UtahSox

At this point I don’t see what is stopping us from signing Suarez….. oh wait I bet he wants a NTC and Beta Breslow isn’t willing to do it. I’m calling my shot right now….. They will sign Miguel Andujar to a 2yr 20m deal with year 2 mutual option…. and say the advanced analytics blah blah blah…..

The real issue with this addition and not a trade, is the downstream roster math. You still have to figure out what to do with Campbell, Casas, Hicks, Yoshida, Crawford, and Patrick Sandoval. That’s a lot of talent, and it creates pressure on both the 26-man and the 40-man. Quite frankly, some of those players are becoming either obsolete from a roster-construction standpoint, cash commitments without a clear role, or talented pieces with no realistic path to playing time. That’s not an indictment of the players per se. In that situation, it may actually make more sense to convert surplus into value now. Trading from that group could bring back a high-end prospect, controllable down line 2028 and beyond pitching, or future flexibility, while also clearing 40-man space.

Did anyone see the Cotillo article today? The idea of adding Suárez actually is making a lot of sense. He gives you an everyday third baseman. He’s obviously not great defensively and he’s not a batting-average or OBP guy, but he does bring right-handed power, and that profile plays really well at Fenway. Home runs matter, and he provides legitimate pop. More importantly, he gives the roster flexibility. With Suárez in the mix, you can rotate Duran and the other three outfielders across four spots, which buys you options and insulation. It basically allows you to avoid forcing a trade right now. You can let it ride, see how injuries shake out, and only make a move later if something too good to pass up presents itself, or you get the opportunity to trade for impact 3b like Paredes or 2b like Donavan/ Hoerner/ Gleyber Torres/ India/ Gavin Lux/ B Lowe… that deal does come along, Suárez slides easily to DH or stays at third, and you can still run your best lineup. That kind of optionality feels very on-brand for Breslow. We know injuries are coming — it’s just a question of where. Without Suárez, a couple of key injuries create real holes in the lineup, where you’re suddenly relying on Romy González vs righties or Marcelo Mayer vs lefties, etc. That’s a big drop-off. To me, this move isn’t about perfection. Signed with Baltimore and Chicago over the last month. It’s about choices. Suárez gives you coverage, flexibility, and time — and that feels like a Brelowian way to manage the roster right now.

My argument would be did you watch the 2025 postseason? Home runs have value. And it goes up in October.

There’s intrinsic value in a lineup that goes beyond simple apples-to-apples WAR comparisons. Roster construction is about composition and fit. Just like any good relationship, players fill different roles and cover for each other’s weaknesses. That’s why someone like Pete Alonso would’ve been a massive addition, even if the WAR gap looks small on paper. He’s the bat that changes how the entire lineup is pitched. He’s the guy everyone’s afraid of making one mistake to. With Roman Anthony, pitchers aren’t thinking “intentional walk.” They’re thinking, “Stay off the inner half and live with a walk.” That’s manageable, especially when you know the next two hitters have to string something together. With Alonso…… or even someone like Eugenio Suárez…… one bad pitch and you’ve given up 2 runs. That kind of threat forces different pitch sequencing, to Roman, and that creates mistakes, and elevates everyone around him. WAR doesn’t capture that.

I mean, are you OK with comparing the Red Sox to the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins? Cause, if so, we’re kicking butt, inherently we are in a different world. Look, I live and work in Utah, from a geographic standpoint, I’ve had no family live in Boston in over 100 years. I just as easily could have grown up a Minnesota Twins fan. But the brand is part of what drew me in. And the Yankees winning in the 90s. My parents live in Southern California, when the Red Sox play the Dodgers, the Angels, or the Padres, I take my family to the games. Due to my parents living there, and my kids love of baseball we go to games every time we visit grandma and grandpa regardless of who they are playing. When the Red Sox are in town, it is different. I promise you there are 100 times more Red Sox fans in Southern California than Miami Marlins fan. To ignore that would be idiotic. Yes I only compare the Boston Red Sox to the aforementioned eight teams.

They felt the need to go trade back for Correa. He’s still very young, and very well could play at a much higher level. There is a lot of risk in Cam, and if we are playing for October, which all indications are yes. Then Cam Smith is this probably not the answer.

