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

24Dewey@Cooperstown

talent scout
Dec 1, 2024
18
Typical John Henry bullshit. Breslow made the trade for Crochet (and paid a steep price). Then they signed a couple dudes straight out of the MASH unit. Let O’Neil leave despite a right handed hitting deficiency that existed even with him. Now they are playing chicken with Bregman. Other than signing the wife beater and Ferris Buelher they haven’t done shit. Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
 

Longtimefirstime

New Member
Dec 10, 2024
18
Typical John Henry bullshit. Breslow made the trade for Crochet (and paid a steep price). Then they signed a couple dudes straight out of the MASH unit. Let O’Neil leave despite a right handed hitting deficiency that existed even with him. Now they are playing chicken with Bregman. Other than signing the wife beater and Ferris Buelher they haven’t done shit. Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
I can’t say you’re wrong…but, aside from Soto, and maybe Fried, what would actually make sense for the Sox to spend big on? I like teo in a vacuum, but IF and when Anthony becomes a force, he becomes a burden.

I would like tanner scott in the bullpen, and maybe bregman at a 5/125 deal (pie in the sky)…but we need to realize that we are on the crest of a really good young team. Don’t force it.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 2, 2006
11,861
NJ
I’m actually really excited for this 2025 team. Love the Crochet trade. Like the Buehler signing. Excited to see Anthony/Campbell at some point.
 

pdaj

Fantasy Maven
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
3,431
From Springfield to Providence
I think what’s being missed by some Red Sox media/fans is the cost the FO paid in acquiring Crochet – two 1st-round picks and change. That’s an expensive price, considering Teel and Montgomery’s draft slots and cheap, controllable years.

In the last few seasons, Henry, et al. weren’t willing to spend FA money or prospect collateral. While the latter was understandable (needing to build organizational depth), the former was frustrating.

I’m possibly naïve, but I think the Red Sox went into the off-season prepared to spend both ways if it made sense and/or needed to be done. However, they’ve been able to significantly improve the team without having to add a “Shit, that’s going to hurt a lot later,” type of contract. Isn’t that a good thing?

I don’t want the FO to do is to spend like they have money burning a hole in their pocket primarily to “prove” to fans that they are willing to spend.

Will Bregman accept 4 years/120 and immediately step in as captain? Fuck it, let’s do it! But I’m not at all excited to see him play at age 35, 36, and 37 at 25/per or more.

I’m curious to see how the remainder of the off-season goes, as I think the Sox have (at least) one big move left. But as discussed a bit earlier in this thread, a trade or two might have to go down first.
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,813
Typical John Henry bullshit. Breslow made the trade for Crochet (and paid a steep price). Then they signed a couple dudes straight out of the MASH unit. Let O’Neil leave despite a right handed hitting deficiency that existed even with him. Now they are playing chicken with Bregman. Other than signing the wife beater and Ferris Buelher they haven’t done shit. Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
Other than the guys they signed for decent money (and trading for maybe the best available pitcher in the entire off-season) they haven't done anything
 

nvalvo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
22,790
Rogers Park
Fuck these wannabe reporter Twitter assholes. Maybe the team wasn't interested in a home run hitting but no defense dh who strikes out a ton? Especially for three years. Yet, of course, it's worded "Sox not remotely close" specifically to get fans pissed off.
The draft pick penalty for signing a guy who turned down the QO is sort of a huge deal.
 

SouthernBoSox

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2005
12,711
Fuck these wannabe reporter Twitter assholes. Maybe the team wasn't interested in a home run hitting but no defense dh who strikes out a ton? Especially for three years. Yet, of course, it's worded "Sox not remotely close" specifically to get fans pissed off.
I think they see swapping O’Neil with someone who can play defense and strikeout less as a huge upgrade.

It’s why Teoscar never made sense.

It’s why Bregmans bat makes a ton of sense
 

radsoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 9, 2009
14,939
I’m actually really excited for this 2025 team. Love the Crochet trade. Like the Buehler signing. Excited to see Anthony/Campbell at some point.
Agreed.

