Charlie Hoke

Teams used to carry a third catcher, whose main job was to work in the bullpen. This was a rostered player whose job was to warm up pitchers before they went into the game. Typically, a bullpen catcher was experienced and had a lot of knowledge to share with younger players. However, in the 1980’s, this role eventually disappeared and the bullpen catcher became a coaching position instead of a rostered player. Some Famous Bullpen Catchers in Red Sox History In the 1930’s, Moe Berg, reputed to be the brainiest man in base all, spoke seven languages and read 10 newspapers daily. His teammate, Dave Harris, said of that, “but he could hit in none of them.” When Ted Williams was in his second year with Red Sox, he sought out Moe Berg for advice. Williams wanted to know about what made great hitters like Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Berg replied, “Gehrig would wait and wait and wait until he hit the pitch almost out of the catcher’s glove. As to Ruth he had no weaknesses, he had a good eye and laid off pitches out of the strike zone. Ted,” Moe said, “you most resemble a hitter like Shoeless Joe Jackson. But you are better than all of them. When it comes to wrists you have the best.” [1] In 1938 and 1939, his last two years in the majors, Moe appeared in 10 and 14 games. Roger La Francois was likely the Red Sox’s last bullpen catcher. He was on thr roster the whole season in 1982 but appeared in only 8 games. He was valued by manager Ralph Houk for his experience. 1982 was his only year in the big leagues and Roger La Francois has the honor of having a .400 career major league batting average. Ralph Houk himself was a bullpen catcher for most of his career. From 1949 to 1954, Yankees’ manager Casey Stengel kept Houk on the roster, during which he appeared in 36 games from a high of 10 to a low of 1. Houk himself said he was the knowledge man and answered questions about life, love, and baseball. It was in the 1980’s when baseball revenues increased to the point that teams could expand their coaching staffs and coupled with the increase in player salaries, it became more cost effective to make the bullpen catcher a coaching position and not a roster position. [1] Berger, Ralph. Moe Berg – Society for American Baseball Research, Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed 4/22/2026. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Moe-Berg/.

How much does erstwhile Red Sox Alex Verdugo have left in the tank? He hasn't played since last summer in 2025. Despite signing a minor league with the Padres this spring, he has yet to play a minor league game. With a -0.3 (Wins above Replacement) WAR in 56 games with the Braves in 2025, Verdugo has declined from a 2.7 WAR high with the Red Sox in 2023. So will he get a chance to play on the Padres minor league jersey of the year winning team, the El Paso Chihuahuas or will he seek to play elsewhere?

Jarred Kelenic was told he will not make the White Sox opening day roster after signing a minor league deal in the 2025 off season. His major league career is on hold again. As a corner outfielder/DH, he is in a highly competitive position, and while still not yet 27, his window may be closing. Could the Red Sox use him?

Under current MLB labor bargaining rules, teams generally have control of players until a player has accrued more than 6 years of MLB service. This ensures that teams have a reasonable amount of time to benefit from developing a player in their organization. Players who excel can enter arbitration after 3 years and sometimes after two years if they qualify under the "Super Two" rule of being in the top 22% of service time. Arbitration can be an adversarial process where the player submits a salary offer versus a team offer, where both sides have the incentive to promote in the player's case or discount in the team's case, a player's performance. Bad feelings incurred during arbitration often linger and affect future relationships. To avoid potentially contentious arbitration, often teams will lock up players with contracts earlier to buy out arbitration years and even some free agent years in advance. This has the benefit of the team securing a player whose rising performance may command a higher salary. Conversely this gives players earlier security for their playing career. The Red Sox have signed Roman Anthony, Brayan Bello, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Garrett Whitlock to long term contracts avoiding arbitration. Garrett Crochet, who was arbitration eligible has also been locked up. Several free agent years being bought out, 4 for Roman Anthony (through 2030), 3 for Ceddanne Rafaela (through 2032) and one for Garrett Crochet (through 2032). With the core locked up for the near future, will the Red Sox be able to leverage this to post-season success?

