The Red Sox made their needed addition to the upper half of the rotation with this morning’s Sonny Gray trade. The veteran righty slots between Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in an impressive top three. The Sox have a handful of talented younger arms (e.g. Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, Tyler Uberstine) who can compete with injury returnees Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval at the back of the rotation.
That appears to free up the Sox to focus their attention on adding an impact hitter. Chris Cotillo of MassLive and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic each write that while further starting pitching adds are possible, the Red Sox are now likely to prioritize bringing in a power bat. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow left the door open to making another significant rotation move but reiterated the Sox’s interest in bolstering the lineup.
“We had been pretty transparent about our desire to add to the rotation and our desire to add a bat on the position player side,” Breslow told reporters this evening. “It’s impossible to know exactly what the order of operations will be. So we’ll continue to look for opportunities to improve the team, but I wouldn’t say we’re going to exclusively focus on one thing at the expense of the other. … And so I don’t think this is a close off all opportunities and look exclusively at position players, but I also think that there’s a chance that that comes into focus now over the next couple of weeks.”
The Sox aren’t expected to be players for Kyle Tucker given their stockpile of left-handed hitting outfielders. They’ve been either directly tied to or listed as speculative fits for essentially all the other top free agent bats. Bo Bichette, Pete Alonso, Munetaka Murakami and Kyle Schwarber are all possibilities, as is a reunion with Alex Bregman.
Boston has just over $154MM in guaranteed commitments for next season. Arbitration salaries for Crawford, Tanner Houck, Triston Casas and Romy Gonzalez should add another $10-12MM. They’d spend another $10MM or so to round out the roster with minimum salary players. The Sox opened the 2025 campaign with a payroll in the $194MM range, so they should have around $20MM before matching this year’s spending level. They’re around $223MM in luxury tax obligations, according to RosterResource. That puts them approximately $21MM below the base threshold. The Red Sox typically spend around the CBT line and have gone beyond it in the past, so there should be room for another significant addition.
The corner infield is the obvious place to add a bat. Casas is coming off a significant knee injury and shouldn’t enter camp as the clear starting first baseman. Marcelo Mayer could play third base if the Red Sox don’t re-sign Bregman or add one of Murakami or Eugenio Suárez at the hot corner. The Sox could slide Mayer over to second if they make a bigger acquisition at third.
If Gray is Bostons big rotation addition. I’m not worried at all. They should have gotten someone better but I’m not complaining.
Agreed, @MLBNYYFan.
I honestly thought they were gonna really capitalize on their performance this year, along with freeing up the Devers $. I was thinking a Cease, Bregman, Alonso/Schwarber type of off-season, and got a little concerned lol.
Would any GM say “oh we are all in on X or Y pitcher !!” At the start of Hot Stove ?
That’s not great negotiating tactics and agents would *fleece them*.
Let’s see how the next 2-3 months play out. There are obvious holes,as mentioned in the article – 1B and 3B. But adding Cease or Imai is equally possible given their payroll flexibility.
guild – Is it February already? Is the offseason over? Wow I must have been sleeping or something!
FPG – I would be more concerned about the SP if there wasnt Skubal as unrestricted, or Skenes as potential trade, on the horizon,
Its pretty clear to me that Gray is a one year solution. Normally that would make me mad. However, Gray still has swing and miss ability left in his arm. And, lets be honest, every single Sox fan would’ve been excited if Gray was the starter in Game Two versus Yankees.
I dont think ALonso is coming. the Sox havent signed a free agent position player to a multi-year deal that would take him past his age 34 season. So that would be 3yrs for Alonso, i’m guessing he isnt going to settle for three years.
Guessing now, I see the Sox aggressive for one of the two Japanese infielders, or maybe a 1yr+1option deal for Eugenio Suarez here on a two year deal,
I think you’re discounting Gray based on his Yankees run, which is honestly misguided. This guy has been solid otherwise.
If Gray is your 2, you got problems….
Who is the number two on your team?
That thing 😲 on his head.
Look up strikeout to walk ratios and expected ERA from last year then try again. And for the record I’m not a Red Sox fan.
