No Town Hall this year at Red Sox Winter Weekend

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Free Agency is not an auction.

This statement seems odd to me. True free agency is absolutely an auction of sorts.

Of course humans are going to have parameters beyond economics but if we are discussing a good faith free agent, they are almost always going to the suitor that offers the most attractive *package*. The point is, sports teams/employers etc can overcome concerns or gaps via money and other incentives.

The Red Sox owners are really fortunate to have you as a fan - I would argue that they depend on you now.

 

[HfxBob]

Of course there is, and he could have done it strategically which is why I said that if you were arguing that he was just saying that to get ahead of the game it would be a different argument. But it seems like straightforward language to me, and he said it before the dominoes started to fall. I'm not telling anyone to take it as gospel, but he actually said it.

Fit is how either side may feel the particular player might fare in the organization, and whether he meets the needs or will be utilized the way the player wants. For instance, I don't think Stroman was a fit for either side based on everything I've read.

Interest is just what it sounds like. Is he interested in coming here? are we interested in him coming here? I could list all the factors that play into why either side may have interest or not, but I'll give an extreme instead. Clevinger put out there that he'd like to come here. Crickets in response from the Sox.

Never mind family considerations, locale,differences in tax rate and so many other things. Of course money talks, too. It just might not be the end all be all for the player, and teams may be interested at one price and not another. On and on....

Both terms are much more complicated and they also severely overlap, but do you really not understand what he was saying, even if you don't think he was being honest?

I understand the words fit and interest. I don't trust them as the true reasons for not signing most of the pitchers crossed off the list. It's not like Breslow is going to come out and say that the real reason was the price vs. the budget given to him by Henry.

 

[Rovin Romine]

This statement seems odd to me. True free agency is absolutely an auction of sorts.

Of course humans are going too have parameters beyond economics but if we are discussing a good faith free agent, they are almost always going to the suitor that offers the most attractive *package*. The point is, sports teams/employers etc can overcome concerns or gaps via money and other incentives.

Oh my. How dare you call another poster out like that:

It’s not romance, this is business, and free agency is essentially an auction. If you don’t offer the most money you really can’t then wonder why you didn’t win, or weren’t even considered. Maybe the player’s initial preference is to go elsewhere, but if Boston didn’t offer more, then the Sox didn’t give them a reason to change their mind. Maybe you have to be crazy… maybe in that way it is a bit like a romance.

The Red Sox owners are really fortunate to have you as a fan - I would argue that they depend on you now.

If you ask real nice, I'll consider spitting some Champagne on you from my complimentary luxury box.

 

[CR67dream]

I understand the words fit and interest. I don't trust them as the true reasons for not signing most of the pitchers crossed off the list. It's not like Breslow is going to come out and say that the real reason was the price vs. the budget given to him by Henry.

So what you're saying is that Breslow did indeed give a detailed response regarding free agent approach before the offseason got rolling, explaining that these things matter, and you don't believe him. After you started with:

To me it seems like the reasons come after the fact of them going elsewhere.

OK. I don't have anything else I can add.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Oh my. How dare you call another poster out like that:

I don't follow your logic at all. I completely agree with that other poster almost verbatim - you are the one arguing that free agency isn't an auction.

 

[Ale Xander]

This is silly. Last season we signed free agents. And the season before. And the season before that. And before that.

All of a sudden, in 2024, Boston is an atrocious place for anyone of consequence to sign. Because of the weather in the summer. Also Texas is a paragon of inclusive progressivism.

Also I’m pretty sure the weather is better in the summer in Boston than Texas

Maybe just build a dome in Fenway?
/ducks

 

[Rovin Romine]

I don't follow your logic at all. I completely agree with that other poster almost verbatim - you are the one arguing that free agency isn't an auction.

I don't believe the positions that you each articulated are reconcileable verbatim. Mine is pretty much aligned with yours, with the caveat that some "concerns or gaps" cannot be bridged via money and other incentives. Some players want to play for a team no matter what, or an immediately competitive team than any other. . .or no matter whatever reasonable variance might be offered.

