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  1. billy ashley

    Much like Newman, the Sox are not “Ready to deliver”– The 2025 Offseason News (& rumors?) Thread

    Trevor Story hasn't been a "black hole" He was terrible when playing hurt in 2023, other than than he's had wRC+ of 100, and 101. Story can't stay on the field, but when he's on the field he's been a good player. I do think folks are being a little too optimistic that injuries won't derail...
  2. billy ashley

    Much like Newman, the Sox are not “Ready to deliver”– The 2025 Offseason News (& rumors?) Thread

    Redundant is probably not the right word. But Anthony certainly makes RF a position of depth in which Abreu may have more value to other teams than in Boston, Abreu is an elite defensive RF, with pretty good offensive numbers but significant platoon issues. I'd love to keep him, but one two of...
  3. billy ashley

    Sox to pursue early extensions with the big 3

    In terms of the big 3 there aren't a ton of red flags. The few I've seen people discuss are the following: Mayer (straightforward enough) has not always been healthy. He also has some platoon issues and is not as apt as handling offspeed stuff as Anthony or Campbell. Also, while he's a good...
  4. billy ashley

    Is this a playoff team?

    I voted "good chance at the playoffs, not so much winning it all" This option is closest to reality, but both overrates the playoffs chances a bit, and undersells the championship bit. If this team makes it to the postseason, and is healthy, its pitching gives it a punchers chance at a...
  5. billy ashley

    Who's going to catch?

    Connor Wong is a good enough athlete and showed enough with the bat last year that they kinda need to roll the dice with him for another year. He's improved a ton defensively since joining the system and has reduced his K rate significantly. I don't think he'll ever be a good defensive...
  6. billy ashley

    The 2025 Boston Red Sox and The Concept of a Six Man Rotation

    To state the obvious: It's really hard tot keep pitchers healthy. Going into 2025 they have the following established SPs Crochet - experienced a significant IP jump last season Houck - experienced significant IP jump last season Buehler - 1 year contract, probably not too concerned about...
  7. billy ashley

    Alex Bregman and Adding a Bat

    I voted no but I would be open to signing him for 4 years. As Bregman is having a similar FA experience as JD Martinez, I wonder if a Martinez like deal would appeal to him. Offer him 4/120, with opt outs every season. The argument for is pretty straight forward: Bregman would absolutely help...
  8. billy ashley

    Is There Something I Should Know? How good will Jarren Duran be going forward?

    The leap in defensive ability is even more shocking than the hitting. He had a real nice track record offensively in the minors. There were always questions about his ability to play the field (he was drafted as a 2B out of college). I think given the work he's done, and the success he had...
  9. billy ashley

    Cam Booser to White Sox for Yhoiker Fajardo

    Great story, last year. Hope he sticks in the White Sox pen and does well for them. As others have pointed out, Booser is probably buried here with Chapman and Wilson. I'm sure it's possible they liked Booser more than Bernardino or Shugart, but they probably don't get a prospect back for...
  10. billy ashley

    Grade the Crochet Trade

    Very much a different era but keep in mind, Pavano was the 17th prospect in BA's top 100 at the time of the trade. To start the next season he was number 8. He was a very good prospect. Armas wasn't ranked in the top 100, but would be the following two years after the trade, peaking at 27...
  11. billy ashley

    Much like Newman, the Sox are not “Ready to deliver”– The 2025 Offseason News (& rumors?) Thread

    Just saying Yoshida and Castillo both have contracts that expire in 2027. Yoshida's 117 WRC+ would have been like the third highest on the M's among guys with 400 PAs. If Boston kicks in some money... I know there is no way they'd do that, but I honestly don't love the idea of spending much if...
  12. billy ashley

    Grade the Crochet Trade

    Wrote this on social media: Steep price for Boston to pay. A good haul for the White Sox. A ton of upside and a ton of risk for both teams. Crochet is maybe the best pitcher in baseball on a pitch per pitch bases, but his health history and pitching style are terrifying. You could tell me he...
  13. billy ashley

    How do you feel about the Red Sox offer to Soto?

    They seem to have put in a good faith effort to get Soto, when one of the owners of the other teams promised to do whatever it took to get him. Looks like Cohen is not a liar. Believe if Boston pivots and spends a whole bunch on pitching and other improvements, we'll have no reason to complain...
  14. billy ashley

    Sox sign Aroldis Chapman

    Not really going to add anything to the morale debate about Chapman. He's signed. Irrespective of how I or anyone feels about it, it's done. From a baseball perspective this is clearly a good move. Boston's bullpen was terrible at generating swings and misses, Chapman is exceptional at that...
  15. billy ashley

    RIP Luis Tiant

    Luis Tiant is the reason why my family grew up Red Sox fans (I grew up in the DC Metro area) He was Cuban. Dad was Cuban. He left Cuba in 61. Dad escaped in 61. He didn't see his parents again until the late 70s. Dad didn't see his parents until the late 70s. The guy was 83, 8 years older than...
  16. billy ashley

    Red Sox acquire RHP Quinn Priester from Pittsburgh; optioned to Worcester

    It's worth noting that Davis was kind of seen as the lower ceiling, huge floor guy of that draft. There were questions about whether or not he could play catcher, but pretty much everyone agreed that he'd be a good enough hitter to be a solid regular, even in the OF. That was a really...
  17. billy ashley

    Red Sox acquire RHP Quinn Priester from Pittsburgh; optioned to Worcester

    Nice, may it be number 1 of many. I will say watching him in MLB games, one of the bigger concerns about his development was whether or not he could keep himself in shape for 2B. He was pretty filled out as a teenager and he's got a sibling who's also a big dude. It seems like he's avoided...
  18. billy ashley

    Red Sox acquire RHP Quinn Priester from Pittsburgh; optioned to Worcester

    Yorke being expendable probably has a lot more to do with the following factors than Vaughn Grissom: Skepticism over Yorke's ability to play in the infield skepticism over Yorke's bat being good enough to play in LF or 1b, should he have to move The emergence of Kristian Campbell this season as...
  19. billy ashley

    2024 Prospect Rankings Thread

    Yeah, Zanetello was always considered a raw but exciting prospect due to his incredible athleticism, but listening to the last several SP podcasts, it seems like people aren't seeing the same athleticism. This could be due to him being inside his own head given how terrible his season has been...
  20. billy ashley

    Big 3 are promoted to AAA

    He's a plus athlete, but according to the SP profile, he's still learning the OF. This isn't to say he can't be a good defender. He has the raw tools that he could be good... but he's not there yet. I think the fact that he's a 2B, despite super loud physical tools suggests he needs a little...