Now look at how many home runs he gave up
Now look up what his age will be at the beginning of the season.
Now look up K rate and both ERA & WHIP trends after 2023.
Recent prior performance is usually one of the best indications of future performance.
If Gray is the big pitching addition then I’d temper my expectations when it comes to offense.
That makes no sense. 20 mil on a starter instead of 30 or more means the offense additions have a lot more wiggle room. Your comment makes no sense.
@GaryRedSoxxWarriors
You’re worried about a $10M difference and suggesting it adds more wiggle room? Clearly, your thinking process is what doesn’t make sense…
10 million per season to sign a bat or 20 million per season to sign a bat. I think those are two different players. You can’t see that?
Or to help you maybe a $15 million player or $25 million player.
I think $10 million per season makes a difference in the type of bat you get. Clearly.
Am I seriously off base with that? Then OK I’m not understanding properly. Thanks for the clarification.
Gary – I’m with you on this one.
I’ve been saying all along I think the Sox will trade for a pitcher rather than spend big on Cease, Imai or Valdez.
Now the Sox have the money to make a run at Bo, Eugenio, Alonso, Schwarber, or a Bregman overpay.
And they are well positioned to jump in if the Tigers make Skubal available.
I would just keep this in mind when it comes to the window officially being open to compete with these younger guys to avoid what the Orioles have somehow been able to squander so far. They just traded Fitts and Clarke for only a year of Gray to slot into the #2 slot, which means Bello is #3. That isn’t cutting it talent wise against elite rotations, nor does it show any direction moving forwards towards solidifying the top side of the rotation.
Even with Bregman it is the same lineup we saw that was thin and lacked thump. That means to make an improvement they would need Bregman and another thumper, or they lose Bregman, which makes them worse, and they still need two quality bats with power to show improvement.
I don’t like this direction at all so far. I am glad to get Gray, but not if this is the #2. The goal should have been to sign a legit #2 and push the others down the line into the pen to improve that also.
william – I wouldn’t mind if the Sox hold out on pitching for the first half, they need to know what they’ve got with Tolle, Early, Sandoval, Crawford, Dobbins and Harrison. Also Skubal could be made available at the deadline, if not sooner. They are in great position in terms of talent and payroll space to make that trade with the Tigers and extend him.
Same thing on the offensive side, if Casas returns healthy and KC returns to form that would be huge but of course that’s a big if for both. I think no matter what they will pick up a big bat.
This time of year I always give them the benefit of the doubt until the offseason is done, lots of moving parts that can’t happen all at once.
FPG – I think your rolling out a logical plan. The season starts with Crochet, Gray, Bello and something at four and five that includes Sandoval, Harrison, Early, Crawford, Dobbins.
With all the lefties in the ‘pen gone I think 2026 is going to have Tolle as high leverage swing and miss lefty. At least for one year.
Pitching will become available along the way as we watch Mariners, Brewers, Reds and Rangers etc rise/fall out of playoff picture.
Honestly, I was hoping for a big off season this year. Now, i’m thinking that Henry, et al are awaiting a work stoppage and will be more aggressive in post 2026 planning, which hopefully will include a Skubal/Skenes future.
Offensively, I would accept the minimum effort of Eugenio Suarez for 2yrs or 1+Option, and how about a cheap 1yr $10m offer to Adolis Garcia as a righty everyday DH?
Sad – No Adolis, contenders can’t be taking flyers on possible comeback candidates. That’s where they will be spending their money, on a slugger that’s been performing well the past couple years.
FPG – youre probably right about that.
The only reasons I thought of him were his righthandedness, his projected salary and years which sort of fit the Sox mold right now.
The big offense addition will probably be JT or something. Lol.
Won’t you be surprised.
Gary – If Bregman walks the Sox will sign a big bat, no question about it.
I called it. Gray will be the only pitcher added to the rotation and that’s not good enough. Their big bat, at this rate, will be coaxing Nelson Cruz out of retirement.
Ridiculous.