This may be damning with faint praise, but I think objectively the most interesting team leading into Spring Training since Mookie left.

2 uber offensive prospects, a new young potential ace. Some post TJS uncertainty for sure on the staff, but lots to be excited about.

Sure if we got Soto it would have been even more compelling, but I'm pretty glad we didn't to be honest.
 

Sox Puppet

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2016
800
I’m possibly naïve, but I think the Red Sox went into the off-season prepared to spend both ways if it made sense and/or needed to be done. However, they’ve been able to significantly improve the team without having to add a “Shit, that’s going to hurt a lot later,” type of contract. Isn’t that a good thing?

I don’t want the FO to do is to spend like they have money burning a hole in their pocket primarily to “prove” to fans that they are willing to spend.

Will Bregman accept 4 years/120 and immediately step in as captain? Fuck it, let’s do it! But I’m not at all excited to see him play at age 35, 36, and 37 at 25/per or more.
Honestly, I'm glad Teoscar signed with LAD and hope that Bregman will sign somewhere else soon, just so we don't have to drag this speculation out forever. I wouldn't even want Bregman at 4/$120, let alone a longer, more costly contract than that one. I say grab a strong reliever (Yates, Hoffman, Estevez) and a solid backup C and call it a day.
 

Bernard Gilkey baby

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 26, 2002
575
When Max Fried pitches against Alex Bregman, every synagogue on the east coast will carry it live. Especially if Youklis is doing a play-by-play.
 

Sprowl

mikey lowell of the sandbox
Dope
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
35,612
Haiku
I hope the Red Sox have the good sense to roll with the kids, who will take their lumps in 2025, and benefit from the experience. If there's any room left in the budget before March, spend it on the bullpen. No Hernandez, no Bregman, no problem.

Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
You write that like you think we give a shit. If you're out, be out.

I don't care much for Kool Aid, and won't be spending any $ at all, except for the inevitable MLB.tv.
 

TheDogMan

New Member
Oct 25, 2024
200
Connecticut
Cutting Yoshida for nothing would make no sense at all. He is obviously worth more than the major league minimum so plenty of teams will be willing to pay something for the guy.

You could be right that they are better off just taking the best off they can get and cut their losses. If the best they can find is another team to pay Yoshida 3/20 and the Red Sox have to pay 35M get rid of him, maybe that's just what they have to do.
I actually think this would be best for the Sox. It sucks but Sox really need to a rh bat and a closer.
 

chrisfont9

Member
SoSH Member
I think what’s being missed by some Red Sox media/fans is the cost the FO paid in acquiring Crochet – two 1st-round picks and change. That’s an expensive price, considering Teel and Montgomery’s draft slots and cheap, controllable years.

In the last few seasons, Henry, et al. weren’t willing to spend FA money or prospect collateral. While the latter was understandable (needing to build organizational depth), the former was frustrating.

I’m possibly naïve, but I think the Red Sox went into the off-season prepared to spend both ways if it made sense and/or needed to be done. However, they’ve been able to significantly improve the team without having to add a “Shit, that’s going to hurt a lot later,” type of contract. Isn’t that a good thing?

I don’t want the FO to do is to spend like they have money burning a hole in their pocket primarily to “prove” to fans that they are willing to spend.

Will Bregman accept 4 years/120 and immediately step in as captain? Fuck it, let’s do it! But I’m not at all excited to see him play at age 35, 36, and 37 at 25/per or more.

I’m curious to see how the remainder of the off-season goes, as I think the Sox have (at least) one big move left. But as discussed a bit earlier in this thread, a trade or two might have to go down first.
In past years they had far less prospect capital. Maybe people were asking about guys like Anthony but weren’t willing to give much for them. What happened in the last year is huge. So many assets appreciated. This winter they had power to spend. Before this, they had money but weren’t sure about how to spend it apart from needing starters.

I’d like Bregman for a stopgap but he can’t be had for that. It will require 1-2 big trades to fit him in. I’m keeping an open mind but not sure he will out-hit Campbell even in 2025.
 

