Honestly I think that Verdugo is going to end up traded this winter and replaced in the lineup by Little Raffi. Verdugo as an above average player might have some real value for a small market team, while in the other direction Little Raffi might be a defensive upgrade with more offensive upside.I'm hopeful the defensive issues will be resolved over the next couple years as prospects graduate to Boston.
As you say, keeping Verdugo as a plus defender in Fenway's RF seems imperative. I can see keeping him on a 3-4 year deal (through his age 30 season).
Rafaela can hit, he’s pillaging AAA pitching. Still swings too freely, but it’s probably time to let him develop at the MLB level because minor league pitching hasn’t challenged him enough.I would love Duran to be good enough to hold down CF and Rafaela to hit enough to play RF. In Fenway you really need a right fielder with the ability of a center fielder.
That’s a real possibility, he has years of control that makes him insanely valuable. You could certainly make him part of a package for a real ace (not that I’m advocating the path)Maybe you consider trading Casas while his value is high for starting pitching and move Devers to 1B and DH?
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Yeah, Duran’s the kind of guy that you trade if/when you have a replacement. If Anthony or Bleis can really play CF long term you don’t hesitate to move Duran for upgrades elsewhere.I love what he's added this year, but I'm not sure Duran is here in 2026. Do you have great confidence he will be?