Official Boston Red Sox Thread - 2023

[The Viking]

Eovaldi is 33 and threw 100 innings last year with a fastball that was losing velocity as the season went on. I think he was topping out at 95 at the end.
And the Texas rangers gave him up to 51 mil for 3 years. The rangers also threw insane money at DeGrom and that’s blowing up in their face.
I don’t blame bloom for not handing out that type of contract as much as I loved Nate when he was here.
he’s off to a great start but who knows how long that will last.

 

[Waquoit]

Eovaldi is 33 and threw 100 innings last year with a fastball that was losing velocity as the season went on. I think he was topping out at 95 at the end.
And the Texas rangers gave him up to 51 mil for 3 years. The rangers also threw insane money at DeGrom and that’s blowing up in their face.
I don’t blame bloom for not handing out that type of contract as much as I loved Nate when he was here.

$51M for 3 years is not insane money. It's cheap, especially for a top starter. He would be the Sox' ace. But of course you don't blame Bloom, he can do no wrong in the eyes of the Bloominati. He's such a chess player they needed the new untility infielder to close the game the other day. Meanwhile, still another last place finish awaits.

 

[The Viking]

$51M for 3 years is not insane money. It's cheap, especially for a top starter. He would be the Sox' ace. But of course you don't blame Bloom, he can do no wrong in the eyes of the Bloominati. He's such a chess player they needed the new untility infielder to close the game the other day. Meanwhile, still another last place finish awaits.

He was not trending as a top starter and had rarely pitched enough innings in a year to be deemed one anyway.

Don’t give up on the team. We are only 1.5 Out of the playoffs, will add Duvall and Story in June/July and let see how Whitlock and Paxton look over the next month to get a better snapshot of our rotation.

We also have good young players hitting the majors now, have more in the pipeline in the next 1-2 years at AA and AAA and have a lot of payroll flexibility if we see the right free agent to splurge on.

Blooms goal is not to be Tampa, it’s to be the Dodgers where you constantly bring up good young talent every year which allows Bloom (or ownership) the ability to spend big for the right players.

The world is not ending at Fenway Park.

 

[HCCForever]

He was not trending as a top starter and had rarely pitched enough innings in a year to be deemed one anyway.

Don’t give up on the team. We are only 1.5 Out of the playoffs, will add Duvall and Story in June/July and let see how Whitlock and Paxton look over the next month to get a better snapshot of our rotation.

We also have good young players hitting the majors now, have more in the pipeline in the next 1-2 years at AA and AAA and have a lot of payroll flexibility if we see the right free agent to splurge on.

Blooms goal is not to be Tampa, it’s to be the Dodgers where you constantly bring up good young talent every year which allows Bloom (or ownership) the ability to spend big for the right players.

The world is not ending at Fenway Park.

Agreed. It was just disappointing to see the Sox get swept by the Cards and Jansen failure to close out games.

 

[Husky25]

Sox are 24-20, which (in the early going) is good enough for:

1st in the ALC,
3rd in the ALW (1/2 out of 2nd)
2nd in the NLE
2nd in the NLC (1/2 out of 1st)
3rd in the NLW

Boston sits last in the AL East.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sox are 24-20, which (in the early going) is good enough for:

1st in the ALC,
3rd in the ALW (1/2 out of 2nd)
2nd in the NLE
2nd in the NLC (1/2 out of 1st)
3rd in the NLW

Boston sits last in the AL East.

The new more balanced schedule bringing a dose of reality. AL East teams were always disadvantaged. I'd love to see the divisions go away altogether. Put the top 6 teams in AL and NL in the playoffs.

 

[Husky25]

The new more balanced schedule bringing a dose of reality. AL East teams were always disadvantaged. I'd love to see the divisions go away altogether. Put the top 6 teams in AL and NL in the playoffs.

Boston is still a game out of the Wild Card and 1/2 behind Houston, but all 3 WCs come out of the East. ATM.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Highly recommended. This is the kind of thing I expected when the hired Bloom. Have to get better at developing players, especially pitchers.

