Despite a mid-season trade from the Red Sox to the Astros, catcher Christian Vazquez remained interested in a potential Boston reunion, even going so far as to reach out to the club before agreeing to his deal with the Twins, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. However, Speier adds that the “Sox never showed any interest in bringing back” the veteran backstop.
Vazquez, who is tied for the fifth-most games caught in franchise history, was reportedly offered a one-year extension before Boston picked up his $7MM option for the 2022 season, but the extra year was at a lower average salary than the 2022-23 option. Vazquez subsequently declined the offer, and the two parties never discussed a new deal. This decision to bet on himself worked well for the catcher, who would go on to sign a three-year, $30MM deal with the Twins. Nevertheless, during his introductory press conference, Vazquez noted the difficulty in his free agent decision, saying that the Sox will “be in my heart forever” and that it “was tough to leave Boston.”
Barring an offseason catcher addition, the Red Sox are projected to rely on Reese McGuire and Connor Wong behind the dish. While the duo doesn’t have as successful of an offensive history as Vazquez, McGuire is a career .256/.301/.381 hitter and Wong has a .213/.290/.361 slash line in 70 plate appearances, McGuire hit .337/.377/.500 following a trade to the Red Sox and Wong has hit .276/.327/.471 in two seasons at the Triple-A level.
In other Red Sox news:
- The Red Sox were quick to pounce on Masataka Yoshida, agreeing to a record-setting five-year, $90MM contract with the Japanese outfielder shortly after he was posted. However, the organization had been reportedly scouting Yoshida for years, per VP of professional scouting Gus Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum cites Pacific Rim coordinator Brett Ward for bringing Yoshida to the Red Sox’s attention long before the NPB star was posted this offseason, telling reporters that “Wardy recognized this bat a long time ago for us, and cited him as one of the better pure hitters that he’d seen since Ichiro.” While comparing Yoshida to Ichiro Suzuki is high praise, the two produced similar batting lines during their time in Japan’s NPB with Yoshida slashing .326/.419/.539 over seven seasons and Ichiro hitting .353/.421/.522 over nine seasons.
- With the majority of MLBTR’s top free agents inking contracts, general manager Chaim Bloom will be forced to turn to the trade market to improve his team this offseason. While Marcelo Mayer, Brayan Bello, and Triston Casas are considered untradeable, Tanner Houck, Ceddanne Rafaela, Bryan Mata, and Josh Winckowski have been floated as potential trade candidates. However, one National League team official believes that Rafaela is the least likely of the group to be moved, telling Speier that the Sox are “hugging him very tight.” Following a solid 2021 season at Single-A Salem, Rafaela broke out during the 2022 season. Across High-A and Double-A, the speedy utility man hit .299/.342/.539 with 21 home runs, 1o triples, and 32 doubles. The Red Sox’s No. 3 prospect, Rafaela is projected to make his debut during the 2023 season.
Lol
Rafaela is hopefully the next Mookie Betts for Boston (a poor man’s version anyways). Rafaela might be a better defender than Mookie, but Mookie is just so good everywhere else. If Rafaela can can be mentioned in the same sentence as Mookie, that’s good enough for me. I believe he is their best overall prospect and should be able to contribute by June or July this year. If Bloom decides to trade him, I’ll be beyond upset. Mayer is the real deal too, but there’s something about Rafaela’s game that stands out to me.
Rafaela isn’t close to the offensive presence and has been thrown around in the same vein to inspire. If you look at Mookie’s minor league career, it really sparkles, especially next to Rafaela.
I think a name you could be keener on might be Bleis, who is touted to be a 5 tool guy. Rafaela is probably closer to Bradley Jr.
Lol, don’t snooze on Rafeala!
Rafaela is a Gold Glove winner in waiting, but his AA near 40% strikeout rate will need to come way down if he is to be a regular in the MLB. He has great tools, but needs to be more selective at the plate….
If Bloom decides to trade Cedanne Rafaela, I’ll be irate! He is the closest prospect to Mookie Betts that Boston has in their system. Rafaela is probably a better defender than Mookie but Betts is still a superior player to him for sure. With that said, if Rafaela gets mentioned in the same sentence as Mookie, that will be good enough for me. I believe he is the best prospect in Boston’s system right now. Mayer is the real deal too, but there’s something about Cedanne’s overall game & talent that really intrigues me. He plays incredible defense, has electric speed which should translate into 30+ SB each year and for a smaller player (like Mookie) he has above average power and will be an extra-base hit machine. He could be ready for the majors by June or July if his development continues in the early part of the 2023 minor league season. He has to be added to their ‘no-trade list’ for sure, unless Bloom can get an incredible player back in return for him.
