Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Skubal decision expected:
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal went to an arbitration hearing with the Tigers yesterday, and a report from the Associated Press indicates that a decision on the matter is slated to be announced today. That decision will have substantial financial ramifications, not only for the Tigers and Skubal but for future high-end starting pitchers who go through the arbitration process. If the Tigers win, the ball won’t be moved forward for those pitchers at all as Skubal will be paid just $19MM, lower than the $19.6MM record David Price set during his final trip through arbitration over a decade ago. That scenario would presumably leave the Tigers with some additional spending power, even after adding Framber Valdez last night. If Skubal wins, the Tigers will add an extra $13MM in salary to their books as they pay him a hefty $32MM in his final season before free agency.
2. What’s next for the Padres?
The Padres have long been known to be hoping to find another bat and found one yesterday when they agreed to a $4MM deal with Miguel Andujar. The former Rookie of the Year runner-up is coming off his best season since that debut campaign; Andujar split the 2025 season between the A’s and Reds, slashing .318/.352/.470 (125 wRC+) in a platoon-heavy role where he torched lefties and was a slight bit above average versus righties. While Andujar has experience at all four corner positions, he’s a poor defender who figures to see plenty of DH work with San Diego. With Andujar aboard, will president of baseball operations A.J. Preller turn his attention towards acquiring a starter who can help fill the void left by Dylan Cease in the club’s rotation?
3. Are the Red Sox done?
The Red Sox reached an agreement with infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa yesterday, adding a talented and versatile defender to an infield that had questions at third base and second base. Though “IKF” raises the infield’s floor, he’s a well below-average hitter coming off a punchless .262/.297/.324 (75 wRC+) showing in 459 plate appearances — not exactly a replacement for the Alex Bregman-sized hole in Boston’s lineup.
It’s possible the Sox could go with some combination of Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Nick Sogard, and Romy Gonzalez at second and third base, with Kristian Campbell or even Ceddanne Rafaela possibly mixing in, depending on health and performance (though indications are that the Red Sox prefer them in the outfield). It’s still unclear how much — if at all — Kiner-Falefa will impact the club’s pursuits of players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, and other infield options on the trade market.
I think the Tigers knew Skubal is gone after the season so they went after Valdez. They might be dealing Skubal before the deadline to get something for him before he inevitably goes to a large market team.
@This one — Agreed. Dealing him would justify the Framber signing that will cost a comp pick they inevitably would return, plus more. I’m wondering though, since they signed Framber a day before Tarik’s arb case (determining his ’26 salary) is decided…if they are seriously considering dealing him before the season getting a more lucrative package. They could pivot and run it back with Verlander (still a free agent) with a team picking up Tarik’s now clear ’26 salary, and have added talent, possibly even MLB-ready talent going into spring training. They could even give a nice pillow deal to Boras client, Zak Gallen, since they’ve already lost one comp pick, and try and fill in the void of losing Tarik and still have a shot in a winnable division.
I concur, Go Braves !
I wonder how much less the Tigers would get in a return by waiting for the deadline than if they deal Skubal now?
I also wonder, but take note that once the season begins, any receiving team will not receive a compensatory draft pick when he’s made a QO (and he rejects). You gotta think that any team that is on the fence would want to overpay now (before the season begins) with that fallback being they can trade him before the deadline with minimal damage done, other than optics to the fanbase that they’re going for it and/or a new FO using this type of trade to ‘clean house’ of any questionable prospects, and turn them over for something a new FO believes in.
That’s a lot of words to say that a team who trades for Skubal now will have an opportunity to secure a QO for him in the offseason. That team won’t have the same option if he’s acquired during the season.
I think they know if he loses his arb case, he’ll never re-sign with them. They have to consider a trade. It’s the longer term, responsible move.
His agent is Boras so the Tigers must have known as soon ad Skunal hired Boras that his days asca Tiger were numbered.
I suspect that Tarik Skabal is pissed at the Tigers either way. It must really peeve him and Scott Boras that the Tigers offered less than the $19.6MM record David Price set during his final trip through arbitration over a decade ago.
