Over the Monster: All Posts by Dan SecatoreBut Can He Pitch?https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/32934/otm-fv.jpg2024-03-28T06:53:26-04:00https://www.overthemonster.com/authors/dan-secatore/rss2024-03-28T06:53:26-04:002024-03-28T06:53:26-04:00How the Red Sox Finished In Last Place in 2024
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<figcaption>Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>On Opening Day, we peek into a future that is dark and full of terrors. </p> <p id="5vUdwl">Cooper Criswell didn’t ask for this. </p>
<p id="r4wVha">In fact, he said exactly that, way back during that now infamous press conference following the home opener. “Hey, I didn’t ask for this,” the embattled hurler said after giving up six first inning runs as the replacement for Garrett Whitlock, who’d injured himself while high-fiving Connor Wong at the conclusion of his complete game shutout against the Mariners the week before. “Do you think I signed up to start the home opener for the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a>? Come on, man, I’m Cooper Freaking Criswell! Do I look like Jordon Montgomery? Or Blake Snell? Or Aaron Nola? Or Eduardo Rodriguez? Or Sonny Gray? Or Marcus Stroman? Or Shota Imanaga? Or that guy whose name I forgot who got busted for gambling?”</p>
<p id="1nq858">Twenty minutes later, after he’d finally finished reading off the list of unsigned free agent pitchers he’d written on both palms, both forearms, and the upper half of his left abdomen, the narrative of the season had been set: 2024 was the year of Cooper Criswell. </p>
<p id="3n7YLM">It’s not fair. But then again baseball rarely is. </p>
<p id="gfZ3H1">What is fair, though, is that a team that began an offseason with an acknowledged fatal flaw — only to subsequently bring in exactly zero players from outside the organization to address that flaw — finished in last place. Again. So here we are. The 2023 Red Sox finished in last place because they didn’t have enough quality starting pitching. The 2024 version. . . yeah, you already know. Cooper Criswell. </p>
<p id="AWkiWd">It wasn’t all bad, though, was it? Triston Casas officially became a star, hitting 38 homers, improving his defense, and making his first All-Star team. The fact that he achieved all of this while serving as a part-time lifeguard at the M Street Beach in Southie (“I find that the tactile experience of delivering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation really helps to center my body, be present in the moment, and lay off 0-2 sliders.”) was even more impressive. Here’s hoping that offseason contract extension talks go well, though Craig Breslow probably doesn’t feel great about the fact that, in the midst of his three-homer game against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, on-field mics picked up Casas shouting “that’s another fifty mil!” while rubbing the fingers of one hand together and using his other hand to draw up architectural plans for an in-home spa with thermal baths made of melted-down Krugerrands. </p>
<p id="SZkg9b">Vaughn Grissom flashed some promise in between three different stints on the IL. Masataka Yoshida recovered from his fatigued rookie season to prove to be a perfectly cromulent DH. And Tyler O’Neill finished in third place at the 67th annual Mr. New England competition at Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. Go, Tyler!</p>
<aside id="X1UIXs"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"How The Red Sox Won The AL East In 2024 ","url":"https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/28/24113123/how-the-red-sox-won-the-al-east-in-2024-mlb-opening-day"},{"title":"The OTM Staff Predicts the 2024 Red Sox Season","url":"https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/28/24112358/the-otm-staff-predicts-the-2024-red-sox-season-mlb-opening-day"}]}'></div></aside><p id="XPB3ci">And look: even the pitching had its moments. Whitlock logged six different starts of seven innings or more. Kutter Crawford quietly put up one of the 10 lowest ERAs in the American League in the second half. And Nick Pivetta had a six-week stretch in which he never allowed more than two earned runs in a game while averaging nine strikeouts per start (that’s right: I said per start, not per nine innings pitched). Was it Pivetta’s fault that he proceeded to give up 13 homers in his next five games games, leading to his demotion to the bullpen, or was it our fault for somehow believing that 2024 would be different than every other year of his career? </p>
<p id="NbLCNA">By the time the trade deadline rolled around, there was no question whether the Red Sox would be buyers or sellers. The bullpen games, the late-inning baserunning blunders, and, yes, all those Cooper Criswell starts made Craig Breslow’s decision easy. <em>So long, Kenley, Chris, Jarren, and Tyler. Welcome, plethora of single-A lottery tickets all named Jackson and Walker. </em></p>
<p id="LDtrIJ">Maybe 2025 will be different. Tom Werner has already indicated that it might be, when he spoke to the press following the final game of the season and guaranteed that the Sox would sign Roki Sasaki, Juan Soto, and the entire roster of players in the Korean Baseball Organization. </p>
<p id="UhNd4Z">Despite concern from the White House that signing the entire foreign league could lead to tension with an important strategic ally, Werner’s thoughts were later echoed by team President Sam Kennedy. “Anyone who thinks we’re not committed to winning,” sneered Kennedy, “is a liar who doesn’t have the guts to call 877-REDSOX9 and reserve their Aura Pavilion 20-game ticket package for 2025 today.” To sweeten the deal, Kennedy promised new season ticket-holders and additional perk: a framed print of Brayan Bello’s latest MRI imaging, autographed by the only pitcher who was still available, Cooper Criswell. </p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/28/24114162/how-the-red-sox-finished-in-last-place-in-2024-mlb-opening-dayDan Secatore2024-03-28T06:52:13-04:002024-03-28T06:52:13-04:00The OTM Staff Predicts the 2024 Red Sox Season
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<figcaption>Photo by: Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>What will be the story of the next six months? </p> <h3 id="pJOOlW">Record and Finish</h3>
<p id="9LfbtO"><strong>79-83, Fifth Place.</strong></p>
<p id="0lX3cZ">There are plenty of things I like about this team. I believe that Triston Casas will take a leap into stardom in 2024. I think the rotation, while lacking an ace, will pleasantly surprise people with all five guys performing as solid number threes. I think Trevor Story, while no longer capable of playing like he did in Colorado, will hit twenty-five homers and vastly improve the defense. </p>
<p id="3rH64X">And still, I think this team has no chance of making the postseason. There’s no pitching depth to help them weather the inevitable injuries. There aren’t enough consistent hitters in the lineup. The bullpen could slump after proving to be the most effective part of the team last season (relying on two guys who are 36 and 37 to be your top two relievers is asking for trouble). And it’s hard to envision any scenario in which Craig Breslow doesn’t further weaken the MLB roster by selling at the trade deadline.</p>
<p id="eQdmDR">This is the era of meh. </p>
<p id="Miwn8J"><em>— Dan Secatore</em></p>
<p id="Dv8Z12"></p>
<p id="uJeyLr"><strong>83-79, Fourth Place</strong></p>
<p id="zlHQDP">There’s plenty to like about this <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> roster even if it is a similar group to last season. The season’s success will likely be defined by how well the pitching holds up. If the rotation can stay healthy, and that’s a big if, I could the team earning a wild card. Although the names on the staff are familiar, they’re each a year older, more experienced, and have a new, well-respected pitching coach to help them become the best versions of themselves. Defensively, full seasons of Trevor Story and Ceddane Rafaela should greatly improve the defense, and the offense still has formidable batss. </p>
<p id="mmrT38">Last season, the Red Sox were in the mix until around the trade deadline. They stood pat and the wheels promptly fell off. If they were to find themselves in a similar spot, Craig Breslow may have a hard time not supplementing his roster. In any case, I don’t deadline moves to take the team over the top, but they could be enough to add a few wins to last year’s total. </p>
<p id="8rjvnT"><em>— Jacob Roy</em></p>
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<p id="aYDDPL"><strong>83-79, Fifth Place</strong></p>
<p id="Dcuelp">In 2001 the Red Sox went 82-79 and finished in 2nd place in the AL East. In 2002 they would win 93 games. In 2003 they would set up the dynasty and in 2004, of course, break the curse. There is no Manny Ramirez on this team but Rafael Devers and Triston Casas are going to do their darnedest. There is no Pedro Martinez on this team but Brayan Bello will do his best to carry the mantle of ace. </p>
<p id="T3LUoc">The Big Three prospects (or some of them) might join the team during the season. Vaughn Grissom could pull himself together and claim a Major League job at second base for half a decade. Trevor Story, healthy, could revitalize shortstop for Boston with defense and offense not really seen together at the position in, well, a while. An outfield of O’Neil, Duran, Rafaela, Abreu, and Yoshida could be solid with the bat and pretty good defensively depending on how much time Yoshi spends on the grass. </p>
<p id="YCM4Pn">A rotation of Bello, Pivetta, Crawford, Houck, and Whitlock has extraordinary error bars. Bello is a developing top-of-the-rotation guy but we don’t know if he hits that ceiling in 2024. Pivetta I truly don’t know what to make of. He was terrible and then brilliant with an opener. If he can open for himself he’s not your ideal number two starter but a guy you want in a rotation. The last three are somehow more volatile than Pivetta. Crawford at time showed he could get through a lineup. Houck had some bright spots before getting hit. And Whitlock, well, can he be Reliever Whitlock for twice the innings? There’s not much on the horizon in terms of pitching prospects. If these guys can’t rack up 5-6 innings and Quality Starts the Sox could lose <em>a lot</em> of games. </p>
