‘Ready to deliver’ – The 2025 Offseason News (& rumors?) Thread

[chawson]

With the other active thread getting bulky, here’s one meant for Red Sox news, well sourced whispers and their subsequent discussions. Let’s keep talking about potential targets in the Targets Locked thread, and this one can track the winter’s news and narratives. It’s an offseason thread.

The occasion is these quotes from Breslow and Boras in Jen McCaffrey’s story today in The Athletic.

“We asked our fans to sacrifice a lot to be patient as we build the foundation that would enable us to meet those goals,” Breslow said. “I think we’re here. I think we’re ready to deliver.”

At GM meetings this week, agent Scott Boras reinforced that notion with some interesting comments.

“In our meetings, (the Red Sox) are definitely letting us know that ownership is committed, that they’re wanting to secure high-level players and that they’re definitely planning on being very active in the free agent market,” he told reporters.

Seems like a vibe shift, so to speak. And we’re already seeing the Sox come up in reports about several players.

Do you read these statements as significant? Is it a philosophical shift that Breslow is coming right out and saying We’re ready? Do you see this as more “interest kings”-type stuff? Are there reports that the Sox are in on Garrett Crochet? How is this organization shaping up for 2025?

 

[NickEsasky]

They are saying the right things, but we've seen this play before. The proof will be in the proverbial pudding. I don't want them to spend just to spend, but this team needs some pieces and I hope they can identity solid players and pay them what it will take to play here.

 

[Cassvt2023]

With the other active thread getting bulky, here’s one meant for Red Sox news, well sourced whispers and their subsequent discussions. Let’s keep talking about potential targets in the Targets Locked thread, and this one can track the winter’s news and narratives. It’s an offseason thread.

The occasion is these quotes from Breslow and Boras in Jen McCaffrey’s story today in The Athletic.

“We asked our fans to sacrifice a lot to be patient as we build the foundation that would enable us to meet those goals,” Breslow said. “I think we’re here. I think we’re ready to deliver.”

At GM meetings this week, agent Scott Boras reinforced that notion with some interesting comments.

“In our meetings, (the Red Sox) are definitely letting us know that ownership is committed, that they’re wanting to secure high-level players and that they’re definitely planning on being very active in the free agent market,” he told reporters.

Seems like a vibe shift, so to speak. And we’re already seeing the Sox come up in reports about several players.

Do you read these statements as significant? Is it a philosophical shift that Breslow is coming right out and saying We’re ready? Do you see this as more “interest kings”-type stuff? Are there reports that the Sox are in on Garrett Crochet? How is this organization shaping up for 2025?

Thanks for starting this thread. I read the Athletic article earlier and definitely felt a shift in the vibe as opposed to last year. A couple things stood out.

* I am encouraged by Breslow's take for sure. I'm also hoping that, going forward, his is the singular voice when it comes to the teams plans. We do not need Kennedy and especially Werner muddying up the waters. I hope they both continue to let him be the lead voice on baseball decisions.

* I take Boras comments with a grain of salt. Of course he wants as many teams to spend in free agency as possible. But he could've thrown a bit of shade at them based on the last few years and he didn't.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Here's a link to the article:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5904088/2024/11/07/red-sox-free-agent-outlook-pitchers/

The article is just about starting pitcher free agent possibilities, no other positions.

Some highlights:

Max Fried:
Contract projections:
QO attached
TA: Five years, $140 million
MLBTR: Six years, $156 million

Fried offers a left-handed option for the Red Sox’s rotation, which is entirely right-handed at the moment. He’s not a high strikeout pitcher, but has been consistently excellent over the last five seasons in Atlanta, never posting an ERA over 3.25 in that span while averaging a 2.87 ERA in his last 101 starts since the beginning of 2021. With an average four-seam velocity of 93.9 mph, Fried has elite command and relies heavily on a high ground ball rate. This season he posted a 58.8 percent ground ball rate, with the league average sitting at 42.2 percent. Improving the infield defense is already a priority for Boston, but it would be even more so with a ground ball pitcher like Fried on a staff that already includes Brayan Bello.