How the Red Sox reshaped player development, and then started rebuilding their prospects

Prospect Shane Drohan's changeup was bad, so he mostly ignored it. The Red Sox showed him why he needed to be throwing it more to be great.

theathletic.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

So, sweep the Yankees and win five in a row and you're still in last place. Brutal division. At least they ae playing better baseball.

 

[Husky25]

So, sweep the Yankees and win five in a row and you're still in last place. Brutal division. At least they ae playing better baseball.

At 1.5 games out of the Wild Card, they've only lost .5 game of ground in the last calendar month...and to think that other than the 8 gamer earlier in the season and the current 5 game stretch, they are 10 games under .500.

Story is could back in about 3 weeks and should at least provide offense, but probably won't be field ready until August. Sale is eligible to return in early August but later in the month is more likely. OTOH, who knows what to expect from him. The Sox have the 12 easiest schedule the rest of the way and easiest in the AL East.

 

[HCCForever]

At 1.5 games out of the Wild Card, they've only lost .5 game of ground in the last calendar month...and to think that other than the 8 gamer earlier in the season and the current 5 game stretch, they are 10 games under .500.

Story is could back in about 3 weeks and should at least provide offense, but probably won't be field ready until August. Sale is eligible to return in early August but later in the month is more likely. OTOH, who knows what to expect from him. The Sox have the 12 easiest schedule the rest of the way and easiest in the AL East.

So you're saying they have a chance? Could be worse, they could be the A's or Royals.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sox have won 5 of 6 and should get Story and some pitching back. It’s going to be a battle for a playoff spot, but they’ve played a front half loaded schedule and could make a run here.

 

[HCCForever]

Sox have won 5 of 6 and should get Story and some pitching back. It’s going to be a battle for a playoff spot, but they’ve played a front half loaded schedule and could make a run here.

They are streaky but only a few games out of wild card. Tampa coming back to earth as well. Should be competitive second half.

 

[mauconnfan]

Sox have won 5 of 6 and should get Story and some pitching back. It’s going to be a battle for a playoff spot, but they’ve played a front half loaded schedule and could make a run here.

The good news is the Yanks are one of the teams they’re chasing for a spot. Sox are better so that’s shouldn’t be an issue but they need to get a bit more consistent. Will be an interesting 2nd half, but not for us we finish last in East.

 

[The Viking]

To be fair Judge being out is killing your offense Mau

 

[The Viking]

This will be an interesting trade deadline. Sox farm system is really starting to flourish, particularly at AA this year but even it AAA, Rafaela looks like he will be ready to be a part of the big club in 2024
What moves does Bloom do? He can take a 2 or 3 guys off the table in trade talks and still get a decent player (preferably one with an additional year of control).
Yet you also have Story coming back which will be a huge lift defensively for the infield. You have sale possibly coming back in early august. You have Schreiber coming back soon for the bullpen. And they’ve played a tough first half schedule which means their second half should ease up

 

[mauconnfan]

To be fair Judge being out is killing your offense Mau

Oh there’s no doubt but no matter, he alone doesn’t make them any more capable of beating a good team in a series of importance. I mean in the playoffs good pitchers will pitch completely around him knowing the rest of the lineup isn’t scary at all.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This will be an interesting trade deadline. Sox farm system is really starting to flourish, particularly at AA this year but even it AAA, Rafaela looks like he will be ready to be a part of the big club in 2024
What moves does Bloom do? He can take a 2 or 3 guys off the table in trade talks and still get a decent player (preferably one with an additional year of control).
Yet you also have Story coming back which will be a huge lift defensively for the infield. You have sale possibly coming back in early august. You have Schreiber coming back soon for the bullpen. And they’ve played a tough first half schedule which means their second half should ease up

Really interesting trade deadline for the Sox. The injuries have meant they have too many decent/ok players and will need to move some of those guys to make room for guys coming back and coming up. If the trading for draft picks is approved in time that would be nice. Could definitely use starting pitching.

