Offseason rumors

[NickEsasky]

That's a totally fair take, and definitely gives me pause to reflect a little bit. There's nothing you said there that's not realistically possible.

The man is a Yale grad, though, and by all accounts was heavily involved in the Cubs front office. Do we really know just how much negotiating he's actually done? But yeah, he's never been the guy, and that's indisputable.If I hadn't already seen the creativity he is capable of, I probably would be more worried about that. It's really most of the reason I'm going to wait until I see the rest before giving myself an ulcer.

One concern I do have is that there's really no one above him in the organization that I trust in a mentor role, so if he is as green as you think he may be, that could be a very big problem. I was always frustrated by Lucchino, but the man always wanted to win, and he sure as hell knew the baseball business.

And as has been said by just about everyone around here, their entire PR approach is an unmitigated disaster.

My biggest concern when Breslow was hired was the lack of experience in the big chair and seemingly no experience with player/agent negotiations. However there was an article (maybe in the Athletic) soon after he was hired that said the Cubs had him a lot more involved in that type of stuff and he wasn’t focused entirely on pitching which helped allay some fears.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

This will all be forgotten once the games begin - but this is BAD look. Hernandez/Managa/Soler feels like Efflin all over again.It might be that the issue is that they hoped there was a market for Duran/Rafaela/Abreua and there isn't one.

My worry with Breslow is he had never been the guy in charge of negotiations. That is in art - I make my living doing it and experience definitely matters.

Floating names of potential FA's that are nowhere near the top of the class and then coming up short is a PR disaster. I don't really care about that in the win - because winning solves that - but as a fan I am sitting here wondering if Breslow knows what the F he is doing.

I love the Grissom trade. I like the Giolito signing. But this is nowhere near good enough. You have 3 top-end prospects who are in double AA at LEAST a year away. What is the plan, other than mediocrity?

I do not see it.

My guess is we sign Clevinger for 13 million (per MLB trade rumors) and we try to wait out Pham/Martinez so we stay under $225 million.

The rotation becomes
Giolito
Clevenger
Bello
Crawford
Pivetta/Houck

Why do you think Breslow is “floating” interest? I’m sure he isn’t. 9 times out of 10 free agent reports come from the agency side.

 

[CR67dream]

My biggest concern when Breslow was hired was the lack of experience in the big chair and seemingly no experience with player/agent negotiations. However there was an article (maybe in the Athletic) soon after he was hired that said the Cubs had him a lot more involved in that type of stuff and he wasn’t focused entirely on pitching which helped allay some fears.

Yeah, I think I saw that too, I was drawing on something but couldn't remember what. And I can't stress enough that seeing what he's done so far is pretty much what's keeping me off the ledge. He's shown more creativity than Bloom ever did already.

 

[Big Papi's Mango Salsa]

This will all be forgotten once the games begin - but this is BAD look. Hernandez/Managa/Soler feels like Efflin all over again.It might be that the issue is that they hoped there was a market for Duran/Rafaela/Abreua and there isn't one.

I love the Grissom trade. I like the Giolito signing. But this is nowhere near good enough. You have 3 top-end prospects who are in double AA at LEAST a year away. What is the plan, other than mediocrity?

I do not see it.

Edited down because while I don’t share the same concerns about Breslow relative to inexperience, I think the point about the OFs is spot on. I‘ve been saying for a long time that a major issue facing Breslow (and anyone who took the job, regardless of experience) is that there isn’t all that much trade value in Abreu/Valdez/York/Bleis/everyone else in the minors, outside the top 3.

I think a totally plausible reason for the interest in Hernandez / Soler etc is Breslow HOPED he could swing a deal for a top half of the rotation piece without Anthony, Teel or Mayer. However, he can’t. Thus there is no reason to actually sign Hernandez or Soler.

The really good thing about Breslow (at least so far, apart from his predecessor) is that he’s been willing to move pieces that won’t be here when the team is good again (Sale, Verdugo).

It’s why I’m excited to see what he gets for Jansen, Martin and Pivetta (if not extended). 2024 is looking very unlikely to be a playoff contending team, and I don’t think he’s going to waste short term assets like his predecessor.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1746180761068118432?s=46


What’s interesting about that report is it’s two teams who definitely don’t seem like they are real players to sign Snell.

I think it’s Boras reporting to try and drive pricing.

