Alex Bregman and Adding a Bat

Do you want the Red Sox to Sign Alex Bregman

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.

Hank Scorpio

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I would prefer we first get rid of Yoshida and then improve C, P, and SS (tough on the latter given contract) before we try to move our best hitter to a different position.

Also depends how the powers that be really view 2B and Anthony, I think there’s more hype there than reality and realy hope
I’m wrong (more so on Anthony than Cambbell:Grissom)
Also could be well served trading Duran and/or Abreu while their stock is high although I kind of like that 4 players form3 positions (assuming we keep Rafaela in CF) so OF looks fine if you think Anthony is ready.
You say “while their stock is high”, and I say “having good players”. If we’re going to start moving players off the team every time their value increases, then the Boston Red Sox deserve to be abandoned by the fans. We’re not the A’s or Marlins and shouldn’t be acting like them.
 

YTF

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I'm not a huge no on Bregman it just doesn't seem like the right time/fit. I know people are skeptical, with good reason, of the front office but I would like to think it's just lining things up. Get some extensions for the kids, and be ready to pounce on mid season trades. When the window starts to open be ready to bust through it and spend the $ then to put us into prime contention.
I think this might be the byproduct of the Sox being in a pretty good position as far as their young core and positional depth goes as well as Yoshida tying up the DH slot while not being a great fit for the team himself.
 

RS2004foreever

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Not without moving Devers to first.
Do not block Anthony or Campbell. There is a good shot one of them turns into the best positional player on the team. Neither has much to prove in AAA.
 
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YTF

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I'm very mixed on Bregman. I voted yes, but with specific stipulations. If you can get him on a 3 year deal great, but I really don't see that happening. IMO, if he came here the ultimate scenario would be he starts out the season at 2B and holds that spot until Campbell is ready. Hopefully by that time Yoshida's performance might generate some interest and he can be moved to a team looking to fill a need for a LH hitter. Once the DH slot opens up Bregman and Devers can work out some sort of rotation between DH and 3B and ideally Devers can be persuaded to move closer into a full time DH slot next season.
 

TomRicardo

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who gives a shit. In 2024, this is where the Red Sox ranked in all of baseball:

Avg. 6th
HR 9th
RBI 9th
R 9th
H 6th
SB 7th
2B 1st
OBP 9th
SLG 6th
OPS 7th

we only lost O’Neill and he played In barely 100 games.
Story and Casas both missed majority of season.
Devers and Yoshida both played with nagging injuries.
guys who had zero At Bats: Anthony and Campbell, two of best prospects in baseball
guys who had too many at bats: Valdez, D Smith, Dalbec, McGuire, Westbrook, Cooper, Reyes, etc…

our Offense will be, and generally is just fine.
The Red Sox were the 11th best offense in baseball in wRC+ and lost their third most valuable bat who only played 100 games. Right now they project to be a below average to average offense dropping about the same value they gained in pitching. 80-84 wins is where they are currently lining up. That said it is probably not best tying yourself to Bregman long term. Most likely thre best course of action to extend Crochet and work towards a competitive 2026 when Anthony and Campbell have 300 - 500 PA of MLB pitching experienced.
 

chawson

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I'm all in on Campbell and Anthony too. But I don't think they make Bregman redundant at all (once you accept it’s OK to move Devers off 3B).
Could not disagree more about this fit. Moving Devers to DH and subsidizing a Yoshida trade would make this roster make so much more sense. Still plenty of room for Campbell and Anthony. The square peg-round hole talk I think is entirely unfounded.
I’m sorry, I don’t think it makes much sense! I think it’s too soon to move Devers off 3B and the concern for his defense is overblown. (There’s some evidence to suggest he’s better with Story at SS).