Margo McCready

New Member
Dec 23, 2008
264
Typical John Henry bullshit. Breslow made the trade for Crochet (and paid a steep price). Then they signed a couple dudes straight out of the MASH unit. Let O’Neil leave despite a right handed hitting deficiency that existed even with him. Now they are playing chicken with Bregman. Other than signing the wife beater and Ferris Buelher they haven’t done shit. Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
*Somebody* needs to carry the spirit of Buddy Rich around here. Not as funny as the Bus Tapes, but it’s probably as close as we’re gonna get. Thank you.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
33,247
Alamogordo
That's a shit ton of money for a smallish market team to be paying a 30+ year old with a cratering K rate. I like the D-Backs a lot, so I hope it works out. That's a terrifying contract to me, though.
 

E5 Yaz

polka king
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
96,448
Oregon
Cross-posting, but count me among those who were wrong about Burnes getting more than Fried. It might just be because of the family situation and, if so, good for all involved.
 

moondog80

heart is two sizes two small
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
8,984
Cross-posting, but count me among those who were wrong about Burnes getting more than Fried. It might just be because of the family situation and, if so, good for all involved.
Eh, you were right. 8 mil less total for two fewer years and an opt out, I’d consider that “more”. That said, I won’t be shocked to find out there is some deferred money here, which will change things.
 
Last edited:

Cassvt2023

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 17, 2023
1,257
Cross-posting, but count me among those who were wrong about Burnes getting more than Fried. It might just be because of the family situation and, if so, good for all involved.
It was reported (wish I saw the source, I'll dig more) that both Toronto and San Francisco offered more overall $$ but he chose Arizona in part because out worked out better financially when taking tax implications into account.
 

TapeAndPosts

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2006
701
Thanks for that. Usually a decent source, yes?
He's had his share of flubs but I'm sure he has real sources. The statement that Toronto and SF offered more is more factual and I would probably take him at face value on that one. How big a role the tax situation played may be more his speculation. He has a more recent follow-up tweet where he mentions a couple other factors — Burnes lives in AZ, and the D-backs offered him an opt-out:

View: https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1873056156203270287


By the way, I'm sure someone's going to cite this tweet and assume the AL East team was the Red Sox, but from from the context of Bob's feed it seems pretty clear he means Toronto.
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
75,054
Thanks for that. Usually a decent source, yes?
No, he is an actual reporter but a huge percentage of what he tweets/writes ends up being factually incorrect. The most recent example is after NY traded for Bellinger, BN tweeted Bellinger was told he’d be NY’s CF, which Aaron Boone called ‘fake news’ the next day.
 

pk1627

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 24, 2003
2,689
Boston
Typical John Henry bullshit. Breslow made the trade for Crochet (and paid a steep price). Then they signed a couple dudes straight out of the MASH unit. Let O’Neil leave despite a right handed hitting deficiency that existed even with him. Now they are playing chicken with Bregman. Other than signing the wife beater and Ferris Buelher they haven’t done shit. Dopes, don’t bother warning me, I am out. You all just keep on drinking the FSG Kool aid and paying top $ to watch a AAA team.
Sox have had a great off-season with two excellent SP signings. You're worried about losing Tyler O'Neill? Tyler O'Neill? Playing with house money as Anthony and Campbell are close. I thought it was wanted Bregman, but I don't see how he fits now - maybe if they can move Yoshida. Bye.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
23,030
Maine
What's this all about? Trade Casas and move Devers to first? Then get Bregman? Plus looks like moving Casas is contingent on the other team picking up Yoshida and his salary. Not sure anyone will bite for that.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/details-on-mariners-red-sox-trade-talks.html
If it happened, no one bit on it and everyone's moved on at this point.

I do think the juxtaposition in the article of the early rumors of Breslow floating Casas for Woo or Miller followed by the Sox insisting on adding Yoshida to a Casas for Castillo deal is probably the most likely sequence of events. It started as inexpensive youth for inexpensive youth. It apparently progressed to a salary dump on one side so an attempt was made for it to be salary for salary. Then it died out.
 