<p id="cWF5M4">What’s going right in the division to sneak into fourth place? Well, the Orioles still don’t have a great rotation. The Jays haven’t made a leap and have a lot of questions. The Rays lost their best player to a scandal. And the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> have Cole and Judge question marks. If they don’t give up in August and September again this is probably the best last place team in MLB and going into 2025 like it went into 2002.</p>
<p id="JLM8Hb">-<em>Mike Carlucci</em></p>
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<p id="LCkQXw"><strong>80-82, Fifth Place</strong></p>
<p id="fS6ldl">If we take into account all the wheelings and dealings of Craig Breslow’s first offseason as Chief Baseball Officer, I would have given this team maybe three or four more wins and slid them up into fourth place. Why am I taking these off and putting the Sox right back in the basement? Key injuries…once again. </p>
<p id="XxZ3Wt">Vaughn Grissom’s injury puts a slight damper on the building of an infield core that includes powerhouses in Triston Casas and Rafael Devers, and a hopefully healthy Trevor Story. Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes will fill in well, but it’s not exactly what Sox fans would have hoped for. The REAL bane is losing Lucas Giolito for the season. Was the only starting pitcher Breslow picked up a flashy signing? Not in the least bit. But was he ready to become the reclamation project that ate innings and saved an extremely taxed bullpen last year? Abso-freaking-lutely he was. And now, we’re back to last year. </p>
<p id="ZTKJxo">Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta are going to be charged with actually being good, the former taking another massive leap in his development into an ace and the latter regaining his 2021 Super Saiyan form. We witness another season of the game “Are Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock starters or relievers!” and at the moment, both are starters. Kutter Crawford rounds out this group, which is…fine? I do inherently think the offense and defense will take a step forward this season, but once again, pitching is this team’s weak spot. Can they be better with Andrew Bailey and the Run Prevention Unit leading the way? Yes, and I expect them to be with a much more impressive approach to working with the arms on this squad than the last few seasons. But that can only take you so far, and with a ceiling of talent that isn’t high within the rotation and bullpen personnel (save a few players), it can’t take them far enough. </p>
<p id="SWzlmO">Another offseason of begging FSG to spend money comes up short and the end result is a slightly better but not nearly good enough team, none of which the fans deserve.</p>
<p id="TC3RES"><em>— Jake Reiser </em></p>
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<p id="66EtVi"><strong>72-90, Fifth Place</strong></p>
<p id="e9wVEc">Pessimist here. I’m going to keep this as short and sweet as I can knowing that I will be talking ad nauseam on a daily basis about the offseason’s shortcomings and the implications that has on organizational depth, the players’ effort, the fan’s engagement in the season and the team at large, and, obviously, team performance. </p>
<p id="DLRcLk">Despite quips from front office — yes, including those two words I won’t say in this article, but words Mike Carlucci says later on — this was supposed to be the offseason of improvement. And, yet, perhaps objectively, this team is worse than they were on the last day of the 2023 season — and no more improved on a standpoint of spending money to ensure the roster doesn’t have to absorb the injuries that surely happen. Matt Gross wrote a few weeks ago about the team needing to decrease their <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/18/24096900/the-red-sox-must-reduce-their-proximity-to-the-tension-point-yankees-american-league-east-playoffs">proximity to the tension point</a>; the same can be said in decreasing the roster from a point of trotting a Triple-A team out to the most expensive ballpark to watch a baseball game. And all this on a season that we’re celebrating the anniversary of a momentous occasion of the team... this same owner... having that great combination of likable guys who played ball well and invested in both the present and the future to remain a constant contender. This is a team of half-measures in messaging, in practice, in performance, in acquisition, you name it. That’s all for this sour grapes session; apologies for what’s almost guaranteed to be more grapes to go around for the rest of 2024. At least we get to sit back knowing this team is going nowhere and measure some pieces that could be tangibly valuable to future, better performing, teams. Unless they want to be paid money anytime soon, that is.</p>
<p id="vAy9tP"><em>– Dean Roussel</em></p>
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<p id="h7oYUv"><strong>83-79, Fourth Place</strong></p>
<p id="eja1QP">Listen, the best thing I can say about this version of the Red Sox is that I don’t feel the crushing weight of disappointment before the season even starts. Yes, I wish they did more in the offseason but at least what they did do, they did with purpose and seemingly, a plan. A plan isn’t much but it’s more than we’ve had in years. It was refreshing to watch Breslow operate in the manner that you would expect a sober CBO to act even if that aforesaid person was hampered by an ownership that doesn’t have any interest in winning. </p>
<p id="hp5wTT">I’m genuinely excited about Ceddanne Rafaela and his 80 grade defense in center field. I think watching Devers and Casas hit moon shots will make me smile. Even the little things like the new names in the bullpen or seeing Bello continue to mature have me excited for spring. Maybe I’m just a sicko who spends way too much time looking at the Red Sox Roster Resource page — guilty as charged. I’m also wildly optimistic because I don’t have them finishing last. Spring is here, baseball is here, Bloom is gone, and now I can breathe easy no matter what happens. </p>
<p id="VqXnXR"><em>–Jake Devereaux</em></p>
<p id="VtT6bl"></p>
<p id="pDZMHn">I’m going to do this backwards: <strong>The Red Sox will NOT finish between 75 and 84 wins</strong></p>
<p id="TVJLa5">Last year, the Red Sox did something pretty unusual. They went the entire season without ever getting ten or more games above or below .500. They were wildly mediocre. An incomplete construction zone of a roster. This year, the dam is going to break in either direction. </p>
<p id="vQNZxP">By most accounts, the Sox had a very good spring down in Florida, which means one of two things. </p>
<p id="jraQKP">1) Everything; or </p>
<p id="lB227j">2) Absolutely nothing</p>
<p id="V2Y5vy">Either the best acquisition the team made this winter was Andrew Bailey, and he’s a pitching whisperer, and the entire staff is going to get better, or they’re going to quickly run out of depth and melt in the summer heat. Either the team will check out early after ownership didn’t add much of anything this winter and Alex Cora will have one foot out the door by August, or the guys in the room will galvanize around each other, use it as a rallying cry, and come out extra motivated to get off to a hot start and show people they’re worthy of attention. </p>
<p id="cN2laQ">Whichever direction the table starts to tilt in the first couple of months is going to create a feedback loop. Four months from now, the Sox could have a sneaky impressive roster of guys who have learned to punch above their weight via a combination of career years, young guys blossoming, and good health. They will be one of those teams who grind out at-bats, get production from a new guy every night, and win in different ways. Or, four months from now they will be a complete disaster going down in flames with guys quitting after looking around at the room and seeing a total lack of depth. They will have embarrassingly anonymous names starting in August and September just to fill out the slate, and they will be on their way to their seventh last place finish in 13 years. </p>
<p id="R0ePHv">There are enough high variance guys on this roster for things to deviate substantially off script. I just don’t know which direction the pot is going to tilt just yet. </p>
<p id="vmj9uZ"><em>-Matthew Gross</em></p>
<p id="Z4ZadR"></p>
<p id="IQ3vEk"><strong>80-82, Fifth Place</strong></p>
<p id="rqxOsu">As an Aries, I’m a sucker for spring. I love the daffodils, the budding trees, the way you can feel the sun warming, my birthday coming up, and—generally—the optimism of a new baseball season. I want so bad to be optimistic, but this isn’t our year. Craig Breslow & Co. made one decent effort to improve our disgustingly porous infield, and that was to get Vaughn Grissom. Despite starting the year on the IL, I do have hope for him and believe he’s a real upgrade over that merry-go-round we fielded for way too long. Breslow has made other incremental improvements around the margins, some of which have already been negated by injuries. And then there’s pitching. No, it’s not his fault that the Ulnar Collateral Ligment Fairy paid a nighttime visit to Lucas Giolito. But it is his and FSG’s fault that they didn’t acquire depth to mitigate and ride out inevitable stints on the IL. It is also their fault that they didn’t make a move to formulate a true Plan B once this particular injury occurred. No matter how gritty and/or lucky our collection of players might prove to be, there’s no outplaying this kind of leadership. Or lack thereof.</p>
<p id="LvqJDw"><em>— Maura McGurk</em></p>
<p id="0uxl6N"></p>
<p id="6VxF2N"><strong>79-83, Fifth Place</strong></p>