To quote former White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson, “He gone!”
Why wait until the trade deadline?
Instead of paying Skubal $32M AND Valdez $38M, just pay one and get some major-league ready talent from the Mets, Dodgers, or Phillies. It’s sort of a jerk move to tell Skubal you shouldn’t pay him as much as Valdez but it’s a good business move if they get Brett Baty, David Peterson, and another prospect back from the Mets while still having an ace on your staff for basically the same price.
I am guessing if they get a package they like between now and then, they jump on it no matter when. Just my $.02.
They better get more than that from the Mets
Seriously? That’s the NYM’s pkg? Baty, 1 year of David Peterson and ‘another prospect’? That’s an awfully convenient package for NYM moving some spare parts. Tarik, even for 1 season, is a package that should hurt. They gave up their 2 & 6 prospects (Jett, Sproat) for 1 year of Peralta. Even with Baty (1 year of Peterson doesn’t register all that much), they need premium talent, esp. if not including #1 prospect McLean.
Honestly this is my point–the package I laid out is not necessarily knowing the Tigers needs and what the Mets would offer. If this is considered a small package, which is what she said, then the Tigers would be foolish to keep both Valdez and Skubal. Keep Valdez and get a ton for Skubal. They’ve not replaced Skubal’s productivity with Valdez but they’ve replaced him with a new ace for their staff.
Run – youre right. When they traded for Peralta, they almost took themselves out of renting Skubal. Better for them to wait for the money race next year.
Not sure that Red Sox management wants to rent Skubal, but they certainly have all the pieces in place.
McLean being included is more laughable than the package Sandlot suggested which as a Mets fan I agree is too light. I think something like Senga, Reimer, Watson & either one of Vientos/Mauricio or their pick of a prospect outside the top 14 would be more realistic. Watson is ascending and up to #7 on most Mets list, on top 200 lists and coming off a strong year at AA. Reimer can flat out hit, injuries slowed his development by a year or so or else he’d be in the Mets top 5 rather than 6th but when he was healthy last year he showed why his bat has a lot to like. It would hurt to lose him, which it should for someone like Skubal. People can look at the number next to the player or chose to look at the actual player, if you do the latter it’s easy to envision Reimer being better then Jett & Watson being at least as good as Sproat if not better. There is a lot of #5 SP or RP risk with Sproat. I’d take the chance on Reimer bat over Baty 50%+ groundball rate.
I think if the point is to try to win a World Series, not try to be mediocre indefinitely, you keep Skubal and take the compensation pick when he signs elsewhere.
If Skubal loses his carb case, the clubhouse will not be united with Valdez’s deal. if he wins, who sees the Tigers paying both even for just one year? I don’t. I see Skubal being traded before camp starts to one of three teams: Dodgers, Mets or Blue Jays. Each will then work out an extension before spring training ends to get it in under the current CBA.
I agree that the liklihood of the Tigers signing Skubal beyond this year, regardless of the arbitration outcome, is slim. I’m guessing Boras has not even hinted at what price it would take to sign Skubal. Skubal is 95% going to test free agency and the Tigers probably have a number they would like to offer (but have not expressed to Boras), but will wait until that 5 day window after the WS and FA opens to put it one the table. If Skubal just has a good year (he doesn’t need to win another CY) Boras will take the Tiger offer to the “field” and see who will top it.
I think what this does for the Tigers is they may have some pitching currency…and some prospects…to package at the trade deadline to get one of the top rental bats.
I think the opposite. I think the Tigers are going to keep him, and go for it. That is why they went hard after Valdez. This is their window. Now if they are not in the running close to the deadline, they’ll trade him then. But I don’t see that at all.
I think you missed my point. I meant the Tigers will definitely keep Skubal and paired with Valdez gives them a great 1-2 punch to the playoffs. What I speculated on was that the back 3-8 guys in their rotation might be easier to trade in July for the big bat that will boost them into the WS.