Tuor

New Member
Mar 20, 2024
46
Anybody else thinking that it is far, far past time to change the mockingly pessimistic title to this thread, altered in the midst of the gloom and panic inspired by not signing Soto or Fried?
 

Big Papi's Mango Salsa

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2022
1,884
I think what’s being missed by some Red Sox media/fans is the cost the FO paid in acquiring Crochet – two 1st-round picks and change. That’s an expensive price, considering Teel and Montgomery’s draft slots and cheap, controllable years.
Agreed. Developing minor league talent and spending it to procure controllable (and extendable) MLB talent is a sound way for teams to operate. Especially those with a large budget that are hesitant to get in free agent bidding wars, or commit to long term contracts with a bulk of those years being past a player’s age 33/34 season.

There really is nothing wrong with committing to not going above and beyond in the FA market. As long as you’re willing to spend big on player capital and extend those players you acquire. Which the Red Sox were very successful at from 2002-2019.

The Crochet acquisition was a welcome reversion in that regard.

They do need more impact talent, which means have to lose the “value” portion of a trade in a lot of ways. Or, they need to basically send out three $5s for a $10, if you will. Roster spots are valuable and they are in some ways “more” valuable when you’re trying to go from an 86 win team (where I have them now) to an 88 win team, then to a 90 win team and so on.

We’re not on the hook for that three years from now, *and* he’s no longer a Baltimore Oriole. Win-win.
Agree wholeheartedly with the last part. The double dip of the Red Sox adding Crochet and Buehler and the Os losing Burnes, coupled with what I believe is a massive down grade from Santander to O’Neill brings the Sox a heck of a lot closer to WC1 contention. Obviously it’s not even January yet, but as of now I think the AL goes:

Tier 1 - Yankees
Tier 2 - Cleveland (that division…)
Tier 3 - Boston, Texas, Detroit, Baltimore, KC.

The Sox have had a very solid off-season (I’m giving it a B at this point), to this point I give Baltimore a D-.
 

kazuneko

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2006
3,115
Honolulu HI
If it happened, no one bit on it and everyone's moved on at this point.
I do think the juxtaposition in the article of the early rumors of Breslow floating Casas for Woo or Miller followed by the Sox insisting on adding Yoshida to a Casas for Castillo deal is probably the most likely sequence of events. It started as inexpensive youth for inexpensive youth. It apparently progressed to a salary dump on one side so an attempt was made for it to be salary for salary. Then it died out.
The reported trade (Casas and Yoshida for Castillo) that Seattle supposedly rejected would have been an amazing trade for the Mariners. They’d have saved money and acquired two bats for a guy who is essentially their fifth starter. And the idea that one barrier was that the Ms “already have a DH” (in reference to a totally cooked Mitch Haniger) is absurd. Glad it didn’t happen but I’d be pretty pissed if I was a Mariners fan. DiPoto saying that it’s his “plan Z” for to trade from his surplus of starting pitching is also ridiculous. The value of starting pitching has never been higher and for some reason the one team with excess starting pitching is unwilling to sell. If/when the Ms can’t hit again next year they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
 
Last edited:

Beomoose

is insoxicated
SoSH Member
May 28, 2006
22,108
Exiled
Anybody else thinking that it is far, far past time to change the mockingly pessimistic title to this thread, altered in the midst of the gloom and panic inspired by not signing Soto or Fried?
They still whiffed on all the the big name Free Agents not named Bregman, and may yet miss on him. Getting Crochet is massive, the other moves look good, we're excited for the kids. Hoping it all pays off to a contender and we can buy Breslow many beers. But it's not the "we're going to blow people away" offseason the team was trying to project going into November, so I think mocking them a bit for it is fine even if we "only" end up with a pretty good one.
 