I also like Yoshida. He’s had rough (and hurt) stretches in his two years here but he’s an asset when healthy and he gets on base a ton. He’s not a problem in his role. On a per game basis, he's been roughly on par with guys like Bryan Reynolds, Randy Arozarena, and Brandon Nimmo, guys with 115-120 wRC+ bats and generally bad outfield defense. He was also tremendous with runners on base last year (.329/.404/.535, a 162 wRC+). I think he's disproportionately unfavored for his association with Bloom. I would rather get him healthy and see him rebound to a 125-130 wRC+ season in 2025, and then reassess next winter.

I think the next FA target is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Signing him long-term would necessitate one of Yoshida or Casas to move, but I think signing Bregman now would make all that tougher and more expensive.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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First off, I'm assuming he doesn't sign with the Sox unless he's ready and willing to play 2B.

Second, this is an easy yes on a one-year deal, and probably a yes on a two-year deal, but I can't imagine there's any world he's getting less than five (with opt-outs, natch).

And at 4+ years, it's a pass for me.
 

chawson

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I'm very mixed on Bregman. I voted yes, but with specific stipulations. If you can get him on a 3 year deal great, but I really don't see that happening. IMO, if he came here the ultimate scenario would be he starts out the season at 2B and holds that spot until Campbell is ready. Hopefully by that time Yoshida's performance might generate some interest and he can be moved to a team looking to fill a need for a LH hitter. Once the DH slot opens up Bregman and Devers can work out some sort of rotation between DH and 3B and ideally Devers can be persuaded to move closer into a full time DH slot next season.
I voted no, but this is kind of where I'm at too. I wouldn't hate signing Bregman to a 3- to 5-year deal, and though I don't see how it all fits, it would help the 2025 team somehow.

I think if they're working on a Triston Casas for Pablo López-type deal, then signing Bregman makes a lot more sense.
 

radsoxfan

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I’m sorry, I don’t think it makes much sense! I think it’s too soon to move Devers off 3B and the concern for his defense is overblown. (There’s some evidence to suggest he’s better with Story at SS).

I also like Yoshida. He’s had rough (and hurt) stretches in his two years here but he’s an asset when healthy and he gets on base a ton. He’s not a problem in his role. On a per game basis, he's been roughly on par with guys like Bryan Reynolds, Randy Arozarena, and Brandon Nimmo, guys with 115-120 wRC+ bats and generally bad outfield defense. He was also tremendous with runners on base last year (.329/.404/.535, a 162 wRC+). I think he's disproportionately unfavored for his association with Bloom. I would rather get him healthy and see him rebound to a 125-130 wRC+ season in 2025, and then reassess next winter.

I think the next FA target is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Signing him long-term would necessitate one of Yoshida or Casas to move, but I think signing Bregman now would make all that tougher and more expensive.
Fair enough. Obviously if you like the combination of Devers 3B, Casas 1B, and Yoshida DH then adding Bregman at 3B probably doesn't feel like much of a fit.

Personally I think that's not a great set up...detrimental to the pitching staff, too left handed, and clogs up the roster with 3 slow DH types.

Bregman/Devers/Casas is of course going to be more expensive but IMO a much better and more flexible fit moving forward.
 

billy ashley

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I voted no but I would be open to signing him for 4 years. As Bregman is having a similar FA experience as JD Martinez, I wonder if a Martinez like deal would appeal to him. Offer him 4/120, with opt outs every season.

The argument for is pretty straight forward:

Bregman would absolutely help this team in 2025. He's probably a safe bet to be about 20% better than league average and would almost certainly be solid at 2B. He would also offer Boston a lot of flexibility with Devers who could get regular reps at DH with Bregman at third. Further, in the event of an injury to Yoshida (among his issues, he misses a good bit of time) or another outfielder (with Yoshida covering center) Devers can slide into DH with Bregman at 3B.

