By this time next week, there’s a good chance Juan Soto will have picked his destination. As the star outfielder weighs multiple offers at or above $600MM, the top of the market waits.
At least one team is hoping for another sit-down with Soto and agent Scott Boras. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports that Red Sox’s brass has expressed interest in another meeting at which Soto’s camp would name the price necessary to get a deal done. That’s an effort to avoid being unknowingly outbid at the end.
It seems the Sox are worried about the Mets in particular. Speier writes that Sox’s brass has heard rumors that Mets’ owner Steve Cohen has promised Boras that he’d beat the best offer made by any other team by $50MM. To be clear, Speier is not reporting on the veracity of that rumor itself. Speier is neither confirming nor denying that Cohen made such offer. The Globe’s report only mentions that the Sox are concerned enough that the rumor might be true that they’re hopeful of getting Soto and Boras to name a specific price.
It’s not clear if Boras and Soto have any interest in doing so. There’s value for Soto in playing teams’ uncertainties against each other. Relaying the specifics of every offer to each team in the race would eventually result in a highest bidder, but it’d also limit the possibility that one club goes well beyond whatever is on the table from the others.
There have seemingly been five legitimate suitors for Soto: the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Dodgers. Various reports have cast the Dodgers as a long shot. The general view is that Los Angeles entered the mix mostly to gauge whether Soto’s market might not materialize quite the way he’d envisioned. With multiple teams putting $600MM+ offers out there, that hasn’t been the case. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote last night that the Dodgers were unlikely to land him.
Speier confirms that the Red Sox recently upped their offer to $600MM. The Athletic reported on Tuesday that every team that still had a chance at Soto had hit or topped that mark. (That’s not necessarily a declaration that all five teams mentioned above had offered $600MM+, as it’s possible he has privately narrowed the field to exclude one or more of them.) Most observers still expect it to come down to one of the New York franchises, though the Sox and Jays have seemingly made full-fledged pushes to get themselves in the conversation.
One big spender that made little effort on Soto: the Phillies. Matt Gelb of the Athletic reports that Philadelphia brass never met with his camp. While the Phils haven’t shied away from big-ticket free agent pursuits, it seems they never believed they had a realistic chance to land Soto. Philadelphia owner John Middleton said a month ago that he felt they’d merely be used to drive up the bidding for Soto to sign with one of the New York teams (link via Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Whether or not that would’ve been the case, Gelb writes that the Phillies felt it best to prioritize other avenues they found more realistic.
I’ve heard reports that it can be announced tomorrow or Saturday, but it will probably happen right before or on winter meetings next week
This does kind of remind me of LeBron James and the decision
@sad tormented neglected mariners fan
I heard Vlad Jr. is demanding a trade to Boston.
Huh. You’d think if a guy was going to demand a trade it would be to a good team.
its also value of said money. I believe NY and CA are the highest taxed states. I dont think Massachussets is as high but that high of a dollar total, a percent or two makes a big difference.
I do agree though that boston doesnt get as high though but if any of the texas or florida team had the money would he consider a lesser deal knowing he is getting more actual dollars.
Massachusetts passed some dumb millionaire’s taxes where if you make over a million dollars a year you have to pay an additional 4% in taxes.
Professional athletes are taxed based on where each game is played, not where their team is located. Since most big cities have decent sized tax burdens as well, this is rarely a factor at all.
Gotta love that. Train the citizens to earn less.
@MuleorAstroMule
Did you see the standings for the 2024 season? Jays are trash. I’d want out too.
Mass is 5th overall at 9% but their new millionaires tax for 2024 puts them at 13% and right behind CA 13.3%.
NY is 10.9% so highway robbery as well, but slightly better than taxachusetts.
@sea
If 81 game are taxes according to state laws then obviously living in a tax free state makes a difference
Did you say taxachussetts isn’t that high???
But yeah say if the rangers were in the market for Soto since they have a lot less in terms of taxes it would be more overall money
Of course that was why LeBron James and Chris Bosh went to miami
It’s hard to live right now in my area a footlong at subway is close to 20 dollars
just looked it up its a 5% tax and 4% additional for millionaires so 9% tax total so slightly better than NY
“Personal income and Fiduciary income for MA residents, nonresidents, and part-year residents
Long term capital gains from
dividends, interest, wages, and other income
5.00%
For income exceeding $1,053,750, there is an additional surtax of 4%.”
“Did you say taxachussetts isn’t that high???”
No i said, “I dont think Massachussets is AS high” which it is not according to their government site.
81 games + road games vs only road games in a high-taxed state… There can be some advantage going to Florida, etc…
for Soto this seems to be 100% about the money. If a team in North Korea funded by Kim he would take the offer. Just say NO–this has gotten WAY OUT OF HAND.
That is not true at all. The jock tax is a separate tax added in to already state taxes.
The Red Sox are realistically one or two top of the rotation arms away from being a legitimate threat to the Yankees in the AL East. They also have a top 5 farm system, the number 1 prospect in baseball in Roman Anthony, a good young core developing on the major league roster now, and a ton of money to spend. The future is bright in Boston. Not saying Vlad would demand a trade here if Soto signs, but your comment is both petty and ignorant.
It’s about dollars, actual and net. He actually may defer if the DR tax rate is better than either NY or MA.
Yes but playing 50% where there are little lot no taxes certainly helps.
Mule – The word “reports” is absolutely meaningless, especially this time of year. On Thanksgiving a clown reported Soto already had an agreement with the Red Sox. Didn’t take long for pathetic piggyback “reports” based off that clown’s.
Yes Vlad would love to play with Soto, they are besties. But that could happen in Toronto, Boston or NY. Vlad will not ask for a trade until it’s known where Soto will be signing, and even then Vlad could just wait a year and join him as a free agent next offseason.
The – I’d say it’s a combination of money and wanting to win.
For example if the Red Sox outbid the Mets by $20M, he would probably still sign with the Mets because he knows Cohen wants to win. Nobody in their right mind would trust Red Sox ownership’s promise of spending to be a contender every year. Not only are John Henry, Tom Werner and Sam Kennedy proven liars, FSG/Redbird could easily prevent the Red Sox from spending in the future. If I was a player, I would rather play for a single owner like Steinbrenner or Cohen than an entity like FSG.
And 2013 was all about getting rid of Valentine and massive contracts being traded at the 2012 deadline.
Seam – NYC and Toronto have much higher taxes. It makes a difference if half your income is taxed in NYC, ask ARod.
York – That’s not nice, or true. They’ve been contenders prior to this year and Rogers could spend as much as Cohen if they wanted to. Don’t poke the bear.
My – Not true, NY state is higher than Mass and that’s not even including NYC tax.
nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/state-income-tax-rate…
sad – Many years ago a Mariner chose Texas for that exact reason, no state income tax.
This is true, but they play 81 home games, so highest tax will be at wherever they sign. Definitely a factor
Vlad is also besties with Bo, he is also besties with Tatis.
Boatmen – I know about Tatis, it surprises me the Padres aren’t a finalist for Soto.
Sheerterror would love to know why you think a millionaires tax is dumb.
Hey Mule – good to see you, brother. Hope you’re well. Stop by JITH and say hi some time. Peace
Not sure why it’s dumb. seems like a fair way to collect taxes from those that make more than most do. If I made a million dollars a year or more, I’d have no issue paying extra to help out those that can’t.
