The Conductor: who should Breslow haul to Boston this winter?

[benhogan]

What would happen if we cross The Mendoza Line and actually go over the CBT cap like, let's say, the teams that are seriously trying to win it all?

Is it better to spend every last shekel now or during the season, when the Sox can address their actual needs instead of projected needs?

All winter long, 30 MLB GM's are rationalizing their .330 average by signing shiny new free agents & selling '23 Texas Ranger glory to season ticket holders. Then the summer hits, a few teams go Mendoza, throw in the towel, and sell expensive vets cheaply while buying lottery prospects dearly.

There are plenty of ways Craig can burn through Daddy's money other than the FA Candy Store.

 

[beautokyo]

I like it as it stands. Give everyone a shot at 2nd base and who walks away with it is the starter. I'd also give Yoshida some reps in LF and 1st base during spring training. He's not happy just DH'ing so throw him out there to prove himself to himself.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Is it better to spend every last shekel now or during the season, when the Sox can address their actual needs instead of projected needs?

All winter long, 30 MLB GM's are rationalizing their .330 average by signing shiny new free agents & selling '23 Texas Ranger glory to season ticket holders. Then the summer hits, a few teams go Mendoza, throw in the towel, and sell expensive vets cheaply while buying lottery prospects dearly.

There are plenty of ways Craig can burn through Daddy's money other than the FA Candy Store.

Because any FA could give you production before the summer, which matters. Clearly, there will be in-season buying opportunities but there are also guys out there who can help immediately. I think they’re taking the proper approach. They clearly don’t like Bregman at his current price. But if it drops 10-15% or something, go get him. Ditto for some RP arms like Scott.

In any event, I think it’s been a pretty successful offseason and a far better one than last year. And there still could be more presents under the tree this winter.

 

[InsideTheParker]

I like it as it stands. Give everyone a shot at 2nd base and who walks away with it is the starter. I'd also give Yoshida some reps in LF and 1st base during spring training. He's not happy just DH'ing so throw him out there to prove himself to himself.

I agree with this, assuming he's healthy and understands what not to do to avoid hurting himself. I know that LF is easy, but it's also easy to hurt yourself out there, isn't it? I have vague memories of a couple of players out of position ruining themselves running into the side-wall there.

 

[simplicio]

What would happen if we cross The Mendoza Line and actually go over the CBT cap like, let's say, the teams that are seriously trying to win it all?

Not sure what this has to do with my post about trading Crawford.

Also, this is not a thread about ownership.

 

[Margo McCready]

I like it as it stands. Give everyone a shot at 2nd base and who walks away with it is the starter. I'd also give Yoshida some reps in LF and 1st base during spring training. He's not happy just DH'ing so throw him out there to prove himself to himself.

I get trying to expand upon his usefulness, but I’m not so sure sticking a guy at first base who’s 5’8” and has never played the infield a realistic idea. I’m right there with you on playing the kids, though.

 

[OCD SS]

… wait, Casas is one of the kids - why don’t we play him at 1B?

 

[benhogan]

Because any FA could give you production before the summer, which matters. Clearly, there will be in-season buying opportunities but there are also guys out there who can help immediately. I think they’re taking the proper approach. They clearly don’t like Bregman at his current price. But if it drops 10-15% or something, go get him. Ditto for some RP arms like Scott.

In any event, I think it’s been a pretty successful offseason and a far better one than last year. And there still could be more presents under the tree this winter.

Continuously adding/upgrading the pitching at the ML/AAA level, is good off-season work. I suspect they have some $$$ earmarked for Crochet extension, so their off-season budget may be nearing the end.

If SoSH is any kind of measure, it feels like Sox ownership has done a good job convincing the pitchfork people that the torch people just want to take away their pitchforks

 

[Cassvt2023]

I agree with this, assuming he's healthy and understands what not to do to avoid hurting himself. I know that LF is easy, but it's also easy to hurt yourself out there, isn't it? I have vague memories of a couple of players out of position ruining themselves running into the side-wall there.

