Tommy Pham come on down.Does this mean we can now focus our whining on a RHH outfielder?
If this had happened a week ago, we might not have lost the offseason so badly.Does this mean we can now focus our whining on a RHH outfielder?
Good thing the off season doesn't count in the standings.If this had happened a week ago, we might not have lost the offseason so badly.
I can't speak for others, but I don't think I'm smarter than anyone - I do think Bloom is better informed & more able to make the appropriate moves than me or anyone else on this board, though.The apologists sometimes frustrate me.
Of course the season isn’t over. Of course there will be opportunities to upgrade. And our current roster may overperform. And high priced additions and bloated payrolls don’t always pay off.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t ok to be concerned or frustrated that the team seems much farther to having a playoff caliber team than it’s division rivals. I would far prefer to have added an offensive threat to play RF … and know that we may be able to further upgrade at the deadline, than have that gaping hole that we have to hope to survive until then. Or I would much rather have added one of the consensus best players available, rather than pick up whoever is left over at the back end of free agency and hope it works out.
It is what it is, hopefully it will work out, but can we back off the self righteous indignation and stop acting like we are all smarter than the folks who are disappointed by the lack of movement?
EDIT- And of course as soon as I write that we sign Story.
(that's the joke)Good thing the off season doesn't count in the standings.
Has there been sufficient whining about Story's home/Road splits, or is that not a worry with his right handed bat at Fenway? Remember Troy Tulowitzki in the AL.Does this mean we can now focus our whining on a RHH outfielder?
IMO this addition makes it much easier to live with a lesser bat in RF. RF can be the clear #9 hitter, great depth now.Does this mean we can now focus our whining on a RHH outfielder?
That is scheduled to begin at noon EST.Has there been sufficient whining about Story's home/Road splits, or is that not a worry with his right handed bat at Fenway? Remember Tulowitzki as a Yankee.
I think there’s been research that shows Rockies players suffer on the road due to the effect the altitude has on breaking pitches. I believe they suffer more on the road more than they benefit from the altitude at home.Has there been sufficient whining about Story's home/Road splits, or is that not a worry with his right handed bat at Fenway? Remember Troy Tulowitzki in the AL.
I think the issue would be X and Devers accepting that same deal.I’d love to see Bloom offer this same deal to X and Devers!
A little bit that, and a little bit that the rest of their division (so close to half their road games) is housed in ballparks that suppress offense a bit more than Coors does.I think there’s been research that shows Rockies players suffer on the road due to the effect the altitude has on breaking pitches. I believe they suffer more on the road more than they benefit from the altitude at home.
What would be the pick penalty for this after the Story signing? Third rounder?At this point are we over the tax? If so, do we splash the pot and sign Conforto?
Bogaerts is currently making 20M per through 2026, it going to be interesting to see what he's going to be looking for now that his potential replacement has sign what looks to be a reasonably team friendly deal.I’d love to see Bloom offer this same deal to X and Devers!
I think we’re at $220M, so not over the first tax threshold of $232. Not should we worry about it since there are no non-monetary penalties and we’re certainly dipping under again next year when a ton of money comes off the books.At this point are we over the tax? If so, do we splash the pot and sign Conforto?
Good nugget. With the Toronto regulations I’d steer clear of Conforto if unvaccinated. Pham you can get around.I think we’re at $220M, so not over the first tax threshold of $232. Not should we worry about it since there are no non-monetary penalties and we’re certainly dipping under again next year when a ton of money comes off the books.
FWIW, Conforto and Pham have each been expressive against the vaccine as of last year. (Both also got covid and had bad years). Maybe they’ve changed their tune, but it could be why their markets haven’t taken shape.
Not to be rubbing this in your face now that Story is aboard but this is exactly why it’s silly to fret over the FO based on incomplete offseason activity. Even if they hadn’t signed Story I would imagine Bloom had (or even still has) plans to address needs via trade.The apologists sometimes frustrate me.
Of course the season isn’t over. Of course there will be opportunities to upgrade. And our current roster may overperform. And high priced additions and bloated payrolls don’t always pay off.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t ok to be concerned or frustrated that the team seems much farther to having a playoff caliber team than it’s division rivals. I would far prefer to have added an offensive threat to play RF … and know that we may be able to further upgrade at the deadline, than have that gaping hole that we have to hope to survive until then. Or I would much rather have added one of the consensus best players available, rather than pick up whoever is left over at the back end of free agency and hope it works out.