Predicated on his Sawx resume its a fantasy for anyone to believe Bloom or his support staff is capable of vetting or acquiring a talent equal in potential to Rafaela or Betts. There is no coherent plan for success or a proactive front office team capable of developing or executing a successful plan for consistent winning. Bloom is an administrative drone whose utility is better suited as a tool for a low level private equity entity..
Wow, this does not present good optics for Bloom & co.
Agree!
Why exactly? Just because they decided they were better off moving on from Vazquez? Vaz rates as nothing better than simply decent to good at any aspect of the game. His defense isn’t great, his game calling can be suspect at times, and offensively he’s nothing special either. And none of those skills are going to get better as he ages.
I think you’re missing the bigger point. This isn’t about Vazquez. It’s about Vazquez’ statements regarding the FO in the overall context of what’s already going on in Boston, ie, Betts, Martinez, Xander, and failed FA acquisition attempts.
It presents terrible optics for Boston (Bloom) to other MLB veterans as well. It speaks to Bostons valuation, or lack thereof, of their vets.
Just my opinion from the outside though. I could be wrong.
It seems more like he’s not used to being treated this way after being in the organization for his entire career. It reflects that he didn’t know anything other than the Sox and has a huge affinity for them. It hurts that they aren’t interested. But that is the nature of business for most teams. It also misses that these players do make these choices too. They seek more money, and often teams, like the Sox are accused of doing, prefer to pay outside than inside guys. I don’t know why, there could be a variety of things, however, this is a common practice they benefit with higher salaries at the end of their careers.
IF it is ‘terrible optics’ for the Sox, it is due to the general negative sentiment and the emotions to trash the front office will look for anything to justify the disdain. It reinforces what people want to think or are inclined to believe. Otherwise, it is just a statement let go.
Possibly you’re missing the bigger picture in this Vazquez/Boston change Clipper……everything kingken67 said is spot on and with the changes in the Boston starting and relief staffs, defensively it probably was only going to get worse if they had signed him for 3 years and $30 Million or something in that vicinity of years and dollars……..don’t buy that he would have given Boston a discount substantive enough for Bloom to ignoramus’s both his pitch framing, arm behind the plate, and overall his offense which is average at best….is it possible that Boston will be will to play for good to exceptional performance and not just “league average or league below average” and if so, what they are saying to MLB veterans is that they pay for performance not being average or for “old times sake”……
Rocky: Yeah, that’s entirely possible. But to clarify, I never meant to suggest they should have signed him or offered him $30MM. I was speaking specifically to his statements and how they handled it, which seems to be a trend right now in Boston. If you look at a large majority of Boston’s fans’ comments, they don’t seem to be too happy with the FO’s handling of FAs, vets, stars, or the team in general. I can’t blame them.
We saw exactly what was happening. Some players are valued more by the fans than the front office. That he liked Boston enough to reach out for a reunion actually makes the club look better. I liked the guy and he is a post season performer, he obviously loved playing there. Just curious if any of the pitching staff thought negatively of him.
I for one value Bloom. He signed on to do ownership’s dirty work and is sticking mainly to the plan he sold them on. There is no way Houck will be traded. That would make no sense. We as a fan base need to wait until 24 to evaluate Bloom fairly. What the team is doing though underscores to me why DD left. He is a win now and spend to make more GM whereas Bloom is a build a team for sustainability GN.
These GM’s should be keeping sooo much of this stuff private. It’s like a hack reporter calls them up and says “Hi” and they can’t resist spilling their guts.
Dewey, I value your insight to alot but not this one. All gms are hired to do the dirty work. That’s thier job! I respected Bostons approach up until this past season. Everytime bloom makes a strong move 3 other domino’s falls. Bloom keeps chasing his own tail. Bloom just signed a Japanese player with Andrew B. Similar output for nearly 20 mill more. Bloom is a great GM but not for a market like Boston.
Vazquez is not a 1 catcher but he wanted 1 money well eff him
@remove
Vasquez is not an all star, but he is a No. 1 Catcher. He was for Boston. He will be for the Twins. He was paid as a No. 1. He didn’t resign with Boston but he’s better than what they currently have.
Vazquez pitch framing was better than league average, and he threw out 30% of baserunners with the Red Sox last season which was 5% better than league average. His game calling was .64 ERA better than the other catchers on the Red Sox.
Everything kingken67 said was incorrect. Any catcher that is above average at most aspects of the game is very valuable. Vazquez is.