A millionaire tax is dumb?!? What’s dumb is it only being 4%.
I don’t know. The Red Sox are in desperate need of a big name that will carry the weight of players like Pedro and Big Papi. I don’t know if they will or even should pay the outrageous amount Soto is going to get, but he will definitely give them that big name they have needed. I agree they need pitching and defense even more, but I would not complain if they did manage to sign Soto. I really don’t think they are going to take the cheap route this year.
Oh I know it was silly. It make no sense for Vlad to upend everything and forgo all his lucrative sponsorships just to play for a year on a mediocre team.
Good.
That’s a good tax. Ask a Canadian who has universal healthcare, cradle to grave.
And they still don’t pay as much as NY or CA
Universal health care lol. But those with money go elsewhere. And the poor only need to check the wrong box to be euthanized. Canada is a dangerous communist nation that should not be left on our border. It needs to be dismantled
@MuleorAstroMule
Here’s a reality check…
sportingnews.com/us/mlb/boston-red-sox/news/red-so…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing in Boston either this year or in 2025.
Thats most players these days. If they are with Boras that is absolute. Soto would play on the moon if the price was right. The stuff about teams that can win and get a ring, look at the Yankees. Last World Series win 2009. A player signing a 15 yr deal there talking abotu rigns would get zero if they signed in 2010 for 14 yrs.
Most leagues havent done a very good job keeping the teams fairly consistent. The only consistent thing is the fans get milked
High cost of living is associated with high quality of living. You can pay no taxes if u wanna squat on federal forest land
They are better off w cases and soto then spend their remaining money on a more pressing need
@Old York – Vlad Jr wants to play for a winner — The Celtics.
Tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, next week, or, while unlikely, possibly later
LBJ announced his Miami Heat signing at a scheduled time on live TV. This is not the same.
Soto should do a weekly elimination show a la The Bachelor. Imagine Cohen, Steinbrenner, or Henry quivering with delight when Juan says “Will you accept this rose?”.
It’s not the Dodgers so it’s just a rumor.
Except I doubt he is taking his talents to South Beach.
You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
It looks like the Red Sox are aggressively trying to close the deal. They want to meet, get the price that will close the deal and close it.
Then Boras will say, “Let me call my secretary.” Instead he phones Steve Cohen, and Soto makes $50 million more.
Deepseamonster32 – Agreed if in fact Boston is even negotiating for Soto. I have yet to see any evidence of it. There are lots of rumors just like 100 times before but not actual evidence that they are in on ANY all-star quality players. Until one signs, I’m treating this off season just like the others, it’s nothing more than the owners trying to drive rumors to create ticket sales. No new stars will sign in 2025 just like every other year since Dombrowski left.
Bloom signed Story who has yet to make an all-star game or even put up an OPS+ of 100!! Bloom signed Kenley who did make the all-star game in 2023 because Devers wasn’t very good that year so Jansen was the lone rep. Bloom signed Justin Turner who made an all-star team but never in Boston.
People need to stop thinking there is going to be a change in ownership or the front office. It’s not happening. Heck, when they destroyed the 2018 Roster the only person left standing was Devers so he got 25% more money than he deserved for double the years he deserved.
End result a .500 team now and in the future. I’m not sure without outside additions of all-star players this team will ever return to competing for the division title. It will be a “lets hope for the last WC spot type team”. But the ticket prices won’t be going down so get used to massive inflation. Quality of product drastically falling with rising prices. It’s rough to be a Red Sox fan just like in so many other cities where ownership simply doesn’t compete for anything except profits.
deepseamonster: It looks like the Red Sox asking for this closeout meeting tests whether or not Soto and Boras really believe Cohen will beat all offers by $50M. If they give the Red Sox a number that will close the deal, they likely don’t believe Cohen. If they don’t give the Red Sox a number that will close the deal, they likely believe Cohen.
Lloyd: The Red Sox did make a good first impression on Soto:
masslive.com/redsox/2024/11/juan-soto-red-sox-get-…
All – The link doesn’t support anything related to the Red Sox and Soto from a factual perspective. it’s all rumor. Where is the Instagram where Soto talks about the Red Sox after the alleged meeting? Or any other media evidence which actually includes Soto saying something not someone saying he said this.
Just about everything flying around about Soto now is a rumor. The article I posted was written by Sean McAdam who is a long-time Red Sox beat reporter. So, he likely has good contacts with the Red Sox. However, we are all free to believe or disbelieve everything according to our own criteria.
Come on sox
So, we still know nothing.
Bids are more than $600b, but we don’t know how much
Some teams are involved, it we don’t know how many
More bids will come, but we don’t know when
Boras really has these teams locked down. This is the first word we’ve heard in while, and it amounts to “please let us have another chance!”
The article implies Mets 650 is our best guess at current top offer
The Globe article reiterated the unsubstantiated Cohen rumors.
Its plausible. More likely the number was left off and cohen simply implied he would outbid anyone once the final offers are in
YBC – I wouldn’t believe a damn thing that’s said from anyone until he signs. People try to make educated guesses and hope they turn out to be true so they can take credit for being the first, that’s all it is.
Ray – Carlos Baerga said the Mets offered Soto $700M and he plans to take it …. FWIW.
FPG,
The best info I can track down is Baerga’s post was on IG on Nov. 26. A lot of time has passed since then with no action. He might be guessing like everyone else.
gbs – Yep, like I said I wouldn’t trust anything being reported. Could be miscommunication, could be intentional leaks used as a negotiating ploy, who knows.
Raymond – Who cares about the total contract, what is the current best AAV? Is he asking for $40Million for 10 years or more, $50 Million for 10 years or more OR $60Million for 10 years or more?
$600 Million and no number of years specified means we have a reporter without a clue.
To complicate this more, is he willing to defer large segments of his money so the AAV can be lowered?
This $600 Million crap is meaningless. Too bad the authors don’t have the baseball smarts to ask for the AAV that is being discussed. A generation of stat guys who know nothing about baseball except how to measure every action!!! What a disappointing generation of baseball fans!!
Somebody show the writer what a sandlot looks like because it’s nothing like a field in a computer game like MLB.
Lol dude we barely have a dollar range, deal with it. U want to know all the details of a deal not yet agreed upon?
Ranting about a generation of baseball fans? Wow
I’m sitting in my lawn chair, in the middle of my freshly mowed lawn, and my fist is clenched, punching at the sky, yelling at the clouds as they cast their shadows upon me in my waning bitter days as time has passed me by.
Sagacity summed up: get off my lawn!!
U know nothing
Sagacity, you’re creating enemies and false narratives for who knows what reason. Reporters can’t force anyone to give up detailed information. This site is MLB Trade *Rumors* after all, and that’s all we have right now.
Ignorant – That would never be me, because I have Brady Bunch artificial grass in my yard.
It’s called mlbRUMORS for a reason. I’m old and nothing has changed, except instead of newspapers or ESPN saying they heard it, it’s now online. I myself love the offseason for this reason-the unknown and speculation.
Sagacity, both total contract and AAV matter.
For example, would Soto prefer 10/$550M or 14/$700M? Sure, the latter has a lower AAV by $5M, but it’s for $150M more.
