MLB 2025

[Flex]

Red Sox super prospect Roman Anthony is 22 years old, but he looks 38.

Got some of that eumaas DNA in him.

[Dr. Medulla]

Whoa, the Sox send Devers to the Giants. My first reaction is that I like this. He's a superb hitter, but he's been a grumbler since he signed his big deal. But, more importantly, as the young studs are making their way to the big club, there's been a problem of too few spots for them. This alleviates that some. And if it makes it more palatable to sign Bregman long-term—can't believe I think this now—that's a good thing. It's almost certainly a step backward in the short term, but I think it makes the medium and long term a lot more open. And given that I was dubious about this team doing anything come October, that's fine.

[Flex]

Whoa, the Sox send Devers to the Giants. My first reaction is that I like this. He's a superb hitter, but he's been a grumbler since he signed his big deal. But, more importantly, as the young studs are making their way to the big club, there's been a problem of too few spots for them. This alleviates that some. And if it makes it more palatable to sign Bregman long-term—can't believe I think this now—that's a good thing. It's almost certainly a step backward in the short term, but I think it makes the medium and long term a lot more open. And given that I was dubious about this team doing anything come October, that's fine.

I really like Devers so I'm sad personally, but agree the clubhouse stuff has been an issue with him. Agreed with your basic analysis - hoping this is a sign the Sox are confident in their developing guys (and they should be) and have a plan.

[Flex]

I'm seeing a lot of negative reaction to the trade and I don't totally get it. I mean, yeah, if the Sox just pocket the savings to increase shareholder value I'll be mad but they've actually been spending recently. I gotta think part of this is they have something agreed in principle with Bregman to keep him around. Also, and this many be one of my few anti-labor views I guess, but I think when you are a star player in a team being paid a truckload of money you should be a grownup and be willing to do whatever the team asks if you and do it happily. If not for the management, for your fellow teammates. As far as I'm concerned, Devers pissed all over himself with his whining about moving positions and ruling out helping out at first when Casas went down. Embarrassing behavior for the supposed team leader, imho.

That said, if Devers rakes year after year and Sox don't reinvest in some quality marquee players I will be pissed.

[Dr. Medulla]

I'm seeing a lot of negative reaction to the trade and I don't totally get it. I mean, yeah, if the Sox just pocket the savings to increase shareholder value I'll be mad but they've actually been spending recently. I gotta think part of this is they have something agreed in principle with Bregman to keep him around. Also, and this many be one of my few anti-labor views I guess, but I think when you are a star player in a team being paid a truckload of money you should be a grownup and be willing to do whatever the team asks if you and do it happily. If not for the management, for your fellow teammates. As far as I'm concerned, Devers pissed all over himself with his whining about moving positions and ruling out helping out at first when Casas went down. Embarrassing behavior for the supposed team leader, imho.

That said, if Devers rakes year after year and Sox don't reinvest in some quality marquee players I will be pissed.

That's a big thing for me. If you accept a team leader kind of contract, you do those kinds of things. Jeter was rightly criticized for being selfish when he wouldn't cede his position to the superior ARod. Devers whined about becoming DH when Bregman was signed (and, note, Bregman even said he'd play 2B if that's what the team wanted) and then publicly shit on management when asked to play 1B after Casas went down. Sox fans don't get to snicker at Jeter and give Devers a pass on that. Compare that with, say, Harper, who switched to 1B after his elbow injury so he could keep playing, and he hasn't moved back. Altuve's moved from 2B to the OF. Mookie's played all over the place. Vladdy went from 3B to 1B. All those guys are exceptional and willing to be flexible for the team. Especially when you're supposed to be a team leader. So I'm not sure that's an anti-labour position. He's putting himself above his teammates and the team goals.

If I'd criticize this trade—assuming there is a plan to shift his money into labour and not another condor egg omelet for John Henry—it's that it wasn't done at the deadline when a better return might be had. Perhaps it means a clubhouse cancer situation, maybe it was Henry being petulant, maybe it was just about getting spots available in the line-up now to make sure the new kids are playing. But it doesn't seem like the return is all that impressive, so the prize is something more intangible.

I took a look at SoSH and, wow, that place has gone downhill in a hurry. I don't look it often anymore because my fandom has become more casual (relatively speaking) and the negativity and entitlement there became a drain. The posts about this trade are in the realm of sports radio caller. It seems like game thread-quality posts.

[revbob]

Stanton makes his 2025 debut tonight.

Anyone interested in a pool to see how long until he hots the DL again?

[Dr. Medulla]

Stanton makes his 2025 debut tonight.

Anyone interested in a pool to see how long until he hots the DL again?

Before the ASB. Just looked it up: He's hit 162 homers as a Yankee in 7 seasons. Which isn't bad but even with all of the money the Marlins are kicking in, that's still a disappointment. Can only wonder what might have been if he'd stayed in Florida.

