UtahSox

I think it’s very concerning that AC is using media to try and motivate MM. There are plenty of guys who have high ceilings that never develop into anything. But I do think you’re right with Sox current infield set up, probably not needed with Monasterio/ IKF.

Yoshida is so freakin limited…. Awful in LF. Keachell got a triple on a ball I think Duran could’ve caught. How is he so slow?

Ohtani and Soto will be richer than some of the owners in the next 15 years. Players not wanting cap to limit top end salaries, and use of verbiage like “plantation owners”. Is gaslighting and tone deaf. It feels like a bunch of “hundred millionaires” fighting with billionaires—we can’t relate. IF having more semblance of parity is the angle of major league baseball. Not just putting more money in owner’s pockets. Then I have to say, I side with the owners. But the salary cap is the red herring. The true number they are arguing is % of revenue…. maybe even as granular as what is constituted as revenue. “’my take” Give the owners the salary cap, but move the floor to an extremely obtainable sustainable number. The owners will never agree to something that will put their franchise values in jeopardy, so it needs to be realistic… Like 150 million for example. That would require nine teams to invest an additional combine $200 million per year into salaries. Move the luxury tax number without any penalties to 325 million. And then allow teams to go over that #, just with substantial penalties attached that compound for years over. The truth is Major league baseball does not want to see the Kansas City Royals versus the Colorado Rockies in the World Series. This would still allow the big market teams to flex a roster and star advantage over the smaller or midmarket teams. But it wouldn’t be egregious like it is now— the Dodgers and the Miami Marlins have no business being on the same baseball field. Shohei Ohtani makes as much as 90% of the entire marlin players combined.

I have this heavy pit in my stomach, that we made a mistake not trading for K Marte….. Mayer + Tolle looks like it would be worth it to me. Admittedly I’ve never been a big MM guy, I hope I have to eat my words, but I find it interesting. Cora decided to make it public that he has nothing guaranteed and has to work hard this early in camp. It’s almost like he’s having to motivate him. Couple that with the fact, he hasn’t been healthy for an extended period of time in a few years. I don’t know man I sure wish we had Marte lining up at second base. Durbin @ 3rd and Ranger Suarez as SP2.

In a vacuum no….. but admittedly, I think the Orioles roster under performed last year based on talent. So you can’t claim all this growth it’s gonna come for the Red Sox from young players within, and then not allow the same for the Orioles. Also sneaky move no one is talking about Orioles added Ward that’s (2) right handed bats both over 100 RBIs and 35 home runs last year. And they brought in their fence.

I mean fingers crossed…. I can’t have SLC Choir boys outshining my big spending, magnanimous, transparent ownership group. That would be a kick in the nuts.

Your AL West would be the g5 conference division….. no automatic bye for AL West winner and only a playoff spot if power ranked within top 12 teams.

How much of that has to do with ownership vs "the need to contract the league?" Rays their stadium sucks can't find a new one. (move team???) Pirates and A's just have crappy owners. Like I said before I'm 1000% sure expansion is more likely than contraction.

what is happening here? now we just contracted? LOL moon

They never ever would change it without expansion.... and I'm 99% sure league expands to 32 by 2032

all teams are not created equal..... yankees (2nd in revenue) Bluejays (6th in revenue) Mets (owner is awesome) Phillies (7th in revenue) Red Sox (4th in revenue) This would not be fair..... especially if you play more division games than out of division games.

definitely could go to 14. I like the idea of 12 still Division champs get byes

I can see both sides of this argument. competitive balance + stat balance+ I love Red Sox coming west vs historic rivalries 2 game swings when you play AL teams more.

AL East: Bluejays, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles Rays, Tigers, Guardians, White Sox AL West: Angels, Mariners, A's, Expansion Team (portland/Utah) Astros, Rangers, Royals, Twins NL East: Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Reds Nationals, Expansion Team ( Charlotte/Nashville), Braves Marlins NL West Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks Rockies, Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers Something like that?

Mashing LHP. And I agree that’s it. But something we need more than a ++defender which is all IKF is. Of course that could all change if story gets hurt orrrr Romy is hurt long term.

Ok here is why I bring up expansion on a Red Sox Board: Let’s assume expansion happens and MLB goes to 32 teams. Manfred also hinted that the AL/NL distinction could go away in the next round of expansion. With universal DH and balanced scheduling, that line already feels thinner than ever. But here’s my real question: If MLB realigns at 32 teams, how do you structure divisions in a way that doesn’t create a permanent arms race in the Northeast? Right now you’ve got: AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Tampa Bay rays NL East: Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Braves, and Miami Marlins If you simply go geographic and merge these markets into one 8-team East division, you’re potentially stacking: these two divisions minus the two Florida teams that would be terrible. that would mean Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Blue Jays… That’s a permanent “Group of Death.” So what’s the cleanest solution? • 8 divisions of 4 (NFL-style pods)? • 4 divisions of 8 and accept imbalance? • Eliminate leagues entirely? MLB expands, the structure decision may matter as much as the expansion cities themselves. Curious how you’d realign 32 teams in a way that keeps rivalries intact but doesn’t permanently bury half the East?