Corbin Burnes:
Contract projections:
QO attached
TA: Seven years, $217 million
MLBTR: Seven years, $200 million

Burnes is projected to land the biggest deal for a pitcher in free agency this winter, and for good reason. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner hasn’t been as dominant the last three years but still managed a sub-3.50 ERA and has age on his side having just turned 30 in October. He’s been a workhorse with 190 or more innings pitched each of the last three seasons and has only been on the injured list twice in his career, once with an oblique strain and the other time with COVID-19. His strikeout rate has dipped in recent years from 36 percent in 2020-21 to just above league average at 23 percent this past year, but he’s still averaging 95.3 mph on his cutter, his primary pitch, while averaging 97 mph with his sinker, which he uses less frequently.
While Burnes represents the top of the market, the projected deals would be the most the Red Sox have spent on a pitcher since David Price in 2017 and it seems likely if the Red Sox are to target a frontline pitcher, they would prefer shorter deals in the four- to five-year range.

Blake Snell
Contract projections:
TA: Four years, $110 million
MLBTR: Five years, $160 million

Snell was one of the top starters last winter coming off his NL Cy Young Award, but the market stalled for him and Jordan Montgomery with neither pitcher signing until the end of spring training. Snell opted for a two-year deal with the Giants with an opt-out to return to the market this winter. After a rocky start, rushing his ramp-up after the late signing then landing on the injured list twice, Snell put in an impressive second half. Over the final three months, he looked like a different pitcher with a no-hitter in July and another 15-strikeout performance.
Snell will once again be a top target this winter. He posted a 1.048 WHIP, his best mark since 2018 when he won his first Cy Young with Tampa Bay. Despite a gaudy strikeout rate of nearly 35 percent and a 95.9 mph average four-seamer, Snell has always struggled with command and posted a 10 percent walk rate this past year.

Jack Flaherty
Contract projections:
TA: Four years, $92 million
MLBTR: Five years, $115 million

Flaherty turned 29 in October, making him the youngest of the top free-agent pitchers. But he also pitched deep in the postseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a deadline trade from the Detroit Tigers and there’s always some concern with pitchers’ ability to bounce back the next year after an extra month of high-stress pitching. Nevertheless, Flaherty excelled in 2024 in Detroit with a 2.95 ERA and 32 percent strikeout rate. He posted a 3.58 ERA and 26 percent K rate after the trade to LA. He’s not the hardest thrower with a 93.3 mph four-seamer, but did see his velocity tick up a hair since 2023. Flaherty has had an up-and-down career from a top prospect to dealing with shoulder injuries in 2021-22, but he still remains one of the top pitchers on the market.

Some other possibilities are in the article.

 

[Cassvt2023]

Here's a link to the article:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5904088/2024/11/07/red-sox-free-agent-outlook-pitchers/

The article is just about starting pitcher free agent possibilities, no other positions.

Some highlights:

Max Fried:
Contract projections:
QO attached
TA: Five years, $140 million
MLBTR: Six years, $156 million


Corbin Burnes:
Contract projections:
QO attached
TA: Seven years, $217 million
MLBTR: Seven years, $200 million



Blake Snell
Contract projections:
TA: Four years, $110 million
MLBTR: Five years, $160 million



Jack Flaherty
Contract projections:
TA: Four years, $92 million
MLBTR: Five years, $115 million



Some other possibilities are in the article.

She also alluded to the fact that their main focus this offseason would be SP, RP, and RH Power. She chose to highlight SP first. That makes me think that she will address the other two in future articles.

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1854690031018946785?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q

 

[MFYankees]

* I am encouraged by Breslow's take for sure. I'm also hoping that, going forward, his is the singular voice when it comes to the teams plans. We do not need Kennedy and especially Werner muddying up the waters. I hope they both continue to let him be the lead voice on baseball decisions.