Yelling At Clouds

Post-darwinian
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
4,139
We’re not on the hook for that three years from now, *and* he’s no longer a Baltimore Oriole. Win-win.
The reported trade (Casas and Yoshida for Castillo) that Seattle supposedly rejected would have been an amazing trade for the Mariners. They’d have saved money and acquired two bats for a guy who is essentially their fifth starter. And the idea that one barrier was that the Ms “already have a DH” (in reference to a totally cooked Mitch Haniger) is absurd. Glad it didn’t happen but I’d be pretty pissed if I was a Mariners fan. DiPoto saying that it’s his “plan Z” is to trade from his surplus of starting pitching is also ridiculous. The value of starting pitching has never been higher and for some reason the one team with excess starting pitching is unwilling to sell. If/when the Ms can’t hit again next year they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
Apropos of these two posts, I will say that the Orioles and Mariners are the teams who should be trying to work a hitting-for-pitching trade, makes a lot more sense on paper than most of what gets suggested around here.
 

SouthernBoSox

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2005
12,711
They still whiffed on all the the big name Free Agents not named Bregman, and may yet miss on him. Getting Crochet is massive, the other moves look good, we're excited for the kids. Hoping it all pays off to a contender and we can buy Breslow many beers. But it's not the "we're going to blow people away" offseason the team was trying to project going into November, so I think mocking them a bit for it is fine even if we "only" end up with a pretty good one.
I think that…. It’s hard to really type out but I think there needs to be a real sense of urgency with the Sox. It’s not just about spending it’s acknowledging that the window to win a World Series is now. The AL is horrible compared to the NL. The Red Sox probably have the most talented roster in the AL when you factor in they have players who should improve with time vs the Yankees who have players leaving their prime.

Bregman would reenforce that acknowledgement that they are going for it. Not in 2026 or 2027 but right now.

They are two moves away from being a top 2-3 team in the AL. One that can go to the World Series.

View: https://twitter.com/loumerloni/status/1872892140189290965?s=46
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,813
Anybody else thinking that it is far, far past time to change the mockingly pessimistic title to this thread, altered in the midst of the gloom and panic inspired by not signing Soto or Fried?
No some people will still consider them cheap bastards until they paid hundreds of millions for a top 3 free agent
 

Max Power

thai good. you like shirt?
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
9,040
Boston, MA
No some people will still consider them cheap bastards until they paid hundreds of millions for a top 3 free agent
Or any free agent. We have posters (and Lou Merloni) begging for them to try to shoehorn Alex Bregman's decline into the roster when he hasn't been a great player in 5 years.
 

BringBackMo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,571
I think that…. It’s hard to really type out but I think there needs to be a real sense of urgency with the Sox. It’s not just about spending it’s acknowledging that the window to win a World Series is now. The AL is horrible compared to the NL. The Red Sox probably have the most talented roster in the AL when you factor in they have players who should improve with time vs the Yankees who have players leaving their prime.

Bregman would reenforce that acknowledgement that they are going for it. Not in 2026 or 2027 but right now.

They are two moves away from being a top 2-3 team in the AL. One that can go to the World Series.

View: https://twitter.com/loumerloni/status/1872892140189290965?s=46
Starting to get the feeling you want Bregman on the team.
 

TrotNixonRing

Sally Field
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2023
1,253
The reported trade (Casas and Yoshida for Castillo) that Seattle supposedly rejected would have been an amazing trade for the Mariners. They’d have saved money and acquired two bats for a guy who is essentially their fifth starter. And the idea that one barrier was that the Ms “already have a DH” (in reference to a totally cooked Mitch Haniger) is absurd. Glad it didn’t happen but I’d be pretty pissed if I was a Mariners fan. DiPoto saying that it’s his “plan Z” for to trade from his surplus of starting pitching is also ridiculous. The value of starting pitching has never been higher and for some reason the one team with excess starting pitching is unwilling to sell. If/when the Ms can’t hit again next year they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
This is an excellent post and I enjoyed it. That said, perhaps Trader Jerry is just demanding the sun and moon now to gage the market and he’ll bring the price down and eventually trade Castillo. Maybe the trade wasn’t quite proposed as reported and he’s not getting very good offers for him because we can also see the road ERA, etc. The risk is teams filling their needs elsewhere, like the Sox, but maybe the thought is there will always be enough demand for SP in this market to get a decent return when he wants to pull the trigger.