Mize and Flaherty aren’t as needed, but I don’t know if a contender would give up a lot to get them. But Olson might…or even Melton. It all depends if anyone is close to them in the Central come July. If the Tigers have a 6-10 game lead, they won’t need a significant upgrade anywhere except the bullpen. You never can have enough BP arms going into the playoffs.
The problem facing the Tigers is if that lineup hits most of the year like it did in the 2nd half last year. If Greene, McKinstry, Carpenter, Tork, Torres, Meadows all hit .220…it won’t matter how good their pitching is.
I actually was responding to the original post. Sorry for any confusion. I actually agree with you.
Is having six infielder for two positions a good thing? Asking for a friend
Dana Brown would say it’s a good thing.
What team is your friend talking about? Certainly not the Red Sox.
Take a minute and look at where these the Red Sox players have played defensively in the past.
BPF – the Red Sox
Is having David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Mickey Gaspar and IKF a World Series second base platoon? Is it good enough defensively when you have a range reduced Shortstop?
Again, asking for a friend LOL
Tell your friend to talk up football instead:
1) “Mickey Gaspar” He an extra catcher, who will be in the minors. I dont know why you would mention him. If they need middle infield help, there are several players who would come up before him.
2) “Platoon” — This team isnt done. They have to make more trades. Its an okay platoon for the first few months. There’s no way this is the platoon, when the team enters the playoffs, unless one of these guys surprises us during the season.
3) “range reduced Shortstop” Story is under contract for $55M, what do you expect them to do with him? Are you saying they shouldnt bother to improve defense around him because he’s the SS? Breslow didnt sign Story so he can only do so much. I would say getting rid of Yoshi would be a bigger priority than Story. Anyways, he’ll probably be 2B or 3B as soon as Franklin Arias arrives.
BPF – Of course i was being sarcastic, but since you don’t get the joke……Mickey Gaspar has played 36 games in the MLB, 19 at C and 17 in the infield……….
You set the arguement for what happens to future arbitration pitchers if Skubal loses his case, what will a win today for Skubal mean for future arbitration cases going forward? This is potentially a ground breaking judgment.
Nothing really if he loses. It’s a binary decision so perhaps another pitcher like him in the future won’t file as high as he did. I think Skubal wins anyway if Soto settled for $31M in his final year of arb,
To me, it feels like the Tigers think not playing baseball next year is real. This will be an exciting season for them. GO TIGERS !
I don’t want the Tigers to win. (Not even LSU). I do like LSU draft prospects though.
Marcelo Mayer has a plus arm and has shown good exit velocities and barrel rates. Give him the opportunity to be the regular third baseman, might be a surprisingly good choice.
Get your money Skubal. But that’s just an appetizer because Dodgers are going to pay him between 80 – 100 a year. Woooooo
The majority of Red Sox fans at MLBTR:
‘Get Schwarber, Get Alonso, Get Bichette, Get Abrams, Get Paredes.’
None of those moves were ever going to happen.
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Breslow point blank said he was looking for a Defensive 2B. And though I’d hoped for Marte, Hoerner or Shaw, it ended up being IKF (for now).
Breslow is building a team that most Sox fans cant comprehend. Pitching, Speed and Defense instead of Power, Base Clogging and Ks.
At least they Got Milk. 😁
“Breslow is building a team that most Sox fans cant comprehend. Pitching, Speed and Defense instead of Power, Base Clogging and Ks.”
Not sure why you would claim this – you make Boston sound like the Yankee lineups of the past decade.
Boston lineups over that span have frequently involved quite a lot of speed and athleticism, plus plenty of real “hitters” (as opposed to pure sluggers). Sure, in recent years the K rate has been high, but that’s a relatively minor subset of all hitting. While aiming for the team to profile first and foremost around pitching and defense as opposed to a well-rounded lineup is a departure from franchise norms, those things are not remotely unfamiliar to the fan base.
P.S. “Base clogging” makes you sound like a subject of Fire Joe Morgan. That’s always been a ridiculous concept.