Blake Swihart was one of them.

 

[Max Power]

My Christmas wish for the team is still to sign Teoscar Hernandez to a 2 year high AAV deal. I know they ditched a similar hitter in Tyler O'Neill, but Teoscar gives you a much better chance of being healthy and less severe splits.

That leaves the OF as Hernandez, Duran, and Abreu/Refsnyder with the IF as Devers, Story, Grissom, and Casas. Rafaela gets pushed to the bench and should play almost exclusively SS in spring training. He's most valuable to the team as a backup to Story if he can clean up his defense at short. He has the physical tools to be great, but makes a lot of mistakes that could go away with more experience. And his terrible bat is something you can carry at short if there's excellent defense to go with it

Anthony and Campbell can start AAA at CF and 2B respectively with Mayer at SS. Should Grissom fall on his face, hopefully either Campbell or Mayer show enough in April and May to get a call-up. If Anthony looks like he needs to be called up mid-season and everyone has somehow managed to stay healthy, you can deal Abreu or Yoshida.

 

[Beomoose]

Is it better to spend every last shekel now or during the season, when the Sox can address their actual needs instead of projected needs?

Well this is why I like the idea of a Kim signing. He's flexible enough that he could be slotted into whichever of 2B/Short/3B is the biggest glaring need when he's healthy enough to be slotted. If everyone in those spots is healthy and everyone is producing by the time he's ready, he would be a valuable trade asset to help address some other need. Seems like it would be easier and cheaper to get him now, while he's still recovering, than it would be to find a comparable player in a trade deadline crunch.

 

[nvalvo]

Blake Swihart was one of them.

Hanley Ramirez was the other.

 

[radsoxfan]

My Christmas wish for the team is still to sign Teoscar Hernandez to a 2 year high AAV deal. I know they ditched a similar hitter in Tyler O'Neill, but Teoscar gives you a much better chance of being healthy and less severe splits.

That leaves the OF as Hernandez, Duran, and Abreu/Refsnyder with the IF as Devers, Story, Grissom, and Casas. Rafaela gets pushed to the bench and should play almost exclusively SS in spring training. He's most valuable to the team as a backup to Story if he can clean up his defense at short. He has the physical tools to be great, but makes a lot of mistakes that could go away with more experience. And his terrible bat is something you can carry at short if there's excellent defense to go with it

Anthony and Campbell can start AAA at CF and 2B respectively with Mayer at SS. Should Grissom fall on his face, hopefully either Campbell or Mayer show enough in April and May to get a call-up. If Anthony looks like he needs to be called up mid-season and everyone has somehow managed to stay healthy, you can deal Abreu or Yoshida.

Personally I prefer Campbell and Anthony starting the season in the majors. If Grissom has a great spring and forces his way into starting 2B job maybe reconsider. Otherwise, let the kids play. They’ve both already done well in AAA and no reason not to let them take their lumps now (if it’s going to happen). They both should be valuable 2025 guys in the majors even if they struggle early.

I’m not high on Teoscar personally. We have enough DHs. I’m sure he can handle LF in Fenway but I still would pass.

Bregman if the price is right works for me (around what the Astros supposedly offered) or otherwise just go with what we have.

 

[Fishy1]

Personally I prefer Campbell and Anthony starting the season in the majors. If Grissom has a great spring and forces his way into starting 2B job maybe reconsider. Otherwise, let the kids play. They’ve both already done well in AAA and no reason not to let them take their lumps now (if it’s going to happen). They both should be valuable 2025 guys in the majors even if they struggle early.

I’m not high on Teoscar personally. We have enough DHs. I’m sure he can handle LF in Fenway but I still would pass.

Bregman if the price is right works for me (around what the Astros supposedly offered) or otherwise just go with what we have.

This is where I am. Anthony might outplay a 33 year old Teoscar as soon as next year. Campbell has had the fourth best minor league season since 2005. Get these guys in the majors and let them figure it out. I'd think they're odds on favorites to compete for rookie of the year.