 

[YTF]

Bite the bullet and sign Montgomery. Keep Martin for the 8th. Trade Jansen to anyone willing to take his salary. Houck is the closer. Sign Soler with Jansen’s money so he and Yoshida can complete The Bushwackers DH/LF tag team. Dump Refsnyder. Stay under the Luxury Tax and avoid QO guys to not screw over 2025+. Let the chips fall where they may. Fun ensues. Easy-peasy.

At this point of the process, this is pretty much the way I feel. Love Soler's bat for this team, but hate the defense considering the rest of the roster. Hoping another solution might be found there. At this point I think I would rather have Turner back. FWIW, I would be fine with a trade that might improve the OF a bit more replacing Duran or Abreu, but this looks to be a competitive ream heading into the season.

OF... Yoshida, Duran, Rafaela, O'Niell, Abreu

IF... Casas, Grissom, Story, Devers, Turner, one of Valdez/Reyes

C...Wong, McGuire

Rotation...Montgomery, Bello, Giolito, Crawford, Pivetta

Bullpen...Houck, Martin, Whitlock, Bernandino (L), Winckowski , Slaten (rule 5), Mata (no options), Other

 

[BeantownIdaho]

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1746180761068118432?s=46


What’s interesting about that report is it’s two teams who definitely don’t seem like they are real players to sign Snell.

I think it’s Boras reporting to try and drive pricing.

We have not been real players for almost every player that there has been "reported interest"

 

[OCD SS]

Yeah, I think I saw that too, I was drawing on something but couldn't remember what. And I can't stress enough that seeing what he's done so far is pretty much what's keeping me off the ledge. He's shown more creativity than Bloom ever did already.

More creativity and more decisiveness. I think the issue is his budget set against the fact that the Sox appear determined to compete. Doing the later looks like it would require spending (or at least be a lot easier) given the team’s holes and so far it looks like he’s being too fine in threading the needle.

I hope we don’t have to wait too long for a fully operational Breslow.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

At this point of the process, this is pretty much the way I feel. Love Soler's bat for this team, but hate the defense considering the rest of the roster. Hoping another solution might be found there. At this point I think I would rather have Turner back. FWIW, I would be fine with a trade that might improve the OF a bit more replacing Duran or Abreu, but this looks to be a competitive ream heading into the season.

OF... Yoshida, Duran, Rafaela, O'Niell, Abreu

IF... Casas, Grissom, Story, Devers, Turner, one of Valdez/Reyes

C...Wong, McGuire

Rotation...Montgomery, Bello, Giolito, Crawford, Pivetta

Bullpen...Houck, Martin, Whitlock, Bernandino (L), Winckowski , Slaten (rule 5), Mata (no options), Other

I am guessing other is Schreiber .... Looks good to me - Not huge on Turner but might be the best safe option.

 

[jbupstate]

The problem is in part the full throttle comment made me and likely others have very high expectations,which have not been close to being met, follow that with canceling the town hall and instead of excitement much of the fan base is either disgruntled or disappointed. I am assuming the full throttle comment was put out to enhance season ticket sales or an attempt to get fans to keep their packages. It was not a factual statement. Full throttle assumes the club would do what it took to be a legit contender in 2024.

100% agreed. I’m really pissed at it because it didn’t need to be said and makes Breslow’s job more difficult. Other clubs and agents will assume he is desperate and attempt to leverage the situation. Fan excitement grew and the Yamamoto signing cause the floor to drop out.

 

[OCD SS]

“Full Throttle” is just an easy tag. Even without it the interview they repeatedly state (against concerns raised the previous seasons) that there isn’t going to be a limit on spending. The problem isn’t the tagline, it’s appearing to go on with business as usual after laying out a plan for an energized offseason.

 

[Dewey'sCannon]

Rhys Hoskins is another option for a RH bat, Can't really play the OF but would fit as DH and RH backup to Cases at 1B. Decent OBP and OPS numbers, missed all of last year with a torn ACL.

I haven't seen many rumors on him, but saw a story on him on Fangraphs that made me think of him as an option if Soler wants too much $ or too many years and Turner goes elsewhere. MLBTR projected Hoskins at 2/36. I'd probably prefer Turner (projected at 1/16) given how well he fit last year and that he can play 3B if necessary.