Bloom wants his own guys, and the Red Sox will suffer for it. Last place in 2023 is almost assured unless the Orioles completely fall apart. Not sure they can climb out of last place in 2024 either, unless they spend huge dollars.
He just got signed to be a #1 catcher so by definition he is a #1 catcher.
kingken6740 mins ago
Why exactly? Just because they decided they were better off moving on from Vazquez?
============================
No bad optics here, Teams and players move on from each other all the time. If the team values McGuire/Wong more than Vazquez, No one in the world is going to think “Oh, Vazquez like it here. We should re-sign him for old-times’ sake.”.
@Kingken67 You maybe right about Vazquez, but he still is better than what the Red Sox currently have and possibly that is left in the FA market. Now the Red Sox may not have deemed him worthy at 3/$30, but to say have no interest at all, illustrates the issue with the current front office/ownership.
Not possibly better that what is left on the FA market. Far and away better than what is left on the FA market.
King – Great post!! He’s lazy, makes lots of mental errors, and pitchers can’t stand throwing to him.
What is it people can’t get? Actions speak louder than words.
Sox screwed him out of a million dollar bonus last year.
He was headed out the door pre-season until the Marlins stole Stallings.
They made no effort to extend him, not even a lowball offer.
And he was the only regular traded at the deadline despite still trying for a playoff spot.
I’ve been saying it for over a year, Vazquez was not valued by the Red Sox or most every other MLB team. Twins will regret the contract as Vaz gets fatter and more lazy.
He was better than any of the other Red Sox catchers at calling a game. That was is easy to prove, since they had a .64 better ERA with him behind the plate. That is a monstrous difference in catcher quality at calling a game. No other team had that big of a difference between their #1 and the rest of the staff.
Not one of their pitchers said anything about not wanting to throw to him, so that is something in your head, not theirs.
The Red Sox made no effort to keep Bogaerts or Martinez. It’s a pattern with Bloom. He wants to bring in HIS guys. It’s a pattern that will lead to free agents avoiding Bloom and another last place finish for the Red Sox.
it doesn’t seem like he really cares
i know that Red Sox fans think very highly of Vazquez and so do probably Yankee fans due to the rivalry. I thought he was a decent backup catcher for the Stros and did well in his short stint, but very frankly did not bring the same defensive skills as Maldonado and though his BA was much higher than Maldy, the power output was minimal. More of a punch and judy hitter. Having said that he is a winner, and a solid veteran. But not exactly an All-Star or superstar behind the plate. Neither is Maldy but at least Maldy has a gold glove, a great arm, the utmost respect of the pitching staff, and some HR power. The Betts and Bogaerts departures are more worrisome for Bloom in my view.
Red Sox fans, if you want to see your club improved with one under the radar move, you could sign a 30 year old who can play 2B, 3B, corner OF, & DH and had this line in 2022: 2.6 WAR, 122 OPS+, 31 doubles, 28 hrs, 87 runs, 87 RBI, .263 avg. He’s a free agent. Brandon Drury
I’m hoping they get Elvis Andrus. Might be perfect.
Oh, Wow. I like him, too. Sign them both.
Well, they just signed Turner to DH. That works.
Rafaela could be the CF by all star break with a good first half.
I think Rafaela is ready defensively. It looks like he needs to improve his plate discipline. He has an aggressive approach and doesn’t walk much.
I agree that Rafaela needs to walk a bit more but his strikeout rate in 2022 was around 23%. Not great for AA ball, but it’s a manageable number for sure, especially if he continues to collect a ton of extra base hits. This kid is the real deal and should be untouchable as a trade piece.
Rafaela has has a very high floor with still potential upside. At worst he is a gold glove caliber defensive center fielder who can play any infield position at least average as well. This makes him, at worse, a very valuable utility player. His bat to ball skills and bat speed are well above average. If he learns to lay off off questionable pitches, this is a big if, then he can be a star. If Boston is trying to semi rebuild then this not the kind of guy you trade. If they are trying to compete this year then they have already failed by letting X walk and not fortifying the starters.
Worst GM in baseball not even close. This team just has no direction at and there seems to be zero rhyme or reason for any move they make. At least Bloom will be gone when we finish in last again this season
He is Cherington all over again but at least he got lucky and hit everything right and won a World Series. Mayer won’t be up until 2025. By then Bloom is gone probably Cora too. Prospects are just that it’s all a crap shoot.
Cherington had a championship while also helping to rebuild the farm system that DD used to bring another championship. I don’t see the Bloom comparison at all.
Lord: Agreed.
suit – I agree with you and Lord.
Cherington’s flaw was he gave out two really bad contracts, especially to Panda.