“Not sure why you”, “makes you sound”
How about you let me talk for myself, instead reinterpreting my posts.
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First off, this team is in its infancy as it will get stronger as time goes on. Not just this year, but for several more years. This is just the beginning of a mind-set change. If you understood what the team was trying to accomplish, the calls to lock Schwarber, Alonso or Bichette up for 5 or 6 years was completely misplaced.
2nd, The 2026 team will be the most dynamic team the Red Sox have ever had (within the past 60 years). And, if there’s a deal to be made that moves a piece or two for one power hitter (with a good glove) and add Anthony’s, Abreu’s and Casas’ increased output will have plenty of power without sacrificing defense.
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There is a complete disconnect with what a large majority of Red Sox fans at MLBTR expect the team to do and what they’re actually doing. Sorry you cant see that.
BPF – I dont want to put any words in your mouth, so, please explain to us fans (that cant see) the dynamism that is better now and going forward than any team in the last 60 years, which includes four World Series winning teams?
Thank you for not saying things like “makes you sound like”.
Speed: The 2026 team will probably be the fast team in the past 60 years.
Defense: The defense will probably be the best defense in the past 60 years.
Pitching: The pitching will probably be the best ERA (relative to league averages) in the past 60 years.
And I say “probably” because the 2026 team will be compared to 60 other teams. Anomalies do happen. But, there has never been a Red Sox team put together like this one in the 60 years that Ive been following them.
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Now your turn, give me the team that check all 3 boxes in the past 60 years.
BPF – these points have been true in baseball for 10 years.
“Good pitching beats good hitting”
“Speed never slumps”
“Solid defense up the middle wins champoinships”
None of this is new, Craig Breslow didnt wake up and say “Aha, i’ve got the winning formula”……. But also, its not the only way to win a world championship. And thats the goal. Not to prove how smart you are, not to be fiscally prudent. The goal is to win a championship. If this approach was the ONLY way to win we’d all be talking about the dominance of the last ten years of the Tampa Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers.
As for the Sox, they were never constructed for speed playing half their games in a top 3 hitter friendly park. But with almost no research at all the 2018 team finished 7th in Pitching and 7th in Defense, so, thats pretty good, no?
Blue Jays on line one regarding a slow, gimpy Bo Bichette during the World Series.
…well Breslow did point blank say some other rather different things before that. Back on December 8, Breslow said this about the Sox planned approach to improving the team:
“Home runs are a foolproof way to put runs on the board,” said Breslow. “Typically, that type of profile comes with a tradeoff, most often contact ability, which is another area that we feel like we need to improve the identity of the offense. But at the end of the day, we’re trying to score as many runs as possible. There are a few different paths to doing that.
“I think that the true middle-of-the-order bat that can hit the ball out of the park, has probably an outsized impact on the rest of the lineup because of the way you have to attack someone — the on-base implications it can have. And so, again, we’re going to consider all ways of improving the team, but finding someone in the middle of the order and who hits the ball out of the park is a really good place to start.”
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Somehow that changed to a defense-first mindset after whiffing on Bregman, Alonso, etc., and using the $$ to sign Ranger Suarez. Deep rotation? Sure, one of the deepest. But the lineup won’t score much beyond Roman Anthony. Baserunning, defense and pitching are important to winning, but so is power. Power helped the Bluejays get to the World Series and also helped the Dodgers win Game 7. Lack of power in the postseason was one of the things that kept the Red Sox from advancing. Now they have even less power than last year. The Red Sox entire success in 2026 rests on pitching and defense being consistently elite enough to make a big enough difference to offset the limitation of less run production. Also important that injury prone players at key positions stay healthy
Thirdbaseman – thanks for pointing out that Breslow (other than the starting rotation) has been all over the place.