 

[geoflin]

I have a hard time believing that tweets about a team's supposed interest in a player at a supposed price have anything whatsoever to do with driving up bids by other teams. Breslow and other GM's speak directly with the agent and negotiate that way. John Henry is well documented as having made his fortune in commodities trading by having a top line price he would pay and not being willing to go beyond it regardless of other bids. The fact that someone on twitter reports on what another team has supposedly bid, whether planted by an agent or not, isn't going to change what the Red Sox or any other team is willing to offer. The only thing those reports do is influence fan thinking.

 

[Big Papi's Mango Salsa]

More creativity and more decisiveness. I think the issue is his budget set against the fact that the Sox appear determined to compete. Doing the later looks like it would require spending (or at least be a lot easier) given the team’s holes and so far it looks like he’s being too fine in threading the needle.

I hope we don’t have to wait too long for a fully operational Breslow.

But this (the off season) is where the Sox can utilize their financial muscle to “buy” prospects and have the same guise of competing.

Use the Sale trade as an example. I think there was a direct correlation between Gio coming in and Sale going out. Not only were the dollar amounts similar, but so is the term, and honestly, somos the value of the pitcher. Sale gets there (now) by being really good for 15 starts. Gio by being (generally) a combination of “not stink”, though doing that for 30 starts and 175ip.

As it stands, you can deal Jansen (and Martin) fully paid. Hopefully land something pretty decent to actually increase your prospect capital rather than just do what all other 30 teams do (pick in each round of the draft) and address holes at the MLB level (Grissom) or in the upper minors (Fitts).

Then use the remainder of the budget to sign Chapman and Neris and you’re really no worse off than before for the sham of “competing” in 2024, buuuut you’ve added to the prospect trove. You also still have pieces to deal in July. (Just for fun, imagine how much different the 2024-30 Red Sox look had they eaten money and traded Jansen and Martin for Cole Ragans).


Regarding Snell, I’d bet Boston called to see if the Snell market was collapsing. I doubt it is, and probably went no further than that. The report - that they called - makes total sense. Doesn’t mean there is any chance they’re going to land him.

Oh - and just to clarify an earlier point - I didn’t mean that players outside the top 3 prospects are worthless. Just that if they’re only willing to deal those pieces, something like Abreu, Yorke and Bleis for Cabrera might be possible (Boston would probaby have to add a bit more - and I would), but just you’re not getting more than someone else version of Houck for those kind of pieces.

I wouldn’t have advocated that two months ago, but based on Speier’s reporting and the real possibility of going into the season with a Bello, Gio, Crawford, Pivetta, Houck (or Lorenzen) rotation, I’d certainly deal those prospects to get a slightly better version of Houck. Then you hope 2 of Crawford, Houck and ”Cabrera” can be starters. Increasing your chances, of course.

 

[RS2004foreever]

That's a totally fair take, and definitely gives me pause to reflect a little bit. There's nothing you said there that's not realistically possible.

The man is a Yale grad, though, and by all accounts was heavily involved in the Cubs front office. Do we really know just how much negotiating he's actually done? But yeah, he's never been the guy, and that's indisputable.If I hadn't already seen the creativity he is capable of, I probably would be more worried about that. It's really most of the reason I'm going to wait until I see the rest before giving myself an ulcer.

One concern I do have is that there's really no one above him in the organization that I trust in a mentor role, so if he is as green as you think he may be, that could be a very big problem. I was always frustrated by Lucchino, but the man always wanted to win, and he sure as hell knew the baseball business.

And as has been said by just about everyone around here, their entire PR approach is an unmitigated disaster.

I went to BU Law. I negotiate against Yale guys all day - negotiating is about emotional intelligence - not about book smarts. That is a skill - and I don't see much experience in it in the Red Sox front office. Man this is just a horrible look for the Red Sox - I wonder if they have the self-awareness to understand that.

None of this matters if they win. But I am concerned that the guy in charge kicks a lot of tires and doesn't actually get anything.

 

[CR67dream]

I went to BU Law. I negotiate against Yale guys all day - negotiating is about emotional intelligence - not about book smarts. That is a skill - and I don't see much experience in it in the Red Sox front office. Man this is just a horrible look for the Red Sox - I wonder if they have the self-awareness to understand that.

None of this matters if they win. But I am concerned that the guy in charge kicks a lot of tires and doesn't actually get anything.

What do you think of the moves he's negotiated so far? It's not much but it's not nothing.

