This off season...what do you want to see next?

[YTF]

They say new threads are good.

My hope here is to discuss this off season moving forward. Lets look at the remaining needs heading into 2023, players who we think make sense for those needs and above all PLEASE no bitching and complaining about the FO and no mention of player that are no longer here.

Catcher.. I think we're OK heading into the season with Wong and McGuire. Contreras is gone, I'm not sure that we want or need Vazquez back and prospects might be better used to fill other needs.

Shortstop...That's the biggie. While he might be an in house solution, I'd rather see Arroyo continue in his current role, I think he should be the last option. Hernandez is another in house solution and while he might be able to handle the job, how good of a defender might he be as an everyday SS? Roughly just 10% of his games started in the big leagues have been at SS. I'm not sure if that speaks to his play there or to his value as a guy who can play all over the field and there is also the hole left in CF to be considered.

First base...Not a priority ATM with Casas looking to be the primary and Dalbec/Hosmer already in place. I would prefer to see another pairing with Casas, but like I said I don't think it's at the top of Chaim's to do list.

Outfield...I've stated elsewhere that I'd like to keep Verdugo and acquire Max Kepler. Yoshida/Verdugo in LF. Hernandez/Kepler in CF, Kepler/Verdugo in RF and RFsnyder as a fifth OF who can cover all 3 positions as well as the right side of the infield.

DH... I'm on record as not being a fan of the full time DH unless you can fill the slot with a bona fide masher. Benches are pretty much limited to 3 positional players plus a catcher. I hate the idea of a guy who carries a bat, but no glove. An outfield as I suggested above along with the flexibility of the rest of your positional players affords the opportunity to rotate players through the DH slot. It gives guys partial days off and allows greater flexibility in daily lineup construction depending on pitching match ups, ball park effects or other considerations.

Bullpen... A great concern going into the off season has seen some attention this off season. The addition of Rodriquez, Martin and Jansen should help solidify the situation out there, more so if Houck remains as a reliever. Another solid arm would be nice, but I think the current pen looks pretty promising.

Rotation...Lots of questions here concerning what sort of contributions we might get from Sale and Paxton. I'm cautiously optimistic, but not expecting either to be the best versions of their past selves. Lots of folks here have shown a desire to land another starter. I think the FO has expressed that they would like to add to the rotation. Some here have also expressed an interest in trading Pivetta to help fill one of the remaining needs. One name that I have seen little mention of is Chris Bassitt. He's entering his age 34 season and reportedly looking for a 4-5 year deal. I really haven't seen much in terms of the $$$ amount that he's looking for other than one report that it might be something in line with Kevin Gausman's AAV of 22-23M. He's been really durable and consistently good since becoming a regular starter. He interests me on a 3 year deal, but it's likely to take at least 4 to get him. Is 4/90 crazy for this guy? Perhaps slightly front loaded in the first 2-3 years?

So those are my thoughts, what say you? Remember we're looking forward here, not back and trying to make sense out of what might make sense.

 

[nvalvo]

Bassitt is fine, good even, but he turned down a QO. If we’re completely borking our draft, I’d rather do it for a more impactful player. I have questions about both Wacha (BABIP) and Eovaldi (health), but either pitcher makes more sense to me than Bassitt at this point.

I love the idea of buying low on Kepler. His underlying numbers look better than his recent results.

I think post-Xander, the best options are trades. And there are players out there who would be appealing and are likely available, who could serve as bridges to Mayer. Kim, Adames, maybe even someone like Brandon Crawford or JP Crawford, depending on where Correa lands.

Or we could just splash out a bunch of money on Correa and use Mayer in a deal for Ohtani at the deadline.

 

[E5 Yaz]

... use Mayer in a deal for Ohtani at the deadline.

Trade Mayer for a half-season of Ohtani?

 

[bosockboy]

The hole at SS feels a lot like winter of 2005 when Damon left and they had to find a CF and eventually traded for Crisp.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Kepler is a weird fit, as another LH. If they get him, I think they have to move Verdugo. They need a lefty masher, Justin Turner looks like the best fit; think he makes Dalbec expendable. Jean Segura is a good fit as a guy who can play 2b or ss. I’d add another SP and lot Paxton into the pen for now. Eovaldi would be fine, perhaps they’d rather let him go and take the comp pick? Rodon seems out of range; Bassitt could work. Maybe someone like Syndergaard (although his decline in K rate is concerning), Manaea, or Smyly on a short term deal?