And so it's not an auction, where the best "package" always wins. Or if it is, you have to acknowledge that all the "bidders" are not equally situated for every single FA out there since clubs can't move their cities or change their rosters at the drop of a hat or replace whatever family and community ties that might be already established.

Which kind of defeats the "auction" metaphor entirely.

 

[CR67dream]

Maybe look at it as an auction where money isn't the sole currency? Damned if I can figure out an easy way to describe it.

 

[HfxBob]

So what you're saying is that Breslow did indeed give a detailed response regarding free agent approach before the offseason got rolling, explaining that these things matter, and you don't believe him. After you started with:



OK. I don't have anything else I can add.

OK, one example: E-Rod. It seems the reason that's been given here for the Red Sox apparent lack of interest in E-Rod is that he had some issues with Cora.
-What actual evidence is there to support this?
-Does anyone here strongly believe that if we offered him $90 million, he would have turned it down, not even given it a second thought?
So that takes of 'interest'.

As for 'fit'
-Does anybody think he wouldn't improve our current rotation?
-Didn't he play here for a bunch of years, won a ring with us, was well-liked etc.?
That takes care of 'fit'.

Guess what's left?
Money.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Maybe look at it as an auction where money isn't the sole currency? Damned if I can figure out an easy way to describe it.

FA's sign with clubs based on a number of factors: how they perceive the market, the fit with the clubs in play (staff, rosters, competitiveness), their own career arcs, their own preferences for where to live, so on, so forth.

The main point of the auction metaphor is the fiction that you can just "bid higher" and get any FA to sign with you. As a universal constant, that is not, nor has it ever been, the case.

It's an attractive fiction (one might even say fan-fiction) for several reasons.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I don't believe the positions that you each articulated are reconcileable verbatim. Mine is pretty much aligned with yours, with the caveat that some "concerns or gaps" cannot be bridged via money and other incentives. Some players want to play for a team no matter what, or an immediately competitive team than any other. . .or no matter whatever reasonable variance might be offered.

And so it's not an auction, where the best "package" always wins. Or if it is, you have to acknowledge that all the "bidders" are not equally situated for every single FA out there since clubs can't move their cities or change their rosters at the drop of a hat or replace whatever family and community ties that might be already established.

Which kind of defeats the "auction" metaphor entirely.

We do not agree - I am with the other poster that in the vast majority of cases, the best economic package wins and that true free agency is a type of auction.

Also, the excuse that Boston isn't a desirable place to play is legitimate but Boston teams can make it more desirable by offering more money - that may not win over every free agent however it will work for most.

Whether they should offer top dollar or not isn't answerable by us because we don't know their economics. Maybe they simply cannot compete for elite players given their relatively limited resources. That's understandable but what if they have the ability but not the desire?

 

[Rovin Romine]

Maybe they simply cannot compete for elite players given their relatively limited resources. That's understandable but what if they have the ability but not the desire?

Then they deserve the criticism they've been getting.

 

[CR67dream]

The main point of the auction metaphor is the fiction that you can just "bid higher" and get any FA to sign with you. As a universal constant, that is not, nor has it ever been, the case.

Yeah, I get all that, and I think everybody understands the analogy is certainly not perfect, even those who see it as more valid than others. All my point is is that it's really hard to boil free agency down to any one analogy.

It just went through my head that if one were going to try to make it more accurate to use "auction", maybe stipulate that if you consider all the factors that are not dollar bills as their own special type of currency, it may scan. I have no urge to actually do that, though.

But honestly, whatever else free agency is, it sure as hell is complicated and certainly not approached by everyone the same way.

 

[Rovin Romine]

But honestly, whatever else free agency is, it sure as hell is complicated and certainly not approached by everyone the same way.

It was really interesting to hear Giolito's take on what his agent was actively doing - proposing to his client (Giolito) the different kinds offers they might consider trying to get from clubs and the pros and cons. It certainly wasn't just "we'll wait for the biggest cash offer and go with that."

