I wasn't sure where to put this as there are aspects that touch on ~everything, but I thought it was discussion worthy. So yeah...I think I'll number things in the order they appear in the article for ease of discussion?
https://redsoxstats.substack.com/p/october-2023-survey-results
#1
Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are both under contract for one more year, and 74% of you want them both to return to the Red Sox next season. There is a 20% swath of voters that are ready to put Jansen on the trade block this winter.
I voted to look into Kenley trades. I have concerns.
#2
Justin Turner put together a really nice year taking over the designated hitting duties in this season, and 60% of you would like him back on a 1-year contract. 34% say it’s time to move on, with only a small group prepared to offer him multiple years on a contract extension.
I voted to move on from Turner because of how DH-heavy our lineup is. It's a tough call, though.
#3
84% of respondents will be happy to have Connor Wong and Reese McGuire return as the catching duo next season, but the vast majority already have an eye on Kyle Teel working his way through the system. There are 12% of people who think the Red Sox need to upgrade Wong’s backup this winter.
I selected the option about keeping the current catcher duo while pining for TEEL or however it was worded. Doesn't seem like a necessary place for a large investment right now, despite the obvious concerns with those two.
#4
It seems faith has been lost in Alex Verdugo, with 87% of votes cast wanting him on the trade block this winter; 67% looking to trade him for equal value, and 20% ready to take whatever they can get for him. Only 4% voted to try and work out a contract extension.
I voted for equal value. I don't find him to be someone we need to ship out of town no matter the return.
#5
65% of replies say they are fine with Wilyer Abreu as a corner outfielder for the Red Sox next season, pending other moves. 10% are ready to put him in the starting lineup no matter what, but 20% think he still needs more development time, and a handful think he’s not a long-term option for the Red Sox.
I said I would be fine with it...but we at least need to have other options.
#6
Only 9% of people think Tanner Houck should continue to be a starter, with 74% percent wanting him in a bullpen role, and 17% thinking his best value to the team would be as a trade asset. Of those that want him in the pen, 89% want him in a multi-inning role, with only 11% wanting him deployed as a setup man.
I said multi-inning relief. Since I wasn't given the option of bulk reliever after a lefty opener. & obviously hopefully we acquire enough pitching that the Opener + Houck is only like 7th or 8th on the depth chart to start the season. I stand by the concept, though.
#7
While 64% of votes think Masataka Yoshida should get more time at DH in 2024, only 10% feel he should be moved to DH permanently.
I said more time at DH...it's part of the problem with bringing back Turner.
#8
73% of people want Brayan Bello and Triston Casas to both receive long-term contracts from the Red Sox this winter, with only 6% wanting to extend neither. 17% are ready to extend Casas, but want to hold off on Bello.
Sign em both up if they're interested & realistic.
#9
Will the Red Sox offer Shohei Ohtani a competitive, top-of-the-market contract this winter? 32% say yes, 68% say no.
I said yes. I don't think they will sign him, but I think they'll make a competitive offer.
#10
Will the Red Sox offer Yoshinobu Yamamoto a competitive, top-of-the-market contract this winter? 89% say yes, 11% say no.
See above. Although I am a bit more hopeful on Yamamoto.
#11
Differing views on Ceddanne Rafaela, but 44% of votes think he should be dangled for a big trade offer this winter. 23% think he needs to be sent back to AAA for more developmental time. 33% are ready for him to open next year in the Red Sox lineup, but are split down the middle on if that should be in CF or 2B.
I wasn't offered the super utility option so I said to send him back to AAA because I don't really want to write him in as the starter at any position right now. I think he's much better to have as an option everywhere & not the guy anywhere because of a lack of proof of concept.
#12
Only 3% of votes think Jarren Duran is destined for stardom, but 48% say he is a solid starting outfielder for the years ahead. 31% think it’s always going to be a roller coaster with him, and 18% are ready to try and sell high.
I said I was ready to sell high...if someone values him higher than I do. Kind of like Verdugo only with more controlled years...if someone values him more than you, trade him. If they don't, don't.
#13
Are you ready to possibly rent Juan Soto if he hits the trade block? 50% say offer multiple pieces of very good, but non-elite trade chips. 5% are willing to put Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony in a deal. 45% have no interested in trading for Soto, at least not without a contract extension in place.
I said multiple good pieces. It would have to be part of a bigger plan, though, because there's really not a great fit for him on the current roster, but he would definitely free up other guys to be moved for value. I almost feel like there would have to be someone out there who wants Yoshida for it to really make sense, though.
#14
Is the entire Red Sox 2024 starting outfield currently in the organization? 38% say yes, 62% say no.
I said yes...but I'm not sure I really meant it. I'm sure they will probably add someone to the mix, especially if they trade a guy or two who are currently in the mix.
#15
Which of these four pitchers should the Red Sox try hardest to sign? Jordan Montgomery 38%, Aaron Nola 32%, Shota Imanaga 15%, Blake Snell 15%.
This is the question that had me talking Imanaga yesterday. I think my answer is Montgomery - one thing the question pointed out is that Nola & Snell will cost 2nd rounders & $500k international signing money, whereas Montgomery won't.
#16
56% say no change is needed to the Red Sox major league hitting coaches.
Smh. I said yes to change.
#17
92% say there needs to be changes made to the Red Sox major league pitching coaches.
I said yes to change.
#18
Voters are clearly ready for a new TV voice of the Red Sox, with Mike Monaco’s 64% dominating the field. Dave O'Brien 21% was followed closely by a large write-in vote for Don Orsillo. Will Flemming and Sean McDonough also had write-in support.
I voted for Monaco.
#19
Lou Merloni easily led as favorite NESN game analyst with 60% of the vote, with the others splitting support. 58% of voters do not like how NESN rotates through different game analysts.
I don't even remember how I answered. Watch almost no games on NESN these days.
#20
58% of voters believe that Chaim Bloom should not have been fired and at least been given another season. 28% feel indifferent about the team’s decision, with 14% glad the Red Sox moved on.
Kind of surprised the Bloom support is that high. I voted indifferent.
#21
Who should now be hired to run the Red Sox? Sam Fuld easily led voting with 43%. Eddie Romero finished with 20%, Brandon Gomes 13%, and James Click 7%. The remaining 17% was split among other listed candidates, with Kim Ng, Alex Cora, and Theo Epstein the popular write-in mentions.
I voted for Ben Sestanovich out of general principle.