<p id="Pv65HR">An improvement on last year! Sure, there are paths to success with this Red Sox team and I won’t rule anything out (other than the strange helium that this team is a sneaky pick for worst overall MLB record), but they had to thread the needle of highest percentile outcomes in so many places, even before Lucas Giolito was ruled out for the season. Trevor Story and Tyler O’Neill have each had TWO down years in a row, Vaughn Grissom is already injured, Triston Casas has been injured three times in the past two years, Jarren Duran has had a strong half-season in his career, Ceddanne Rafaela is a rookie, Masataka Yoshida hit a wall in the second half. Can nearly all of these players reach their potential? And that’s not even bringing up Craig Breslow saying in December that he has been “pretty outspoken, pretty vocal about the need for us to improve starting pitching” and then somehow enters the season with one <em>fewer</em> starting pitcher than they had a year ago, and a closer whose back is already an issue. </p>
<p id="yVxEIh">Too many things have to go right and with a pitching staff that has very few workhorses, I fear that the Red Sox will be dipping into their 7<sup>th</sup>, 8<sup>th</sup>, and 9<sup>th</sup> starters far earlier than we would hope this season and we’ve seen that movie before. </p>
<p id="jTS7F0"><em>— Bob Osgood</em></p>
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<h3 id="N6YE0t">Who will have the most pleasantly surprising season?</h3>
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<cite>Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="ZNnwjs"><strong>Nick Pivetta.</strong></p>
<p id="7SSMR2">Forget my doubts above. He’s the (after Bello) ace.</p>
<p id="sjQP0h">-<em>Mike Carlucci</em></p>
<p id="Xw3K1c"><strong>Tyler O’Neill.</strong></p>
<p id="0XDDv8">This was a move that impressed me from CB and company. As always lately, this is contingent on O’Neill staying healthy, but if he can regain his form, I can see this working out as well as the peak of Hunter Renfroe when he was in Boston: a power RH bat with strong defense and a cannon of an arm in right field. </p>
<p id="X1M5Hp"><em>— Jake Reiser</em></p>
<p id="Y7TzPS"><strong>Garrett Whitlock</strong></p>
<p id="Fi6cvc">When Garrett Whitlock broke onto the scene in 2021, he looked to me like a guy who had some down-ballot Cy Young votes in his future. Obviously that future has yet to come to pass, but in Texas two nights ago, he looked even nastier than his 2021 self. I think there’s a very good chance that, under Bailey and Breslow, he can be the team’s best pitcher this year.</p>
<p id="j0l312"><em>— Dan Secatore</em></p>
<p id="feWsWy"><strong>Kutter Crawford</strong></p>
<p id="YDJcmh">Because he’s got to, right? All the analytics are pointing in his favor. His prominent — and solidified — spot in the rotation, however weak the rotation is, is pointing in his favor. He’s getting guys <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/kutter-crawford-676710?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb">to chase</a>, he’s striking guys out fairly well, and he’s going to have an increased role in this year’s rotation to put that on full display. If Kutter Crawford falls too short of early projections of having a breakout season, this team will be much worse than we can even anticipate. Full stop. </p>
<p id="WgWO2I"><em>– Dean Roussel</em></p>
<p id="pQ9xlq"><strong>Garrett Whitlock</strong></p>
<p id="93Kt5R">I’m quadrupling down on this take. Garrett Whitlock <em>will</em> succeed as a starting pitcher this year. For the first time since 2021, he’s not battling an injury going into the season. He also appears to have made the change I’ve been begging for tweaking his sinker to add more drop, similar to his 2021 version of the pitch. He’s always been a strike thrower; if he can use his sinker and cutter to suppress hard contact, he’ll be able to get deep into games routinely. If he remains healthy, Whitlock can develop into a top starter in the American League. </p>
<p id="crPZNr"><em>— Jacob Roy</em></p>
<p id="jtBw52"><strong>Vaughn Grissom</strong></p>
<p id="hCo57m">After being sidelined for a short while while recovering from a strained groin, Vaughn Grissom is going to win a lot of Sox fans over. Second base has been a revolving door of mediocrity since Dustin Pedroia’s health took a turn for the worse and he was forced to call it quits. In Grissom we have a guy who will maintain a high batting average, make a ton of contact, and play the game with an edge. Even if Chris Sale pitches incredibly this season for Atlanta, we will all be happy with the fact that Grissom is the future at the keystone. </p>
<p id="0O5O3z"><em>–Jake Devereaux</em></p>
<p id="qnQNfG"><strong>Trevor Story</strong></p>
<p id="0ko89T">People are about to find out how many different ways Story can impact a game when he’s right. Power, defense, baserunning, leadership. It’s an absolute joy to watch when it all comes together! Get a full season of good health out of him and he will come back with MVP votes. Oh, and if this happens with the team anywhere close to playoff contention, it will go to another level because in that scenario his wide array of weapons will start netting the Sox wins in a variety of different meaningful ballgames. </p>
<p id="vStINj"><em>-Matthew Gross</em></p>
<p id="fmpSwR"><strong>Vaughn Grissom</strong></p>
<p id="pQKzEv">I’m in agreement with Jake Devereaux here. I think Vaughn Grissom will be a breath of fresh air in the infield. I mean, certainly nothing could be worse than the revolving door we fielded at second for so long, could it? [Murphy’s Law, do not strike me down!] Post-IL, I foresee him settling comfortably into a smooth role in the field. He has the oh-so-professional Trevor Story as a model, and the confidence that must come from knowing that he’s a far better defender than the two remaining infielders (at least for now; Triston Casas still has the time and temperament to grow in the field). And also? I know that Chris Sale has had a very fine spring, but I’m thankful to Vaughn Grissom for removing this scarecrow from around our necks.</p>
<p id="6AmmdA"><em>— Maura McGurk</em></p>
<p id="XSfv31"><strong>Jarren Duran</strong></p>
<p id="MkKaGb">The tone in which everyone is talking about Jarren Duran entering this season, you would think that he had only one hot month to end 2023 and we shall see if he can carry it forward to 2024. In reality, from the day that Duran got called up last season, he hit the ground running and didn’t stop until a slow two-week stretch in August before his season ended due to a toe injury. In the 88 games that Duran played (72 starts) from April 17<sup>th</sup> through August 4<sup>th</sup>, Duran slashed .317/.367/.522 with 32 doubles, 8 home runs, a 23-for-25 success rate stealing bases, and a 137 wRC+. I’m not sure how much more you could ask for. He seems like he finally has gained the trust of Alex Cora and will be hitting leadoff to start the season. I’m expecting Duran to continue to run wild on the bases with the new rules and be an integral part of this Sox lineup all season long. </p>
<p id="iLbp73"><em>— Bob Osgood</em></p>
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<h3 id="HgKX71">Who will have the most disappointing season? </h3>
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<cite>Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="l1ZElN"><strong>Jarren Duran. </strong></p>
<p id="lz7l8H">Sorry, Bob, but BABIP don’t lie.</p>
<p id="G2c9wt"><em> — Dan Secatore</em></p>
<p id="sxTdBb"><strong>Connor Wong.</strong></p>
<p id="z4VA5z">I like Connor Wong. And this is in no way saying he’s not the best option they have. He’s a fine player and can hold down catcher on <em>this</em> team but he’s a low-average, low-OBP hitter who can control the running game and likely is what he is at this point. </p>
<p id="FuObWj">-<em>Mike Carlucci</em></p>
<p id="InoHQB"><strong>Connor Wong.</strong></p>
<p id="xgJoDR">Hard not to agree with Mike, here. Combine that with what looked like a strong spring from Reese McGuire and now Kyle Teel breathing down his neck from the minors, it’s hard not to see Wong as the odd man out behind the dish…and maybe sooner rather than later.</p>
<p id="qmopU6"><em>— Jake Reiser</em></p>
<p id="GPojS5"><strong>Rafael Devers.</strong></p>
<p id="I4x7km">Put your pitchforks down. I do not believe Rafael Devers will have a bad season by any means. But disappointment is subjective, and as Maura McGurk <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/15/24101548/red-sox-preview-things-were-terrified-of-in-2024-rafael-devers-sub-4-war-seasons-becoming-a-trend">pointed out a few weeks ago</a>, these sub-4-WAR seasons, thanks to uninspired defensive play, are becoming a trend unbecoming of someone you have under contract for another decade, as well as someone you have penciled in as the face of the franchise for these years. I’m glad to be proven wrong but if I’m not, and Devers leads the AL in errors by a third baseman for a seventh consecutive season, I’d be just as happy about the front office coming together to optimize Devers’ presence in the locker room and many strengths at the plate to utilize his services better.</p>
<p id="gYE77I"><em>– Dean Roussel</em></p>
<p id="SP2Khu"><strong>Nick Pivetta</strong></p>
<p id="8hsXXm">Stuff+ be damned. I know who Nick Pivetta is. I don’t really care how good he was in the second half last year or what he may have figured out after being demoted to the bullpen. At 31 years old I have more than enough evidence to tell me that this dog won’t hunt. Pivetta’s career ERA over 883.2 innings pitched is 4.86. If this isn’t enough to remind you why he was kicked out of the 2023 Red Sox rotation then you have bigger things than Pivetta’s pitching acumen to worry about. Many have been fooled by Pivetta before, not me. I know who he is. </p>
<p id="lg9rZW"><em> –Jake Devereaux</em></p>
<p id="XyZRtQ"><strong>Rafael Devers</strong></p>
<p id="4KjVLG">He’ll have another good, but not truly great, year at the plate, but his errors will again haunt us all. You might ask, if a player is typically below average, can it really be considered a disappointment if he continues to perform at that sub-par level? I will reply that, usually when a player sets a record it’s cause for celebration, but I predict Devers will break his own record of six consecutive years leading AL third basemen in errors—and I won’t be happy about it.</p>
<p id="TBk1NI"><em>— Maura McGurk</em></p>
<p id="72mzJO"><strong>Kenley Jansen</strong></p>