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

It was really interesting to hear Giolito's take on what his agent was actively doing - proposing to his client (Giolito) the different kinds offers they might consider trying to get from clubs and the pros and cons. It certainly wasn't just "we'll wait for the biggest cash offer and go with that."

This kind of illustrates my point and highlights an area of confusion around this board. I would not consider Lucas Giolito a free agent in the truest sense. His market was limited due to his recent results and health - that isn't the same dynamic the Sox would face when bidding a hypothetical elite player.

 

[soxhop411]

This kind of illustrates my point and highlights an area of confusion around this board. I would not consider Lucas Giolito a free agent in the truest sense. His market was limited due to his recent results and health - that isn't the same dynamic the Sox would face when bidding a hypothetical elite player.

crawford is a good example of how chasing the most money is not always the best idea

He also doesn’t harbor any ill will toward Boston or its fans. But it wasn’t always that way.

“I carried hate for that city for a long time,” Crawford says. “But now, I’m over that. I feel much better, because I learned that you can’t hate something or you never get over it. It definitely was a learning experience, definitely that. I got that out of it, if nothing else.”

In hindsight, though, Crawford does regret signing with the Red Sox. He says his friend Torii Hunter tried to persuade him to sign with the Los Angeles Angels, but the money in Boston was too good to pass up.

“I should have listened, man,” Crawford says. “They say, ‘Don’t go chasing waterfalls.’ ”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2017/09/28/carl-crawford-boston-carried-hate-for-that-city-for-long-time/SKvbZfN6QwarHEy24f965H/story.html
And the yankees are no exception. If you remember the 2010 FA circus in which Cliff Lee took less money to return to PHI, despite the yankees offering him a much larger Contract.

part of his decision to take less money from PHI, was because his wife hated NY
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2010/12/14/1875677/cliff-lee-phillies-yankees-wife-kristen

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

crawford is a good example of how chasing the most money is not always the best idea

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2017/09/28/carl-crawford-boston-carried-hate-for-that-city-for-long-time/SKvbZfN6QwarHEy24f965H/story.html
And the yankees are no exception. If you remember the 2010 FA circus in which Cliff Lee took less money to return to PHI, despite the yankees offering him a much larger Contract.

part of his decision to take less money from PHI, was because his wife hated NY
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2010/12/14/1875677/cliff-lee-phillies-yankees-wife-kristen

There are always exceptions - in Crawford's case whomever was advising him gave him bad advice - but I stand by my view that if a team truly wants a player, offering the most money is the best way to get them. Sometimes there is no premium large enough but my guess is teams know (or they should know) in advance if they have a legitimate shot to win the player they are wooing.

 

[8slim]

This place loves to bend itself around the axle of specific wording. So we’re stuck on “auction” now.

The broader points are that (1) of course money alone is not the sole determining factor in where a FA signs, and (2) if a team doesn’t at least tender a highly competitive,
if not market leading, offer then there is little to no chance of signing said FA.

The question at hand is whether or not the Sox have been making legitimately competitive, or market leading, offers. No one knows. But the results to date suggest they’re coming up short in some form or fashion.

 

[jon abbey]

And the yankees are no exception. If you remember the 2010 FA circus in which Cliff Lee took less money to return to PHI, despite the yankees offering him a much larger Contract.

part of his decision to take less money from PHI, was because his wife hated NY
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2010/12/14/1875677/cliff-lee-phillies-yankees-wife-kristen

I don’t feel like looking it up but the Phillies offer was just more complex, overall it was almost identical money offered from the two teams.

And the main reason he took Philly was actually his kid needed some specialized medical care which was better in Philly.

Edit: OK, I researched it:

1) Lee wanted to go back to PHI if at all possible.

"Lee talked a lot about his desire to return to the Phillies after he was dealt following the 2009 season. "I never wanted to leave this place in the first place," he said. So when Lee ranked his preferred destinations and handed them to Braunecker, Philly was on top of it."

https://www.nj.com/yankees/2010/12/cliff_lees_agent_theres_nothin.html

2) My memory a bit confused on the deals, looks like NY offered 7/150 in the end and he took essentially 6/132 from PHI. TEX was evidently ahead of NY in this also, two places he had already previously played and felt comfortable. In the end he was great for 3 years, mediocre for 1/2 year, and out of baseball after that.