I won’t even blame him for Valentine, that was Henry’s decision.
CHerington should have 2 WS under his belt…he’s the one that pulled the trade with the Marlins in 2007 when Theo needed a break.
We got killed in that trade.
Jake: What would be an acceptable direction?
I actually expect them to retain Devers. My thought was always him or Xander but not both. A contract like that is better invested in the younger, higher offensive upside of Devers.
Devers will ask for and get 14 years and $30+ million per season. Many respected writers are talking about him being the first position player to get $500 million. I think it will be closer to $450 million, but still far outside of what the Red Sox have shown they are willing to spend since they dumped Dombrowski.
Mr Biggar, I disagree that there’s zero rhyme or reason. The RS are fielding a team entirely of players making less than league average$. The reason? Save money because the fans will keep coming and watching on TV. Speaking of which, what will a will a 30 second in-game ad cost by the end of the 2023 season? Less than METV?
If the team looks bad in Spring training, the fans will not “keep coming out” and we won’t be watching on TV. Remy and Eck are gone so I have no affection yet, for next year’s announcers. I have no real incentive to watch a bad team because I find OB and whomever boring and unentertaining. Their banter or lack of it, will not keep fans watching a bad team. Hopefully two months from now we’ll see the fruits of the FO’s moves (obvious ones and those behind the scenes) that will enable progress versus last year. The current team makeup, however, will require too many members to exceed expectations in order for this club to make the playoffs. Only one guy capable of 30+ homers, no shortstop (we can’t press Story into that role based on his past injury, he’s too valuable at 2nd to risk injury) and the rag tag starting rotation is based on a hope and a prayer. Fans in New England (and around the country) will not tolerate another last place finish. That scenario will result in very poor attendance and I, for one, will not renew my MLB.TV subscription.
Ok very true there!!
Don’t bet on Bloom being fired. He is following Henry’s orders to a tee !!
Where’s the strategy from Shaim Doom? Realizing there was a strong chance Bogey was going to walk for the $$$ what’s the plan???
Jake, I understand what you are saying about Bloom and their current direction. It appears to me that Bloom is trying to walk a tight rope and trying to contend while also developing the farm. The problem is this is very hard to do especially when so many teams are going all in.
I do think Bloom is doing a good job developing the farm but it is going to be a while before that can really be judged. I think the wise thing for Boston and Bloom would be to take the year and soft rebuild especially since all the impact free agents are really gone now. I believe the prospect costs for impact players like Reynolds like Burnes/Woodruff would just be to high and in the long run set the Red Sox back.
I just wish that Bloom would come out and say it. Everything is so close to the vest so much double speak. It’s one of the great things about DD he wasn’t shy about letting everyone know which direction the club was going. The way Bloom operates he keeps everything so close it makes him look like he doesn’t have a real direction and maybe he does but it sure doesn’t look like it. Jake you are correct in looking at these things the way you are. If I had to guess he will make some more peripheral moves and not trade any of his impact prospects and after what has transpired in free agency I think it’s time to take a step back and let 2023 play out and reevaluate this off season. It’s not impossible that Sale and Paxton find the fountain of youth and the offense is good and the revamped bullpen comes through and this team makes the post season but it’s unlikely.
I just believe most Red Sox fans want the Red Sox to be either in or out and if out then just roll with what you have get ready to move some assets at the deadline for more prospects and prepare for 2024.
or 2025 or 2026
Randy I think most of us fans just want to see and hear a real direction.
Bloom also really dropped the ball if they are rebuilding should of never lost Ward. It shows very little foresight to leave him unprotected. It wasn’t like it was close he was the first player selected in the rule 5. They had so many other guys they could of designated or left of 40 man and protected Ward. DD also outplayed Bloom by taking Song so what if you have to start his clock now. If he isn’t let out of the his military obligation within a year or two want really matter anyway. This was a poor decision by Bloom and a smart one by DD.
If they were rebuilding, don’t you think they would have traded Betts alone, not with the returned being reduced massively by including Price? Wouldn’t they have traded Bogaerts instead of letting him walk for a 4th round draft pick? If they were rebuilding, why did they sign a 30-year-old Story to a 6-year deal to play 2B? Wouldn’t they have traded Martinez at the deadline when he was hitting .300 with an .850 OPS? Wouldn’t they be moving Devers this offseason?
If they were rebuilding, would they have invested that much money in a 30-year-old Japanese player? Would they have signed a 38-year-old Turner to a multi-year deal?
The Red Sox have no coherent direction.
exactly
I think Bloom job is to shed cash for the owners. He is doing his job while acting like they are doing something constructive. Which is opposite of reality
If what you’re saying is true, then the owners probably like him. I mean, if his job is to win on a tight budget, then we’ll see. But he is watching the budget.