Expansion to 32 Teams — What I’m Hearing (all from Utah Source) As some of you know, I’m loosely associated with some of the ownership efforts in Utah, trying to bring MLB there. Nothing official — just connecting dots from people around the process. A few things worth noting: 1. Expansion fee- The number floating around for a new franchise has been about $2 billion, but I’m now hearing it could push closer to $2.5–$2.7 billion. That wouldn’t surprise me given how franchise values have jumped. 2. Why expansion now? I think expansion becomes a major talking point for Manfred in the next labor cycle. Adding two teams means: • 80 new MLB roster spots • More union jobs • A large expansion fee that current owners split It’s a cleaner lever than a hard salary cap fight. My friends wild guess long-term? A low salary floor(effecting 2-3 teams max) + stronger penalties for extreme spending. He said they dont see deferrals disappearing — they’re too embedded now. 3. Expansion where? Utah feels like they’re still in the mix, but it’s competitive. I’d expect a four-city race between: • Portland • Nashville • Charlotte • Salt Lake City I will say Utah sounded more confident a year ago than they do now — but they still believe they check important boxes. 4. Why Utah thinks it fits- There’s also real momentum around stadium funding conversations. State is fully onboard. NHL has been absolute home run from league and state perspective. • Strong corporate growth • Rapid population growth • One of the youngest median ages in the U.S. • Western time zone inventory (which MLB wants) both from population and TV perspective. • High-altitude baseball market (similar to Colorado dynamic) help eliminate the excuse cycle in Rockies ownership.

Historically bold…… I’d take 89 wins splitting the vig, and I think we’d be back in the postseason.

1000% or sometime at 2b…. Because as bad as he is MM is worse. I just posted lineup vs LHP has been giving me heartburn. Rafaela inexplicably doesn’t hit them well, Abreu has been platoon heavy until this point. Fingers crossed……Duran took a nose dive last summer vs LHP. Mayer is unplayable vs MLB lefties but still very small sample size. That’s why I liked Andujar over IKF. we could have slow played Romy back to 100% given those 4 LHP AB’s then made a decision in July.

vs RHP 1. Roman 2. Contreras 3. Duran 4. Story 5. Abreu 6. Durbin 7. Mayer 8. Narvaez 9. Rafaela vs LHP 1. Roman 2. Gonzalez 3. Story 4. Contreras 5. Abreu 6. Durbin 7. Duran 8. Narvaez 9. Rafaela splits vs LHP need to get better on (OFers, and Mayer) major fear for me as of 2/19.

For clarity I don’t agree with PECOTA… but if we do only win 82 games we won’t be in playoffs.

Speaking of Dombrowski………. Bryce Harper anyone? let me preface this by saying I know Bryce has about 4 things going against him ever being a Red Sox. 1- He has a 6yr contract (NON starter for JH) even though his contract is not bad at all. 2- He plays a position, and is not currently a Bloom controlled player. (NON Starter for Beta Breslow) 3- He has a NTC in his deal (Non Starter for ???) no one will own up to that being an issue for Red Sox. But we know it is. 4- He is opinionated (NON starter for FSG) but damn he fits the city of Boston well. ideas: trade-1 Harper for Crawford+ Contreras trade-2 Harper for Duran+ Matasaka+ Casas+ 5M cash trade-3 Harper for Abreu + Matasaka+ Casas+ 5M cash trade- 4 Harper+ 10m Cash for either Abreu or Duran + Casas

Speaking of Dombrowski……. Bryce Harper anyone? I know this exercise is as useless as tits on a boar, I just can’t think of a better fit than Harper and Boston. 1-As Bryce turned 33 last week, and still has 6 years left. (Big NO NO for JH) not a bad contract at all. 2-has a no trade clause (Big NO NO for ???), 3- is a position player ( big NO NO for Beta Breslow) 4- an opinionated player (BIG NO NO for FSG) yet here I go: Bryce for Contreras + Crawford+ Cash? Bryce for Casas+ Duran+ Yoshida? Bryce for Abreu+ Casas+ Yoshida+ Cash?

Good point, for Casas to play in MLB, you’re really a couple injuries away unless it’s Contreras. 1- Contreras injury: Casas platoon w/ Romy or everyday 1b. Depending on who hits LHP better between Mayer/ Casas. Previous Stats say it will be TC, but if MM is 1/4th as good as everyone keeps telling me he is, he will need to hit LHP much better. 2- everything else takes a couple of injuries at similar positions to get him into the lineup.