3) The part about his kid:

"Back before Cliff Lee had any baseball career or fame, all he had was his family. He had his wife, Kristen, and his infant, Jaxon.
Jaxon was diagnosed with leukemia at four months old while Cliff was still in the minor leagues. He had a 30 percent chance of living. Lee could not believe the news and was in complete shock.
Jaxon suffered various setbacks during the process, but he fought through the cancer the whole time. Lee never liked to talk about the illness, even though he spent much of his time in the hospital.
Lee’s son received a bone marrow transplant that saved his life, and Lee’s performance on the field paralleled his son’s improvement in the hospital.
Lee’s son was diagnosed as cancer free in 2006 when he was five years old. But during the Lee family’s quick stop in Philadelphia more than a year ago, they found something that offered them insurance in case anything every happened.
The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia is ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the August 2010 issue of U.S. News and World Report. The Lee family felt really comfortable with this hospital treating their son if anything ever came back up."

View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/577623-cliff-lee-the-real-reason-he-signed-with-the-philadelphia-phillies

 

[moondog80]

Have there been any reports from Winter Weekend?

 

[CR67dream]

Have there been any reports from Winter Weekend?

It's next weekend.

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/fans/winter-weekend

 

[moondog80]

It's next weekend.

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/fans/winter-weekend

Oh. That would explain why I haven’t seen anything.

 

[Rovin Romine]

This kind of illustrates my point and highlights an area of confusion around this board. I would not consider Lucas Giolito a free agent in the truest sense. His market was limited due to his recent results and health - that isn't the same dynamic the Sox would face when bidding a hypothetical elite player.

There are always exceptions - in Crawford's case whomever was advising him gave him bad advice - but I stand by my view that if a team truly wants a player, offering the most money is the best way to get them. Sometimes there is no premium large enough but my guess is teams know (or they should know) in advance if they have a legitimate shot to win the player they are wooing.

Are there any free agents that support the abstract points that were made here? Or all they are "not really free agents" or "exceptions"?

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Are there any free agents that support the abstract points that were made here? Or all they are "not really free agents" or "exceptions"?

The simple answer is once again that the Red Sox haven't competed for and signed a top free agent with a robust market in a long while.

At this point, it feels like we are just going to rehash things so I will stop here but you aren't going to convince me that this ownership is doing anything other than keeping the property booked.

 

[Auger34]

This place loves to bend itself around the axle of specific wording. So we’re stuck on “auction” now.

The broader points are that (1) of course money alone is not the sole determining factor in where a FA signs, and (2) if a team doesn’t at least tender a highly competitive,
if not market leading, offer then there is little to no chance of signing said FA.

The question at hand is whether or not the Sox have been making legitimately competitive, or market leading, offers. No one knows. But the results to date suggest they’re coming up short in some form or fashion.

this should be pinned to the top of the thread

 

[Rovin Romine]

The simple answer is once again that the Red Sox haven't competed for and signed a top free agent with a robust market in a long while.

At this point, it feels like we are just going to rehash things so I will stop here but you aren't going to convince me that this ownership is doing anything other than keeping the property booked.

I am asking about all free agents everywhere at all times. I am asking because when two examples were put forward by posters whom you chronically disagree with (in your mind), neither met criteria you imported into the discussion.

I wouldn't want to assume anything, nor come off as rude which might offend some reader's sensibilities, so I'll note that it appears you may be trying to "shift the goalposts" instead of engaging with the point.

But you wouldn't do that.

So again - Are there any free agents that support the abstract points that were made here? Or all they are "not really free agents" or "exceptions"?