 

[BravesField]

Trade Devers before the season. It's my guess he wants out anyway. His pals are gone and there is no protection in the line up.

 

[nattysez]

Until last year, Trevor Story had never played a defensive position other than SS. I think he is going to be the SS. The question is where Kike plays and how you fill the hole at 2b or CF.

 

[YTF]

Trade Devers before the season. It's my guess he wants out anyway. His pals are gone and there is no protection in the line up.

Thanks for the contribution. Anything else to add other than the negative?

 

[nvalvo]

Trade Mayer for a half-season of Ohtani?

It was just a throwaway to suggest the scale of the moves that would make sense over the next few years, but sure, conditional on a... 10 year/$420m extension. Ohtani would basically be signed with Sale's and JDM's money now off the books, overlapping with Sale for one season, and we'd net a roster spot.

Mayer straight up is probably the best package the Angels would be offered.

 

[chawson]

I think we really should sign Correa and Devers both, and build around them.

They would have been happy to sign Judge given the circumstances (or just drive his price up), but I don’t think SF (or CHC) has a great appetite for a $300+ million player, and they have some good in-house options in Luciano (probably a 3B long-term) and Arteaga.

SP: Bassitt is fine but as nvalvo said above, but I’d prefer Eovaldi because of the QO. He also really likes it here, and there’s been effusive praise for him as a teammate. Sign Hill too, who’s preferable to Manaea or Smyly. Trade Pivetta.

OF: I like Kepler, preferring him to Verdugo in right field, and still think a Pivetta swap makes sense there. There also may be a complicated trade possibility with the Marlins, taking on Avisail Garcia’s contract along with one of their pitchers. For some reason I like the idea of adding FA Jordan Luplow to the mix too.

INF: If no Correa, I’d probably like to see an upside play like Mondesi over a $200M+ deal for Swanson. I think Segura helps but he isn’t much of a shortstop anymore, and IIRC he’s got some odd character stuff. It’s certainly possible that Story is totally sufficient, and maybe his arm strength will have improved after his injury.

DH: I’m not sure if Rhys Hoskins is available, but he’d be my Plan A for DH/1B. Justin Turner’s bat is a good fit here, but I’m not convinced he leaves the Dodgers, even if it’s a part-time role there. JDM isn’t the worst idea, but I doubt it happens. I’d acquiesce to Evan Longoria here too. His swing seems a good Fenway fit and still hits the ball hard.

Outgoing: If we sign Correa/Swanson, another starter and acquire Kepler, then our trade chips are Hosmer, Houck, Duran, Dalbec, Verdugo and Pivetta. There are some solid pieces we could get with that bunch, even if they have to be creatively packaged. It’s a good incentive to spend the money to make those signings, because it allows us to use these trade chips in a market where they could be a lot more valuable than we we had thought.

 

[YTF]

It was just a throwaway to suggest the scale of the moves that would make sense over the next few years, but sure, conditional on a... 10 year/$420m extension. Ohtani would basically be signed with Sale's and JDM's money now off the books, overlapping with Sale for one season, and we'd net a roster spot.

Mayer straight up is probably the best package the Angels would be offered.

I wonder if there are teams with other players closer to being MLB ready that would top the offer, especially with a conditional extension.

 

[bosockboy]

Question…does Swanson have the arm for 3B if he slid over in wake of Devers departing and making room for Mayer?

 

[nvalvo]

I wonder if there are teams with other players closer to being MLB ready that would top the offer, especially with a conditional extension.

I suppose it's possible, but Mayer will spend most of 2023 as a 20 year old in AA and will likely be a top-10 prospect on all of the league-wide lists. That's a pretty valuable piece.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

If they can get Correa, then I like the idea of swinging a Kepler trade and adding Turner and calling it a success. Swanson is a backwards move.
If they can’t get Correa…. They’re not competing for 23….
edit- ….in which case I don’t know what to do with Devers. Partly I think he needs to be signed if they don’t get Correa to be an anchor for the future team. But also as a trade piece. Without Correa now I can’t squint hard enough to see a competitor until ‘25, wasting Devers likely two best projected seasons

 

[E5 Yaz]

Ohtani signing an extension midseason to a team he's traded to would be agent malpractice. I understand wish-casting and all, but it's a near certainty that he hits the open market.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

I mean, a "sign and trade" of Ohtani should be biggest haul of prospects ever traded.

