southpaw777

I can see them not giving arb to Houck (projected 4.1m) Crawford (2.3m) Oviedo (1.8m) and Casas (1.8m) I can see pretty much all the first year arb guys getting deals. Duran Story and Yoshida need be traded. Arias should be our SS. I don’t see Gray coming back. I see them maybe using Bello, although I’d try and move him as well. They could also sign one of the many back end rotation arms available for less than Sonny Gray on the FA market. Lots of options for that 5th spot. I do like Gray a lot and would give him a nice deal. He’s earned it IMO, but I don’t see them doing that unfortunately. my big sign… I want Arozarena. Great fit. We NEED some power. They’ll have to Get him for at least his age 32-35. But I believe This guy will hit 30hr in Fenway, hit a bunch of 2bs and probably raise his BA a little. He can trade DH/LF with Anthony. Perfect fit IYAM. I’m not afraid of a 35 yo player. Not this guy at least. and after the haul they gave away for him, resigning Adley for 4+ years makes sense. He’ll be 29 next year. He’s still young and we don’t have anyone who will possibly be ready at Catcher until maybe 2029. I believe he would give us good production if he can stay healthy. theres really not much to get except a big legit power bat, a RH starter, resigning Adley and getting rid of some wasted roster spots worth about 60m in potential payroll. Gives us money for Adley and Arozarena and some arbitration cases. our farm looks really good. I expect a lot of promotions this year for a number of players. Primera, Goodbout, Hull, Schaffner, and Gonzales with a few names from 11-30 to keep an eye on as well. overall this team will be in a good position moving forward with a few needed moves this offseason. Not sure 2027 is going to happen. I hope they can work things out. Cap, floor, profit sharing. We’ll see.

I agree a lot of managers today use the hell out of relievers, but if starting pitching is good then it shouldn’t change much to what it is today besides more options and more needed rest for guys. Not so much up and down to Worcester. That’s more why id like it. They wear these guys out and they’re tired come September.

Were thinking alike here… young players should only have one rookie MLB year at a set base rookie pay then hit 3 years of arbitration, then free agency. A player like Anthony would have been a FA by age 25. Most would be FA by age 28. there should be a cap a floor and some guardrails on deferred money. Also profit sharing for teams. Every owner can go to 150-175m and have a cap about 300m. absolutely agree on expanding roster sizes. Maybe even to 30 and 45. i also believe team owners like ours, should have to spend more than 44% of the teams profits back into the team. also, a side note… St Petersburg and MLB needs to let the Rays go somewhere other than that awful awful poor excuse for a baseball park. I like the Carolinas or Tennessee.

I get what your saying, but I’d still have let Tolle at least finish that inning. You count on them all year and then lose trust come playoff time? I could understand if their choices for pitchers out of the pen was better than what was in there, but it wasn’t.

Like I said, It’s more about the process prior to investing tens of millions into a young ballplayer that’s more important to me. It could or couldn’t work out either way you approach it…This is just how I’d do things. That’s all.

Yes, I understand that and disagree with this part of HIS process…

What a waste of prospects. I said it before and I’ll say it again I don’t care what prospects you trade as long as you get something of worth back. This guy was a waste of prospects. The fact that there were actually people on this board, defending this move as if it was good is ridiculous. I made a post stating that on its own, This trade wouldn’t be that bad considering it was at the deadline and it was in division. I said it would only be a good trade of Adley Rushman Throw it out every runner and hit close to 300. Obviously he didn’t come close to either of that. For trading four or five good quality prospects for a guy that didn’t even move The needle is a firable offense..

Nope, I don’t care who it’s worked for and who it hasn’t worked for. It’s irrelevant to me. It’s all about the process to me. And no, I’m not concerned that a multi billionaire might have to pay a couple million more by waiting a year. Anything else?

The analytics said so. Not watching the game happening right in front of you. The decision was made before the game even started. Nevermind the humans playing the game,

It’s just my own personal preference. I don’t care if it costs a couple more million per year. That’s really the only issue with waiting a little bit, and if we’re pinching Pennie’s now in Boston…well…that’s pretty sad. Henry had zero intentions of giving Betts what he deserved and was going to get in FA. (30m per plus)Apples and oranges compared to the four names listed. Betts was considered a generational star where the other guys are not. I agree some work out and some don’t. Not all players are in the same category. All negotiations are different. I’d still wait to see the adjustment first with most every player before giving them a long term multi million dollar deal.