I was going to say that they had a $241 million CBT payroll but then I realized that is what you were saying too.
Last place and pay CBT tax too. That is what I call great leadership from the Red Sox FO
It’s almost as if Cherrington is back as GM. Holding tight to prospects got him fired. And that seems to be the MO of Bloom. At least Cherington got lucky and hit on some trades to win in 13. If your long term goal is Mayer and build him around. You’re looking at 2025 and then he will having growing pains. Cora probably won’t be there and no doubt Bloom gets the ax by then. For Ivy League his common sense isn’t there.
You have to keep in mind that some of those prospects that he was holding on tight to were Boagarts, Barnes, Workman, Jackie Bradley Jr and Mookie Betts… Perspective matters.
Cherrington wasn’t fired. After the Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez and Rusney Castillo contracts, they brought in Dombrowski to keep an eye on him. Cherrington didn’t like this and left.
I’m weirdly ok with the Red Sox’s catching situation.
McGuire isn’t going to hit .330 again, but he was worth 1.6 WAR last year over just 89 games, which was the same as Vazquez over 119 games. His defense is elite, and his bat honestly isn’t terrible for a catcher. He seems like he could sneakily be a decent starter. Wong has also looked great with the glove so far, and projections like his bat. That’s not a bad backup. I feel like this duo is weirdly underrated.
That said, the team has gaping holes up the middle and at the DH slot, and Bloom better be serious about improving the team there. Otherwise all these reliever signings really don’t make sense
McGuire has always been renowned for his defense. If he’s a .260 batter with a .700 OPS, that’s more than passable for a backstop.
McGuire was 0.6 WAR. In 5 seasons he has a total of 2.0 WAR. He is a career 87 OPS+ hitter.
CV — “Hi guys, hadn’t heard from you. If you need a catcher, I’m excited to join your team!”
Bloom — “oh man, we were just late in trying to get you and offer.”
CV — “That’s why I called so you, so you can make…”
Bloom — “I said, we were too late.”
CV — “?? But you can…”
Bloom — “Good day to sir (click)”
or maybe it went like this:
Bloom: How much are you looking for?
CV: 3 years/$30M
Bloom: OK. Good luck.
Anyone who thinks Rafaela is a trade candidate has spent too much time outside a marijuana dispensary.
Stupid comment. You clearly have never tried marijuana. If anything it makes your thoughts more clear. You are thinking of alcohol.
Spoken like a true pothead.
Just trade the flippin prospects….remember these “PROSPECTS” Devin Marrero, Mike Chavis, Lars Anderson, Jay Groome, Anderson Espinoza, The Sox are too protective of these guys. I’m starting to believe Dave Dombrowski was the right man for the job!!
So true!
Boagarts, Devers, and Betts were also prospects. Gm has to identify which prospects are worth keeping and the others can be used to aquire proven help.
.remember these “PROSPECTS” Devin Marrero, Mike Chavis, Lars Anderson, Jay Groome, Anderson Espinoza,
==============================
.remember these “PROSPECTS” Lester, Ellsbury, Buchholz, Betts, Devers, JBJ, Bogaerts,
I love the fans who can’t remember that these guys were also prospects.
Vazquez, Youkilis, Pedroia, Arroyo, Workman, Barnes, Nixon also. Team has developed a ton of talent that they kept and contributed. Also traded guys like Moncada, Margot, Kopech, Rizzo, Iglesias, Reddick, Lowrie.
Despite what everyone thinks about Bloom, I do really like the signing of Ichiro II. Seriously, he probably won’t be as good as him, but his bat is perfect for Fenway. I think he’s going to hit.
I think he remembered those prospects too, but just reminding that for every Betts there’s a Lars anderson. Etc etc
@Coop – Even if Yoshida hits like Ichiro (which is highly unlikely), you have to remember what an elite defender Ichiro was in RF. He could get to any fly ball and had an absolute cannon for an arm. By all accounts, Yoshida is barely passable as a defender in LF with a wet noodle of an arm. I am happy Boston signed him, but we need to greatly temper expectations. He will never approach Ichiro’s total value to his team.
No plan.
Bloom’s follies will just result in more and more free agents not even wanting to talk to the Red Sox.
Like Yoshida and Jansen?
Jansen had some really nice things to say about the fans. I don’t really get why right now with how negative it feels, but at least he and maybe others see it as a place of true baseball, or something like it.
True history.
if you got an offer 2x what the market said you worth would you sign it?