 

[LostinNJ]

I'd be very happy if they signed Swanson, who is a great fielder and would contribute a lot to the offense despite the strikeouts. But I suspect they don't want to sign anyone with a QO -- they are prioritizing the draft now, and are using it to build depth in the system.

They clearly do not want to be paying big money to guys in their late 30's or 40's, so unless Bassitt signs for three years, I doubt they're inerested, plus he too has the QO.

I'm hoping Story stays at second, and Arroyo stays in a utility role. I don't want Correa at all, and I doubt they'll commit to the years he's going to demand. So in my little unimportant world, shortstop has to be filled via trade. I'd start by trying to get Kim from the Padres.

 

[chawson]

I’m assuming the Angels’ FO was serious when they said they won’t trade Ohtani this winter. But if there’s a chance, then I’d be perfectly happy to take on (the bulk of) Anthony Rendon’s contract to help bring the cost down. Rendon is an upside play at DH for 2023 and if he rebounds at the plate, could give us a kind of insurance if Devers leaves.

 

[RG33]

Players that interest me:

HITTING & DEFENSE

C - Omar Narvaez — coming off down year, but been solid offensive catcher
C - Mike Zunino - as discussed, coming off injury
C - Christian Vazque - not opposed to a reunion if you can get him for 2 years cheap

1B - Jesus Aguilar — if you move Dalbec in a trade, a good backfill with similar/better comps

2B - Jean Segura - Solid when healthy which hasn’t been too often, allows you to move Story to SS and split time with Arroyo
2B - Adam Frazier - Coming off down year, not sure of cost, but on a 2-3 year deal would be a good fit
2B - Rougned Odor - Solely so I could punch him in the face if he ever stepped foot at Fenway in a Red Sox uniform

SS - Elvis Andrus - probably the best of a shitty pool to act as a filler for a year or two

3B - Justin Turner - as has been discussed, good filler for 3B/1B/DH, great lockerroom guy, good RH bat, would destroy the wall
3B - Evan Longoria - basically the same as Turner

OF - Adam Duvall - RH masher coming off a down year after a monster 2021, would be a great fit in Fenway — Hunter Renfro 1.5
OF - AJ Pollock - as discussed, if healthy would be a solid fit if cheap
OF - Michael Conforto - if short term and cheap dollars, good candidate for a bounce back year with consistent power, tough that he would be another LHH
OF - Will Myers - yeah, I said it. Short and cheap I’d be fine with it, brings another RHH

DH - Trey Mancini - Probably the best fit for RHH, play some 1B or LF when needed, provide some consistent pop and good ABs
DH - Michael Brantley - Similar, tough fit as LHH, I’ve always wanted him on the Red Sox
DH - JD Martinez - I’m not sure we should be opposed to bringing him back on a 1-2 year contract on the cheap, been a solid citizen and good clubhouse guy, just needs to have expectations that he is a part-time player at this point

PITCHING

I’m good with bringing the band back and seeing what happens with some health (since we have so much depth)

SP - Nate Eovaldi - He’d be my prime target on a 3-4 year deal if he’d take it. I want nothing to do with Rodon for 7 years and big money.
SP - Rich Hill - bring him back cheap for 10-15 solid starts in 2023
SP - Michael Wacha - On a 3-4 year deal that is reasonable, discounting because he likes Boston and had the turnaround here, I would do — 4 years at $68M
SP - Sean Maenaea - I would take a swing at him on a similar deal that I described for Wacha
SP - Mike Minor - I would throw a 1-year deal at him and see if you can Wacha-ify him for 2023
SP - Carlos Martinez - same as Minor

 

[OCD SS]

Trade Devers before the season. It's my guess he wants out anyway. His pals are gone and there is no protection in the line up.

Thanks for the contribution. Anything else to add other than the negative?

Moving on from the “Best Offer” thread, Devers becomes the keystone. If Bloom can’t lock him up long term, you have to seriously explore trading him. Now that also requires an honest assessment of just how competitive they expect to be, but since so far we appear to be banking on lateral moves and better health, and I think I might prefer getting better control of potential elite talent rather than losing him for only his contribution in another down year. To take it back to Brave’s Field post, the prospects that come back from a Devers trade may be turned into a young player like Coco Crisp, helping turn the team back towards competition sooner.

 

[themactavish]

Question…does Swanson have the arm for 3B if he slid over in wake of Devers departing and making room for Mayer?