Here’s a quote from a scout, which is basically what most everyone in baseball, is saying while they’re laughing at us… "The Red Sox were beleaguered by injuries, but their mid game pitching decisions made the series a laugher," the scout said. "Seems like they are leaning so hard on the large sample size that they are ignoring what their eyes were telling them. In a must win game, the choice to never use (Aroldis) Chapman until the series was over, has had people fired for less." in other words, as usual, the analytics nerds ignore the human element of the game and decide what the move is beforehand no matter what’s actually going on in the game. It makes no sense. Tolle was ok, and Gray was fine as well. They bring in a guy who has been struggling and promptly blows BOTH games. When in reality both starters should have been left the F**k alone.

I would stick to waiting a full year no matter who it is. That’s just my way I’d do it. I don’t care about who’s worked out and who hasn’t. You’re not losing out on anything waiting a year. Or are we now complaining that the owner might have to cough up another million or two a year to play it safe? That shouldn’t be a concern for this team.

I hope that’s not the case. I questioned both this and Campbells premature deals. In my opinion, you wait for a FULL MLB YEAR so the pitchers can adjust then you can see how the player adjusts back. Campbell had questions with his swing but had a good first month. When they adjusted to his holes in that swing he couldn’t adjust back. Now he’s a AAA player making 7m per. Anthony looked good before they adjusted to him when he got hurt. The next year he never really got going before getting hurt again. He never adjusted back but they gave him 16.25 per regardless. Id have waited on both. Breslow thought he was smart getting ahead of it. Neither were any kind of guarantee and neither have really contributed at the MLB level.

Oh, I’m 100% sure this came from Breslow. I think it’s the dumbest way to play a playoff baseball game. I don’t think it gives you the best chance to win. Eric Miller looked bad down the stretch and they went to him twice. Dumb. The game wasn’t even close to out of hand. Gray was right. He’s the best starter the 3rd time through. It’s analytics BS. And Tolle is a gamer. I’d have let h8m at least finish that inning. I guess that’s the way some teams play the game now, whatever. I’ll never agree that that’s the way you should play the game. And I don’t agree that it gives you the best chance to win the game. You shouldn’t rely on middle relievers over your top starters. Especially when some have not looked good in September. Crochet had zero business in that situation just coming off a season long injury with no real game time. Maybe if we had a lead early, but not then. Lots of stupid decisions which is concerning moving forward if Breslow is indeed calling the shots. if this is they way they are going to use their starters in the playoffs going forward, then we’re gonna lose a lot of games IMO.

I get that but this wasn’t the right choice here. They made that plan before the game and should have gone with how the game was going. It was far from out of hand with either guy. Who cares if there was some traffic, one guy crossed the plate for Tolle and 2 for Gray. 83 and 70 pitches? Sorry, I’ll never agree with that line of thinking. CAsh blew a WS game by pulling his Ace early. Haven’t been there since in 18 years. Gray and Tolle pitched against this team all year. Let them make adjustments on the mound. They’re top starters in the league. That’s what they do. I would trust them to finish that inning more than anyone out of the pen. Sad they don’t trust their top two starters.

Overall 2026 was a pretty wild ride. Lots of lows, a couple months of highs, then back down again ending with a thorough dog walking by the NYY. Good times, bad times. We saw Tolle and Bennett take major steps forward and I’m excited to see them next season. Made some trades that didn’t help us down the line and depleted the farm system in doing so. I don’t mind trading most prospects, but they should be more balanced for what we’re getting back. Also made some decent moves that should help us moving forward. The draft was another solid one for Breslow. for the season, overall it was a C for me. Could have done better/more, but also did some good things moving forward. we have a pretty solid starting four as it stands right now. We just need a good middle/back rotation RHP like Gray this season, although he turned out to be our Ace this year. A well deserved paycheck. I like his competitiveness. the bullpen is set at closer and we can fill in whatever is needed. No big deal there. we NEED more 280-300BA guys in the lineup. We need more guys that can come through with men on base on a consistent basis. There’s too many streaky hitters in this lineup. Also, If we can find 30hr bat that would be dynamite too. I Like the Tracy extension overall. I really hope they realize that not trusting the horses you rode to the show once you got there was NOT the right way to go. Gray was 💯 right. They should have stuck with him and Tolle and TRUSTED them. Not saying they would have won, just saying it was painfully bad game planning to not let your top two starters go through the lineup again. They did it all season. this group of guys are good and likable and Tracy is a good manager. Overall I believe they can, and have to make the necessary adjustments and improvements in the lineup and in their game planning for the playoffs or it’ll just be the same thing we’ve seen the last two seasons. there will be a number of key names who’s contracts will be up after the 2027 season. A LOT of money off the books. itll be interesting to see if we even have a 2027 season… ok, grab your golf clubs boys! on to the offseason!