+1 on hoping that Kennedy and Werner shut up

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

How is this any different than the noise they were making this time last season?

 

[OCD SS]

It’s not.

 

[Cassvt2023]

It’s not.

I beg to differ. Last year at this time, Breslow was just getting ramped up. Now it is his team. Get back to us in a couple months.

 

[chawson]

The Red Sox are reportedly "right in the thick of" a trade for Garrett Crochet, says McAdam, citing "a baseball source with knowledge of the White Sox' thinking."

https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/11/mlb-notebook-source-red-sox-right-in-the-thick-of-garrett-crochet-talks.html

The source thinks Abreu could "headline a deal."

Within the White Sox’ organization, there’s an understanding that the Red Sox are unlikely to include Anthony, rated by some as the top prospect in the game, in any package to land Crochet. The Red Sox will likely make at least one more member of the “Big Four” untouchable, too.

But the Red Sox system has improved to the degree that even the next level of prospects, including outfielder Jhostynxon Garciaand shortstop Mikey Romero, could constitute part of a package from Boston’s end.

“There’s a nice, second group of players in the system there,” said one evaluator. “From that group, I don’t know if ‘strike gold’ is the right phrase, but you could get some real solid major leaguers from that second tier.”

For that matter, so, too, could someone like outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who won a Gold Glove and posted a .794 OPS in his first 160 games in the major leagues.

“I think they’re open to that as well,” said the source. “Young position players are probably going to be the No. 1 focus. And from there, if it can include an arm, someone like Kutter Crawford, great. But even if the (service time) clock has started, they’d be open to it. They’re going to be open to whatever gives them the best return value-wise rather than timeframe or fit.

“As for Abreu, I know he’s struggled to hit lefties. But when you’re not in a ‘win-now’ situation, you can afford to give him more time to develop. That’s a part of his game that he has to figure out. But it’s hard not to like the power that’s in there. He seems to play with a lot of passion. He would be a good fit, and they could afford to play him every day and see if he can get better (against lefties).”

...

Asked if he believed Abreu could potentially headline a deal for Crochet, the source responded: “Yeah, I think so. I think he could. There’s a lot of value there, especially when you factor in the years (five) of control.”

 

[simplicio]

I'm not a huge Crochet fan, but yeah if they'll let Abreu headline it go ahead and lock that in.

 

[Max Power]

Abreu for Crochet straight up is probably a fair deal. Abreu is a much, much safer bet to produce and has more years of control. I wouldn't add anything beyond a lottery ticket if I'm Breslow.

 

[YTF]

Abreu for Crochet straight up is probably a fair deal. Abreu is a much, much safer bet to produce and has more years of control. I wouldn't add anything beyond a lottery ticket if I'm Breslow.

If Crochet is serious target you don't fuck around. You don't give away the farm, but you are in a position where you can afford to "overspend" a bit where your competitors might not be able to. And doing so sooner rather than later also sends a message to the Burnes and Fried camps should you also be interested in one of them as well as any top BP arms that might be of interest.

 

[greenmountains]

In the last year, Breslow has addressed the organizations lack of pitching depth. December '23 - Traded for Greg Weissert (RP), Dick Fitts (SP) and a lottery ticket; February '24 - Traded for David Sandlin (SP); July '24 - Traded for Quinn Priester (SP). Plus he selected Justin Slaten (RP) in the Rule 5 draft. None of the starters are likely to be 1st or 2nd starters, but they address a complete lack of depth in the system. Additionally, Weissert and Slaten appear to be potential high leverage bullpen arms. In 2024, Breslow didn't get a top of the rotation starter. He went shopping for Yamamoto, but didn't have the pocketbook to get it done. He didn't get it done with Montgomery, who might have gotten bad advice from his agent. He did signed a mid rotation starter, Lucas Giolito who ended up being non-servicable in 2024. All of these pieces were acquired without sacrificing high end talent (at either the major or minor league level) and helping solve a rule 5/40 man roster crunch. Lastly, he focused the 2024 draft on pitching which the prior administration had shunned.