 

[The Viking]

They have an abundance of outfielders and again they have Rafaela Ceddane who I think will be one of four OF next year with Yoshida, Verdugo, and Duran.
I think they try like hell to trade Duvall for pitching or even prospects.
The play of Duran has been huge. Pedroia tells him in spring training to lift his hands high and hit like a man and I think it’s helped his performance and confidence. Dustin is a good guy to listen to if you’re younger and not feeling confident. And his speed is just a massive difference maker

 

[Spaceman213J]

Unless the Sox go on a Morgan's Magic streak and win 19 of the next 20, they are sellers. Other GM's are talking about who will be available and the Sox have pretty much admitted they will most likely be sellers. Paxton by himself should net a few really good prospects and possible paired with Duvall or Turner might even fetch a legit top prospect or 2. Martin should net an intriguing prospect or 2 as well.
The question is Verdugo. Wouldn't be surprised it they reach out to him over the break and see about what kind of deal he wants. I don't think they'll want to give him a real lengthy deal. They have Yoshida and Duran with Rafaela knocking on the door and Bleiss, though out for the year, a guy they really see being a cornerstone of the team in 3-4 years.
With Bello, Duran, Casas, Wong, Yoshida and Devers, they have a young nucleus to build on. But they need a few more high end pitching prospects. They also have Mayer, Yorke, Jordan, and Valdez to go with Rafaela and Bleiss. Still would like to see Dalbec get one final lengthy look.

 

[The Viking]

With all due respect they are 2 games out of the final wild card. A Morgan’s magic run isn’t required. Especially with guys coming back to the squad over the next month.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Unless the Sox go on a Morgan's Magic streak and win 19 of the next 20, they are sellers. Other GM's are talking about who will be available and the Sox have pretty much admitted they will most likely be sellers. Paxton by himself should net a few really good prospects and possible paired with Duvall or Turner might even fetch a legit top prospect or 2. Martin should net an intriguing prospect or 2 as well.
The question is Verdugo. Wouldn't be surprised it they reach out to him over the break and see about what kind of deal he wants. I don't think they'll want to give him a real lengthy deal. They have Yoshida and Duran with Rafaela knocking on the door and Bleiss, though out for the year, a guy they really see being a cornerstone of the team in 3-4 years.
With Bello, Duran, Casas, Wong, Yoshida and Devers, they have a young nucleus to build on. But they need a few more high end pitching prospects. They also have Mayer, Yorke, Jordan, and Valdez to go with Rafaela and Bleiss. Still would like to see Dalbec get one final lengthy look.

No chance. Ownership has pissed off the fans, attendance is down. They will be selling some guys like Duvall but they will be trying to get better and win. Wild card is absolutely within reach. Get Sale and Story back and this is a pretty good team. Bello, Wong and Duran have been huge. They aren’t trading top prospects for vets either. That would be stupid. There will be small moves.

They are on a good run right now. Will probably sweep Oakland to win 8 of the last 9.

 

[Spaceman213J]

No chance. Ownership has pissed off the fans, attendance is down. They will be selling some guys like Duvall but they will be trying to get better and win. Wild card is absolutely within reach. Get Sale and Story back and this is a pretty good team. Bello, Wong and Duran have been huge. They aren’t trading top prospects for vets either. That would be stupid. There will be small moves.

They are on a good run right now. Will probably sweep Oakland to win 8 of the last 9.

And they are still in last place in their division.

I'm a fan, but Story hit .238 last year and you really are counting on Sale to be big for them. Sale is no longer the pitcher he was and his injuries have made him unreliable. The Yankees will have Judge returning and they just got Rondon into their rotation.

Both Bloom and Cora have said that even with the surprises, they are not really built for the playoffs and are pretty much sellers at the deadline. I would think the current GM and manager would know what the team is considering.

 

[The Viking]

You clearly did research on Story to come up with his batting average but why did you just leave it at that and get lazy? You know (i would hope) his game is far more than batting average.

Where have Cora and Bloom told the media they are sellers? Seems like an odd public statement to make when the team is now 1 game out of the final wild card spot. But maybe its out there and I haven't seen it.

 

[The Viking]

In 94 games:

.238 avg / .304 obp / .434 slg

16 hr
53 runs
66 rbi
13sb

he put up a 2.4 war in 94 games which makes him pretty much a 4 war player over the course of a full season which is pretty damn good.

And his defense was gold-glove quality up the middle. I look forward to getting two months of Story down the stretch. Even if it take him a little ways to get going with the bat, his fielding and baserunning will be a big lift.