The Yale line wasn't put in for any other reason than he's highly educated. My son starts at Duke Law next year. Screw Yale

 

[RS2004foreever]

We have not been real players for almost every player that there has been "reported interest"

Sign Snell and go with the kids. Rotate Yoshi/Duran/Abreau/Valdez through the DH spot and see if one of the kids who don't seem to have much trade value break out. Don't sign one of the retread DH's - all they do is block younger players who need at bats.

Offensively Story/Grissom make up for Turner and O'Neil is better than Duvall anyway.

If Giolito finds his stuff again your rotation is good enough to compete for a wild card.
Snell
Giolito
Bello
Crawford
Houck/Pivetta

I would extend Pivetta.

 

[RS2004foreever]

What do you think of the moves he's negotiated so far? It's not much but it's not nothing.

The Yale line wasn't put in for any other reason than he's highly educated. My son starts at Duke Law next year. Screw Yale

Meaning your child got into BU - and wisely chose a better school - which I did not get into.
I love the Sale/Grissom deal. Don't like locking Giolito into only 1 year.

 

[CR67dream]

Meaning your child got into BU - and wisely chose a better school - which I did not get into.
I love the Sale/Grissom deal. Don't like locking Giolito into only 1 year.

He went ED, and I actually should have said this year, starts in the fall. It was his first choice. He didn't want Harvard or Yale and they were probably out of reach anyway.

That's fair, and it's the Sale one that I think shows the most creativity and vision. I'm with you on Giolito, but I don't think they could have secured him on anything longer based on things he's said. I also like O'Neil, not a huge piece but a good piece, and sometimes I think people forget all about him.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

I went to BU Law. I negotiate against Yale guys all day - negotiating is about emotional intelligence - not about book smarts. That is a skill - and I don't see much experience in it in the Red Sox front office. Man this is just a horrible look for the Red Sox - I wonder if they have the self-awareness to understand that.

None of this matters if they win. But I am concerned that the guy in charge kicks a lot of tires and doesn't actually get anything.

Can you be more specific on what’s a horrible look? Because your wording is such that you think something beyond the lack of spending is a bad look. I’m not sure what that is though based on how vague your post is.

 

[twibnotes]

If we’re going to only marginally improve pitching for ‘24, I really hope Breslow makes a creative move to improve the D. The last thing a pitching staff with question marks needs is a lineup that includes Casas, Yoshi, and Devers.

I’m assuming there is a near 0 chance they move Casas or Devers so that leaves Yoshi.

 

[chawson]

The DH market is crowded and it makes sense no teams are reaching. Along with Soler, Turner and Hoskins, J.D. Martinez needs to find a spot that isn’t the Dodgers, and Brandon Belt, Joc Pederson, Aaron Hicks, Donovan Solano, Daniel Vogelbach and Garrett Cooper too. And then there’s plausible bounce back characters like C.J. Cron, Jesse Winker, Ji-Man Choi, Evan Longoria, Luke Voit and Kyle Lewis (and Yasiel Puig, apparently). And then there’s Gary Sánchez.

Not all these guys will be lineup fixtures of course but there are probably like six of them I’d be happy with getting 400+ PAs for the Sox.

 

[buttons]

Can you be more specific on what’s a horrible look? Because your wording is such that you think something beyond the lack of spending is a bad look. I’m not sure what that is though based on how vague your post is.

It doesn’t make any difference if you went to law school or where you went if you did.
The key to negotiating is knowing what the other wants and being able to provide it
or being able to convince that person that what you are offering is really better,

 

[HfxBob]

If we’re going to only marginally improve pitching for ‘24, I really hope Breslow makes a creative move to improve the D. The last thing a pitching staff with question marks needs is a lineup that includes Casas, Yoshi, and Devers.

I’m assuming there is a near 0 chance they move Casas or Devers so that leaves Yoshi.

Last report was that Yoshida trade talks are pretty much dead.

 

[curly2]

I think Sale trade was a bold move by Breslow, and that's very encouraging. I think the only really bold move by Bloom was trading Betts, which was foisted on him by the front office. The Sale trade makes me think that Breslow will be willing to deal Jansen and Martin at the deadline if the Sox aren't realistic contenders.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

I’m sure the FO has a lot of opportunity cost concerns especially after poor outcomes on so many of the big deals over the last decade+.

In this case I think they really don’t want a Sale repeat, but the reality of this team is not the same as back then. There’s no Mookie they need to pay soon, and as we’ve seen there is no guarantee of getting a top of market FA when LA/NY are involved. There’s a good chance you’re keeping the powder dry just to see a repeat next offseason, keeping in mind the Mets seem unlikely to sit out two straight winters.