Yeah, free agents will boycott a team with a $200M budget.
The FA’s no-one else wants will talk to the Red Sox
It feels like C. Rafaela is the guy they are moving. This ‘playing hard to get’ is the bait to get leverage.
Sure, Rafaela had a “breakout” season. It does however remain to be seen whether he’s legit. Defensive side he’s a gem. Where there is a concern is OBP% and whether the power will translate.
If he nets the team someone with top-of-the-lineup value, I’m fine moving him.
Yes me too. That seems to be the lesson here. If you can capitalize on the hype, you trade a prospect for a sure thing. Or some kind of package of guys on either side, probably the prospect side.
a classic sell-high scenario that fans don’t prefer.
It might be a good time to sell high on Rafaela. He is a free swinger that doesn’t walk much.
I have been a loyal Red Sox fan for almost 50 years and I am over it with them. Why should I care about a “premium” team that puts absolutely zero effort in keeping the players fans actually want to watch. Seriously, having Brasier still on this is reason enough not to watch this train wreck of a team
Buh bye.
I have been a loyal Red Sox fan for almost 50 years and I am over it with them. Why should I care about a “premium” team that puts absolutely zero effort in keeping the players fans actually want to watch. Seriously, having Brasier still on this is reason enough not to watch this train wreck
I’ve been a Red Sox fan for 45 years. The 80s and the 90s is when I burned my hat every August. But of course Every Spring I bought a brand new one.
But there’s been four championships this century so I’m a happy camper. They were in the ALCS 2 years ago they won the World Series 5 years ago. How many teams can say that, a handful?
You expected them to win the World Series every single year and then you’d stick with them in the future?
Talk about Fair weather. Things go south a little bit, they finish last a couple years recently and you’re out. Okay once again, buh-bye. Don’t get your brand new Bruins sweater dirty.
Nice post. We had a gazillion injuries, and still played .481, and some fans think the world is coming to an end. And it was all the way back to 2021 when we were 2 games away from the WS.
Joe – I am so glad that you never fail to give credit to yourself and Bloom for last year’s ALCS appearance, knowing full well the core of that team was acquired before Bloom’s chin ever appeared in Fenway Park.
Let’s see how the Sox do next year without the regulars Bloom inherited, such as Xander/JD/Eovaldi/ERod/Vazquez and maybe Devers.
So what’s the new under/over?
They were in the ALCS 2 years ago they won the World Series 5 years ago. How many teams can say that, a handful?
===========================
4 by my count, have had a WSC and a separate champions series appearance.
Atlanta
Dodgers
Houston
Red Sox
At the same time Joe that is over 10% of the league 😉
I’m okay with being in the 4 out of 30 group. There are a lot of other teams that want a piece of the pie.
tstats – That is also 80% of the past 5 World Champions.
Only the Nats won the WS and didn’t make the LCS.
It’s a useless comparison.
The 90’s are a good example here actually. The Sox lost franchise icons in Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens, and even saw Mo Vaughn depart at the end while relying on players like Jeff Frye, Darren Bragg, Lee Tinsley, and Reggie Jefferson as regular contributors in the lineup while trotting out Brett Saberhagen, Ramon Martinez, Zane Smith, Patt Rapp and Mark Portugal as members of the starting rotation and still managed three playoff appearances from 1995-1999.
Its not about having to have a team full of stars, its about having the right pieces working together
I understand there is a highly sought after National League janitor that the Sox are ‘in on’ – they have shown ‘serious interest’.
But I’ve also heard they’re a little late on that guy. They tried but the timing just wasn’t right.
It’s pretty clear that Boston’s goal is to shed bloated contracts, in some cases achieving this goal by not offering a contract in the first place and/or trading guys who are getting too expensive, and hoping to reload via luck on prospects, with the occasional mid budget complimentary player.
I would guess they’re looking at contracts like Chris Sale, even an oldie like Carl Crawford, etc and they’re extremely wary, even when it’s an in house player they developed themselves.
Bloom came from the Rays, right? That’s a budget conscious club who operates on finding cheap diamonds in the rough with occasional mid budget free agents that they hope to get a great deal on when the player over performs a still relatively generous salary.
He’s clearly trying to reboot the Red Sox in this vein.
Plus with the talent they’ve been letting walk, it’s not like they had an especially competitive club. He’s shedding an underperforming line up of guys who were getting too expensive anyway- they’re just the players Boston’s fans have been accustomed to.
You’re contradicting yourself.
If you’re trying to reboot and bring down salaries, then you facilitate that and TRADE “the talent they’ve been letting walk.” Only the Red Sox and Rockies appear content to let their talent walk.