Could he get 4/$150M when he’s 36? If he stays healthy and productive, most likely, but maybe he’d prefer to lock in that additional $150M now.
Your tangential rank about authors not having “baseball smarts” is silly. Only so much info will be leaked, and the authors can only report what they hear. I have little doubt reporters are asking for AAV, but apparently they’re not getting that info. Why you turned that into a complaint about an entire generation of fans is inexplicable.
gbs42 – Enemies? Seriously because you disagree. A bit over the top isn’t it?
Look I hate to have to dumb this down for those who can’t comprehend what I’m talking about but here goes my attempt educate those who simply don’t get it.
A reporter states a rumor of $600 Million, which is just pure BS but he is offended when you ask for context to what they are thinking? If you are going to make up a number at least have the intelligence to define why you said $600 Million not $700 Million or $900 Million. No matter how stupid you are the number in total ALWAYS come back to specifics of cost per year time number of years. That’s simple math.
So I am making enemies for asking “How did you come to the figure $600 MIllion?” That’s ridiculous. Or is your guess which is complete BS just a pretend number like a metric?
If you want to debate a rumor have the intelligence to actual have a basis for your rumor. $600 Million is 10 years at $60 Million a year or do you believe it’s 5 years $120 Million a year or something in between? You have to be a moron to say I think it’s $600 Million and for the next guy to say no I think it’s $700 Million without stating the term of the contract.
Are you a bunch of idiot teenagers arguing in a vacuum or are your real baseball fans with intelligent reasons for why you believe a number is going to a specific amount?
I think the answer to that one is obvious.
gbs42 – You proved my point with your example. The length and amount per year give you the talking points as to how you see the player seeking the money is thinking. Thank you.
If writers are making things up which they obviously are since as you clearly pointed out the details shouldn’t be known, then do exactly what you did, define the assumed terms that brought you to the number so the next person can voice an opinion about the length or the annual amount and whether it fits the value of the player or his longevity.
You obviously get what I’m talking about. Isn’t it more fun to discuss the components that are the basis of the estimates being bantered around than a single isolated guess that has no context? If you love this time of year for the rumors, then writers should think their guess through and define the assumptions they made so there is something to talk about. The idea people want to argue $500 or $600 is meaningless without context.
That’s all I am saying and I can’t believe it’s making enemies. Writers need to be accountable just like in every profession.
Sagacity,
Yes, the “enemies” phrasing was over the top, but you’re not exactly making friends by calling out “a disappointing generation of baseball fans,” as if any generation all thinks alike.
Getting back to the rumor, if a writer is only told the total contract value is $600M+ with no further details, what should they do? Not report it without more information? Let someone else scoop them?
No team or agent is going to leak detailed information, so we get the rumored total value apparently multiple teams are willing to go to. It fuels interest in the hot stove.
The writers aren’t merely guessing, they’re getting pieces of the puzzle because it works to someone’s benefit to have that information out there, most likely the player and agent.
I don’t think your expectations of writers is realistic. How many times do we here the details of an offer a player didn’t accept? Just about never.
I read the Mets were already at 660.
Nah theyre on 880
One. Billion. Dollars!
I thought we were talking radio stations
Are we talking $700m+?
Red sox offered 6, and ‘want a number’ meaning bidding has likely stalled at mets 650 at the moment. Sox dont want to just keep saying numbers, and if mets are matching they wanna see the offer in writing i would bet.
Raymond – Nice imagination. Your guess is meaningless. We need facts. Tell us the years, the amount per year and if any is deferred.
I think youre putting a little too much stock in our importance. I’m talking about what the article suggests.
Personally i think the yankees walk away because the Mets did with Judge and I dont think either team benefits from making their marks contentious. But we dont know. We can only speculate. Gotta accept that
“Speier writes that Sox’s brass has heard rumors that Mets’ owner Steve Cohen has promised Boras that he’d beat the best offer made by any other team by $50MM.”
This is hilarious. I have no idea how true it is but just imagining the origin of this rumor and how it would spread is hilarious.
*sources: the origin is Boras.
Wasn’t that a while ago.
Fenway – Yes it was a while ago, very old rumor.
A lefty handed hitting outfielder who is probably best at DH is about the last thing the Red Sox need.
Probably best at DH. This is a fun trope, as if one needs to play a position. This is baseball come on, only concern is union dues amd the owners pocket. Hoping for that golden AB lmao
Idk. Last LH DH only they had seemed to do pretty well playing at Fenway all those years named Big Papi.
Soto could play left field at Fenway for a while just fine, imo. His range is questionable at best, but his arm seems great, and that suits Fenway LF.
The lindor vs ohtani battle for mvp will demonstrate to any astute observer what value the majority place on defense
To me a lot of it comes down to defensive evaluation still being something of a black box. Our means of really assessing a player’s overall defensive impact are still somewhat in flux, especially if someone is trying to directly compare one’s offensive and defensive contributions (or lack thereof). We try with Outs Above Avg and Defensive Runs Saved, but these are all derived stats and are still being developed and refined. In terms of actual game impact we don’t have much in the way of how many runs/games a fielder actually (vs. theoretically) saved or cost their team. A lot of these stats are useful for assessing general trends on large samples, but it’s not a simple straightforward application like with some hitting and pitching stats. And what we do have for fielding in that regard (putouts, assists, errors) aren’t all that meaningful in an evaluative context.
I can’t really say to what degree Soto’s subpar defense detracts from his elite offense, the same as I can’t really say to what degree Lindor’s defense at SS truly closes the gap between his and Ohtani’s offensive contributions. But for Soto I’d take the “gamble” that he’s more than making up for what he does in the field with what he does at the plate, especially given his ability to gun down runners, especially in LF at Fenway.
Soto has lead the NL and the AL in putouts, either in LF or RF, 5 times. In 3 different parks.
“Oh but that was because he played so many games.”
Isn’t that the point?
In the modern game, Games Played is a pretty good stat if you can keep in up over 150 on a yearly basis for sure!
15/725 to the Mets
I would be fine if he goes to the Mets. At least it would keep him away from the Yankees and Dodgers….
Good luck with that
Think he’ll break 700 too, unicorn FA’S normally get deals that suprise everyone.
$15 Billion paid out over 725 years?
Pretty good deal for whoevergts that. In a few years 15 billion could be minimum wage
Red Sox Begging For Additional Meeting With Soto
Doesnt seem like a promising headline lol
Ray – Agreed, especially considering Boras and the Red Sox will both be at next week’s meetings.
Red Sox are trying to strongarm Boras, but that ain’t happening.
Bronx – This is ridiculous. I don’t believe the Red Sox have done anything more than spread rumors. I wouldn’t be shocked to find out they never contacted Soto or his people. It was all made up to create the illusion ownership has been selling since they fired Dombrowski.
Do you think they never had a meeting with Soto?
Bronx, until ownership actually signs a free agent…..I would not believe a word that comes out of any of management’s mouth. This includes Alex Spier the Boston Globe writer, btw the Sox own the Globe.
Bosox propoganda to appease there fandom. “We’re in on everybody !”
If he goes to the Mets he will never win another WS.