Not a massive drop off at all, but Duran is currently going to be primarily DH. So the real comp is Duran vs his DH replacement if he isn’t here (traded). I personally would like to see them add one more bat before spring training, and a good one…. Not this Otto Lopez bull sh*t…….. my hope would be trade a pitcher or 2. See how the lineup shakes out into may and June then go get a rental. Or best case scenario get serious now, and go get the best second baseman in baseball for Hell’s sakes.

We keep doing this same argument: I don’t get why people here keep comparing the Red Sox to all 30 teams. There’s a very clear tier structure in MLB and everyone knows it. There’s one group of teams that intends to compete every single year, and another group that survives by developing talent, enjoying a few good years, then selling players to the top tier. That’s just reality. For most of the last 20 years, the Red Sox were firmly in the top 2–3 organizations in baseball. Lately, we’ve fallen out of that tier while others moved up — and that’s the problem. From a revenue, fan base, and brand standpoint, the Red Sox have very few true peers: the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cubs. Just below that are big-market or aggressive ownership teams like the Mets, Padres, Phillies, Blue Jays, and maybe the Giants or Braves if they’re run properly. The rest of the league is irrelevant for comparison. The Red Sox should never be measured against teams like the Rays, Royals, Rockies, etc. Any comparison should start with the big four — maybe the big eight — and nowhere else. And with that establishment, we might not even be middle of the pack. 6th out of 8 isn’t great.

Amazing how much you guys glaze these stats as a CFer. It’s not that I dislike him, I like him, and would rather trade Harrison and a couple fringe 40 pitchers….. But to get Paredes, I think we will lose an OFer, and I would rather trade CR than Wilyer or JD….. He is a good player, even though he batted .189 last half of 2025. I just don’t think he will ever be what JD is offensively…. So many on here prop him up for a couple timely hits. I think he is by far the least valuable outfielder based on other deficiencies in the lineup.

Sweet go get Paredes…, 1- Duran 2- Paredes 3- Anthony 4- Contreras 5- Abreu 6- Story L-R-L-R-L-R I didn’t know how good paredes was at not striking out… that would be a perfect number two hitter.

This is exactly my thoughts: Agree again. If we end up without Isaac Paredes, I think it becomes pretty clear the lineup really only has one true bat you have to pitch around. There are some very good hitters, but there isn’t anyone else who truly stresses you out as an opposing manager. And honestly, even with Paredes, I’m not sure that fundamentally changes. He’s a good add, but he doesn’t alter how teams game-plan the lineup. That’s why I think it’s imperative we keep Jarren Duran and Abreu…… In a lineup without a true star hitter or possibly 1 (as of today). Duran and Abreu are simply more valuable than Ceddanne Rafaela and his beautiful defense. Duran creates pressure every time he’s on base — speed, aggressiveness, forcing mistakes — and that matters even more when you don’t have multiple elite bats behind him. And we need abreu’s home run threat for a pennant chase in Sept/Oct. 2 thoughts: 1-Depending on how Houston values Rafaela, maybe you could tie Jordan Hicks with Rafaela for Paredes? Freeing up some money. You could add a Suarez as DH, even a Hoskins or Goldschmidt…… or maybe go get another fourth out fielder for DH/ 4OF like a Harrison Bader. Bader doesn’t seem like he has a really strong market. The one thing is very evident in my comments is I think the Yoshida experiment is over. He is what he is, and it’s just not good enough. 2- is very different, I hadn’t really allowed myself to consider until now: second base doesn’t have to be solved immediately. There’s a strong group of second basemen hitting free agency at the end of the year, which gives you real flexibility to grab a mid-season rental from June through September. That also buys time to see what you actually have in Rafaela/Marcelo Mayer bats, instead of forcing a rushed decision. But if come, September, we have a platoon add second base, Marcelo Meyer is injured, or not playing great at third base, and we didn’t pick up a second baseman this is a massive failure for Breslow.

Who else is big league ready on Astros? that could make us better if they insist on Wilyer? or can we get off Hicks? Free up cash to sign a free Agent?

I think this team can’t afford to lose Duran bat in lineup, he is such a better baseball player than Yoshida. I’d like to see Bello for Paredes straight up. Maybe another fringe 40 pitcher. 1) Duran 2) Paredes 3) Anthony 4) Contreras 5) Abreu 6) Story 7) Rafaela 8) Mayer 9) Rafaela ————— 10) Casas 11) Romy Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Sandoval, Oviedo, Early, Tolle, Crawford, Harrison

I agree whole heartedly moon. If you can get Suarez on a 2yr 36m- 2yr 40m. And Ketel Marte for Rafaela+ MLB SP + Witherspoon type that is our absolute ceiling in terms of having some power additions for 2026 To lineup.