<p id="4LqteT">Jansen started camp very slowly with a balky back and got the “we’re running out of days for him to be ready” tag from Alex Cora last week. He seems to be getting the requisite amount of work in to be on the Opening Day roster but how “ready” will he truly be? Jansen, understandably, was vocal about ownership not giving this roster the help that they expected in the offseason, and as a pitcher who has been on perennial playoff teams for his entire career, how is he going to feel in June if this team underperforms for both years of his contract with the Red Sox? He’s also <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/18/sports/red-sox-pitching-injuries/?p1=StaffPage">voiced his displeasure</a> this spring in regards to additional shortening of the pitch clock entering 2024. I wrote early in the offseason that it <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/1/11/24034553/dont-trade-kenley-jansen-red-sox-rumors">would be a mistake</a> to trade the 36-year-old Kenley Jansen to fill other holes on the team but now seeing the finished product of this roster entering the season, I may have jumped the gun. </p>
<p id="NvwQno">—<em> Bob Osgood</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="1gnHxQ">
<h3 id="20p8qd">Amongst the newcomers, whose City Connect jersey will we see the most around Fenway by Labor Day? </h3>
<ul>
<li id="gHLjrO"><strong>Ceddanne Rafaela</strong></li>
<li id="ks3y5n"><strong>Vaughn Grissom</strong></li>
<li id="uq3vo6"><strong>Tyler O’Neill </strong></li>
<li id="UaFyOM"><strong>Isaiah Campbell</strong></li>
<li id="OcXFjO"><strong>Wilyer Abreu</strong></li>
<li id="wCr7A4"><strong>Wow, that’s really it for newcomers, huh? Umm, ok, how about Trevor Story? He’s still kind of new.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p id="9VXGke"><strong>Rafaela</strong> is the easy choice here. And I’m taking the easy choice. If all these guys have a good April-July he’s the most dynamic and has the most impressive variety of skills.</p>
<p id="RivEyC">-<em>Mike Carlucci</em></p>
<p id="ixZmgK">Give me <strong>Abreu</strong> if not Rafaela. His swing is something to behold and I think he can become a fan favorite deeper down the lineup.</p>
<p id="xTvL2r"><em>— Jake Reiser</em></p>
<p id="q1H1tM">Isn’t <strong>Triston Casas</strong> still sort of new? I vote him. There’s two Boston player archetypes that I love, and one now plays outfield for the Yankees. The other one, if even playing on a niche Boston persona, should be a fan favorite here for years to come. </p>
<p id="hvXOIc"><em>– Dean Roussel</em></p>
<p id="Sqqxcb">I don’t know who wrote the list above, but it’s blatant <strong>Cooper Criswell</strong> erasure and I won’t stand for it. </p>
<p id="9PywYF"><em>— Jacob Roy</em></p>
<p id="iBrFjf"><strong>Rafaela</strong> is the right answer here, look, defense is sexy, yellow is sexy, ergo Rafaela is sexy. </p>
<p id="ycJBKF"><em>–Jake Devereaux</em></p>
<p id="DBhEeW"><strong>Rafaela</strong> is the fella who will get people to don the yella.</p>
<p id="42nMtE"><em>-Matthew Gross</em></p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Boston Red Sox v Texas Rangers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H8HVXcgebaaTZFuh35b6RdyJ_xA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25359212/2107853248.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="K0yD5J">If you’re going to make an investment in a jersey, the player should have some flair and some staying power. I have a feeling by the end of April, <strong>Ceddanne Rafaela</strong> will have both of those things in this city after he makes five highlight-reel catches and holds his own offensively. </p>
<p id="dnMp1B"><em> — Bob Osgood</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PtCtYl">
<h3 id="y0uv43">In 10 years, the 2024 Red Sox season will be remembered for. . . </h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Boston Red Sox v Texas Rangers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KJcDDjMLNtAVR74PnQhExjCU9q0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25359213/2105337509.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="b3zYM6"><strong>The Fan Apathy</strong></p>
<p id="OcEys2">For most of my life, being a Red Sox fan has been a tribal marker for New Englanders. Hating the Yankees, singing <em>Sweet Caroline, </em>and carving the Red Sox logo into your pumpkin during the playoffs were totems of personal identity, not mere fandom. Even people who didn’t know a DH from a PhD got swept up in the currents of Red Sox Nation — and it made the team fabulously wealthy. </p>
<p id="cI9Q9P">That dynamic has almost entirely collapsed. This collapse happened slowly, starting with the Mookie trade, and then suddenly over the last few months, as one PR disaster after another accompanied an offseason in which, inexplicably, the team decided to do almost nothing to improve upon last year’s roster. Now, most of my neighbors don’t talk about the Red Sox at all; when they do, it’s often with a measure of befuddlement in their voices, like the team is someone from their past they’ve lost track of. <em>The Red Sox? Oh yeah, I remember them. What happened to those guys? </em></p>
<p id="LDF6mG">It’s depressing, and it will be readily apparent all summer long. There will be swaths of empty seats through the early and late stages of the season; and even in the middle of July and August, the Sox will come up in casual conversation only after all the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a>, Bruins, and Patriots stuff has been exhausted. </p>
<p id="xZQwGj">All we can hope for at this point is that this is the nadir, and not the new normal. </p>
<p id="VByxfb"><em>— Dan Secatore</em></p>
<p id="XmpXTU"></p>
<p id="eIU6CJ"><strong>Lighting the beacons.</strong></p>
<div id="J7ZoYw"><div style="max-width: 1025px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2061%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetyarn.io%2Fyarn-clip%2Ff3876f58-0b25-4d4c-bb3f-3381c83e861f%2Fgif%23Q1sa8eYx.copy&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="ZDOkqL">The Red Sox haven’t had much to be excited about the last few seasons. But they have a few young guys joining the team to start the season. A few top prospects trying to knock on the door. Their first real young pitcher since...Jon Lester? Clay Buchholz? If we take the comments from ownership and the front office at face value (aside from Full Throttle) and the rumors of a big push for Yamamoto then 2024 <em>should</em> be the nadir or the first year of the upswing. That might not show up in the wins and losses depending on the youth movement and the success of that youth. But this team was close to contention the last two years and withheld aid because of a mythical “future.” </p>
<p id="0Wia1o">If Craig Breslow has the freedom to at least keep doing small moves and adding small dollars during the year they might now bottom out again. The pitching is an insane tightrope. But if they can hold on they might just surprise with 80+ wins. Rōki Sasaki is likely to be available this winter. There’s a chance (barely, after passing on all the free agents) to do the right thing in 2024 and not punt. If they do that then this will be looked at as the beginning of the next chapter in Red Sox baseball.</p>
<p id="r3FcdI">-<em>Mike Carlucci</em></p>
<p id="10zPG6"></p>
<p id="1TIwWd"><strong>The vilification of ownership</strong></p>
<p id="tg2Uq2">20 years ago, the thought seems almost unfathomable. Theo Epstein in tow, a new ownership group hungry to change the destiny of a franchise that had been plagued by a curse for 86 god damn long seasons. Truly bolstering the roster with Mark Bellhorn, a young Gabe Kapler, a true closer in Keith Foulke, a star front of the rotation pitcher in Curt Schilling–yes, that feels weird to type in 2024 but it’s facts back then–bringing in Terry Francona (best wishes in retirement, Tito!) to lead a group desperate to become something more than themselves and bring joy back to the city. </p>
<p id="pP2fdB">Today? It ties right back into Dan’s point above. A city KNOWN for being diehard about all its teams is apathetic about the Red Sox, one of its most storied franchises, and it’s all on the shoulders of John Henry and the rest of ownership. The lack of investment — when FSG/Red Bird snatch up other teams like the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com">Liverpool FC</a>, and plans for more —and even the frustration of watching them pour money into at least one of these other clubs (I am a <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> fan, so I’m thankful but conflicted seeing FSG spend a crap-load of money rebuilding the midfield with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szobozlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch), and not spending on your hometown club. Their name is FENWAY Sports Group. Not “White Multimillionaire Sports Owners, Inc.” How the Red Sox aren’t first and foremost a priority, or at least that’s how it feels to me, is just baffling. </p>
<p id="WZLQFV">FSG did bring back Epstein in a larger role, and he will certainly have a hand in the Red Sox once again. Is that going to be enough to open their pockets and bring magic back to America’s Most Beloved Ballpark? Or are we going to watch this team sink lower than they already are and see the reputations of the group of leaders who created a baseball dynasty continue to swirl the drain? One of my favorite movie quotes of all time is <strong>“You either die a hero or you live long enough to become the villain.”</strong> FSG are becoming the villain, but there’s still time to change that: if they’re self-aware enough to recognize that.</p>
<p id="PfuSdy"><em>— Jake Reiser</em></p>
<p id="gcqGkS"></p>
<p id="Wk1T6G"><strong>The year Fenway faithful will not remember, whether by choice or alcohol consumption, unless, of course, you own a bar near the park. You’ll remember this year.</strong></p>
<p id="qtGUnf">I’ve talked all off-season and I’ll talk enough this entire year. I’m just keeping it that simple.</p>
<p id="PgKjhq"><em>— Dean Roussel</em></p>
<p id="GWt1Xb"></p>
<p id="4ossHq"><strong>Finding the next core</strong></p>