David Stearns, after letting Alonso leave losing out on Kyle Tucker, said he was pivoting toward run prevention also. Except that he got Bo Bichette, Polanco, Semien and Robert + Peralta
Craig Breslow after losing out on Bregman, also said he pivoted toward run prevention. Except he got Contreras, IKF, Gaspar + Suarez
I see a difference
Bregman, 18 Hrs in 2025, is not a power bat and was replaced in the order by Contreras, 20 HRs in 2025. Bregman was sought after mainly for his defense and leadership.
All you got is a half-hearted effort to get Alonso. Were they really in on Alonso if they bid $85M and he ended up signing for $155M? They never even made a bid to Schwarber, Marukami or Suarez, the other power hitters in the class. Yet, that told you nothing.
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There was no “whiffing” on any of those players. Except maybe, Bregman, but they didnt want the No-Trade Clause. Breslow has a hard-line he wont cross in contract negotiations and No-Trade is one of them.
If anyone else tells me that $26m for Contreras + IKF is somehow better, smarter (choose your own adjective) than $31m for Pete Alonso i’m gonna lose my freaking mind!!!!!!
Good luck trying to convince Red Sox fans who have a little brother complex anything other than breslow has no clue lol. Next to the elite farm system he built, his patience is what has impressed me the most !
How do you feel about this years team going into 26?
Big whiffa:
I like it, but clearly the offense isnt done. There’s still a trade that needs to happen at some point. I would think the offense will look a bit different between now and August 2nd.
As of right now: Red Sox challenging Blue Jays for 1st place, with Orioles and Yankees fighting for 3rd.
Whiffa – Breslow has drafted college SP’s wonderfully. Kudos to him. Chaim built the farm. Anyway…….
I’m confused on one point. What is so pleasing about his patience? Losing out on players needed to fill holes in the lineup? Being “in” on everyone but signing no one?
Is Pete Alonso only signed for one year? I thought he had a $155M contract.
Contreras+IKF plus $114M for future purchases is better and smarter (both) than Pete Alonso.
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Another MLBTR Red Sox fan mindset: Its all about this year, and no other years matter.
red sox finished last in 2022, last in 2023 and middle of the pack in 2024. the narrative was they were building towards a window. i understand red sox fans being a little grumpy and impatient. their ownership is guilty until proven innocent
BPF – i dislike being in the position to defend Bregman, but here goes. In addition to being 3 years younger:
Breg – .272 / .365 / .481
Cont – .258 / .352 / .459
Its really not whether one is better than the other, its that one is now replacing the other where we were supposed to be adding. This is whack-a-mole
BPF – the “sustained success” theory is really about sustaining mediocrity. You build towards winning a championship.
How long is Crochet going to be the second best pitcher in baseball? You strike when the time is right.
Bregman vs Contreras:
I see you only used averages in the comparision, whys that?
Oh I see why:
Bregman – games 118,, Runs 64, RBIs 62
Contreras – games 135, Runs 70, RBIs 80
Bregman couldnt stay on the field.
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Its whack-a-mole for that one spot in the lineup.
All of these players should be better in 2026 offensively:
Roman Anthony
Wilyer Abreu
Christian Casas
Cedanne Rafaela
Jarrin Duran
Yoshi
Marcelo Meyers
Romy Gonzales
Nate Eaton
Mickey Romero
Generally speaking, young players and players regaining health do get better you know. There will be regressions in some unexpected places and injuries. But, there are so many players to fall back on, it wont matter.
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And, I’ll say it again. The offense isnt done. The April/May team will not be the same as the Sept/Oct team.
How long is Crochet going to be the second best pitcher in baseball?
Five or Six years. And they have many pitchers coming down the pipeline to replace him, if its needed (Tolle, Early, Weatherspoon, etc).
I
BPF – yes, it is $31m this year. He has a limited no trade clause and can be traded to 21 teams. So, it is year to year, just like Breslow wanted Bregman.
That said, why would you want a constant churn of the roster? Do the benefits clearly outweigh the negatives? I operate under the assumption that most GM’s are right approximately half the time.. So, what good is it to have them replace 1/3 of the roster each year?
