1- Because we don’t have any options on this team at C, 2b, SS, or DH that can even touch 750+ OPS over course of season.
2- because this free agent class blows, and the thought of going through 2027 with the worst HR hitting team in baseball in a hitter friendly ballpark makes me want to stab my eyeballs out.
3- assuming Roman comes back and starts hitting at 800+ OPS, Durbin continues to play more like he has in June, Rafaela and Wilyer I believe will be .750 OPS guys. We still have 4 positions in lineup with sub hitters.
4- Assuming Willson continues to play really well but reverts back to that 820 OPS rather than the 900
then we still have 4 positions with no path to measured improvements without a spend or depletion of farm system.
Assuming Breslow sits down with JH and says OK……. If we want to look different offensively in 2027 here are our options.
C- Narvaez/ Wong both are waaaaaaay below hitters and can’t be counted on for much in 2027.
1B- WC will be 35 but 900 OPS good D, check the box
2B- free agent or Romy/ Seigler platoon
SS- Story/ Mayer a. Story 547 OPS, below avg defense and played 49.2% of possible games in Red Sox uniform.
b. Mayer young not really consistent injury prone.
3b- Durbin assuming he plays like he has in June very solid. Check the box
LF- Roman injury prone and very young. Check the box
CF- Rafaela check the box
RF- Abreu Check the box
DH Duran/ Yoshida below par play out of this position aging not getting better actually worsening.
SP is fully in the win now window even if we trade Sonny Gray away. Houck, Oviedo, Crawford, most likely Bello, Early , Tolle, Suarez, Crochet.