In terms of the kids: I agree with folks that it's too early to give up on Vaughn Grissom. It's also important to note that not everyone is convinced that he's able to play 2B competently enough in the majors. The bat is why we traded for him; it's uncertain if he can stick at 2B full time. They can start next season as an open competition in LF between Campbell (who clearly is the better prospect) and Grissom. The "loser" of this competition will get additional opportunities. With Story as SS, Devers and his shoulder issues the past few seasons, and Yoshida and Casas' recent injury histories it's very unlikely that Boston will not have opportunities for these guys to step in. With Campbell's ability to be placed at SS (I don't think that's a long term fix) there are tons of opportunities to incorporate both Campbell and Grissom if they're both performing.

Roman Anthony is another story, in that he's so young, there is no urgent pressure to move him up until he forces their hand. Given his track record, that's a possibility. As he's yet another bats lefty throws righty position player on this team (Duran, Mayer, Anthony, Devers are all examples of this) the balance is going to be wonky until they either trade Abreu or Yoshida. Again, he's so good that he may force their hands, handiness be damned.

Beyond 2025, Boston prays they can trade Yoshida, move Devers to a 75% DH/ 25% 3B and shift Bregman back over to 3B full time.

The argument against is also pretty straight forward:

Bregman is a very good player, asking to be paid like a star. I'm okay with that in the short term, but we shouldn't be throwing a huge percentage of our cap space towards guy in his mid 30s who isn't a difference maker. Bregman probably isn't a difference maker come 27/28.
 

radsoxfan

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I think the next FA target is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Signing him long-term would necessitate one of Yoshida or Casas to move, but I think signing Bregman now would make all that tougher and more expensive.
I also have 0.0% interest in a massive Vlad contract. Devers and Vlad fighting for DH ABs at 60M+ AAV does not sound like a good use of resources to me.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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I say sure, depending on the price and length (would not go more than 5 years) of course. Improves the team for next year, and in the latter years of the deal, the hope would be that Campbell / Anthony / etc. are approaching their prime and can make up for any potential declines in Bergman’s game.
 

kazuneko

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I also have 0.0% interest in a massive Vlad contract. Devers and Vlad fighting for DH ABs at 60M+ AAV does not sound like a good use of resources to me.
Seriously. Vlad may play 1b (a position that is particularly undervalued right now) but his natural position is DH. If the Sox signed Vlad they’d corner the market on overpaid position players who should be DHs:(
 

radsoxfan

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Seriously. Vlad may play 1b (a position that is particularly undervalued right now) but his natural position is DH. If the Sox signed Vlad they’d corner the market on overpaid position players who should be DHs:(
Yup.

That was a big part of my concern with the potential DH Soto 700M+ cost.

If we are spending money on position players it should be on guys who can defend. Devers/Casas is enough plodding for 1 roster.
 

Bozo Texino

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I'm the resident 'stros fan on here.

I'm a no. Someone's going to give him a horrible contract. I do not want it to the Sox.
 

amfox1

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I voted no. Assuming Story walks after 2025, the Red Sox will be in a prime position to bid for FAs after 2025 and will have much more information on Anthony, Campbell and Mayer's viability.
 

LogansDad

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I voted no, because I doubt his market has cratered quite as much as people want to believe, but with the caveat that if he somehow gets Blake Snelled by Boras and needs to sign a 1 or 2 year deal, then I would be all for it.

I think Bregman makes the April 2025 Red Sox a much better team. I'm not sure Bregman makes the July 2025 Red Sox a "much" better team, but he probably makes them a better team. I am reasonably confident that Bregman does not make the 2027 Red Sox a better team.
 

radsoxfan

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Bozo Texino

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That article was written almost 2 weeks ago, some of those teams are out.

I also would not give him 200M.

150M though is pretty reasonable IMO. Or short term pillow deal also would be fine.
We're in agreement on a pillow deal. I'd be all for that.

But @LogansDad summed it up better than I can - I don't want Alex Bregman on the 2027 roster.
 

pk1627

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Voted yes as it’s a good upgrade for 2 years and I’d like to compete immediately. I assume there will be a corresponding move. Also I enjoy his game. Plus the team can afford it, both in $$ and draft picks.