How will a future expansion an realignment with 32 MLB impact the Red Sox? Two new teams bringing the total to 32 teams aligned in 8 divisions of four in two leagues will allow 4 division winners and 3 wild cards to play in the post-season. This is an increase of one additional playoff team from the current 3 divisions of 5 teams anointing one division winner and 3 wild cards in the current structure. The Red Sox would likely be in a division with the Yankees, but the 2 other teams would be chosen among the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, and the Tampa Bay Rays. With 32 teams, a proposed schedule could be this. Current Proposed Division Games 13 x 4 = 52 14 x 3 = 42 League Games 6 x 6, 7 x 4 = 64 6 x 12 = 72 Inter-League Games 3 x 14, 4 x 1= 46 3 x 16 = 48 162 games 162 games # of Games x Opponents This structure will emulate the NFL structure with the top seeded division winner getting a 1st round bye and with three rounds of playoffs before the World Series. Should they stick with the current AL league structure or move to a more geographic league independent structure? AL Orientation Geographical Rivals Mixed Red Sox Red Sox Red Sox Red Sox Yankees Yankees Yankees Yankees Orioles Phillies Mets Orioles Tampa Bay Nationals Phillies Nationals So who would you want to be in the division with the Red Sox?

Missing out getting free agents Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber may be disappointing at first but a long-term saving grace for the Red Sox. Pete Alonso opted out of a 2-year $54 million contract with the Mets to sign a 5-year $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles as he enters his age 31 year. Entering free agency, Kyle Schwarber elected to stay with the Phillies on a 5-year $150 million contract entering his age 33 year. From Baseball-Reference.com, the most similar player to Pete Alonso is Khris Davis. Here are their stats through their age 30 seasons. Khris Davis: Standard Batting (2013-2018) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 2013-2018 25-30 MIL,OAK 11.7 775 3058 2726 425 676 143 8 193 497 18 5 261 814 .248 .320 .519 .839 126 .362 128 1414 81 per Season 25-30 MIL,OAK 1.9 129 510 454 71 113 24 1 32 83 3 1 44 136 .248 .320 .519 .839 126 .362 128 236 14 per 162 gms 25-30 MIL,OAK 2.4 162 639 570 89 141 30 2 40 104 4 1 55 170 .248 .320 .519 .839 126 .362 128 296 17 Pete Alonso: Standard Batting (2019-2025) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 2019-2025 24-30 NYM 23.3 1008 4316 3763 580 951 183 8 264 712 18 4 419 984 .253 .341 .516 .857 135 .367 135 1942 108 per Season 24-30 NYM 3.3 144 617 538 83 136 26 1 38 102 3 1 60 141 .253 .341 .516 .857 135 .367 135 277 15 per 162 gms 24-30 NYM 3.7 162 694 605 93 153 29 1 42 114 3 1 67 158 .253 .341 .516 .857 135 .367 135 312 17 From Age 31 onwards, Khris Davis only lasted three more years and hit only 28 more home runs. Khris Davis: Standard Batting (2019-2021) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 2019-2021 31-33 OAK,TEX -0.9 205 746 668 81 144 21 1 28 93 0 0 67 203 .216 .291 .376 .667 81 .293 82 251 18 per Season 31-33 OAK,TEX -0.3 68 249 223 27 48 7 0 9 31 0 0 22 68 .216 .291 .376 .667 81 .293 82 84 6 per 162 gms 31-33 OAK,TEX -0.7 162 590 528 64 114 17 1 22 74 0 0 53 160 .216 .291 .376 .667 81 .293 82 198 14 Another cautionary tale for the Orioles might be their own Chris Davis who played from 2008 to 2020 and hit 241 home runs through his age 30 season and only 54 afterwards How will Pete Alonso perform through his contract through his age 35 season? Kyle Schwarber entering his age 33 season has a career similar to Dave Kingman who was most known also for his home run power and low average. Dave Kingman: Standard Batting (1971-1981) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 1971-1981 22-32 CAL,CHC,NYM,NYY,SDP,SFG 16.1 1243 4666 4192 592 1011 166 23 292 779 71 42 388 1244 .241 .308 .501 .809 122 .367 121 2099 86 per Season 22-32 CAL,CHC,NYM,NYY,SDP,SFG 1.5 113 424 381 54 92 15 2 27 71 7 4 35 113 .241 .308 .501 .809 122 .367 121 191 8 per 162 gms 22-32 CAL,CHC,NYM,NYY,SDP,SFG 2.1 162 608 546 77 132 22 3 38 102 9 6 51 162 .241 .308 .501 .809 122 .367 121 274 11 Kyle Schwarber: Standard Batting (2015-2025) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 2015-2025 22-32 BOS,CHC,PHI,WSN 19.9 1291 5384 4544 800 1050 175 14 340 784 37 19 764 1527 .231 .346 .500 .846 127 .363 126 2273 53 per Season 22-32 BOS,CHC,PHI,WSN 1.8 117 490 413 73 96 16 1 31 71 3 2 70 139 .231 .346 .500 .846 127 .363 126 207 5 per 162 gms 22-32 BOS,CHC,PHI,WSN 2.5 162 676 570 100 132 22 2 43 98 5 2 96 192 .231 .346 .500 .846 127 .363 126 285 7 Dave Kingman played for 5 more years ending his career with 442 home runs. Dave Kingman: Standard Batting (1982-1986) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 1982-1986 33-37 NYM,OAK 1.3 698 2763 2485 309 564 74 2 150 431 14 7 220 572 .227 .290 .439 .730 104 .330 102 1092 53 per Season 33-37 NYM,OAK 0.3 140 553 497 62 113 15 0 30 86 3 1 44 114 .227 .290 .439 .730 104 .330 102 218 11 per 162 gms 33-37 NYM,OAK 0.3 162 641 577 72 131 17 1 35 100 3 2 51 133 .227 .290 .439 .730 104 .330 102 253 12 The Phillies also have the precedence of signing another powerful slugger, Ryan Howard to a 5-year extension for $125 million after his age 31 season.. Here's his performance through his age 32 season with 300 home runs. After age 32, Howard only hit 82 home runs in the final three years of his contract. Ryan Howard: Standard Batting (2004-2012) Seasons Age Team WAR G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ rOBA Rbat+ TB GIDP 2004-2012 24-32 PHI 18.3 1098 4701 4054 661 1100 200 17 300 920 12 4 565 1306 .271 .364 .551 .915 135 .388 133 2234 82 per Season 24-32 PHI 2 122 522 450 73 122 22 2 33 102 1 0 63 145 .271 .364 .551 .915 135 .388 133 248 9 per 162 gms 24-32 PHI 2.7 162 694 598 98 162 30 3 44 136 2 1 83 193 .271 .364 .551 .915 135 .388 133 330 12 With an average value of $30 to $31 million per year for a 1st baseman and designated hitter, the Orioles and Phillies are paying premium prices for two positions low on the defensive spectrum and where careers go to end. The home run hitting skills of Alonso and Schwarber are among the most perishable of skills with age. Combined with their historically low batting averages and high strikeout rates, it is unclear that both will continue to produce at high levels for the rest of their contracts. Long term contracts tend to become big liabilities in their later years as performance declines as it inevitably will with age. Even thought these contracts appear to have secured Alonso and Schwarber for the Orioles and Phillies for the next five years, this may not prevent the players from being moved as circumstances change. Schwarber will vest in his 10 and 5 rights[1] after this season in 2026 and gain full veto rights over trades, and Pete Alonso has a limited no-trade clause which may limit the Orioles and Phillies ability to move these players elsewhere. Losing out on these two players especially with their trade protections basically is probably a burden the Red Sox are glad to have avoided. What do you think? [1] https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/10-and-5-rights