There are players who can play at a high level for 5 years. There is no reason to automatically assume that any contract over 2 ore 3 years becomes an albatross. In addition, the market is in constant flux. As of right now, Alonso is already just the 20th highest paid player in mlb. and, if i had to guess will be an absolute bargain in 4 years
BPF – sorry i didnt label correctly, the stats are their career averages.
But, by the way, you are the one who pointed out by using only HRs from 2025, where Bregman hit two less HRs in 20 less games.
Anyway, 111 games before the trade deadline and 51 after
“to have them replace 1/3 of the roster each year?”
What churn of the roster each year? You mean Gray and IFK? Thats a pretty small group, when you look at all the moves this year. Also, a Sonny Gray extension is probably 50/50 right now.
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“There is no reason to automatically assume that any contract over 2 ore 3 years becomes an albatross.”
Where did I say anything like that? Breslow just signed Ranger Suarez to a 5 year deal and didnt want to sign Eugenio Suarez to a one year deal.
It has nothing to do with length, other than, he doesnt want a guy on a long-term contract who will have to be moved to DH in a year or two. Such as Schwarber, Alonso, Bichette, Murakami, etc.
@sad- Why Red Sox need to be patient is so they can build around a strong nucleus. You can’t build around that if you don’t know who’s gonna pan out (Campbell) or if you trade away your prospects. TBH, I thought they should traded Mayer two seasons ago but they been wise to hold onto him!
Also Red Sox are always trying to compete on top level of payroll and it’s never faired well for them. They finished 4th or 5th in Soto biding even though they offered him the 4th or 5th largest contract in mlb history. They always seem to have a bloated terrible contract or two. They need to run more lean and flexible – which is what they are doing and I see them at the top of the AL East for a long time with this core !
@BPF, it’s a hitters market ! Not a lot out there. They should go get Twins CF
Big whiffa:
“Not a lot out there”
I dont know what youre referring to. They’re all set for now. ST will tell a lot, but they could wait as long as July before they acquire a bat.
“Twins CF”
Buxton? 2025 looks like an anomaly. I see a regression across the board for him in 2026.
@Breslow Pitching Factory, no disrespect to you, but that’s the wrong way of evaluating this. I’m referring to what you said about having Contreras & IKF and saving $$ for future purposes instead of signing Alonso.
Our goal should be to maximize our window of contention for deep postseason runs. Signing Alonso to a 5-year deal would have helped achieve that objective. He is one of the top-3 power hitters in all of baseball. Those type of bats are rarely available in free agency. He never gets injured, has a knack for dramatic clutch homers, and absolutely would have been a transformative presence in the Red Sox lineup. He would have significantly elevated our run production ceiling in a way that Contreras won’t come close to approaching.
Furthermore, why on earth should we care how much $$ the Red Sox “saves for future spending”? This is a franchise with annual revenues over $500 million, and was recently valued by Forbes at approximately $4.7 billion, as the 3rd most valuable franchise behind the Yankees and Dodgers. The Red Sox (and FSG specifically) have the ability to outbid most non-Dodger and non-Yankee teams, should they decide to do so. There was truly nothing preventing us from signing Alonso other than some arbitrary line from ownership that Breslow was probably forbidden to cross.
The Red Sox should be doing everything in their power to be a contender every season. Especially when there’s a core that includes Crochet and Anthony. Add supportive star players to the group, not IKF
Thirdbaseman:
“Our goal should be to maximize our window of contention for deep postseason runs”
Maybe you missed my point about having “$114M” to use later. So while Alonso is DHing for 3 years (my belief), the Red Sox will be able to better use that money in any way they want, rather than locked up. — Like, Story or Yoshida, the last two big signings in Boston. Or if you want to look further back Kung Fu Panda or Hanley Ramirez. — The risk of bad money tying your hands on future aquistions is far worse than the short-term gains a guy like Alonso will contribute.