 

[beautokyo]

I get trying to expand upon his usefulness, but I’m not so sure sticking a guy at first base who’s 5’8” and has never played the infield a realistic idea.

He's never played 1st base in the US in any way or form but he has played the position in Japan. Now it can be argued that it more than likely was not in a professional surroundings but I know for a fact he played some in HS and probably college. Yeah. i know.....5-8's not idealistic but in a blowout.....I'm in agreement with you though. He just wants to be on the field and I'm just trying to find a few more spots for him. If he could only catch huh. Wouldn't that be great

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

Couldn’t the Twins likely get out from Correa’s deal without having to take on someone like Story? He was a 4+ win player and is projected to be worth 3x as much as Story this year.

Yes. The perception (and Baseball Trade Values agrees) is that Correa's contract is not underwater. Story's is very much underwater.

 

[cantor44]

My Christmas wish for the team is still to sign Teoscar Hernandez to a 2 year high AAV deal. I know they ditched a similar hitter in Tyler O'Neill, but Teoscar gives you a much better chance of being healthy and less severe splits.

That leaves the OF as Hernandez, Duran, and Abreu/Refsnyder with the IF as Devers, Story, Grissom, and Casas. Rafaela gets pushed to the bench and should play almost exclusively SS in spring training. He's most valuable to the team as a backup to Story if he can clean up his defense at short. He has the physical tools to be great, but makes a lot of mistakes that could go away with more experience. And his terrible bat is something you can carry at short if there's excellent defense to go with it

Anthony and Campbell can start AAA at CF and 2B respectively with Mayer at SS. Should Grissom fall on his face, hopefully either Campbell or Mayer show enough in April and May to get a call-up. If Anthony looks like he needs to be called up mid-season and everyone has somehow managed to stay healthy, you can deal Abreu or Yoshida.

In full and total agreement with this. Forgive not adding anything just wanna second this.

 

[RS2004foreever]

My Christmas wish for the team is still to sign Teoscar Hernandez to a 2 year high AAV deal. I know they ditched a similar hitter in Tyler O'Neill, but Teoscar gives you a much better chance of being healthy and less severe splits.

That leaves the OF as Hernandez, Duran, and Abreu/Refsnyder with the IF as Devers, Story, Grissom, and Casas. Rafaela gets pushed to the bench and should play almost exclusively SS in spring training. He's most valuable to the team as a backup to Story if he can clean up his defense at short. He has the physical tools to be great, but makes a lot of mistakes that could go away with more experience. And his terrible bat is something you can carry at short if there's excellent defense to go with it

Anthony and Campbell can start AAA at CF and 2B respectively with Mayer at SS. Should Grissom fall on his face, hopefully either Campbell or Mayer show enough in April and May to get a call-up. If Anthony looks like he needs to be called up mid-season and everyone has somehow managed to stay healthy, you can deal Abreu or Yoshida.

I still think this leaves the team very weak defensively at the corners. As I see it, there are three main objectives:
1. Do not block Anthony/Campbell
2. Get a right-handed bat
3. Improve the corner defense.

I agree with handing second to Grissom/Campbell.

 

[joe dokes]

I still think this leaves the team very weak defensively at the corners. As I see it, there are three main objectives:
1. Do not block Anthony/Campbell
2. Get a right-handed bat
3. Improve the corner defense.

I agree with handing second to Grissom/Campbell.

The most likely corner defensive improvement will be the runoff effect from having better defense at SS and 2B. I doubt theres going to be the multiple moves necessary to replace the 1Bman and 3Bman.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Agree…and no way to quantify this, but feel like you can deal with subpar defense at 1b/3b if you aren’t also lousy at the more important ss/2b. Wonder if there’s a cascading effect to poor defensive play, and if conversely, a few good defenders can make everyone else a bit better, by at least lessening the pressure on others? Sounds good in theory.

 

[nvalvo]

Agree…and no way to quantify this, but feel like you can deal with subpar defense at 1b/3b if you aren’t also lousy at the more important ss/2b. Wonder if there’s a cascading effect to poor defensive play, and if conversely, a few good defenders can make everyone else a bit better, by at least lessening the pressure on others? Sounds good in theory.