 

[jacklamabe65]

Thanks to the four championships won over the past 20 years and the fact that I am nearly the same age as my father when he died (without ever seeing the franchise win it), my rhetoric has toned down considerably with age and experience. I now view them as one would a novel, with twists and turns, unexpected pleasures, and immense frustrations. I do appreciate the new culture change in pitching brought in by Bres and his rather creative approach to trading thus far. (Ask anyone over 60 why the Red Sox never won between 1919 and 2003, and they will likely mention "Pitching and a lack of minority opportunities.") Many of you are searching for the Hail Mary signing that could magically transform them into a 90-win team this year. The odds are, even if they did sign that person, it wouldn't guarantee success. However, there's a lot happening with an evolving farm system and a shift in pitching both at the big league level and in the minor league teams that motivates me to continue reading the novel, as usual, this year. Like Dad, it is a book I will never discard.

However, I am probably wrong (when you get older, you realize that), and so carry on.

 

[Rovin Romine]

this should be pinned to the top of the thread

It's good up until the conclusion, where it jinks slightly:

This place loves to bend itself around the axle of specific wording. So we’re stuck on “auction” now.

The broader points are that (1) of course money alone is not the sole determining factor in where a FA signs, and (2) if a team doesn’t at least tender a highly competitive,
if not market leading, offer then there is little to no chance of signing said FA.

The question at hand is whether or not the Sox have been making legitimately competitive, or market leading, offers. No one knows. But the results to date suggest they’re coming up short in some form or fashion.

"The question at hand" really only applies to a subset of free agents, because not every free agent is a desirable target. And as a further point, not every free agent is an infinately desirable target. Meaning, one ought not to spend up beyond a certain point. If we posit the Sox had $40M left in the budget, which would take them very close to the CBT, do we want all $40 to have been spent on Imanaga? Sure, a 10/400 package may have gotten it done, but it seems a waste of resources which would hamper the club.

But the results to date suggest they’re coming up short in some form or fashion.

And so we have what exactly that suggest they're coming up short instead of coming up smart? The list of FAs and their price and preferences has been posted many times. The "hardest" data points in the rumor mill in terms of Sox interest were (IIRC): YY, Teoscar, Imanaga. I'm comfortable passing on their final deals. Meaning, the Sox could have come whatever% short of them (a "competitive offer" and the player may not have signed anyway).

Giolito was not rumored and there was a signing. So clearly, competitive or market leading.

But generally, as you say, "No one knows."

***

I think a portion of the angst is from the unspent budget. Assuming, of course, the Sox are going to go close to the CBT, which they have done in the recent past.

 

[HfxBob]

Maybe look at it as an auction where money isn't the sole currency? Damned if I can figure out an easy way to describe it.

That's a very good way to describe it, I think.

 

[HfxBob]

I think a portion of the angst is from the unspent budget. Assuming, of course, the Sox are going to go close to the CBT, which they have done in the recent past.

There's definitely a lot of angst that ownership has in fact set the budget even lower this year than last. On January 14 they are 30 million or so below the first tax threshold, and we keep hearing rumors that they have to trade Jansen or Yoshida or whoever before they can sign anyone expensive.

This from the third richest team in the game, after 2 sub-.500 seasons, after not paying tax for 2023, after replacing their CBO, after promising full throttle.

It's strange times. Maybe it will all work out for us, we can only hope.

 

[Rovin Romine]

It's strange times. Maybe it will all work out for us, we can only hope.

As a general comment, a form of mild anxiety seems reasonable for the very-involved, but I think it ought to be distinguished from a feeling that we, as fans, have been ill-used. Mostly just because it's January 14th.

 

[simplicio]

There's definitely a lot of angst that ownership has in fact set the budget even lower this year than last.

You mean angst over the assumption that ownership has set the budget lower? Because nobody knows what that number is, or which or even how many pieces they're still trying trying to add, but it does seem like a lot of folks are jumping to that conclusion regardless.

 

[HfxBob]

You mean angst over the assumption that ownership has set the budget lower? Because nobody knows what that number is, or which or even how many pieces they're still trying trying to add, but it does seem like a lot of folks are jumping to that conclusion regardless.

No, I mean angst over that being a possibility. And like I say, some of it is being fueled by the rumors that they're still looking to shed payroll by trading Jansen etc.