What's that mean for 2025? Nothing directly. This organization needs top level pitching, Breslow has acknowledge it. He has the organizational depth to trade for it. Let's hope he also has the checkbook allocation to sign it.

I love the Crochet rumor. I love that Giolito has a relationship with Fried to help entice him to Boston. I like Burnes as the organization has the money and flexibility to make this work. I like Flaherty as a solid number 2. I like a flier on Buehler. I like a trade of high end talent not named Anthony or Campbell to Seattle for one of their top 3. Now, let's make two of those happen.

As the last year has shown, he can address organizational weaknesses. 2024 was without flair. Hopefully 2025 will be top end talent. If he doesn't acquire two starters, then we can talk about his lack of action and empty words. But let's wait until Truck Day to see what Breslow accomplished.

 

[tims4wins]

I know this doesn't really move the discussion forward, but I would think the majority of the fan base is rolling their eyes at that comment. I sure as hell am.

 

[YTF]

I know this doesn't really move the discussion forward, but I would think the majority of the fan base is rolling their eyes at that comment. I sure as hell am.

What parts of it do you want to dispute?

 

[tims4wins]

What parts of it do you want to dispute?

I don't want to dispute any of it. I want them make some major moves. I don't need to hear that they're prepared to do it. Just fucking do it.

 

[BigSoxFan]

If Crochet is serious target you don't fuck around. You don't give away the farm, but you are in a position where you can afford to "overspend" a bit where your competitors might not be able to. And doing so sooner rather than later also sends a message to the Burnes and Fried camps should you also be interested in one of them as well as any top BP arms that might be of interest.

Agreed. Abreu+ where the + isn’t a top 4 prospect is a dream scenario for me. Locking him in before Fried/Burnes negotiations start would be perfect. Opens up a lot more possibilities.

 

[joe dokes]

Abreu for Crochet straight up is probably a fair deal. Abreu is a much, much safer bet to produce and has more years of control. I wouldn't add anything beyond a lottery ticket if I'm Breslow.

How much of that is because almost *any* good young hitter is more likely to produce than any good young pitcher? Unfortunately, I dont think the generic, "pitchers get hurt more" dampens their trade value all that much..

 

[YTF]

I don't want to dispute any of it. I want them make some major moves. I don't need to hear that they're prepared to do it. Just fucking do it.

Perhaps I misunderstood your post. I thought you were rolling your eyes at @greenmountains post.

 

[Fishy1]

It would kill me to see Abreu go. I'd rather see Mayer be the one on the way out but if that's how it shakes out, I'll understand.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

Would Grissom and Abreu get a deal done for Crochet? Reading that other teams interested don't have the prospects we have to pull a trade. I would still like to add Fried as well even with the trade.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

It would kill me to see Abreu go. I'd rather see Mayer be the one on the way out but if that's how it shakes out, I'll understand.

Yeah, it's a good problem to have some major OF depth coming up. It's definitely a position we can trade from and still be in good shape.

 

[tims4wins]

Perhaps I misunderstood your post. I thought you were rolling your eyes at @greenmountains post.

No, I was reacting to Breslow’s comments. Carry on.

 

[bnyc]

I would prefer Mayer going instead of Abreu as well. we have other young SS in the system, they cannot all play.

 

[Sox Pride]

"Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow is prioritizing left-handed pitchers and right-handed hitters this offseason. To find the right lineup mix, Breslow could deal from a position of strength that other teams covet: Boston's stockpile of left-handed hitters."

from Jesse Rogers' ESPN article.

Honestly, the handedness of the rotation doesn't bother me. It would be swell to upgrade the rotation either way though. If Bueller, Burnes or Sasaki come through that door, I won't be crying.
This sounds much more like trade rather than free agency splash though.

As to RH bats - What's available? Adames, Bregman, Alonso, Teoscar, C Walker... a few more. But some of that depends on what players get traded away for a LHP

 

[OCD SS]

I beg to differ. Last year at this time, Breslow was just getting ramped up. Now it is his team. Get back to us in a couple months.