It is what it is, hopefully it will work out, but can we back off the self righteous indignation and stop acting like we are all smarter than the folks who are disappointed by the lack of movement?
EDIT- And of course as soon as I write that we sign Story.
Pumped about Story. They can get Pham and be ready to roll. Do they go for a starter to make it until Sale/Paxton are ready?Tommy Pham come on down.
Cot's has the team at roughly $213M before Story, so it seems his deal would put them at or just over the threshold of $230M.I think we’re at $220M, so not over the first tax threshold of $232. Not should we worry about it since there are no non-monetary penalties and we’re certainly dipping under again next year when a ton of money comes off the books.
You’re right, my mistake. I went by the Fangraphs salary estimation.Cot's has the team at roughly $213M before Story, so it seems his deal would put them at or just over the threshold of $230M.
Its cool. I left the post up rather than delete it because I still think it’s relevant. But This was a great get.Not to be rubbing this in your face now that Story is aboard but this is exactly why it’s silly to fret over the FO based on incomplete offseason activity. Even if they hadn’t signed Story I would imagine Bloom had (or even still has) plans to address needs via trade.
I would also add, this is the second time in less than a calendar year that Bloom got a premium guy at a reasonable price by waiting out the market. That is becoming his MO – and it is a pretty stark contrast to DD who moved early and decisively for his guy. Those moves usually felt good at the time but often meant he paid top dollar in terms of contract (Price) and/or prospects (Kopech/Moncada).
Beyond that tho: this guy got us two games away from the WS last year. Can we maybe acknowledge he knows what he’s doing?
No to trading JDM. No to Conforto. Maybe to Pham. Yes to turning attention to extending Bogaerts and Devers.Do they try to package JDM with prospects to improve the rotation and free up some CBT money to go after someone like Conforto or Pham or mystery player?
IMHO, priorities now should be signing Xavier and Devers to extensions asap and improving the rotation (hopefully with young cost-controlled players 1-800-Athletics)
Red Sox would lose the ERod comp pick if they signed Conforto. Right now, the net for ERod/Story is dropping approx. 15 spots in the draft.Their second pick in the second round. They got a compensation pick for not signing Fabian plus their regular pick. They lose the regular pick for Story.
I’m not advocating we trade JDM, I’m wondering if that’s where Bloom goes next. We need rotation help asapNo to trading JDM. No to Conforto. Maybe to Pham. Yes to turning attention to extending Bogaerts and Devers.
So . . . Never?That is scheduled to begin at noon EST.
I agree with you on JDM. Moving him with the roster as it currently is leaves to big a hole in the lineup. Conforto's bat would be a plus, but he make the OF too left handed. Pham may be the best RH OF option left. Assuming they sign Pham (or another OF) the bench will be Plawecki, Arroyo JBJ and _____________ Perhaps Shaw can win the spot?No to trading JDM. No to Conforto. Maybe to Pham. Yes to turning attention to extending Bogaerts and Devers.
If Arauz's injury is serious, that fourth spot is definitely up in the air. Shaw I would think has the inside track if only because there's no one else on the roster with 1B experience (except for Arroyo's one disastrous outing, I guess).I agree with you on JDM. Moving him with the roster as it currently is leaves to big a hole in the lineup. Conforto's bat would be a plus, but he make the OF too left handed. Pham may be the best RH OF option left. Assuming they sign Pham (or another OF) the bench will be Plawecki, Arroyo JBJ and _____________ Perhaps Shaw can win the spot?
Yeah, that's why I was thinking Shaw and FWIW, I'm all for Arroyo picking up the first baseman's in ST and giving it another shot with the opportunity for to learn the position before being pressed into service. I think last year's injury was a fluke that got lumped into the category of Swihart playing LF and Wright pinch running.If Arauz's injury is serious, that fourth spot is definitely up in the air. Shaw I would think has the inside track if only because there's no one else on the roster with 1B experience (except for Arroyo's one disastrous outing, I guess).
I don’t know about Duran, but I am suspecting that JBJ may be starter, and least for start of season. They may want to maximize defense in OF considering the current pitching staff.I am kind of wondering if the thinking is actually to start Bradley with Duran behind him.