Is it? This team has proven time and again that they don’t care what you think
I’ve made no assertion. You have and it’s ridiculous.
Yes, the answer is correct. The Red Sox don’t give a rip what you think.
Good FO’s also leave room to add a higher priced SP at the deadline (salary or with prospects) rather than pay an okay FA now 9 figure guarantee for post-prime years.
Boston also has 1 of only a handful of true aces b/c they were proactive instead of holding a death grip on every decent prospect like they are HOF bound.
As neutral observer, they are adding a big bat, but agents will squeeze for crazy money on the most desperate teams that are impatient at this early stage.
“Good FO’s also leave room to add a higher priced SP at the deadline“
LOL while generally true, you haven’t paid attention to the Red Sox FO at the deadline for the last six years have you?
Look at all those aces we’ve picked up at the deadline in the recent past
May was a fantastic trade!
Point is your team has legit prospects to get one at the deadline. Valdez is closest guy to an ace if the swoon late last year isn’t a warning of a quick decline. Other FAs mostly just ok but expensive like Cease. Last year no key SPs moved. Ask for Gore was sky high, and he wound up injured soon after that. No team thought Ryan (while good-not dominant ace) was worth a panic price.
My point is: they do but they won’t.
I still think they add another legit starter. They have some position players they can deal
Absolutely correct. Jaren Duran is on his way out or maybe Wilyer?
They’re not done adding, it’s just a matter of what type of players.
Duran alone would not net a solid starter. He’s almost 30, had one career year and everyone knows he’s barely on this roster.
The – Duran has 13.4 WAR over the past two seasons, how many other players are even close to that?
He just turned 29 and he’s got 3 years of team control left.
You are severely undervaluing him.
You should look at his stats. His last three years have been very consistent with an OPS+ of 119, 134 & 118. That’s an average of 123+, world-class speed, and the ability to play CF.
He’s so good he is a fourth outfielder on the trade block. Check.
The – You do realize it could easily be Abreu traded instead, right? I guess apparently you don’t realize it. You don’t realize a trade will likely happen because they’ve got too many lefthanded outfielders, not because Duran or Abreu are “4th outfielders” as you claim.
How many “4th outfielders” rack up 13.4 WAR over 2 seasons?
I’d be curious to know why the Duran-hate.
Because they have Abreu, Roman Anthony and Rafaela, who should play CF.
Duran batted .256 with an ok but not great .774 ops last season. 2024 looks like a career year. He’s an acceptable but not great defensive center fielder, which is why he’s not Boston’s center fielder anymore. I don’t hate Duran. He’s decent. He alone will not net a quality starting pitcher. That’s all I said.
And I agree with you. Not in a one-for-one swap.
Bob – Abreu has played in only 247 games over the past two years, Duran has played in 317 games.
I love Abreu, but Duran brings more to the table right now than Abreu. And Duran is very durable, Abreu is not.
Either one could be traded, it will depend on many factors including which one the other team wants. My understanding is the Red Sox will part with either one if it gets them the player they want in return.
The – Duran’s 2023 breakout season was almost as good as 2024, just in fewer games.
One season of decline means he’s done? I don’t think so, let’s see what 2026 brings. He doesn’t need to have an 8.7 WAR every season to be a valuable part of the team.
There is maybe only a couple players in all of MLB who would play CF for the Red Sox, that speaks to Rafaela’s defense. Duran is not as good defensively as Rafaela, well who is?
Depends on what you consider to be a quality pitcher. The only position player on the Sox that would net a guy like Peralta or Skubal would be Roman.
Therealeman
He alone will not net a quality starting pitcher.
=====================
He’ll get a guy Lodolo. If was listed as a CF. FG would’ve ranked him #6 in CF last year. He’d be a perfect fit for Cincy or Pitt.
They will deal Duran for a disappointing prospect package and sign bregman to an unreasonably long deal. Hope you’re ok with that
And the sun will fail to ever again shine in Boston.
Now Boston should trade for Contreras and Donovan from the Cardinals.