Returning to the post season for the first time since 2021, the 2025 Sox ended the year losing the American League Wild Card Series to the Yankees. Is the playoff window still opening? With a strong base of young players: Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Garrett Crochet, Carlos Narvaez, Brayan Bello, Kristian Campbell, the Sox are well positioned for the future, but veteran talent is thin with only Trevor Story, Jarred Duran, Lucas Giolito, Masataka Yoshida and Aroldis Chapman producing at high levels. Winning teams often blend veterans and youngsters to produce a sum greater than the whole. Finding that balance is critical to success and there is no sure formula to win the World Series. For 2026, the Red Sox will likely seek the quick fix of trading or signing free agents to get what they need which are corner infielders and starting pitchers. In previous championship years, the Red Sox were able to assemble winning rosters most judiciously through trades and free agency, but also from the emergence of prospects. 2004 started off with a trade for Curt Schilling and was bookend-ed by the trading away of Nomar Garciaparra for Orlando Cabrera from the Montreal Expos and Doug Mientkiewicz from the Minnesota Twins. 2007's foundation was set with Dustin Pedroia's rookie year and by the 2005 trade for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell from the Florida Marlins primarily for prospect Hanley Ramirez. 2013 was set up by pre-season signing of Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli which solidified right field and 1st base and combined with the full maturation of Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury, 2018 featured the full blooming of Xander Boegerts, Rafael Devers, Mookie Betts bolstered by the free agent signing of J.D. Martinez and earlier trades for David Price, Rick Porcello, and Chris Sale in prior years. What will the Sox do to keep the playoff window open for years to come?