<p id="u1hJr8">By the end of 2024 we will know which players will be part of the next <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> team. Over the grind of 162 a player’s strengths and weaknesses get exposed, there is no hiding from the grind. Anyone can have a hot first half like Alex Verdugo did last year or a hot second half like Bobby Dalbec in 2021. What matters is how you play and, just as importantly, how you conduct yourself over 162. </p>
<p id="rViiGj">I can make some guesses about who will pass that test and be riding on the duck boats in the future, but I won’t. I will be watching and taking notes during this season as I decide which players I think the Sox should feel comfortable rolling with in the future. </p>
<p id="auihT6"><em>—Jake Devereaux</em></p>
<p id="gwgTfP"></p>
<p id="UB1YBl"><strong>“Full Throttle” </strong></p>
<p id="ANUn70">It’s the phrase that will define the 2024 Red Sox no matter what happens at this point. Either as a mocking gesture to the gaslighting of fans from ownership, or as a rallying cry to show respect for the roster that somehow went all out, defied the odds, and played their way into contention. </p>
<div id="fQb5AA">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lot of creativity in the stands today <a href="https://t.co/j4yryHsiAn">pic.twitter.com/j4yryHsiAn</a></p>— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/bradfo/status/1769432652837179875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="SCKUkX"><em>-Matthew Gross</em></p>
<p id="YUSm2b"></p>
<p id="xdIOAf"><strong>A half-empty park (except for road teams that travel well)</strong></p>
<p id="orHeiV">2024: The season that the Fenway crowd changed the lyrics from “Sweeeeet Car-o-line” to “Pleeeeease sell-the-team”. </p>
<p id="mwLPYB"><em>— Bob Osgood</em></p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/28/24112358/the-otm-staff-predicts-the-2024-red-sox-season-mlb-opening-dayDan Secatore2024-03-27T13:13:18-04:002024-03-27T13:13:18-04:00Know Thy Enemy: The New York Yankees
<figure>
<img alt="2024 New York Yankees Spring Training" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3AQgumHEgKceRtqnuZ8n2TH0L7I=/0x0:4806x3204/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73236651/2023290654.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Uggggggghhhh.</p> <h3 id="NXsEor">What’s this team’s deal?</h3>
<p id="sqeWZw">You know what this team’s deal is. They are the team you hate. They are the team you will always hate. In the future — long after the MLB owners have replaced the entire season with an AI simulation, thus finally achieving their dream of operating a baseball league without having to pay a single human being to play baseball — you will still hate the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>.</p>
<p id="rzvWAV">And they will deserve it. </p>
<p id="OfwNad">They <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-new-york-logo-origin">stole a logo designed to honor fallen police officers</a>. They implemented a ticket resale policy that is explicitly designed to <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/yankees-coo-lonn-trost-gives-a-snobby-and-elitist-explanation-for-new-ticket-polcities">keep poor people segregated from the wealthy. </a>They erected a monument to an owner who paid private investigators to spy on his own players and was convicted of a felony. They are this<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/all-president-s-yankees-how-trump-s-decadeslong-affair-team-n1057516"> parasite’s favorite team. </a></p>
<p id="dWcXUu">They suck.</p>
<h3 id="46zpAN">How good are they?</h3>
<p id="vzYEdJ">This is where it gets confusing because — even though, as we established above, they suck — they are actually quite good. FanGraphs currently projects them to win a division-leading 87.4 games, while Vegas has them at 91.5 wins — both totals trail only the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> in the American League. This is even accounting for the fact that the man who may currently be the best pitcher on Earth, Gerrit Cole, is a complete question mark right now.</p>
<p id="5QMKFz">Do the computers and the gamblers have it right? To be honest, I’m ill-equipped to answer this question. I am not capable of viewing the Yankees objectively. I <em>always </em>think the Yankees are worse than they turn out to be. I look at their lineup and see nothing but holes; I look at their defense and see nothing special; I look at their rotation and see a litany of future trips down to Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews. </p>
<p id="KLSY5F">So what do the projections see that I don’t? They really, really like the Yankees lineup. FanGraphs expects the Yankees to easily have the most productive outfield in all of baseball, which isn’t surprising given that it includes Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and the guy who was the first half MVP of the 2023 <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>.</p>
<p id="eQu2n9">And while, outside of the outfield, there isn’t really any part of this Yankees team that looks elite, there’s plenty that looks good enough to make the team a winner. The floor for the middle infield combination of Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres sits at league average, with a ceiling that’s in the stars. And guys like Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu should provide veteran stability, if nothing else. If Giancarlo Stanton can bounce back at all, this lineup could be terrifying.</p>
<p id="zJgQ9d">But ultimately, they’ll only go as far as their pitching can take them. That’s where Red Sox fans should have some hope because, without Gerritt Cole, this rotation looks solid, but not scary. Carlos Rodon is a perpetual injury risk, while Nestor Cortes has had just two above-average seasons in his entire career. Clark Schmidt is pretty much the definition of a fourth starter. And while rookie Luis Gil has nasty stuff, he’s less proven than anyone in the Red Sox rotation. If you had to bet on one Yankees starter to be better than league average this year, Marcus Stroman is easily the safest pick; Stroman’s a fine pitcher, but not someone who you would expect to lead a rotation into the postseason. </p>
<h3 id="zrZmaa">Who’s their most likable player?</h3>
<div id="U7jTbW"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2aYBZw9EE6w?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="fUQoSh">This is an incredibly easy question to answer — but, for me at least, the answer sparks an existential crisis. </p>
<p id="55e9aj">I LOVE Juan Soto. His preternaturally advanced approach at the plate makes his at-bats fascinating to watch. He has fun while playing the game and isn’t afraid to celebrate this talents. He deserves to be the face of the game. </p>
<p id="udkFES">And now he has the chance to become just that. A young, charismatic Dominican star will be playing in the capital of the Dominican diaspora, which also just happens to be the capital of the baseball world. If I can remove myself from myself, I would have to conclude that this is a wonderful thing for both Juan Soto and Major League Baseball as a whole. But as a Sox fan — yikes. </p>
<p id="9Qzox5">I don’t know how I’m going to feel the first time I see him mash a majestic homer against the Sox while wearing pinstripes. And I’m scared. </p>
<h3 id="RnWE3g">Who’s their most hatable player? </h3>
<p id="1l3fEW">I hate you, Aaron Judge. I hate that you insisted you were just being super duper sportsmanshippy last year when it was <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/2023/5/15/23724964/things-aaron-judge-was-probably-looking-at-instead-of-cheating-via-stealing-signs-from-blue-jays">obvious you were stealing signs</a>. I hate that the national TV announcers mention that your parents were teachers every single game, as if you’re the league’s only middle class hero while every other player in MLB is the scion of an Eastern European archduke. I hate that you have a gap in your front teeth that you haven’t fixed, as if the idea of vanity is beneath you. I have a gap in my front teeth and I hate it! You think you’re better than me, Aaron Juddge?!?!</p>
<h3 id="2NpMyg">Schedule against the Red Sox</h3>
<p id="UZhZS2">The Sox and Yankees don’t meet until June 14 this year. I’m terrified about what the standings are going to look like before first pitch that night.</p>
<p id="eHQ7fP">June 14-16: Yankees at Red Sox</p>
<p id="hlsLEw">July 5-7: Red Sox at Yankees</p>
<p id="xGaWUT">July 26-28: Yankees at Red Sox</p>
<p id="zuXngw">September 12-15: Red Sox at Yankees</p>
<h3 id="dQTViw">Season Prediction</h3>
<p id="hay2UJ">Maybe I’m Sideshow Bobbing myself and stepping on that rake one more time, but I’m just not buying the Yankees as the AL East champions this year. Not without Gerrit Cole, anyway. I do think, though, that it ends up being a close three-way race between the Jays and Orioles, and that the Yankes nab one of the wild cards. I’ll give them 89 wins. </p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/27/24108770/red-sox-mlb-preview-know-thy-enemy-the-new-york-yankeesDan Secatore2024-03-25T12:49:11-04:002024-03-25T12:49:11-04:00Red Sox News & Links: Triston Casas, Team Remain Far Apart
<figure>
<img alt="2024 Dominican Republic Series - Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZpJTz5VjnRpRKfucZqjbocZzuow=/0x0:5455x3637/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73231754/2099849223.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Plus, a Vaughn Grissom timetable.</p> <p id="G6TjvN">Sounds like we can officially put the Triston Casas extension talks on ice for a while. Both Casas and <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> officials spoke to the media about the ongoing negotiations and it appears that the Sox aren’t particularly close to Casas’s number. The slugger maintains that he loves Boston and wants to be here forever, and seems confident about putting up a big season that he hopes will “give them a better gauge as to what my value might be.” <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2024%2F03%2Fred-soxs-triston-casas-sets-record-straight-amid-extension-talks%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F25%2F24111556%2Fred-sox-news-links-triston-casas-team-remain-far-apart" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Gio Rivera, NESN)</a></p>