This endless debate about whether Gray is a “real” #2 (for those who think otherwise, show your work) obscures more dealing with the Cards, who have to shed $$ (Arenado 2/$42M; Contreras (2/$39M).
A straight swap of Yoshida/Arenado saves STL $9M this year and frees up a roster spot, giving the Sox a 3B for $9M more than Yoshida’s sunk cost. I’d do this only after an Alonso ($27-30M) signing, but it keeps them under the $264 cap number, adds two RH bats and a great glove to 3B.
mpwr2: You putting Abreu on the table in that deal?
The Red Sox have still not solved the surplus of left-handed hitting OFs. There should be another trade coming for a legit #2 SP.
Sonny Gray was a replacement for L. Giolito. They even wear the same number! Breslow is not done yet… It’s still early.
It’s still Early. And Tolle.
He would be a nice throw in, on top of prospects, for Minnesota in a Joe Ryan trade
guilderc: Has it occurred to you that they traded for Gray because they didn’t want to meet the Twins’ asking price for Ryan?
Don’t hold your breath for them to acquire Ryan as well.
If trading for Gray is the first step in the master plan of setting this team up for an extended run by taking advantage of being in the first year of the “window of success” we have just entered, then I am thrilled to pencil him in as our #3. He is durable, he is an innings eater, he has good command, he strikes out 27% of batters, and only walks 5%. No he’s not the sexiest pitcher out there, but he is incredibly valuable to a team like ours. He can go deep into games and take some stress off the bullpen. Yes he’s gonna give up some HRs, but we’ve gotta have an elite offense to make a run anyways. What we can’t have is a Buehler/May/(insert recent #3/4 pitcher), that goes 3-5 innings, gives up 5+ runs, and forces us to burn up the bullpen for entire weeks at a time mid July. We needed a consistent workhorse, and we got one.
What we gave up? Richard Fitts didn’t have a spot. Flashed some mid rotation talent. Was incredibly inconsistent. I’m guessing he was going to attempt to take the #5 spot, and mostly like not show enough to lock it down with Sandoval, Early, Tolle, Harrison, and Dobbins having higher upside. Brandon Clarke, high ceiling/low floor guy with good velo and a wicker slider. Most likely 3-4 years from MLB starter/reliever anyways. Nice prospect but alas, such is the price for a player immediately improving your starting pitching.
Now, on to the next step in the master plan I really hope is in the works. We need all know we need a #2 SP. Gore and Sandy feel like the guys that would thrive the most in a #2 role. High strikeout guys, intense, I can see them embracing the role as co-ace. Sandy has the highest ceiling if he can return to his old form. My gut says he will and it would be a mistake not to give the marlins/nationals a combination of MLB ready guys and prospects 3-4 years away. I think Duran, Casas, Arias, password, and a young pitcher gets any one of Gore, Sandy, Ryan, or Cabrera. I like Ranger Suarez as well. Nationals could throw in CJ Abrams with another prospect added.
Now the offense. Alonso at 1B would be ideal. Shwarbs at DH would be fun. Bregman at 3B is still intriguing. I think his bat will age well and he would make a fine DH 3-4 years from now. Where does Mayer play? SS? Move story to 2B? What about Marte? He could be obtained. So I guess the best move would be to see some potential lineups on paper with positional players remaining after the trades for a #2 SP
1. Marte 2B (S)
2. Anthony LF (L)
3. Story SS (L)
4. Alonso 1B (R)
5. Abreu RF (L)
6. Mayer 3B (L)
7. Navarez C (R)
8. Romy/Yoshi (DH)
9. Rafaela CF (R)
1. Anthony LF (L)
2. Shwarber DH (R)
3. Bregman 3B (R)
4. Story SS (L)
5. Romy 1B (R)
6. Abreu RF (L)
7. Navarez C (R)
8. Mayer 2B (L)
9. Rafaela CF (R)
Let’s see the lineups you guys are thinking with the potential acquisitions you could envision happening. The window is NOW.
Good luck on having the spending room for all THAT.
You’re not going to be making any deals without trading some combination of Tolle, Early, Campbell, Mayer. Those guys need to be on the table at least, you left them completely off.