Small decisions had big impacts in the 2025 World Series. What if one choice had gone the other way? Hobbling from a late regular season knee injury, Bo Bichette played gamely throughout the Series for Toronto and was pinch ran for late in games and often replaced by Isiah Kiner-Falefah, a former gold glover for base running and defensive ability. In the third inning of Game 7, Bo Bichette hit a 3-run homer off of Shohei Ohtani to give Toronto an early lead. In the final inning of Game 7, down by one run and after Vladimir Guerrero's leadoff double, Bo Bichette would have been up, but instead Isiah was the batter, having pinch run for Bichette in the bottom on the 9th with the score tied. The bat was taken out of Isiah's hands as he was asked to bunt Guerrero over to third, using up the Blue Jay's 25th out, and successfully moving the tying run to 3rd. This is a move that many teams make as getting a runner in to score from 3rd base with less than 2 outs is a percentage play. However late in a game, this sacrificed one of Toronto's remaining 3 outs in the game., The bunt was successful, but the Dodgers set up for a double play with a walk to the next batter. Had Bichette stayed in the game, would he had changed the Blue Jay's decision to bunt in that circumstance? Bichette was hitting .348 with 6 RBIs in the World Series and was the league leading hitter at .381 with runners in scoring position and 94 RBIs during the regular season. Would the Dodgers have pitched to him or walked him and put the potential winning run on base in the bottom of the 11th inning with a 1-run lead? When last on base, Bichette was the potential winning run, but his slowed running ability meant he was only able to move station to station or one base at a time and might not be able to score easily. Since it was the bottom of the 9th with the score tied, Toronto was playing to win and elected to pinch-run with a nimbler runner, but lesser batter, Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Was that potential winning run worth worsening Toronto's hitting lineup if he did not score and the game continued?

When you're the perennial All-Star and lauded as the team's superstar, you may feel you need to do it all. October 2, 1978, down by a run in the tiebreaker game to see who would go on to the ALCS, the Red Sox had two men on with Carl Yastrzemski at the plate [1] with 2 outs facing Rich Gossage. Gossage's first pitch was low for the ball. The second pitch was popped up as Yaz could not hold up his swing and Yankees 3rd Baseman Graig Nettles caught the box for the final out. Left on deck was catcher Carlton Fisk. With Gossage having already pitched 2 1/3 innings, should Yaz have waited to take another pitch and try and get on base and let someone else be the hero? October 20, 2025, down by a run, the Mariners are down to their last out against Toronto and All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez is at the plate against Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman. On a full count, Rodriguez swings and misses on a low and outside pitch to end the game while catcher Cal Raleigh on deck. [2] Would it better serve the team to take the walk and let Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 home runs during the regular season have a shot? Often, a player particularly a superstar wants to make an impact and try and do it all, but baseball is a team sport and while one player can dominate a game, you win as a team. [1] YAZ SIR, GOOSE WAS YANK HERO [2] Julio Rodriguez's awful final AB will haunt the Mariners all offseason

Do you put the go-ahead run on base and walk a dangerous hitter to load the bases or do you pitch to him? In game 7 of the 2025 ALCS, the Mariners with a two-run lead, faced a decision with 1 out, runners on 2nd and 3rd and George Springer at the plate. With 22 previous post-season home runs and 2 more during the 2025 ALCS, Springer a right handed hitter was facing Eduard Bazardo who had not lost a game for the Mariners all season,, yet Bazardo had thrown 15 pitches over 2 innings the day before. With lefty Nathan Lukes on deck for Toronto, Bazardo would be disadvantaged facing Lukes had he intentionally walked Springer. Because of the three batter minimum rule[1], a lefty reliever could not have been brought into face Lukes after Bazardo had entered the game. Earlier in MLB history, a new pitcher could be inserted and face a single batter maximizing the lefty/lefty or righty/righty matchups, but since 2020, the three batter minimum requires relievers to stay in longer, With that in mind, the decision to matchup righty/righty and not put the winning run on base over-rode the fear of facing the dangerous hitter. In matchup between batter and pitcher, one will win, and in this case, the batter triumphed with George Springer hitting a go-ahead 3-run homer to give Toronto a lead they would not relinquish and the AL pennant. Would you have chosen differently? [1] MLB's Three Batter Minimum Rule