That it was a different person in charge of front office messaging at the same point in the timeline last year is irrelevant. At the start of the offseason the messaging from the team was (paraphrasing) “…an aggressive full steam ahead, our recent performance is unacceptable and we’re going to do what it takes to get back to the playoffs.”

I’d love for them to actually do it this year, and things look promising, but talk is cheap, and I think it’s reasonable to keep Ownership’s actual behavior in mind.

 

[chrisfont9]

I beg to differ. Last year at this time, Breslow was just getting ramped up. Now it is his team. Get back to us in a couple months.

Agree. It seems like the simplest answer, he was parachuted into free agency -- a super-overheated market for a couple stars and a lot of questionable guys, so a weird year to navigate with no time to prepare. They then spent the year doing a comprehensive assessment of the system, which is in vastly better shape than last winter with a lot of players making gains in the majors and upper minors. The needs are clearer and the available solutions are easier to attain. And to top it off, we have at least one (CHI) if not two (SEA) teams wanting to trade young pitching for position players, kind of a miracle. Henry got one more year off from paying the tax. Maybe they will disappoint again but very little is the same.

That it was a different person in charge of front office messaging at the same point in the timeline last year is irrelevant. At the start of the offseason the messaging from the team was (paraphrasing “…an aggressive full steam ahead, our recent performance is unacceptable and we’re going to do what it takes to get back to the playoffs.”

I’d love for them to actually do it this year, and things look promising, but talk is cheap, and I think it’s reasonable to keep Ownership’s actual behavior in mind.

I'm an eternal optimist with this stuff but yeah, I won't tell you that you are wrong.

 

[OCD SS]

I would prefer Mayer going instead of Abreu as well. we have other young SS in the system, they cannot all play.

I don’t think any of the other young SS’s are nearly ready, unless you think Cambell will be able to hold things down, and I hat seems like a lot more based on hope that past performance/ experience. Anybody else besides Mayer looks to be years away. Mayer’s injury history doesn’t inspire confidence so far, but if Story goes down again, he’s who you hope can step in to fill the void.

By contrast there’s a positive glut of LHH OFers on the roster, so if you can trade the one who may profile as more of a platoon player, you do it.

 

[Sausage in Section 17]

In the last year, Breslow has addressed the organizations lack of pitching depth. December '23 - Traded for Greg Weissert (RP), Dick Fitts (SP) and a lottery ticket; February '24 - Traded for David Sandlin (SP); July '24 - Traded for Quinn Priester (SP). Plus he selected Justin Slaten (RP) in the Rule 5 draft. None of the starters are likely to be 1st or 2nd starters, but they address a complete lack of depth in the system. Additionally, Weissert and Slaten appear to be potential high leverage bullpen arms. In 2024, Breslow didn't get a top of the rotation starter. He went shopping for Yamamoto, but didn't have the pocketbook to get it done. He didn't get it done with Montgomery, who might have gotten bad advice from his agent. He did signed a mid rotation starter, Lucas Giolito who ended up being non-servicable in 2024. All of these pieces were acquired without sacrificing high end talent (at either the major or minor league level) and helping solve a rule 5/40 man roster crunch. Lastly, he focused the 2024 draft on pitching which the prior administration had shunned.

What's that mean for 2025? Nothing directly. This organization needs top level pitching, Breslow has acknowledge it. He has the organizational depth to trade for it. Let's hope he also has the checkbook allocation to sign it.

I love the Crochet rumor. I love that Giolito has a relationship with Fried to help entice him to Boston. I like Burnes as the organization has the money and flexibility to make this work. I like Flaherty as a solid number 2. I like a flier on Buehler. I like a trade of high end talent not named Anthony or Campbell to Seattle for one of their top 3. Now, let's make two of those happen.

As the last year has shown, he can address organizational weaknesses. 2024 was without flair. Hopefully 2025 will be top end talent.

Excellent, thoughtful post.