We all know that JBJ was just about the worst player in the league last season, but a typical Boston JBJ season was worth about 2 WAR — or what Renfroe was worth last season.
Maybe with an astonishing amount offense coming from the starting infield, we can carry a glove-first outfielder and hope that Duran takes a step forward? And then add at the deadline if JBJ has a terrible first half; if he's hitting decently, no need.
IMO Duran needs to stay in Woostah, play every day and work on every aspect of his game. I don't think he improves sitting on the Boston bench.I am kind of wondering if the thinking is actually to start Bradley with Duran behind him.
We all know that JBJ was just about the worst player in the league last season, but a typical Boston JBJ season was worth about 2 WAR — or what Renfroe was worth last season.
Maybe with an astonishing amount offense coming from the starting infield, we can carry a glove-first outfielder and hope that Duran takes a step forward? And then add at the deadline if JBJ has a terrible first half; if he's hitting decently, no need.
Shaw also might be a better backup at 3rd than Arroyo.If Arauz's injury is serious, that fourth spot is definitely up in the air. Shaw I would think has the inside track if only because there's no one else on the roster with 1B experience (except for Arroyo's one disastrous outing, I guess).
Agreed on Arroyo, if only to give him one more place where he could work himself into the lineup (let him try the OF too). Would still prefer a LHH to spell Dalbec, and Shaw appears to be that guy.Yeah, that's why I was thinking Shaw and FWIW, I'm all for Arroyo picking up the first baseman's in ST and giving it another shot with the opportunity for to learn the position before being pressed into service. I think last year's injury was a fluke that got lumped into the category of Swihart playing LF and Wright pinch running.
Relatedly, I really dont know the best way to move forward, but there is an awful lot of over rating Hunter Renfroe going on. It's really fucking hard to make 12(!) errors in the outfield in one season.I am kind of wondering if the thinking is actually to start Bradley with Duran behind him.
We all know that JBJ was just about the worst player in the league last season, but a typical Boston JBJ season was worth about 2 WAR — or what Renfroe was worth last season.
Maybe with an astonishing amount offense coming from the starting infield, we can carry a glove-first outfielder and hope that Duran takes a step forward? And then add at the deadline if JBJ has a terrible first half; if he's hitting decently, no need.
Renfroe got a lot of attention for his 16 assists. He had a hose but he also had a propensity for being too aggressive trying to throw guys out, missing cut off men, and allowing trail runners to take extra bases. With JBJ you get way way better instincts tracking balls and a lot better decision-making with a similarly strong arm.Relatedly, I really dont know the best way to move forward, but there is an awful lot of over rating Hunter Renfroe going on. It's really fucking hard to make 12(!) errors in the outfield in one season.
Right. It's interesting to me that Renfroe's negative defensive attributes worsened as the season went along. I wonder if scouting picked it all up early, and then used it against him later.Renfroe got a lot of attention for his 16 assists. He had a hose but he also had a propensity for being too aggressive trying to throw guys out, missing cut off men, and allowing trail runners to take extra bases. With JBJ you get way way better instincts tracking balls and a lot better decision-making with a similarly strong arm.
Add Pham as a 4th OF and JBJ insurance and I’ll take it.So are we thinking something like
1. Kiké CF
2. Story 2B
3. Devers 3B
4. Bogaerts SS
5. Martinez DH
6. Verdugo LF
7. Dalbec 1B
8. Vazquez C
9. Bradley RF
with Casas in the mix this summer? I’d still take a bigger bat in RF, but I can live with this.
That’s a solid lineup, but we still need to limit runs from our opponents. We need two solid SP to keep Houck and Whitlock from being forced into the rotation until Sale returns.So are we thinking something like
1. Kiké CF
2. Story 2B
3. Devers 3B
4. Bogaerts SS
5. Martinez DH
6. Verdugo LF
7. Dalbec 1B
8. Vazquez C
9. Bradley RF
with Casas in the mix this summer? I’d still take a bigger bat in RF, but I can live with this.
How do you propose they get those starting pitchers ... trade prospects? The free agent starting pitching market was thin to begin with, more so nowWe need two solid SP to keep Houck and Whitlock from being forced into the rotation until Sale returns.