Does it really matter if Soto doesn’t get another World Championship ring if he is with the Mets? After all, he already has a ring. What will matter is that he will be really wealthy and he will get to live in perhaps the finest mansion of all that there is on Long Island.
Let me guess, u work for the government?
Dodgers will defer 700 mill
not offering a contract: the ultimate deferral
Red Sox coping cuz they were just leverage for NY
And they probably know that and it’s absolutely a win-win for them. Takes whichever NY team gets him out of the rest of the market.
You really think Soto alone is going to take either NY team out the market, that’s a good chuckle. Mets had like 150MM to spend this offseason to match last year Soto isn’t going to affect much if Mets get him. If anything it will prob just cause Cohen to go all in.
@reyday we dont know but all accounts do suggest the mets could easily add 150 this offseason without risking anything.
How were the red sox leverage for the yankees?
Leverage for Boras and Soto because they know the Yankees will spend more to keep him away from Boston.
The Sox would be stupid to put all their eggs in one basket. They need pitching, not Soto. That $600mil would be better spent on the rotation and bullpen. For what it’s worth, he is NOT signing with the Sox. I’ll take my crow cooked well done if I’m wrong.
They’re projected like $100MM below the CBT. They’ve been up to $250MM during their last WS run. Assuming they sign Soto for like $650MM over 13, they’d still have roughly $50MM to work with this coming season alone.
Not an indictment on Boston’s plans this off season but to assume they would just stop with Soto is foolish.
Bochy – Lets step back and look at your first comment because when corrected the issue becomes much clearer.
They ARE projected to pay $100 Million under the CAP. That part is absolutely correct.
In 2018 when Boston WON the WS the on the field team cost roughly $165Million well under the CAP of $203 Million. The reason the Red Sox exceeded the CAP in 2018 was $41Million of retained payroll. That’s money OWED to players no longer on the team. These mistakes happened when Cherington was GM and Dombrowski had to deal with them when he signed with Boston. His way of dealing with them was to tell ownership those mistakes were on THEM not HIM and he would field a championship team using less than CAP money. He delivered on that promise the entire time he was in Boston. So they did NOT spend $250 Million to win a ring they spent $165 Million plus the normal benefits and minor league contracts which added up to well under the $203Million CAP.
That said, you are right they have close to $100 Million under the CAP to work with. SPOTRAC says their current ACTIVE ROSTER costs about $120 Million. Projected Arbitration players should cost an additional $11.7 Million and Projected Pre-Arbitration players should cost about $9.48 Million for a total of roughly $141 Million.
The CAP is $242 Million in 2025 so $99 Million is available under the CAP. What does Boston Need?
1 – Move Devers to DH to fix the defense (NO COST!!!)
2 – Sign two elite SPs that are all-star quality pitchers like Fried. They need at least one to be a lefty. Current prices on pitchers of that quality should cost Boston and AAV $60 Million to $75 Million depending on how good they are.
Using a mean number the $99 Million available goes down to $33Million if we spend $66Million on two SPs.
3 – We need to either take advantage of the tradeable players on the team to trade for a right handed hitting 3B with a good glove and a power bat. We could sign a Bregman or we could deal for an Arendado or Burger. We could save CAP space in the future if we dealt Devers for Arenado. That would fix the defense, shorten the big money owed and improve the character of the dugout/clubhouse.
Bregman would cost most of the money left but since our only other significant need was a lefty reliever/closer and we already have Chapman, Boston can easily add three all-stars for the $99 Million and become highly competitive again in the AL East.
NOTE: SOTO is NOT in the plans because we are very deep in very talented outfielders. The money would finally be spent in the area where the need is. That hasn’t happened since Dombrowski.
Wow, Sagacity wrote a novella.
You act as if other teams in baseball can retain 50 million like the red Sox can? Regardless of your novel they still exceeded the cap and that helped them win a World Series regardless of your ninja math.
Sagacity
I’m not entirely sure what the point you are making. I’m guessing it’s that the Sox didn’t intentionally spend the payroll, under that management, to win a ring in 2018? And that the needs of the club are not aligned with a Soto signing?
Because they did spend that money in 2018. Whether is was residual contracts of previous players, that money was spent either way. Semantics on where those contracts stemmed from doesn’t change the fact Henry was on the books for it. They spent $250MM and won. Both those things are inarguably true.
Secondly, it seems you believe the Sox don’t need Soto? I cannot confirm or deny that the organization feels that way. However, I can see the aggressive push by management and ownership for Soto’s service. So, whether you believe they need him or not, doesn’t seem to coincide with this unarguable fact that the Red Sox deem Juan very necessary. In fact, they deem it to the point of unworldly money.
billysbballz – Hahahaha What a comeback!!! Very entertaining but next time just stick out your tongue, stomp your feet and say I don’t care if you are right!!!
Bochys – Let me make it simple. If you are a company and you have all kinds of projects yearly. If your project in 2018 is a huge success you look to the budget of the project to see what that success cost you. It’s that simple. The 2018 success cost below the CAP and can’t be attributed to the total assets of the company, only the ones that were associated with the project.
Show me the aggressive push by management and ownership for Soto’s service. Please give me a link to Soto talking about how many hours he’s spoken with Boston officially or unofficially. You have been told it’s happened by the same folks who have told you a million lies in the last 5 years.
Also, to make my point very clear. Boston DOES NOT NEED Soto, does not suggest that SOTO wouldn’t make the team better. The team has failed in many areas over the last 5 years and their current level of outfield skill is at the highest it’s been for years. The pitching is still in dire need of top flight pitchers. 3B is in dire need of retiring Devers glove and getting a two dimensional 3B and of course the cheater needs to go as soon as possible because that alone could foster 10 to 20 more wins he’s such a moron.
If it were me and I had made $300 Million or more since COVID I would acquire Soto because he is elite but not without also investing in pitching, 3B, moving Devers and firing Cora. Adding Soto gives a few wins to a .500 team. Moving Devers has a bigger impact on winning games going forward. So to me, after five years of watching them pick the WRONG choice among their many choices to build a winner, I don’t see them suddenly getting smarter and using their money for all-star quality players like Soto, Fried and Burnes. I see them continuing on their path of mediocrity and getting the leftovers and not necessarily players at the positions they need.
I think the concern is more while waiting on the Soto market the Sox may miss out on what they actually need when someone else signs the other top free agents.
If signing Soto is the only thing they do, I fully agree they’re chasing the wrong problem.
However, it’s pretty unlikely that would be their only move. If they are to sign Soto, that would leave their outfield mix as Duran (lefty), Rafaela (righty), Abreu (lefty), and Soto (lefty), with none of them at time of this writing able to shift to DH which is occupied by Yoshida (lefty).
At that point, Abreu immediately becomes a trade chip to be used as a centerpiece to go get a starting pitcher. Attach a couple of quality prospects to Abreu and I would think they should be able to get the Twins or Mariners on the phone and get something done to bring a nice pitcher over to Boston.
Going the trade route ensures they don’t have to spend $30 million per year or more on multiple SP acquisitions in one winter in addition to helping clear out some roster logjams, so that’s a win-win-win. Even if Soto gets $50 million per season, they have enough room under the tax threshold to still go get whichever top free agent starter on the market tickles their fancy.