I should go find the post, but just quickly: When I looked through the team defensive stats earlier in the offseason, I noted that the worst part of our infield defense was double play runs. I also noted that we had approximately a zillion SS-2B combinations.

I think that greater stability at the positions would do a lot even without a change in personnel. We were asking a lot of some inexperienced SSs to play with a rotating cast of sometimes fringe defenders at 2B.

 

[Fishy1]

I should go find the post, but just quickly: When I looked through the team defensive stats earlier in the offseason, I noted that the worst part of our infield defense was double play runs. I also noted that we had approximately a zillion SS-2B combinations.

I think that greater stability at the positions would do a lot even without a change in personnel. We were asking a lot of some inexperienced SSs to play with a rotating cast of sometimes fringe defenders at 2B.

Fringe to horrible. Valdez was awful there, and I didn't like Grissom much either.

 

[Big Papi's Mango Salsa]

This seems like as good a time for a reset as any, but as we stand here today, I think it’s been a very solid off season so far for Breslow et al. Short answer, I’d give it a B.

Very long answer:

Going into the off season, I had the Sox pegged for an 80-82 record (I think Pivetta and Giolito are essentially a wash; Casas should provide better overall offensive production than O’Neill; I expect nothing of consequence from Story; a bit of a regression from Houck but a bit of an improvement from Bello; a bit of regression from Duran but mostly made up by a bit of improvement from Abreu, Rafaela and “not Valdez half the time at 2b.“ Everyone else, I see no reason to expect anything different, netted out to “lose” a game in the record).

Way back on page 6, I wanted them to (summarized), and I assumed this would net the payroll out around $225m:
1) trade for a ToR starter.
2) move on from O’Neill and Pivetta
3) sign Bregman to play 3b
4) trade Yoshida by paying about 60% of his salary
5) sign Chapman - admittedly I had no idea he was such a dbag, I just knew him as a pitcher
6) sign Yates
7) if not Bregman, Adames, Teoscar, Arenado, CWalker etc and shuffle as necessary.


So here we are getting ready to enter the new year, so where we stand in my mind and what I really like and hope we do from here.

A couple notes, a decent discrepancy between Cots and Sox Payroll is the ~ $3m between the former not counting Fulmer and the latter counting him with incentives. As we stand here now, I’ll use Sox payroll because it’s the more conservative estimate ($24m) but say there is no way I’d keep Fulmer (becomes $27m left).

I obviously really like how the Sox have handled points 1 and 2. In my opinion they “spent” to acquire the most attractive ToR option on the market (Crochet). I was hoping it’d be “just” Mayer and stuff out, but it ended up being Teel, Montgomery and stuff. I’d still have made the deal 100% of the time, but that does mean needing at least a time share catcher (I assumed Teel to be up by around the ASG).

They “did” point 5, points 3, 4, 6 and 7 are in play. To be clear, I’d STRONGLY PREFER them to pursue points 3 (7) and 4, but since we’ve reached the winter holidays and they either haven’t been able to (or haven’t tried) to move Yoshida, I have to assume he’s going to be here and move on. So I’d focus on points 6 (sign Yates) and add in point 8 (sign a catcher). Both of which could certainly be done with the remaining $24m-$27m.

They elected to spend on a solid option for upside in the rotation (Buehler) and some depth (Sandoval) and while neither of those were really on my radar, I really like both moves. Crochet, Houck, Bello, Giolito, Crawford is a really good ”rotation.”

As of today, I’d project the roster as is, with using most of last year’s line up while inserting one of the kids in the OF and at 2b, and I think that would be an 86-76 team, and a really good chance at being WC2 or 3. Go out and sign Yates and “Grandal” (or Diaz, or take CV back for free, etc) and I think that becomes 87-75 and then they should be firmly in the playoffs (and I’ll say WC2).