How am I contradicting myself? They are letting expensive players walk rather than pay them competitive free agency rates. They did get a haul for Betts and the cornerstone of that trade, Verdugo, has regressed from an already only so so productivity level.
They obviously were disappointed in that haul, other prospects like Dalbec are not working out, so they’re purposefully not trying to make competitive free agent bids since it’d be too complicated and expensive to do anything of that nature that would turn the team around. They’re going to try to reboot via draft picks, etc and hope to at some point see an opportunity to spend in free agency to put them over the top, but right now they can’t do it with the team they have currently.
I guarantee Bloom wasn’t JUST brought in to lower payroll. There has to be a plan to rebuild the team after the payroll comes down, and that should include TRADING free agent bound players for talent. Counting on the draft pick you get back for a Devers vs. what you can get in trade almost never makes sense, and letting players like Eovaldi and JD Martinez walk away with ZERO return is foolish and irresponsible. With the financial might of the RS, Bloom could also easily eat some of the salary of departing players to increase both the number of teams interested and the return in prospects.
I’ve yet to hear the apologists for Bloom explain how letting guys walk without dealing them for future help “fits” with whatever plan the Red Sox apparently have…
Dude I’m not even a Red Sox fan. Watching them implode has been a weird feeling because it’s kind of a dream come true, but I also appreciate a competitive field of opponents, so to see such a financially powerful club suddenly suck at making financial decisions and getting cheap in weird ways is disappointing.
Devish – Right you are!
It’s not complicated … either sign 1-2 years in advance the players you truly want to keep, or trade them.
Watching them implode has been a weird feeling because it’s kind of a dream come true,
============================
Dude, we played .481 last year. It’s not an implosion.
Only the Red Sox and Rockies appear content to let their talent walk.
===========================
LADxSeager
NYYxCano
CWSxAbreu
HOUxCorrea
Atl==TLxFreeman
NYMxDeGrom
NATs-Harper
There are plenty of large market teams that have allowed players to leave.
Joe – Stop, just stop.
Met’s replaced deGrom with both Verlander and Senga.
Braves replaced Freeman with Olson.
Astros replaced Correa with a GG winner and ROY candidate.
I could go on and on.
Who did the Sox get to replace Mookie? Verdugo? Seriously?
Who did the Sox get to replace Xander? Not Story.
The simple fact is the Yankees have spent billions in free agent contracts the last few years while the Red Sox have acted like they’ve been hamstrung by Sale’s contract and have been very conservative. I really think it’s the ownership that’s more to blame, not so much Bloom.
Boston is one year removed from playing in the ALCS.
I do understand the frustration though because it doesn’t really seem like Boston is doing anything to improve themselves. Bloom has to know he’ll be fired if there’s not marked improvement next year and he’s still not spending money. That’s why I think it’s more of the ownership’s choice and not so much Bloom’s.
Bloom was brought in to do exactly what he’s been doing but that sure doesn’t absolve him does it?
One year from the ALCS? lol
For the same reason Billy Beane turned down the Red Sox POBO job, Bloom should have passed as well. These are guys who excelled at squeezing every last drop out of a tight budget without having every move scrutinized. I personally think Bloom was a fool to have taken this job.
In the last 18 years the Sox have won World Series with 3 different POBO’s with 2 of them getting fired a year or two after winning. Your team should still have Terry Francona as manager.. but what happened… oh yeah, he got fired!
As a fan, I hope you are right and Bloom’s minor league untouchables come up strong and they do make the ALCS in a year.
They better not let Devers just walk away. I hope they trade him and get something for him because the ‘he’s our top priority’ speech just doesn’t ring true now.
They’re trying to improve themselves, beginning at the farm level. somewhat at the expense of the major league team in fact. This will be a transitional year once again, however I’m confident in the club moving forward. Let’s hope at least.
I think the fans’ discontent with what’s happening lies in the fact that what Bloom is saying does not align with what he’s doing. He is not admitting that the game plan is to cut payroll this winter when that’s exactly what is happening.
I hear what you’re saying, but he’s in no way obligated to divulge the internal machinations of what takes place behind closed doors.
I know that, but he’s literally doing the opposite of what he’s saying creating cognitive dissonance in the fan base. Sox fans, for the most part, feel like they’re being lied to, and they have every right to feel that way. They aren’t stupid, but the FO is treating them that way.
Fans are creating their own cognitive dissonance. They’re ridiculous.
Half the time, they don’t even like the players we let go. Vazquez is more popular now than ever They buy into every rumor. They think Bloom should tell them exactly who they are pursuing. No matter who we sign, they’ll say we paid too much,
Boston has won 2 World Series since the Yankees last one. 4 since the Jays or Os last one and Rays still have never won. Not running things perfect but better than any other AL East team this century.