But I suspect the Sox will pass for the reasons well documented in this thread. The offense is pretty good with promising young players on the way. Breslow can get a good rhb in trade. Another advantage here is giving Team Outrage another chance to bash FSG.
 

Sox Puppet

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If we do sign him, Team Outrage will have plenty to discuss about two of our big-ticket FAs being a cheater and a shooter.
 

Yo La Tengo

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The Red Sox were the 11th best offense in baseball in wRC+ and lost their third most valuable bat who only played 100 games. Right now they project to be a below average to average offense dropping about the same value they gained in pitching. 80-84 wins is where they are currently lining up. That said it is probably not best tying yourself to Bregman long term. Most likely thre best course of action to extend Crochet and work towards a competitive 2026 when Anthony and Campbell have 300 - 500 PA of MLB pitching experienced.
It is amazing that the Sox were ranked 10th in wRC+ last year with literally the worst OPS from second base of any team in MLB, plus Casas, Devers, and Yoshida missing so much time. Just having a functional second baseman and those three in the lineup will be a huge improvement. I continue to think that the best way to improve the team at this point is to upgrade the catcher position, which I assume they are trying to accomplish, hence the delay in signing any of the available free agents. As for last year:

Overall, the Sox had an OPS of .741 which was the third highest rank in the AL (8th overall).
Sox had an OPS+ of 104 which was the fourth highest ranking in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox scored 751 runs, the third highest total in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox slugged 194 home runs, fourth highest in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox had 1404 hits, second in the AL (6th overall).
 

SouthernBoSox

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It is amazing that the Sox were ranked 10th in wRC+ last year with literally the worst OPS from second base of any team in MLB, plus Casas, Devers, and Yoshida missing so much time. Just having a functional second baseman and those three in the lineup will be a huge improvement. I continue to think that the best way to improve the team at this point is to upgrade the catcher position, which I assume they are trying to accomplish, hence the delay in signing any of the available free agents. As for last year:

Overall, the Sox had an OPS of .741 which was the third highest rank in the AL (8th overall).
Sox had an OPS+ of 104 which was the fourth highest ranking in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox scored 751 runs, the third highest total in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox slugged 194 home runs, fourth highest in the AL (9th in MLB).
Sox had 1404 hits, second in the AL (6th overall).
They are losing O’Neil who was only behind Devers in wRC+ at 131. That ranked 24th in the majors with playe

He was the team leader in BB% and ISO.

He was much more impactful than some here seem to think.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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Why would Bregman’s presence on the 27 Sox make the team worse, though? He’s available for just cash (well, and a draft pick). Is the idea that money spent on him then could be much better allocated in other ways? I would guess that most other ways to spend that money, at least via free agency, will involve similar risk (and trading for younger players involves a different kind of risk).
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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They are losing O’Neil who was only behind Devers in wRC+ at 131. That ranked 24th in the majors with playe

He was the team leader in BB% and ISO.

He was much more impactful than some here seem to think.
Yeah, he was the teams third best offensive player and far and away the teams top contributor against LHP. Will be challenging to replace that offense. I’m also unclear as to why people think the Orioles aren’t going to be very good; they could certainly use another SP but that lineup is loaded.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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We're in the area of the Hot Stove where teams have a ton of money that they wanted to spend, but the premier free agents are off the board. Bregman just seems like one of the last people in the bar at last call and you're worried you're going to go home alone if you don't do something. At this point, you're more likely to make a Trevor Story deal than anything.
I think this where I am. On one hand, he’s a right handed bat for a team who desperately needs it.

On the other hand he plays the position of your best player. In order for this signing to work you’d probably have to trade Yoshida, but no one wants to bite on him.