@Sean P
Schwarber (R)….Story (L)…?
Think you mixed them up. Also seems you forgot about Jarren Duran.
Fun exercise though, even as a Yanks fan.
I think they also go out and get Joe Ryan for the rotation and consider it done. Think Casas is used as a throw in to open up 1B in that trade. I think they re-sign Bregman and sign Alonso and keep everything else pretty cheap.
C- Narvaez
1B- Alonso
2B- Story
3B- Bregman
SS- Mayer
LF- Anthony
CF- Rafaela
RF- Duran
DH- Yoshi
1. Crochet
2. Ryan
3. Gray
4. Bello
5. Early/Crawford
Lineup:
1. Duran (L)
2. Story (R)
3. Anthony (L)
4. Alonso (R)
5. Bregman (R)
6. Mayer (L)
7. Narvaez (R)
8. Yoshida (L)
9. Rafaela (R)
*Excluded Wilyer assuming he would be attached to the package for Joe Ryan*
Yeah swapped their L/R handedness by mistake but I did mention Duran first in being included in a trade for a #2. And it’s a wish list not a real expectation. We saw what “full throttle” has meant in the past from this teams offseason plans. The window is now was the point, and there are moves available to make them legit contenders for a championship, if they were willing to make them
I figured you just switched them in the lineup and forgot to switch the handedness lol. Also missed where you said Duran, my bad.
I think the whole wishlist and putting it out there was a pretty cool thought exercise. Beats all the negative comments on some of these threads. It’s what makes the off-season exciting. Window definitely is open. A few moves, like the ones on your wishlist, and Yankees fans like myself will be worried!
My lineup (moves only Masa and 1-2 mL pitchers);:
Duran LF, Anthony, DH, Alonso 1B, Abreu, RF, Story 2B, Mayer SS, Arenado, 3B, Narvaez, C, Rafaela CF.
Can’t see them doing two FA hitters. Sign Alonso for 4-5 yrs;, then they have to get either the 3B or RH bat or starter for less than FA $$ for each. Siwapping Yoshida+ for Arenado adds only $9M to the tab and keeps everybody (almost), If KC would deal Garcia, so much the better, IF the Sox already have Alonso. I think Alonso’s a must with Casas’s uncertainty.
So many ways to go; fun to watch.
Agreed! Thanks! Red Sox have a few glaring issues that I hope the team will address. More top of the rotation pitching is a must. But equally important is adding a power hitter behind Anthony and/or a high OBP guy in front of him. As of now pitchers can simply pitch around him. Some lineup protection would lead to a lot more strikes being thrown to quality hitters and runs being scored.
Casas needs to have a nice complete productive season to be part of the expectation again. He’s Such a wildcard right now, but I guess if he’s healthy, you start him out at first base and see how it goes.
But yeah, kind of a question mark right now. Not much trade value so probably have to keep him and roll with him.
Unless you sign Alonso, which would mean no spot on the 26. Someone will want him, so long as he is discounted. And I think some GMs have the ‘smartest-man-in-the-room syndrome where they think they can return anyone to their former star power.
The Red Sox starting rotation will be middle of the road if not upper half of the league. The Red Sox need to pick up two big right handed bats. Alonzo and Bo if possible. Realmuto if possible. They’ll tag that wall all season. Move story to second. Who cares about third base. Throw a rookie on third. That will at least make them competitive.
OK, I’ve been thinking about this one for a bit so here it is:
Trade for Nick Castellanos
Philly would pay almost all the freight and the guy can still hit.
Let him DH and play some first. As the weak side platoon he wouldn’t suck.
Nick Castellanos could help a lot of teams with the same strategy. I just think he’d do very well in Boston and it shouldn’t cost much. If it doesn’t work out it’s a low risk gamble. Or they can overpay for Bregman or Alonso.
OMG, I hope the Sox do this. I mean, Castellanos has NOTHING left. Please, go get him.
I’m a Phillies fan. Please please please trade for Castellanos.