With those pieces, I do think there is a way to contend for WC1 and get up to the 89 win range. Devers at 3b and Yoshida at DH forces some combination of Campbell, Grissom, Hamilton to Worcester, and I firmly believe two of them and Devers at DH is a better option than one of them, Devers at 3b and Yoshida at DH. Leaving Yoshida at DH and Devers at 3b would still be an 87ish win team, but I’m much more interested in seeing what the kids can do than Yoshida as the DH only, and I think it’d be a better team.

(I do, however, admit it’s a dicier conversation to ask Devers to DH for a kid as opposed to bringing in someone of Bregman or similar. I like to think he is more focused on playing October baseball, but who knows.)

Duran - CF (L)
Story (Rafaela) - SS (R)
Devers - DH (L)
Casas - 1b (L)
Campbell - 3b (R)
Abreu - RF (L)
Anthony - LF (L)
Wong / Grandal - C
Hamilton / Grissom - 2b (whoever doesn’t win the job goes to Worcester)

Bench - Rafaela, Refsnyder, the other C, Yoshida.

Rotation
Crochet, Houck, Buehler, Bello, Giolito (Priester, Fitts, Criswell in Worcester).

Bullpen
Yates, Hendriks, Chapman, Slaten, Crawford other stuff.


However, what I THINK they’ll do is go the “Devers 3b, Yoshida DH, ”Yates and Grandal” route and leave themelves ~$5m in wiggle room before LTT1, probably similar to what @joe dokes mentioned earlier.

Line up there is:

Duran
Story (Rafaela)
Devers
Casas
Campbell
Abreu
Anthony
Yoshida
Wong (Grandal)

Rafaela, Refsnyder, I’ll guess Grissom, the other C. Which I think will go quite poorly against LHP and lose more games than they should because of how easy that will make bullpen management for opposing teams, and really no back up 1b, but it is what it is (which again should be an 86 or 87 win team).

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I should go find the post, but just quickly: When I looked through the team defensive stats earlier in the offseason, I noted that the worst part of our infield defense was double play runs. I also noted that we had approximately a zillion SS-2B combinations.

I think that greater stability at the positions would do a lot even without a change in personnel. We were asking a lot of some inexperienced SSs to play with a rotating cast of sometimes fringe defenders at 2B.

That makes sense to me; it’s great to have versatile players but I do think all the switching and combinations and lack of consistency probably led to some breakdowns in communication and poor defensive play at time.

 

[YTF]

Fringe to horrible. Valdez was awful there, and I didn't like Grissom much either.

With such a SSS I personally feel like Grissom gets a pass at 2B. I'd love to see a fierce competition between him and Campbell during spring training for the job. One that truly gives Breslow, Cora and Co. the proverbial difficult decision. Eventually there may be room for both on the roster, but if Grissom gets the job I'd prefer Campbell starting the season in WOOstah and getting regular ABs to keep sharp for his impending addition to the MLB roster.

 

[Fishy1]

With such a SSS I personally feel like Grissom gets a pass at 2B. I'd love to see a fierce competition between him and Campbell during spring training for the job. One that truly gives Breslow, Cora and Co. the proverbial difficult decision. Eventually there may be room for both on the roster, but if Grissom gets the job I'd prefer Campbell starting the season in WOOstah and getting regular ABs to keep sharp for his impending addition to the MLB roster.

Yeah I'm fine with that, I just disagree about Grissom's defense. Nothing I've seen indicates to me he's anything better than a fringe defender at second. Personally I'd love to see him fill out and add some power to his game. Guys with excellent contact tools like him can sometimes develop that power late.

It would definitely make him a more interesting proposition in left field or even at 1B/DH, though I'm not saying this is likely.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

With such a SSS I personally feel like Grissom gets a pass at 2B. I'd love to see a fierce competition between him and Campbell during spring training for the job. One that truly gives Breslow, Cora and Co. the proverbial difficult decision. Eventually there may be room for both on the roster, but if Grissom gets the job I'd prefer Campbell starting the season in WOOstah and getting regular ABs to keep sharp for his impending addition to the MLB roster.