Would you be inclined to say that a third baseman needs a stronger arm than a shortstop? I know there have been some great arms at third (like Chapman), but I'd say that everything else being equal, shortstops need a stronger arm (or to put it a different way, the stronger arm makes a bigger difference for a shortstop). Assuming Swanson's arm is good enough for short, I'd assume it's good enough for 3rd. I can't comment on whether his arm plays well at short, but if it does, I'd be very surprised if it couldn't handle 3rd.

 

[OCD SS]

I don’t think Swanson’s bat plays at 3B, and really he looks like a good bet to never match his contract year performance. If the team is going to spend the capital on a QO guy, it should be Correa (that just seems almost impossibly unlikely); if not you either find a creative solution or live with your internal options.

 

[ehaz]

Trade for Pablo Lopez and sign him to a long term extension. He’s only 26 so unlike bringing back Eovaldi/Wacha or signing Bassitt he fits in with Whitlock and Bello as a long term cornerstone of the rotation.

 

[YTF]

Moving on from the “Best Offer” thread, Devers becomes the keystone. If Bloom can’t lock him up long term, you have to seriously explore trading him. Now that also requires an honest assessment of just how competitive they expect to be, but since so far we appear to be banking on lateral moves and better health, and I think I might prefer getting better control of potential elite talent rather than losing him for only his contribution in another down year. To take it back to Brave’s Field post, the prospects that come back from a Devers trade may be turned into a young player like Coco Crisp, helping turn the team back towards competition sooner.

I've no issue discussing Devers, just didn't appreciate the negative tone as I really don't want this thread to devolve into what most of the others have become.

 

[Ganthem]

There is no chance Devers will come back for less then 10 years 400 million at this point. The Padres are going to have a third baseman who is opting out next year and I am guessing they, the Phillies, Mets and Yanks are not done spending stupid money. The Dodgers and Astros could be contenders, but there model, which the Sox are trying to emulate, doesn't encourage signing a bunch of players to massive contracts. It makes a lot of sense to trade Devers. Too much sense. I am bullish on the rotation and the bullpen being vastly improved as it stands now, and I don't think Bloom is done adding. If you trade Devers, add Turner, figure out a right fielder (maybe somebody they get back in the Devers trade?) and hope for some incremental improvement in right field, first base and Center, then I think the Sox can make a run for a wildcard spot. They will probably score less runs then last year, but the improved pitching will make up for that. The doom and gloom around these parts is insane.

 

[OCD SS]

I've no issue discussing Devers, just didn't appreciate the negative tone as I really don't want this thread to devolve into what most of the others have become.

I didn’t find it that negative, but I did think it could’ve gone into a bit more depth.

Someone else mentioned that Devers was influenced on his conditioning and approach by teammates like X and JDM. I will confess to being a bit worried about these areas becoming issues, especially as he’s now the longest tenured member of the team.

 

[YTF]

Trade Devers before the season. It's my guess he wants out anyway. His pals are gone and there is no protection in the line up.

Thanks for the contribution. Anything else to add other than the negative?

I didn’t find it that negative, but I did think it could’ve gone into a bit more depth.

Someone else mentioned that Devers was influenced on his conditioning and approach by teammates like X and JDM. I will confessing to being a bit worried about these areas becoming issues, especially as he’s now the longest tenured member of the team.

Looking back you're probably right and likely a bit oversensitive on my part in my quest to keep a fairly healthy conversation going.. My apologies to Bravesfield.

 

[ehaz]

There is no chance Devers will come back for less then 10 years 400 million at this point. The Padres are going to have a third baseman who is opting out next year and I am guessing they, the Phillies, Mets and Yanks are not done spending stupid money. The Dodgers and Astros could be contenders, but there model, which the Sox are trying to emulate, doesn't encourage signing a bunch of players to massive contracts. It makes a lot of sense to trade Devers. Too much sense. I am bullish on the rotation and the bullpen being vastly improved as it stands now, and I don't think Bloom is done adding. If you trade Devers, add Turner, figure out a right fielder (maybe somebody they get back in the Devers trade?) and hope for some incremental improvement in right field, first base and Center, then I think the Sox can make a run for a wildcard spot. They will probably score less runs then last year, but the improved pitching will make up for that. The doom and gloom around these parts is insane.

How are you bullish on the rotation? What has improved?