Suarez could be a good option if they can’t/won’t resign Bregman. Maybe this is the year they trade Durran for something controllable
Superstar Duran??
Duran at $7.7M plus two arb years will turn off the cheap teams, leaving CIN, SD, ARI, MIL, the Cubs, maybe KC and a few others. Abreu fits better for cheap teams (MIN, MIA, STL, PGH, more), The Pirates might spend…..ha!
From those teams, Ryan or Pablo Lopez, Cabrera, Greene or Lodolo, Gallen, Peralta, and maybe Jared Jones all would be acceptable. Add Kirby and Gilbert, and 1-2 others I can’t think of.
Duran + Tolle should give them a 2-year pitcher. Add more, go for Greene.
I’m here for all the whining by Red Sox fans about Gray being chopped liver and not good enough.
In other words you enjoy being a troll. I have never gone to another clubs comments to enjoy their unhappiness. Nothing like being a sociopath for Thanksgiving.
Or they’re mostly just watching delusional Red Sox fans whining about Breslow *only* picking up a pretty good pitcher instead of, like, Paul Skenes.
Jarred – Pretty sure what Sox fans take exception to is Breslow misleading them yet again by saying “front of the rotation pitcher” and then acquiring a guy who has declined each of the past two seasons and just had his worst season since 2018. Do you look at a 4.28 ERA pitcher as “front of the rotation”?
Red Sox Nation is tried of the front office deception, like for instance last year’s trade deadline promises of acquiring a “solid starting pitcher” and a “strong bat”.
The “solid starting pitcher” turned out to be Paxton, and the “strong bat” turned out to be Jansen.
Same thing with this year’s trade deadline, when the big SP acquisition was ….. Dustin May.
Breslow *only* picking up a pretty good pitcher instead of, like, Paul Skenes
======================
There will undoubtedly be some RS fans thinking of ways to acquire both Skenes and Skubal.
Uncle Pedro’s Dancing Kittens: Ah, it appears that I struck a nerve.
It was a joke, Uncle Pedro, made even funnier by you taking it seriously. 🤣🤣
BB is all about entertainment. Over the years, we’ve watched NYY fans think they are going to trade three 26 year old prospects for a star, LFGM predict 100 wins every year, certain Padre fans saying Bogaerts was a great signing, Angel fans thinking they only need 2-3 pieces to get into contention, etc.
And we have RS fans moaning about “we only acquired Gray, Alonso, and Chandler. We’ll be lucky if we win any games at all”.
It’s Thanksgiving and some people are acting like the off-season is over and spring training isn’t three months away. They’re gonna trade an outfielder for another pitcher and they’ll sign a bat or two. Effin’ relax……..
Which is the point completely- getting Gray for a marginal #5/6 and a prospect who would be ready in 27/28 and with multiple red flags (health and control being the main ones) in NOVEMBER , allows them to prepare for FA and/or trades without depleting the War fund ( thank you Cards for that $20 million) nor trade chips (Duran or *real , high level* prospects.
#2? I’d say #3 he’s 36, he eats innings yes, & will be good for the young pitchers. But Casa won’t be himself for this season.WE NEED POWER AT LOWER POSITIONS …AGAIN. & too many maybe’s & log jams AGAIN
Exactly the kind of whining I came for. Perfect!
…or trade for who? Nolan Arenado? What is this, 2018?
If you look at Arenados Baseball Savant page and compare it to Bregmans, you may be surprised. They are very similar players at this stage of their career. Bregman is obviously better offensively , assuming he plays the full season and doesn’t slump for half of it. I was actually disappointed that Arenado and even more cash weren’t part of this deal somehow, doubly so that Yoshida isn’t involved Bloom is the one guy who we know adores Yoshida
I’m surprised you just compared prime Bregman to 34 year old washed Arenado
Gray is a bice pickup. Hopefully Bregman goes back to Boston. I’d rather the Tigers not sign him after last year. They can play Keith at 3B and grab another bat like Bellinger or Schwarber.