<p id="Dsw1ex">Would be nice to get some long term clarity on the right side of the infield after the parade of first and second basemen we’ve witnessed over the last few seasons. But before we know if Vaughn Grissom is a piece for the future, he needs to get on the field. As of now, it’s looking like he’s going to be out for most of April. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/24/sports/red-sox-grissom-builds-up/">(Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="j2HpgK">Of course one month of Vaughn Grissom probably won’t make much of a difference in the grand scheme of the Sox’ season. Particularly when most people around the game are so uninspired by the roster. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2024%2F03%2Fred-soxs-triston-casas-sets-record-straight-amid-extension-talks%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F25%2F24111556%2Fred-sox-news-links-triston-casas-team-remain-far-apart" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="ijnVg6">. . . Which makes sense, given that the Sox officially received a ‘D’ in these offseason grades. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5365090%2F2024%2F03%2F25%2Fmlb-offseason-grades-2024-season%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F25%2F24111556%2Fred-sox-news-links-triston-casas-team-remain-far-apart" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(The Athletic)</a></p>
<p id="ap8FAx">As for Spring Training grades, Alex Cora gave the team a B, and he’s excited about the defense, athleticism, and plate discipline. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/brayan-bello-triston-casas-to-anchor-red-sox-young-core">(Matthew Ritchie, MLB.com)</a></p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/25/24111556/red-sox-news-links-triston-casas-team-remain-far-apartDan Secatore2024-03-21T10:26:23-04:002024-03-21T10:26:23-04:00Red Sox News & Links: The Ohtani Gambling Scandal is Our Fault!
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<img alt="2024 Seoul Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y8ucUMbdwN2PDzexP4w--Ldi-y0=/0x0:5777x3851/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73223077/2100328166.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, Chris Martin continues to make his way back to the mound.</p> <p id="A45O5B">Well, the regular season hasn’t even <em>really </em>started yet, but we already know what the biggest baseball story of 2024 is going to be (off the field, anyway). And while you might not think that the developing scandal surrounding gambling debts linked to Shohei Ohtani and his longtime interpreter/friend/confidant Ippei Mizuhara has anything to do with the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>, you’re wrong! Everything is about the Red Sox all the time! </p>
<p id="X1YDKO">After attending college in the US, Ippei actually got his first interpreting gig back in 2010, when he served as the interpreter for Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima. Three years later, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters hired him to interpret for yet another Red Sox reliever, Cy Young vote-getter Chris Martin. It was at that point that he met a hot shot Fighters rookie named Shohei Ohtani. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-03-20/gambling-story">(LA Times)</a> </p>
<p id="0txKxp">I’ll let one of the meme kings of the Pod on Lansdowne crew take it from here: </p>
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<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/vqAgEe9ZZ0">https://t.co/vqAgEe9ZZ0</a> <a href="https://t.co/bwM4M1qV87">pic.twitter.com/bwM4M1qV87</a></p>— Liam Fennessy (@LiamFennessy_) <a href="https://twitter.com/LiamFennessy_/status/1770639805530935701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2024</a>
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<p id="KL9oMe">And guess what: that’s not the only news we have from the crime blotter today! There’s been a new arrest in the David Ortiz shooting case. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/20/metro/arrest-venezuela-woman-david-ortiz-shooting/">(Tanya Alanez, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="71FBPf">One more thing from the unsavory characters desk: Curt Schilling will NOT be in attendance for the celebration of the 2004 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> team on Opening Day at Fenway. Tax-payers of Rhode Island rejoice (along with a lot of other people). <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/20/sports/curt-schilling-2004-red-sox-anniversary/">(Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="BrNRmD">
<p id="40gx57">In actual baseball news, Chis Martin is progressing from the groin tightness that has so far stalled his spring. He’s even showing impressive velocity gains. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-vet-hits-95-96-mph-cant-recall-last-time-reaching-that-velo-in-st.html">(Christopher Smith, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="lwnhbh">Meanwhile, Garrett Whitlock pitched a weird <em>is this really a game?</em> game on a backfield against Twins minor leaguers yesterday and reportedly dominated the lineup while showing off his tweaked arsenal. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/20/sports/red-sox-garrett-whitlock/">(Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="tT332F">But it won’t be Whitlock who starts on Opening Day in Seattle. That honor is officially being handed to Brayan Bello, who will be the youngest Red Sox pitcher to start the opener since Aaron Sele. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/alex-cora-names-red-sox-opening-day-starter-youngest-to-do-it-29-years.html">(Christopher Smith, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="QSClgx">Jarren Duran will likely be starting on Opening Day as well, and some are looking to him to be the team’s secret weapon this year. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5317736%2F2024%2F03%2F19%2Fred-sox-jarren-duran-breakout-kyle-hudson%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F21%2F24107548%2Fred-sox-news-links-the-shohei-ohtani-gambling-scandal-is-our-fault-ippei-mizuhara-curt-schilling" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)</a></p>
<p id="93Fmmo">Triston Casas isn’t much of a secret, but we’re all hoping he will be a weapon. We’re also hoping he’ll be in Boston for a very long time, but he gave yet another update on contract talks and it doesn’t look like an extension is coming any time soon. <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/triston-casas-talks-approach-to-contract-extension-talks">(Rob Bradford, WEEI)</a></p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/21/24107548/red-sox-news-links-the-shohei-ohtani-gambling-scandal-is-our-fault-ippei-mizuhara-curt-schillingDan Secatore2024-03-19T10:14:04-04:002024-03-19T10:14:04-04:00The Spring of Ceddanne
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<img alt="Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_OUMLB_caZNsUu9kG3SUtpf3CLc=/0x0:6854x4569/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73217678/2079441093.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He’s been the star of spring training. Will it translate to the regular season?</p> <p id="xntSZk">Great defensive ballplayers are almost always described as graceful. Their movements are said to be smooth, liquid, balletic. They glide over the grass as if on roller skates. </p>
<p id="PM8PEl">Ceddanne Rafaela is nothing if not a great defensive ballplayer. But I don’t think of his game as graceful; I think of his game as <em>violent</em>. He swings the bat like he’s trying to rescue someone on the other side of a locked door. He tears up the basepaths like he’s trying to outrun an earthquake. When I watch him in the field, I don’t see a ballet dancer; I see a kid catapulting himself off the walls of a bouncy house at the neighbor’s birthday party. And I absolutely cannot take my eyes off him. He’s the first name I look for every morning when spring training lineups are announced. And as we haltingly approach opening day, he’s the biggest reason to still care about what are otherwise the two most painfully slow weeks of the baseball calendar. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Someone forgot Ceddanne Rafaela was in CF… <a href="https://t.co/VgFOEmlcu2">pic.twitter.com/VgFOEmlcu2</a></p>— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) <a href="https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1769054067358106099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="inThuT">Which is funny because, coming into spring training 2024, I was a Rafaela hater. Well, scratch that: hater is far too strong a word. But it’s true that I’ve never quite been a big believer in his Major League future. </p>
<p id="4ODxZg">One of the weirder externalities of the Prospect Industrial Complex that’s developed over the past 10-15 years is that fans and writers now all feel the need to have takes on players who they’ve hardly ever seen play. The amount of people who have actually watched nine innings of Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony is vanishingly small — and that’s to say nothing of younger guys like Miguel Bleis, Yoelin Cespedes, or even Kyle Teel, who has become a household name amongst <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> fans despite the fact that he’s played fewer games for the Red Sox organization than Yu Chang. And even if you have caught a game or two at Hadlock or Polar Park, well, it’s baseball — nine innings isn’t indicative of anything.</p>
<p id="PH0smH">But you gotta have that take. Everyone does. And so, even before any of us knew how to pronounce his name, Ceddanne Rafaela became one of the most polarizing Red Sox prospects in recent memory. Was he Mookie Lite, a small but wiry strong hitter with a power bat to complement his glove work? Or was he yet another flashy prospect whose tools masked his total lack of strike zone control, a guy who would be stripped naked by MLB pitchers? </p>
<p id="r2oGJu">I put myself in the latter camp. No matter how many amazing defensive highlights I saw come across my Twitter feed or how many homers he sent into the streets of Worcester, that chase rate was always sitting there in the back of my mind, rolling its eyes at me like a cynical teenager. <em>What, you really think a few good months against 27-year-old career minor leaguers proves anything? </em></p>
