5GoldGlovesOF,75

The perceptions are not just created by the fans or the media. Otherwise, GMs from big markets wouldn't have to consider the very real question of whether a player can thrive under their big scrutiny and big expectations. There would also be no second-guessing from those who can afford to cut their losses, like the Sox sending Edgar Renteria back to the NL after one year... or when the Yankees traded three players mid-season, including Tewksbury, for Steve Trout, and then watched in horror as he melted from a winning pitcher for a last place team to a winless arm on a first-place team... that ultimately finished fourth. NY couldn't wait to dump him.

I think the impossibility to quantify is what frustrates so many otherwise rational people who watch and root for other people playing a game.

I know there are posters here who will argue forever against the very existence of the dreaded c-words in baseball and sports. Some of them even played the game past Little League. But if it's all a myth, how did an ex-player like Bob Tewksbury go back to college to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant? Why do teams even have a job called Mental Skills Coach? How can The Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders and Complicated Grief at Massachusetts General Hospital conduct "state-of-the-art research aimed at improving the standard of care for people suffering from anxiety disorders"?

In a post-Mookie offseason with offers down across the industry, spending "large" has already been redefined. This is actually a winter where the Boston Resets can afford to stockpile talent that will help sustain future contention. That could include recruiting replacements in the batting order for guys like JD and Beni... instead of splurging a year from now on true big money stars in a resurgent post-vaccine free agency.

Outfield thoughts: leave Verdugo in right for at least the next four years; he's the cornerstone at a corner position (and Fenway's most difficult)... sign Rosario, who can mash, got MVP votes the past two years, and will improve the team on and off the field (Vaz is openly recruiting, and Cora already chose him once for Team PR)... add a cheap, good glove in center with a righty stick, probably Marisnick, preferably Pillar -- if he isn't bitter getting dealt last summer -- since Bloom recently noted Duran will open '21 in the minors... and finally... ... keep Benintendi. Scouts say his trade value is very limited, so don't give him away. Instead, give Andrew the opportunity to reinvent himself, win back a starting job, or platoon in left and center. Good teams need at least four decent outfielders (and JD Martinez is not one). I'd also like to welcome fifth outfielder/DH Marcell Ozuna. Chances are that one of Beni or JD won't quite rebound, someone will get injured, the late-inning defensive specialist will get cut, Duran will debut, and Cora will use everyone. The Red Sets can afford Rosario, Ozuna, a second baseman who can turn the DP, and four to six pitchers to become a playoff contender... especially with an impending new CBA and salary structure in an industry redefined by a pandemic.

Gray couldn't pitch in the Bronx for the home team. Something tells me the pressure may not get any better there wearing red stockings as a visitor. He's on my ixnay list with Tanaka, Paxton and Happ.

According to a Rays article, the Sox would only have to part with Verdugo, Casas and Houk to land Snell. I suspect it was written by a Tampa fan who cheers when Devers hits what would be a 500 foot bomb off the ceiling that the first baseman catches in foul territory.

What was I thinking -- inherited runners don't matter to relievers! He was arguably better than his two regular seasons in Boston and his 5.73 ERA!

Boston played eight more games after that and Francona never let him sniff the mound again. It's one of the reasons Boston played eight more games.

A busted wing may account for control issues and HBPs, but the guy pitched for years in postseasons and won multiple rings in NY. So there's no excuse for balking in a run with the pennant on the line (unless he was undercover or gamblers were holding his family hostage).

Post to Kevin Youkilis, Butch Hobson and George "Boomer" Scott... was that really necessary?

He gave up other pitchers' runs: to the first batter he faced he gave up a line drive RBI single... then vs. the next batter he balked in a run. His final batter (ever as a Red Sox pitcher) he hit with a pitch; that gave him a total in the '04 ALCS of two games, two IP, and two HBP. I don't know why I still hold a grudge.

One month after his trade to Boston, ARod slipped on the pinstripes; he went 2-for-17 in the final four games of the ALCS, wore blue lip gloss, and slapped Bronson's glove.

Arnold Rothstein is still sending checks to Ramiro Mendoza for his work as a double agent in Boston circa '03/04...

Fixing the holes where the rain gets in. But it won't stop our minds from wondering... Bloom's MO is to continually upgrade, but gradually... when I read that about him, I envisioned him replacing a guy with -1 WAR to 0 WAR, and then eventually packaging that guy into a deal where he nets a player worth 1 WAR. Put it this way, there's little chance he's ever involved in one-fell transformative swoop or orchestrates a 17-player trade like the Yanks and O's pulled off in 1954. There are always bound to be incremental changes, but waiting another five years for a Juan Soto trade (like Pete Abraham posed today) feels like half a decade from now.

Could it be they also value his veteran leadership? Or is that asset just dismissed by analytics departments these days because that can't quantify it? I look at the Michael Taylor signing with KC for a paltry $1.75 M the other day and imagine Bloom nodding in validation (if you're an old Sox fan, you jam those last two words together). Teams are making moves every day now. The only really significant ones, barring a blockbuster trade, may be signing a QO free agent (Bauer, Springer, Realmuto, DJ). Unless a contender considers adding a reliever coming off a good year or two as significant... which, to them, it might be.

But that may be enough to get things done, with this winter's market adjustments, as far as 2020 dollars affording 2020 players...

I can't imagine the Yankees letting three starting pitchers from their rotation go and not signing Bauer... especially if the Mets are interested in him.

I just posted something similar to this on the other thread. Maybe a '13 offseason strategy isn't so unreasonable.

As decent players continue to sign -- and establish the new Covid market for position players, starting pitchers and relievers -- I'm starting to come around to the idea that Bloom is sitting back watching and waiting as clubs fill their needs. Then, and maybe only then, will the Red Sox and their reset, big-market budget strike... and scoop up a lot of leftover talent that has no choice but to sign for the adjusted market price that Bloom's patience has re-established.

That guy was clearly playing with PEHs (Performance Enhancing Hands). I had those once when I was a bachelor, before arthwrongis set in. I think the MLB named its first steroids report after him, too.

Your first sentence made me nod (though not too early; young athletes need to stay in the game so they can stay in the game). But the last sentence made me cringe -- I just can't see his body type chasing down long drives over his head as he ages. I agree Cora is the key -- to Devers more than any other player. And by the time Casas is an everyday MLBer, JD will probably be gone. Then Rafie and Tris can share 1B/DH if need be.

Maybe Mort's postseason resume got a few contenders to bid up -- compared to the rest of the $8-11 Mil signings so far. Or maybe the Braves, sensing they're very close to a title, just pulled a Dombro targeting their guys and getting it done while other clubs are still assessing the market (and vaccine progress, and how that might affect budgets). But I agree that Old Uncle Charlie isn't worth almost twice as much as way-under 30 ERod -- if the latter's indeed 100%... Assuming the costs of Bauer and Snell are non-starters (so punny), how high will Bloom go for, say, Odorizzi? Maybe a better question is how much of a paycut will Jake settle for? He ain't gettin no 17.8 this winter... unless it's a two-year deal.

I'd be shocked if Bloom signs any free agent with a qualifying offer, and gives up a draft pick. Then again, his bosses may tell him he has to, for the good of the product in 2021... which, if it's any of Bauer, Springer, Realmuto, doesn't that make the club better for the next three years or so, anyway? (esp. if the new CBA changes, as expected).

Red Sox got their entire Paranormal Dept right now sitting around the Koji board. Bloom: "Don't press so hard!"