If you have to stretch a bit for a good but not perfect fit, this feels like the offseason to do it in terms of the current financial situation. If you’re just waiting for the prospect cavalry to arrive, who’s to say you’ll feel better about the FA values or trade market at that time? Don’t get underwater on 3-4 contracts, sure, but the same concerns they have right now making them risk averse will still be there next year.

Failing that, I am fully on board with more creative deals to improve the long-term outlook and flexibility, especially around the old relievers on the team, both of whom could easily collapse as relievers often can year to year.

 

[simplicio]

Rhys Hoskins is another option for a RH bat, Can't really play the OF but would fit as DH and RH backup to Cases at 1B. Decent OBP and OPS numbers, missed all of last year with a torn ACL.

I haven't seen many rumors on him, but saw a story on him on Fangraphs that made me think of him as an option if Soler wants too much $ or too many years and Turner goes elsewhere. MLBTR projected Hoskins at 2/36. I'd probably prefer Turner (projected at 1/16) given how well he fit last year and that he can play 3B if necessary.

I think Hoskins is going to find someone to pay him as a 1B though, and like Jose Abreu last year it's not going to be worth it to try to top that. I'm interested if he falls to DH rates though.

 

[HfxBob]

I think Sale trade was a bold move by Breslow, and that's very encouraging.

It was bold, but if they don't do anything further about the rotation, there's a real possibility this trade is going to become questionable, too. We can't rule out a return to health and form by Sale, after all. It'll all be based on 20/20 hindsight, needless to say.

 

[simplicio]

Bite the bullet and sign Montgomery. Keep Martin for the 8th. Trade Jansen to anyone willing to take his salary. Houck is the closer. Sign Soler with Jansen’s money so he and Yoshida can complete The Bushwackers DH/LF tag team. Dump Refsnyder. Stay under the Luxury Tax and avoid QO guys to not screw over 2025+. Let the chips fall where they may. Fun ensues. Easy-peasy.

This aligns with my preferences. I don't need Soler specifically, I'd be fine with Turner, Duvall or Hoskins too. If it's not one of the 1B-capable guys though, we're relying on Refsnyder as our sole 1B backup, unless we also add someone like Solano in a pure bench role.

But I'd be very happy about a Montgomery signing.

 

[CR67dream]

It was bold, but if they don't do anything further about the rotation, there's a real possibility this trade is going to become questionable, too. We can't rule out a return to health and form by Sale, after all. It'll all be based on 20/20 hindsight, needless to say.

Even if they follow through and get some pitching as I expect, that trade could easily not pan out the way we all want. And really, I'd love to see a return to health for Sale. It's Grissom's contributions I'm really concerned about, and I hope he can get to his ceiling. If he just settles down second base this year that would be huge. He could struggle. Time will tell, but final results aside, it's the kind of move I'm glad he's open to making.

 

[Sox Pride]

So when you see a report about Sox interest in Player X
Do you think that’s coming from the Sox front office or from the agent side?
Who benefits?
Nine times out of ten that’s from the agent’s side. Sometimes they’re just trying to drum up interest in their client.

Most of the time, we have no idea who the real targets for the Sox are.

And from a strategery perspective, that’s a good thing.

so when I see this “outbid again“ narrative, I just roll my eyes

 

[Sox Pride]

Sign Snell and go with the kids. Rotate Yoshi/Duran/Abreau/Valdez through the DH spot and see if one of the kids who don't seem to have much trade value break out. Don't sign one of the retread DH's - all they do is block younger players who need at bats.

Offensively Story/Grissom make up for Turner and O'Neil is better than Duvall anyway.

If Giolito finds his stuff again your rotation is good enough to compete for a wild card.
Snell
Giolito
Bello
Crawford
Houck/Pivetta

I would extend Pivetta.

It’s definitely true that negotiating is a skil.
but the deals he has made so far are reasonable and IMO good.
so far he gets the benefit of the doubt in my book.

sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be known as too sharp a negotiator, because then no one wants to deal with you.

This is true in GM to GM negotiation. Agent negotiations are completely different, though.

 

[Sox Pride]

Even if they follow through and get some pitching as I expect, that trade could easily not pan out the way we all want. And really, I'd love to see a return to health for Sale. It's Grissom's contributions I'm really concerned about, and I hope he can get to his ceiling. If he just settles down second base this year that would be huge. He could struggle. Time will tell, but final results aside, it's the kind of move I'm glad he's open to making.