Even if they insist on wanting to do the Devers at third base experiment for another year or two, I would think for the sake of better right/left balance and lineup flexibility the next domino would have to be finding a new home for Yoshida. Eat some of that contract so he’s not so overpaid, and he is still a quality addition for a lineup seeking some juice. Since he’s not a power hitter anyway, I’d think KC or Detroit could be good fits for him to maximize his skill set. Big ballparks that he can slap around some extra base hits, and neither has a quality entrenched DH they have to worry about displacing. Not sure what he’d fetch back outside of knowing it obviously wouldn’t be anything special, but I’d be content with any kind of young arm coming back.
Then once he’s gone they can look for another right handed bat, preferably an outfielder, to bring into the mix who can play some games in the field when guys need off days or play some DH when they don’t. That would also allow them to rotate Story through the mix at DH on occasion and hopefully keep him from getting hurt for once in his life. Not thinking anything extravagant for this piece, hopefully an O’Neill reunion ideally, or maybe like an Austin Hays as a plan B.
Agreed on moving an outfielder now, specifically Abreu. My thoughts are sell high on him right now after his GG.
Yes please. Burnes, Fried, Scott and Adames.
I think the ship has sailed on Scott when they signed Chapman, but who knows. I am hoping the Winter Meetings will reveal more about how big they’re really thinking this winter.
Here’s the meeting.
Sox “did you say 600 MILLION?”
Soto “yes that’s correct”
Sox “just checking good luck in NY”
Well, drive up the price tag.
Why let Yankees have him for 600 mill when you can drive it up to 750 mill making them spend an extra 150.
So instead of say Soto Burns for 600 and 150 they just get Soto or have to spend 900 (750 and 150) on Burnes.
Isn’t the problem with driving up the price that he might accept your offer?
Team B: “We offer $70M a year for 19 years!” (ha ha just driving up the price)
Soto: “I’m signing it right now.”
Team B: “We were only kidding!”
Yes this is what the inernet dummy contingent misses about “biddng up” someome in this kind of environment. Exactly why the red sox have said give us a number, we’re not jut letting u pretend all day and then we get socked bidding against themselves a month. No one wants the press or possible ramifications/punishments of backing out after bidding it up
Biggest troll – Faulty assumption!!!
We aren’t bidding on this!!! They can claim it was close but we lost but there is no evidence we have even talked to Soto. Just a bunch of rumors.
Imagine that. MLB TRADE RUMORS.
Rumors are a form of evidence.
Raymond – I’ll bite. How is a rumor form of evidence. Aren’t they defined as a lack of evidence?
Henry pushing really hard to try and talk him into signing for $135 million and a few Dunkins gift cards. Almost have to respect the hustle.
The Redsox is not a championship caliber team. I would rather go to a team that is ready now, a world series contender. I understand he already has a ring. But if I was him I would continue to fill those fingers with more.
What’s that ? I can’t hear you over the glimmer from these 3 World Series rings
FatChance65 – Everything you said is true but the assumption that Boston will spend over $20 million a year on a player is faulty.
Bloom proved to be Barney Fife and the owners (Sheriff Andy aka Henry) took his bullets after he wasted $23.3 Million a year on Story, $18 Million a year on Yoshida and the most colossal mistake of spending over $300 Million on a one dimensional player. Devers’ albatross contract was the last straw. Bloom fired and Breslow comes as a second patsy yes man. He has a $20Million a year limit and he’s chosen high risk potential high reward players who haven’t proven to be high reward guys. He’s Barney Fife II, he’s more aware of his ceiling than Bloom but has no baseball smarts so he doesn’t invest in blue chip players, he goes for fringe players who he perceives have big upside. Funny thing is, the REAL big upside guy was given to ATL and Breslow not only gave him away he paid for the taxi and half his pay in 2024. Is that any better than Bloom? NOPE.
The Red Sox can’t put all their eggs in a basket because Henry told him he can’t have a basket, he can have a small bowl for an egg or two until he proves he is good at his job. Based on Giolito and O’Neill. That’s not happening soon. The Chapman acquisition is yet another risky choice since he’s old, inconsistent and questionable with respect to how he’ll fit in the culture of the Red Sox with Cora. Speaking of Cora, when is Breslow going to bring his own guy in? How many more losing seasons with Cora? Thank goodness for the team Dombrowski gave Cora because without the 2018 season Cora is a .500 manager for his last five seasons.
Think about the fact that we won 3 straight division championships over the Yankees thanks to Dombrowski, then Cora messes up 2019 Dombrowski is released but Cora stays and the team wins 24 less games.
Cora then gets fired for cheating and the team has it’s worst year in decades so naturally they re-hire the cheater and the team plays at a .500 level for the next 4 years.
There is some real consistency in the Boston Ownership and Front Office because they fired the best GM in their history, they gave away their second greatest player in Boston history and got nothing back for him and most recently paid a team to take away their best pitcher since Pedro.
Why does anyone think the next step is to get a big name talent? That doesn’t follow the approach they’ve been using since 2019 after their 15 year run of greatness. The system broke in 2019 and there are no signs that any of the thinking has improved since 2019 so why in the world would ANYONE expect a big name player to come to Boston?
Red Sox Nation has become so gullible. I guess it has to do with the change in the make-up of the fan base. The new generation of fan didn’t play the game except on a computer so they don’t recognize when there is something terribly wrong in the ownership group and front office. They don’t recognize when a dynasty is torn down by some numbskull because ownership wants to make more profits. The world of Boston baseball chanced dramatically in 2019 and there are absolutely NO SIGNS that it’s going to revert back to a competitive environment not focused on profits.
Sag – Of course the Red Sox have been the biggest cheapskates in MLB the past 5 years (based on spending to revenue ratio), but with their financials taking a big hit and poor 2025 season ticket sales John Henry knows enough to spend now and then cut off spending again in the future, just like he did in 2019.
There is zero chance the Red Sox won’t give at least one free agent $20M AAV this offseason.
Fever PItch Guy – So here are a couple of questions about your comments:
1 – Why do you think their financials took a big hit? Are you saying they are simply making less profits or is it your belief they are losing money because less profits while spending far less on players might not be seen as a problem by these financial geniuses!!
2 – You believe Henry comprehends a policy of spend-us interuptus being applied to payroll so he will spend this year. How did you come to that conclusion? It seems to me that Henry simply says lets ride the wave of making more profits (which I believe is the case since COVID) and when the fans want to storm the castle we’ll pull another Devers-like move to calm them because they aren’t too bright.
Sag – I’d be happy to answer those questions, thank you for asking!
1) I know you don’t trust Forbes but whenever actual data isn’t available, I like to go with highly reputable estimates. Some things we do indeed know for fact, such as the crashing NESN ratings and ticket revenue. And with Forbes publishing declining profits coming into last season, there’s a 100% chance they continued to decline in 2024.
2) To clarify, *IF* the Red Sox are not lying this time (huge emphasis on “if”) the reason they moved up their timeline for wanting to compete has to be because of the crashing ratings, crashing ticket revenue, and sponsors pulling out or threatening to pull out.
Without question Henry doesn’t give a damn about fans specifically, but as you know fans and profits go hand-in-hand. If he continues to lose fan interest, his profits will continue to dwindle away.
