I dont get the interest in Kepler but on paper I dont see any way to improve this team from last season outside a major trade(where we know Bloom doesnt want to deal prospects). I think at this point they minus well just give some kids a shot. Might have to bring them up earlier than anticipated but….Valdez at SS, Abreu at DH, maybe Mata when healthy.
Yeah, this is what I think too. I’m not debating that guys like Segura or Justin Turner aren’t upgrades to what we have on the roster - they are. But I don’t think it matters enough to become a serious title contender, and at their ages and on short term deals, there is no chance of them being part of the core of the next great Red Sox team.
On the other hand guys like Whitlock, Bello, Houck, Mata, Casas, Valdez, Rafaela, heck, even Dalbec there are varying percent of chances they might be. So I’d rather go 62-100 with all the kids possible playing to see which - if any - are part of the core (I personally vote on Bello and Whitlock and Rafaela) as opposed to going 76-86 with giving time to anyone over 32 on a short term contract.
Bogey or Correa
Clevinger
Any one of the Dodgers
Rizzo
Vasquez or Zunino
Joc or Bellinger or Gallo
Santana
Kanle over Martin
For what it’s worth, I would have first matched Bogaerts (and I think he would have taken 10/$250m from Boston). After that, I’d have given Correa his deal. Along with signing Bassitt and either Tallion or Senga. I think not locking in a core middle of the order bat from one of those two and depending on Sale and Paxton are franchise crippling mistakes for the short and (in case of the bats and) long term future of the franchise.