I watched the highlight of Carrabis asking ownership if they were still committed to Red Sox? Or working on other projects took priority? The question was met with visible indignation from JH. I loved to see his ego take the hit, he didn’t know how to respond.

Donavan would much less than Marte for good reason. I think Marte is a better baseball player than Bregman. Maybe Beta Breslow goes back to well 1 more time for Donavan? and then adds Paredes… That would not exhaust resources. Like Marte (allow you to keep both Early/ Tolle)

This has been beyond well established even by the strongest FO apologists.

I agree that’s not in the realm of possible.. BUT trading for both Marte & Paredes seems far fetched, yet doable. Depending on who you give up for Paredes that would make the 2026 very exciting. Anthony, Marte, Paredes, Contreras, Duran, Story, Abreu, Rafaela, Narvaez w/ Romy and Masa 1st 2 off bench that would be AL East front runner team. Assuming Paredes performs .750+

As a vocal hater as some call it, I am VERY much excited about the addition. I think for someone who tries to portray himself as calculated, Breslow has been erratic at best this offseason. Ultimately I think my frustration is w/ FSG group. But 1 or 2 moves can change everything as Suarez signing showed. I hope Breslow continues to prove me wrong. I will say the heat around Boston media, even nationwide the last few weeks is the most intense I’ve ever seen. JH must have felt some of that even from the Salon of his yacht. We know “we’re the Boston Red Sox there aren’t resource issues” so it’s a matter of convincing JH to go for it.

I’ve seen on X, one of Sox fanatical fan accounts stated…. Arizona wants Mayer + Early. Is there a world where we trade those 2 for Marte? And then go land a Paredes or Donovan (can play solid 3b per my cardinals friend) offering some combo of Bello, young SP Not named Tolle, Casas, Campbell? This has already been discussed. What does Paredes profile look like in Fenway? keep the 4 OFers… keeping them fresh rotating DH spot. Very similar to last year?

You mean a simple google search of “Ceddane Rafaela post 2025 all star game stats” and it definitely shows why I would say frigid. I mean a .622 OPS w/ only 2 HR’s and a .219 avg is not great for a centerfielder. also he got 0 hits in wild card series with .167 OBP. AI recap: After the 2025 All-Star break, Ceddanne Rafaela's performance dipped, seeing his OPS drop from .752 to .622, with fewer homers and more strikeouts as he tired, but he still finished strong defensively, earning a Gold Glove and playing mostly center field, focusing on strength gains for future seasons. Batting Performance (Second Half vs. First Half of 2025) First Half (Before All-Star Break): .752 OPS, 14 HR, 18.8% Strikeout Rate. Second Half (August/September): .622 OPS, 2 HR, 22.2% Strikeout Rate, showing fatigue. Post-All-Star Break (2025 Season Snapshot): Batting Average: Around .219 (16-for-73 in one span). Power: Hit his career-high 16th home run in August, but overall power dipped. Offensive Trend: A drop to a .622 OPS from August to September, down from his pre-break .752 OPS. Defense: Continued strong defense, filling in at second base due to injuries, showing his versatility. Key Issue: Fatigue led to his late-season struggles, prompting a focus on getting stronger in the offseason.

Ok, if this is all it took. Tomorrow go get a massive brunch, followed by a very nice 10-mile walk thru the woods with your lovely spouse. And we will sign Bichette! Do it for the boys of Talksox!

I actually like Duran in Center, and Rafaela had such a frigid finish to 2025 at the plate. Plus I believe CR trade value would be the highest among Duran, Rafaela, Abreu. I kinda like the idea of running it back with our four outfielders. Making masa the fifth outfielder and looking to trade K Campbell, and/or T. Casas along with some starting pitching, for a 2b or 3b whichever player makes us the best team. My order of preference from the names that have been mentioned. 1. Marte (would have to include either Early/Connolly) but still would do it. 2. Donavan 3. Hoerner 4. Parades

Crawford + Sandlin/Uberstine/Bennett I’m all over that for Hoerner.