They brought him back too soon. Kid looks visibly bothered by it both physically and emotionally. Take the long offseason and get better/healthy so we can see what he’s really capable of.

Starting pitching and the long ball wins championships most every time… we had the former and Breslow/Tracy decide to not trust them the third time through the lineup in the playoffs? Really? They did all year, why not now in the most important game? It’s a stupid ass plan. They got rid of their only legit 30hr guy and never replaced him. We have a load of 250 streaky hitters in the lineup and a couple 20hr guys. Pathetic.

Pretty sure a gray and Tolle are a little sour because they didn’t trust them to get out of the inning. I don’t blame them. It’s a pretty dumb idea to rely on middle relievers and not the two horses that they got you there.

You gotta trust the guys that got you here to get out of those situations. Tracy panicked and relied on unreliable middle relievers tolle was your best option to get out of it at that point. All he needed was one more out and he was at 83 pitches. He should’ve finished the ip and came out for the next. Gray was pissed off. He wasn’t trusted in that situation. I bet you Payton was too to some point,,

Sonny Gray comes out and says he wished he could’ve been trusted more in that situation which tells me that probably him and Tolle are pissed offense some level for being prematurely pulled early. And both of them had every damn right to be pissed off… The rookie manager really s*** the bed. Major FAIL

Please explain to me as if I haven’t been watching baseball since the 70s and played throughout early 20s. Also I’d like to think I have logic and reason and try not to be overly emotional. So here it is… Unless someone is injured then I don’t understand why in Gods name would you, after relying on them all year to get where you are, turn away from your starting pitching (the strongest and most reliable part of your team). Then hand the game over to a bunch of Fn middle relievers to win against the NYY? They are already better than you offensively and with their pitching. Du,mb. Just dumb. You pull 6’6 LH power arm Tolle after 4.2ip, 5 hits 83 pitches and one run for another 6’6 LH power arm who has been struggling his last few games? Why? WTF is wrong with him? In what universe and in what analytics notebook suggests this was a better move? , unless Tolle was gassed or hurt, do you NOT pull him. You leave him in for 100-110 pitches if he can! now your 18 win starter? gray… Same thing, but he only threw 70 pitches. Both games the pen lost the game. you got where you got because of your starting pitching. Your bullpen hasnt been great lately, but you’ve decided to use 6 middle relievers a night? And think this is the best plan? in what universe beside this team, is this a good decision? your starting pitching wins championships, not your bullpen. What a clown show.

Haven’t read all the comments, but WTF does a manager pull his starter with 5 scattered hits over 4.2 with 1 run and 83 tosses? Unless he’s gassed, which I don’t think he was, he should’ve gone 6-7 like CS did. You lean on your starters all year and then a quick hook in the playoffs makes absolutely zero sense. Then bring in basically the same dude but much worse? we’ve got s*** for offense so we should be leaning on the starters. Dumb. Just dumb. also, is Roman, going forward, just going to be a soft player or is this a real injury that he NEEDS to rest it. I’m not sure . We’ll see. hopefully Tracy learned from his bafoonery last night and leave Gray in there for at least 7 if he’s doing well, like Tolle was.

Stability is a good thing. He’s got a good connection with the boys and as a former player and someone who grew up in the game, there doesn’t seem like there’s any situation he doesn’t have handled. I like the deal.

IP watch on Jake Bennett He has 133ip not counting tonight. Last year had 75.1.