Do you sign him, move Devers to DH and go into the season where Yoshida is just sitting on the bench? Do you trust Cora to do a 2003 thing where Giambi, Hillenbrand, Mueller and Ortiz all got ABs and it was worked out by June?

Cora really seems to want Bregman. Right now the promise of a white-hot Sox offseason is kinda floundering.

Theres a five-player parlay where Story will stay healthy, Buehler will get his mojo back, Giolito will shake off two years of rust and two rookies will break ST and have unbelievable years and the Sox will be really good.

This parlay also assumes that Casas stays healthy, Wong figures it out behind the dish, Houck and Duran have similar great years, Yoshida suddenly produces and Devers keeps mashing but I’m not talking about that now.

I think Bregman makes the Sox better and you don’t have to worry as much on great health, potential performance dips and rookies kicking ass. Bregman should be able to shoulder some of that load.

I very reluctantly sign him and hope that he makes the 2025 team better.
 

snowmanny

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Why would Bregman’s presence on the 27 Sox make the team worse, though? He’s available for just cash (well, and a draft pick). Is the idea that money spent on him then could be much better allocated in other ways? I would guess that most other ways to spend that money, at least via free agency, will involve similar risk (and trading for younger players involves a different kind of risk).
You’re paying a lot of cash for someone you might not need, between Devers, Mayer, Casas, Campbell, Grissom, Story, Rafaela. I’d rather wait and see what they need.
 

Yo La Tengo

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They are losing O’Neil who was only behind Devers in wRC+ at 131. That ranked 24th in the majors with playe

He was the team leader in BB% and ISO.

He was much more impactful than some here seem to think.
O'Neill was great against lefties last year (1.180 OPS) and underwhelming against RHP (.693 OPS). And he only had 156 plate appearances against LHP and 317 PAs against RHP. I already shared a long post about Sox hitters against LHP, but the summary is that Valdez, Dalbec, Hamilton, Smith, and Cooper had ~220 PAs against LHP with an OPS of ~.500. Just replacing those at bats, plus O'Neill's at bats against RHP, should more than make up for his overall performance. Plus a functional 2B and (hopefully) a healthy Casas, Devers, and Yoshida and whatever Campbell and Anthony can produce.

The team's infield defense was atrocious last year and should improve with Story and a regular 2B. The outfield defense could be the best in MLB and will likely improve with O'Neill leaving. The bullpen was terrible for the second half last year and could likely use at least one more arm. The catching position needs a big addition. And the starting pitching looks to be much better with way more effective depth.

Bregman at 2B, when he was not a good defensive player at SS six years ago, would be an expensive square peg for this team.
 

iddoc

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Signing him to play 3B for the next <5 years might work out, but would be expensive, in terms of his contract, losing a draft pick, and the added cost of subsidizing Yoshida to play elsewhere (or to stay and clog the roster with his lack of versatility; in these days of short benches, I just don't see that). He might be able to handle 2B, but that would be riskier, and we have other viable (and perhaps very good) options there. And, as has been pointed out ad infinitum, it is more likely than not that he is already in the decline phase of his career.

So NO.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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You’re paying a lot of cash for someone you might not need, between Devers, Mayer, Casas, Campbell, Grissom, Story, Rafaela. I’d rather wait and see what they need.
Possibly. But if Campbell and Anthony are as good as everyone says they are going to be; they can manage a potentially not as impactful Bregman who has a few years left on his deal. I don’t see how it would be likely to inhibit the team in any significant way. Obviously there is some risk with any deal.
 