And the columns from Speier indicating the Sox are not really in on Snell or Montgomery and are not really looking to pull off that blockbuster trade for a pitcher aren't helping.

Maybe it's all the prelude to an unexpectedly thrilling finish to the offseason.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1747376931891265997

 

[astrozombie]

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1747376931891265997

I am not sure this is helping him. Assuming for a second it's true - I don't, but let's assume it is - I imagine some portion of the fanbase is going to be curious what that other scheduled thing is. And when they find that it's a European vacation or a trip to Vegas to discuss buying the NBA team or whatever, it's going to continue to look crappy.

 

[sezwho]

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1747376931891265997

Lying coward.

 

[CR67dream]

Lying coward.

I don't think Henry was ever scheduled to be there. I have no idea why it's even a big deal that he isn't. There will be ownership representation in the house and I have no idea what Henry could add to the message that will make anyone who's angry about it feel any better. Last year's bullshit aside, I don't see fear as a motivating factor here.

You're absolutely free to take that position, but it sounds more like overall frustration than something supportable by that quote. And I'm not even saying that where you are is an unreasonable place to be. You're certainly not the only one not inclined to believe a word they say.

In any case, I'm about 25 minutes from MGM. I've had no intention of going next weekend up to now, but I'm starting to think I may want to see what this is going to be all about....

 

[sezwho]

I don't think Henry was ever scheduled to be there. I have no idea why it's even a big deal that he isn't. There will be ownership representation in the house and I have no idea what Henry could add to the message that will make anyone who's angry about it feel any better. Last year's bullshit aside, I don't see fear as a motivating factor here.

You're absolutely free to take that position, but it sounds more like overall frustration than something supportable by that quote. And I'm not even saying that where you are is an unreasonable place to be. You're certainly not the only one not inclined to believe a word they say.

In any case, I'm about 25 minutes from MGM. I've had no intention of going next weekend up to now, but I'm starting to think I may want to see what this is going to be all about....

Yes, it’s certainly true that there’s nothing definitive in the quote and that I’m frustrated. Two days cleaning up flood damage (just really messy, neighbors much worse) hasn’t improved my mood.

I completely disagree about the fear though, whether he was scheduled or not. I believe it’s the ONLY factor here and they have a right to be afraid (this is sports only though for Pete sake!). They haven’t been a real threat for years and aren’t going to be any time soon.

The austerity measures won’t be appreciated by the angry mouth breathers (like me now apparently: )…I should probably put down the iPhone.

 

[CR67dream]

Yes, it’s certainly true that there’s nothing definitive in the quote and that I’m frustrated. Two days cleaning up flood damage (just really messy, neighbors much worse) hasn’t improved my mood.

I completely disagree about the fear though, whether he was scheduled or not. I believe it’s the ONLY factor here and they have a right to be afraid (this is sports only though for Pete sake!). They haven’t been a real threat for years and aren’t going to be any time soon.

The austerity measures won’t be appreciated by the angry mouth breathers (like me now apparently: )…I should probably put down the iPhone.

Hell no, don't put down the phone! As I said, your reasons are valid. You are very, very, very far from a mouthbreather, and I'm sorry that you're dealing with all that real life stuff. Genuinely.

And you may very well be right that fear is behind it, what the hell do I know? All I said is I don't see it. Who am I to dictate what anyone else sees, or should feel or think? All I can do is put my thoughts and opinions out there in good faith, and be ready to defend them. I don't expect any more than that from others.

I am loving getting cogent viewpoints from all angles. My mind has been challenged and even somewhat changed on some things, which is awesome.

Please keep your phone handy.

 

[OCD SS]

I am not sure this is helping him. Assuming for a second it's true - I don't, but let's assume it is - I imagine some portion of the fanbase is going to be curious what that other scheduled thing is. And when they find that it's a European vacation or a trip to Vegas to discuss buying the NBA team or whatever, it's going to continue to look crappy.

When the owner of the team presents as the aging, out of touch vampire from the first Blade movie, it's not going to be a good look whether he goes or not...

 

[sezwho]

When the owner of the team presents as the aging, out of touch vampire from the first Blade movie, it's not going to be a good look whether he goes or not...