Our two best pitchers from last season are free agents. Are they going to be replaced by Chris Sale and James Paxton, who since the start of the 2020 season, have combined to throw 70 innings?

Maybe we will replace the production Eovaldi’s or Wacha’s production with a full season from Whitlock, who has not thrown more than 80 innings since 2018 (when in single A) and has yet to really show he can start at the MLB level. I think Bello will be very good but he’s still a rookie. Houck can’t throw more than 4 innings a start.

I’m sure they will add someone but right now, the rotation is an abject disaster. Like, potentially bottom 5 in MLB.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I didn’t find it that negative, but I did think it could’ve gone into a bit more depth.

Someone else mentioned that Devers was influenced on his conditioning and approach by teammates like X and JDM. I will confess to being a bit worried about these areas becoming issues, especially as he’s now the longest tenured member of the team.

I remember hearing similar things about Devers and the influence Cora had on him. Short COVID sample size aside, the outlier season of the last four for Devers was the Cora-less 2020 season. Maybe there's hope that Devers won't dip with Cora still around.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

I like Story at 2B and would not be comfortable with his arm at SS. Inclined to move Kike there instead.

A trade taking on Yelich's contract along with one of Milwaukee's arms feels even better now that Yelich's deal feels less rich than it did before the 2022 bonanza... though the Brewers probably read it that way too.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

A trade taking on Yelich's contract along with one of Milwaukee's arms feels even better now that Yelich's deal feels less rich than it did before the 2022 bonanza... though the Brewers probably read it that way too.

I love this in concept. My question for anyone who knows--can Yelich play RF in Fenway competently?

 

[ehaz]

I want to see the Mets sign Correa next because it would be really funny

 

[RedOctober3829]

Here is what I would like to see the lineup be.

C-Sean Murphy
1B-Tristan Casas
2B-Trevor Story
SS-Carlos Correa
3B-Rafael Devers
LF-Masataka Yoshida
CF-Kike Hernandez
RF-Andrew McCutchen
DH-Eric Hosmer

Rotation
Chris Bassitt
Chris Sale
Brayan Bello
Nick Pivetta
James Paxton

Bullpen
Kenley Jansen
Garrett Whitlock
Chris Martin
Seth Lugo
Matt Barnes
John Schrieber
Joely Rodriguez
Zack Kelly
Ryan Brasier

 

[Ganthem]

Here is what I would like to see the lineup be.

C-Sean Murphy
1B-Tristan Casas
2B-Trevor Story
SS-Carlos Correa
3B-Rafael Devers
LF-Masataka Yoshida
CF-Kike Hernandez
RF-Andrew McCutchen
DH-Eric Hosmer

Rotation
Chris Bassitt
Chris Sale
Brayan Bello
Nick Pivetta
James Paxton

Bullpen
Kenley Jansen
Garrett Whitlock
Chris Martin
Seth Lugo
Matt Barnes
John Schrieber
Joely Rodriguez
Zack Kelly
Ryan Brasier

Bloom isn't giving up a draft pick for Bassit, nor is he giving up the prospects for Murphy. He also isn't going to give a massive deal to an oft injured shortstop. I like the lugo addition however.

 

[mikeford]

They need a middle infielder who can start. Preferably a short stop because I'm not buying Story can move back to SS. And based on last season it feels like they as an organization don't buy it either since he never once took that spot. Now we can speculate that was all an effort not to hurt Xander's feelings but I think X is a pro and wouldn't have taken offense to that guy playing SS on his days off.

I feel like they're all in on Mayer being the SS in like 2024 or 2025 so really you're looking for a 2 year stop gap signing. I think it's gonna be Jose Iglesias.

 

[moondog80]

Bloom isn't giving up a draft pick for Bassit, nor is he giving up the prospects for Murphy.

If the salary for free agents truly has gone through the roof and isn't coming back, I'd imagine the value of prospects will be higher than ever. So I agree, they're not trading for Murphy.

 

[YTF]

Here is what I would like to see the lineup be.

C-Sean Murphy
1B-Tristan Casas
2B-Trevor Story
SS-Carlos Correa
3B-Rafael Devers
LF-Masataka Yoshida
CF-Kike Hernandez
RF-Andrew McCutchen
DH-Eric Hosmer

Rotation
Chris Bassitt
Chris Sale
Brayan Bello
Nick Pivetta
James Paxton

Bullpen
Kenley Jansen
Garrett Whitlock
Chris Martin
Seth Lugo
Matt Barnes
John Schrieber
Joely Rodriguez
Zack Kelly
Ryan Brasier

Holy shit, someone from SoSH is making a huge push to be Boston's next CBO.

