothing swingers". You mentioned solid defensive guys like Taylor and Schoop, which I agree with... Murphy, a below-average fielder, not so much.

I have a bum knee, but I volunteer to play left field. At least I can catch a fly (except when it's buzzing around our kitchen).

Peraza isn't the answer in left... but he is a question: "Why, Bloom?"

Now you know how many holes it takes to leak the Matthew Hall...

This team needs a platoon first sacker who can flash the leather -- someone between Mientkiewicz and Pearce (who made the greatest stretch in Sox history... or was it a scoop).

I'd call that Trigonometry... but I skipped that class.

You just described the best Red Sox team in franchise history, the 2018 world champs.

You mean Gyrobat

Struckout the side! Two backwards Ks -- the Jays just couldn't pull the Triggs...

No doubt. They will have resources to at least build a respectable MLB rotation. Boston could certainly do what Toronto did this season, and get six new starters similar to Ryu, Roark, Anderson, Walker, Stripling and Ray. Another aspect I keep harping on is defense. Since there doesn't appear to be many lights-out arms available -- unless they get one in a major trade -- the D will be key. A tight defense is essential behind a so-so staff, because a team can't always count on its offense to outbash foes. But good gloves can optimize mediocre pitching and keep games close... Of the core, Verdugo is solid. Vazquez, Bogaerts and Devers provide average D, mixing spectacular plays with some below-average moments. To compensate, the Sox should really look to shore up the leather at first and second, and get a JBJ type to replace JBJ in center. Sanchez, Schoop, Hernandez, Marisnick, Taylor are names of some platoon types that may be on the block. Can anyone find a young Moreland somewhere?

Not if the Red Sox presented Mookie with a video of Kris Bryant, as reported by Michael Holley, to imply he wasn't as good or as deserving of a higher salary. Not only is such a gesture disrespectful, but it's factually false by metrics -- Bryant's career bWAR 23.7 by age 28, Mookie's career bWAR is 44.8 and he's still 27.

This may no longer be a good gauge in modern pro baseball, but I like to look at walks to strikeouts when considering a prospect. Both Dalbec and Casas walk less than half the time they K; Chavis whiffed more than three times as much as walked in the minors. In contrast, Mookie walked more than he struck out before he made the majors. So did the Greek God (Jewish Messiah), Yook. Wade Boggs was somehow left in the minors for six seasons when he walked over twice as many times as he fanned.

A few years ago I saw an informal interview with JD, who mentioned that Boston media and fan scrutiny was unlike anywhere else; Mookie was off to the side and wholeheartedly agreed. That's when I started speculating...

I'll always believe this, but lament the Red Sox approach to arbitration hearings that reportedly soured Mookie on staying... The last great Red Sox player allowed to leave in his prime now regrets not playing his entire career in Boston: Fred Lynn, .902 OPS for the Red Sox through age 28 (when he hit .350 in Fenway), .799 OPS the rest of his career through age 38. In comparison, Betts had an .893 OPS in his Sox career. People who loathe long-term contracts warn about a players' past-his-prime years, but I don't remember many -- if any -- fans bemoaning the final seasons of old warrior Carl Yastrzemski, who had a .768 OPS ages 40-43. Old Man Yaz may have slowed down past his prime, but was still productive age 33-39 with a slash of .282/.377/.446 (.823 OPS). In those years he had a 162-game average of 90 R, 21 HR, 94 RBI -- good numbers for the 1970s. Few are superstars forever, but fandom always respects -- and deserves to root for -- a face of the franchise. New title thread for the next year or so (depending on when the Sox start spending again): Who Will Be the Next Red Sox Face of the Franchise?

This AAugust... or next AAAugust?

JBJ bunts to beat the shift! What would Earl Weaver say (that would be fit for public consumption)?

He earned his bad rep with a lot of etc.