If he doesn't win a starting job in spring training, there's little to no chance Campbell opens the year on the big league roster. They're not going to add him to the 40-man and start his service clock to be a bench player. As a result, I think Grissom has the advantage out of the gate. Campbell is going to have to be undeniably head and shoulders better than Grissom in spring training (or healthy if there are injuries to Grissom and/or others) to break camp as a big leaguer.

 

[iddoc]

I think Bregman would be an expensive mistake. Sandoval redux (different body types acknowledged, but Sandoval was 3 years younger). Perhaps Breslow and Cora are convinced Devers needs to move off 3B, despite their public pronouncements. I would oppose trading Casas for anything less than a front line pitcher (sounds like they have tried) or a position player of similar projected value and control. Yoshida is poorly suited for a bench role, given the lack of defensive value, and would be expensive to dump another team. Perhaps the latter would change if he proves healthy in ST and another team develops an acute need because of injury.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

I'm not real familiar with this site - but some of you might be.
But, they are talking that the Tigers exploring options and Yoshida is one of them.

https://bolavip.com/en/mlb/mlb-rumors-tigers-among-top-potential-trade-destinations-for-red-sox-left-handed-outfielder

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I'm not real familiar with this site - but some of you might be.
But, they are talking that the Tigers exploring options and Yoshida is one of them.

https://bolavip.com/en/mlb/mlb-rumors-tigers-among-top-potential-trade-destinations-for-red-sox-left-handed-outfielder

I don't see anything in that article that says the Tigers are talking/considering Yoshida. I see speculation about what the Tigers could do and the only source seems to be a Fansided writer gaming out how he thinks it could work. Fansided is pretty much a glorified fan blog site, not a place for breaking news and insider access.

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

I'm not real familiar with this site - but some of you might be.
But, they are talking that the Tigers exploring options and Yoshida is one of them.

https://bolavip.com/en/mlb/mlb-rumors-tigers-among-top-potential-trade-destinations-for-red-sox-left-handed-outfielder

The Tigers don't have much in the way of underwater contracts outside of Javy Baez (He's in the Trevor Story territory) and maybe Kenta Maeda. This would absolutely be a situation where Yoshida would be heavily subsidized by Boston.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Fansided is pretty much a glorified fan blog site, not a place for breaking news and insider access.

Robert Murray is the only Fansided blogger that's at all credible and gets cited by actual reporters

 

[Cassvt2023]

File this under: can't a guy dream trade scenario.

The Mariner's need a lot of offense to go along with there very good pitching. I know this won't happen and I have no idea what it looks like on BTV values.

Mariners get: Abreu, Grissom, Wong, Bleis and Cespedes.

Sox get switch hitting C Cal Raleigh. Family is from my native VT and he grew up a fan of Varitek and the Sox.

Duran LF
Devers 3B
Raleigh C
Casas 1B
Story SS
Yoshida DH
Campbell 2B
Anthony RF
Rafaela CF

Narvaez C, Hamilton IF, Romy U, Refsnyder OF

 

[RS2004foreever]

Robert Murray is the only Fansided blogger that's at all credible and gets cited by actual reporters

Murray is regularly credited with breaking stories.

 

[deythur]

File this under: can't a guy dream trade scenario.

The Mariner's need a lot of offense to go along with there very good pitching. I know this won't happen and I have no idea what it looks like on BTV values.

Mariners get: Abreu, Grissom, Wong, Bleis and Cespedes.

Sox get switch hitting C Cal Raleigh. Family is from my native VT and he grew up a fan of Varitek and the Sox.

Duran LF
Devers 3B
Raleigh C
Casas 1B
Story SS
Yoshida DH
Campbell 2B
Anthony RF
Rafaela CF

Narvaez C, Hamilton IF, Romy U, Refsnyder OF

SI had a little write up discussing something like Abroad or Yoshida for Andres Munoz. Sighting Seattles need for bats and specifically lefty bats and the depth of their pitching making Munoz potentially an option to move.