Breslow is going cheap! Temper your expectations! He gave up way too much for Gray. He got taken to the cleaners in the May trade! John Henry is not going to allow him to spend very much money. Welcome to the Boston Marlins. The difference between Breslow and Cleveland, Tampa’s and A’s GM is that their GM’s know how to evaluate talent. Donavan would be the player that I would want but he bats left handed. I would personally go after
Tatis. We need to bats and still a number 2. We just gave up our number 5 prospect, who is left handed and throws around 100 for a pitcher who has a hard time pitching in a bigger market! If I could sign two bats, in which this organization can very easily do, I would sign Bichette and Alonso Alonso. Play Bichette at 2B and Alonso at 1b. We are looking more and more like Baltimore each Day! The window is now completely open now Boston needs to go get the final top shelf pieces and go for it! Spends some dam money! But this team here for the money not winning!
The highest upside guy in the rotation was Bello, and I barely ever considered him as good as a #3 on a title contender. I do not see Gray as more than a 3 on nearly any playoff team rotation anymore. This is a good move only if they get that true 1b, or 2 in the rotation. If not, they are still a team with only 1 great starter and a bunch of bottom rotation guys with a couple of replacement guys in reserve for them. They will simply be outmatched by better rotations.
The same applies for whether they are able to bring Bregman back. If they do, they are back to square one for a lineup that already falls off too early in talent to be considered threatening to anyone and lacks power. They need to add Bregman and another middle order bat. We all saw that lineup as fairly weak 6-9 without much reliable pop, and I am hoping they are at least aware of how exposed it was in the playoffs. Counting on Roman Anthony to outperform and be able to substitute for even more stats they were already lacking when he was healthy in the lineup for the collective group would be an easy mistake to avoid and rectify by picking up the obvious bat they need to add, even with the return of Bregman.
Anything short of the two things above is a wasted season before it starts if their goal is to truly win a title.
The Red Sox season is over, and it’s only November.
Sonny Gray is a solid #2, for the season, Alonso is resigning with the Mets, Bregman is returning but at $27M per, there goes your budget-
All of this guessing sounds good until the playoffs, and then you’re mud on the Yankees boots…You cannot beat the Jays, the Mariners and Tigers are your achillies and mgmt is closing the bank. Enjoy your ride because it’s short lived. And, Bichette is resigning with the Jays! Wake up, it’s a nightmare that you’re in and there is no getting better…
Floridacoach 2: In other news, the end of western civilization is just around the corner. 🤣
If not, they are still a team with only 1 great starter and a bunch of bottom rotation guys
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I absolutely think we need a #2, But saying that Gray & Bello are bottom rotation guys is next-level ridiculous. Over the past 3 years, FG, ranks Gray as the #5 pitcher in baseball, and ranked Bello #53.
My point was that Gray’s upside is as a number #3 at this point in his career on a WORLD SERIES CONTENDING TEAM. I am happy to have him (not be our #2). The rest are #4’s, and #5’s imho. Why? Because none have proven they are good enough consistently to be 2’s or even 3’s enough to be counted on.
What do I care what any rotation slot is on a Red Sox team that doesn’t have enough rotation talent to even make this a discussion worth having? Just look at the last few years for those gripping debates over which reclamation project was going to slot into the 2 and 3, or which journeyman had the stuff to be our 4 or 5. When you’re at that point it does not matter. We are no longer at that point. There is a legit chance of having several years of a window open to compete for a ring……..if they choose to.
My point was that Gray’s upside is as a number #3
=========================
If he ranked #5 over the past three years, his upside is not a #3. Anything can happen, but I’d make a serious bet he is at least a #3.
That first paragraph is bull, Gray is a #3 and none of those pitchers are guarantees
We need a 2 not another 3 why not package these 2 decent arms with something else and go get a true 2. Breslow again gave way away more than he should have again. The guy is way in over his head!
Gray is a three on a team that lacks anyone better for the three slot and certainly not a #2. The impression the team is leaving is that they believe he is a #2, or that Bello is and Gray is the #3. In both cases they are not #2’s.