Big whiff- good points all……
Buxton one of the best players in baseball when healthy. Red sox could do worse; especially at the trade deadline
I think getting Shaw from CHC would be very doable since the Cubs will just be using him in a super utility role, and he hasn’t established himself as a major league hitter yet. Maybe the Cubs see Shaw as someone to include in a larger deal, but what do I know?
solaris:
Due to the fact that Shaw is a highly touted prospect, the Cubs would probably want Tolle, Early or Arias back in return. And thats a non-starter from the Red Sox point of view.
If the price drops, he would be a great pickup.
Below Pitching Factory:
Can I ask why Tolle or Early is a non starter? I mean I understand they are uber talented but so is Shaw, he was ranked similarly on top 100 lists last season as Tolle is this season. He fits a position of need and 7 out of 10 top prospects for the Sox are Pitchers. Now I know every prospect doesn’t work out but couple that with the fact there will always be a veteran or two like Crochet in the rotation, wouldn’t it be wise to balance it out and trade from an area of surplus for a need? As a Mets fan my best example of feeling how you do I guess would be that I would hate to see them trade Tong even though we have a wave of Watson, Santucci & Wenninger working through the system. The Mets did however trade from their surplus of middle infielders & SP prospects for Peralta. My point was I think while you know Shaw could be a very good pickup your slightly discounting just how highly rated of a prospect he is/was compared to the prospects of your favorite team which you obviously follow more closely. As a fan of neither team I think it’s honestly a rather exciting and fair trade for the Sox & Cubs. Also from reading up on the Sox system I think it’s fair to wonder if Early is going to have the more successful career and that maybe selling high on Tolle and getting something back in addition to Shaw from CHI would be wise. If Shaw 2nd half turn around was a sign of his future then the Sox would be getting a player ready to contribute day 1 and not have to go through the bumps and bruises the Cubs did with him last year. Idk I was just reading the comments and you seem like a very educated fan I was just curious why it was a non starter it’s not like trading a top prospect in baseball for a vet with 1-2 years left on his deal, the Sox would be getting back an equal top prospect in all of baseball.
Whoa:
Non-starter from the Red Sox perspective. In no way is it a reflection on Shaw’s talents. They are 3 prospects who they value very highly by the organization, and I dont believe they will trade them.
Kyson Weatherspoon, Juan Valera and Justin Gonzalez combined are more valuable than any of three I said, but Chicago would have an easier time getting the Red Sox to part them than the untouchables.
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Sidenote: Break your posts up in paragraphs, theyre much easier to digest that way.
Queen Soto:
I see Tolle becoming the closer in Boston. They will continue to try him as an SP, but my guess is Closer is his future role.
Early is a legit #2 or 3 starter. So they want to keep him.
Arias will be the starting shortstop by the end of the season or start of 2027.
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Look over the rest, the Red Sox prospects are still pretty good. Theres also Bello and Duran available.
I believe Breslow is c0unting on those three kids after not being happy including Teele last year and will refuse to move those three.
Looking for positives in the IKF signing…
There’s another “layer” keeping Rafaela from playing 2B
IKF is serviceable depth when/if (when) either Story of Mayer misses time
It’s only one year
Infield defense has been huge deficiency for the Sox for several years
The starters all have strong grounder-inducing tendencies. Some will be hit at IKF.
IKF has a weird split in that he has better success vs RH pitching. I suppose that helps in a platoon w Romy
Until Breslow is in front of a microphone saying the roster is set, I’ll continue to hope the “big move” is still impending. However, IKF getting $6M of their budget is very discouraging.
Go Sox
FPG
Considering what Framber got ,what do you think Skubal will get when he becomes a free agent? You kind of scoffed when I said $ 45 m per .
Go team Skubal and Boras!
Red Sox aren’t done yet. I say that as I watch Brian Cashman get the old band together and take it on the road. A more profoundly unexciting off-season would take a lot of effort. Red Sox have a direction and pieces to move. That’s interesting,
💁🏼♀️ Red Sox are done adding, see you in 5 days (the 10th), FIRST FULL SQUAD WORKOUT on the 15th. ⚾️ ‼️
the yankees are running back a lineup that led all of baseball in runs last season. it’s okay to get the old band together if it’s a good band. red sox definitely need another bat
My issue is Romy was an excellent fill in, and that will be hard to fill, especially with Meyers penchant for injury. We needed a better bat at second and it seems now we have a lineup with another hole.