Everyone rues Breslow's lack of activity on the free agent market in the 1 year he has been on the job, but who is it exactly he should have signed? He passed on Montgomery, and Snell, who were the two highest priced pitchers last year, and this sure looks like it was a good personnel decision. They made a run at Yamamoto, but in hindsight it was clear they never had a shot. Having determined that the top of the market wasn't worth it, he took a shot at the 2nd tier, and whiffed on Giolito, which no one could have predicted. Using hindsight to suggest he should have signed the pitcher(s) who didn't get injured isn't helpful.

So basically, he guessed right about the top of the market, deciding I think that this year would be a better year to spend bigger, both in terms of the players available, and the team's position in terms of being able to compete. What was available on last year's market, was an opportunity to spend big for mediocrity, to potentially lock yourself into the next Chris Sale contract, which is probably the largest reason the Sox haven't been competitive the last few years. None of the pitchers in last year's market were real difference makers (save Yamamoto), but the choices this year seem better, and I am glad the Sox waitied.

Given the choices available, I think it was right to wait. I don't think signing any of last year's free agent pitchers would have significantly changed the Sox fortunes for 2024. For 2025, in this market, that feels different.

If he doesn't acquire two starters, then we can talk about his lack of action and empty words. But let's wait until Truck Day to see what Breslow accomplished.

Exactly.

 

[TrotNixonRing]

This source shouldn’t be cited. It’s a misinformation bot.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/aaron-judge-investigation-peds-mlb-drug-test-rumor/e1e220eaa686759c0e3b63c9

 

[jmanny24]

Yeah that's a big fake account for all sports. I believe it had ed cooley leaving Georgetown for Virginia

 

[grimshaw]

It would kill me to see Abreu go. I'd rather see Mayer be the one on the way out but if that's how it shakes out, I'll understand.

Ya I want prospects only unless they are positive they'll get it internally. Abreu is a building block.

 

[benhogan]

In the last year, Breslow has addressed the organizations lack of pitching depth. December '23 - Traded for Greg Weissert (RP), Dick Fitts (SP) and a lottery ticket; February '24 - Traded for David Sandlin (SP); July '24 - Traded for Quinn Priester (SP). Plus he selected Justin Slaten (RP) in the Rule 5 draft. None of the starters are likely to be 1st or 2nd starters, but they address a complete lack of depth in the system. Additionally, Weissert and Slaten appear to be potential high leverage bullpen arms. In 2024, Breslow didn't get a top of the rotation starter. He went shopping for Yamamoto, but didn't have the pocketbook to get it done. He didn't get it done with Montgomery, who might have gotten bad advice from his agent. He did signed a mid rotation starter, Lucas Giolito who ended up being non-servicable in 2024. All of these pieces were acquired without sacrificing high end talent (at either the major or minor league level) and helping solve a rule 5/40 man roster crunch. Lastly, he focused the 2024 draft on pitching which the prior administration had shunned.

What's that mean for 2025? Nothing directly. This organization needs top level pitching, Breslow has acknowledge it. He has the organizational depth to trade for it. Let's hope he also has the checkbook allocation to sign it.

I love the Crochet rumor. I love that Giolito has a relationship with Fried to help entice him to Boston. I like Burnes as the organization has the money and flexibility to make this work. I like Flaherty as a solid number 2. I like a flier on Buehler. I like a trade of high end talent not named Anthony or Campbell to Seattle for one of their top 3. Now, let's make two of those happen.

As the last year has shown, he can address organizational weaknesses. 2024 was without flair. Hopefully 2025 will be top end talent. If he doesn't acquire two starters, then we can talk about his lack of action and empty words. But let's wait until Truck Day to see what Breslow accomplished.

Thanks, good post.