[Dr. Medulla]

Papi with the facts of life of pro sports: Nobody is bigger than the team.

https://www.si.com/mlb/david-ortiz-shar ... ael-devers

Thinking about this a bit more, for all the ripping of Red Sox ownership—a fair amount of it deserved, to be clear—I do have some respect that they don't let talk radio or the like inhibit their actions. (Tho, ironically, I suspect the big extension they gave Devers a few years ago was driven by rounds of bad publicity.) It's no way to run a team if you're worried about negative headlines and Sully from Roxbury calling into Jack and the Jock. I think back again to Jeter refusing to cede SS to ARod in 2004. The team caved, I'm sure, because of fears over media and fan reaction. Steinbrenner especially hated being ripped in the papers. But I don't think there's any question the team would have been better with the best SS in the AL at that point playing SS. Does that cost them a championship in 2004 or the next several years? Maybe, especially as Jeter's range got narrower and narrower. I may question personnel choices on the Red Sox, but I'd rather those in charge make those decisions without worrying about whether I'll be angry about it or not.

[Flex]

Papi with the facts of life of pro sports: Nobody is bigger than the team.

https://www.si.com/mlb/david-ortiz-shar ... ael-devers

Thinking about this a bit more, for all the ripping of Red Sox ownership—a fair amount of it deserved, to be clear—I do have some respect that they don't let talk radio or the like inhibit their actions. (Tho, ironically, I suspect the big extension they gave Devers a few years ago was driven by rounds of bad publicity.) It's no way to run a team if you're worried about negative headlines and Sully from Roxbury calling into Jack and the Jock. I think back again to Jeter refusing to cede SS to ARod in 2004. The team caved, I'm sure, because of fears over media and fan reaction. Steinbrenner especially hated being ripped in the papers. But I don't think there's any question the team would have been better with the best SS in the AL at that point playing SS. Does that cost them a championship in 2004 or the next several years? Maybe, especially as Jeter's range got narrower and narrower. I may question personnel choices on the Red Sox, but I'd rather those in charge make those decisions without worrying about whether I'll be angry about it or not.

It's especially funny because the same fans (rightfully!) rightfully venerate the Bellichick philosophy of not caring about the media and trading a year too early instead of too late, etc. I think there should be more room for romance in baseball than the bloodthirsty pursuit of dominance that it football, but I mean, the style is basically a correct one for running a major league sports team.

Papi is spot on. And I think Devers would still be here if he had been willing to even try to help at first base after Casas went down. But he wanted to be larger than the team. And, frankly, he's not elite enough for that to work.

I loved Devers, and I supported his extension. I thought he could still work on some of his footwork at third and provide defensive value to go along with his killer offensive numbers. But for whatever reason, he continued to decline defensively and basically worked himself out of a job by this season. And then he wouldn't try to get back to the infield when the team needed him. And that was that. The rest is window dressing.

[Dr. Medulla]

It's especially funny because the same fans (rightfully!) rightfully venerate the Bellichick philosophy of not caring about the media and trading a year too early instead of too late, etc. I think there should be more room for romance in baseball than the bloodthirsty pursuit of dominance that it football, but I mean, the style is basically a correct one for running a major league sports team.

I agree very much about the romance angle. I've said over and over the past decade or so that I now want to like the players on the team more than winning (that is, winning at any cost). I just like cheering for players I like. I understand but hate the bottom-line management of a baseball team because it cuts into my desire to like the players. But it also means that I want players to care about the team than their contract or stats and all that. Again, I understand why they're like that, but I like guys who seem to want to be there and will do whatever they can to make the team better. Mookie is crazy talented, but that guy also brings real joy to his game and has shown he'll play anywhere that the team needs him. It makes it really easy to love Mookie, even playing for the Dodgers. I have a feeling Judge is the same way, that when the time comes he'll switch to first or DH without much fuss.

[Flex]

I laughed:

[Dr. Medulla]

I laughed:
1750208531097.jpeg

*snort*
(It also didn't happen.)

[Flex]

Devers announcing he'll be playing first base for the Giants is some nuclear grade pettiness that I can only tip my hat to, in a way. Removes some of the sadness I felt for him leaving town, tho.

[Dr. Medulla]

Devers announcing he'll be playing first base for the Giants is some nuclear grade pettiness that I can only tip my hat to, in a way. Removes some of the sadness I felt for him leaving town, tho.

Quite the clear signal that he wasn't about to do anything and everything for his team and teammates in Boston. Whatever his issues with the front office, he wouldn't separate them from his teammates. All in all, it helps confirm that he's not a very mature guy. Unless the rest of the team also hates Breslow et al, I expect it'll free them up to dish to reporters.

[revbob]

Gary Sanchez is still in MLB.