About 4 more months until Forbes releases their 2024 numbers, can’t wait!!
Fever Pitch Guy = Thanks for the extensive answer. I am not trying to harass you I just don’t believe profits are down overall. Yes, just as you said, NESN and ticketing is down big time as is payroll. Until I see merchandising numbers, internet numbers, even donations both corporate and personal, I think ownership could be re=investing their profits into other profitable ventures which off set the loses in other areas.
Forbes looks at just the baseball part at a high level. I don’t think we see the WHOLE picture from Forbes. I’m not suggesting the numbers are doctored or your source is no good, I just believe there are components of the overall money involved not identified which puts all teams as under estimated when it comes to profits.
Many years ago it was a huge issue in the CBA discussions. The Players Union has long claimed the numbers aren’t inclusive of all revenues/profits.
Have you ever heard of financial contributions being made by corporations who want a bigger part of the reserved seats or better located reserved. Would the incentive money be in the total? What about the money related to all the product endorsements inside the facilities, on NESN, on podcasts, even on Instagram, Tik Tok and other internet ways to generate revenue/profits.
I believe your Forbes prediction will be accurate. I just suspect some clever accounting is keeping the executives from worrying about the profits. We’d need a forensic accountant to find out the truth about all the revenue sources and I don’t believe the organization would grant that to the Players Association, Forbes or any other public entity. Since the accounts have NDAs, it’s not likely any of the secrets will ever be known.
To me, 2020 should have been their biggest hit. Since then sales have fallen but so has payroll. With guys like Casas, Duran, Devers and the new young guys I think their merchandising might have initially dropped off but with everyone pumping up the farm system, I think merchandising has started to rebound since the loss of the 2018 stars.
I hope you are right that they will spend but we’ve been hearing this for too long. Usually an event drives immediate change and I haven’t seen an event to drive them to spending but again I hope you are right.
Man you are one bitter old fan. I understand getting jaded sometimes but jeez are you long winded with your pessimistic theories.
Pedro – Thank you for commenting on me rather than the topic. That’s what these websites are for!!!
My question to you is why aren’t you bitter? Quick recap:
1 – The team hires the biggest cheater in baseball history because the owners are racist and are trying to change their image.
2 – You win 4 rings in 15 years then abandon the team in 2019 when you start the demise of the club by firing your greatest GM.
3 – Less than six months later you give away your franchise player for nothing because he takes issue with your racist comments about Price.
4 – Your front office waits 8 months to decide to send your best pitcher for TJ surgery adding an entire year to the recovery process based on time of year when the procedure happens.
5 – You systematically remove the entire roster of the 2018 champs except for ONE guy who then gets over paid for a decade and continues to kill the pitching staff with his inability to field.
6 – After the house cleaning of the champs you fire the hatchet man and replace him with another inexperienced GM who can’t have any money over $20 Million per year to rebuild the organization.
Remind me again, why aren’t you bitter? Oh, and it’s agist of you to call me an old man. That is socially unacceptable but unlike some of the other youngsters on this site I won’t demand that you be banned.
You guys said the Royals were interested in Soto… what was their offer?
599 million. They are currently in 5th place. Just ahead of Yankees lol
The Royals are offering 20 years at league minimum salary, plus majority ownership of the team.
Got to love the rumor mill which is I guess why I visit here so often.
terry – Actually I hate the rumor mill. The main reason I come here is for actual news and information, which this site is the best at delivering.
The rumors are just noise.
“Alright, Boras, what’s the number that will get this deal done?”
“Call Cohen and ask.”
I’m not sure what this meeting accomplishes if the Mets are allowed to know the Red Sox’s top offer at any given moment.
At 600 mils, I hope the Sox pass. You can buy an ace, #2, and 3 for that.
Ridiculous. Why would Boras only give the Sox the magic number meeting? He’s going to squeeze every penny from Cohen or Hal that he can.
My – Agreed, and why would he grant a meeting now when the Winter Meetings begin Monday? Red Sox look like morons with their request.
It’s actually the opposite. The Red Sox asking for a meeting where they get a number that would close the deal will let them know about their chances of signing Soto. If they get this meeting, they can sign him. If not, they will likely not sign him. It is better to learn this sooner rather than later.
All – Any proof that they have EVER met with Soto’s team or is it just rumors that you believe to be truthful? Clearly, you are not from Missouri, the show me state.
See my above response regarding rumors.
Soto is incredible…..with the bat. You’re almost assured of 5-7 WAR each year for the next 8-10 years.
As a Red Sox fan I hope they spend their money on pitching.
I Hope this doesn’t screw the sox on landing other free agents while waiting on the Soto Debacle! Just cant see how he is worth that much money when it could be spread out in other areas of higher need……
Agreed. Unless they are actually willing to go “full throttle” this year and they sign Soto, a front line pitcher, and more. I won’t hold my breath, though.
“¿Qué lo qué?” #JuanSoto, why sign with a team with the 29th ranked farm system (Yankees), or the 27th (Blue Jays), or the 23rd (Orioles), or the 15th (Mets?) These teams are older and aging out at the MLB level and have huge holes. Their farm systems, ALL either the bottom 3rd, or average at best. The Redsox have the #1 prospect (Baseball America), 3 of the top 10, 4 of the top 25 and 6 of the top 75 prospects in all of MLB and just promoted about 6. Additionally they have 6, (arguably 7) tier 1 prospects & several tier 2 & 3 prospects ready in waiting NOW. With the #3 Farm system (Boston) in all of baseball, a totally finished minor league system rebuilt, a brand new pitching coach staff, and system for development done, and the age of your team fitting yours as you dominate the next 7 to 10 years…it’s a no brainer. Not to mention lefty’s rake at Fenway! (Check the top farm system rankings below)
Come to “The House Dominicans Built”
& Continue the Winning History. No team has more World Series Championship from 2004 to 2024 than Boston with 4 Redsox have lead the way the last 2 decades and after a 6 year rebuild, letting older players walk, due to a farm that wasn’t ready, financially it made no sense to keep Mookie, Xander or Sale in terms of age, or contract, when your farm depth is terrible, and your pitching system broken. It’s all rebuilt now for the next decade 2025-2035. Final MLB Farm System Rankings of the 2024 Season see for yourself in this link below!
syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10136313-final-…
#championships #MLBDominicana #Redsox #Championships #RedsoxNation
#FenwayPark #yankees #bluejays #Orioles #Mets #mlb #mlbnetwork #mlbtheshow #mlbnews
guru – Yeah because prospects always pan out, right?
Top Farm Systems
2020 & 2021 – Rays
2018 & 2019 – Padres
How did that work out for them?
Fever Pitch Guy – Thank you. I’m not sure where these writers have spent their lives related to baseball but the baseball IQ demonstrated in these responses is horrendous!!!
Sag – I think they are brainwashed into believing projections are reliable for valuing players, just like they believe WAR is the only way to know how valuable a player is.
Remember the people here who believed the crap about Dombrowski leaving an empty farm system?
And yet here we are talking about All-Stars such as Houck and Duran, potential All-Stars in Casas and Bello, and decent players in Rafaela and Crawford ….. all six of them from Dombrowski’s farm system.
Time always proves who is right and who is horribly wrong.