Not even a rumor but more of an idea and I would be all for it. Since this thread is about who Bres should bring in, it seemed to fit ok.

Pipe dream for Munoz and Cal but it would help a lot.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Robert Murray is the only Fansided blogger that's at all credible and gets cited by actual reporters

When he's one among hundreds (?), that doesn't really lend the site much credibility. FWIW, the article above cites a blogger from Fansided by name (not Robert Murray) but doesn't even provide a link to the source material. Tells me all I need to know, really.

 

[E5 Yaz]

When he's one among hundreds (?), that doesn't really lend the site much credibility. FWIW, the article above cites a blogger from Fansided by name (not Robert Murray) but doesn't even provide a link to the source material. Tells me all I need to know, really.

Oh, I agree. I should have made that point more clearly

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Reading SOSH this offseason, I realized that Yoshida's first name has been changed to Asubsidized.
We really seem to want to trade Asubsidized Yoshida for pretty much anything.

 

[Jake Peavy's Demons]

Reading SOSH this offseason, I realized that Yoshida's first name has been changed to Asubsidized.
We really seem to want to trade Asubsidized Yoshida for pretty much anything.

Another great SoSH handle in waiting.

 

[OldeBeanTowne]

I haven't really seen it discussed, though I haven't read every post in every thread this off-season. Why isn't Ceddanne mentioned more as a 3B primary backup option when resting/DHing Devers? With the positional flexibility of Rafaela, Campbell, and Grissom potentially, it doesn't seem like there is as glaring a need for a defensively adequate to above average option when you have those players already who allow for roster flexibility. Now, if you believe that Bregman (or some other infield option that can play 3B) is an offensive improvement significant enough to forego the opportunity to see what they can do and utilize that roster flexibility to address other needs, then you aren't necessarily wrong, but I would go with the "kids," more pitching (SP&RP), and, maybe, Alonso on the right deal.

I think this team is ready to compete for the playoffs as currently constructed, but with a few more pieces should/would be considered to have one of, if not, the best roster in baseball*. It'd be a shame to see this promising off-season miss out on those last few finishing touches to address the minimal remaining "needs."

*Edit: Dodgers excepted probably.
Edit 2: Now I see this topic is being discussed in the other thread.

 

[Sox Pride]

Honestly, there feels like there’s way more AI-generated garbage content out there just looking for clicks.
Newsweek, Sporting News and and others feel like ridiculous wishful wishcasting rather than actual reporting.

 

[TheDogMan]

Revisiting this, Breslow has done all of the above except instead of pulling off #1 they signed Buehler. I would have far preferred 3 years of Flaherty to 1 year of Buehler, but so be it.

So I'd still like to see #3 happen, and I'll add:

5) acquire another ML Catcher through free agency (Grandal?) or a trade (Murphy?).

Still, it's not even 2025 and this has been a much, much more exciting and hopeful offseason than the past few. There's actual "juice" headed into this Spring Training for the first time since at least 2022, and really since 2019.

Really think you priority today is a top of the line closer. I would trade Yoshida for a deep dish pizza to the Cuns and sign Teoscar. Just say no Bregman unless he comes down to years team is comfortable with. If they have nothing between our three second base candidates that would be very disappointing

 

[YTF]

Really think you priority today is a top of the line closer. I would trade Yoshida for a deep dish pizza to the Cuns and sign Teoscar. Just say no Bregman unless he comes down to years team is comfortable with. If they have nothing between our three second base candidates that would be very disappointing

How much do you wish to pay for that pizza?

 

[Cassvt2023]

How much do you wish to pay for that pizza?

Domino’s 2 topping $5.99 sounds about how far I’d go. And that is for Bregman. I think signing him for what Boras is looking for is a big, really huge mistake. Roster disruption, paying for declining years, blocking legit prospects.. tell me I’m wrong.

 

[iddoc]

Domino’s 2 topping $5.99 sounds about how far I’d go. And that is for Bregman. I think signing him for what Boras is looking for is a big, really huge mistake. Roster disruption, paying for declining years, blocking legit prospects.. tell me I’m wrong.