<p id="tc9Kco">And yeah: you really can’t ignore the plate discipline issue. During his short stint with the big league club at the end of last year, Ceddanne swung at 41.6% of all pitches outside of the strike zone. Here’s the complete list of qualified Major Leaguers who chased that much in 2023, along with the offensive production that resulted:</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KHw7DMzD_ErgwFOAQKBzVECt3uc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25343913/Screenshot_2024_03_19_at_9.34.06_AM.png">
</figure>
<p id="lYMoxj">Yeah, that’s. . . not a good list. Three decidedly sub-par hitters and Eddie Rosario, who only barely managed to put up league average offensive production thanks to the 21 homers he blasted at the bottom of baseball’s best lineup. </p>
<p id="nszsoM">But that list also demonstrates a couple of other things. First, given how good his glove is, Ceddanne is almost certainly going to be a Major Leaguer for a long time, even if he never does learn how to control the strike zone. Ezequiel Tovar and Javier Baez are two of the most valuable defensive players in the game. And while the game has largely passed Salvador Perez by at this point, he’s someone who made his name as a stalwart behind the plate. They prove that that there’s always a place for someone who catch the ball at an elite level, even if they are offensive blackholes. </p>
<p id="TFubrt">And, second, this list gives me hope that, if he does have any amount of success at the plate, Ceddanne is absolutely going to be one of the most fun players to watch in all of baseball. Call it the Javy Baez Effect. Even as he graced the covers of video games, contended for MVP awards, and invented the entire concept of being a good tagger, Javy Baez always had plenty of haters, people who scoffed at his free-swinging approach and OBPs in the low .300s. And my attitude to those haters was always: <em>who the hell cares! </em>Baez was doing things on the baseball field we’d never seen before, which, you know, is kind of why we watch the game in the first place.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ceddanne Rafaela on the Opening Day roster or get fucked. <a href="https://t.co/TdDPVRikku">pic.twitter.com/TdDPVRikku</a></p>— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jared_Carrabis/status/1766901764236693524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a>
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<p id="SNujtt">In fact, in a game that’s becoming increasingly homogenized by statistical analysis, I dare say that Ceddanne’s approach is kind of refreshing. His plate appearances — even the bad ones! — are plainly more exciting than those of many of his teammates. They’re quicker, less predictable, and more visually interesting. I miss that in baseball. The drive to optimize everything deprives us of the element of surprise, which is to say, fun. Why would I want to hate on that? </p>
<p id="zlTmZ9">Ceddanne’s been the breakout player of Red Sox spring training 2024. As we all know (as Bobby Dalbec has taught us), that doesn’t really say anything about his future as a big leaguer. But I’ve had a blast watching him. And the big question about the 2024 season, for me, is whether he can turn the Spring of Ceddanne into the Summer of Ceddanne. If he can, I have a new favorite player. </p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/19/24104027/the-spring-of-ceddanne-rafaela-red-sox-prospect-analysisDan Secatore2024-03-18T10:13:58-04:002024-03-18T10:13:58-04:00Red Sox News & Links: Brayan Bello to Start Opening Day?
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<img alt="2024 Dominican Republic Series - Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xbWdxHuBNQWMmC3N95iLP_1RxsI=/0x0:7409x4939/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215090/2075741889.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, an injury to the bullpen</p> <p id="Z1VWGw">Hey, everyone, it’s <em>“this is a really fun group of guys, everyone gets along great”</em> season! Spring Training provides few things that are more reliably fun than the stories about players bonding and coming together as a team. This is true even though these stories are written every year, even about clubhouses that end up proving as toxic as the mouth of the Mystic River. This year, we’ve got closest-to-the-pin outings, trips to TopGolf, and meals at Trevor Story’s house.<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/16/sports/red-sox-team-bonding/"> (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="gTWHSR">But, of course, the most fun thing about Spring Training is following the progress of the guy who you hope will be the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>’ next breakout player. This year there’s not question that that guy is Ceddanne Rafaela. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/16/sports/ceddanne-rafaela-red-sox-spring-breakout-braves/">(Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="MsD6F7">Next year, will that be Nick Yorke? As a prospect he lives in the shadow of the big three, but he’s impressed in camp. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/17/sports/red-sox-spring-training-nick-yorke/">(Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="Gv7NUr">Trevor Story can’t really be the red Sox next breakout player, given that he’s an established MLB veteran who’s already been an All-Star. But it’s true that he has yet to have much success with the Sox, so if he returns to form, it could feel like a breakout of sorts. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/on-red-sox-team-with-many-questions-trevor-story-poised-to-provide-answers-mcadam.html">(Sean McAdam, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="vjkShu">Speaking of breakouts, Nick Pivetta made FanGraphs list of breakout pitchers for 2024, after Bello made the cut last year. <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/szymborskis-2024-booms-and-busts-pitchers/">(Dan Symborski, FanGraphs)</a> The piece includes this extremely promising chart: </p>
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<p id="A1r4W7">But right now it’s Brayan Bello, not Pivetta, who appears to be lined up to be the Sox’ Opening Day (err, night) starter. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2024%2F03%2Fdid-red-sox-tip-hand-at-who-will-pitch-opening-day-vs-mariners%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24104722%2Fred-sox-news-links-brayan-bello-to-start-opening-day-chris-murphy-injury" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Gio Rivera, NESN)</a></p>
<p id="XFHQLd">The worst part of Spring Training is, of course, the injuries, especially those that hit the pitchers. Now it’s Chris Murphy, the young reliever who looked poised to crack the opening day bullpen, who is getting an MRI on his elbow. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-lefty-to-undergo-mri-on-elbow-monday-worry-of-course.html">(Christopher Smith, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="KCuqgT">And save this one for your lunch break: a giant behind-the-scenes look at the Sox development academy in the Dominican. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5337226%2F2024%2F03%2F14%2Fred-sox-dominican-republic-academy-inside-tour%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24104722%2Fred-sox-news-links-brayan-bello-to-start-opening-day-chris-murphy-injury" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)</a></p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/18/24104722/red-sox-news-links-brayan-bello-to-start-opening-day-chris-murphy-injuryDan Secatore2024-03-13T11:03:56-04:002024-03-13T11:03:56-04:00Red Sox News & Links: Lucas Giolito Avoids Tommy John Surgery
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<img alt="Boston Red Sox Photo Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s7ibKiVSgWzYWujv-4A6bOyzDX8=/0x0:8640x5760/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73203974/2043988025.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>But there’s a new injury in the outfield</p> <p id="de9fro">Well, here’s some good news — or, at the very least, news that isn’t quite as bad as it could be. Lucas Giolito underwent surgery for his partially torn UCL yesterday, and he did not require the full Tommy John. He still probably won’t pitch at all in 2024, but hopefully his recovery timeline will allow him to be fully fit by Spring Training 2025. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-starter-lucas-giolito-avoids-tommy-john-has-less-severe-elbow-surgery.html">(Chris Cotillo, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="VUXdwz">Giolito’s injury was genuinely kind of good news for two guys in particular (even if they’d almost certainly never admit it): Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck, who, instead of competing against each other for the fifth spot in the rotation, are now likely both locks to begin the season there. And thus far, the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> are really happy with how Houck looks. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/12/sports/red-sox-houck-starter/">(Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="uOWfFX">How much do you think Red Sox pitchers are pulling for defensive wizard Ceddanne Rafaela to make the big league team? The question about Rafaela has always been whether his approach at the plate will work in the Majors. But so far this Spring, he’s hitting so well that he’s not giving Red Sox brass much of a choice. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/11/sports/ceddane-rafaela-red-sox-outfield-duran-refsnyder/">(Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="ofExT9">And all of a sudden the path in front of Ceddanne just got a little easier. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder was hit in the toe with a pitch during yesterday’s game and left the ballpark in a walking boot. His status for Opening Day is now in doubt. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/sports/2024/03/red-sox-injury-news-outfielder-struck-by-pitch-may-have-broken-toe.html">(Sean McAdam, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="HUWiWU">There have been whispers about a potential reunion between the Red Sox and old dude pitcher Rich Hill. If the Red Sox are going to go that route, maybe they should go all in and sign Roger Clemens. The 61-year-old was back on the mound in Houston recently, pitching for the Savannah Bananas. <a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/03/11/roger-clemens-savannah-bananas-pitching-cameo/">(Hayden Bird, Boston.com)</a></p>