It has worked out well for the Padres and Rays. The Padres have been able to make trades and make the postseason. The Rays won 99 games in 2023, but had injuries and lost Wander Franco in 2024.
I’d say it’s worked out pretty well for both the rays and Padres.
All – If the farm system is great in 2025 when will that translate to success with the MLB team? You seem to think 2025. What if the great players in the farm system are at ROK or A ball? Would the benefit (if it happened) probably happen several years later?
The Red Sox surge is from Dombrowski and he’s gone 5 years.
The Red Sox seem to have a very good farm system. They will keep bringing young players up or trading them to fill needs. The MLB should see a big improvement in the next 2-3 years I think.
KD: Their top 3 prospects are at the AAA level so yes there is a very good chance that they will make an impact in 2025
top 4 to be more precise
It is always good to say you are in negotiations with elite talent that rival teams are targeting to drive up the price tag and minimize their other options. That being said, although I think Soto is a phenomenal hitter, and a great addition to any team offensively, the Red Sox had glaring issues in 4 places that need addressing, and adding another poor fielding left-handed bat was not one of them.
When I think of the price tag we are talking about on a yearly basis, I see potentially 2 to 3 of the 4 problems we currently have that COULD be SOLVED with the same money, with room to address the others.
The 4 are 2 upgrades within the rotation, an elite left-handed reliever, 1 or 2 right-handed bats that can field with power potential at 3rd, 2nd, or in the outfield, and the opening of the DH slot.
Some might say Chapman addresses the lefty reliever issue. I do not. That is a one-year pact for a volatile pitcher with control issues. I consider this issue still open. No team has ever complained that having 2 really good lefty options hurt the team.
Opening up the DH slot requires Yoshida be moved. That may involve eating money, losing prospects, or taking back a bad contract. IMHO, a returning bad contract is probably the least harmful depending on that players position. In our case that bad contract may actually be an upgrade on the pitching staff, at third, or 2nd.
Devers has to be moved off third. The patience in waiting for improvement has reached its limit. The idea of losing Casas just to accommodate experimenting with Devers at first base seems ludicrous on its face. Ideally, Devers is the DH, and we improve infield defense by simply replacing him with nearly any human being holding an oven mitt. The idea would be that the human being replacing him is hopefully a good defensive player but also fills the right-handed bat need with some power.
The rotation is probably best served and upgraded through a signing and one trade. This moves at least one, and possibly 2 starters (depending on trade) into the bullpen to upgrade there and also jettisons 1 or 2 weaker relievers into depth roles.
The last issue becomes a matter of flexibility with what remains and the need for that second right-handed bat. It is possible Grissom emerges as that guy. I doubt it, but it is possible. The important thing is that this becomes the least important need and can be addressed last if the other needs have been filled. Part of me thinks that the Red Sox understand this and that we may not see a move in this regard unless their complacency once again misses out on the players that are needed for the other problems. In that case, a panic move would fill this need. I am leaning towards this being either addressed in spring training if Grissom doesn’t show anything or at the trade deadline in season. Breslow will place his hopes on Grissom.
William 2 – OUTSTANDING!!
Red Sox would be wiser to invest in Teoscar, Flaherty and Tanner Scott. I think their fans would be fine with that.
For possibly 700 million you can add two starters other than Flaherty for that… and still have enough to make a run at Brasier next year!!!
True. But I still wouldn’t place all my chips on Burnes. I didn’t like the little downward slide he had the second half of 2024. I fear a TJS coming on. And I think Fried is a Yankee by mid-December.
I’d like Fried over Garrett.. I think it’s getting a little too rich now.. saw report of Casas/ Wong/ Abreu… when they sold the farm for Sale I got it… Chris had a much more proven track record.. I’d also take Fried/ Nate E and maybe as you stated Flaherty.. I understand the Redsox have a stocked farm but the WS think he’s the second coming of the Big Unit…
Yea that was a Jim Bowden trade idea and it was crazy. There is no way that Boston is trading it’s starting first baseman, starting catcher, and starting right fielder for a guy who’s had one good half season as a starter. It’s crazy talk it also doesn’t line up with what the White Sox should want and that is prospects. The White Sox aren’t going to compete anytime soon they need a complete tear down and rebuild and as such they should be bringing in prospects. It’s the White Sox so they probably won’t because they are an extremely poorly run organization but they should be looking for guys whose service time clock hasn’t started ticking. It will be fascinating to see if Getz can figure this one out but I doubt it.
Bruin – It was reported recently the ChiSox want prospects for Crochet, they don’t want players with more than a year of MLB service time … for the reason you gave, they won’t be competing for several years.
Makes sense Fever a Mayer backed package makes sense for Chicago.
Bruin – I would support that! I have nothing against Mayer, but I truly wonder if he will be able to stay healthy during his major league career.
Fever Mayer is just the only guy out of the big 4 I would be willing to trade if I’m Breslow. Anthony and Campbell are no goes imo and due to being a catcher Teel is untouchable imo. It is important to realize when you trade Mayer he could matriculate into a .275 with 30 homer pop and he is a legit left side defender either at short or third. He’s a really good prospect who has durability issues. The biggest reason that I think you trade Mayer is they have a ton of shortstop type prospects and they also have Rafaela who could be a really good shortstop if they just moved him there permanently. If you squint then even Campbell could be a big league shortstop. Based on this I think you trade Mayer but it’s not the slam dunk he’s still a really good prospect.
Fever this system is loaded.
You know me Bruin. I’m not keen to move on from Mayer. at least not yet.
Acell I’m not really keen on it either but I can’t see the White Sox trading Crochet without one of the big 4 and Mayer is the only one I would consider trading. Not easy to do that though better be sure we can sign Crochet to a long extension.
interestingly enough I don’t think the White Sox would want Mayer because they are pretty set in the MI. I do think the sox could pull off a deal for Crochet without one of the top 4 though or even Montgomery
I think the White Sox would move either Montgomery to third or Mayer to third. Mayer profiles well at third and has plenty of arm for third. I think it’s Mayer that goes if Crochet comes.
perhaps. I still think the Sox could make it happen without the top 4. Arias Garcia and Abreu could work.
let – I’m with you on Tanner and Teo, not big on Flaherty though.
I would take Soto over those three in a heartbeat.
Yes Soto is going to be expensive, but the man was worth 7.9 bWAR, hit 41 Hr and had an OPS+ of 178 last year in his age 25 season. That’s insane. For reference, Teoscar was worth 4.3 bWAR, 33HR, 137 OPS+. So by this one metric, relative to league average, Soto was twice as good of a hitter ( 78 versus 37).
Even though he hits left handed, imagine a lineup of say Duran, Devers, Him, Casas.
I also think he’ll take some pressure off of Devers. He wants that spotlight and Devers doesn’t, which is perfectly fine.
Absolutely.
Again, the slogan that Cohen will beat any offer. Yet the Mets signed Montas, talk about Holmes as a starter and got outbid by the A’s for Severino.
Ohtani, Yamamoto, Judge, Snell and others signed elsewhere these last two seasons.
It’s isn’t simply about the most money. Soto asked teams about player development, other additions, etc.