Nearly every team fills out a rotation of 5 guys. Some 4 for a period, some 6. Just because you are used in a certain slot doesn’t mean you’re actually worthy of that slot in reality, nor does it mean you would slot into that same rotation slot on another team.
Kyle Freeman is really an ace and German Marquez a #2? Come on. Your slot in the rotation is due to various factors, but mostly the pitcher’s ability in the present in relation to other pitchers competing against them for jobs. I have said this a million times, but I will say it again. If Bello is your #2 or #3 then you are not a serious contender for a title. If like last year they think they can fill a rotation with #4’s and #5’s that you hope pitch like 3#’s you are in for some expected and deserved disappointment.
I hope Gray pitches like a #3 and that is his upside at this point. So who is #2? If you say Bello reread the above.
william-2
If like last year they think they can fill a rotation with #4’s and #5’s that you hope pitch like 3#’s you are in for some expected and deserved disappointment.
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Exactly! That’s why you acquire someone like Gray. We got killed last year because we only had 3 legit SPs. Crochet, Bello & Giolito combined for a 38-18 with a 3.06. The rest of them combined for a 15-26 and a 5.18. If had Gray last year, we’d have gone to the WS.
If you think the Phillies are going to let 56 schwarbombs Walk out the door I will stop laughing when spring training opens up.
Jackson Rubbit: It’s not the Phillies’ decision alone. Schwarber is a free agent, and nobody knows what will decide.
Alfred if you can name me 1 good reason why schwarbomb would leave the Phillies I’m listening. Money will not be the reason, a chance at a ring won’t be the reason, organization, teammates, city won’t be the reason. Owner willing to spend won’t be the reason. So unless you are a Cincinnati Red fan Alfred.
My fandom is not an issue. But you nor I simply don’t know all the factors that will play into his decision, and you being a Phillies fan doesn’t give you any special insight.
Does this mean the door for Valdez, Suarez, and King type of arms coming to Boston is closed?
Yes
He would be a nice buy-low option for another team. Red Sox might as well platoon him at 1B.
Other than HR allowed, I don’t have issue with Gray being #2 in rotation to give it depth and his veteran experience. A second veteran addition to push Gray to #3 and Bello to #4 would be nice though. Might take care of that at trade deadline in 2026 though.
The effect of signing an elite number 2 and a 3 (Gray) would have been monumental to the staff. You get a better rotation throughout because Bello now looks like a nice #4, everyone else is competing for the 5, expendable, or shoring up the pen. You get to jettison the two worst relievers to the minors, trade, or release them.
I think Duran makes so much sense for the Mets, he could slot into CF and soon as Benge is ready the Mets could figure out the alignment whether they wanted to slide Duran over to LF and insert Benge into CF. Not going to pretend to know everything about Bostons needs but what do the Sox fans think of something like 1B/DH Vientos, RHP Scott & Mets #6 1B/3B Reimer for Duran? Or even swap out RHP Scott for LHP Santucci if he’s preferred. Vientos when right can go the other way and I think his HR numbers would play up at Fenway and with the expected Sox offseason he’d only be insurance to begin with, Reimer could be a RH corner infielder of the future and Scott or Santucci gives them an upside play at SP who’s ready either this season or next. Clifford would be another guy who made some sense but he’s LH and Reimer has passed him in most prospect rankings. Not saying Duran definitely isn’t worth a Sproat but I think Mets only plan to trade one of him or Tong and expect to do it for a front line pitcher. Acquiring Duran could allow the Mets the money to re-sign Alonso & Diaz while adding another SP and elite reliever like they’ve talked about rather then spending that money on Tucker or Bellinger. I think teams will try to say Duran is more suited for corner OF work and use the public knowledge that Boston has too many LH OF then needed against them in trade talks.
Or maybe David Peterson if the Sox rather a SP who’s already established himself.
Queen – I’ve looked at the Mets roster from the Sox perspective in a trade for Duran. Its a natural fit for Mets, although I think they may be shooting higher.
There really isn’t a great fit for the Sox. The Sox are looking for a right handed power bat at either 1B or 3B, or a TOR starting pitchers and Vientos or Senga ain’t it