Thank you for the kind words and for offering my two word post more grace than it deserved @CR67dream: as I mentioned in my PM I do try, sometimes unsuccessfully, not to lower the bar : )

As to the post, I imagine Breslow as Deacon Frost: scheming brilliantly and quietly behind the scenes to incarnate divinity.

 

[Harry Hooper]

In any case, I'm about 25 minutes from MGM. I've had no intention of going next weekend up to now, but I'm starting to think I may want to see what this is going to be all about....

Well, I just got an email around 4 PM from the Sox announcing they had discovered they still had some day passes available.

 

[Cassvt2023]

The Red Sox will kick off their annual Winter Weekend Friday at MGM Springfield. Team chairman Tom Werner, president Sam Kennedy, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora are expected to meet with the media at 4:30 p.m. .

Anyone know where this will be available to view? This is per Julian McWilliams in today's Globe.

 

[YTF]

The Red Sox will kick off their annual Winter Weekend Friday at MGM Springfield. Team chairman Tom Werner, president Sam Kennedy, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora are expected to meet with the media at 4:30 p.m. .

Anyone know where this will be available to view? This is per Julian McWilliams in today's Globe.

NESN has live Winter Weekend coverage tomorrow at 10AM and 3PM, but that's all I could find. Perhaps there will be some sort of highlights from this media sit down.

 

[Ale Xander]

Werner needs to follow the John Henry path and stop talking. This is condescending to adult Red Sox fans
View: https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/1748490272923697600

Per Abe,
"Asked about high ticket prices given that [not matching up "financially" with a top FA pitcher], Werner said they're selling the Fenway experience and student tickets are affordable."

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

“Student tickets are affordable” which is great if you’re six-years-old and believe in Santa Claus and Red Sox ownership.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Werner needs to follow the John Henry path and stop talking. This is condescending to adult Red Sox fans
View: https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/1748490272923697600

Per Abe,
"Asked about high ticket prices given that [not matching up "financially" with a top FA pitcher], Werner said they're selling the Fenway experience and student tickets are affordable."

I appreciate the honesty. Coming out and saying that the Red Sox are there to create profit as the cornerstone on which to rest FSG's other interests, and that tickets for the Red Sox are and will continue to be more expensive because they're selling them as a glorified museum tour so the on-field product is irrelevant is a refreshing change of pace.

 

[moondog80]

Wouldn’t it be better to just spend 16 mil on Michael Wacha and maintain the somewhat plausible excuse of “we’d spend more but it’s not worth going over tax”? Any you know, maybe getting an extra win or two that gets them the WC? Because there is more than decent chance that the will win < 78 games and things are going to get really, really ugly

 

[Auger34]

Wouldn’t it be better to just spend 16 mil on Michael Wacha and maintain the somewhat plausible excuse of “we’d spend more but it’s not worth going over tax”? Any you know, maybe getting an extra win or two that gets them the WC? Because there is more than decent chance that the will win < 78 games and things are going to get really, really ugly

Honestly, I kind of hope this team wins less than 78 games because I think that would truly be the last straw and force ownership to spend.

After the complete bait and switch they pulled this offseason, fans are going to have to actually see them spend to renew their tickets and show up to games early in the season

 

[E5 Yaz]

Honestly, I kind of hope this team wins less than 78 games because I think that would truly be the last straw and force ownership to spend.

Fewer

Honestly, I'm not going to get worked up over missing out on this year's free agents because outside of Yamamoto, I didn't think it was that great a group of players. I mean, when folks point to losing out on Marcus Stroman as a reason to be upset with ownership, I just don't understand it.

The payroll will be lower and the roster isn't complete. When I see what they break camp with, I'll set my expectations. All the semantical squabbling is just noise to which I choose not to listen. What seems somewhat clear is they're not spending much now, so they won't be laden with top-heavy contracts for marginal free agents as what they hope the next core arrive -- which will give them a chance to fill in at that point.

If that's indeed the strategy, I understand it. And they're under no obligation to come out and explain it to us.