Bloom had nothing to do with any of that did he?
Wasn’t a pro-Bloom comment, just a recognition that they have outperformed the competition for 2 decades…let’s not be entitled.
You are correct there, no doubt. The RSox have outperformed every other team within that time frame overall. You can’t ask much more than 4 championships. Not to mention all the other Boston sports championships that simultaneously occurred.
Red Sox Notes:
They don’t sign anybody.
They don’t seem to be trying to field a competitive team.
They don’t sign anybody.
=======================
You mean, besides Yoahida, Jansen, Martin and Rodriguez, right?
Nimrod.
The Mets have a catcher for them…
How about we all make an agreement: If the Sox win a World Series by 2026, all the Bloom-negatives get a 4″ x 4″ tattoo of Bloom. If they don’t, all the Bloom-positives are rounded up and shipped to Tampa Bay, never to return. Deal?
Ask Vazquez at the end of the contract if his choice “worked well”. He talked all fall about wanting to go where he can win and play everyday.
Then he signed with the Twins, who had already stated that Jeffers will catch against LHP. A team whose ceiling with the new balanced schedule is likely to be .500 the next couple of yearS.
He chose money- and likely not significant money- over his supposed priorities. Or could it be the Twins were the only team to foolishly guarantee a third year?
So CV will play against the RHP, in other words, the majority of the time. C is not a position where the starter gets 600 ABs. The central is not as competitive as the East with its big payrolls. Twins probably have an easier path to the playoffs than Boston. Looks like he improved his situation while maintaining his priorities.
As the Guardians proved, simply eeking out the AL Central gets you nowhere in October.
How some fans think about Bloom:
Bloom: “we are still competing”
Fans: “we don’t think you are really trying to improve our chances to win a title”
Bloom: “we are still competing”
Fans: “wtf why did you let our best players go?”
Bloom: “we are still competing”
Fans: “wtf these new guys aren’t good enough”
Bloom: “we are still competing”
How other fans see Bloom:
Okay, he’s mysterious, so I’ll believe in him and give him credit wherever I’m confused.
How some fans think about Bloom when he doesn’t sign an expensive/overpaid player:
Fans: He’s looking for bargains and we need superstars. Pay the players!
How some fans think when he cuts cheap players because they are not likely to improve the club:
Fans: How can you cut Hosmer or Downs? They were at major league minimum!
Some good back and forth here. Lots of injuries last year, especially to SP. Bull pen was grossly underbuilt. This year improvements to bull pen and Japanese outfielder added. Sox needed help in the outfield, offensively and defensively. If Yoahida turns out to be a hitter of quality, that helps, but they threw a lot of money at a player who has not played MLB. From what I read he is not a speed guy, is average defensively range-wise and arm, and played more DH than outfield last year in Japan. So optimally a replacement for JDM. So they still need a good outfielder. How do the Sox make up the offense of Xander? I don’t see it. Many of their top minor league players are very young and some seasons away. I think we can see what they are doing, but it’s frustrating that there doesn’t seem to be much value added to this year’s team so far. I agree paying Xander what SD paid him for 11 years was not wise, but last year Sox could have made a much better offer. They know each year the salaries go up quite a bit. If they weren’t going to offer him a competitive contract then, it’s hard for me to understand. They knew what they had in him. Kennedy and Chaim talk a lot but say little. They should be politicians. Their puppet masters pull the strings. It’s just frustrating…..And now we are “Heavily in on Justin Turner…another DH. Frustarting.
If the Sox are going to go with Keke at SS then Rafaela should be given a legitimate look at CF in spring training unless Bloom actually plans on dusting off his putty knife to start scraping the barrel in free agency
Cut to a shot of Red Sox hugging Rafaela very tight, with Vazquez looking in through the window, crying and wiping tears with dollar bills.
“You’ll be in my heart” by Phil Collins plays.
😛
And here we go. 38 yr old Justin Turner for 14 mil this year and 8 mil next. Another DH/1B/3B. Thought Casas had an open path to full time play at 1B? And the band plays on.
D.
H.
Get it?
Answer me this, Gary. Who’s DH, Yoahida or Turner?
I would think they rotate.
Yoshida plays a lot of left and some DH. Casas has a track to be the regular first baseman which you dispute now that Turner’s aboard. Turner plays mostly DH. Then you’ve got Devers everyday third baseman and DH occasionally. I think that’s how it will line up at this point. How about you, what’s your thoughts?