100% there’s risk on both sides of that trade.
But ideally it can be a win for both teams if both players pan out.

i mean, if Sale helps them to a ring this year, and Grissom turns into an allstar second baseman, tell me who lost the trade?

of course, Sale could get hurt and not do much, while Grissom could flop.

but from a today perspective, it’s a futue-oriented trade I’m happy CB made.

 

[chrisfont9]

We’re only talking about 1 vs 2 years. If they were going to sign him for one year, then any issue with the OF glut would be presumably solved by the start of the season. The only way he’s a long term DH issue is if you think Devers or Yoshida is going to be moved to DH permanently. I don't think either of those is a possibility:

Devers is still very young and I don't think he'll move to DH until his mobility seriously declines. There's also the matter of then needing someone else at 3B, for which there aren't any ready candidates (unless it's happen this year and Breslow is going to throw a lot of money at Chapman, but that seems laughable on its face).

Yoshida isn't really a good enough hitter that you want him as a long term DH; if you're not going to play him in the OF then he should be traded (addressing the OF glut). If your plan is that he'll improve by resting and playing as a DH, then that's also an issue for this year, and there was no reason to make Soler an offer anyway.

It's curious that the Sox have been linked to 2 RHH OFers, both with questionable at best defense. If they offered Hernandez 2 years, then they should be able to accomodate Soler for 2 as well, or they should've increased their offer to Hernandez.

I don’t think they share your final conclusion about Yoshida.

 

[chrisfont9]

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1746180761068118432?s=46


What’s interesting about that report is it’s two teams who definitely don’t seem like they are real players to sign Snell.

I think it’s Boras reporting to try and drive pricing.

Maybe they are leaving a pillow deal out there for him.

 

[Brohamer of the Gods]

This aligns with my preferences. I don't need Soler specifically, I'd be fine with Turner, Duvall or Hoskins too. If it's not one of the 1B-capable guys though, we're relying on Refsnyder as our sole 1B backup, unless we also add someone like Solano in a pure bench role.

But I'd be very happy about a Montgomery signing.

My only reason for leaning towards Turner amongst this grab bag is he can play 3rd as well. FA 3B who are also right handed includes Matt Chapman, would would be great if we were moving Raffy to DH, and a whole lot of flotsam.

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/3rd-base/

 

[simplicio]

I do not want to move Raffy to DH in year 2 of his deal, I want him to improve at his position.

I also don't want to sign Chapman regardless. His numbers have been in decline and he costs a QO pick.

 

[Margo McCready]

At this point of the process, this is pretty much the way I feel. Love Soler's bat for this team, but hate the defense considering the rest of the roster. Hoping another solution might be found there. At this point I think I would rather have Turner back. FWIW, I would be fine with a trade that might improve the OF a bit more replacing Duran or Abreu, but this looks to be a competitive ream heading into the season.

OF... Yoshida, Duran, Rafaela, O'Niell, Abreu

IF... Casas, Grissom, Story, Devers, Turner, one of Valdez/Reyes

C...Wong, McGuire

Rotation...Montgomery, Bello, Giolito, Crawford, Pivetta

Bullpen...Houck, Martin, Whitlock, Bernandino (L), Winckowski , Slaten (rule 5), Mata (no options), Other

I’d love to see the Red Sox try to give us fun baseball to watch this September and (God help us) maybe even beyond. As bad as the backend may be, Jordan Montgomery helps make that a little bit more realistic. He also fills in a rotation slot in ‘25 and (fingers crossed) ‘26, which to me looks helpful enough to risk that backend.

As for Soler, what makes him interesting beyond just being a RH 30HR-capable guy to slot between Devers and Casas is his solid OBP skill. Teoscar lacks that which makes me happy he chose the Dodgers. But you’re absolutely right, he only exacerbates the the team’s problems with defense. If we could be sure we’d be getting the pre-hamstring injury version of Turner, he’d clearly be a great alternative to Soler since he can backup the infield corners. At his age however, squeezing another productive season out of him might be a long shot.

This aligns with my preferences. I don't need Soler specifically, I'd be fine with Turner, Duvall or Hoskins too. If it's not one of the 1B-capable guys though, we're relying on Refsnyder as our sole 1B backup, unless we also add someone like Solano in a pure bench role.

But I'd be very happy about a Montgomery signing.

