The upcoming baseball offseason guarantees to be an exhilarating one, however till the tip of the World Collection, there’s not a lot Purple Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, or some other main league group’s high baseball operations government, can do.
However what if you happen to may? If you happen to ran the Purple Sox, what would you do?
‘Play normal supervisor for a day,’ our editor informed me and Herald colleague Mac Cerullo. (Or in Boston’s case, chief baseball officer.) ‘Don’t restrict’ to roster strikes was the directive.
First, some floor guidelines. To be able to really wield unfettered energy, we should droop the realities of the job. Finalizing contracts can take days, and building would possibly require months, particularly in Boston. In spite of everything, the Massive Dig was initially conceived within the early Nineteen Seventies, building started in December ‘91, and wasn’t formally accomplished till 2007.
I’m solely in cost for at some point, and there’s a lot I need to do.
By pup-ular demand
I’m bringing my canine to my workplace at Fenway, and I’m letting all of you convey your canines to a ballgame, too.
Canine-friendly video games are a rising development round Main League Baseball, with extra ballparks internet hosting a minimum of one ‘Bark within the Park,’ ‘Canine Days of Summer time,’ or equally named occasion every year.
In 2023, BringFido, the web site that tracks dog-friendly locales reminiscent of inns and eating places, listed the Padres, Pirates, Reds, Mariners, Nationals, Royals, Astros, Diamondbacks, Giants, and Rays.
Absent from BringFido’s record are the three ballparks with the smallest capacities (excluding impermanent websites reminiscent of Sacramento’s Sutter Well being Park, at present dwelling to the Athletics): Cleveland’s Progressive Subject (34,830), Miami’s LoanDepot Park (36,742) and Fenway Park (37,775).
In 2024, nevertheless, the American Kennel Club‘s record of 56 dog-friendly video games throughout 19 groups included 5 Marlins contests. A complete of 19 ballparks hosted dog-friendly video games this 12 months, too. Looking forward to the 2026 season, Metropolis Canine Journal discovered a minimum of 21 ballparks planning to host a minimum of one.
Excluding the A’s and Rays, who spent the ‘25 season in minor league ballparks, the Marlins averaged 14,281 followers per recreation in 2025, the bottom within the majors. Even for one among MLB’s three smallest ballparks, that leaves plenty of open seats for four-legged associates.
Nevertheless, the aforementioned lists additionally embrace a number of groups that persistently draw huge crowds, together with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. And three of the 4 groups that averaged over 40,000 followers per recreation hosted a minimum of one canine day this 12 months: the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. (The New York Yankees have been the exception.)
Decrease capability and excessive attendance – Fenway averaged 34,278 followers per recreation this season – is a mix that makes it tough for Fenway to comfortably embrace four-legged associates. America’s oldest ballpark was not constructed with parking in thoughts – certainly, in pictures from Fenway’s inaugural Opening Day in 1912, police horses stand outdoors on a then-unpaved Jersey Avenue – a lot much less pet-themed video games.
In the true world, a boss should put aside their love for his or her canine and take a look at issues objectively.
Thankfully, I’m beneath no such constraints. And also you wouldn’t be, both.
Massive bat
I’ll begin my day in cost by addressing a key roster want.
Briefly: I’m throwing a bunch of cash at Kyle Schwarber, who we already know can hit effectively in Boston. Welcome again, Kyle.
Pitching is at all times an space that may profit from fortification, however I feel an influence bat takes precedence this offseason.
In 2017, the Purple Sox tried to make a go of issues with out making an attempt the inconceivable process of changing David Ortiz. Keep in mind how that went? They completed final within the AL in dwelling runs. They received one playoff recreation.
Sound acquainted?
This 12 months, the Purple Sox proved that they had organizational depth to easy many bumps within the street. Pitching prospects got here up and contributed like by no means earlier than. Versatile defenders moved round when Triston Casas and Alex Bregman suffered accidents. For the primary time since 2021, they have been capable of cobble collectively a group that might face up to accidents lengthy sufficient and effectively sufficient to get them into the postseason.
Energy-hitting was the exception to their ‘subsequent man up’ system. The offense seemed misplaced when Roman Anthony went down with an indirect damage in early September. Apart from, he can’t hit 88 dwelling runs, the precise hole between the AL-leading Yankees and the 10-below-league-average Purple Sox this 12 months. This group wants extra, particularly with Bregman opting out. (Extra on that later.)
Carry again Bregman
Talking of Bregman, I’m doing every thing in my energy to retain him. His “baseball rat” thoughts – supervisor Alex Cora’s phrases – and the management and expertise he brings to the desk make him value each penny.
And since there’s no restrict to my energy, I’m transforming his extension earlier than he may even formally choose out.
Meals, superb meals
Fenway Park made some nice additions to their concession choices this 12 months, together with a Cabot’s grilled cheese stand on Jersey Avenue that paired excellently with the tomato soup from a seasonal stand inside the primary concourse in the course of the chilly early weeks of the season.
However basically, the fare leaves rather a lot to be desired if, like me, you don’t eat meat or shellfish, otherwise you merely need a more healthy choice.
Since Mac is including Greenback Canines on Tuesday, I’m ensuring there are veggie canines and veggie burgers obtainable, too. And never solely on Tuesdays.
Household enjoyable
It’s so vital for a group to do proper by their followers.
Step 1 is making the sport day expertise extra inexpensive.
Based on Motion Community, the Purple Sox entered the 2025 season because the least inexpensive ticket within the recreation for a household of 4 (together with 4 tickets, two beers, two delicate drinks, 4 scorching canines, parking, a memento hat, and factoring in a ballpark’s little one admission coverage). The Fenway invoice got here out to $366.71, or 53.22% above common ($239.33).
Forward of Opening Day this 12 months, Gametime listed Fenway’s median ticket value at $132, third-highest amongst groups enjoying in everlasting ballparks. (Enjoying in minor league services with considerably smaller capacities skewed pricing for the A’s and Rays.) That very same month, Vivid Seats’ 2025 MLB Fan Loyalty report ranked the Purple Sox ($140) the No. 1 ‘Hottest’ American League group, and No. 2 general behind the Dodgers ($181) by way of dwelling and away common bought value as of February ‘25.
I’m implementing a coverage for choose dwelling video games that unsold tickets remaining within the two hours main as much as first pitch are discounted for folks and free for youths beneath 13.
Additionally, along with ‘Children Run the Bases,’ we’ll raffle off the chance to make use of the L.L. Bean tarp as a slip-n-slide throughout rain delays, with the proceeds going to the Jimmy Fund.
If you happen to may run the Purple Sox for a day, what would you do? E mail me and let me know.