 

[YTF]

They need a middle infielder who can start. Preferably a short stop because I'm not buying Story can move back to SS. And based on last season it feels like they as an organization don't buy it either since he never once took that spot. Now we can speculate that was all an effort not to hurt Xander's feelings but I think X is a pro and wouldn't have taken offense to that guy playing SS on his days off.

I feel like they're all in on Mayer being the SS in like 2024 or 2025 so really you're looking for a 2 year stop gap signing. I think it's gonna be Jose Iglesias.

I'm curious about the suggestion made (by Chawson I think) about Adalberto Mondesi. It's true that he's got a history of being injured, but when you look over the list there is basically just one repeat injury. He's list as missing games three times due to a shoulder injury, but that hasn't been an issue since '19. He's an excellent defender, has a little bit of speed as well as a little pop in his bat. If he's healthy he might not be a bad guy in the #9 slot, but there will be a greater need to find that RH corner OF/1B type.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Bloom isn't giving up a draft pick for Bassit, nor is he giving up the prospects for Murphy. He also isn't going to give a massive deal to an oft injured shortstop. I like the lugo addition however.

Then who is he going to acquire? Some acquisitions hurt with either money or prospects.

I should add….if you want to be good…

 

[TimScribble]

Wacha?

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

What’s the big deal with giving up a pick for a guy like Bassitt, especially since you get a pick back if you don’t resign Eovaldi, right?

 

[Ganthem]

Then who is he going to acquire? Some acquisitions hurt with either money or prospects.

I should add….if you want to be good…

As both the Dodgers and Astros have demonstrated you can be good without decimating the farm or loading up on overly expensive talent. More then likely Bloom is going to find a defense first ss and trade for some right fielder. He will add one of the remaining free agent starters that don't require draft pick compensation. The team will be worse offensively, but I think the improvements to the bullpen and rotation will keep them in the WC hunt. The big question now is does Devers get traded.

 

[jon abbey]

What’s the big deal with giving up a pick for a guy like Bassitt, especially since you get a pick back if you don’t resign Eovaldi, right?

They would lose a second and a fifth round pick for signing Bassitt, plus $1M in international money. They gain picks after the fourth round for losing Bogaerts and Eovaldi.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

They would lose a second and a fifth round pick for signing Bassitt, plus $1M in international money. They gain picks after the fourth round for losing Bogaerts and Eovaldi.

Ah, was not aware- thanks, that makes sense.

 

[jon abbey]

Ah, was not aware- thanks, that makes sense.

Those compensatory picks for Bogaerts and Eovaldi would be much higher if BOS had gotten under the tax line at last year’s deadline, IMO a legit reason to be mad at Bloom (this has been much discussed here, I get the other side but disagree).

 

[simplicio]

It's kinda wild how tepid the mid-season market was in retrospect, given how the offseason has started.

 

[opes]

For whatever reason, they aren't willing to resign key players or make key signings. This is a sub 80 win team at the moment on paper, and they aren't making any effort to fix that.
If this isn't considered being a rebuild year, I can't see any other options. The point probably is to be stand pat because of expected prospects coming into pay, but that means 2023 is a complete wash. I'm sorry to say it, but there's no way this is a competitive team.

 

[YTF]

It's kinda wild how tepid the mid-season market was in retrospect, given how the offseason has started.

Expanded playoffs likely had some impact on that. While only two more teams ultimately got in, more teams were in the mix as the trade deadline came and went leaving fewer sellers.

 

[mikeford]

For whatever reason, they aren't willing to resign key players or make key signings. This is a sub 80 win team at the moment on paper, and they aren't making any effort to fix that.
If this isn't considered being a rebuild year, I can't see any other options. The point probably is to be stand pat because of expected prospects coming into pay, but that means 2023 is a complete wash. I'm sorry to say it, but there's no way this is a competitive team.

But why did they just drop 32 mil on a closer if they're gonna roll with an obviously non-competitive team?

This goes back to the other thread on main board on whether or not people think Bloom has a plan. It certainly doesn't look like he does at present.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

above all PLEASE no bitching and complaining about the FO and no mention of player that are no longer here.

You tried, man. And you almost made it a full page