Hoskins could be a great alternative to Soler if he’s healthy. Good call. I’d be fine with Pablo Reyes filling in the occasional Devers day off in this scenario.

 

[nattysez]

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1746180761068118432?s=46


What’s interesting about that report is it’s two teams who definitely don’t seem like they are real players to sign Snell.

I think it’s Boras reporting to try and drive pricing.

That could be one of my favorite "two truths which imply a lie" tweets of all time.

 

[GPO Man]

So when you see a report about Sox interest in Player X
Do you think that’s coming from the Sox front office or from the agent side?
Who benefits?
Nine times out of ten that’s from the agent’s side. Sometimes they’re just trying to drum up interest in their client.

Most of the time, we have no idea who the real targets for the Sox are.

And from a strategery perspective, that’s a good thing.

so when I see this “outbid again“ narrative, I just roll my eyes

It’s not coming from the Sox. It’s agents and reporters with an agenda.

 

[Cassvt2023]

I'm with you on this.

+2

 

[BravesField]

I do not want to move Raffy to DH in year 2 of his deal, I want him to improve at his position.

We all want that.......But it's long past the time to recognize and admit what type of defender Raffy is. (please excuse my grammar).

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

We all want that.......But it's long past the time to recognize and admit what type of defender Raffy is. (please excuse my grammar).

The thing about Raffy though is that his 3B shittiness seems mental- he has good range, footwork, positioning, arm… all the tools but he just makes dumbass decisions- and that was almost all the defense last season and why I was blaming that a lot on Cora.

 

[Brohamer of the Gods]

I do not want to move Raffy to DH in year 2 of his deal, I want him to improve at his position.

I also don't want to sign Chapman regardless. His numbers have been in decline and he costs a QO pick.

Oh, I also have no wish to move Raffy to DH. That was more to say you would only sign Chapman as a full-time 3B, not to be a bench player/part time DH. Either way, once you get past Chapman and Turner there isn't anyone on the list I would bother signing.

I don't suppose there is prayer in hell that Valdez is a savant at 3B?

 

[chawson]

Devers was a better 3B once Story returned, and IIRC has mentioned that as a factor last year.

April +2 OAA
May -2
June -2
July -6
Aug 0 (Story returns 8/8)
Sep 0

Not definitive but reason to think the metrics like him better next year.

 

[DavidTai]

The thing about Raffy though is that his 3B shittiness seems mental- he has good range, footwork, positioning, arm… all the tools but he just makes dumbass decisions- and that was almost all the defense last season and why I was blaming that a lot on Cora.

Hm. Why Cora? Because that should have been a coaching priority for him and his staff? I'm just not remembering the context in how you blamed Cora for this.

 

[MikeM]

View: https://twitter.com/mikedeportes/status/1746180761068118432?s=46


What’s interesting about that report is it’s two teams who definitely don’t seem like they are real players to sign Snell.

I think it’s Boras reporting to try and drive pricing.

IDK. I'd of bought more into this being all smoke a few days ago. But with SF making multiple moves now to add starting pitching and the Yankees adding Stroman...

Still early, getting late, whatever. Bottomline reality right now is the opportunity to sign any of the guys a tier lower in free agency has passed us by . That is what you are ideally making any adjustments in your approach on, and maybe an increased level of interest in Snell is part of that adjustment.

Some of us can hope at least.

 

[simplicio]

Hm. Why Cora? Because that should have been a coaching priority for him and his staff? I'm just not remembering the context in how you blamed Cora for this.

I do feel like there was insufficient coaching last year, given the defensive lapses across the board. With Raffy specifically, it seems like a lot of it comes down to mental errors and specifically lapses in concentration, like he's thinking ahead to the throw instead of fielding and transferring the ball cleanly.

 

[twibnotes]

I do not want to move Raffy to DH in year 2 of his deal, I want him to improve at his position.

I also don't want to sign Chapman regardless. His numbers have been in decline and he costs a QO pick.

We’ve been waiting for him to improve at the position for a long time. When is it going to happen? He belongs at first or dh.

 

[simplicio]

I don't think he needs to be great or even good at third to stick there, though he's shown potential to do that in 2019. He just needs to not be terrible like last year and 2021; the rest of his time is mostly just below average and not an extreme liability. It's not like his D has been in progressive decline; it's fluctuated pretty significantly year to year. Let's get him a year next to a competent SS before before writing him off as a lost cause.