Two out all the options you offered would be excellent work by Craig (if TOP5 is preserved)

 

[simplicio]

Crawford just squeaked into super 2 status, so he'll be arb eligible this winter.
https://apnews.com/article/durran-crawford-perdomo-arbitration-20ead4f64cdc82bb8373a467b8cd15ff

 

[soxhop411]

View: https://twitter.com/BOSSportsGordo/status/1855011456506360001

This feels different than last year where it was only the FO paying lip service.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

I like Wilyer Abreu too, and would love to keep him on the team long term, but he’s also another LHH on a team with way too many LHH. We need to make room for Roman Anthony too, at some point, and presumably also to make room for an additional RH power hitter.

I’m not necessarily against trading Mayer, but if I’m moving him, it’s not for Crochet.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

Boston.com with an in-depth piece on uber prospect Kristian Campbell:

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/11/13/kristian-campbell-rise-red-sox-mlb/

This kid sounds like he has it all, particularly in his off-the-field demeanor.

 

[bloodysox]

I would prefer Mayer going instead of Abreu as well. we have other young SS in the system, they cannot all play.

I have the opposite opinion. We're actually lacking true SS prospects who are likely to stick at SS while we have a ton of LH OF prospects. Abreu is the perfect trade chip, especially if we somehow manage to land Soto.

Anthony is our #1 prospect who put up absurdly good numbers in AAA as a 20 year old and our 1st round draft pick this year was a switch hitting OF who is much better at hitting lefty. Both likely have a higher upside than Abreu. On the other hand we don't have anyone other true SS in our system that touches the upside that Mayer has.

I have a feeling that Breslow views our top 3 prospects (Anthony/Teel/Mayer) as borderline untouchable. Teel/Mayer because of their positional value and Anthony because of sheer upside (#1 prospect in baseball) and elite performance in AAA at his age (the long term success rate of prospects that put up those kind of numbers at that level at his age is extremely high relative to other prospects).

 

[Yo La Tengo]

Anthony because of sheer upside (#1 prospect in baseball) and elite performance in AAA at his age (the long term success rate of prospects that put up those kind of numbers at that level at his age is extremely high relative to other prospects).

Have there been reviews of top prospects who dominate at AAA while at/below league average age and their MLB career thereafter?

 

[simplicio]

Have there been reviews of top prospects who dominate at AAA while at/below league average age and their MLB career thereafter?

The chart is back!

 

[TrotNixonRing]

The chart is back!
View attachment 91737

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo_vXoRdZKc

 

[Yo La Tengo]

The chart is back!
View attachment 91737

That chart is something else... are there outliers who are not included, or is that the full top 10 AAA seasons for players 20 and under?

 

[simplicio]

I think I filtered for >90 PA to get Trout in.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1857056988615557475?s=46


The reason I find this interesting is based on the fact Carrabis nailed last offseason. Everyone kept thinking they’d spend and he said over and over again they weren’t going to.

Feels different

 

[Fishy1]

If you expand to just minor league performance in general from 2006-2024... it's not as exciting for Roman, who doesn't appear on this list till #102, but it's pretty exciting in general. Kelvin Diaz doesn't really count, he's only played rookie ball. So Campbell is third behind Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. I mean, Jesus.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Some interesting nuggets from the new Section 10 Podcast with Lou Merloni today to add to what was posted above. Last year at this time, when the Red Sox met with a prospectiv free agent, they just sent Eddie Romero. This year, it's a 6 or 7 person crew which tells the agent they are more serious. I haven't listened to all of it yet. That was just in the first hour or so.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1857056988615557475?s=46


The reason I find this interesting is based on the fact Carrabis nailed last offseason. Everyone kept thinking they’d spend and he said over and over again they weren’t going to.

Feels different

Definitely feels different...a good sign that they sent all 7 to the meeting this week with Soto. Even if they don't land him, it's a much different effort. Good point that he will be the man and face of the RedSox. No knock on Devers, but he never seemed like the Face of the Sox, to me at least. I am hoping Papi, Manny and Pedro make the trip as well.

 

[BaseballJones]

Soto's 2024 chart overlaid on Fenway Park.



Long story short: Him hitting in Fenway instead of the Toilet....won't pose any sort of problem at all for him.