You’re right, and giving up a draft pick too. Not worth it at all, perhaps not even at half of what he is supposedly seeking.

 

[greenmountains]

I've been struggling with Incremental Improvement. We need one of the best players in the game in order to compete for a World Series. That's why I liked the potential of Soto signing. It's why I like the Crochet trade. I don't hate Buehler, but it feels like an incremental move.

What do the Sox have at the moment? They still have a glut of outfielders (assuming Anthony and Campbell are ready to contribute) and DH types. They still need to upgrade defense, catcher, and could improve starting pitcher. So how do they make more than incremental improvement? And who are the potential suitors? I focused on the Mariners. BTV gives the following blockbuster an edge to Seattle at 139.9 to 132.2

Boston trades Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, Triston Casa and Kutter Crawford for Cal Raleigh and Bryan Woo. It doesn't kill the existing salary structure. It upgrades catcher dramatically, it deals with the glut of outfielder (position of strength), it frees a signing of Bregman to improve the infield defense. Raleigh has Vermont roots (his dad grew up here), is 27 years old, has three years of control (until after 2027 season), and is no longer represented by Boras. It gives Seattle two impact bats, and a servicable replacement at catcher and another starter who might mimic their existing young starters.

For this to work, management has to believe that one of Anthony or Campbell will perform at near All Star level. Bregman and Raleigh will each bring right handed power and superior defense. It's a big bold move, but I think that's how the Sox take the next step.

(I don't want to get rid of Casa, and I'm in favor of selling high on Duran.....but it might be what's need to improve more than at the margins.)

 

[BigSoxFan]

Gleyber to the Tigers. With Keith and Jung already there, should close the doors on any potential Bregman move. Feel like Bregman’s landing spots keep reducing.

 

[bosox1534]

I've been struggling with Incremental Improvement. We need one of the best players in the game in order to compete for a World Series. That's why I liked the potential of Soto signing. It's why I like the Crochet trade. I don't hate Buehler, but it feels like an incremental move.

What do the Sox have at the moment? They still have a glut of outfielders (assuming Anthony and Campbell are ready to contribute) and DH types. They still need to upgrade defense, catcher, and could improve starting pitcher. So how do they make more than incremental improvement? And who are the potential suitors? I focused on the Mariners. BTV gives the following blockbuster an edge to Seattle at 139.9 to 132.2

Boston trades Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, Triston Casa and Kutter Crawford for Cal Raleigh and Bryan Woo. It doesn't kill the existing salary structure. It upgrades catcher dramatically, it deals with the glut of outfielder (position of strength), it frees a signing of Bregman to improve the infield defense. Raleigh has Vermont roots (his dad grew up here), is 27 years old, has three years of control (until after 2027 season), and is no longer represented by Boras. It gives Seattle two impact bats, and a servicable replacement at catcher and another starter who might mimic their existing young starters.

For this to work, management has to believe that one of Anthony or Campbell will perform at near All Star level. Bregman and Raleigh will each bring right handed power and superior defense. It's a big bold move, but I think that's how the Sox take the next step.

(I don't want to get rid of Casa, and I'm in favor of selling high on Duran.....but it might be what's need to improve more than at the margins.)

First off, that trade would deplete the offense so heavily that if those prospects didn’t work out they would be forced to go into a rebuild. Also, it doesn’t clear up any payroll, as all those guys are on cheap deals still. So it’s not even a guarantee they would sign Bregman. Duran is the best player in that deal and the Sox are giving up more value?

 

[chawson]

Gleyber to the Tigers. With Keith and Jung already there, should close the doors on any potential Bregman move. Feel like Bregman’s landing spots keep reducing.

I wonder if the Mets are more in play here than has been reported.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

I wonder if the Mets are more in play here than has been reported.

Definitely feels like they are big players here. He’d look great in that lineup and would be a substantial upgrade over their current options. Much cleaner fit than here.