Yo La Tengo

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Anthony Rendon looms large. He is the number one comp on baseball reference for Bregman. And, if the move is to pay to dump Yoshida (OPS+ of 112 last year) in order to sign Bregman (OPS+ of 118 last year), it would cost the Sox something like $38 million a year, which would make Bregman the third most expensive position player in MLB, tied with... Anthony Rendon.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

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Anthony Rendon looms large. He is the number one comp on baseball reference for Bregman. And, if the move is to pay to dump Yoshida (OPS+ of 112 last year) in order to sign Bregman (OPS+ of 118 last year), it would cost the Sox something like $38 million a year, which would make Bregman the third most expensive position player in MLB, tied with... Anthony Rendon.
And his #2 comp is Rafael Devers.
 

moondog80

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I would not assume that moving Devers off 3B means trading Yoshida. It might mean that. But if you are moving Devers, I think you are punting on singing Casas long term. That's a long time to tie up both 1B and DH.
 

Yaz4Ever

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It seems to me that it's a solution to a problem we don't necessarily have right now. We need a RH bat, but are we giving up on Grissom? If not, are we moving Devers to 1b and trading Casas? If not, are we moving Devers to DH? What happens with Yoshida then?

We'd be selling low on Grissom/Yoshida if we sign Bregman and take their role.

I have no idea where the RH bat comes from and I'm not dead set against Bregman, I just don't see the logistics working in our favor with him being the bat.
 

Big Papi's Mango Salsa

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I believe I’ve made my stance on this clear, but for the record, I voted yes, though it doesn’t “have” to be Bregman. I want a core bat added, and ideally one that can play an above average 3b or 1b defensively.

I also understand this means selling Yoshida for cents on the dollar, but honestly I’d rather have $1m extra per year to spend and the open DH slot than Yoshida (and I do think the Sox could get someone to pay $15m total of his salary, meaning the Red Sox get nothing back and pay about $13m for him to be elsewhere).

Cross posting from the other thread:

Here are games played going backward from last season, in mamy cases using minor league and rehab stints to count for games played:

1b - Casas - 75, 132, 103, 86. Average is 99 games played, so 63 games of open playing time (call it 280 PA)
2b - wide open anyway. I’ll just assume this is Campbell being good for 150 games. Leaves 12 open (55PA).
SS - Story - 30, 56, 96 (and Mayer 77, 78, 91). Average is 61 games (Story). Leaves 101 games (450PA)
3b - “Bregman” 145, 161, 155. Average is 153. 9 games left (40 PA)
LF - wide open anyway. I’ll just assume this is Anthony being good for 150 games also. 12 open (55PA)
CF - Duran 160, 113, 126, 93. Average is 123 games. 39 left (175PA).
RF - Abreu 135, 104, 129. Average is also 123 (175PA).
DH - Devers 138, 153, 141. Average is 144. 18 left (80PA).
Again, this is already penciling in 150 games started at 2b and LF for Campbell and Anthony. I find it highly likely these two are productive MLB players. It also already assumes Abreu playing about 125g in RF. Even if we assume Abreu gets to the point of playing 140g per year (ie missing only a few games off for the toughest LHP that the Sox face, you’re still looking around 1225PA.

Now let’s even assume that for some reason Casas 2023, and that is on the low end, becomes the norm and his 2024, 2022 and 2021 are outliers, and there are STILL about 1050 PAs left to split.

So people say “play the kids”, and I get that. I‘m assuming a) Campbell and Anthony are borderline All Stars beginning on opening day; b) Casas goes from averaging about 100 games to 145; c) that Abreu goes from his about 125g average to more like 145g. Even making all those assumptions, there are still over 1,000PAs to split among Mayer, Rafaela, Grissom and Hamilton.

If the Sox have acquired “Bregman” and each of those 4 things follow the best case, there is still plenty of playing time available. Not to mention that they’re also going to need some of these “panned out” players to move for controllable starting pitching as well, since I think we can all now accept they’re not going to sign top of the market FA starters (or shall we go through this again next year when they won’t sign Gallen or whatever).



Either way, I don’t think they’re actually going to acquire this hypothetical core bat, I just strongly think they should.
 

radsoxfan

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You’re paying a lot of cash for someone you might not need, between Devers, Mayer, Casas, Campbell, Grissom, Story, Rafaela. I’d rather wait and see what they need.
Seems pretty likely to me they are going to be a bat short. If all the prospects hit big then sure they likely won't need more offense, but that's unlikely.