https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/13/24099509/red-sox-news-links-lucas-giolito-avoids-tommy-john-surgery-rob-refsnyder-injury-updatesDan Secatore2024-03-11T13:41:23-04:002024-03-11T13:41:23-04:00Red Sox News & Links: MLB Gets It Right In the DR . . . While Still Getting It Wrong
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<img alt="2024 Dominican Republic Series - Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qPOQDvuBfspOTR7FFKpf8Z0SRu0=/0x0:3791x2527/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73198489/2076030991.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, an injury to a key member of the bullpen</p> <p id="EXMo4J">Well, that little Dominican interlude was fun, huh? Central Florida just doesn’t provide this kind of swag:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Masataka Yoshida and Rafael Devers ahead of the Dominican Republic Series this weekend <br><br>(via bh_masataka34/IG) <a href="https://t.co/59jWaD0Hpd">pic.twitter.com/59jWaD0Hpd</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1766218691149283634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a>
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<p id="uQLiZZ">Alex Speier has a write-up of the trip, with lots of good stuff from Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/09/sports/red-sox-rays-dominican-republic/">(Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a> Papi and Pedro’s first pitch was must-watch. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2024%2F03%2Fred-sox-legends-throw-out-first-pitch-for-dominican-republic-series%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overthemonster.com%2F2024%2F3%2F11%2F24097325%2Fred-sox-news-links-mlb-dominican-series-pedro-martinez-david-ortiz-brayan-bello-devers-chris-martin" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">(Tim Crowley, NESN)</a> Here’s more on what the homecoming meant to Rafael Devers and the newly rich Brayan Bello. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-series-in-dominican-republic-represents-homecoming-for-two-young-stars.html">(Chris Cotillo, MassLive)</a> And it sounds like everyone had a great time partying it up on John Henry’s yacht. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-win-both-games-in-dominican-republic-series">(Ian Browne, </a><a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a><a href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-win-both-games-in-dominican-republic-series">)</a></p>
<p id="Vdi6HP">There’s just one very unfortunate thing about this otherwise very fun series between the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> and <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>: the games didn’t count. </p>
<p id="XS2TBw">The Dominican Republic is currently planet Earth’s beating heart of baseball. And yet, even as Major League Baseball has staged a whopping 41 regular season games overseas (not including the Expos’ 43-game San Juan sojourn in 2003 and 2004), the one place in the world that loves the game more than anywhere else has to settle for Spring Training exhibitions. </p>
<p id="MwENm9">We all know the reason for this: there are a lot more people who can afford jerseys and MLB.TV subscriptions in London and Sydney than there are in Santo Dominigo. But just because we already know that Rob Manfred prizes money above all else, that doesn’t make it any less crass and disappointing. </p>
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<p id="4y7Bsn">In other news, now that we live in a post-Bello extension world, all eyes are on Triston Casas to see if he’s the next young star to ink a long-term deal. As has been reported this spring, the two sides don’t seem particularly close, with Casas having said that he’s been presented with “nothing enticing.” Now, he’s also saying that he hasn’t quite earned a big contract yet, saying that he wants to first establish himself as one of “the great first base[men] in the game. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/10/sports/triston-casas-red-sox/">(Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="cnLO9b">Kutter Crawford has mostly existed in Brayan Bello’s shadow as a big leaguer, but their production is actually fairly similar, and Crawford’s been pegged as a sleeper break-out candidate by many this spring. According to cutter, guidance from Chris Sale has helped his development. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/11/sports/kutter-crawford-chris-sale-red-sox/">(Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="JixrPv">Of course Crawford will still be in Bello’s shadow if the latter lives up to his goals, which includes making the All-Star Game, winning the Cy Young, and eventually being a Hall-of-Famer. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-brayan-bello-says-extension-is-big-step-but-sets-loftier-goals.html">(Chris Cotillo, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="gjYyOn">Chris Martin hasn’t won the Cy Young and probably won’t be going to Cooperstown, but he did get a Cy Young vote last year. Unfortunately he’s currently out with some groin tightness. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/key-red-sox-reliever-pulled-from-throwing-session-with-groin-tightness.html">(Chris Cotillo, MassLive)</a></p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/11/24097325/red-sox-news-links-mlb-dominican-series-pedro-martinez-david-ortiz-brayan-bello-devers-chris-martinDan Secatore2024-03-07T12:30:01-05:002024-03-07T12:30:01-05:00Red Sox News & Links: A Brayan Bello Deal!
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<img alt="Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yr3JgVNYXA2VA47SxUPi1IMf0Mo=/0x0:4018x2679/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73189407/2065769195.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, injury updates on Lucas Giolito, Trevor Story, and more.</p> <p id="X9PaZP">The <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> are apparently extremely close to signing a deal with Brayan Bello that would likely buy out his arbitration years and tack on an additional year or two of control. By all accounts, it seems that the deal is essentially done, but the team is waiting until they’re in Bello’s native Dominican Republic this weekend to make the announcement. This is good news! It really is! We should note, though, that Bello already is under team control through 2028. So what we’re really talking about here is a deal that will likely pay Bello a little more than he’d otherwise get from 2024-2028, and then a little less than he’d otherwise get in, say, 2029 and 2030. In other words, this is more about risk management (for both sides) than it is about drastically altering roster composition in the long-term. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/06/sports/brayan-bello-red-sox/">(Julian McWilliams and Alex Speier, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="lBXt2h">UPDATE: THEY DID IT, EVERYONE!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Right-hander Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $55 million contract extension that includes a seventh-year club option for $21 million, sources tell ESPN.<br><br>The Sox lock up the 24-year-old into the 2030s.</p>— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) <a href="https://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/1765793466980667512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a>
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<p id="7YVVtH">So, about that trip to the Dominican: the Sox will play two games against the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, and David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez will be big presences. Other details here. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/06/sports/red-sox-schedule-dominican-republic/">(Emma Healy, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="77k8mZ">Unfortunately, Lucas Giolito will not be any sort of presence. He’ll be in Alabama, getting a second opinion on his elbow. This is also good news (kinda) in the sense that there’s still a possibility he doesn’t require Tommy John surgery. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/06/sports/red-sox-lucas-giolito-second-opinion/">(Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)</a></p>
<p id="BmAHoZ">And we have even more grim injury updates. This time about Trevor Story, who was hoping to finally have a normal Spring Training with the Sox. Story was scratched from this afternoon’s game with a stiff neck. It’s just precautionary at this point, and let’s hope it stays that way. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/trevor-story-scratched-from-red-sox-lineup-thursday.html">(Christopher Smith, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="cEzFxA">Oh, and Tyler O’Neill and Zack Kelly are laid up with calf tightness and a sore oblique, respectively. The team is hopeful that O’Neill will only need a few days off (though with his injury history. . . ) but Kelly is now doubtful for Opening Day. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-slugger-has-calf-tightness-reliever-could-begin-year-on-il-report.html">(Christopher Smith, MassLive)</a></p>
<p id="DbGM0r">And in case you were wondering whether the Bello extension portends well for talks with Triston Casas, the answer is apparently no. Casas says there have been “no developments whatsoever.” <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/casas-doesnt-seem-close-to-getting-his-own-extension">(Rob Bradford, WEEI)</a></p>
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https://www.overthemonster.com/2024/3/7/24093432/red-sox-news-links-getting-closer-to-a-brayan-bello-deal-lucas-giolito-trevor-story-injury-updateDan Secatore