Eduard Bazardo, one of 4 remaining ex-Sox players and the only pitcher on still contending teams, will have a chance to play in the 2025 World Series. He plays a vital role for the 2025 Seattle Mariners coming out of the bullpen to preserve leads [1]. Signed as an international free agent in 2014 at the age of 19, Bazardo steadily rose through the minor leagues peaking as the 19th best prospect on the Sox and appeared poised to join the Sox in the majors but a lat injury on May 19, 2021 landed him on the 60-day disabled list. Coming back in 2022, Bazardo pitched in 12 games, posting an ERA of 2.76 over 16 1/3 innings, but elected for free agency after the season. After a brief stint in Baltimore, Bazardo was acquired by the Mariners in 2023 and split time in the minors and majors in 2024, before becoming a mainstay in the Mariners' bullpen. He led the Mariners relievers in innings pitched at 78 2/3 and recorded 12 holds. The change of scenery gave Bazardo that chance to hone his craft and now has him poised on the cusp of a World Series. [1] How the Mariners found Eduard Bazardo and turned him into a bullpen force | The Seattle Times

When is the right time to take a starting pitcher out of the game? Who earns the right to stay in a game? In the current game, it is rare for a starter to complete a game. With the availability of bullpen specialists and detailed metrics analysis on pitch counts, platoon advantages, and individual matchups, managers now opt to bring in a reliever for a starter before a starter is ready to leave. In game 4 of the 2025 ALCS playoffs, veteran Max Scherzer all but chased his manager back to the dugout in the 5th inning with a verbal drubbing. [1] Scherzer, the winner of two World Series titles and 3 Cy Young awards had earned his right to choose his own exit and finished the inning and got 2 more outs in the 6th before leaving and winning the pivotal game 4 of the ALCS. It's been said it's better to take someone out too early then too late. In this case the Blue Jays succeeded by letting Max Scherzer finish the 5th inning and continue on to the 6th. With a 4-run lead and Scherzer's pedigree, it wasn't too much of risk. In the past the Red Sox have waited too long with a starter and it cost them. In 2003, in the 7th and final game of the ALCS against the Yankees, Pedro Martinez had a 3-run lead on the Yankees but left in to start the 8th inning and gave up 3 runs before being removed, with the Red Sox ultimately losing in 11 innings. [2] When do you think is the right time to remove a starter? l1] 'I Thought He Was Gonna Kill Me': Blue Jays Manager John Schneider on Mound Visit With Max Scherzer [2] 2003 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 7, Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees: October 16, 2003 | Baseball-Reference.com

Rookies have made an impact in the post season for both good and bad. Is it wise to trust a rookie during the Playoffs and World Series? Of the remaining 2025 Playoff teams, there are 3 rookies on the Brewers, 1 on Toronto and 1 on the Dodgers. Milwaukee Brewers Issac Collins, OF Caleb Durbin, 3B Jacob Misiorowski, RP Los Angeles Dodgers Rori Sasaki, RP Toronto Blue Jays Trey Yesavage, SP In Game 2 of the ALCS, Trey Yesavage started and pitched until the 5th inning only giving up 3 runs before he was lifted with 2 men on in a tie game. The bullpen subsequently gave up the lead pinning Yesavage with the loss. Will he get another chance if the series goes further? In Game 1 of the NLCS, Both Issac Collins and Caleb Durbin were starters with Issac Collins scoring the only Brewers run off of Dodgers reliever, Rory Sasaki, who had previously saved 2 games in the NLDS. The Dodgers went to the bullpen with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning and were able to close it out for Sasaki. Will the rookies continue to shine on the biggest stage or will more veteran experience be more telling?

History suggests that managers in the first full season with a team have a good chance of winning the World Series. In Red Sox history, the following first year managers all won World Series in their first full season with the team: Jake Stahl (1912) Ed Barrow (1918) Terry Francona (2004) John Farrell (2012) Alex Cora (2018) Honorable mentions should go to Dick Williams who led the Red Sox to the 1967 pennant in his rookie manager season and to Joe "Walpole Joe" Morgan, who won two American League East Titles in his 1st and 3rd years as manager. "There can be only one." - Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez (Highlander) Only one remaining playoff team in the 2025 Division Series has a manager in his first full season: Dan Wilson, Seattle Mariners, 90-72 record and the #2 seed in the American League. Will Dan Wilson's first full year as manager bring Seattle its first World Series championship?

After the end of the 2025 regular season, Jarred Kelenic is outrighted to the Braves AAA-Gwinnett farm team, removed from the Braves' 40-man roster, will not be offered arbitration, and instead opts for free agency. At 26, will he have the chance to continue his MLB career elsewhere? For now, Kelenic's biggest claim to fame may be bestowing the nickname, Big Dumper, to MVP candidate, Cal Raleigh, who was his teammate on the Seattle Mariners in 2021. Jarred Kelenic becomes free agent after being outrighted by Braves (Retrieved Oct 5, 2025) Why Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is called the Big Dumper | Sporting News (Retrieved Oct 5, 2025)