None of the guys on your list has to play 3B. Devers sucks at it and everyone else can play other positions.

Generally speaking free agency is expensive and not very efficient, if it turns out Bregman is the last man standing and can be had on the relative cheap (as it seems he might be...) he is going to be a big help. The potential fit issues are far overblown.

Next offseason when some people "want to go for it", most likely we would be thrilled to find some 4 WAR offensive player who will take a contract offer of 25M AAV.
 

Rasputin

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I would not assume that moving Devers off 3B means trading Yoshida. It might mean that. But if you are moving Devers, I think you are punting on singing Casas long term. That's a long time to tie up both 1B and DH.
Signing a relatively low dollar long term contract with Casas would make tying up first and DH a lot less significant.
 

canyoubelieveit

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I spend much of my adult life adulting, being generally risk averse and trying to plan for the long-term. As a sports fan all I care about is the next year. It would have made me disappointed if the Yankees had signed Soto to a 20 year 1 trillion dollar deal, because it's very likely that it would make them a better team next year, and I don't feel like waiting years for a bad deal to hurt them.

So if I remove the realities of long-term planning and the actual human beings involved, I voted yes because I think Bregman's defense at third and his plate discipline (I know his walks were down) make this a better team next year, with Devers going to DH (and Yoshida -> ??? -> profit as discussed elsewhere). But unless the deal is short and Devers is on board with the plan, signing Bregman is unlikely to be in the best interest of the club long term.
 

Max Power

thai good. you like shirt?
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
9,035
Boston, MA
I believe I’ve made my stance on this clear, but for the record, I voted yes, though it doesn’t “have” to be Bregman. I want a core bat added, and ideally one that can play an above average 3b or 1b defensively.

I also understand this means selling Yoshida for cents on the dollar, but honestly I’d rather have $1m extra per year to spend and the open DH slot than Yoshida (and I do think the Sox could get someone to pay $15m total of his salary, meaning the Red Sox get nothing back and pay about $13m for him to be elsewhere).

Cross posting from the other thread:



Again, this is already penciling in 150 games started at 2b and LF for Campbell and Anthony. I find it highly likely these two are productive MLB players. It also already assumes Abreu playing about 125g in RF. Even if we assume Abreu gets to the point of playing 140g per year (ie missing only a few games off for the toughest LHP that the Sox face, you’re still looking around 1225PA.

Now let’s even assume that for some reason Casas 2023, and that is on the low end, becomes the norm and his 2024, 2022 and 2021 are outliers, and there are STILL about 1050 PAs left to split.

So people say “play the kids”, and I get that. I‘m assuming a) Campbell and Anthony are borderline All Stars beginning on opening day; b) Casas goes from averaging about 100 games to 145; c) that Abreu goes from his about 125g average to more like 145g. Even making all those assumptions, there are still over 1,000PAs to split among Mayer, Rafaela, Grissom and Hamilton.

If the Sox have acquired “Bregman” and each of those 4 things follow the best case, there is still plenty of playing time available. Not to mention that they’re also going to need some of these “panned out” players to move for controllable starting pitching as well, since I think we can all now accept they’re not going to sign top of the market FA starters (or shall we go through this again next year when they won’t sign Gallen or whatever).



Either way, I don’t think they’re actually going to acquire this hypothetical core bat, I just strongly think they should.
Since when does Bregman play the outfield? I don't see how potential Abreu and Anthony at bats are in any way relevant to to his fit on the team.
 

mfried

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 23, 2005
1,683
I would not assume that moving Devers off 3B means trading Yoshida. It might mean that. But if you are moving Devers, I think you are punting on singing Casas long term. That's a long time to tie up both 1B and DH.
I’m really worried that taking Devers off the field will result in a drop of focus on the game, thus his hitting might suffer.