Dude lives rent free in your head
I’m not gonna argue about it, I just see you say this like every day. Just time to let it go man
Calm down steinbrenner. morning time and a quiet yankees offseason affects the mental psyche
Tigers only trade Skubal if they somehow are struggling into July.
I know I’m grasping at straws, and they’re bad for the environment but could IKF be this version of Pokey Reese?? 2004— born in Hawaii—Shane V 2013… Hope the oil on the Duck boats has been changed 🏆Let’s go Red Sox!!
Not for me, I’m doing the swan boat.
I don’t think the Tigers are going to re-sign Skubal but I don’t think they’ll trade him. They’ll just ride it out and get him to help win the division.
The mute feature on this site works really well for people who annoy you. It essentially deletes them from your site experience.
I think Skubal’s case is much less Tigers vs Skubal and much more owners vs players union. Also, it seems in his best interest the tigers offered below what Price got. He’s more likely to win and disrupt the arbitration system than if they offered him something like 24m
Yup, served on the swan boats during the celebration for the 2026 World Series Champion Red Sox. Enjoy the ride!
The whirled serious and the spinning tops. I’ll let you decide which one is which.
The Tigers probably won the arbitration.
The IKF signing comes right off my suggestion to sign or trade for a glove first shortstop. If that’s where thay put him, it makes a lot of sense.
Arbitration is a Yes or No ruling how has a decision not been reached yet. I spent all day yesterday updating my phone and nothing. I didn’t think it took this long.
They don’t always announce the result right away. Probably to give the arbitrator a chance to go into the government protection program.
Its not a coincidence the Tigers signed Framber immediately after Skubal’s arbitration hearing.
The fact Valdez remained unsigned until now isn’t surprising; many teams were wary of the guys attitude. In a vacuum, many teams would sign Valdez to a high AAV 3 year deal, so why didn’t they?
The Tigers saw an opportunity and took it. I don’t believe other teams were in play; darn the hearsay there were.
And Skubal? I think he gets traded for bats and a #4 type starting pitcher. Even if he wins his arb case hes got to be bitter. The Tigers waited to sign Framber until the hearing was settled. They’ll lose, trade Skubal and come out better long term; but they won’t win a world series without Skubal.
Just my opinions from the cheap seats.
It’s low key hilarious, and a little trashy, that the Tigers went to arbitration with Skubal essentially saying he’s not worth $32mm a year, then turned around right after the hearing and signed Valdez for more than that.
Not really the same as Skubal doesn’t have other potential paying suitors. The two events are not mutually exclusive I think.
Although we know skubal would get that salary on a one year free agent deal, I feel like he didn’t really help pitchers of his caliber if he loses his case. He would’ve easily beat David price’s record if he asked for say, like, 22 million. And he probably would’ve easily won that decision. Not saying that there’s no way he wins his decision, but I think the odds are against him. But even moving the needle but by about 3 milllion would’ve been good for pitchers. I think these records will all be for Skenes to break though.
If Skubal wins, I’ll do my part to prop up the ownership group so they can make further financial commitments. After all, I like Little Caesars. The Ilitch family is only worth about 7 billion, so it won’t hurt me to order a pizza.
Dog biscuits for Skubal due!
Skubal situation reminds me of the Red Sox and Mookie. Mookie got a 27mm salary and it was clear he was on his way out. I feel Skubal is also on his way out so the arb is the setting stone on the package it will take to land him.
not sure why some people are assuming skubal will be a clubhouse cancer if he ends up getting paid less than framber. maybe he understands that baseball is a business and adding framber gives his team a better chance to win a title?
IKF is a perfect signing. He has played everywhere but catcher. They needed a little D and versatility and got it. For all those saying redsox are cheap are absolute dopes. DOPES
I would rather have Christian arroyo starting