The Red Sox are just starting to hit their window of opportunity and nothing would announce that the beast is back by winning the Soto sweepstakes, signing Fried or Burnes, and Tanner Scott. The other issues are secondary issues Boston needs pitching now to start there window a year or two early. They need a tor guy to front this rotation first and foremost.
This off-season is about the ownership so far everything that is being said is just lip service until they start signing these guys. Ownership has more than used up it’s good faith and another off-season off signing guys like Chapman will cost the ownership dollars because I think people are getting fed up.
This Red Sox team is loaded in the minors. They are going to have more depth then I can ever remember in the minor leagues they are so deep that the can easily go over the lux tax threshold this season and dip back down below it after the season. This team is better prepared to weather injuries than any Red Sox team I can remember.
I’ll leave with saying this the pitching lab lead by Bailey/Willard/Boddy is really taking shape. There is one common theme that if you watched the minor league pitchers this season under there tutelage is velo increases by there starting pitcher prospects. There were a lot of guys that were pitching 2 to 3 mph faster by the end of the season than when the season started. It will fascinating to see how guys like Dobbins, Early, Priester, Mullins, Paez, and the list goes on and on look after a full off-season under the pitching lab. I will say this this is going to be the first season in a while that we are going to finally see viable pitching prospects. I think Worcester and Portland are going to be loaded pitching wise. The Red Sox are coming it’s time for ownership to put the petal to the meddle and start regaining the fans trust.
Sounds like the Red Sox know they’re being used as leverage. I think he wants to be a Yankee and will give Steinbrenner every chance to match the highest offer at the very end.
Then hopefully the sox run that price up and make it hurt..that said i disagree on him wanting one team over another he was clear on being available to all teams
Pool – Saying that is a common strategy to create more bidders thus driving up the price.
Ohtani said the same thing last year, making it clear he wouldn’t have a narrow field like his first go-around. In the end, he was not sincere about his claimed openmindedness.
i remember when arod 252 was an insane contract lmao
If Boston wants him they walk in and put 725 million on the table for 15 years and say this is it. If the Mets and Yankees out bid this offer then. Walk away and be glad that he didn’t sign! Boston will have Avery strong for at least the next 8 years. Put the money into pitching and defense.
I say, let Soto write his own check.You will see how greedy he really is.
All teams should do that for contracts.If he writes say 60 million than he will know the rest of the team will be younger players.
Focus on the needs Breslow!!!!
1 – Get Devers moved to DH
2 – Sign Fried to be the lefty SP and one other elite SP
COST S/B around $65Million AAV
4 – Sign Bregman for $33 Million after the two pitchers
Call it a day and start prepping for String Training.
Nothing else needed. Under the CAP. Defense jumps from bottom 2 to top 10. Starting Rotation matches with the best teams.
Then implement Campbell as SS of the future, Rafaela or Grissom as 2B of the future, Anthony as LF of the future with Duran and Abreu next to him. Implement Casas as the 1B of the future, Teel becomes catcher of the future and you have a roster that could exist until Bregman or Devers retires. Use Story as the infield utility player, use Yoshida as the outfield/DH utility player, use Wong as the back-up catcher and trade/free agent a Corner infield utility players so the roster of 13 hitters is set.
On the pitching side, adding Fried and Burnes to Houck, Crawford and Giolito/Bello gives you 6 quality SPs to start the season with some nice depth in the minors. Add Hendriks and Chapman as closer and lefty set-up man with Whitlock as the stress inning guy and you have 9 of the 13 pitchers on the 26 man roster. The remaining 4 relievers should probably be Fitts, Slaten and Bernardino.plus one more to be named later.
There is your 26 man roster for less than CAP, enormous stability for a decade and enough talent to have a shot at a division title rather than the accustomed .500 seasons.
All we need now is a willingness to win again by owners and front office and the cheater. If that happens, things could change dramatically in the direction from whence we came!!
By guy like soto you mean league best hitter entering his prime?
If the Red Sox are asking for another sit down then they underwhelmed and Soto is not coming here. I am a Red Sox fan since the 1970s and I have no confidence that he is coming here. Boras will use the offer to go back to the Yankees so that he does not leave one nickel on the table. Breslow needs a Plan B which includes pitching and a trade for a hitter.
Al I really don’t think the Red Sox need another hitter. I think they need pitching they have pitching coming but it’s just percolating in the minors right now. The Red Sox need at minimum a tor guy and another high end bullpen arm. That is what they need to have a chance this year and they need pitching.
Correct, if you need a second meeting, the 1st didn’t work. Me thinks its the Mets and the Jays and who is going to touch $800,000,000.00
It’s crazy to even write that. 14 years at 60 mill per with an opt out after 5 years. Sign Vladdy to an 8 year 400,000,000 with an opt out after 5.
Then let them eat.
they sox are asking for another meeting to close the deal. If that’s your take then every team must have underwhelmed because Soto hasn’t signed yet.
AL: if they’re asking for another meeting with Soto it’s clearly the opposite.
If the Jays offer him the most money I cannot see him going to Boston. The Mets are the only team with an owner wealthier than the Jays. The Red Sox are about 15th on the list.
Nah Soto heading to “The House That Dominicans Built!”, to continue that Legacy as the Face of the Franchise. He will flat rake there. And will have many young 4 & 5 tool players around him with the 3rd best farm in baseball The #1 prospect, 3 in the top 10, 4 in the top 25, and 6 in the top 100. Yanks are older at 29.3 average age, 29th in baseball, same as their farm depth talent, also 29th, they’re mired in aging contracts of diminished production as well. Soto or no Soto Yanks can’t bank on injuries to Baltimore, Boston and Tampa Bay to win the east, and we saw what happened after the easiest road to the WS in 40 years. Redsox are the only team with 4 rings since 2004 and are primed for another decade long run!
$600MIL just to play a game is insane. Clueless fans keep picking up the tab though thinking sports is so important.
Some people just want to enjoy the game. I make a conscious effort not to hand them my money while still enjoying their product. Most people dont have the will power. If theyre ok paying absurd prices then so be it. Most will work till theyre dead for the privilege to hand their money to soto or cohen. But this is why workers unionize, corporations form cartels, mobs form governments, and governments alliances, without a pack/pact you get bludgeoned, like the modern fan of a monopoly such as mlb
With Soto signing with the Mets, it is now or never for the Sox.
Firstly, I am glad the Red Sox lost out on Soto at that value. If they were willing to go over 600 million for one player at over 45 million a year than they are certainly able to sign an elite starter, a right-handed power hitter, and at least one or two elite relievers, not including a trade for another starter. In other words, what we actually need.
Some of the chips have fallen off the table already this off season, and now the large market teams that lost out on Soto are trying to figure out where to spend that money, while smaller market teams are looking to strike quickly on mid-tier value. If the Red Sox do not strike quickly and grab up solutions right now, those solutions will be playing elsewhere. This would mark the fourth season in a row where the Red Sox are “in” on everyone, but the solutions to the roster holes are grabbed up by more aggressive teams.
The Red Sox cannot afford another year of journeymen, reclamations, and 4th choice options in free agency. This is lining up as another example of what the stark differences are between the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees are about to become a good bit better with that money they just saved, because they are always committed to trying to reach the playoffs. The Orioles are going to react to the Yankees the best they can because they do not want to waste this window of young controllable talent. What will Red Sox management do?